Gross
Polluter – Cynical Scumbaggery / Piss Popular (Rattown
Records)
Fast punk rock out of Orange County, CA, Gross Polluter (formerly
known as Smogtown) step out with two songs that are parts
punk, part garage punk, and almost instantly forgettable.
Though “Cynical Scumbaggery” and the B side “Piss
Popular” briefly bring to mind classic bands such as
The Germs and Crimpshrine, there’s nothing here that
would warrant further listening or investigation regarding
the band. Though I fully understand their might be an audience
for Gross Polluter, I was not the least bit impressed.
On their 2019 debut Stay Cool, Rat Fancy unleash
ten songs of fuzzy and warm jangle pop that feature some nice
hooks, rhythmic jaunts and catchy melodies. However, after
reading the press kit and bio for both Rat Fancy and lead
singer Diane Barraza, I was quite surprised at how her voice
is the one and only consistent reason I found Stay Cool
to be so grating and unenjoyable. To each their own, and I
might find myself in the minority here, but her chirpy and
overwhelmingly bratty vocal approach made listening to these
songs a painful experience. And while the album has its share
of hooks, warm rhythms and fuzzed out remnants of jangle and
power pop, it’s hardly enough to cover for that one
rather large factor. The vinyl version comes with a download
card that I almost immediately designated for the circular
file.
Here I am, weeks removed from the overwhelming crowds of Record
Store Day 2019, still in awe over coming home with the grand
prize that the Devo box set was, is, and will surely continue
to be. The exclusive Record Store Day release served as both
a time capsule and a vivid tour through the band's early recorded
history.
Like many, I was only ten when introduced to the band through
the video for “Whip it.” By then, I was already
reaping the rewards on an allowance that included an album
of my choice every other week. After seeing the video and
hearing it at the local roller rink the following weekend,
I chose “Freedom of Choice” based entirely on
the single. What I didn’t expect but was jazzed to
learn was that the entire album was amazing. From the thunderbolt
charge of “Freedom of Choice” to the quickened
pulse of “Girl U Want,” I was transported to
this outer world of geek-strong “beam me up and take
me to your leader” nerdism.
The box set features the six albums released by Warner
Bros. between 1978 and 1984: . Q: Are We Not Men?,
We Are Devo! (1978), Duty Now for the Future
(1979), Freedom of Choice (1980), New Traditionalists
(1981), Oh, No! It's Devo (1982), and Shout
(1984.) Housed in a sturdy box, repressed on a different
color vinyl showing the original art work and covers, the
sound quality is outstanding and I can honestly say, I enjoyed
unwrapping and listening to each record as a whole. While
I’ve continued my appreciation of Devo over the years,
I’ve admittedly done so by listening to collections
of their work and an occasional spin of Freedom of Choice.
Listening to each of these records chronologically had
quite an endearing effect on me. The box itself is limited
to 3,000 copies. And while I fully understand both the monetary
cost (around $120) and time it might take to listen to each
album, I still hold it in the highest regard. Whether or
not you decide to seek out the box set, I highly recommend
looking into Devo’s recorded works.
While I can’t quite remember who first alerted me to
the term “Dad Rock”. I can authoritatively narrow
it down to either Jim Testa, (Jersey Beat) James Appio, (Cool
Dad Music) or Al Crisafulli (Dromedary Records.) Which brings
me to Essex County Dad Rockers Tri-State. Formed in 2010,
and featuring Jeff Zelevansky (guitar/vocals), Brady McNamara
(drums), Julian Brash (guitar/vocals), and Scott Stemmermann
(bass,) Tri-State’s music can be best described as a
laid-back pop rock affair. Hey Pal carries a warm,
lived in vibe highlighted by plenty of hooks, harmonies and
guitar driven melodies. The album features nine songs, with
the opener “Toasts and Boasts” and “First
Responder” being personal favorites. (RIYL The Hasbros,
Bastards of Melody and the Anderson Council.)
When I was first introduced to England’s The Heavy,
I couldn’t help but feel that soul music was on a brilliant
crash course with rock & roll. When first introduced through
the lead single “How You Like Me Now?” from their
2009 sophomore effort The House that Dirt Built,
I felt that I almost immediately was being treated to something
special.
Fast forward ten years and I’m getting a similar
vibe from a somewhat old and familiar place. Sons
opens like a neutron bomb with “Heavy for You,”
its screaming guitars, pounding rhythms and Kelvin Swaby’s
soulful screams calling out “I got taste/ I got lust/
I got all those things that you want. “ From there,
it’s just one groove-heavy soulful trip that combines
classic R&B and eccentric rock that features a lot of
interesting twists and turns. (Including the electro-funk
inspired “Simple Things.”) If you’re a
fan of James Brown, Jimi Hendrix or Sly & the Family
Stone, you should feel right at home with Sons.
Though I found it hard to scale this album down to just
a couple of praise worthy offerings, I couldn’t end
this review without noting that “Heavy for You”,
“Better as One” and the album's closer “Burn
Bright” deserve serious accolades as well as countless
returns to the dancefloor. And while it’s rare that
a band that gave me instant gratification year agos still
feels vital and irreplaceable, this one does.
When you’re a kid, a common tactic of bullies is to
call another out as weird or weirdo. Though intended to be
hurtful, it ultimately means you don’t fit in with all
the squares who choose to walk a straight path or care to
fit in with the status quo. As you get older, that weirdness
takes you places while enabling you to thrive in creative
areas far beyond those of your peers.
Which brings me to Stockholm, Sweden’s Shit Kid aka
Åsa Söderqvis. In listening to Shit Kid for the
first time, I found myself swimming in the pool of weird
genius that was both simple and brilliant. Each song carries
the warm simplicity of a home recording, while still sounding
clean and tight in all the right places.
Söderqvis’ approach feels like a strange yet
compelling cross between a young Liz Phair and early Lilly
Allen. Åsa’s voice can be bratty and commanding
while vulnerable and innocent at others; at times off key,
yet completely on target.
“Detention” features eight songs that carry
a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, one that feels honest
and integrally quirky. In listening to “Detention”
on vinyl, I felt myself falling deep into a spell of the
songs featured on Side A, with the opening title track “Detention”,
“Romance”, “Last Mistake” and “Summer
Vacation” becoming instant favorites. Still, flipping
over to the B side quickly led me to “Home Wondering
(I don’t want to go to prom.)” and “Lost
in Dreamland.”
In listening to “Detention” and reading up a
bit on Sweden’s Shit Kid. I got the feeling that I
was experiencing something different, unique and somewhat
special. Kind of like the first time I heard Bjork’s
voice with the Sugarcubes.
The
Sweet Things – Borrowed Shoes on Borrowed Time (Spaghetty
Town Records)
After two praise-worthy singles on Spaghetty Town Records,
The Sweet Things return to the turntable with more of the
rock n roll swagger that made them so appealing to those longing
for a return to rock's edgy, street wise depravity.
On their debut full length, New York’s Sweet Things
strike hard with ten songs that showcase their knack for creating
dirty, bluesy and totally infectious style rock & roll.
With elements, reminiscent of the Stones, the Stooges and
the New York Dolls, The Sweet Things seem hell bent on bringing
back a somewhat dangerous street wise edge to the genre. There’s
definitely a Jagger/ Richards kind of kinship between guitarists/
vocalists Tierney and Behrman, one that has me visualizing
them cozying up to one another to share the mic at shows.
There’s a lot of guitar swagger on tracks like “Liquor
Lightning” and “Fix to Kick”. However, on
songs like the title track, “Borrowed Shoes and Borrowed
Time” and the aptly titled “Drained” the
band show their ability to change pace and take it down a
notch. Aside from the songs I mentioned, you be hard pressed
to find a deuce in the deck. As for me, my personal favorite
was the fiery and raucous “Through the Cracks of the
City”. If you’re looking for a stand out guitar
rock band with a punk twist. Look no further.
L’mour
– Look to the Artist: 1978-1981 (Beach Impediment
Records)
When you approach the highway of late 70’s/ early 80’s,
you’ll quickly notice the monuments built to bands like
Cheap Trick, The Knack, The Cars and many more, each and every
one of them worth both our praise and air guitar salutes.
For, if it were not for them, we might have dragged out vapid
versions of punk rock for a few more years or dived right
into a synth saturated world of emotionally void new wave.
But what about the many power pop acts that populated that
same highway, yet never received the same spotlight or praise
that say, Cheap Trick, The Knack or the Cars continue to
rightfully receive? What about the countless other bands
that cut their teeth honing their look at style at bars,
clubs and local halls? What about Richmond, Virginia’s
L’mour and the fourteen-song discography “Look
to the Artist”?
Compiling fourteen songs recorded between 1978-1981, “Look
to the Artist” documents L’mour’s recorded
history in its entirety. Most of what is featured here is
very basic, run of the mill, three chords and six pack rock
'n’ roll, material that might have been improved through
a better recording and a more hands on producer. If you
choose to read the bio while listening to the music, you’ll
have a hard time matching the two. Sure, there are some
good bass lines sprinkled here and there, but not nearly
enough to mask the terrible vocals, muffled guitars and
distant drums. Overall ‘Look to the Artist”
is a complete and total mess that took more than couple
of attempts to get all the way through. While it’s
usually an enjoyable adventure, tracking down lost recordings
or a band that might have, fpr whatever res]ason, slipped
through the cracks. Listening to L’mour only serves
a reminder that some things are best left unfound.
For more information about L’mour, or to
order, go Here.
There comes a time in any band or artist’s creative
life when the chemistry or ability to write songs of an impactful
nature begins to gray. Though the causes can vary, it’s
something that eventually happens to everyone. Unfortunately,
perhaps due to contractual obligations, ego, or whatever keeps
them from realizing that the magic they once wielded in long
gone, they keep going. Sadly enough, the once great Weezer
continue to ignore the overwhelming evidence brought up in
this case.
While there was a time when listening to a Weezer album
was rewarding. (Think “Pinkerton” or “The
Blue Album.”) Those days are decades past. Since then,
it’s felt as if the band has basically been phoning
it in while relying on indie cred and an occasional night
of drunken karaoke
Look no further than a collection of cover songs to prove
my point. Weezer’s attempt at
covering FM radio staples such as Toto’s “Africa”
Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” and The
Turtles “Happy Together” sound tired and void
of any injection of wit or sense of humor.
While I’ve never one to shy away from a cover or two,
“The Teel Album” and Weezer’s vapid attempts
at relevancy just serve up more proof that Cuomo & Co.
need to check their answering machine and check their inbox
featuring the countless messages to stop recording.
Maximum
Penalty – 89’ Demo (Vinyl Reissue) (Reaper Records)
Maximum Penalty represent an important place and time in my
experience with New York Hard Core. At the time of its release,
I was waist deep in the second issue of my fanzine Unite,
sitting in on studio sessions and recordings and going to
just about every hardcore show I could sniff out. Though it
signaled the beginning of the end chapter of the second wave
of New York Hardcore, I myself, could not have possibly felt
more at home.
Though often finding themselves on a bill and being compared
to the likes of Breakdown and Raw Deal (a band that would
soon to become known as Killing Time,) Maximum Penalty seemed
a bit more soulful, maybe even spiritual, perhaps due to
their lyrics, Jimmy Williams' soulful growls and Millie’s
groove heavy bass lines. Musically, the band merged elements
of hardcore, metal and hip hop to create a sound that would
go one to become common place with countless other hardcore
acts of the 90’s.
Songs like “Acceptance”, “Hate”,
“Nowhere to Turn to” and “All Your Boyz”
have aged well since first appearing on the demo some thirty
years ago. Featuring the original nine songs that appeared
on the 1989 cassette tape as well as an isolated vocal recording
of “All your Boyz.”
Presented in a gatefold cover, including a 12’ X 24’
fold out poster featuring show flyers and images from back
in the day and a digital download. The first pressing is
limited to 600 copies and comes on blue vinyl.
My one complaint, and this is one that has nothing to do
with the music: Upon opening the poster, I noticed a photo
I had taken thirty years ago appears in the collage. I was
never approached, informed, credited or compensated for
its use.
Hailing from the Northeastern corner of England and featuring
members of Vorhees and Break it Up, Tied Down take a similar
approach to what they put forth in the past. When you name
your band after a Negative Approach song, chances are you’re
going to sound a lot like Negative Approach. And while there’s
nothing wrong from finding influence in one of the great architects
of the genre, it doesn’t necessarily give your band
a shot at longevity or credibility. That said, I have to admit
coming away with an overall positive opinion of what I heard
in these five songs. Though from England, Tied Down sound
as if their influences come from across the Atlantic in cities
like Boston, New York and other areas where Hardcore music
found its origins.
The
Wanna-Bes – Broken Record EP (Mom’s Basement
Records)
Don’t let the band’s name fool you. Longview,
Washington’s The Wanna-Bes are about as convincingly
authentic as a rock band can get. On their latest single and
follow up to their 2017 full length “Out Went the Lights,”
The Wanna-Bes mix elements of punk, power pop and hard rock
to create pulsating rock & roll with a big guitar sound,
driving rhythms and sneering vocals. “Broken Record”,
“Talk to You”, “I’m a Drag”
and “Hangin’ On” each teem with rock &
roll authenticity, exuding a confident swagger and confidence,
reminiscent of bands like The Rye Coalition, Rocket from the
Crypt and Drive Like Jehu. These four songs will make your
dick harden with an adrenalized shot of bombastic energy and
passion.
“Taking Back Space” is the 2nd EP from Berlin,
Germany’s queer, feminist hardcore act Eat My Fear.
The four-member band play a type of screamo punk core that
can best be compared to the Riot Grrl movement of the 90’s.
(Think Spitboy meets Bratmobile.) My first and lasting impressions
of this six song EP were not good ones, as I found the vocalist's
mix of dysphoria and ear piercing screams to be both scathing
and unlistenable, ultimately failing to succeed in delivering
any intended message. While somewhat comparable and inspired
by Olympia, Washington’s G.L.O.S.S. (Girls Living Outside
of Society’s Shit,) Eat My Fear fail to come close to
warranting praise or even the most casual listen.
The
Membranes – What Nature Gives… Nature Takes
Away (Cherry Red Records)
Old punks never die…. Or so I’ve been told. Which
is notable, considering England’s The Membranes joined
the punk circus way back in the late Seventies. Originally
formed out of Blackpool, Lancashire in 1977, The Membranes'
style of dark post punk was highly influential on bands such
as Sonic Youth and Big Black before eventually calling it
a day. Since resurrecting in 2009, The Membranes have kept
busy recording and touring the world and performing at festivals.
On their latest, the soon to be released “What Nature
Gives .. Nature Takes Away,” the Membranes whet the
source with its brand of dark and sinister post punk. There
are additional strokes of goth and psychedelic rock that deepen
the already murky romantic undertones of the songs. In listening
to this, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What if
Glenn Danzig teamed up with the Stranglers with the sole intention
of writing love songs?”
Featuring sixteen songs, “What Nature Gives…”
is being promoted Cherry Red Records as a double LP. RIYL
bands like Joy Division, Mission UK or My Bloody Valentine.
