Sea-Sekshun - Tidal Cut

Sea-Sekshun are a local Victoria band that describe themselves as Ska-punge [a mix of ska/punk/grunge]. There's Jake Sunstrum on guitar/vocals. Tyler Swagar on bass. Ross Hobbs 2nd guitar. Tom Gracie rounds out the band on drums. If I'm not mistaken, Tidal Cut is their first EP which is produced by David Fraelic of Saul/Dead Eyes Open fame. Well, as much fame as you can get while keeping moderately known in BC.

Flyers comes across as a Metallica tinged grunge rocker. The sound is crisp and Sunstrum's snarl is very aided by Fraelic's skin tight production. It does have potential to be a single. That is, if we are ready for a grunge revival, which seems like Victoria is on track for. Many have attempted the Kurt Cobain and failed. In saying that, there were predictions Victoria could be the next Seattle. That prediction was made ages ago. We'll have to get out of the shadows of Vancouver in order to do that. With bands like The New Colors around, who knows what can happen.

A La Ska is a complete 180. It's a very fun song, and it's short. Tyler Swagar's voice is hard to pin point. It kind of passes you by. Suddenly it's over and you aren't too sure what has happened. It's such a wild card on the disc, it doesn't really have a point. I really enjoyed this song live and I have nothing against multiple singers, but it doesn't mesh with the disc. The song before contained no ska nor really any punk. It was almost all grunge. This one has ska and punk, but no grunge. Do I hate the song? No. If Sea-Sekshun wanted their EP to sound like a compilation of different bands, then they succeeded rather than presenting themselves as a cohesive band.

Cue-Kay starts with drums reminiscent of Tea Party's Temptation. The riff sounds a bit like L7's "Pretend That We're Dead" also. It's more in the vein of what the band represents. It has the same grunge sound as Flyers, but more in an Incesticide kind of fashion. It's nice to listen to, but it doesn't stick out. The way the drum mics are hooked up, it's quite powerful. You can almost feel the bass drum pump into your skull. You definitely understand its place on the disc and its purpose. Everything must have a purpose, afterall.

Her Story would be the ballad? Gone is the snarl. Sunstrum's voice sounds great on record. Better than it did live when I saw the band open for Weak Patrol. The song has that Green Day American Idiot vibe. The chorus is hooky. Could do well as a follow up single to Flyers. The back up vocals really do well to highlight the melody. Also, the best solo on the EP. It will definitely come as a shocker to the listener. Much like A La Ska, it's an awkward cut. You find yourself questioning if it is the same band or not. Unlike A La Ska, though, this is the difference between an alright one and something I would describe as ear candy. I just wish there was more bridging the gap. The EP comes across as a kid with ADHD that needs his Ritalin. On the upside, the band has shown what they are capable of. I can't help but feel they are trying too much at once. Trying to re-invent the wheel. This song has no grunge. No punk. No ska. It's pop rock. So, what exactly is Sea-Sekshun? A walking talking mixtape? This would make a better demo, than an EP. To show to labels what they can do.

I also felt like I wanted to hear more of the bass. I found the album to be fairly mid-level. Fairly equal. Nothing seemed to pop out. It sounded great, that's for sure. The vocals soared. All in all, I'd say it was a good listen. They've done something they should be proud of. The jigsaw isn't into place quite yet, and I hope they find the road they want to travel with it. Again, who are Sea-Sekshun? Because I've just listened to three versions of the same band clashing with eachother.

3/5