On its debut album, Chicago-based Consensus Madness fills a rather large void in today's punk rock scene. Certainly there are more than a few contemporary bands that could trace their spiritual and stylistic lineage back to The Clash, Sex Pistols, Stooges, Buzzcocks, or Black Flag. There's a whole subgenre devoted to worshipping at the church of the Ramones. But when was the last time you heard a new band and thought, "This is like a modern-day Bags"? Well, Consensus Madness slots into that space nicely with a powerful, rapid-paced sound that meets at the intersection of first wave punk rock and early hardcore with a touch of post-punk/new wave to boot. On Endeavors (out on Iron Lung Records), the band breathes new life into a classic sound. OG California punk vibes co-exist with a distinctly Midwestern sensibility, and you can feel the urgency in the music, vocals, and lyrics. A younger version of me would have been won over simply by a band attempting this sound. But what impresses me is how well Consensus Madness pulls it off. These tunes are killer, and the band sounds tight and energetic. And lead singer Sarah is the real deal. She may be following in the footsteps of Alice Bag and Poly Styrene, but she's no copyist. She's an original in her own right with charisma for days. If you're looking for a band that's got something important to say about life and the world in 2026, crank tracks like "Let's Go To War," "Living and Dying," and "Superfund" as loudly as possible and join the resistance. At a lean 10 tracks, Endeavors will hit you with everything it's got and leave you wanting more. A superb debut!
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