Wow, talk about surprises! Due to the EP’s rudimentary
artwork and title, I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting
much. Yet, Frontside’s five song EP “Society’s
View” impressed me right out of the gate. The San Diego,
California five piece play a raw, no frills version of hardcore
that has a first wave appeal, with short bursts of fast, yet
even paced guitar driven anger and aggression, creepy crawl
rhythms and bass lines, and snarled yet easily comprehendible
vocals. Frontside have it all covered. Having been quite pleased
regarding what I’ve thus heard from Safe Inside Records.
I’d highly recommend looking into the label and the
bands that call it home. This looks to be a digital only release.
So be sure to check out their Bandcamp.
It’s been quite a while since an Autoclave EP spun on
my turntable. Considering I sold all my original records some
twenty years ago, I’m guessing 25. So when I saw that
Dischord was reissuing a remastered 12’ of their original
EP’s, I excitedly added it to my cart. Members of Autoclave
would go on to form and perform in notable acts such as Team
Dresh, Helium, Slant Six, Wild Flag and Ex-Hex, to name a
few.
Like many of the Dischord bands that preceded them. Autoclave
challenged the perceptions of what punk, or in this case,
post punk should sound like, with a sound more akin to what
would come to be known as Math Rock, an approach that features
complex chord structures and start, stop progressions. Perhaps
inherent to their more complex approach or the fact that
they were an all-female band playing within what was essentially
a boy’s club, Autoclave stood out.
The record compiles eleven remastered songs from their
7-inch EP and two additional songs, each of which provides
an interesting yet complex trip through the past.
Okay, to start things off, let me first say that prior to
being sent this submission, I had never heard of or had any
previous knowledge of POW! With that said, I can approach
this review, or to better put it, observation, without any
personal preconceptions or prejudice. Weird and unconventional
in every sense of the world, POW! possesses so many interesting
and quirky elements that it would be senseless to attempt
to pin them down or fit them into some convenient compartment.
Think Kraftwerk meets Devo meets a cyber, horror punk version
of Gary Newman on the set of Stranger Things: Gloomy,
dark, haunting and as good as it gets. If space punk were
ever to become a thing, POW! Would surely be the band to man
the first shuttle. Though punk has tried the spacey electronic
approach with varied results over the years, POW! Seem to
pull it off effortlessly.
Charlie
Sub and the Sound Dogs- The Bronx is Burning
I was having a conversation with my wife this morning about
my first trips to the Bronx and how the burnt-out buildings
and crack heads interested me so much more than the zoo we
were driving to. So it's ironic was given a submission featuring
a title that closely resembles that earlier conversation,
even when realizing that Charlie Sub and the Sound Dogs sound
nothing like anything that ever came out or went near the
area.
The 4-song EP opens with a 38 second instrumental that
had me thinking I was being treated to something in the
realm of Charlie Parker or John Coltrane. (Which, by the
way, would be both inviting and satisfying.) While undoubtedly
soulful and bluesy, their overall sound feels way too polished
and corporate sounding for my taste, perhaps even outdated
by today’s standards. “The Bronx is Burning”
features some rich instrumentations, keyboards and horns.
However, it seems to lack any sense of character or grit,
important traits that often draw one to an artist or genre
of music. Charlie Sub and the Sound Dogs walk a tightrope
between orchestral rock and country music. You know, the
kind of stuff you Dad might put on in the car or mention
he got complimentary tickets to see when he booked his hotel
room in Atlantic City. Though parts of the Bronx may still
be burning. C.S.S.D. surely didn’t start it.
Bad
Reputation – Music from the original motion picture
soundtrack
Growing up, the walls of my bedroom were covered with Joan
Jett posters. I had a scrapbook featuring every Joan Jett
article and interview I came across. I even convinced my Mother
to take me to a Hell’s Angels benefit where she was
performing. To say I was a fan would be a major understatement.
Looking back, one of my greatest opportunities as a writer
and photographer came years later when I was given a photo
and backstage pass to an Irving Plaza show where Joan Jett
& the Blackhearts headlined a show that included the Eagles
of Death Metal and Valiant Thor. A co-founder of the Runaways
(the first all-girl hard rock act,) solo artist, long time
front woman for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, producer,
actress, and vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community, Joan
Jett has more than earned her title as an icon as well as
a member of the Rock & Roll hall of fame. The upcoming
rock doc on Joan Jett’s life in music looks to be honest,
raw and unrelenting. Getting my hands on the soundtrack was
just the grease I needed to get my motor working. The perfect
appetizer for what is sure to inform as well as well as raise
more than a few nostalgic hairs.
“Fresh Start” opens the 18-song soundtrack
with the classic Joan Jett & the Blackhearts stomp-the-yard
bounce and pomp. The iconic and untouchable title track
“Bad Reputation” follows with an equally strong
presence. The early recording of “I Love Rock n’
Roll” with former Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul
Cook. (two musicians who contributed to her first solo record)
sounds hollow and tinny, yet it highlights the earliest
sessions that would bring Jett to the forefront. “Androgynous”
featuring Miley Cyrus & Jayne Joyce is by far, the worst
song on the album, sounding more like a drunken attempt
at karaoke than a well thought out collaboration.
There are so many great and instantly recognizable songs
to be had here, most of which we’ve been blasting
over our speakers since the early Eighties. “Bad Reputation,”“Do
You Want to Touch Me (Oh Yeah,)”“Victim of Circumstances”
and many, many more. Listening to the soundtrack brought
back a lot of great memories and made me look forward to
seeing the movie. Joan Jett is more than worthy of the icon
status put upon her. I’m really looking forward to
seeing and hearing her finally tell her own story. Until
then.
The
Police – Every Move You Make (The Studio Recordings)
If you got into music in the early 80’s, chances are
The Police are your favorite band, or at least one of your
favorite acts to date. Record sales and chart topping singles
aside, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland wrote and
recorded many of the era's best songs. Though known widely
for their pop rock wisdom, the trio would at times, venture
into jazzier territory, most evident on songs such as “Murder
by Numbers” and “Tea in the Sahara.”
Every Move You Make features each of the band’s
five studio albums - 1978 ’s debut Outlandos D’Amor,
1979’s Reggatta De Blanc, 1980’s Zenyatta
Mondtta, and 1981’s Ghost in the Machine.
And their swan song, Synchronicity. Each has been
half- speed remastered at Abbey Road Studios and pressed
on high quality 180-gram vinyl, making for noticeably superior
listening quality, one that truly enhances the overall experience.
(More about half-speed remastering here.)
Also included, and this was the clincher for me, is a bonus
LPm “Flexible Strategies,” which features the
B–sides of the many singles the band released. The
box itself is quite sturdy, and the snug fit makes expelling
the records from its shell somewhat of a task. However,
any audiophile would be grateful regarding the construction.
My only complaint, if it is one, regards the 12 X 12 book
that’s included. Though it’s pages are loaded
with many rare and often intimate images, there’s
no commentary, essays, or text to be found. Any fan of the
band, myself included, would love to read stories about
or by Sting, Andy and Stewart. Or perhaps, at the very least,
stories and observations from the many bands and artists
who found inspiration in their music. I found this to be
a major misstep in regards to the release and the only noticeable
one worth mention. The original price of $130 has skyrocketed
to about $200 on Amazon since its initial release. I’d
suggest nosing around both online and at your favorite record
store before plucking down the extra cash.
Whether you’re a fan, completest or audiophile junky,
you’d be remiss in not investing in this limited-edition
release. And while career spanning box sets can be hit or
miss due the often-heavy price tag and the sheer amount
of music, I found the packaging and mastering of the bands
recorded output to be overwhelmingly positive. Considering
this is a limited run, I’d advise seizing the moment
when the moment is here.
As one who doesn’t really follow music trends or pay
any attention to the charts or mainstream music, relying on
friends whose taste in music consistently provides inspiration,
as well as plain old ear to the underground habits. I’ve
managed to stay informed when it comes to music that might
appeal to me on one level or another. In the case of Italy’s
Giuda, I owe a great debt to longtime friend and Spaghettytown
Records kingpin, Ted Dougherty. For, if it were not for him,
I may have never been given the chance to get a taste of what
Italy’s Giuda were cooking up.
On their latest ten song LP, the band continues to quicken
the pulse, keep the toes tapping and the hands clapping along
with each note. Listening to any Giuda track is an exercise
in mirth. An act of celebratory indulgence that feels as natural
as it does necessary. Overall E.V.A. exudes with
confidence and good time swagger. Somehow, I feel as if Giuda
found a lot of influence in 70’s power pop, punk, disco
and glam. “What if the Bay City Rollers took on a more
glam punk role?” E.V.A. is outstanding throughout.
With all its bounce and pomp, with all its uplifting and upbeat
rhythms, I can’t help but equate Giuda’s sound
to punkish power pop meets roller derby’s energy and
vibe.
Whenever I visit Olympia, I’m sure to make a pit stop
at 5th Avenue to pay a visit to Rainy Day Records. The selection,
staff and atmosphere each provide a special experience for
every visitor, whether they’re a local regular or, like
myself, an out of towner. What I’ve come to really look
forward to is their attention to promoting local artists.
And though I might find myself overlooking an artist with
the name Dyke Drama, the store’s detailed description
and mention that Dyke Drama was the post G.L.O.S.S. (Girls
Living Outside of Societies Shit) project/nand of singer Sadie
Switchblade caught my attention. New Hard Pills follows
2015’s Tender Resignation and 2016’s
Up Against the Bricks.
In listening to Dyke Drama and New Hard Pills
for the very first time. I couldn’t help but get swept
away by the fast paced and upbeat energy Sadie puts forth.
Songs song with a passionate aggression and urgency, though
presented on a 12" format. The 45 rpm record only features
four songs, each of which became instant favorites. Think
punk rock aesthetic and energy without the tired clichés
that often accompany punk music.
The
Cheap Cassettes – "Worse N’ Better"
/ "Hieroglyphics in Lipstick"
Seattle Washington’s The Cheap Cassettes return with
a new single that continues to boost the band's power pop
presence and overall ability to create edgy hooks and …
Simply said, The Cheap Cassettes have forged a path so formidable
that I can’t help but feel that an underground revival
of power pop, i’s hooks and resounding honesty, has
the nessasary chops to keep it relevant for years to come.
Naming your band Fried Egg could mean a number of things.
Either you suck and don’t plan on sticking around too
long; you’re really good, but didn’t put a lot
of time or thought in to naming your band; or you really don’t
give a fuck either way. In listening to Square One,
I was convinced that they just didn’t give a fuck.
Virginia’s Fried Egg combine the latter two to offer
something that will have you throwing yourself into the pit
and looking to share or steal the mic. D–Beat punk meets
an early American hardcore sound with an in your face, basement
show authenticity. In listening to the nine songs on Square
One, you can sense influences from early Black Flag,
as well as Detroit’s Negative Approach and Boston’s
SSD. Square One, the band’s first full length
to date ,features nine scorchers that warrant numerous listens
as well as an exploration of their earlier recordings. I highly
recommend checking out their bandcamp and booking them for
your next show.
Sussex County, NJ trio Colour TV step out with what looks
to be their first EP to date,
three songs of dull, uninspiring blues-rock that took me nowhere.
The slow-moving opener “Some People” features
the lyrics “Some people are slaves. Some people are
free.” “Some people are blind. Some people can
see.” The following entry “Don’t Feel Right”
ups the energy level but suffers in that the vocal energy
just isn’t there. “Nothing Is” stays flat
despite the promise that you’re free to go now. The
show is over. Overall, these songs just feel lazy and uninspired.
Though I tried to find some background information on the
band, my search came up empty. The only saving grace here
is… Wait, there was no saving grace.
Original members Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, and Horace Panter
return under the name in which they originally formed in 1977
to perhaps revive and test to see if any of those creative
juices were still flowing. My first, second and third reactions
when listening to Encore were very good. Yet somehow,
I couldn’t help but think these songs would be best
served under a moniker other than The Specials.
“B.L.M.,” with its infectious rhythms, will have
you feeling as if you’ve been invited to Kingston, Jamaica,
complete with a Studio One reggae and dub spirit throughout.
Side B’s “10 Commandments,” by far my favorite
cut on the album, had this pessimist believing in what I was
hearing.
Like with most albums, Encore has its highlights
and lowlights. Yet, as far a reunion, comeback, and “first
record in longer than you can recall” albums go, Encore
was a true joy. As a lifelong fan of the Specials, this
album threw me a curve, in that it isn’t the second
wave ska I will always remember about their sound. The application
of reggae, dub and rock steady found on these twelve new
offerings (each important ingredients that inspired the
sounds of Two Tone Records and each wave of ska) are quite
good. And though the album definitely has it’d good
and not so good moments. Approaching it without any high
expectations allowed me to enjoy the album more than I would
have I been expecting to hear something likened to, say,
“Ghost Town” or their legendary 1979 self-titled
The Specials.
Music has a power to take you places, whether it’s geographically
or some journey through time, something I was immediately
reminded of upon getting my first taste of the band Cyclone
Static. The band's gritty guitar rock sound, sneering vocals
and the devious rhythms featured on From Scratch
had me longing for the dirty clubs and basements I frequented
back east. I can go on and on about James Salerno’s
imprint on the local scene or the fact that the ten songs
on From Scratch represent Cyclone Static’s
debut. However, bands and releases such as this one deserve
to be searched and routed out by potential listeners. Let’s
get right to it.
As noted earlier, Cyclone Static are crafted practitioners
of guitar rock that doesn’t refrain from occupying some
post punk, post core territory. Favorites include “Runaway”
(thankfully, not a cover of the Bon Jovi song of the same
name.) and “Sacred Island,” with it’s cool
rhythms and gritty vocals. Also worth noting are the opening
chords and bass lines that cut through “Company Man”
which bring to mind AC/DC’s “It’s A Long
Way To The Top.” From Scratch rocks throughout
these ten songs, further proof that guitar rock is not just
chic revival, but more like a sleeping dragon that has returned
nourished and prepared to breath new fire.
Not to be confused with the great Kentucky Post Core mathematicians
Rodan, Gainesville, Florida’s Radon were more known
for the melodic pop punk sound they brought to their community
and to the world, one that was influential on many but would
take years to be brought to the mainstream. For what it’s
worth, Radon was always a band I let someone cut me in line
so as to avoid seeing, hearing or investing time in. Regardless,
that was then and this is now. So, with new ears and an open
mind, I sat down and gave the Florida band a thorough listen.
Fast forward to 2019 and Radon sound a lot like they did to
me in the Nineties.
There’s some bounce to go with “More Of Their
Lies'” twists and turns. However, the highlights and
the energy usually found in the pop punk formula seems absent.
Instead, those elements get lightly sprinkled throughout and
hardly outweigh the ones where Radon just feel like they’re
phoning it in. Overall, this record did nothing to change
my feelings about the band, their music, or their legacy.
The bio for Poland’s Protein certainly gives them
a lot of credit for the band's hard work promoting hardcore
and straight edge ethics through their label Youth2Youth
Records. Yet who are we to argue with the written word or
the many good deeds the band has done for Europe’s
hardcore and straight edge community? Though from Poland,
Protein’s sound and approach is cut from the American
Hardcore text book. While influences ranging from Turning
Point and Floorpunch are predominant throughout the band’s
sound, Protein mention Belgium’s True Colors as a
major influence. I can’t help but think how they too
were products of American hardcore acts such as Youth of
Today. While these six songs sound rather impressive, a
debut worth noting, you’d be hard pressed trying to
convince yourself that you’re not listening to any
random 90’s straight edge hardcore act which was,
for the most part, a revival of the 80’s.
