B-Side Guys

Ryan Cassata & The Top Surgeons aren’t here to play nice. With their debut EP, “This Machine Kills Transphobia,” the queer punk collective has crafted a blistering, uncompromising manifesto that takes aim at the heart of oppression and bigotry, and doesn’t let up until the final chord rings out.

Clocking in at just under 10 minutes, the EP is a whirlwind of righteous anger and raw, unbridled energy. From the opening track, “The Truth The Life The Way,” Cassata and his band make it clear that they’re not interested in subtlety or metaphor – this is music as direct action, a sonic battering ram designed to smash through the walls of the cis-tem and carve out a space for queer and trans voices to be heard.

Lyrically, Cassata pulls no punches, targeting everything from conservative Christian hypocrisy to the invalidation of trans identities by cis men who claim to be straight. On “Queers to the Front,” he issues a rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ community to rise up and take their place at the vanguard of the revolution, while “T4T” celebrates the beauty and power of trans-for-trans love in the face of a society that seeks to erase and marginalize it.

But what sets “This Machine Kills Transphobia” apart from other political punk records is the way it balances its righteous fury with moments of humor, joy, and even astrology. Songs like “What’s With Straight Dudes Claiming They’re Straight” and “Saturn Is Returning” showcase Cassata’s wit and versatility as a songwriter, proving that even in the midst of a revolutionary screed, there’s still room for a knowing wink and a cosmic perspective.

Musically, the EP is a masterclass in the kind of raw, unbridled punk energy that has fueled rebellions and uprisings for decades. The Top Surgeons are a well-oiled machine, with pummeling drums, razor-sharp guitars, and bass lines that hit like a punch to the gut. Cassata’s vocals are the perfect vehicle for his lyrics, alternating between a snarling, confrontational bark and a more vulnerable, introspective croon.

Of course, it’s impossible to separate “This Machine Kills Transphobia” from the larger context of Cassata’s work as an activist and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. As a trans man who has been on the front lines of the fight for equality and representation for years, Cassata brings a level of authenticity and urgency to these songs that is impossible to fake. This isn’t just music about the revolution – it’s music that is the revolution, a call to arms for anyone who has ever felt marginalized, oppressed, or erased by the dominant culture.

Ultimately, “This Machine Kills Transphobia” is a triumph of queer punk rock, a blistering, unapologetic masterpiece that demands to be heard. In a world that often feels increasingly hostile to the very existence of trans and queer people, this EP is a reminder of the power of art to fight back, to create change, and to carve out a space for those who have been pushed to the margins. It’s a machine built to destroy the very foundations of oppression, and with Ryan Cassata & The Top Surgeons at the helm, there’s no telling how far it will go.