One of ska-punk's most enduring bands teams up with their musical friends for an aural agglomeration!
Los Angeles-based ska-punk band Goldfinger have just released their new full-length album ‘Nine Lives‘ via Big Noise Music Group, distributed through Virgin Music. Led by frontman and producer John Feldmann, the band’s ninth studio LP ‘Nine Lives‘ captures Goldfinger at their most focused and energized.
The record features a range of guest collaborators that reflect Goldfinger’s long standing role within ska-punk and alternative music. Appearances include; Mark Hoppus (blink-182), Jim Lindberg (Pennywise), Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills), Iann Dior, Zac Carper (FIDLAR), and El Hefe (NOFX). The album addresses longevity and the process of continuing forward after decades as a working band.
The band’s refreshed and powerhouse lineup features John Feldmann (producer/lead vocalist), Charlie Paulson (guitar), Mike Herrera (bass), Nick Gross (drums), and Moon Valjean (guitar). Together, they deliver the same explosive energy and anthemic hooks that defined Goldfinger‘s early years, now evolved with the precision and passion of veteran musicians.
Formed in 1993 by guitarist and vocalist John Feldmann, bassist Simon Williams, drummer Darrin Pfeiffer, and later joined by guitarist Charlie Paulson, Goldfinger broke out when their single ‘Here in Your Bedroom’ hit heavy rotation on KROQ, catapulting them into worldwide tours and punk notoriety. Known for their chaotic live shows, wild antics, and relentless touring, including a Guinness World Record for performing 385 shows in a single year – Goldfinger quickly became punk legends.
Launching ‘Nine Lives‘ is Goldfinger‘s most recent single, ‘Chasing Amy‘, driven by buzzing guitars and machine gun drumming. They lyrics aren’t exactly complex, but it’s a solid pop-punk start:
Track #2 features blink-182‘s Mark Hoppus on guest vocals. ‘Freaking Out a Bit‘ almost could be a blink song – and an ace one too! The anxiety over mental health is a struggle only too real to Hoppus, who admits he hit rock bottom after blink-182 broke up in 2005.. fortunately he held on, and the band eventually re-united. Relatable lyrics across a belter of a song make this one special:
A fast ska beat drives ‘Last One Standing‘ which sees Jim Lindberg from Pennywise add his vocals to the track. The brass section jumps in and out of the song to great effect. Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills appears on ‘Derelict‘, lending his raw vocals to this urgent ska-punk banger. ‘Lie In Bed‘ is a tightly written, high-impact and hook-filled, including the line “Everything is overrated” – a nod to Less Than Jake perhaps?
We’re riding the dub train in ‘Loser‘, with Zac Carper of FIDLAR guesting on vocals. A song about being dragged down by the grip of addiction, something Zac has been through, his voice lending real authenticity here. Young rapper / singer Iann Dior brings his soulful voice to ‘Untouchable‘, a nostalgic number refelecting upon the carefree innocence of youth. The curveball on this album is ‘John Lennon‘ – a Goldfinger tribute to the legendary Beatle – which sounds like nothing else on the record!
We’re back to the regular Goldfinger sound on ‘Dynamite‘, with dynamic drumming and melodic shredding. A song about letting fear prevent essential growth and change. Pulling the ‘Killswitch‘ on a relationship inspired this next number. The guitar howls to accompany the plaintive vocal.
Mostly acoustic, ‘The Punisher‘ is backed by a banjo. Only Goldfinger could make this instrument rock! El Hefe of NOFX drops in one of his signature guitar solos midway. This track shouldn’t work so well, but it genuinely does! Another burst of nostalgia in album closer ‘College‘, John pushes his vocal range to it’s maximum across the acoustic guitar and synthetic orchestral strings of a heartfelt farewell to his college-bound offspring.
Order ‘Nine Lives‘ on CD and on transparent orange vinyl from HERE – and on Digital Download HERE. Streaming everywhere NOW!
Catch Goldfinger on tour this year:
Feb 12 – Culture Room – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Feb 13 – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Feb 14 – Jannus Live – Saint Petersburg, FL
Mar 20 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
Mar 21 – Southside Ballroom – Dallas, TX
Apr 11 – Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO
Apr 17 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
Apr 18 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA
May 23 – Slam Dunk Fest – Ware, Hertfordshire, UK
May 24 – Slam Dunk Fest – Leeds, UK
July 17 – History – Toronto, ON
July 19 – Theatre Beanfield – Montreal, QC
Aug 22 – TBA – Los Angeles, CA
Main Photo Credit: CALEB ALVAREZ
- CHASING AMY
- FREAKING OUT A BIT (feat. Mark Hoppus)
- LAST ONE STANDING (feat. Jim from Pennywise)
- DERELICT (feat. Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills)
- LIE IN BED
- LOSER (feat. Zac Carper of FIDLAR)
- UNTOUCHABLE (feat. Iann Dior)
- JOHN LENNON
- DYNAMITE
- KILLSWITCH
- THE PUNISHER (feat. El Hefe of NOFX)
- COLLEGE
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