Shiners
Club – Can’t Have Nice Things (Indecision Records)
Whoever said “Old dogs can’t learn new tricks”
never met the members of Shiners Club. Not to describe or
compare these hardcore scene veterans as old dogs, but somehow,
that old phrase best describes the lack of veracity in that
statement. Shiners Cub and their debut LP “Can’t
Have Nice Things” show that, despite their life long
connections to hardcore music, they are more than capable
of making music outside the confines of that sub-genre. The
music itself has a dark tone that might move in the direction
of hard rock and 90’s indie rock territory. (Think Laughing
Hyenas and Afghan Wigs.) Though “Can’t Have New
Things” offered a good listen, each of the twelve songs
seemed to be on the same the same wave length rather than
one song flowing or connecting to the other. I felt as if
I was listening to one long winded breath of air. Overall,
”Can’t Have Nice Things” took several go
throughs before garnering my appreciation, with “Touch
my Face” being the first to grab my attention.
Regardless, it seems as if Shiners Club saved the best for
last. As the final two songs, the devilish “Mia Culpa”
and the title track “Can’t Have Nice Things”
stood out and would arguably be the best on the album. Not
a bad effort by any stretch of the imagination. Still, one
that took some coaxing to properly appreciate. Looking back,
I find it important to note that many of the records I get
the most mileage out of stalled upon their initial go-round.
Somehow, I feel that Can’t Have Nice Things
will grow on and with me in time.
Back in the late 80’s when I had a zine called Unite,
I somehow managed to extend its reach outside of the U.S.
to Europe and parts of Asia. During that time, I managed to
procure a small yet rewarding collection of pen pals. One
of them that will remain unnamed introduced me to European
hardcore and in particular, his country of origin, Poland,
memorable exchanges that not only served as an eye opener
to the world outside my door, but influenced me to keep tabs
and seek out music outside of the places I’ve had the
pleasure to travel.
“Tu I Teraz” translated from Polish to English
means “Hear and Now.” A somewhat provoking title
that, along with the EP’s cover photo, makes for a
thought provoking call to hear what lies within. Regres
take an edgy, yet well rounded path that mixes elements
of 80’s emo, hardcore and screamo, aspects that might
draw comparisons to what might have come out of the Ebullition
Records camp in the early to mid-nineties. Each of the six
songs on the EP have a personal and introspective vibe that
come off feeling honest and sounding intelligent, altogether
working overtime to earn a spot amongst your record collection.
Refuse Records
I have to admit to being a bit reluctant to give Wallbreaker’s
Democracy Dies a listen. Whether it was the band’s
name, the overtly politicalized title, the somewhat cliché
album art or all of the above, Democracy Dies just
didn’t look or feel like something I would be into.
Boy, was I wrong. So, after dialing back a bit, I found a
review I wrote of their 2017 demo. On Democracy Dies,
Wallbreaker deliver twelve hellraising tracks that pick up
where that demo left off. The album tackles that raw, angry
and vital hardcore that drew me to its core as a teen, displaying
many appealing characteristics that brought to mind “Victim
in Pain” era Agnostic Front and SSD’s “The
kids will have their say” and even Kraut’s “Adjustment
to Society”. Democracy Dies hits all the right
chords, making it a great listen from start to finish.
Though I’d never heard the term “Bubblegum Punk”
prior to reading about Montreal, Canada’s all- female
four piece Pale Lips, I can honestly report that I fully understood
and appreciated it the moment I heard them for the first time.
Originally formed in 2013, the four-piece rock outfit features
Jackie (Vocals), IIona (Guitar), Lynn (Drums) and Jamie (Bass.)
On their second album and follow up to 2016’s Wanna
Be Bad, Pale Lips venture forward with twelve new songs
that have the listener bouncing, bopping and pogoing until
you’ve worn holes in the carpet and worn down your record
player's needle. Pale Lips apply strokes of 70’s rock
and Roll, power pop and early new wave to perfect a sound
that bring to mind the Ramones and the Donnas, while perhaps
unintentionally adding a dash of Japan’s Shonen Knife.
Songs like “All My Baby Brought Back Was The Blues,”“The
Kids,” and “Johnny” carry the album's upbeat
and uplifting sense of celebratory energy really put the hooks
and bounce on display while completely reeling in the listener.
After Dark packs a lot of punch without ever showing
the Pale Lips as over serious or self important, thus providing
balance and a little something for every listener. Definitely
one of my favorite records from the early start of the year.
Spaghetty Town Records
Turn of the century Emo revivalists such as Thursday and Taking
Back Sunday introduced wearing your heart on your sleeve to
an entirely new generation of kids who often turned to MTV,
FM radio, and visits to the mall for their punk rock look
and form of homogenized punk rock. The kids who were around
when punk broke wide open in the early to mid-nineties with
bands like Nirvana, Green Day, The Offspring and countless
others were quickly approaching their thirties and were becoming
more and more focused on careers and raising families than
keeping tabs on bands they worshipped in their post teen years.
Though Long Island’s TBS came around at the advent
of what many refer to as Mall Punk, pretend punk, and the
marketing and rebranding of Emo, it would be criminal to
mention them in the same breath as bands such as Fall Out
Boy, My Chemical Romance or damn them all to hell, Good
Charlotte. Something about TBS and a small contingent of
bands cut from a similar cloth initially resonated with
me. This double LP, commemorating the band's 20th anniversary,
features songs taken from each of their seven studio albums.
Though I was only familiar with songs from their 2002 debut
Tell All Your Friends and their 2004 sophomore
effort Where You Want to Be, I felt that through
listening to 20 I was given a window into their
later recordings. 20 features 21 songs in all,
two of which - “All Ready to Go” and “Song
for Dan” - are brand new recordings. 20 is
available on numerous formats, mine being a beautiful gatefold
2 X LP bearing lyrics of each song on the sleeves. Overall,
a comprehensive look back at the band's 20-year history.
Translated to English, Motosierra means "chainsaw."
Pretty accurate when you listen to the Uruguayan powerhouse.
Originally formed in the city of Montevideo (Uruguay’s
largest city) in 1999, Motosierra's approach to hard rock
can be compared to a mix of Motorhead and Turbo Negro with
a bit of Thin Lizzy peppered in here and there. Fast, tight
and straight up vicious and sung in their native Spanish,
an aspect that I feel only seems to intensify while accentuating
each song. Simply put, I really love what I’m hearing
on this 12-song ripper. It’s forceful, vicious and dangerous.
No mater how you like your music, Motosierra stake their claim
for making rock and roll that sounds dangerous and flat out
evil. Despite the fact that Motosierra has been together for
more than twenty years now, the band has just few scant releases
to call their own. Somewhat puzzling considering how good
their recorded output sounds. One can only hope that they’ve
found a home or at least a launching pad for both publicity
and future recordings.
The
Morlocks – Bring on the Mesmeric Condition (Hound
Gawd Records)
Take two tablespoons of H.G. Wells inspired science fiction,
ateaspoon of comic book noir, and two heaping cups of garage
rock and you get a pretty good idea of what San Diego’s
The Morlocks are cooking up. Having been in and out of commission
since the Eighties, it would be acceptable if the band had
gone through somewhat of a Spinal Tap unevenness in their
sound and approach. Yet, through break ups, lengthy time periods
apart and a few member changes, the band has managed to authentically
stick to and hone the sound that originally inspired them,
one that these five garage rockers do very well.
Bring on the Mesmeric Condition features 10 impressive
songs deeply rooted in garage rock and psychedelia's simple,
raw energy and bombast. It's a record that builds from one
song to the next, complete with cool chord structures, a
healthy amount of distortion , and Koizumi’s snarled
and sneered vocals. “Bothering me” opens the
album with a sense of swagger that assures the listener
that, if they’re looking for dirty rock n’ roll,
they’ve come to the right place. “Heart of Darkness”
lives up to its namesake with a snakebit twang that might
find itself in the scene of a movie where a beaten and blood
soaked body gets dumped in the desert for the vultures to
feast on. That theme seems to reoccur with song titles such
as “One Foot in the Grave”, “High Tide
Killer” and my personal favorite, “Easy Action”.
Overall, a great album that’s all killer and no filler.
When visiting a record store, I’ve made it a practice
to bring a list of the records and titles I’m specifically
looking to acquire. It’s just a little habit I fell
into over the years, one that’s helped to control my
urges and keep me on somewhat of an even keel. Being that
over time, my list has dwindled and some of the titles within
it aren’t as readily available as I’d hoped, I
often find myself forgoing the list and letting my eyes point
me in other directions. This tactic often allows me to discover
lesser known gems that might be just as, if not more satisfying,
as what I came looking for.
Such was the case with The Mods Reactions. Considering
that when I brought it to the counter, the store’s owner
did a double take, remarking, “I haven’t had a
chance to listen to this yet, but by the look of it. It’s
bound to be great.”
Reaction revisits the music of late 70’s Toronto
band The Mods and their aborted, unreleased album. The Mods
mixed punk’s raw energy with power pop looks and hooks.
Heavily influenced by the Kinks along with contemporaries
like the Jam, the Buzzcocks and the Undertones. These recordings
had me wondering, “What if Sham 69 had had developed
a more pop friendly sound?”
Comparisons to lesser known (yet worthy of exploration) acts
such as Canada’s The Dogs and Ireland’s The Number
Ones can easily be made. While recorded 40 years ago, Reactions
features enough moments to elicit numerous spins on your turntable.
The album collects the bands 1978 45 single as well as the
tracks intended to be featured on their unreleased 1979 album.
In listening to The Mods, I can’t help but wonder what
direction they might have gone in musically. Judging from
what is presented here, the songs, images and liner notes
provide evidence that The Mods seemed to be heading in a direction
that reached beyond the limits of the Mod or Punk sound. As
I write this. Reaction features thirteen songs, liner
notes, band photos and a reprint of an old show flyer. I can’t
help but be thankful for my judgement when picking this complete
unknown off the shelf.
Pure mania at its apex! School Drugs sound like the soundtrack
to being locked in a room to fight your demons. Only in this
case, the demons wind up on the short end of the stick.
The six songs on “Relative Suffering” overcome
the listener like a tidal wave of sonic emotion that grows
in strength lie a tsunami as one song feeds into the next.
The dual vocals on songs on “Burn” and “Relentless”
sound as if they came straight out of a torturous battle with
schizophrenia. Considering how much territory School Drugs
cover on “Beyond Suffering,” it would be criminal
to handicap them with one or even two genre specific boundaries.
To put it simply, the best way to describe New Jersey’s
School Drugs is to listen to the music they’ve created.
For all of you vinyl enthusiasts out there, “Relative
Suffering” is available on orange vinyl.
Just as the second wave of hardcore was coming to a close,
we began to see the promise of a third wave, one that offered
a glimpse of hope that would soon fade with the rise of tough
guy metalcore. At the time, many promising bands would emerge
and leave a lasting footprint before fading to grey. Pushed
Aside fit into that pattern , having existed for a year or
less, appearing on the long out of print “The Iceman
Cometh” 7” live compilation, breaking up shortly
before they were able to record something of their very own.
What they left us with has been reissued and put to vinyl
for a limited window of time.
The five-song demo starts off with a slow-paced intro before
shifting into first gear for the sped up “Locked Down.”
Though the lyrics are well written and rise above the often
generic, cookie cutter topics straight edge bands seem to
cling to, the vocals and musicianship leave a lot to be desired.
Taken into consideration that this a thirty-year-old demo
reissued for vinyl enthusiasts and nostalgia geeks like myself,
I can’t say I expected much. Regardless, these songs
failed to illicit any emotion or jog any particular memory.
These five songs may have sparked a fire when they were originally
released. However, hearing them now didn’t have any
impact whatsoever.
Indecision Records is offering two color versions of the 7”.
Green/Clear split 300 copies and Blue Splatter 700 copies.
Better
Than A Thousand – Value Driven Vinyl Reissue (Youth
Crew Records)
By the time Ray Cappos' post-Violent Children/ Reflex from
Pain/Youth of Today/Shelter band
Better Than a Thousand surfaced in in 1997, my interest in
his musical output and spiritual beliefs had reached a titanic
low. Considering the epically bad Shelter album Beyond
Planet Earth, even the most head strong fan had to be
hoping for a rewind or a do over. With twenty plus years to
look back on, perhaps Better than a Thousand was the rewind
needed to ever so slightly return to what endeared him and
his passion to so many others.
Right out of the gate, Better Than a Thousand sounds like
an extension of Cappo’s early efforts with Youth of
Today and early Shelter. A return to the well, so to stay.
Anyone familiar with Cappo’s work should note that
Better Than A Thousand were not going for a different sound
or message. If the vinyl reissue did anything for me, it’s
that it allowed me to revisit one of the more overlooked
and under listened to entries in his catalog.
The reissue features its original thirteen songs, an updated
cover and comes on color vinyl. Remastering was provided
by Shelter/Better than a Thousand alumnus Ken Olden and
produced by Dharmavit Das.
Iron
Chic / Toys that Kill – Split (Recess Records)
For as long as I can or want to remember, split records
were a great way to enjoy a band you loved while being introduced
to one you may or may not have even vaguely heard of. With
an EP box dedicated to 7" inch splits and countless
other split LP’s littered throughout my collection,
it’s pretty easy to assess my interest as more than
casual. Having been a big fan of Long Island, New York’s
Iron Chic since experiencing them at a Brooklyn show I attended
with Jim Testa, I was given more than a reason to look into
their split LP with California’s Toys that Kill. The
12” split offers nine songs: Four from Iron Chic and
five from Toys That Kill.
Iron Chic’s appearance shows the band's strengths
and gift for consistently providing anthemic melody laced
hardcore. “The Old Man of Crete,” “Kid
Icarus,” and “Amazing Fantasy” showcase
the band’s ability to write and put fourth songs that
appeal to every sub-genre of Punk and Hardcore.
And though my first taste and second go around with Toys
That Kill wasn’t all that favorable, the band's final
entry to the split, “I Can Hear It Stop,” kept
me from entirely writing them off. Just as with any record
and in particular, splits, you’re bound to hear a
lot of peaks and valleys. Thanks to the presence of Iron
Chic, there were enough peaks to warrant investigation.
Being that we live in a society where thin skinned individuals
who seem to find new and creative ways to be offended on an
hourly basis, it’s surprising that the term “Offended
by Everything” hasn’t become the rally call of
the times. All observations aside, let’s focus on the
band and their just-released EP. Offended by Everything are
a Dallas, Texas based emo, pop punk outfit representing a
wave of the sub, sub-genre that I’m not particularly
fond of. Think Thursday meets Taking Back Sunday at a New
Found Glory sponsored “Sensitivity Training” seminar.
While the five songs featured on “Evergreen” weren’t
bad in any way (note the riffs on the opening track, “Deadweight,”)
Offended by Everything aren’t producing anything I haven’t
heard countless other times for what seems to be forever.
