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New Jersey ska punk power trio JOKER’S REPUBLIC are back with a bang. Their new single, “Panic! Panic! Panic!”, drops this Friday, July 11 via their new label home Punkerton Records — marking the first taste of their upcoming full-length produced by Roger Lima of Less Than Jake. The band also just announced a stacked fall tour leading up to their appearance at FEST in Gainesville, FL.
Lyrically uplifting and sonically urgent, “Panic! Panic! Panic!” was born from frontman Austen Gray’s battle with anxiety during the uncertainty of 2020. But instead of spiraling inward, the song bursts outward—a rallying cry for mental health awareness wrapped in punchy guitars, shouted hooks, and a high-octane ska-punk delivery.
“Over time, the song took on a different narrative—being less about literal panic and more about mental health,” says Gray. “It became a pep talk to myself and anyone listening: don’t let the panic win.”
With production once again handled by ska-punk legend Roger Lima and mixing/mastering by Grammy-nominated Eric Taft, the new single offers a glimpse into Joker’s Republic’s upcoming album, The Hand You’ve Been Dealt, due out this Fall. Though not yet officially announced, the record includes 12 anthemic tracks that balance heavy themes—politics, identity, grief—with an irrepressible catchiness and a dose of the band’s signature humor. More information on the album and pre-orders will be revealed soon.
Known for their lightning-fast live sets and their “power trio, no horn section, no problem” ethos, Joker’s Republic have carved a name for themselves with relentless DIY touring and standout festival appearances (Punk Rock Saves Lives Fest, Ska Punk International Fest). Their 2023 album Necessary Evil (also produced by Lima) laid the groundwork, and now, with Punkerton Records behind them, they’re aiming higher than ever.