Listening to the new EP Wake Up Wake Up Wake Up from Oakland-based, black queer band Skip the Needle, you’ll feel like you’re being transported back to the 70’s. The group’s blend of rock, funk, soul, folk and punk, paired with the EP’s raw production and socially conscious lyrics, sounds like a lost record from that era.
First single “Until We Overcome” is an earthy slice of electric blues and soulful vocals, addressing the continued battle for equal rights (“We’ll battle on until we overcome”) and the exhaustion from still having to deal with these issues after so many years (“Been here before, you know that’s nothing new”). The 60’s folk movement certainly provides an influence for the revolutionary mindset in songs like “Wake Up”, a contemplative mid-tempo calling for the people to “”…rise up for each other. It’s time we lay our burdens down.”
And while the arrangement is very rock n’ roll (with some very soulful guitar playing), “All You Need” still feels like a folk song at heart, with it’s clear storytelling (“If you take these words and live with them all night, you might get lucky, and they’ll come out all right”). Musically, the band ventures into 70’s R&B on the heartfelt “Call Me”, a reach-out to a friend in need. There is a little psychedelia in the ending guitar work, and lightly funky rhythms here, but if you want a real, danceable funk track, then EP closer “Lady DJ” is what you’re looking for. This one was made for the dance floor, and shows off the band’s lively fun side.
The EP is out everywhere on March 7th. Listen to the first single here.
The Indy Review 
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