Words: LMW, Photos: RBY
The king is dead — or so I’m told.” That’s the opening line of the first track, ‘Savor the Victory’ from Kicked in The Teeth, and it sets the tone perfectly. This is a firework of an opener, ready to explode. Right from the start, we’re dropped into the band’s self-referential world — a group unafraid to wear their influences on their sleeves while showing off sharp technical skill and clear intent in every bar. This song radiates positivity. It delivers its message with irony and sarcasm, but it’s always directed straight at you, the listener.
‘Better Days’ calls back to the late-’90s era of melodic punk rock, evoking the energy of bands like NOFX, with a warmth and sugary complexity that shines brightest in the chorus — a space that Fat Mike and his crew sound would sound completely at home with. ‘Better Days’ also delivers the bright and punchy weight of great production.
‘Wooden Gun’ blasts off with a track that carries the raw energy of The Bronx and the snarling vitriol of Black Flag, wrapped in classic punk tempo and grinding guitars. There’s even a touch of Leatherface in the grit. It’s a statement of intent: loud, fast, and completely unapologetic.
The next track, ‘Plastic Lungs’ tears in full Lemmy mode — pure Motörhead attack — mixing the ferocity of Discharge with that relentless punk-through-the-ages rhythm. It starts fast and somehow finishes even faster, like being launched from a cannon.
By ‘Somethings Never Change’ we’re treated to a riff straight out of the MC5 songbook — slick, supportive, and driving everything forward. It’s got that early-2000s Rancid flavour, with a rough-around-the-edges charm that’s impossible to fake. A great blend that is present in all the tracks – if one is being honest.
Kicked in the Teeth are a punk band operating at the highest level. They hit hard, forging their path with confidence and precision. There’s a professionalism to their musicianship — every member sounds tight, cohesive, and fully in command. Their performances are packed with genuine energy, bounce, and vigour.
The band clearly wears their punk influences on their sleeve, drawing from the pioneers like The Stooges and The Seeds, who first hinted at the rawness of punk, all the way through to mid-’90s icons, touching on the sounds of Face to Face and even the likes of Pennywise.
This is not just a great band — it’s a top-notch production, capturing everything that makes punk exciting and immediate. They might label themselves ‘dad rock’ on Facebook, but this is truly ‘human rock’ — relatable, powerful, and deeply authentic.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickedintheteethband
Bandcamp: https://kickedintheteeth.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickedintheteeth_band/
Rare Vitamin Records: https://rarevitaminrecords.bandcamp.com