Punky Tunes

Reviews

Punky Tunes Still Going Strong CD

If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if the DISTILLERS met KIDZ BOP, this EP is it. Still Going Strong by PUNKY TUNES delivers the sound-blasted confection key to pop punk sounds. The band caught on quickly to what makes a good bubbly tune, with electrically charged drums by Matthias on every song and great melodic guitar by Laurent on tracks like “Keep On” and “Still Going Strong.” Coming from Sélestat, France, this EP calls back to the country’s roots, making the past proud with the politically charged lyrics of “Eco-Anxiety” and “Attitude” calling for a revolution, hailed energetically by vocalist Marie. Though nothing standout or provocative, this is certainly the right EP if you’re in the mood for a fun hit of upbeat music.

Punky Tunes We Are in the Future CD

I’m nearly 40 and have listened to a lot of skate punk. It’s extremely formulaic, lots of hi-hat/snare doodle-bap, and typically singing about girls, booze, and boards. Not PUNKY TUNES. For me, they’re incredibly refreshing. This is the kind of punk that attracted me to the DIY umbrella long ago. First off, their singer Marie has a strong voice with a clear tone and excellent range. PUNKY TUNES is a five-piece from France, but they sing in English. They even have their own band theme song! Bands like the BOLLWEEVILS, GROOVIE GHOULIES, and the LILLINGTONS all have songs where they mention the band name in the song, some even spelling them out. PUNKY TUNES does this with the song “Punky Family,” but it doesn’t feel well-worn or tired. This group has a refreshing passion for making good music in a genre that has been trying to stay young and relevant since its beginning. PUNKY TUNES is checking a lot of boxes for me. They’re political on purpose, catchy, dynamic, talented, and it comes through their music that they really give a shit about what they preach. Their website proudly calls out their “anti-fascist, pro-feminist, animal-friendly, LBGT+, Earth protection, and DIY values.” By the way, their 7 SECONDS cover on this record is fabulous. I also highly recommend you listen to their RANCID cover of “Fall Back Down.” Honestly, everything I’ve heard from their catalog is a certified banger.