Today we have somewhat of a deep cut with The Suicide Machines 1996 debut album Destruction by Definition, one of those mid-90’s records that perfectly nails the mix of piss and vinegar punk rock and sing-a-long hooks. It’s a damn hard line to walk consistently but this album has always stood out to me as one which did it perfectly. The Suicide Machines remind me a helluva lot of Rancid for that reason. Sharp horns, driving guitars, and a real knack for melody that set them apart from the rougher sloppier punk contemporaries of the mid-’90s. Their songs are fast and packed with energy, but there’s always a hook or chorus that sticks around long after the last chord rings out. This was also a band which was blessed to grace the pretty legendary Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack with their song “New Girl” which honestly probably helped pay their bills for a few years considering how many people (myself included) found them at the time. If my kids are reading this in a few years then this is a reminder that there’s no perfect time to get into punk rock and skateboarding than at 12 years old. When those two come together at that time in your life it’s pretty damn magical. And even 25 years later Destruction by Definition still holds up as one of the most infectious punk-ska hybrids of its era, full of bounce and bite in equal measure. Big fan. Big big big big fan.
Standout Songs: “New Girl”, “S.O.S.”, “Break The Glass”, “Our Time”, “Islands”, “Inside/Outside”, “I Don’t Wanna Hear It”
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