Album Reviews

Originally started back in 1998, SoCal ska-punk outfit CodeName: Rocky had a good run before calling it a day back in 2005. They released two albums (‘No Time To Waste’ and ‘Infinity’) and became a household name in the Southern California ska-punk scene by playing as many shows as they could. The band is back now with new vocalist Justin Picon (of Eve of Destruction), new guitarist Matthew Montoya (of Cry Havoc) and four new songs, the band’s first new material since 2022’s ‘Blueprint’ EP.

What can you expect from ‘Foundation’? Four horn-drenched, punked up ska songs that sound like Less Than Jake one second and the Bosstones the next. The band is especially relentless on opening track ‘Killing The Chemistry,’ which features The Last Gang’s Brenna Red. More guest vocals are provided by Bite Me Bambi’s Tahlena Chikami on the song ‘Little Devil’. But CodeName:Rocky just as well delivers on the two guest-less songs. With ‘Blueprint’ and ‘Foundation’, CodeName:Rocky have established that they are most definitely back.