Sunday, April 24, 2022

Sickpay - Pureocracy

Pureocracy marks Brooklyn composer, producer, drummer and guitarist Mike Birnbaum’s debut as Sickpay.  Over the years he has also been a member of the bands 2 Ton Bug and Juiceboxx, released seven albums of electro-pop and reggae as D. Gookin and also played with Wavves for a few shows.   For Pureocracy he has released five songs rooted in raw, ragged, lo-fi punk, and while the screeching guitars and drums on opener “Quiet As A Joke” give it a bit of a Nirvana vibe at times, he also throws in some cowpunk country on “How Many Times”, a hint of new wave with the thick guitar licks and bass lines on “Generosity” and a bit of Operation Ivy styled reggae on the title track (ironically the most aggressive punk track here).  This is quite a refreshing debut and a Birnbaum project we will be hearing more from.

(Sickpay)

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