Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Volume #262: Violet Ray – “Sk8t Gang”
October 23rd 2026
Good Morning, Cleveland. It is an early hour here as I sit at my keyboard. None the less I am happy to be back with you again, with fresh music to discuss. This installment of the RbRR will bring forth the might of Violet Ray. This Cleveland area Punk band is known first and foremost for their dedication to the art and culture of skateboarding. With this new album “Sk8t Gang” they delve deeper into the streets and skate parks where craft is practiced. Musically Violet Ray has stuck to their guns. They have a true and distinctive sound and they hold fast to it. Clean Vocals, melodic lead licks, Bass with an abundance of groove and Drums that are both hard hitting and nuanced are the hallmarks of their style. This album is the follow up, or perhaps sequel is a better term, to “This is Skate Rock.” It picks up right were it’s predecessor left off, providing more tales from the Skate Army. With all that now being said, lets take a look at some of the stand out tracks on this bad beast.
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First I have to shout out the opening number: “Birdman.” This one drops in with a sick riff, then as the Drums and Bass hit, a second melody emerges and the whole thing explodes. The Vocals begin to spin a tale about the most famous skater in history, the one and only Tony Hawk. This song has it all. It’s got the legendary topic. The main melody is energizing. The Bass line is smooth and the driving Drums keep the whole thing in motion. In short, it’s a perfect song to kick off your morning or to put your board to the blacktop. It certainly launches the new Violet Ray album with one hell of a bang.
The next song I have to shout out is “Ripper Girl.” This is a political song of sorts. It is a feminist song. It is an inclusion song, but most importantly it is a skateboarding song. This one is for the ladies, so to speak. It is a song about amazing female skaters, their well deserved places in Skate history and their legacies: the next generation of Ripper Girls. It challenges the old stereotype that girls can’t skate, and takes a shot at the term “Betty.” Musically this one is another bad ass skate rock song. But I think the music on this one should take a back seat to the message. I beleive Violet Ray would agree. I love this song both because it absolutely rocks and also because the message is important.
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The final song I want to discuss is “Skate Rat.” This song closes out the album and it does so like a sledge hammer. Musically I don’t even know what to say. This one checks all those boxes once again. The riff is a killer, the way it opens up and carries the song away, I simply love it. The Drums continue to pack that kinetic force. The Bass line is absolutely danceable... I mean this one makes you want to shake you ass! Lyrically it is a tribute to Cleveland/Akron skating legend Kristian Svitak. It accounts his exploits and adventures on the board here in Northeast Ohio. It Rocks hard, pushes you to drive faster, skate harder… to be better. That’s the energy of this track and this album. Violet Ray’s music is pure motion.
So ultimately what do I think about Violet Ray’s new record. My dudes and dudettes, obviously I love it. I loved their last album, and this one picks up right where it left off. It has everything you want from a great Punk record. It is driving. It makes me want to move, to go, to Rock! Hell, it makes me want to go back in time and get my ass back on a board. The lyrics are just great. Every song is steeped in skate lore. Every line an expression of what it means to be “a skater.” Together with it’s predecessor, these two albums really paint a large picture of skaters as a people and a culture with their own collective experiences, history and heroes. It is honestly pretty damn cool what Violet Ray has managed to accomplish. So what does all this mean? Well to me, in the end it means: the songs are strong, the energy is through the roof and the wheels are ready to hit the pavement. Violet Ray is back and in a big way. So grab your board Cleveland and hit the streets. It’s time to skate. Check out Violet Ray’s “Sk8t Gang” today!
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
10/28/2026
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