‘Scam Jam’ by New York’s Career Boy is a blistering rocket fueled by scything guitars and an insistent, ceaseless rhythm section and a kind of punk poetry visceral blast.
There is an indie punk connection to the lyrically driven raw and expressive guitar sounds of bands like Fontaines D.C., Idles or The Clockworks, with an East Coast US sensibility. This is grounded firmly in the spirit of rebellion against the norms of society: the lyrical inspiration for their songs is, according to the band, often based on their rejection of what they see as the “traditional job-oriented approach to life” that the modern-day U.S. prescribes.
Irrespective of the genesis of the sound and the inspirations behind the lyrics, there is no doubt it is cathartic and thoroughly enjoyable with the prowling ominous bass lines and spat out vocals. The lyrics take the form of a warning to youth about the gig economy, the lack of support for creatives and the creation of wage slaves without stability – incredibly pertinent in today’s age.
In the accompanying video, the band appear as masked heroes spreading the good word:
The single can be streamed here.
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