Get ready to dive headfirst into the raucous, feel‑good world of The Kilograms—your new favourite reggae‑punk supergroup. ‘Beliefs & Thieves,’ their long‑awaited debut LP, pulls from the firestarter spirit of The Clash and The Replacements, but with its own modern heartbeat. Recorded by Pete Steinkopf (The Bouncing Souls) and mixed by Paul Kolderie (Pixies, Radiohead), every track crackles with the band’s mission: blast injustice, uplift the underrepresented, and leave the room a little brighter than you found it. As Joe Gittleman (bass/vocals) told The Boston Globe, “And maybe do some good along the way.”
Why you’ll love it
The Kilograms aren’t just another punk pedigree—they’re a collective of genre pioneers in one room, combining ska, reggae, and raw punk attitude into anthems that stick to your soul. Picture big, bouncing basslines from Gittleman (Mighty Mighty Bosstones/Avoid One Thing), tight-as-a-drum grooves from Michael McDermott (ex‑Bouncing Souls/Joan Jett & the Blackhearts), and Sammy Kay’s soulful, weathered vocals painting stories of hope and revolt. Jay Duckworth’s guitar hooks and Craig Gorsline’s keys wrap it all in catchy melodies you’ll have on repeat for days.
Catch them live
These guys burn bright on stage—no half‑measures. Fresh off tours with Dropkick Murphys, The Menzingers and more, they’re gearing up for summer festivals and club dates that you won’t want to miss:
- May 24 @ Punk Rock Bowling (Las Vegas, NV)
- June 20 @ Camp Punksylvania (Gilbert, PA)
- June 21 @ Black Cat (Washington D.C.) w/ Against All Authority
- August 15 @ Buffalo Ska Fest (Buffalo, NY)
The band behind the buzz
Calling The Kilograms a supergroup is fair, but they’d rather let the music speak. With decades of punk, ska, and reggae pedigree between them, they’ve already spun heads with a debut EP and a two‑song 7″ on Rad Girlfriend Records. Now they’re leveling up with a full‑length mission statement on Rad Girlfriend and their own Weights and Measures label.
All the details
- Labels: Rad Girlfriend Records / Weights and Measures
- Formats: Digital, Vinyl, CD
- Stream or Purchase: Available wherever you get your music—Bandcamp, Rad Girlfriend, or directly from The Kilograms
Whether you’re a die‑hard fan of any member’s past work or hearing them for the first time, ‘Beliefs & Thieves’ is the perfect bridge between the golden days of punk‑ska and the exciting evolution of today’s underground. Turn it up, feel the vibe, and join The Kilograms on their journey to shake things up—for real this time.
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