Jun. 3—The first official album from Lunch Trucks, entitled "Chop Chop," arrives on streaming platforms on June 30. This funky, punky ska band from the Lehigh Valley brings fun and flair to every track and stage.
Lunch Trucks intends to bring more of that fun and flair with their upcoming release. "Chop Chop" is scheduled for a June 30 debut and Lunch Trucks holds a record release party that same night at The Funhouse in Bethlehem with another band they've been friendly with since their beginning, Brother JT. While you're waiting, catch their own personal brand of reggae rock music on 979X's Locals Only on Sundays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The five-piece reggae rock band was founded in 2017 right in NEPA. Lunch Trucks released their "Fire in the Cellar" demo on Bandcamp in 2019 sadly following the death of their original bassist, Ron Kuhn. After taking some time off, David Griffith joined the band later in 2019 but when COVID hit, they had to take some time off again.
But here in 2023, they're back in full force and dropping a whole full-length album! The band began working on "Chop Chop" in 2022 and recorded the songs at Shards Recording Studio in Bethlehem with the help of Matt Molchany. Current band members are Noah Marsters on guitar and vocals, David Griffith on bass, Johnny 2-Tone on drums, Andrew Fritch on alto sax and keyboard, and Jamie Haraschak on baritone sax, tenor sax, and melodica.
Lunch Trucks' catchy sound delivers a punk-rock version of ska with influences in dub, reggae, and whatever grooves right for the song. Lunch Trucks incorporates 50s style guitar chops, tasty saxophone licks, catchy keyboard harmonies, and a toe-tapping rhythm that just won't quit. Each song on the upcoming release stands alone, enacting delightful surprises with all sorts of funky sounds from this band of masterful musicians.
On Sunday, June 4, 979X's Locals Only show listeners can catch Lunch Truck's single, "Shameless Generation," for a preview on what they can expect on the upcoming "Chop Chop" album. This perfect backyard summer jam will be slotted in their hour of original music from local bands from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
"This album, we've wanted to put something out for a while, and it's time," said Griffith. "We went into the studio and hoped to record a few songs — then ended up with eight full tracks."
Griffith says this one leans more to their punk side. He says his favorite to play live off the upcoming album is "Writing on the Wall." This track is energetic with peaks, waves, and drops dotted throughout the song to give it a bluesy-ska rhythm that's all their own.