Orange County has always been synonymous with some of the biggest acts in ska-punk. FFO: Paramore, No Doubt, Reel Big Fish, The Interrupters, Sum 41

That rich history continues with Half Past Two as they prep for the release of their new album titled ‘Talk Is Killing Me’. Teaming up with producer Reade Wolcott (We Are The Union), ‘Talk Is Killing Me’ builds on the band’s previous work but also levels up by sharpening their songwriting and focusing in on some serious pop hooks. “When we started writing album I was ready to quit music all together. I hope people are ready for a moodier Half Past Two because this album is about a lot of uncomfortable situations I had to work through in therapy. I unpacked a lot of rejection, abuse, fear, and shame when we wrote these songs. But, we still mixed in some classic Half Past Two courage and hope.” says vocalist Tara Hahn. Your first glimpse of what’s to come is a single titled ‘Dominoes’ that is streaming everywhere, and you can also watch the stunning music video directed by Rae Mystic. Ska indie label Bad Time Records will release ‘Talk Is Killing Me’ on Friday, April 19th and vinyl preorders are available now. Album layout: Mike Sosinski. Produced and mixed by Reade Wolcott, co-produced and engineered by David Irish at Pot of Gold Recording in Orange, CA. Additional engineering by Reade Wolcott at Splendor 2 in North Hollywood, CA. Mastered by Alex Dobbert.

Ph: Rae Mystic

Album Credits:

Tara Hahn – Vocals
Max Beckman – Guitar, Vocals
David Parris – Guitar, Keys, Vocals
Mark Anderson – Bass
Luis Gracia Alonso – Trombone
Maxfield Maynard – Trumpet
Ryland Steen – Drums
Reade Wolcott – Guitar, Percussion, Keys, Vocals
Scott Klopfenstein – Vocals on Track 9
Ed Corbett – Saxophone

Having formed in 2006 and gigged with the likes of Reel Big Fish, The Aquabats, Less Than Jake, The Skatalites, RX Bandits, The Selecter, The English Beat, Mustard Plug, The Toasters, Pato Banton, Half Past Two are veterans of the ever-thriving Orange County ska scene, but their forward-thinking approach also aligns them with with ska’s current “New Tone” movement. After first coming together with Bad Time Records on 2020’s ‘Ska Against Racism’ compilation, the band and label have finally teamed up for a new full length LP. ‘Talk Is Killing Me’ shows the band building on their ska punk roots to evolve musically and stylistically, at times being more aggressive yet also more heavily introspective than the band’s previous work. Produced by Reade Wolcott of We Are The Union, the album is filled with pop-hooks backed by a rhythm section that flies the flag of “bubblegum ska” while displaying chops clearly suitable for heavier punk and indie stylings. Fans of the band’s 15+ year career will feel the evolution of their sound emanating from this record… pop-sensibilities mixed with fun and joy, but with a more “grown up” edge and heavier subject matter to reflect the realities of the modern world. The “Orange County sound” was due for a makeover, and this new effort from Half Past Two is certainly right on time.