67 Riot 7”
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
Even if Mike Skill’s name doesn’t ring a bell, we’re all familiar with his work in The Romantics, where he penned the massive hit “What I Like About You”, and co-wrote the equally notable. “Talking In Your Sleep”. On this 7” single, the Detroit native brings his vast experience to a pair of sturdy rockers, where Wayne Kramer, of MC5 fame, is even in attendance.
Side A brings us the thick guitars of the energetic “‘67 Riot”, as the legendary Kramer lends his talent on a guitar solo while the rhythm section of Skill and Russell Ayres anchor the thumping garage rocker. A tune inspired by actual events in Detroit in 1967 that left 43 dead and that Skill lived through, the themes of racial tension in the song mirror the strife present in the United States today.
The B-side impresses, too, with the fluid and rhythmic “My Bad Pretty”, where a bristling proto-punk energy enters the soulful rocker with Kevin Rankin behind the drum kit and Rick Bain contributing additional guitar.
Skill still records and performs with The Romantics, but let’s hope that he’ll find time for solo work as well, as the only flaw I could see anyone citing here is that it’s just too damn short for Skill’s songwriting prowess.
A very limited 7”, if you can find one, scoop it up; not only is it top notch rock’n’roll, but it’s destined to be a collector’s item, too.
Travels well with: Jesse Malin- Love It To Life; New York Dolls- Dancing Backward In High Heels