Infra ED & Jason Potbelly / Chump Change split 7"

Side A - Infra ED & Jason Potbelly
1. Gravedigger
2. Defiant

Side B - Chump Change
1. Anti-social Tendencies
2. My World

 

At its core, Chump Change – A Tribute to Tragedy is far more than just a punk record — it’s a moving eulogy, a protest, and a time capsule of grief and rage. Originally conceived as a tribute to Tony Berry, the late guitarist and vocalist of Washington punk band Chump Change, the EP quickly evolved into something larger. As tragedy struck not just the local community but the nation at large, this record became a powerful sonic reflection of collective loss and systemic injustice.

Berry’s death from cancer was the catalyst, but as the project came together, the country was reeling from the fatal police shooting of Anthony Zambrano-Montes, a Native man killed while fleeing law enforcement in Pasco, WA — unarmed, accused of nothing more than throwing rocks. Meanwhile, the fallout from Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, had begun to spark the Black Lives Matter movement. These events weigh heavily on the record, shaping its tone and message with sobering relevance.

The EP features two tracks by Tony Berry and Chump Change, and two more from Dehumanizers legend Infra ED and Potbelly’s Jason — all coming together in a seamless blend of gritty punk rock and heavy-hearted tribute. Berry’s contributions are particularly poignant, capturing the raw urgency and soul that made Chump Change a staple of the Pacific Northwest punk scene. In contrast, the tracks from Infra ED and Potbelly offer a grittier, more aggressive edge — serving as an audible outcry against brutality, silence, and systemic violence.

The cover art makes a bold, unapologetic statement: Officer Darren Wilson, who shot Michael Brown, is labeled as “The Chump,” while Brown himself represents “The Change.” It’s provocative, uncomfortable, and impossible to ignore — much like the music it represents.

While brief in length, A Tribute to Tragedy is massive in scope and intent. It mourns personal loss while amplifying broader injustices, giving voice to the voiceless through punk’s defiant lens. Musically tight and emotionally raw, this EP doesn’t just pay tribute — it challenges listeners to reflect, remember, and resist.