You may remember Cosmic Joke for their self-titled 2024 skateboard-friendly hardcore punk record, complete with standout art direction. Well, here’s more reason to appreciate the L.A. band. They’ve just released a new EP featuring four covers of songs by some of their musical heroes, with all proceeds going directly to victims of the January 2025 California wildfires.

The track selection is no accident: four songs by bands from the broader L.A. punk scene, each originally recorded in a different era but eerily resonant with the apocalyptic images of the wildfires. The covers include We’re Only Gonna Die (Bad Religion), Los Angeles (X), L.A. Girl (Adolescents), and Bloodstains (Agent Orange). Each track features a guest musician: Colin Young, Marisa Shirar, Sara G, and Sammy Ciaramitaro, respectively.

Closing out the EP is a Cosmic Joke original called Cosmic Joke, a perfect end to a powerful and meaningful release.

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