Huntingtons / Travoltas - Rock 'N' Roll Universal International Problem (2022)

A couple of universally loved pop punk heavy hitters combine forces on this problem free international split.

I’m not sure if it’s a “rock ‘n’ roll universal international problem”, but pop punk does certainly seem like the universal language. This awkwardly titled split EP brings together pop punk heavy hitters from the USA (The Huntingtons) and The Netherlands (The Travoltas). Apparently it’s been 20 years in the making, since the bands played together in Europe two decades earlier.

Baltimore’s The Huntingtons are Ramones-core royalty. In addition to sounding a lot like the Fast Four, they recorded a couple of full lengths worth of Ramones covers and even backed up Joey at CBGBs. The band released a bunch of albums between 1996 and 2009 before mostly going dark for a decade or so. The Huntingtons dropped a new LP in 2020, and have been really active since then.

The four Huntingtons’ tracks on Rock ‘N’ Roll Universal International Problem include one new song, two Travoltas’ covers and an old Everly Brothers song. It’s exactly what you’ve come to expect from these guys. It’s catchy, Ramones inspired punk that will have you singing along in no time. “I Don’t Wanna Be Wrong” opens with the Joey Ramone sound bite that inspired the record’s title, (as does the first Travolta’s song), and is a highlight. “You Got What I Need” is an upbeat track that has a magical, surfy, slow dance breakdown at the end. Their interpretation of the golden oldie “All I Have to Do is Dream” is also inspired.

The Travoltas go back even further than Huntingtons. They formed in 1990 and started putting out records in 1995. They also took an extended break from 2004 to 2014. The Travoltas side of the record follows the same formula. It’s one new song. Two Huntingtons’ covers and a version of the old western standard “Red River Valley” revved up to “Red River Rock”.

“She’s Gonna break My Heart in Two” is a really catchy, breezy track that is much closer to Beach Boys than Ramones. “Hooray For You” and “The Last Time That You Left” are much less mellow and have more punk bite. “Red River Rock” is an instrumental that prominently features a Farfisa organ. Whether or not you enjoy Travoltas’ side of the record may depend greatly on how you feel about that instrument, as they use it liberally throughout. Overall, Rock ‘N’ Roll Universal International Problem is a really solid release that’s pretty much guaranteed to be a treat for any serious pop punk fan.