If you’re into bands like Anberlin, Mayday Parade or
A Loss for Words but don’t want to color outside the
lines, then by all means go for it. Otherwise…
Though Philadelphia’s Struck Nerve are a relatively
new band, the five-member hardcore act has spent time in a
slew of notable hardcore acts such as Jesus Piece, Agitator,
Uzi Kids and Pain Strikes. And while titles like “Play
the fool”, “Life’s Too Short”, “All
Talk” and “Keepin’ It Real” might
find themselves vying for awards in the cliche department,
I found these four songs to be quite good. Struck Nerve play
fast-paced, high energy hardcore that is highlighted by a
sense of urgency and focus that reminds me of an older hardcore
style. The mpressive musicianship is fronted by double guitar
leads, chords and jagged riffs and well timed breaks. Also
worth mention are Anthony’s clean, decipherable vocals
and a sharp focused delivery, elements that only enhance the
overall delivery of the songs. Though I really didn’t
and still don’t know a whole lot about Struck Nerve,
this four song EP had me wanting to hear more. The vinyl version
is limited to four hundred copies. You can also visit their
Bandcamp and download it there.
The
Verdict – Hostis Humani Generis (Edgewood Records)
Having grown up on the East Coast, I always considered Richmond,
VA a hot bed for bands flying the flag of independence. Whether
it be punk, hardcore, power pop or indie rock, there always
seemed to be something interesting happening in the state's
capital. Perhaps that had something to do with my checking
in with The Verdict. The Richmond band/collective features,
count ‘em, twelve active members. So many that only
nine of them could fit on the cover. “Hostis Humani
Generis” (Latin for Enemy of Mankind) features six short
blasts of meat and potatoes hardcore that, even after a few
go -arounds, didn’t impress me or stand out in the least.
And as much as I’ve always claimed to love hardcore,
I realize that, for every band I’ve loved and admired,
there at least a hundred bands like The Verdict. They say
that it takes a village. However, we’re also warned
that too many cooks spoil the broth. In this case, the latter
seems to apply.
Tacoma, Washington’s Trapped By Lies enter the fray
with a five song demo. The four-piece hardcore act, who cite
the legendary Black Flag and New York City’s The Cro-mags
as influences, shows a band that has a long path ahead of
them. They need time to grow and improve, but that's not to
say that this is all bad. The musicianship and vocal approach
are not nearly as rudimentary as the recording and production
quality. Only time with tell if Trapped By Lies will find
a niche in the North West’s hardcore scene.
Permanent
Tension – Dedicated to the Guilt that Should have
been Felt but Never Was (Forced Abandonment Records)
When a friend (in this case, Tohm) asks you to give his band’s
material a listen and a possible review, a certain feeling
of worry accompanies the sense of responsibility one might
feel. “What if I hate it?” “What if I think
it sucks?” Such was the case when the band’s singer,
a longtime friend, reached out to me asking that I not only
listen, but could I form enough opinion to review it.
Featuring former members of Four Fingers, Johnny-Cab Suicide
and numerous other New Jersey home wreckers, Permanent Tension
bring forth eight bursts of noisy aggression that hijacked
my attention and held on long enough to elicit an emotional
reaction and response.
On their third offering to date, Permanent Tension offers
an all-out thrash, screamo attack with surprising elements
of math rock peppered throughout. In listening to its eight
songs one can detect a strong kinship with 90’s power
violence acts such as Man is the Bastard, Neanderthal and
Spazz. Intended or not, comparisons to Rorschach can also
be made. And while the screamo vocal approach is clearly not
my thing, the slowed down instrumentals inspire thoughts of
doom metal gods Sleep. Noteworthy entries include “Newt”
and the following track “Pendulum,” with “If
the Accident Will” and “Hug the Dark” being
my favorites. Overall, “Dedicated…” is a
scorcher that took some time to fully appreciate, but in the
end had its fair share of redeeming qualities. Whether you’re
into thrash, scream, power violence or doom metal, Permanent
Tension should quench your thirst for such darkness.
The
Ratchets – First Light (Pirates Press Records)
Guitar punk is one of the coolest sounds to ever emerge from
the ashes of punk’s origins.
That blue-collar approach at writing and releasing the angst
via stripped down, raw bombast has been a common thread in
much of the best songs bands such as The Clash, Stiff Little
Fingers and Social Distortion have produced.
Having harnessed a curious taste regarding New Jersey’s
the Ratchets lately, I was excited to see their latest album
highlight a package Jersey Beat’s Jim Testa had sent
over to me.
The opportunity to hear and learn a little about them for
the very first time, I couldn’t help but feel a sense
of relatable and identifiable kinship with the band and their
working-class sound.
The Garden State has quite a reputation for giving birth to
acts that mirror the areas tough, middle class values. First
Light, the band's eleven song return to the well, sees
the band navigating territory that mixes elements of folkish
street punk, Oi! and rock n roll, while honoring the guitar
punk ethos mentioned earlier. The Ratchets' authoritative
delivery has a sense of hands off realism that feels as honest
as it does heartfelt, loaded with hooks, great lyrics and
a socio-political edge that one can easily relate to. A nice
tonic for fans of bands like Gaslight Anthem who prefer a
less earnest (dare I say clichéd?) approach.
Not to be confused with the late 80’s band of the same
name that featured Steve Caballero and Ray Stevens of skate
punk greats The Faction, Olympia Washington’s Odd Man
Out were a straightedge hardcore band formed sometime in 2008
and featured members of Angel Dust and Gag. Considering my
admiration for the band Angel Dust, I was somewhat surprised
by how rudimentary and outright terrible this collection sounded.
Lackluster and downright lazy riffs, shift and breakdowns
that support gruff, growled vocals that bring back memories
of the “So easy, even a cave man can do it” commercial
spots. This release is their discography so far, containing
songs from both their 7-inches and tape, with four new tracks
exclusive to this release and three covers never officially
released. There are several covers here including Youth Brigade’s
“I Object” somewhere around the middle; unfortunately,
Odd Man Out don’t do any better when they venture outside
of their own material. Overall, 18 tracks of raw hardcore
I myself struggled to get through.
With the song “As One”, Raybeez and Warzone led
the charge for a new chapter in New York Hardcore’s
storied history. The track featured on 1987s Revelation Records
7-inch compilation titled “Together” ushered in
a new wave of bands and ideas that would dominate the sub-genre
for the rest of the decade and influence many others for decades
to come. Raymond “Raybeez” Barbieri, the former
Agnostic Front drummer and one of the architects of New York
Hardcore, would double as Warzone’s front man and spokesperson
for hardcore music, scene and family up until his untimely
death on September 11th, 1997.
With the recent parting of one time Warzone guitarist and
the twenty-year anniversary of the death of Ray, I’ve
found myself revisiting many of the memories and recordings
from that long-gone yet often celebrated era. The thirty-year
anniversary edition features each of the original ten song
recordings for the 1988 Caroline Records release and a 16
page, 12x12" booklet with many never before seen photos,
lyrics, and liner notes by author Tony Rettman. Also featured
is an interview conducted with Raybeez around the time of
the original release.
1988’s “Open Your Eyes”, Warzone’s
second LP, easily slides in between the bands best, 1987’s
“Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget
the Streets” and its worst, 1989’s self-titled
Caroline Records release. Not bad but considering the impact
made by “Don’t Forget the Struggle…”
just a year prior, not great by any means. Though well intentioned,
opening the album’s title track with a speech by Nazi
leader Adolf Hitler was questionable at best. Though followed
by the sound of a bomb dropping and anti-racist, anti-discrimination
lyrics, I can recall the initial reaction being quite negative.
Highlights of the reissue include, but are not limited to
“Dance hard or die.”, “Always –
A Friend for Life” and the albums closer, “Striving
Higher – For A Better Life.” A must-have for
fans of American hardcore, NYC street punk, and of course,
for those who were there.
It’s been sixteen years since the passing of Joe Strummer,
taken down by a heart attack at the age of fifty. Without
exaggeration or overestimating the long shadow he cast as
both a member of The Clash and his post punk solo work, his
early departure was one that many, including myself, took
harder than that of the many eulogies we rush to post on social
media. It seems that not a day passes when I don’t recall
London Calling being the first record I bought with
my own money. Or how, at the age of eleven, I persuaded my
Mother to take me to see the Clash perform in concert at New
York City’s Bonds Disco.
This long-overdue limited box set, a 32 song retrospective,
features rare, seldom heard and unreleased songs that explore
Strummer's work outside of the legendary punk band, The
Clash, from his pre-Clash rock n’ roll outfit The
101’s to the Mescalero’s and everything in between,
including a 1986 collaboration with former Clash bandmate
Mick Jones. Strummers post-Clash endeavors reveal him as
a conscious explorer looking to experiment with a wide range
of sounds, tones and colors in order to create a canvas
uniquely his own. Though his love for stripped down rock
n’ roll cannot be overlooked, it isn’t until
Strummer focuses on folk, soul, country and Latin that he
really takes on a glimmering shine. While some of the work
presented here is admittedly oddball, there are some real
gems to be found throughout. Strummer’s work with
The Mescalero’s might be his most focused work outside
of The Clash. There’s no denying that “Coma
Girl” is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
His performance with Johnny Cash on Bob Marley’s “Redemption
Song” and “Over the Border,” an inspiring
collaboration with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, cannot go
without praise as they showcase his ability to branch out
and change gears. In the end, 001 goes on to prove
the important lesson that music still matters and Strummer’s
legacy is still being felt. “The future is unwritten.”
Rest in Peace, Joe.
You’d be in your right mind to ask why someone who grew
up on punk and hardcore is writing about someone whose name
is synonymous with country music on a site called Jersey Beat.
Truth be told, though seldom seen, during the site and fanzine's
long existence, Jim Testa and his many contributors have proven
that music, in its many colors and shapes, often finds a way
to erase borders and finds itself in unexpected places.
In my sometimes less than humble opinion, Glenn Campbell’s
legacy deserves a little closer examination. Considering
that long before Campbell was scoring hits like “Summer
Nights,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,”
and “Rhinestone Cowboy," the Country Music and
Musician Hall of Famer was a seasoned session musician with
quite an impressive resume - one that credited him on records
by the Mama’s and Papa’s, The Everly Brothers,
Frank Sinatra, The Ronettes, The Beach Boys, and even the
King himself, Elvis Presley.
On the previously unreleased and just recently found 1967
recording session “Sings for the King,” Campbell
demos 16 songs with the intention of presenting them to
Elvis Presley himself, as songs the King might consider
recording in the future. Now one might wonder why Mr. Presley
would choose Campbell to be his delivery boy when it came
to helping him in considering what to record somewhere down
the road. That answer might and can easily be found in Campbell’s
voice. In listening to these songs, one can easily close
their eyes and open their mind to realize how, intended
or not, Campbell’s voice mirrors that of Presley’s.
Without mocking or mimicking either artist, you could visualize
Elvis sliding into these songs like a comfortable pair of
slippers, part rock 'n’ roll and part country with
enough soulful interplay for a King. There are some real
praiseworthy moments to be had here. The opening track “We
Call On Him” is a soulful gospel achievement that
is both inspiring and beautiful. “All I Needed Was
the Rain” is quite possibly the best evidence needed
in tracking down why Campbell was chosen to work with Presley,
while “How Can You Lose What You Never Had”
and the session's closer “Restless” are worthy
or mention and high praise. If you’re looking for
something a little different to add to your collection,
I highly recommend wrapping your ears around this collection
of songs. While you’re at it, try putting some time
aside to watch the 2014 rockumentary “I’ll Be
Me.”
If you grew up in the early to mid '80’s, you might
remember him as one of the early faces of the video revolution
and the poster boy for faux punk.
Billy Idol originally gained fame during a short stint in
the English punk band Chelsea, before leaving along with Tony
James to form Generation X, who achieved mainstream success
while releasing three albums. Upon the band's breakup, Idol
would move to New York, where he would soon meet guitarist
Steve Stevens and forge a new career as the snarling yet amiable
face of the newly launched “All Music, All the Time”
channel known as MTV. Singles such as “Dancing with
Myself”, “White Wedding” and “Rebel
Yell” established Idol as an early 80’s icon and
sex symbol.
On Revitalized, Paul Okenfold, Moby, Crystal Method
and a cast of DJ’s that include Idol himself give
Billy Idol’s best known songs the remix treatment
and reinvent them as dancefloor mashups. From the opening
(Cray Remix) of “White Wedding,” you’re
reminded of how awful and unnecessary remixing and reimaging
any artist's work is. (Leave that shit on the dancefloor
or in your imagination.) While the majority of Idol’s
solo catalog has not gotten better with age, even his best
songs that still carry some nostalgic value feel hollowed
out and unimportant. Listening to these remixes only served
as a reminder of how heartless and droning techno sounds.
Overall, unless you’re a huge fan of Electric Dance
Music (EDM,) Revitalized doesn’t even warrant
a casual listen. To quote someone who recently shared his
horrible experience of seeing a widely beloved act from
the '60's:“I’d have to be on some serious drugs
to enjoy this kind of shit.”
Blood Pressure are a Pittsburg based Hardcore band featuring
a cast of many hardcore luminaries from the area. The hardcore
scene collective has been up, running and sharpening their
version of venomous hardcore since way back in 2009.
The bands bio, which can be found on their bandcamp page is
as entertaining as it is nonsensical. “Say there was
a Keystone State Wrestling Alliance of sorts that consisted
of a plethora of regional hardcore punk bands instead of a
gaggle of scantily clad lowbrow beefcakes in spandex... Pittsburgh's
own BLOOD PRESSURE would surely be the undisputed heavyweight
champions of this fictitious league that I envisioned whilst
rocking a slash in that alley across from the Rock Room.”
Musically speaking, Blood Pressure pack a lot of punch into
these ten songs. Playing fast paced, no holds barred and no
punches pulled hardcore with barked vocals that guide each
of its entries with a sense of relentless urgency. Though
each of these tracks pack all the aggression and power of
an oncoming train. None of what’s being presented hear
stands out or sets itself apart. With each entry sounding
like the one before or the one to follow. The overall impression
is that you’re simply the same ninety second song ten
times. Whether that was just part of the game plan or not,
is not known to me. Intended or not, “Surround”
failed to move me in any way.
Great
Reversals – Stalactite (Ugly and Proud Records)
Detroit’s Great Reversals have been delivering tasty,
yet dirty rhythms and devilish metal breakdowns since their
first demo surfaced in November of 2009. As someone who’s
always been curiously enamored with just what makes Detroit
music so ballsy and real. I was eager to hear what this motor
city band had to offer.
On “Stalactite”, Great Reversals deliver complex
riffs, leads and breakdowns complimented by roared, impassioned
vocals that deliver intelligent, introspective lyrics. Each
song carries a sense of raw, honesty that solidifies their
impactful urgency, both individually and as a whole. I found
myself being drawn to the core of what this band has to
offer from the opening rhythms on “No Mind.”
Call it a possession, an obsession or whatever you want.
I felt hooked from the very start. Great Reversals pension
for creating dark, dense and intense songs really shine
on here. Think parts Integrity and parts Bane. Bands who
both displayed and benefitted from their metal influences.
