Chinkees KA Music

The Chinkees return with first new EP in 18 years (listen)

Ska-punk is back (or never really left), and today marks the comeback one of the genre’s most iconic bands: The Chinkees! The band — whose current lineup includes classic members Mike Park (Skankin’ Pickle, Bruce Lee Band) on vocals and Steve Choi (Rx Bandits) on keyboard and guitar joined by newer members Roger Camero (of No Motiv and who’s also in Peace’d Out with Steve Choi) and Kevin Higuchi (of Jeff Rosenstock‘s band) — just released their first new record in 18 years, the K.A. Music EP, on Mike Park’s Asian Man Records label.

“Steve Choi called me up and said ‘I’m working on some ska punk tunes, let’s record for a new Chinkees release,'” said Park. “It was as simple as that. I went down to Long Beach and laid down the vocals. I wrote the lyrics and melodies, but Steve did the heavy work of producing and playing keys and guitars. It’s fun to be introduced to this project personally and though I’ve done so much ska with Skankin’ Pickle and Bruce Lee Band, The Chinkees sound is so unique to the project.”

The EP’s got four songs, and they’re all catchy, driving, ska-punk rippers that sound like no time’s passed since The Chinkees last released music. Mike Park’s voice still sounds great, and that unmistakable Steve Choi guitar style is all over this EP too. It’s on Bandcamp, which is waiving its cut of sales and giving all profits to artists today (6/5). The band, who have long been known to fight against racism, also mentioned that “[money] from Bandcamp (not just today) ’til the end of time will be donated to various charities.”

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