Space Monkey Mafia "Banned from California"
Review by: Sara Liebl, Writer @larasiebl
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Space Monkey Mafia is a ska-punk band hailing from the Twin Cities. Thanks to their catchy tunes that are dangerously easy to dance to and infectious stage presence, Space Monkey broke into the scene quickly and has not slowed down since. This six piece force of nature has played shows with many notable ska bands, toured numerous times, and have helped facilitate highly attended events around the Twin Cities such as the yearly extravaganza “Skalloween.” Space Monkey Mafia is Dante Leyva (vocals and saxophone), Tim Kingstrom (also vocals and saxophone), Blake Foster (guitar and vocals), Joe Barron (bass and vocals), Samuel Ogden (trombone), and Eric Stuber (drums).
Space Monkey Mafia’s third full length album, “Banned from California”, primarily explores the ideas of hope, camraderie, perseverance, and the importance of having music and other passions in your life. This collection of songs full of uplifting and positive messages provides contrast to their previous more punk-heavy releases that were often centered around their displeasure with our current political climate, as evidenced in their 2018 single, “Oligarchy.” This new contrast has elevated their live shows in recent years, providing their fans with the perfect mix of angst, good feelings, and just plain old fun.
The first time the theme of holding out for better times appears on the album is the second track, “Stand Tall.” A perfect pick-me-up anthem for when you’re having a bad day, “Stand Tall” reassures listeners that “The madness will subside, it’s gonna be alright,” a message we could all benefit being reminded of these days. “Stand Tall” opens with a bouncy and enthusiastic bass riff before breaking into a pop punk-esque groove. The next layer is their horn line. As with any proper ska band, Space Monkey Mafia boasts an excellent horn section that brings undeniable energy to each song, not to mention their harmonies are incredibly clean. When the horns enter, the song settles into a more traditional ska style groove marked by off-beat guitar upstrokes, a hallmark of the ska genre. A notable moment in “Stand Tall” is the abrupt keychange, a clever musical reference to the song’s uplifting message.
Towards the middle of the album, Space Monkey Mafia proceeds to rip our hearts out by putting two of their most emotionally charged songs, “Anarcho Busline” and “This is We,” back to back. “We knew what we were doing,” Saxophonist and vocalist Dante Leyva said to me with a smirk when I scolded him for it.
“Anarcho Busline” has an indie folk feel to it for the first verse, allowing the listeners to experience the softer side of Space Monkey Mafia. The song picks up quickly, bouncing back and forth between punk and ska sections, cleverly dodging what could be some very awkward transitions. Bassist Joe Barron (fondly known as Jobi), who we don’t get to hear sing lead often, takes control of “Anarcho Busline,” perfectly nailing the quintessential voice and inflections of early pop punk singing
“This is We” is an upbeat yet very sentimental number (and even a potential tear-jerker) about what a lot of us love to do most - spend time with our friends at shows, something we haven’t been able to do regularly for two years. That added perspective, albeit unintentional considering the song was written pre-covid, makes the song even more special and relatable, as it is a reminder of the times we have had and and eventually will have again. The bridge of the song could not be more relevant right now, “This is you, this is me. This is us, this is we. This is all of us together, makes times a little better” they repeat, stacking a new vocal harmony on top of the melody each time, building on the emotional aspect of the lyrics and driving the song back to the exciting instrumental section featured throughout the song. To sum it up in one sentence, “This is We” is a powerful love letter to live music.
Banned from California is an album we needed to hear right now. The listening experience is truly cathartic, the perfect reprieve from the stresses of everyday life. Take a moment to grab some headphones and sit down with this album. Or even better, dance it out.
Skank-able Rating - 10/10
Times I Cried on my First Listen - 3
Am I considering buying checkered vans? - Yes
Listen to Space Monkey Mafia’s Banned from California wherever you stream your music.