Ugly and Proud records are currently accepting pre-orders
with a release scheduled for November. The EP is available
in Grey and Clear color options and featured on a one sided
12’ with a screen-printed B side. With the bands knack
for mixing the aggression and nihilism of hardcore with
the proficiency and power of Metal. Fans of both should
find common ground.
Ev Gold of the band Cinema Cinema once told me that a key
asset to listening to something outside of your normal comfort
zone is that you have to “surrender to the trip,”
wise words that can be applied to most any experience in life,
words that have come to mean a lot to me over the course of
time. It's one that I find myself applying to my daily life,
and words that came to mind when listening to the Brooklyn
band Primitive Weapons' third full length. For those who enjoyed
the experimental phase of many hardcore and post hardcore
outfits. it might be worth noting that Mind Over Matter guitarist,
Arty Shepherd shares membership with former On the Might of
Princes’ Chris Rodriguez here.
The aptly titled “Surrender Yourself” is,
without any doubt or hesitation, one of the most interesting
and unexpected submissions thrown my way since the inception
of this column. And while the vocal approach Primitive Weapons
unleashes is definitely not my thing, it is an approach
that challenged me as it swept me up in its vortex. One
that coupled with its musicality made me feel as if I’d
been unwilling absorbed into some sort of demonic possession.
Whether intended or not, I sometimes found it challenging
to distinguish the choruses from the instrumentations. “Surrender
Yourself” features eight tracks with six of them clocking
in at over four minutes a piece. Musically, Primitive Weapons\
sound melds Metal and Post-Hardcore experimentation, without
forming too close of an alliance with either. Though not
my usual bag of tricks, I found “Surrender Yourself”
to be quite rewarding.
The
Cheap Cassettes – "Kiss The Ass of My Heart"
EP
Who in their right mind could abstain from checking out a
band with a name as cool and retroactive as “The Cheap
Cassettes?” Not me, that’s for sure. While my
own sanity might come into question every now and then, my
decision to check out what Seattle’s The Cheap Cassettes
had to offer was quite rewarding. Featuring four songs, “Kiss
The Ass of My Heart” is a cocktail of pub rock meets
punk with a nuts and bolts approach that gives these songs
a raw and honest appeal. As I listened, I could picture myself
experiencing them live in a dirty basement of bar room, leaning
in and singing along. Overall, The Cheap Cassettes’
sound aligns pretty well with their name - simple, easy and
instantly gratifying, bringing to mind the vibe you were trying
to convey with the bands and songs you carefully chose for
those mix tapes you sent out to your friends and the girl
you might have had a crush on at the time.
When a band name drops or even hints at being influenced by
the great Husker Du or the mighty Stiff Little Fingers, you’d
be best served to at least give them a listen or a long look
see. Though their 2017 demo is a year old, I felt a desire
to give these four songs a good listen to best gauge what
these “three nice boys playing fast pop punk”
had to offer. On their four song demo, The Subjectives take
a minimalist approach to fast punk, one that quickly reminded
me of early Bay Area punks Crimpshrine. Whether intended or
not, there’s hints of “Kerplunk”-era Green
Day and “Unfun”-period Jawbreaker on “Guinevere
in Ray Bans and Chucks” and “Headed East Again.”
Yet somehow, it all comes together on “Patriotic, But
Fucked Up.” While The Subjunctives might have one foot
firmly planted in East Bay’s pop, garage punk past,
it sounds as if they’re truly on their own path here
in Seattle. Here’s looking up your address.
Straight outta Vancouver, BC comes a relatively new act whose
simple yet direct approach to early 80’s American hardcore
has a touch of English street punk and Oi. Think New York’s
Urban Waste and D.O.A. meet England’s The Blitz. Sneering,
or better yet, growled vocals meet crashing rhythms and a
somewhat muffled, if not tuned down guitar sound. Overall,
Chain Whip’s sound is as frenetic as it is energetic.
While each of the five songs featured here resonated with
me, like the fearless “Let’s bomb East Van”
and the painfully earnest “Six day weekend,” it’s
the fifth and final cut “How many chances / These eyes”
that If had to choose (I mean, gun to my head.) would be my
favorite. In listening to Chain Whip, I hear enough elements
of the past and present to feel positive about Chain Whip’s
future. Give this one a few go arounds. You might think so
too.
My mother used to talk about the summer her Mom removed her
from the stoop of their Brooklyn apartment and sent her to
spend a year in Milwaukee with her grandparents. As she described
the changes her daily life underwent, I imagined going from
cooling herself off in the borough's countless fire hydrants
to milking cows and curdling cheese. For better or worse,
that has been my image of Milwaukee since I was a kid. In
comes glam punk rockers Indonesian Junk to shake up and redraw
our presumptions of that land to the North.
The self-described glam punk trio got their start in 2014
with designs on mixing punks sleaziness with power pop riffs
and chords that paint a picture that mirror that of New
York’s bowery and lower east side during the 70’s
than any Milwaukee imagery you might come up with. “When
I Find You” has a laid back, yet sinister vibe to
it that reminds the listener. “Come On And Love Me”
carries a similar “Lay, stay or go away” nonchalant
vibe about it while featuring more than its share of hooks
and devious turns.
“I Could Die” has a slow and somewhat bluesy
narrative that teems with swagger and confidence. Raunchy
and devilish. Indonesian Junk really put the hooks in me.
With a NY Dolls, Dead Boy, Lords of the New Church meet
70’s era Rolling Stones vibe, how could anything possibly
go wrong?
Try looking up the band Kingpin these days and you’ll
find yourself in a fiery pit of hip hop cliché’s
and bling bedazzled rap king wannabe's... or maybe never-
be's. However, if you were listening to and attending hardcore
shows on the East Coast in the 90’s, you just might
recall an upcoming Massachusetts hardcore band by the same
name. I clearly recall securing a copy of their Suburban Voice
released debut EP on one of my record store runs before having
the random chance to see them perform at a couple of Hardcore
matinees I attended while visiting Philadelphia and Washington
DC. While I still own that original 7-inch and hold on to
fading memories of those shows, my interest in hearing this
second, previously unreleased four song EP was high.
Listening to these songs more than twenty years after they
were originally written and recorded, I both enjoy and appreciate
Kingpin more than I might have when they were active. Whether
it be a growing appreciation of metal tinged hardcore or
a long overdue acceptance of bands that lived outside of
the bubble of that sub genre's accepted, yet outdated standards,
when comparing this to their earlier recorded output, one
can hear a marked evolution in their sound and the direction
they wanted to take it. Though it’s not known as to
why this recording was never widely released, it’s
incredibly gratifying to hear something from the past sound
so good in the present tense. The vinyl version comes with
a digital download, featured on color vinyl and is limited
to 600 copies. The record's inset includes lyrics and photos
that reminded me of the images I always wanted to be taking.
Whether you were lucky enough to own an original copy of the
demo in the early 80’s or like me, heard it through
a cassette trading exchange, chances are, Uniform Choice were
one of the game changers when it came to your development
and expansion into what was and is still known as “straightedge
hardcore”. Whereas Washington DC had Minor Threat, Nevada
had 7 Seconds and New York would eventually have Youth of
Today, the music of Orange County, California’s Uniform
Choice would go on to influence countless bands and inspire
many a young hardcore kid to move up front and sing along
Featuring the original ten tracks that appeared on the
demo cassette, as well as the iconic imagery Uniform Choice
became known for, you get a definitive feel for the music
and message the band set out to create. Listening to these
songs for the first time in decades, one can understand
how and why Uniform Choice had such a meaningful impact
on straightedge and hardcore in general. And while these
demo recordings have not aged very well, in recalling and
singing along to songs such as “Don’t Quit”,
“Straight and Alert” and “Uniform Choice,”
I was quickly reminded of the impact Uniform Choice had
on me and countless others.
Just as with past releases and reissues, Mankind does a
great job packaging and presenting these ten songs. The
LP comes packaged in a gatefold cover, is featured on white
vinyl, includes a download code and a 11X17 poster. Having
noticed the record's occasional unavailability on the label
and on distributor RevHQ, I’d gather that the demand
for these recordings is having a hard time keeping up with
the production.
If you haven’t heard the dynamic yet quirky Seattle
trio known as Wimps, by all means, you should run out or open
up another window on your computer and check them out. Rachel
Ratner, Dave Rahm and Mike Nyce mix stripped down Power Punk
/ Garage Punk with mundane lyrics that are instantly addictive
and immediately relatable. Overall, a very band-next-door
kind of thing. The Wimps forgo the spikes, leather and Aqua
Net to focus on a simple, honest approach to witty songwriting.
(Think Garage Punk meets Power Punk on the way to a Riot Girrl
show.) There’s a lot of bounce and jangly looseness
to their songs and some freaky yet invigorating riffs sprinkled
throughout, with songs like the opener “Giant Brain”
(with its lyrical refrain “Going insane, going insane.”)
The 13 songs featured on “Garbage People” are
some of the best and most endearing I’ve heard in quite
a while. The album allows the listener to slow down long enough
to listen and indulge in each song individually. That says
a lot considering that we live in time of such immediacy.
Though comparisons can be made to acts such as L7, Babes
in Toyland, Sleater Kinney,
The Muffs and La Luz, Wimps more than set themselves apart.
There’s a lot of bounce to their songs and some freaky,
yet invigorating riffs sprinkled throughout. Whether you
shake your booty, your head or jump up and down in a small
spot in front of your record player, Wimps are the band
to do it to and “Garbage People” is the record
to be spinning when you choose to so.
Time & Pressure are a relatively new hardcore band based
in the St. Louis area, featuring members of Perfect People
and Better Days. (Sorry, but I’m not familiar with either.)
Their five-song demo came to me in an email and I’m
glad I took the time to give it a listen.
Featuring five songs of mid to fast-paced style of hardcore
that immediately reminded me of the band Champion, the pace
and guitar driven-style of these songs also reminds me a lot
of earlier straightedge bands and the youth crew sound, a
style many seem to gravitate towards and emulate decades after
its inception. At the moment, you can listen or download these
songs on Bandcamp. Demo cassettes and possibly more can be
expected from their signing to Safe Inside Records. The band
had a handful of shows booked in recent months, but haven’t
announced any trips east just yet.
Though new to these ears, this five-piece hardcore punk band
from Redding California formed way back in 2015. While not
dated by any means, that’s three plus years I’ve
missed out on experiencing a pretty outstanding act. Dying
For It match impassioned female vocals and intelligent socio-political
lyrics with the double guitar assault of Shane and Walter,
accompanied by the assertive, pounding rhythms of Matt on
bass and Thomas on drums. Rikki V’s primal screams help
assert the songs' urgency and authenticity. “Born to
Deny” made a lasting impression on me, one I won’t
soon forget. Each of the ten songs featured on
“Born to Deny” carry a fast, melodic, somewhat
chaotic, yet thoroughly empowering energy, with “Don’t
Buy the Lies” and “Misery and Company” being
my favorites. Fans of bands such as Nausea, War on Women and
American Nightmare stand up. You’re going to love Dying
For It.
Chances are, if you’ve been following this column since
its inception, you may have read my less than glowing review
of DARE’s 2017 demo. Well, the Orange County straight
edge hardcore band has managed to keep pretty busy with two
EP’s in the year 2018, this being their second and first
since July’s single “The Difference.” The
six songs featured here have everything you’d expect
from a hardcore act trying to find their way. Unfortunately,
the fast-paced aggression, riffs and breakdowns each come
off sounding generic, if not borrowed. Though these songs
show a marked improvement over their 2017 demo, the band still
seems to be swimming in all too familiar channels. Perhaps
they're trying to emulate their heroes and playing so close
to their influences that they never found time to carve out
their own identity. The cover brings to mind Outburst’s
classic “Miles to Go,” wearing goofy looking attire
while chilling out on what looks like a kindergarten inspired
technicolor nightmare. The vinyl version plays up the color
scheme with a Blue / Banana Yellow and Pink / Orange splatter.
While Dare continue to move forward. They still have a very
long way to go.
Love ‘em, ignore 'em, or just hate along with ‘em,
there’s no denying the impactful history of lead singer
Choke and Slapshot. With major influences from early hardcore
acts such as SSD,
Negative Approach, Impact Unit and Choke’s former bands
Last Rites and Negative FX, Boston’s Slapshot got its
start way back in 1985 and have been providing us with dark,
negative, often tongue in bloodied cheek hardcore ever since.
On “Make America Hate Again”, an obvious play
on words regarding Trump’s “Make America Great
Again” election slogan, the band proves that not all
of us mellow with age.
The eleven-song album opens with the less than stellar “Edge
Break Your Face” before moving to the more successful
tracks “Hypocrite” and “Remedy.” It
isn’t until the fourth track “Alone” that
I felt as if I was in the full-on maelstrom I’ve come
to know as Slapshot. From there and throughout the rest of
the album’s seven offerings, you feel the band's full
on gift for aggression, power and - depending on how you look
at it - dark sense of irony. Though clearly not Slapshot’s
best work to date, “Make America Hate Again” shows
a band intent on keeping hardcore evil for all of the jaded
folks who often wonder how hardcore got hijacked by a bunch
of cargo shorts-wearing boy scouts. Now get the fuck off my
lawn.
Harley
“Cro-Mags” Flanagan – The Original Cro-Mags
Demos 1982/83
I still remember the day that metal dude authoritatively placed
a copy of “Age of Quarrel” on top of my desk.
It was a time when I was still maneuvering my way towards
New York Hardcore, A dyed-in-the-wool true believer still
recovering from Agnostic Front’s colossally shitty crossover
“Cause for Alarm.” At the time, it would seem
that the last thing I would want to hear was another crossover
attempt or Hardcore band looking to expand their audience.
Despite my distrust, I took that cassette home, listened to
it and dubbed the fuck out of it. So, anyone who was at least
half willing, was going to hear it. Soon, The Cro-Mags would
join the Bad Brains and pre-Cause for Alarm” Agnostic
Front as unquestionable reasons I needed to continue my journey
towards becoming a NYHC kid.
My first reaction to seeing the pre-release online was
that it takes serious cojones to expect people to pay upwards
of ten American dollars for a compact disc featuring four
songs demoed more than 35 years ago. With everything I’ve
read and heard coming from the Harley Flanagan camp, it
seems overwhelmingly evident that he’s still deeply
entrenched in his past. And though the Cro-mags are rightfully
credited as one of the most influential New York Hardcore
bands of all time, I find it sad that Harley is still trying
to capitalize on music he created a lifetime ago. I don’t
feel that I’d be overreaching by noting what a ,shame
it is how such a great band managed to blow most, if not
all of their creative juices on “Age of Quarrel,”
an admittedly groundbreaking, landmark release that was
praised by fans of hardcore, metal and crossover universally.
Sadly, due to the riff between Harley and Jon, they never
came even remotely close to the impact made with “Age
of Quarrel” under the Cro-mags name or any of their
other respective artistic endeavors.
While these four songs have their moments, and show off
some of the early building blocks of what would eventually
become The Cro-Mags, I couldn’t help but feel monetarily
overcharged and musically underwhelmed. Overall, the back
story (featured on the records inset) was more rewarding
than the four songs presented within.
