B-Side Guys

Musical supergroups often collapse under the weight of competing egos, but Oakland’s Skip The Needle proves that collective power multiplies rather than divides. Their latest single “Until We Overcome,” from the upcoming EP “Wake Up Wake Up Wake Up,” demonstrates how four distinct voices can merge into something greater than their considerable individual parts.

Recorded at Women’s Audio Mission – the world’s only professional recording studio run entirely by women and gender-expansive individuals – the track’s production mirrors its message of inclusive empowerment. The blend of punk attitude, funk groove, and soul delivery that the band calls “black dyke rock” feels both historically grounded and urgently contemporary.

Each member brings their unique musical DNA to the mix: Vicki Randle’s experience backing Mavis Staples, Shelley Doty’s experimental work with X-Tet, Kofy Brown’s punk credentials from Sistas in the Pit, and Katie Cash’s raw energy from Year of the Fist. Rather than competing for space, these influences interweave to create a sound that’s both politically pointed and physically moving.

The track builds on the momentum of their Octavia Butler-inspired previous EP, maintaining the science fiction author’s vision of radical possibility while staying firmly grounded in present-day struggles. Skip The Needle demonstrates that social consciousness doesn’t have to come at the expense of musical excitement – in fact, the fusion of message and medium makes both more powerful.

Following their sold-out run of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Berkeley’s Shotgun Players, this single suggests that Skip The Needle’s upcoming EP will continue their mission of delivering hope through high-voltage performance. With dates lined up from Seattle to Santa Cruz, they’re proving that resistance doesn’t just march – it dances, rocks, and brings communities together. “Until We Overcome” isn’t just a song title – it’s a promise delivered through amplifiers.