Album Review: Vital punk rock on new Subpar Snatch EP Get In Here
The Austin music scene is undeniably alive and thriving, and Subpar Snatch is a vital artery pumping punk rock through its veins. The group is releasing their latest EP Get In Here on June 20. This combustible trio, led by Jess Scott on vocals, Nate Ribner on bass, and CeeCee Email on drums is renowned for their high energy, raw, and unapologetic take on garage punk. Established in 2022, they quickly built a reputation for their raucous live performances, provocative lyrics, and a powerful sound that proves no guitars are needed.
Subpar Snatch’s new EP Get In Here is hot and ready to be consumed for your listening enjoyment.
The EP explodes to life with “Cowgirl,” as an overdriven bass immediately takes center stage, laying down a pulsating, dance inducing groove. CeeCee’s drums then enter like a shot of adrenaline, a frantic, propulsive beat that perfectly sets the scene for Jess Scott’s wild, howling “Yee Haw!” Jess then dives into her poetic yet witty lyrics, declaring, “I’m a cow, I’m a cowgirl can’t you see on my white horse, yeah my steed, riding brave and strong, fighting for the mild and meek.” Around the two minute mark, the track takes a momentary breath, but the intensity doesn’t waver. The bridge brings the song’s core message full circle with the line, “Politics are bubbling, all I wants a brother.” The pace then intentionally slows before explosively building back to its initial ferocity.
The mission continues unapologetically with “BBW (Big Bad Wolf),” leaving no doubt about the band’s direction. The song is consumed by the droning, overdriven bass guitar, perfectly aligning with Jess Scott’s confrontational lyrics: “Come here little pig, I got a question for you, you got so much, I just want to know are you gonna hold that door?” While open to interpretation, the track’s origins might be deciphered by asking the singer directly.
The EP’s third track, “Cletus The Fetus,” delivers a politically charged punch in true punk rock fashion, unapologetically tearing into right-wing hypocrisy. Scott’s lyrics spare no one, with biting lines like: “I’m Ted Cruz running off to Cancun, I’m Abbott’s wheelchair, roll him to his doom, Joe Rogan want MDMA, Elon call me the first lady.” Despite its fiery message, the tune boasts an incredibly catchy chorus that will lodge itself in your mind: “Cuz I’m Cletus the fetus I’m coming to your town, I’m Cletus the fetus Yeah watch me walk around.”
Further amplifying its message, “Cletus the Fetus” is accompanied by a powerful music video on YouTube. The video’s description includes a poignant dedication to Josseli Barnica, Nevaeh Crain, Candi Miller, Porsha Ngumezi, and Amber Nicole Thurman women who tragically died under Texas and Georgia’s state abortion bans. The song’s intent is unequivocally clear: to fiercely challenge the elite decision-making that undermines women’s fundamental rights to abortion.
The recording concludes with “Monster,” a track that reveals a comparatively softer, yet still undeniably heavy, side of Subpar Snatch. While maintaining their signature swagger, the song invites a more subtle, less overt headbanging rather than outright thrashing. Scott’s knack for injecting introspective questions into her lyrics shines through, as she muses, “Hope you know what you are doing, Monster in me, O U T, Monster.”
This EP is anything but subpar. It’s a powerhouse collection that absolutely belongs in your music library and will undoubtedly be revisited many times over. You can preorder a copy on Bandcamp for the June 20 release.
The record was co-produced by Kevin Butler and Subpar Snatch, recorded and mixed by Kevin Butler at Test Tube Audio and mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering in partnership with Blue Monday Records. You can also purchase exclusive merch from stupidmondayrecords.com (aka cool ass stuff the band does not have available at shows.)
The EP release show will be held at Hole in the Wall on June 21 including a magnificent lineup with French Film, Fifi Knifefight and Stella + The Very Messed.
You can also catch Subpar Snatch tomorrow, June 14 at Mohawk for Rickshaw Billies Big Dumb Fest.
You must be logged in to post a comment.