30 Nov -0001 // A review by Shade
Thanks to www.punkas.com for supplying this review, and The WBC for giving us permission to use this review:

The WBC have quickly established themselves as, along with Royal Rumble and The Offbeats, one of the foremost ska outfits in the country, with a number of high-profile gig slots and a spot on TV2's Friday night Space music programme. This is their debut EP, produced in 2000 as a sampler of the band's sound, and manages to be one of the best NZ ska releases of that year, with Royal Rumble's This Are Rumbletones the only one better. The CD is self-titled, packaged in a classic sparse black-and-white ska style, and features a tracklist of four songs.

The CD opens to the sinister bassline of Unhealthy Activity, from bassist Rob Sharp, before the brass section arrives and lets you know that this is ska, all the way through. The song evolves into a great rock-ska song of rare quality, and excellent production quality, courtesy of York Street Studios. The mix is full and thick, but with enough space around the instruments to allow the songs to breathe without the muddiness that can happen in many low-budget ska recordings.

The second track is Bite The Bullet, which has a memorable chorus hook and comes punctuated with shouted group "Hey"s, but it is The WBC Theme that is the stand-out track on this brief EP. (The tracklist is rounded out by a somewhat superfluous remix of Unhealthy Activity). The WBC rhythm section (rounded out by drummer Clint Murphy and guitarist Matt Paterson) is never less than beat-perfect and the horns of Matiu Sadd (also the lead vocalist), Liz Herron, Andy Pearce and Duncan Taylor are tight throughout.

This EP is a fine taster of what The WBC have to offer, and bristles with potential for the future.

After fifteen long years, the much-anticipated reunion of The WBC has finally been announced. Discussions about reuniting the band have taken place before, but this time it's actually happening!

This December, acclaimed Fat Wreck Chords ska champions, Mad Caddies, will be playing shows in Aotearoa, and in support, The WBC will take the stage once again. Fans can expect the same passion, energy, and infectious grooves that made the band a beloved crowd favorite all those years ago.

Formed back in 1998 and known for their high-energy performances and their residency at the Safari Lounge, the band quickly became a prominent indie force in the local music scene over the next decade. With their unique blend of ska, reggae, and rock, The WBC left an indelible mark, releasing an album and two EPs while touring Australia and Aotearoa regularly.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The WBC

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