The Lost Archives Surfacing the reviews of our forgotten youth
    7ball #19
    7ball #19/The Dingees
    The Dingees — Armageddon Massive cover

    The Dingees

    Armageddon Massive

    Reviewed by Derek Walker

    Listen on Apple Music
    Label BEC Recordings7ball #19July/August 1998
    ska punkreggaepop punk

    With the whiteboy reggae of the band Sublime selling records by the truckload, it seems about time The Dingees would make it. Originally a side project of now-labelmates The Supertones, they blend tight pop-punk with traditional roots reggae and ska, for a sound not unlike Hepcat (who lend their horn section for a couple of songs) or The Skatalites. Lead singer and songwriter Pegleg has an uncanny gift for insightful lyrics. Addressing such problems as racial stereotypes and drug abuse through the eyes of inner city youth, his knack for truly intelligent social observations is a talent that is not wasted through the 11 songs that make up Armageddon Massive. Standouts include the dancehall swagger of "Could Be Worse" (It's no wonder they'll amount to nothing ... they've been told they're just a product of chance) with its smooth organ and well-placed horn section, and the inspiring, marching "Rebel Youth," the kind of song that could become someone's anthem. They attack pop culture in the fast, pounding album opener "Ghetto Box Smash" and talk about the importance of standing up for yourself in "Another Burnin' City" (the less that you push, the more they can pull ... you'll break the mold if you start to grow). This is a truly thought-provoking album, and one that establishes The Dingees' place in the musical revolution to come.

    More from The Dingees

    The Dingees — Sundown to MidnightThe Dingees — Sundown to Midnight

    Also in 7ball #19

    Eric Champion — NaturalProject 86 — Project 86Frodus — Conglomerate InternationalDelirious? — King of FoolsHydro — AboriginationRick Elias — Rick Elias and The Confessions/Ten StoriesScott Faircloff — Scott FaircloffNewsboys — Step Up to the Microphone