If you’ve ever wondered what happens to punks as they grow older, we’d like to direct your attention to Stiff Middle Fingers’ latest lP, Like Eroding Stone.

The entire album is a masterclass in what it means to be a music fan in this day and age. How do you throw down like you used to when the world is burning? Is it even worth going out anymore when I could just stay home? What’s the point of it all if I can’t even envision the future? These are all the burning questions answered on Like Eroding Stone.

Ten years ago, Stiff Middle Fingers was Lawrence’s premier punk band known for on (and off) stage antics, super long mic cords, a thong-clad vocalist, and a tour van modeled after the dog van from “Dumb and Dumber.” After members scattered across the country, they still gathered for rehearsals and the one-off show here and there. They never considered themselves disbanded, just delayed. The wait was worth it, as Like Eroding Stone delivers one furiously fast track after another full of disdain and attitude in the spirit of punk rock.

The band steps outside their normal independent band comfort zone and headed into the studio with Counterpunch’s Kyle Tilev. In addition to new tracks, they re-recorded some older favorites, including “Fake,” “Munky and Head’s Day Out,” and their ever-popular “Redacted” (an excellent opener for the album). Rerecording these fan favorites was a good idea, as it utilizes their current lineup who came armed with years of expertise, adding an extra gut-punch to the guitars and drums. I swear, it feels like they’ve only gotten faster.

The standout track, “Ugh,” lands fourth on the album. It’s a fantastic inner monologue of a punk deciding if they have the energy to go out to a show. “I never go to shows, I always plan to go but then I think ‘No, I’ll smoke some weed.'” vocalist Travis “TurdKing” Arey laments. We just love this song, it’s like holding up the harshest of mirrors to all of us as we get older and grapple with the idea of partying like we used to. “Main set doesn’t go on until 10:30…PM! I’m not sure I like any of the openers, maybe we can just go then to do something that I know better than, like a piece of shit old man.” Then he goes onto saying he’d rather stay home naked in his robe getting stoned. The lore goes that Arey wrote this after failing to make it out to a Radkey set when they toured through Washington, D.C., where he lives.

Punk rock seems to rear its head whenever times are tough, which makes Like Eroding Stone a timely release. It deals with the identity crisis punks face as they grow older and are torn with trying to stick by their ideals as their bodies start to force them to slow down. Listen, we’ve all been there, muttering “I’m still punk as fuck” to ourselves when our bodies hold us back. But in the case of Stiff Middle Fingers, the message still holds true and obnoxiously loud. Though the ending track “Mad Cow Disease” keeps the band close to their pessimistic roots, lamenting the state of the world as the worst it’s ever been. “What’s the point of trying, we’re all just fucking dying. The liars just keep lying, the future is fucking terrifying.” But when everything seems really fucked up, isn’t that the best time for a rowdy punk presence in the scene?

Stiff Middle Fingers play the late show at the Replay on Friday, March 6. Here’s hoping our old asses stay up late enough to watch their set!