Ska-punk may not be the most popular music in a world of MTV pop-punkers and whiny emo bands, but
Upstate New York’s Public Access doesn’t give a shit what’s popular. The
five-piece group has been refining their approach to hardcore ska punk since their formation sometime in 2000 while
attending high school. While they incorporate elements and influences of early
hardcore, punk, and ska, it’s tough to fit them into
any one of those categories. This sound has earned the group comparisons to
Operation Ivy, early Mighty Mighty Bosstones and more recently, “Minor Threat with horns.”
Over the last five years Public Access has played with over 200
shows with a diverse group of headliners, including Murphy’s Law, Leftover
Crack, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Toasters, Turbo AC’s, Darkbuster,
The Slackers, Motion City Soundtrack, Mike Park, Gogol
Bordello, The Street Dogs, and Streetlight Manifesto. The band toured the
Midwest in 2004 and recently returned from a 3-week trip throughout the Eastern
U.S. in support of their latest EP, “Fleeced.” The 6-song effort was released
in July on
REVIEWS:
“…listeners in
search of a fun, truthful experience should look no further. The guitars are
heavy, the bass lines are driving, the drums are thick, and the vocals, lyrics,
and saxophones are forces not to be reckoned with. For a band that couldn't
care less about what's popular or what the masses are eating up, Public Access
have created a mix of anthems they enjoy, and I couldn't applaud them more for
their successful, moving efforts.” – Absolutepunk.net
“These guys put a ska/punk sound that is intense, mixing not just ska and punk but hardcore as well. They go from a nice rocksteady sound into a hardcore chorus. Other reviews said
that they are confused or whatever, but they are mixing, rather well, their
influences. No trumpets or trombones, these guys have saxaphones
and play them damn well. Intricate sax lines, and cathcy riffs make it easy to start dancing. The lyrics are
just as cathcy and fun too.” – Punkmusic.com
“…it's apparent
that Public Access seems to be getting a handle on the style, and has the
ability to put out some surefire ska-punk anthems...” – Punknews.org