Would Someone Please Kill Punk Rock Now?

Special to the Journal-World

Unknown Stuntman singer Nic Beck performs a song from the band’s new release, “Natural Male Enhancement.”

The members of Unknown Stuntman know all about old school punk because they were there to see it.

“We wanted to play music like what we grew up on, maybe a little more refined, but nothing over two minutes long,” says guitarist Jeremy Sturgell.

During the year it took to craft the new record, “Natural Male Enhancement,” one member of Unknown Stuntman got married, then divorced; one’s wife had a baby right before recording began; and one had a child while the band was in the studio. The CD release will be celebrated today with a live show at The Replay Lounge, 946 Mass.

“The main themes are anti-Bush, substance abuse and our genuine love of punk,” Beck says. “The rest of the guys don’t necessarily share my political views, but they let me write what I wanted to.”

“Just because we knew you’d sing it anyway,” drummer Travis Alderson says, laughing.

Beck’s struggle with substance abuse appears in the song “Give It Away,” which includes a sample from Burt Reynolds’ “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Sigh...