When choosing whether or not to invest your time and money
on “The original Cro-Mags demos 1982/83,” one
must ask themselves if they really need to go that far down
the road again. Considering how that chapter of my music
indulgence and search for the remaining pieces to its puzzle
seem closer and closer to coming to a close, I honestly
didn’t.
Sheer
Terror – Pall in the Family (Reaper Records)
I first heard Sheer Terror on 1985’s Big City Records
Compilation “One Big Crowd.” Though the two tracks
Sheer Terror provided didn’t really inspire me, within
just few years and the urging of friend and super-fan Gina
Lawson (R.I.P.) I soon fell under their dark spell. Since
that day and the rather striking image of Sheer Terror’s
Paul Bearer passed out on stage on the back cover of Blackout
Records epic time capsule 1989’s “Where the Wild
Things Are,” New York Hardcore's drunken uncle Sheer
Terror have become a personal favorite and somewhat of a counterweight
to much of the posi-core hardcore I’ve come to listen
to.
The opening siren “Bohacks, Wetsons, Tung-Bo &
Me,” the fire and brimstone “Get Me off this
Rock,” and the closer “The Moon’s Gone
Out” each serve as calling cards for a sound and style
the band and its patriarch Paul Bearer have been serving
up for decades. On the third track, “North Shore Love
Affair,” Bearer narrates and navigates his way through
a series of falsehoods on a road to a perfect world that
does not exist. “Where men are men – stock market
to sewer. And a broad knows her place – Hairdresser
or Hooker.” Sure, it’s not politically or socially
correct. But this is a Sheer Terror record. What do you
expect? Any conversation or listen to Paul Bearer or Sheer
Terror will have you imagining a world where Bearer voices
everything from hardcore documentaries to self-help seminars
for men who cry in their whiskey and wet their bed sheets.
With more than thirty years of credible evidence, you don’t
need rocket science to come to the conclusion that world
is a bitter, perhaps better place with the Reverend Paul
Bearer and Sheer Terror in it. For all you record nerds,
the vinyl version is available on orange + black splatter
and green + pink splatter.
Plain and simple, John Carpenter is a legend. A name synonymous
for both his films and his unique style of directing. He is
also, perhaps less known, credited for his work crafting his
film scores with numerous musicians. His minimalist approach
to synthesizers played a major part in creating moods, triggering
emotional responses such as fear and nerve gripping anticipation.
If you’re a fan of Carpenter’s films or have even
seen any of them, you’ll know well that their themes
and scores often stay with you as long as the characters and
story lines.
On “Anthology” you get what you came for. From
the thunderous opener “In the Mouth of Madness”
to the eerily familiar closing track “Christine”
and everything in between, you're reminded of what an important
part music played in his films, sounds that often helped
set a tone or create a mood. I found that most of my favorites
were those featured in movies I wached with eyes wide open
and my jaw practically sewing for separation: “Halloween,”
“The Fog,”“Escape From New York”...
the list goes on and on. Whether you’ve seen all of
the films or not, "Anthology” is an absolute
must. From beginning to end, it manages to keep you under
its spell.
A few weeks back when having coffee in nearby Georgetown,
my wife and I came across a show flyer advertising Toe Cutter’s
record release party. The band name, inspired by the character
of the same name featured in the 1979 cult classic “Mad
Max,” coupled with the image of Wex from the 1981 post-apocalyptic
sequel “The Road Warrior,” was captivating to
say the very least. It stuck with me for the ride home and
drew me to it when I caught a glimpse in the new releases
bin at one of the numerous music retailers I regularly visit
here in Seattle. But what of the music?
On their self-titled four song EP, Seattle’s Toe
Cutter carve through four fast-paced brawlers that mix heavy
handed metallic punch with punk's simplistic aggression.
Though not terrible (okay, kind of terrible,) I found nothing
within these four songs that I could write about or make
me want to seek out more. Toe Cutter don’t seem to
offer anything more than your average, run of the mill thrash
act. Considering they’ve been around long enough to
sharpen things up, I honestly don’t see much hope
for progress.
I think a good way of judging a record's importance is by
thinking about how long it’s stayed with you and maintained
its importance. In a time of immediacy and mass consumption
of product - or in my case, music - intimacy often becomes
a victim of that immediacy. How often my mind is fixated on
the next thing as soon as my pile of records is handed to
the cashier. And though I cannot recall a time when I was
so consumed with acquiring new and old music, I tend to miss
the leaner times when each record provided a sense of intimacy.
Something that could be achieved by listening to a record
until you wore down the grooves.
It’s a feeling that has eroded over time due to mass
consumption of music and media. But tt’s a feeling I
recapture when listening to Red Hare’s Little Acts
of Destruction, a record that, by all means, has captivated
my attention, admiration and praise. A record that has also
left me struggling for the right words to describe it’s
many strengths, significance and lasting impact.
Featuring former and current members of both noteworthy
and legendary acts such as Dag Nasty, Swiz, Bluetip, Sweet
Belly Freakdown, Fury, Garden Variety and The Hasbros to
name just a few, Red Hare’s personnel have played
on many of the records that helped develop my taste in music
and still influence me today. While the term “Super
Group” can easily be applied, the band's chemistry
on each of its recordings reduces and even erases any need
for such grouping.
On Little Acts of Destruction, the band's third
release and second full length to date, Red Hare prove once
again that hardcore punk at its very best can be executed
in an aggressive yet intelligent manner, featuring 14 songs
of kerosene-injected fury that run the gamut of emotion
and soulful rage. While the musicianship on Little Acts
of Destruction are deserving of praise, I found myself
in awe of Shawn Brown’s vocals. Having heard them
for over thirty years fronting some of the most influential
bands on the planet, I can’t help but think his voice
is the perfect vehicle for conveying punk’s aggression,
power and sense of relatable alienation. Favorite songs
include ‘Affirmation’, “Like Wire”,
“Foley Artist” and “When my Stars Sleep,
it’s for Ages” and the chaotic, yet beautiful
“Cicada”. Overall, this one of the best albums
I’ve heard from punk, hardcore or any form aggressive
and loud music in decades. Powerful and undeniably addictive.
You’d be hard pressed to find anything this characteristically
epic from any corner of music’s genres and sub genres.
Though a Hellfire/Dischord Records split, without blinking
an eye I’d slide this in amongst some of Dischord
Records' early classics.
A cab driver, an attorney and a global creative director walk
out of their past and into a Pennsylvania recording studio
to create what is one of the most rewarding adventures in
alternative pop since the dawn of a new and promising decade
known to most as the 90’s. Interesting, considering
the band's origin and first go around came and went as that
decade was in its infancy. Decades later, three of the original
cast of four were brought together, ultimately deciding to
record and release the LP they always hoped to.
My first impressions of Cart Before the Horse
were ones of both delight and confusion. Having no information
about the band or its history, I wasn’t sure if I
was listening to recordings found in a box of cast off memories
recovered while sorting out an attic or storage unit. Or
brand new ones. It wasn’t until I ordered a copy of
the record and interviewed my old friend and The Hasbros
percussionist/singer Joe Gorelick that I was able to fill
in the blanks, information that somehow allowed me to listen
freely without questioning the music’s origin or time
of arrival,
As mentioned earlier, Cart Before the Horse carries
an authentic late 80’s/early 90’s indie rock
excellence that shows off a sense of chemistry and comraderie
between its creators, most evident on tracks such as the
driving “Favorite One Now,” the laid back yet
hypnotic “Ever After Now,” the power-pop chaser
“Nothing at All” (my personal favorite on the
album,) and the rocker “Trial By Fire.” Whether
intended or not, Cart Before the Horse displays
The Hasbros' versatility in that it provides something for
everyone... one of the best albums since you, me or someone
we know was in college, going to shows at local and not
so local watering holes, learning that music was as much
a part of us as the degrees we were seeking and twisting
the knobs on our FM receiver trying to get some decent reception
just left of the dial.
With songs that remind me of early R.E.M., Bob Mould and
Tim Buckley all at once, it’s no wonder that CBH
has been making so many visits to my turntable and a number
of appearances on my favorite playlists.
I visit enough record stores here in Seattle to have had the
chance to get to know many of the staff and owners pretty
well. While the occasional discount is appreciated, I really
love it when one of them points out a record they feel or
know might be right up my alley. Such was the case when I
pulled in to my favorite downtown punk rock retailer earlier
today. While almost immediately finding what I came in for,
the orange haired gentleman pointed towards a record that
I might enjoy just as much, if not more. As usual, his recommendation
was right on point.
Though formed just a year ago, the cast of the Northeast hardcore
outfit Restraining Order have been cutting their teeth and
earning their stripes playing in bands for years. With a style
that finds influence in early 80’s hardcore and punk,
it’s no wonder they’ve struck a chord with so
many in such a short time. The band’s debut EP "Restraiing
Order puts forth six tight and focused songs that feel honest,
raw and easily relatable, with lyrics reflecting a youthful
exuberance and a yearning to stand out and step up. Overall,
with the exception of wanting to hear more, Restraining Order’s
self-titled EP left little to be desired. The record comes
on purple vinyl and features a double-sided inlet with lyrics
and images.
There’s an old saying, “You can’t teach
an old dog new tricks.” And while I certainly don’t
believe it to be %100 accurate, as I get older, I find myself
admitting that at least some of that rather broad statement
to be true. For me personally, I accept that truth when it
comes to music and my openness to new music featuring a cast
of aging cast members of bands I enjoyed in my younger years
and still lean rather heavily on today. That said, I ask,
who in their right mind wouldn’t want to hear a band
that featured personnel from bands such as Lifetime, Minor
Threat and The Bouncing Souls? I, for one, would have been
more than happy to hear new music from former Lifetime front
man Ari Katz alone. A super group? Though one can’t
deny the impact each member has had on the hardcore, punk
and emo landscape, with so many band members trading their
ideas and passions with one another, you’d need a detailed
map to keep up with all the cross breeding. (I suggest BandtoBand.)
On their debut EP, Katz, Brian Baker, Pete Steinkopf and
Bryan Kienlen produce five catchy melodic hardcore punk
gems that quickly impact the listener. Baker’s sharp
riffs, Katz’s rigmarole vocal style and the infectious
rhythms of Steinkopf and Kienlan makes for an unforgettable
gathering of the titans. Considering I’ve always been
such a staunch fan of the band Lifetime, it’s worth
noting that I’ve always loved the vocal delivery of
Ari Katz. While I don’t often understand what he’s
shouting, I am more than inclined to sing along with every
note.
Though ‘Wasted Time’ features a mere five songs,
none of which each eclipse the two-minute mark, I found
myself quickly identifying with the band and their sound.
Listen to the riffs and breakdown on the opening track “Lonely
for the Night” or any second of “Sports Stink”
and tell me you’re not already craving more.
If you were a punk or hardcore kid in the early to mid-eighties.
Penelope Spheeris’ 1981 Documentary “Decline of
Western Civilization” and 1983 film “Suburbia”
were as much a rite of passage as your first stage dive or
go-around in the mosh pit. I still fondly recall crowding
into our friend's basement with the small group of punks and
budding hardcore kids to watch a borrowed VHS copy of “Decline.”
Already enamored with bands like The Germs, Circle Jerks and
in particular, Black Flag, watching that documentary gave
us a rare and exciting chance to get a glimpse at some of
the members of acts we had heard, but seldom seen. Our eyes,
as well as our small world, were about to get bigger.
Filmed from 1979 – 1980 by budding filmmaker / documentarist
Penelope Spheeris and released in 1981,“The Decline
of Western Civilization” takes a raw, honest and unflinching
look at the early L.A. Punk scene through interviews and
live performances by Black Flag, Circle Jerks, X, The Germs,
FEAR and more, each a trailblazer who influenced and paved
the way for countless others to come. “The Decline
of Western Civilization” also serves as a reminder
of just how easy bands and show goers have it today when
compared to then. There’s a rather good look at Slash
magazine and their impact on the area's growing punk scene
as well as an impressive performance of Slash fanzine/magazine
editor Claude Bessy’s Catholic Discipline. Also, worth
noting is the footage featuring Alice Bag Band.
Whether you’re an old timer like myself or a fresh
cut who wants to learn about the earlier days of L.A. Punk
and what would become American hardcore, I highly recommend
you investing your time. And while I’ll admit to feeling
a bit guilty seeing this on fancy, schmancy Blue Ray some
thirty plus years since originally viewing it on a beat-up
VHS tape, I’m sure it won’t haunt you one bit.
Whenever a review request is accompanied by a long and
often agonizing bio about the artist, his music, latest
release, and the cereal he liked to eat as a kid, I get
the feeling that the publicist, best intentions or not,
seems to be writing the review for the intended critic.
“A crisp fifty in your pocket if you’d just
put a ribbon on what I just wrote.” It’s a key
reason I try to surpass the bio and go right to the music
itself, the path I decided to take when electing to review
Rich Hope’s I’m All Yours.
Okay, I’ll admit it. I read the fucking press kit,
and while I fully realize that everyone has their own taste
in music and a right to choose whatever route they want
in life or music, in listening to the ten songs on I’m
All Yours, I felt as if I was locked in to a cruel
CIA torture experiment. From the twangy and whiny guitar
chords to the nasally vocals, I’m All Yours
offers ten of the most unreliable songs I’ve heard
since my Mother tried to convince me that nu-country was
the voice of reason.
In recently trying to write regarding the clashing feelings
regarding my love for Johnny Cash VS my hatred - if not,
complete lack of appreciation for Country music, old or
new, I just can’t relate. Call it a regional thing.
Call it whatever you want. To quote Reggie Johnson’s
character ‘Junior’ in the movie “Platoon:”
“Redneck noise, dude. That’s all it is.”
On “Growing Pains,” Montclair shoegazezers
Tru return with five songs that display both the band's
appeal and for lack of a better word, growth. If you’ve
been following this column since its inception, you already
know my feelings about the band and the gold they’ve
been mining since they first came together in 2016.
Featuring elements of shoegaze, dream pop and slow core,
Tru create atmospheric soundscapes that are as dreamy as
they are awakening, bringing to mind acts such as
Belle and Sebastian. Ride, Slow Dive and Swervedriver. I
find it worth noting that in listening to the aforementioned
bands, I often feel the chill factor due to the dreamy,
laid back sensibility you get when listening to any of their
albums. Though I do get that with TRU, those feelings and
emotions I hear elsewhere are accompanied with a sense of
nourishment and aninspired sense of being uplifted - something
that feels natural but is a lot harder to describe or articulate.
While each of the five songs included are worth both praise
and discussion, I thought I’d keep it short by noting
that “Same Conversation, Different Day” might
end up on my “Favorite Tracks of 2018” list.
And while it might be a bit early in the game to predict
what kind of impact TRU will have outside of New Jersey’s
artistic fabric, I will go on to say, they’ve already
had a major effect on mine.
