Humor in Punk

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is home to a relentless punk music scene, and one of the original bands in American punk music that calls the city home is none other than The Dead Milkmen. Although the group came up amongst a hardcore punk scene, they differentiated with humble pop punk and a snarky sense of humor as seen on their classic release, Big Lizard In My Backyard. The band even reached some notoriety with their most famous single “Punk Rock Girl” from Beelzebubba.

The humor of the group is what has acted as the backbone between The Dead Milkmen and their fans. Although their sound has changed over time as the band has matured, their lyrical lightheartedness is one thing that has stuck with them, seeming entirely ageless. This is seen on the band’s newest release, Welcome to the End of the World.

The comical aspect of the group is on full display with the opening track, “Only the Dead Get Off at Kymlinge,” a track seemingly about a drunk train engineer. This is a track that starts as a classic rock track with ridiculous lyrics about a drugged out train conductor letting, “the dead get off at Kymlinge,” but then goes into a spooky instrumental bridge. The bass guitar from Dan Stevens on this track is infectious, adding another breathing element to this comfortable, yet fun song.

“The Brutalist Beat” almost sounds like Devo in its organ mixed with electronic music vibes. It feels like an ‘80s dance song at first with a rising guitar riff and chanting lyrics proclaiming the brutalist beat. The vocal effect on the lyrics, “The day has been demolished. The night is being built / Steel is being polished / Blood is being spilt,” is distorted enough to add another aspect to already one of the more unique Dead Milkmen songs.

“Battery Powered Rat” is an extremely unique instrumental track that borders on stoner jam band music, while remaining in the classic rock lane. This album really is all over the place, really making Ween proud here, with its virtuosity. “The Coast Is Not Clear” Is creepy enough for the Halloween season, shadowing The Rocky Horror Picture Show in its glamorous style of vocals. It really shows the variation that lead singers Joe Genaro and Rodney Linderman have.

Instrumentally, this EP surprises the listener, painting a unique picture with every track, and the album’s lyrical content is a fun trip of quirky rock and roll while watching a classic American band age like a fine wine. Of all of the older punk bands releasing new music this year, Welcome to the End of the World is the easiest to take seriously, even with its dorky aspects. It is short enough to not overstay its welcome, yet crafted intricately enough that fans of the group can milk every interesting tidbit in every track.