This split between Hack The Mainframe and Trashed Again feels exactly like what a ska-punk release on Pee Records should be. Short, energetic, and rooted in scene connection rather than ambition. Two bands, four tracks, no wasted space. It is less about showcasing evolution and more about capturing chemistry.
Both bands come from the Australian punk underground and approach ska punk from slightly different angles. Hack The Mainframe lean toward faster tempos and skate-punk rhythm, mixing melodic elements with urgency instead of bounce. Their songs move quickly and feel wired, built for movement rather than groove.
Trashed Again bring a rougher edge. Their side of the split feels more bar-room punk, still carrying ska elements but grounded in grit and straightforward hooks. Where Hack The Mainframe push forward, Trashed Again dig in. The contrast works naturally without sounding disconnected.
A key part of the release is the mutual covers. Each band takes on material from the other, not to reinvent it but to interpret it through their own lens. It gives the record a back-and-forth feel, almost like two bands sharing the same set on different nights. Familiar songs come back with new pacing, different vocal tones, and slightly altered energy.
Production stays raw and functional. Nothing feels overworked or smoothed out. The guitars are sharp, the horns cut through when they need to, and the vocals remain upfront. It sounds like something meant to be played loud, not analyzed closely.
At only a handful of tracks, the split does not try to be definitive. It is more of a snapshot. A moment in time shared between two bands moving in the same circles. That is where its strength lies. It does not overstay its welcome and does not pretend to be more than it is.
This release fits neatly into Pee Records’ long history of supporting punk and ska-punk bands that value energy over polish. It feels physical, immediate, and scene-driven.