Baltimore. Maryland’s newly formed Glue Traps enter
the fray with a five-song demo that taps into some of punk
and hardcore’s most important components. Raw, aggressive
and unflinching, Glue Traps deliver fast, cannibalistic bursts
of unapologetic aggression rarely heard in the sub genres
metal leaning sound. Featuring Tony Pence (Deep Sleep, WarXGames,
Celebrated Summer Records) on vocals, Glue Traps leave no
time for solos, refrains or reprisals, just in your face,
take it or leave it, shove it down your throat or up your
ass punk. While Glue Traps' introduction is a short one, it
more than serves as reason to want to hear more. You can go
over to Bandcamp for a “Name Your Price” taste
or hold on for a handmade, duped cassette. The choice is yours.
Whether you realize it or not, Rock & Roll is alive and
well. While many will call it a revival, there are others
like myself who have seen and heard it bubbling just under
the surface, looking to be heard while screaming out to those
who are willing to listen. One of the more interesting elements
I’ve been hearing these days is mounting an invasion
from shores you might not expect. It seems that Italy, not
England, is producing some inspiring acts and Italy’s
infectious Giuda and Faz Waltz are leading the charge to authoritatively
and authentically fill your ears with Glam Rock’s swagger
and relatable traits of Power Pop.
After hearing their early 2018 single "Julie,"
I sat on my hands awaiting the arrival of the bands 6th
LP to date. On the evenly rounded out ten song LP, Faz Waltz
deliver catchy, upbeat rock excellence that will keep you
on your toes throughout. With its lion’s share of
moments and no filler to be found, you’d be hard pressed
to choose one or two favorites, giving way to enjoying the
record as an extended celebration. While acts such as Cheap
Trick, (Ziggy Stardust era) Bowie, T. Rex, Slade and The
Sweet each come to mind, Faz Waltz seem to be creating a
sound they can call their own.
The vinyl version is available on limited black / blue
/ orange versions. (I ordered orange) and includes a digital
download. Get it while it lasts. I can assure you that it
won’t. And while I haven’t been very label loyal
in decades, I can honestly say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed
everything Spaghettytown records has released thus far.
More reason to support the small, home grown record labels.
On vai.
Whenever I’m indulging in a photo book or essay, I like
the pictures to tell a story about the subject or the environment
it was taken. When the images themselves don’t, I appreciate
a little sidebar with the name of the band or artist, where
it was taken, and maybe a date or a little anecdote. While
I was able to recognize a lot of the bands Bill Daniel shot
for this book, having to search the back pages to match the
bands really took some of the air out of the book’s
sails. Add to that to the fact that the photos themselves
didn’t elicit much emotion.
Here's Daniel's own description: “3 decades of subterranean
countercultural hijinks are recorded on black and white
film. Beginning with early the '80's Texas skatepunk scene,
the book is a sprawling visual journal of a life lived on
the road and after dark. Punk shows high and low, crusty
experimental cinemas, freight train adventures, Mission
School graffiti, impossibly obscure house shows, and art
exhibits in the shadowy margins— it’s a mash
up of subcultural documentation, from San Francisco to Shreveport,
from Texas to Braddock Pennsylvania, a flash-lit scrapbook
of an invisible vanguard— all shot on Tri-X film.”
While the layout and number of image reminds me of many
of the photo books depicting bands, show goers, and club
patrons, the photos and the overall presentation left a
lot to be desired. Thirty-five years of travel and show
going, and dedicating yourself to capturing intimate images,
should tell a better story than these photos do, something
that could have been taken into consideration when compiling
this book. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
When stopping in at Seattle’s Singles Going Steady to
pick up my copy of the reissue of Verbal Assault’s ‘Trial,”
I wisely added the latest two issues of Razorcake fanzine
to my pile of things I’d be taking home with me on that
particular day. Influenced largely by the subject matter and
the emboldened phrase “We do our part” on each
issue’s cover, I was somewhat assured that I’d
find something worth reading within its pages. Talk about
an understatement!
Razorcake, in the unlikely event you'e never seen it, is a
newsprint fanzine with a glossy cover and includes columns
- many, many columns, including a photo feature by former
ABC No Rio photographer and alumni Chris Boarts Larson. There
are also features, reviews, interviews and more. Issue #104
features interviews with Bristol UK’s Caves, Minnesota’s
Kitten Forever, and Austin, TX’s The Elected Officials.
Issue #105 has a mre familiar look with its interviews of
Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, Julia Ruin’s Kathleen Hanna,
producer/engineer extraordinaire, World Series of Poker winner,
and Big Black founder Steve Albini, powerviolence icon Chris
Dodge, and cartoonist Marinaomi. After fully absorbing these
two issues, I’ll be sure not to miss another one.
Dennis
Wilson – Bambu (The Caribou Sessions) (Sony Legacy)
As a wee boy baptized in a fire of Jimi Hendrix, The Who and
AC/DC, the saccharine sounds of California’s Beach Boys
could not have been farther from my musical tastes if they
were surfing the waves of the Antarctic. As my taste in music
veered toward even more aggressive styles of music such as
punk, hardcore and hip hop, the Beach Boys were in the midst
of grabbing on to their last chance of remaining relevant
with the admittedly contrived “Kokomo”.
I was approaching thirty when I came upon a two-part miniseries
that documented the bands rise and fall during the Sixties,
one that shed light on their father’s cruel and abusive
handling of the family as well as his handling/mishandling
of the band as its manager - arelationship that may have
been a major contributor to Brian Wilsons deteriorating
mental health and his brother Dennis’ battles with
drug and alcohol. While I soon found myself falling under
the spell of the bands opus, 1966’s Pet Sounds,
it was the story of drummer and brother Dennis Wilson that
seemed to be the more intriguing.
Upon hearing a forty-year anniversary reissue of his one
and only solo release. 1977’s Pacific Ocean Blue,
I found myself swept up in soulful, yet gravelly texture
of his words and voice. Though critically acclaimed at the
time and considered by many to be more important than any
of the Beach Boys recorded history, tt would go on to be
largely ignored by most Classic Rock radio formats. Still,
almost ten years since pulling it off the shelf of my local
record store and taking it home, Pacific Ocean Blue”
remains a personal favorite, one I like to listen to while
wearing my headphones and knowing I won’t be interrupted
by anyone or anything lurking outside my door.
Bambu, Dennis' unfinished second solo album and
follow up to Ocean Blue, is just as, if not more,
moving and cathartic as his debut. Rich orchestration meets
soulful vocals that capture a sense of intimacy rarely captured
in such epic recordings. With noticeable influences, such
as the Allman Brothers, The Eagles, Southern Rock, New Orleans
Boogie and Soul, Bambu offers a lot of different
vibes and elements, all of which can be quite rewarding.
Though not finished or previously released due to Wilson’s
untimely death, I could imagine a few of these 16 songs
charting and getting airplay before quickly fading amongst
the black hole that was and is FM radio and MTV. There are
a lot of great entries here. And to be honest, Bambu
sounds as if it was completed and ready for delivery.
While you won’t see me visiting anything beyond Pet
Sounds in the Beach Boys catalog, listening to Pacific
Ocean Blue and Bambu convinces me that though
Brian Wilson was the Beach Boys' creative genius. Dennis
was the soulful one.
Although this was a 2018 Record Store Day release, I highly
recommend tracking it down. I think it would be worth your
while.
While Verbal Assault might get lost in the shuffle of more
documented or celebrated positive hardcore bands such as 7
Seconds, Minor Threat, Uniform Choice and Youth of Today,
many who remember them will attest to the fact that they were
just as good and in some cases, better than the aforementioned
acts. Verbal Assault’s sound and lyrical content could
easily be compared to DC’s Revolution Summer bands such
as Rites of Spring and Embrace just as quickly as to contemporaries
such as Uniform Choice and Youth of Today.
With infectious, rhythmic grooves and introspective lyrics,
Rhode Island’s Verbal Assault added a smart and somewhat
musically evolved to hardcore that made them stand out. Originally
released in 1987 on Kevin Seconds' (7 Seconds) Reno, Nevada
based Positive Force Records and the follow up to their 1986
debut Learn,Trial would see the band grow
and mature while not straying from their original sound. This
reissue of Trial features each of the original nine
tracks featured on the original and was lovingly remastered
by Nick Townsend from Townsend Mastering. (drummer for Fireburn/Deadbeat.)
My copy is the yellow vinyl version which is limited to 300
copies. And while I keep hearing vinyl and audiophile purists
urging us to stay clear of reissues, I couldn’t help
but add this to my “must have” list. Thanks to
Byron at “Singles Going Steady” for putting this
aside for me.
The
Interrupters – Fight the Good Fight (Hellcat Records)
Admittedly, I’m no expert on SKA. Though my record collection
is flushed with every wave of the dance crazed ‘Pick
it up / Pick it up’ sound, it’s a style, sound
and culture that I find to be best enjoyed in small samples;
all reasons I didn’t find myself rushing to approach
the Los Angeles, CA SKA band The Interrupters’ third
LP, Fight the Good Fight.
SKA, Reggae and Rock Steady each represent genres and sub
genres I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid who found a
love for Jamaican inspired music through a combination of
curiosity and crate digging. Finding a record or an act
that authentically represents and honors that sound almost
always brings joy to my ears and a bit of rhythm to my step.
And while I never quite found my way onto a dancehall floor
to properly skank it up, my appreciation and fondness for
that sound has never wavered. Thanks to The Interrupters
– and their upbeat, get on your feet and move to the
rocksteady beat sound - Fight the Good Fight proves that
not a whole lot has changed. Favorite songs include, but
are by no means limited to, ‘She’s Kerosene’
‘Not Personal’ and the anthem inspiring ’Got
Eachother” . Green Day’s Billy Armstrong and
Rancid’s Tim Timebomb contribute to the album and
the vinyl version comes in a gatefold cover featuring lyrics
and credits. Fans of The Specials, Operation Ivy, The Toasters
and of course Rancid, rejoice.
Not to be confused with legendary DC Dischord band Dag Nasty,
Seattle’s Die Nasty take a more stripped down punk approach
to their sound that might find inspiration in a late 70’s
D Beat approach. Die Nasty’s self-titled 2018 release
follows 2015’s ‘Escape with You’ and ‘Take
a Ride,’ and 2016’s ‘Things that Make Moms
Cry’ with authority and 20/20 clarity. Featuring 11
songs with my favorite being “Karate (I know).”
Die Nasty remind my old ears of acts and artists such as The
Slits, The Avengers, Joan Jett and the Distillers. Seattle’s
Die Nasty left me wanting to learn and listen more to a band
I just happen to accidently come upon.
Fronted by Lauren Goffin and rounded out by Steve Ross on
guitar, Lonnie Bristle on bass and Dain Hudson on drums, I
found a lot of interesting angles and approaches within. Give
it a try. You just might like it.
Dr.
Booogie – “She’s so Tuff” / “Peanut
Butter Blues” (Spaghettytown Records)
There’s something to be said about the lost art of 45
rpm singles, turning the record over and listening in anticipation
as the needle hits the record. It’s a feeling you’ll
never get from an MP3 or a compact disc, afeeling I get when
rifling through a box of old 45’s, a feeling I got when
placing Dr. Boogie’s two-song offering on the turntable...
the excitement that came from hearing Los Angeles, California’s
Dr. Boogie. The band's straight-up 70’s rock n’
roll approach brings to mind a healthy dose of The Faces,
Mott the Hoople and a healthy dose of the NY Dolls, all with
a modern twist and hip shaking effect. Somewhere out there.
on the streets, the back alleys and the blue collar, blood
stained bars, there’s a campaign to bring back the dirty
and somewhat dedgy rock & roll that’s been lying
just beneath the surface. Thanks to bands like Dr. Boogie
and small indie labels like Spaghettytown Records, more and
more people are listening.
The
Ravagers – "Ravagers" / "SUZI (Has
an Uzi)" (Spaghettytown Records)
Fast and dangerous rock n’ roll with a cutthroat approach
that gives it a street punk aesthetic that is as appealing
as it is hazardous, like that bottle of Scotch or the loaded
handgun left out in clear sight when you were a kid. (You
know, the one you were always warned not to even think about
picking up, but always did?) It’s memories and visuals
like these that immediately come to mind when listening to
this new single from the Ravagers. Though I’ve warned
against judging a book by its cover, The Ravagers' sound and
output can be summed up properly by just looking at the EP’s
cover. The term “Fast, Loud, Rules” should authoritatively
be applied her. Vital and cutthroat, these two songs introduced
me to the Baltimore outfit that’s been delivering singles
since 2013’s ‘Livin’ in Oblivion’.
Though a Motorhead meats the Dead Boys comparison immediately
comes to mind, I highly recommend the listener come up with
their own matchups. Regardless of what you come up with, you’re
in for one hell of a listen. One can only hope The Ravagers
stick around long enough to deliver a full length.
If you’re a devotee of Fugazi (and by all means you
should be,) you’ve most likely noticed how much of a
musical entity they were. So, when I got word that a new band
featuring Fugazi’s rhythm section had formed an instrumental
trio to record an album, I jumped at the chance to listen
and perhaps share some of my unsolicited thoughts.
Featuring nine songs recorded at Brandan Canty’s practice
space during the year 2017, despite - or perhaps due to the
lack of overdubs and studio magic or tomfoolery - these songs
have a fluid and organic feel to them, probably due to the
fact that these songs were recorded live. There’s a
certain sense of small venue or coffee house intimacy about
the album.
As you listen to these nine offerings, you might find yourself
searching for your own lyrics to add. Let me assure you, though,
none are needed. As someone who always enjoyed Fugazi’s
rhythmic sense of timing. I found Messthetics self-titled
debut to be quite rewarding.
Not many bands or records leave such an instant, impactful
and lasting impression on me the way Criminal Kids and their
6-song self-titled 12" EP. Perhaps the scorching vocals
and the wicked bass lines were the hook and line that drew
me to their core, or the razor-sharp riffs and tribal beats
that sunk me. Regardless, the South Side of Chicago’s
Criminal Kids sound like a band that has lived the music they
play. Each song possesses a raw honesty and element of danger
that sets them apart from the pack. Though this self-titled
gem has rock & roll’s swagger and danger written
all over it, I can’t help but compare them to punk protagonists
The Dead Boys and perhaps the more overlooked Stimulators.
This is a very limited pressing, with only 300 made. With
65 on black vinyl and 35 on a stunningly looking clear/splatter.
The
Sweet Things – “Slather” / “Dustianne”
(Spaghettytown Records)
This was my second taste of New York’s The Sweet Things
and as much as I might fight it, the band is really starting
to grow on me, perhaps due to their 1970’s Lower East
Side junkie vibe or that New York Dolls boogie. The Sweet
Things very much look and sound like they were carved out
of the rubble of a of a dirty pothole-infested slab of concrete
causing delays and pile ups on New York’s Bowery during
the Seventies. Fans of glam rock, early punk and raunchier-era
Rolling Stones should take notice. The additional keys provided
by Rob Clores as well as the vocals of Liza Colby really add
depth to these songs. Thankfully, the more I listen to The
Sweet Things, the more I can distance myself from being reminded
of The Black Crowes. Sounds like the soundtrack to a Keith
Richards drug binge. The record comes on red vinyl and is
limited to 200 copies.
