Punk bands go hand in hand with Geraldton skating competition

Few things go together better than skating and skate punk — and that’s what’s on offer at Wonthella Skate Park today.

Perth-based punk rock band The Decline are due to play at the Eighth Street skate park after a Friday night show at the Cutler & Smith backroom.

Pat Decline said the band had played in Geraldton about six years ago and was looking forward to getting back into town.

“We’re just really excited to come back and be playing,” he said.

“We’re keen meet some new people and see some skateboarding.

“We’re really excited to be playing at the skate comp, we skated when we were teenagers and grew up with music that other people who skated listened to. I’m sorry it’s been six years.”

He said the band had not had much chance to tour songs from the 2019 album, Flash Gordon Ramsay Street and was “keen to get out and break those songs in” at tomorrow’s event, along with other material.

He said the sound should be familiar to anyone who did not catch their previous event — with Bad Religion, The Descendants and Frenzal Rhomb among their influences, as well as Green Day, Blink 182, The Ramones and 2000s ska-punk acts like Operation Ivy, Rancid, Less than Jake and Goldfinger.

The City of Greater Geraldton said the event would feature art and prizes as well as junior, under-18s and men’s skating divisions starting from 9.15am.

Mayor Shane Van Styn said he was excited about the event.

“The event will switch it up a gear when The Decline hit the stage for a hectic live set,” he said.

Entry to the City’s event is free for spectators.