Embarking on a journey through the gritty underbelly of New York City’s punk scene, Spike Polite & Sewage emerges as an emblematic force, channeling the raw, unrefined energy of the streets into their music. With Spike Polite at the helm, a figure renowned for his contributions to iconic bands like Reagan Youth and Cheetah Chrome, the band has etched its mark within the punk landscape, delivering music that is both raw and charged with social commentary.
Their journey, rooted in the tumultuous environment of New York’s Lower East Side—a crucible of civil unrest and artistic expression—has been anything but conventional. From Spike’s early encounters with the law during the May Day 1991 Riots in Tompkins Square Park to the formation of the band’s original incarnation, HumYn Sewage, the band’s evolution is a narrative of resilience and defiance. Their music, a potent concoction of fast-paced rhythms and socially conscious lyrics, resonates with the spirit of the underground, speaking to both the disenfranchised and the defiant.
Notably, the band’s transformative journey saw them evolve from HumYn Sewage to Sewage NYC, and eventually to their current manifestation, Spike Polite & Sewage NYC. The lineup, a dynamic ensemble featuring Spike Polite’s unmistakable vocals and guitar, alongside Michelle Shocked’s bass and vocals, Anthony Romano’s guitar and gang vocals, and Beast’s powerful drumming, creates a sound that is as authentic and visceral as the city that birthed it.
Their latest work, “Punk Not Dead,” produced by Ted Sabety for Solid Bass Records, stands as a testament to the enduring vibrancy and rebellious heart of punk music. It’s a rich tapestry of punk, rock, and industrial noise, encapsulating the band’s core ethos of challenging the prevailing norms and giving voice to those on the fringes of society. This EP is not merely a collection of tracks but a statement—a declaration that the spirit of punk continues to thrive and resonate, speaking truth to power and lighting the way for future generations of rebels and dreamers. Purchase their new EP on vinyl online through Solid Bass Records or in-store at select Newbury Comics locations.