Jerkazoid – Earth In Reverse (2026)
Known for their high-voltage, rambunctious, impishly delightful and frenzied performances when”… the line between band and crowd disappears”, Portland-based Jerkazoid are, in a word (or two), damned memorable. Dragging the energy of 90s punk to modern-day audiences of all generations, Jerkazoid is that tequila chaser after a vodka-soaked night that you probably won’t remember, but it’s worth the hangover. Combining the powerful punch of Bazooka Jules (vocals and guitar), Silky Breeze (bass) and Racecar Dan (drums) – all aliases because do you really need to know the person’s name when you’re there for the experience – Jerkazoid takes you on a mad journey down Alice’s rabbit hole and then back up in their album, Earth In Reverse.
Plunging headfirst into Earth In Reverse, I’m immediately shoved back to the days of old-school pop-punk with flits of Sum 41 wafting in the tune. It’s furious and scorching, but with a smile-inducing element of fun lingering in the smash of drums, bass and guitar; a quality that features across the album…. sort of.
From ‘Runaway’, we shift to ‘Fake Friends’ and cling to the rush of Golden Age pop-punk sounds. High-spirited and one to get you jumping about, then ‘Six Minutes Away’ steps into the fore. Somewhat angrier… no, angstier, than the previous tracks, Jerkazoid sweep across with a sound that is harder punk. However, within the heaviness, ‘Six Minutes Away’ offers more clarity and notable individuality between the instruments as each takes a specific role.
‘Alphabet Soup’ and ‘King of the Middle of Nowhere’ seem to be the transition songs from hyped-up pop-punk to hyped-up smashes of punk. Travelling down the rabbit hole, the shift from ‘King of the Middle of Nowhere’ is the thrust from kaleidoscopic swirls to free-falling “what the hell is going on” storms. ‘Big Dumb Bitch’, ‘Somebody Kill Em’, ‘Lebanese Christmas’, and ’20 Minutes Early to Church’ are head-whipping movements from one side of the tunnel to the other and back again; a shift layered with forceful screams, beats and light burns (sonic, of course).
‘Chloe Knows Karate’ is the levelling song leaning toward pop-punk but with brasher vocals acting like imps trying to hold you back. From there, we find ourselves heading upwards toward the light. Followed by ‘Cops Don’t Rock’, ‘Collateral Damage’, and finally, you fill your lungs with refreshing air as Jerkazoid end Earth In Reverse in the tranquil, gentle, simple few minutes of acoustic guitar and soothing vocals of ‘No Comfort’.
One aspect I find particularly intriguing about Earth In Reverse and Jerkazoid is the duality in their music. The bass, drums and guitar weave into abrupt melodies but are also rhythmic, comforting, and, strangely, relaxing. Moreover, the vocals shout, scream and come at you from all sides, but also seem to hold your hand, give you a cheeky wink, and make you feel welcome in the frenzied musical twirl. Highly recommended!!
Find out more about Jerkazoid on their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Sad Times Productions
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