Happy Birthday Mitch!

The song "Happy Birthday Mitch!" by Punks from their album "mitch-punk birthday song" has become a cult favorite among the Zoo Freaks, the dedicated listeners of THE ZOO radio station. In a 2023 interview with Punk Rock Radio, lead singer Jax Riot shared that the song was written in a single night during a raucous jam session at a friend's birthday party. The band, fueled by cheap beer and a love for chaotic energy, improvised the track as a tribute to their friend Mitch, whose wild personality inspired the song's raw, unpolished vibe. Jax mentioned that the iconic line, "Mitch, you’re the king of the pit!" was a nod to Mitch’s habit of starting mosh pits at every show he attended. The song’s lo-fi production and shouted vocals capture the spirit of early punk, making it a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s hippie DJs who love spinning records that feel authentic and unfiltered.

Another piece of trivia comes from a now-deleted post on Punks’ Instagram in 2024, where they shared a behind-the-scenes story about the song’s recording. Apparently, the band recorded it in a garage with a single microphone, and halfway through, a neighbor banged on the door, yelling about the noise. Instead of stopping, the band incorporated the banging into the track’s outro, giving it an extra layer of gritty charm. Fans on X have since turned this moment into a meme, with Zoo Freaks jokingly calling the neighbor “the fifth Punk.” The song’s popularity has also led to a tradition among Zoo Freaks, who often request it for birthdays, flooding THE ZOO’s request line with shouts of “Play Mitch for my day!”

Punks got their start in the late 2010s in a small punk scene in Asbury Park, New Jersey. According to their bio on their official website, Jax Riot (vocals) and bassist Spike Chain met at a dive bar show where both were heckling a mediocre cover band. Bonding over their love for The Ramones and Dead Kennedys, they recruited drummer Lizzy Crash and guitarist Tommy Static to form Punks. The band played their first gig at a skate park, where they nearly got arrested for “disturbing the peace” after Tommy accidentally set off a firecracker during their set. This chaotic energy defined their early years, with the band building a loyal following through DIY shows and zine promotions. By 2020, they had released their debut EP, “No Rules, Just Noise,” which caught the attention of indie labels and led to their signing with Rebel Sound Records.

The band’s rise was fueled by their relentless gigging and unapologetic attitude, as noted in a 2022 Facebook post where they thanked fans for “sticking with us through the sweat, blood, and broken strings.” Their music blends classic punk’s aggression with a playful, almost absurd sense of humor, which resonates deeply with the Zoo Freaks’ countercultural ethos. Punks’ social media presence is active and irreverent, with regular updates on Instagram showcasing tour antics and fan art, while their X account is filled with snarky replies to trolls and shoutouts to Zoo Crew DJs. Fans have also created a vibrant community, including the Punks Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks share bootleg recordings and organize meetups at shows. Additionally, the fan-run site Punks Forever archives rare photos and setlists, serving as a digital scrapbook for the band’s journey.