Split records are like punk’s version of a steel cage match: two bands thrown in, no escape, just riffs and attitude until the needle lifts. On Sick Trick (out on No Front Teeth, who have their 25th anniversary coming up this year!), Hollywood’s Tenement Rats and France’s Bart and the Brats step into the ring—and the result is less a fight to the death than a contest of who can out-rip the other. Spoiler: we win.

Tenement Rats bring late-’70s grit straight from the smoke and chaos of L.A., songs that feel like they crawled from a scorched basement just to spit in your face. Bart and the Brats counterpunch with their budget Ramonescore charm, tight hooks, and another killer cover—this time Picture My Face by Teenage Head. After tackling Fascist Cops last time, it’s another inspired choice, one that shows Bart knows exactly which wires to strip bare.

Together, these ten tracks sound like a cartoon dystopia blasted on cheap speakers, a soundtrack for the world burning down. Call it punk rock’s sick trick—but damned if it doesn’t feel alive.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp (BatB) || NFT Records