Poison Tribe’s self-titled 7” drops June 28 on PowerSlop Records, packing five sharp, scorched tracks in just under 11 minutes. Recorded by Nick Pryor at Lower Realm and pressed on both black and fluorescent green vinyl, the EP marks the band’s first release with their current lineup—Phil on vocals, Nicole on bass, Dean on drums, and Wiley on guitar and backing vocals.
It’s raw, fast, and rooted in crust punk and d-beat, staying clear of any polish or pretension.
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The band formed in late 2019, built around three former members of Scarchasm, a now-defunct Denver band active in the mid-2000s. “We just wanted to play shit we liked,” they’ve said—gritty, crust-adjacent punk that had mostly vanished from the local scene. They were about to play their first show when the pandemic hit, which pushed them into demo mode. A second demo followed with a different vocalist, and the current formation settled in after another lineup change.
Denver’s scene was shifting in the meantime. Death metal and hardcore took the lead, while crust punk faded from view. “The scene and tastes in Denver is in constant flux,” they explained. “Not a lot of crust bands have been active in the recent era but it is making a comeback.”
The five songs on the EP—“False Narrative,” “I Dissent,” “Children of the Atom,” “What We Are,” and “Dethrone”—carry that intent clearly. They’re stripped-down but purposeful, with no unnecessary layers. The riffs are jagged, the vocals bite, and the rhythm section keeps things harsh and focused.
Poison Tribe has played a steady run of weekend shows and a short tour, including gigs with Subhumans, Avskum, Coffins, Resistant Culture, and Wormrot. The EP, they said, is the first recording that truly reflects their current state: “With our lineup solidified we wrote these 5 new songs with the aim of putting out a solo EP.”
They’re heading out on a West Coast tour this summer, bringing what they call their “Mile high crust” to new crowds.
Alongside the release, Poison Tribe shared a list of essential Colorado bands—names like Gunk!, Clarion Void, Upon A Fields Whisper, Clusterfux, and more. Full rundown to follow, but the message is clear: crust is still breathing in Denver, and Poison Tribe is part of that pulse.
Colorado bands worth a check
Gunk!
Filthy weirdo noise punk from Colorado Springs. All over the place in the best ways and they switch instruments on certain songs live. Wanna be a hunk? Gotta listen to Gunk!
Clarion Void
Crushing blackened doom/sludge made by some of the cutest dudes Colorado Springs has to offer.
Upon A Fields Whisper
Colorado Springs melodic blackened crust punk. These guys know how to write riffs! 10/10 on the kissability scale.
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Victim Of Fire
Blackened crust from the Mile High City. They’re probably coming to your town soon and you’d be a real dummy to miss it.
Clusterfux
Denver OGs still killing it all these years later. Denver’s scene wouldn’t be where it is today without them.
Berated
Carrying the torch of Denver’s grindcore town days. Fast as fuck and insanely heavy.
Weathered Statues
If you like dark post punk, boy do I have the band for you. Moody jams from long time members of Denver’s punk scene.
Helga Pataki
Saw these lovely people DESTROY a house show we played with them. Insane energy! PLAY FAST OR DIE.
Mournful Ruin
Denver death/doom/sludge. Make sure all your affairs are in order because this will obliterate you and everyone you care about.
Candy Apple
Furious hardcore punk jams to punch things to. Put this on and destroy your whole house. They have a cassette only no digital release and that rules.
