The punk band Skating Polly from Oklahoma, formed by stepsisters Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse, have transformed their versatile musicality into a sound they call “ugly pop”: disobedient, subversive, and wildly melodic. With the addition of Kurtis Mayo on drums, the band collaborates with icons like X’s Exene Cervenka and Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnson.
On their double album Chaos County Line, the band candidly shares their most challenging and emotional experiences. Songs like Hickey King and I’m Sorry For Always Apologising explore themes such as power in relationships and matters of identity and unhealthy obsessions. The songs range from noise rock to art punk or even piano-driven powerpop, but what all the songs have in common are the sharply honed vocals.