There’s always a fear, of course, that the anticipation is better. That the five year long wait was actually the best part. Dutifully analyzing Instagram posts and new set lists. Listening to every podcast appearance and solo project. There’s a fear, of course, that it won’t be worth it. They’ll stray too far from their roots. They won’t evolve at all. They’ll crowd around too many musical micro trends. They’ll make something bad. Something you don’t like. That’s the real fear. That your time, your fandom, won’t pay off.
Skating Polly, in a cacophony of distorted vocals and sizzling riffs, have managed to avoid just that. Every day of their five year hiatus feels worth it after one listen to their new single “Hickey King”.
Skating Polly - a Tacoma based trio made up of siblings Kelli Mayo, Peyton Bighorse and Kurtis Mayo - announced the release of their 5th studio album, Chaos County Line, out June 23rd. The double album, and the band’s first new studio recording in five years, will be released through the band’s longtime label El Camino Media. To tide over fans after such a long wait the band released lead single “Hickey King”- a song that explores the minefield of power dynamics in sex and relationships- March 6th.
Skating Polly reach a whole new level of self-possession, ultimately sharing their most expansive and emotionally powerful work to date. The follow-up to 2018’s critically acclaimed The Make It All Show LP, the songs on the new album journey from art-punk to noise-rock to piano-driven power-pop.
On single “Hickey King,” Kelli and Peyton trade off vocals as they share their distinct perspectives on closely related experiences. “In Peyton’s verse she’s talking about never knowing how far to go or how much of yourself to give to someone, and when my part comes crashing in it’s about guys being possessive and always trying to leave their mark on you,” Kelli says. “To me it’s the most Skating Polly song on the record, because it’s all these different energies happening at once.”
The track trickles in with acapella vocals that quickly burst into grungey distorted guitar and hostile vocalizations. The band easily falls into their tried and true quiet-loud-quiet rhythm (their Nirvana influences have remained intact after all these years) but with an extra flair. The group lets you sit in silence for an almost uncomfortable length of time before ripping into the bridge. They also utilize vocal effects and layered harmonies for a deeper sound. The drumming is bombastic yet keeps militaristic precision throughout- reminiscent of David Lovering (Pixies). If this is your first time listening to the band you may find it hard to believe they’re a three piece. In the tradition of many punk bands before them, they sound larger than life. "Hickey King" serves up richer and more complex song writing than the band’s previous work and showcases each individual member’s growth (Peyton Bighorse’s vocals post-bridge may be some of the best recorded audio of all time).
Extensive touring and an intensive practice schedule have kept the band busy for the last five years and resulted in a heavily anticipated album and stand-out lead single. Skating Polly, in all their grunge glory, is a band worth waiting for.
