Step Right Up – ‘Brassknuckle Lullabies’ EP

Step Right Up – Chicago, Illinois, United States Of America.

Old school Hardcore Punk from Chicago. Fast, angry and beer-fuelled.

Step Right Up are a 3-piece Punk Rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Playing at a break neck tempo and firing a full broadside repeatedly at your ears in a barrage of Punk Rock fury, the band are going from strength to strength since the release of the debut EP, Brassknuckle Lullabies.

I first discovered the band on one of my general music finding missions across the barren wastes of the internet, as I found myself in in the Punk Rock Community on Facebook. Here, a friend and myself came across a post by Step Right Up’s, Jeff Hanula (Vocals and Guitar), who had posted the bands bandcamp profile in promotion of the free EP. After a back and forth with Jeff, we’d both downloaded the EP. Since then, I not only have I kept in contact with Hanula – which resulted in this review – ‘Brassknuckle Lullabies’ has been on heavy rotation.

Chicago is known for its strong Punk scene – Alkaline Trio, Rise Against, The Lawrence Arms (who we reviewed a while ago; click here) take care of the more melodic side of things, and rightly so. Step Right Up however, in a city where music of all types is always playing loud wherever you go, have got Hardcore Punk’s back, and aren’t backing down.

Listing their influences as Black Flag, Minor Threat, Leftover Crack and Patrick Bateman (who is so lovingly adorned on the bands t-shirts), you know you’re in for a bit of a thrill ride. With the EP still echoing, I suppose I best get on with this review.

1. Bullets – ‘We just cut up our Girlfriend with a Chainsaw, does that sound… fine?’ Cheeky Evil Dead II sound bite never goes amiss. A nice droning Punk bass line before Hanula’s snarl, fuelled by Eric Morris’ manic drumming and we’re off. Fast, heavy and tight as fuck without losing any of scuzzy grit that makes old-school Hardcore what it is. ‘Bullets’ shows us the band’s skill at playing their instruments to what seems, at least sonically, to the very end, burning and screaming. Plus, there’s a good bit of guitar work in the form of a solo charging through the middle of the song. It’s a nice touch, as I find some bands will miss that out for the sake of pure speed and rhythms.

2. Nervous Wreck – My personal favourite. The intro is slower, lulling you into a false sense of security before the assault begins again. Track 2 attacks it’s subject, the issue of being made to feel lost, nervous and down trodden by other peoples’ dictations, the only way Punk knows how; 1:47 of pure fury. ‘You got my back against the wall, now my knuckles are white…’ There’s only one way out if backed into a corner like this… Charge out screaming; ‘ I am just a nervous wreck, get the fuck out of the way, I am just a nervous wreck, I don’t care what you have to say…’ . Sounding like the love child of Poison Idea and Minor Threat, track 2 is, HEAVY.

3. Death Tax – A classic Black Flag-esque Punk bass intro from Brandon Cartwright before some of the bands fastest neck destroying noise is powered through. ‘Death Tax’ is a solid track, not quite as engaging musically as the rest, but as with good releases you have your brilliant tracks and your good tracks. ‘Death Tax’ caries a political air about it, which certainly isn’t a negative thing in Punk music.

4. Nic Is A Teen – Track 4 shows off the band musically, longer in duration clocking in at 4:15 – and it has the time to. After a build up that would go down well live, you are led into verse with Hanula’s snarling vocals bouncing along to Cartwright’s bass. ‘Nic Is A Teen’ easily chops and changes between build ups and fast sections, all held together with solid drums guiding the way.

Once more, we’re treated to some of Hanula’s axe work before back to the bass driven sections. It may seem obvious that I comment on the bass being so important – as it is in any band – but certain bands and certain songs are held together tighter and more effectively than others. Track 4 really does allow the band to show off, and adds some variety to the album.

5. No Place To Live – ‘Until next time this is THREEEEE DOOOOOGGGGGG – OWWWWWWWHHHHHH! And your listening to Galaxy News Radio! Bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts!’ Being a bit of a Fallout fan, I was most pleased to hear this. Hell of a sound bite. ‘No Place To Live’ gives you the truth. Step Right Up have their rant, work out their gripes and express it all in 1:48 of raspy Punk Rock anger at their country and its faults with another politically charged anthem.

EP – Done.

Full of energy and good times, Step Right Up’s debut is what it is; proper Punk Rock played by 3 blokes who like beer, pizza, and playing honest, angry and real music. Musically Fresh gives the three piece 8/10.

If you’re interested in the band’s exploits and want to hear more, they are currently working on some new compositions, so click here for their Facebook and Reverbnation pages. And, if you interested in the FREE EP then head over the the band’s bandcamp page.

ALSO! Step Right Up have also just released a split with fellow Chicago Punks UGLYBoNES which is also available on the bandcamp profile for FREE. UGLYBoNES can be found here via their Facebook profile.

#StayFresh