Review / 200 Words Or Less
Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron
Quake City

Spiderghost (2008) Michael

Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron – Quake City cover artwork
Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron – Quake City — Spiderghost, 2008

We all know how much I love the Bay Area music scene, so it's really no surprise I'm loving this split 7" from Grace Alley and Skin Like Iron.

Grace Alley leads things off with "Sunday Morning, "Fifth and Harrison." The music has that definitive East Bay Punk sound of the 90's to it mixed with a bit of the Brit Punk sound

then again weren't most of those Bay Area bands borrowing from the Brits? The vocals are a bit more hardcore oriented with Sammy Winston of All Bets Off/Ramparts fame on the mic. For their second song they take on Cheap Trick's "Auf Wiedersehen." It's an odd choice, but they pull it off.

Side two has Skin Like Iron offer up two originals on their side of the split. Following up their self-titled 10", these two songs demonstrate their fusion of gritty and raw hardcore with dissonant metal. It's like equal parts Black Flag and The Melvins with a dash of Discharge. They are quickly becoming one of the best bands in hardcore, not to mention one of the most unique.

Two great bands on one piece of wax. What's not to love? Pick this up!

8.5 / 10Michael • October 14, 2008

Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron – Quake City cover artwork
Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron – Quake City — Spiderghost, 2008

Recently-posted album reviews

Ace Enders

Posture Syndrome
Pure Noise (2025)

If the name Ace Enders sounds familiar, it should. He’s been the voice behind The Early November, one of Drive-Thru Records’ cornerstone emo bands in the early 2000s. While that scene exploded, Ace carved his own path with that band, as well as solo experiments under the name I Can Make a Mess, and the occasional record as Ace Enders … Read more

Summer Blue

Self Titled EP
New Morality Zine (2025)

You may not be familiar with the band Summer Blue, but that’s your issue. If you do know the San Jose, CA based band, then you know how enjoyable they are to listen to. For some background for the newcomers, the band started in 2022 as a side project between friends already orbiting the Bay Area DIY and indie scenes. … Read more

Relay For Death

Mutual Consuming
Helen Scarsdale Agency (2025)

At a time when experimental artists are constantly churning out new music, it is curious to find some that take their time. Rachel and Roxann Spikula might not be the most prolific creatives, but when they make an appearance, it is worth paying attention. The twin sisters have performed in Towering Heroic Dudes and Boyzone, but it is their own … Read more