There’s something about this Phenomena (demo), tell everybody to come along! Even if this reference to the best anti-Drug PSA disguised as a Hip Hop party anthem of the 1980s has fallen flat please read on… I have no idea what this new enough punk group from the Sunshine State is aiming for but my visual image of Phenomena’s formation is like a midlife rejigging of this classic youth experience: locate the only other people vaguely interested in making annoying subcultural music and find the middle ground. By George, it works! I’d rather be left in the lurch, slightly confused about what’s going on than predictable pinterest board punk any day of the week. If I had to guess, I’d say an array of noisy nichities and staples in punk cannon were discussed (proto-crust obscurities? dystopian pub-punk? the galloping end of goth?), more concerned with pushing themselves than any aesthetic agenda. While an SPK cover (it rocks!) and inclusion of noise/electronics member could ring your esoteric wiener alarm bells, our comprehensive mysterious guy hardcore smoke (and mirrors) detector remained silent for the whole darn tape! - Nic Made it onto our ‘Best of 2025 (So Far!)’ list. View collection here
