Review / 200 Words Or Less
Shit Outta Luck
Family Tradition

Organized Crime (2007) Kevin Fitzpatrick

Shit Outta Luck – Family Tradition cover artwork
Shit Outta Luck – Family Tradition — Organized Crime, 2007

Not to be confused with Hayward's Shit Outta Luck, a ska band - this is Milwaukee's Shit Outta Luck, a meaty, Midwest "hardcore" band. The quotes are for the mere fact that the hardcore term is thrown around with such carelessness these days as to render its true meaning useless. Is S.O.L. hardcore? Not quite by my definition, but they come closer than others. Respectably upholding the tenets of the genre, there's sadly nothing really of note here. Slow-to-mid tempo songs with passable vocals but nothing memorable to speak of, like late-era Agnostic Front. Each song starts out promising with a good downstroke riff but then just goes nowhere. These guys love to drink and by looking at 'em you'd be hard pressed to distinguish them between the Dropkick Murphys, but the lyrics have an unfortunate meathead quality that ultimately castrates the overall purpose.

Shit Outta Luck – Family Tradition cover artwork
Shit Outta Luck – Family Tradition — Organized Crime, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more

The Slow Death

No Light To See
Don’t Sing Records (2025)

Few bands have as fitting a name as The Slow Death. They play forlorn, self-deprecating punk that’s heavily influenced by lonesome country. The music itself is more driving and punchy, but many of the lyrics would fit just well in a somber old-timey country ballad. It’s forceful music that punches inward instead of at The Man. The first song is … Read more