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The Chinkees

Peace Through Music
1999
Asian Man

The Chinkees - Peace Through Music (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Kevin
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Published on May 11th 2002

What can I say. This album could make a person smile for hours. The Chinkees a California ska band whos 1999 album "Peace Through Music" covers many racial issues in the world today. Front man Mike Park who owns Asian Man records also sings about his last months with his father and people who have died because of hate crimes and he even wrote a song that a Japanese exchange student sent to him. The song is clevery titled "Japanese Exchange Student."

This CD sounds very much like the other popular ska bands like Reel Big Fish, and Potshot, but where the Chinkees Stand out is with their lyrics. Instead of being a ska band that has the normal fun poppy ska lyrics, the Chinkees have lyrics you wouldn't expect from a ska band. The songs that stand out in this CD are Big World, Breathe Out the Fight, and Japanese Exchange Student. The first song "Signature" is a different kind of song. For a lot of the song a man speaks about the Asian Race and how they are all labled as the "same" even if they are Korean or Chinese or Japenese etc. The rest of the song is non lyrical but has a simple catchin beat to it. Signature was writen by The Chinkees drummer (Richard Morin) for his dad.

Another reason why the band rocks is whatever the Chinkees make 10% goes to anti-racial organazations. To end with I would like to clear up the name the Chinkees. On the back of the CD Mike explains the name. "The Chinkees Name is not meant to be a racial slur, but just the opposite! It's meant to be a direct look as racism and the reallity of its presence."

This album is a must.

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Posted by lou on 2006-11-27 00:28:28

so yeah, i'd like to take this oppurtunity to retract my earlier comments. the kid was really psyched on how positive this band and CD were and i had to go be a total dick; exactly what i've really come to hate about people on this board. whatev. sorry kevin.

Posted by Vien on 2002-05-23 16:46:22
My Score:

mia is hot....

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 4:50 PM (EDT)
My Score:

You act like you know what your talking about ut you probably dont even have this cd. I bet you just barrowed it from a friend for a school project or somthing.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 5:40 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Ack, I bought "The Chinkees Are Coming" after hearing Skankin Pickle and Bruce Lee Band. One of the biggest letdowns to date. Such a letdown that I don't know if I'd listen to this even if someone touted it as the best album ever. And the production...Oi vey!

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 4:42 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Terribe terrible cd. I love ska and I love Mike Park, but The Chinkees don't do it for me. Bring back Skankin Pickle Mike!!!

Posted by lou-s on 2002-05-12 13:37:14
My Score:

"he even wrote a song that a Japanese exchange student sent to him. The song is clevery titled "Japanese Exchange Student"."
-wrong cock, read the lyrics that you make such a big deal about
"last month i got a letter from a japanese exchange student. he said "i like your label and your music, but you really should stop talking about the problems of a racist country called united states of america. i've been in school in minnesota for the last few years and i've felt no hate, no hate for my differences. how about it?" so angry, angry i sat down and wrote this song to tell you how i feel. my brothers shot for all of us. more grave than butchered cattle lining up. how brave to live with blinders on. you're living in a drunken college fairyland."
-don't make a review on a cd or call a song one of the standouts on the cd until you've actually listened to the cd

Posted by Fuzzy on 2002-05-12 00:45:04
My Score:

it's funny that you say that this album has intelligent lyrics like its a new thing...
its really a damn shame that bands like RBF (still one of my faves) and most of California Ska went to the mindless poppy ska...the reason I got into Ska was the Bosstones -> Specials -> Political Intelligence. Give me the days of intelligent music anyday!

SKA's not dead.

Posted by evildeadalive on 2002-05-11 16:42:59
My Score:

Not a bad review but please don't ever compare the Chinkees to Reel Big Fish. Chinkees rule, RBF are close to the worst ska band I have ever heard.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at 4:30 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Mike Park's Bruce Lee Band w/ backing from the boys of Less Than Jake is also a great CD!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at 3:36 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"anti-racial organazations"

ha ha ha

Posted by seek on 2002-05-11 14:47:38
My Score:

chinkees are one of the best skapunk bands around. word to my motha.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at 1:53 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Agreed.
It just seems like all of Mike Park's projects are fun, and could put a smile on someones face.

I have both Peace Through Music and The Chinkees Are Coming, and I cannot wait to get their new CD Searching For A Brighter Future which I am sending my money order for on Monday.

Peace,
-SOYBOMB-

Posted by Kurtpunkskacheese on 2002-05-11 08:44:11
My Score:

I love this album, these guys are tight, and there songs are NOT fucking poppy annoying ska shit, that most of of what ska today is. And they have educational aspect to it, i mean, there is a message in there music, and i think thats what it all is about, not some dude singing about his girlfriend getting famous...... so on top of the message the music is really really good. The Chinkees are a great band.