The Kingpins

Watch Your Back (Stomp)
by Skankin’ Dave

With the large explosion of ska across every corner of the states, its seems strange that our neighbor to the north has seemingly very few ska exports that reach the States. Thankfully, The Kingpins‘ sound easily crosses the border without any need for interpreter or customs form.

Montreal (home of the Kingpins and Stomp Records) is becoming a hotbed of ska, with Stomp the leading force north of the border with several releases (Planet Smashers and two “All-Skanadian” compilations). The Kingpins’ initial 12 track release is like channel surfing late at night: Each show has a different soundtrack, theme song and background music. A quick flip through these 12 channels will show some surfing, a ’30s gangster movie, a snake charmer from India, a children’s cartoon, a lurking-man shadowy mystery, monster funny car highlights, a race against the clock, a spaghetti Western with Clint, a documentary on bottling beer, a ’50s sock-hoppep rally, a spy thriller and then back to surfing again (in that order). The result is a finely crafted, traditionally-based release with an emphasis on subtlety. Subtlety is the key that brings together all their talent into a very smooth blend of music.

While not showcasing any member at length, the overall sound is achieved through the soft fusion of all the players. The horns fill out the sound, but as an accessory, rather than the up-front, driving force. “The 10 Commandments of Ska” showcases the often- underutilized keyboard and is the only song featuring female vocals. “Mata Hari,” “Beat Girl,” and “La Gammique” are swiftly flowing instrumentals. The twangy guitar characteristics found at the beginning of several songs gives the disc a surf feel, but these either fade into the more contemporary ska licks as the songs progress OR they grab the board and shred the waves. The title track imparts “living life under the gun/ ain’t so easy when you’re on the run/always listen to this advice…Watch Your Back.” The bass rarely has a chance to run and play, but again the subtlety of all the instruments makes this work, drawing you in to the music and into enjoying its depth. A great addition for all skanksters!
(370 Putney St. Lambert, PQ, J4P 3B6, Canada)