Oi oi, back again with a full-length this time, and a title that takes longer to read than the duration of some of the songs 😜.

London skate punkers Old Chase released their third album ‘At The End Of All The Thrills’ earlier this month, bringing tracks of introspection and anxiety, with a hint of zany humour and Tony Hawk Pro Skater references.

Predominantly depicting a comedown of sorts from times of adrenaline and excitement, there are dashes of hope and fight for a better tomorrow.

Without further ado, let’s grab a board and ollie down into this skate park bowl of a record! (Ooh, that sort of rhymes).

1. A Better Me

The opening track ‘A Better Me’ is unsurprisingly fast, as is the rest of the album. It discusses feeling unprepared for the future, questioning whether there is “more I should be asking of my life”.

Having previously looked around for purpose “with a brain that’s suffering”, the protagonist decides that it is time to take control over fate, going forward.

A super rad guitar solo cuts through the introspection nicely in the bridge, before a vow to no longer “wait for a better me” rounds the track out.

2. Plagiararism

The intentionally misspelled and mispronounced ‘Plagiararism’ is up next, deriding the notion of originality not being possible without taking inspiration from other bands.

After a relatively lengthy intro shouting out “Album 3 baby!”, the song advises the listener “don’t think, just have a dance”. Citing growing up on punk rock, it stands to reason that musical influences will be clearly heard when listening to contemporaries in the scene.

In parts, the delivery of lyrics – particularly the song title – are reminiscent of NOFX, while the music otherwise takes hints from 90’s skate punk. Just thought I’d mix it up by discussing that here, rather than at the beginning. Crazy, right?

3. Wile Out

‘Wile Out’ is one of two early teases we got for this release, and calls out overwhelming arrogance that can enter discussions about politics or current events.

Calling for a “time out”, there is a clear preference to talk facts rather than baseless prejudices. Instead of engaging in a “circus show” of robots, the song advocates for questioning authority without looking for a following.

In current times mired in online misinformation and disinformation, this track succeeds in depicting the circles of brick-walled discussions previously reserved for family Christmas dinner disagreements.

4. Don’t Lie Awake

This one does that thing where the album title is in the song! Or vice-versa, I guess. Whatever.

‘Don’t Lie Awake’ explores the harrowing feeling of being alone after a highly stimulating social event, with the tempo appropriately slowing things down a bit.

On this “sad day” being described, the protagonist regrets “another story in doubt, another scene that’s cut out”. With the party being over, there is a realisation that the cycle of another event followed by an anxious come down will continue.

5. Pro Skater 2 Romance

Providing a slight reprieve from the frequently hostile outside world is the second pre-release track from the album ‘Pro Skater 2 Romance’, which is about playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, and bloody loving it.

There are some cheeky references to the game throughout, including the names of the skaters, and the levels. With the massive part the game franchise played in the developing music tastes of so many, such a tribute is fitting.

Yeah do a kickflip, and stuff.

6. The Battle For Dead Arcadia

I was honestly expecting some sort of fantasy RPG theme with the title of the next tune, ‘The Battle For Dead Arcadia’. And yeah, I wasn’t far off, with this one being from the POV of knights on a ship that “came here to fight for punk euphoria”.

Whimsically discussing a goal to keep dreams of a utopia alive, it turns out that in the end, there just wasn’t any room.

Complete with a lovely guitar solo early on, this one sounds like it could be a gig anthem. Or not. It’s up to them, really.

7. Captain Me First

The shortest track on the album at under a minute, ‘Captain Me First’ goes off on one about how selfish billionaires are.

With a beginning akin to a barber shop quartet at the dentist, the song alludes to a plan for certain people of influence to “fly away, watch you get stuck on the highway” while making rules without regard to improving the average person’s life.

Meanwhile, the antagonist whose POV (used that term twice now – this is what a ^real point of view is meant to be like, bloody TikTokkers!) feels no need to help mitigate the environmental impacts that contribute to climate change.

8. You Fucked The Ocean

Staying on the theme of climate change and the big load of nothing people of influence do to help, ‘You Fucked The Ocean’ laments that “this is a lesson we will never learn”.

While “the world is screaming out for change” (and not in the way NOFX was on about on S&M Airlines, in case there’s any confusion), sentiments point doubt and blame towards government bodies, and admit a high chance that “the ice will thaw”.

Fellow London punk band Le Rox features on this song, with their singer’s vocals providing added intensity to proceedings.

9. Just Another Nightmare

‘Just Another Nightmare’ talks about putting off facing current problems, while deciding to “drink ’til morning” during a party.

While containing the feeling that “this night is not a song I should sing about”, there is also a focus on living for now. During this, there is “a joy in our hearts to destroy instead”.

The track also contemplates the possibility of people taking things out of context, rather than hearing the whole story.

10. Come See Us Live

“Go see them live,” said Old Chase. I wanted to, but I had birthday plans. But I have done before, and I’m sure I’ll see them again soon enough.

The third of four songs that are over two minutes long (mad.), this one’s an earnest wish for the scene to come out and support the band.

Discussing playing for a “man and his dog” for a half hour, there is a vow that “we’ll never ruin your weekend”. Dedicated to punk rock, they say to those who don’t find the music’s for them: “So what?”.

11. Endgame

This album ends with a heartfelt ballad, of sorts. ‘Endgame’ discusses a difficulty to get hopes up again, while “heading for the iceberg”.

Referring to a clock with a “worn out face”, there is the feeling that time is a construct that needs little attention, while surroundings that should be familiar don’t feel like home.

A nicely drawn-out outro affords some contemplation, as a lovely and pleasantly surprising sax solo rounds the song, and album out.

Closing Remarks

You can clearly see a broadening in musical and lyrical horizons with this album, and a lot of careful work has clearly has gone into it.

I’ll look forward to seeing these peeps live soon, playing some of these tracks, and urge you to check them out if you’re into skate punk that is unafraid to balance outward anger at the world with vulnerable introspection – with a hint of zany humour.

Thanks for reading! Up the Posh, and up the Punx 🤘