Discharge – Early Demos: March / June 1977 (Radiation
Re-Issues)
Though arguable, it’s safe to say that England’s
Discharge are the most important and influential punk band
to come out of England. Albums such as 1978’s The
Feeding of the 5,000 and 1982’s Hear Nothing,
See Nothing, Say Nothing brought forth raging socio -political
ideals that would reflect the times and influence punk ideals
for decades to come, while standing as some of punk and post-punk's
most defining releases. So when I saw a chance to hear the
band in its infancy through their earliest demos, I pounced.
Unfortunately, in listening to this uninspiring pile of dong,
I wanted nothing more than a refund or at least a chance to
reclaim the few minutes it took me to listen to these early
recordings. Adjectives such as sloppy, infantile and incompetent
each describe my initial reactions to hearing these 13 songs.
While “RAW” is often used to describe a band’s
unbridled hunger and approach to making music, I would use
it here to describe how juvenile and terrible these recordings
sound. There’s often good reasons why some things fail
to surface, fall through the cracks, get lost or get lost
or fail to show themselves for decades. I would strongly urge
any fans of Discharge to by all means, avoid these demos.
As they will probably erode your appreciation of the band.
If you’ve yet to hear Discharge and would like to hear
some influential, yet less celebrated early punk. I’d
also suggest avoiding ‘Early Demos’ and instead
look into the albums I mentioned. Those expecting the great
Discharge, or even a marginal version, beware. This collection
will make even the most dedicated fan of the band turn away
in shame.
Hellbent were one of the many unsung acts to come out of New
York’s first wave of Hardcore Punk, who played countless
shows and might have even made an impact during their life
as a band. During their short window of existence, Hellbent
played on bills with bands such as Discharge, Samhain, A.O.D.,
The Undead and the Exploited to mention just a few. Featuring
14 songs recorded during two sessions with the legendary Don
Fury, there are four or so notable covers including Sham 69’s
“Borstal Breakout” and other rock standards. Though
an interesting story about a long forgotten band from New
York’s long undocumented first-wave of hardcore punk,
if you weren’t around during the time Hellbent were
active, you will most likely have a hard time finding anything
special or noteworthy about these recordings. And while I’m
not hearing anything on these demos worth revisiting, it’s
not a bad document for all of you early hardcore documentarians
and archeologists. As usual, Radio Raheem Records does an
amazing job restoring and gathering archive material for each
of its releases and the release of Hellbent’s 1983-1984
Demos are no exception to the rule. Included within is a 24
X 36-fold out poster containing many flyers and unseen photos
from the era.
Dammit, why does the name Rozwell Kid ring such a familiar
bell? Somehow, I feel as if I’ve seen this band perform
in one of my favorite holes in the wall or basements in recent
years. Maybe so, but all traces of any reaction are fuzzy
at best. So instead of trying to recapture any and all fading
or imagined memories. I’ll wipe the slate clean to give
my impressions on their fourth studio album to date.
Though released on Side One Dummy in 2017, for reasons unknown,
I find myself connecting to these songs deep into the summer
of 2018. On “Precious Art,” the West Virginia
band gives fans of power- and pop-punk reason to rejoice and
dance spastically in the corner. “I’m up to my
eyeballs in red neon streaks and neon tan” opens the
gates to what chalks up to be one of Side One Dummy’s
best releases in recent memory, 12 tracks of catchy, uplifting
punk with plenty of gratifying qualities, ones that honor
pop punk's past while exhibiting many of the ingrediets needed
to bring back what once introduced the term with a level of
respect and authenticity. And though the band's influence
can be traced to early Weezer brilliance, in recently listening
to Weezer's uninspiring cover of Toto’s "Africa,"
I think it’s long overdue that we stop pining for another
Pinkerton or Blue Album and look to the
present and future of bands like Rozwell Kids.
Gaslight
Anthem – The '59 Sound Sessions (SideOneDummyRecords)
It might be hard for some to remember, but there was a time,
many albums ago, when Gaslight Anthem and their singer songwriter
Brian Fallon were releasing songs that felt as if they were
ripped from the pages of New Jersey’s long running story
board. The '59 Sound, considered by many as their
last great album, gets a revisit in Sessions, featuring
rare, unreleased and alternative takes from the albums recording
process. Hearing an alternate version of the title track “The
59’ Sound" gave me goosebumps. It was their cover
of Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
that really jumped off the record with its haunting passage.
Though there’s no comparing it to the Cash classic,
the band really nails it on their tribute to the man in black.
Overall, the nine songs featured on “Sessions”
brought me back to a time when I still extolled the virtues
of The Gaslight Anthem and Brian Fallon’s storybook
songwriting, originally released some ten years ago. Having
these recordings served as a much need reminder of a once
great band. There are two packages being offered by Side One
Dummy Records, one featuring just the album; the deluxe version
features the album and an accompanying 60-page book. The choice
is yours.
Chain
Reaction – Hangman 7" EP (Six Feet Under Records)
Though I tried, I could not find much information regarding
the four-piece hardcore unit called Chain Reaction, featuring
former members of Rise and Fall, Kingpin and Spirit of Youth.
“Hzangman” features five songs that display a
streetwise hardcore sound that closely resembles that of late
80’s NYHC outfit Outburst. The vinyl version comes on
milky white vinyl and for reasons unknown, the B-side features
a picture of one of its members posing with the Cro-mags'
Harley Flanagan and their sons.
Baltimore’s Outsider play meaty metal core with sharp,
tight riffs and barreling rhythms. Though not bad by any means,
I didn’t hear anything in these four songs that would
make me want to hear more or further investigate what this
band is all about. For fans of Terror, Bulldoze and Slugfest.
And while the demo's artwork rekindles memories of beginning
to see galactic looking hardcore aliens making appearances
on demos and 7” inch EP’s, the expressionless
figure featured behind prison bars doesn’t seem to be
too hopeful for an early parole. Maybe time will grant Outsider
release from mediocrity. Judging from these four tracks, I’m
not all that hopeful.
I openly admit to being pretty close minded when it comes
to embracing the return of cassettes. At one time or another
I had about four hundred of them, including a collection of
mix tapes I had made and traded with friends over the years.
Though you’ll never find me complaining about those
days, I’m definitely not one to embrace the practice
of outdated technology. So, when coming across this World
Demise cassette release while visiting my chosen music distributor,
I was more than pleased to find that the release's seven songs
could be obtained through Bandcamp. A good decision in my
opinion; two-fold in that I avoided further cramping my home
with outdated technology and I spared myself from adding just
another item to my ever-growing pile of things I don’t
need, want, or even like. Not to say that New Jersey’s
World Demise and their self-titled seven song release is bad.
Their style of Hardcore occupies a room of the sub-genre's
growing ward of young inpatients, with meaty riffs, stampeding
rhythms and throat wrenching vocals, each of which serve as
key ingredients to what World Demise bring to the table. My
one issue here and with many of the acts looking to enter
the fray is that, more often than not, I’m not hearing
anything new, different or uniquely identifiable.
As young teens with few resources, we’d often lend
one another hardcore records, knowing full well their return
was seldom guaranteed. The ones you wanted back would often
require a visit to your friend’s home to extract them.
“Oh, I think this one’s mine,” but you'd
always try to avoid any hard feelings or broken bones when
attempting to repo one’s own property. My best friend
Dan and I were always leaving one another’s rooms
with records. Dan didn’t seem to be into Hardcore
as much as I was. While I can easily recall seeing the Smiths,
Echo & the Bunnymen, The Cure and many others with him,
the only hardcore show I can remember going to see together
was when 7 Seconds played CGBG’s. Still, a few of
my Hardcore records made it in to his stack, two of which
I recall never getting back. Long story short, Dan was convicted
of murder and after a long, high-profile trial, was sent
to prison. And while my “Connecticut Fun” comp
LP and Crippled Youth's “Join the Fight” EP
were never returned, I would have felt like quite an ass
asking his parents if they would return it, as their lives
and the life of their son were in upheaval. Though the idea
of knocking on their door to retrieve my belongings at a
time of utter chaos may have crossed my mind, in retrospect,
I’m glad I never crossed that line in the sand.
Years later, although the “Connecticut Fun”
album would one day be reissued on CD and the original “Join
the Fight” songs would appear on BOLD’s The
Search: 1985 – 1989 (Crippled Youth soon changed
their name to BOLD,) this release marks the one and only
time it has been officially reissued in its original 7-inch
form under its original name. The memories of the K-town
Mosh Crew, the bands silly name and that iconic image of
two hockey players facing off still called out to me.
Originally released in 1986, the very first output for
the fledgling West Coast label Revelation Records whose
first two releases would come from East Coast bands (Crippled
Youth and Underdog,) it came at a time when my interest
in hardcore music and going to shows was still in its infancy.
At a time when I found myself quickly moving from the angrier,
negative or tongue in cheek acts of the era (many of which,
I prefer today.) Bands like Youth of Today, Verbal Assault
and Token Entry appealed to me in a way that others no longer
did. Crippled Youth and to be more accurate BOLD always
seemed to walk in their shadows.
Listening to these songs deep into my forties for the first
time in decades, I immediately notice the rudimentary nature
of the lyrics and the music. Hearing Matt’s voice
crack like a vase in a stereo store is a nice reminder that
we were all young once, with some of us being a lot more
idealistic and earnest than others. For what it’s
worth, Crippled Youth/BOLD were the text book Youth Crew
Straightedge band. Often compared to Youth of Today, yet
younger and less evolved, its personnel would go on to play
in bands such as Beyond, Into Another, and most notably,
Quicksand.
And while “Join the Fight” exhibits a real sense
of goofy innocence and naiveté in its songs and lyrics,
one must take into consideration the age and maturity level
of the group of young teens that creatd it. Though the music
within might not live up to today’s more polished
form of Hardcore, the memories give it an importance that
you’ll clearly feel if you’d been around to
witness it first-hand.
Revelation Records is offering a limited pressing of seven
hundred copies on both red and green vinyl, which Includes
a 28-page color booklet with liner notes from people involved
with the band and the original release of the 7-inch with
lots of photos and other artwork from that period in the
band's history. I can assure anyone who is reading this
that “Join the Fight” will sell out quickly.
So, if you’d like to take a peek into New York HardCore’s
past, you best do it now.
Being that No Matter the Cost was my first taste
of this band, I felt able to listen with open ears and an
open mind. What I heard completely blew whatever expectations
I might have had going in. Formed in 20013, New Jersey Hardcore
band Blind Justice channel the sound of acts such as California’s
Suicidal Tendencies with the intellect of Richmond’s
Down to Nothing and a touch of New York legends Madball. Featuring
ten songs in all, Blind Justice go for the jugular, while
leaving little room to breathe.
From the opening note on the album’s opener “Cast
You Out” to the closing riffs on the album's final burst
of rage on “Lessons Learned,” Blind Justice fire
on all cylinders. Offering more than its share of halcyon
moments, favorite songs include the fast, driving and relentless
“Cast You Out,” the vital Day By Day” with
its addictive riffs and tasty rhythms, and the quickly paced“Never
Enough,”“Burn You Down,” and “No Matter
the Cost.” As a whole, “No Matter the Cost”
turned out to be a much-needed affair, featuring all of the
essential components you would want and expect from a modern
Hardcore outfit.
One
King Down – Bloodlust Revenge: (Twentieth Anniversary
Edition)
Holy Time, Batman! Has it really been twenty years? As of
late, it would seem that the anniversaries are coming a lot
faster than one can remember and what seems like yesterday
has become old news. Which of course brings me to yet another
reissue and anniversary edition.
Originally released by Steve Reddy’s Equal Vision
Records in 1997 and reissued by the same label, a veritable
powerhouse for Hardcore at the time, One King Down’s
Bloodlust Revenge features remastered versions
of the original six EP songs plus a robust 16 additional
bonus live and demo bonuses. For (no pun intended) hardcore
fans of the band, the remastered, expanded version serves
as a good look back at some of One King Down’s best
work. The band’s style closely mirrored that of the
time, as well as the bands they kept company with. Mixing
Hardcore’s breakdowns with Heavy Metal’s slowed
down pace and beefed up riffs, One King Down can easily
be compare to that of other heavy hitters of the time such
as, Integrity, Strife, Snapcase and more.
And while it might take a trip on a time machine to remember
the days when straight edge hardcore bands like Earth Crisis
ruled the streets of Albany, NY, ignoring or even overlooking
Albany's impact on straightedge and hardcore music as a
whole would be, to say the very least, foolhardy. With a
couple of decades behind me, listening to most of the bands
that dominated that era, as well as the capital of my home
state, do not bring much satisfaction. Overall, the packaging
and additional tracks make this a must for fans of the band
and 90’s Metalcore. As for me, I’d rather put
that underwhelming chapter to rest.
Much of my initiation and education regarding punk and
hardcore music came via labels like Dischord records. As
a matter of fact, much of Dischord’s output can be
credited as some of the most musically influential of what
I listened to then and still hold in the highest regard
decades later. While acts like Minor Threat and Government
Issue each helped me develop my appetite for Hardcore Punk,
later acts such as 3, Soulside, Dag Nasty, Rites of Spring
and many others guided my conscience and expanded my view
of the world just outside my door and beyond.
Then of course, there was Scream. Originally hearing Scream’s
“Ameri-Dub” on the landmark 1989 DC benefit
comp “State of the Union,” I would slowly seek
out the band's recorded catalog, only to find myself feeling
disappointed and somewhat puzzled as to why I just wasn’t
finding anything of interest in what I was hearing.
Though Scream may have existed longer than most of the
aforementioned bands,. they were perhaps the only band in
the Dischord family that I never really embraced. While
the label produced some of the most influential and beloved
acts in the history of hardcore punk and indie music, as
far as my personal tastes and that of many of those being
influenced and challenged by what the label was generating,
Scream and their progression towards radio friendly hard
rock often sounded polished, yet incredibly dull and out
of place on what has always been such a beacon of light
when it comes to iconic releases.
Existing from 1981 to the very early 90’s while
producing four albums over that span of time, Scream often
sounded more like corporate or AOR rock than their Punk,
Hardcore or Emo label mates. Though that direction of sound
doesn’t necessarily indicate any negativity, I always
found Scream and their output to be somewhat uninspiring.
Perhaps the draw of No More Censorship being the
first and only Scream full length to feature a young, pre-Nirvana
Dave Grohl on drums might interest some. However, musically,
NMC17 sounds just as dull as it did when it was
originally released thirty years ago. The saving grace for
NMC17, if there actually is one, would have to
be the inclusion of photos, lyrics, poetry, and other personal
writings from the band during that era collected in an extensive
composition notebook themed booklet. Knowing full well what
I was going to get from a Scream record, I can’t really
say I was disappointed in what I heard on NMC17.
However, it’s safe to say that almost thirty years
later, Scream’s music still doesn’t inspire
or interest me.
Raleigh, North Carolina’s Night Battles return with
four songs that even the most causal listener won’t
soon forget. Whether intended or not, the term “Night
Battles” or “The Night Battles” originates
from the 1966 book with the subtitle “Witchcraft and
Agrarian Cults in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries.”
The name and the music itself seem to cohesively gel with
what you might find within its 209 pages. Soaking in Post
Core excellence with a consciously mindful aggression and
purposed intent, the Raleigh four-piece serves as a solid
reminder that good music - really good music - can
distinguish itself without depending or calling for any genre
specifications.
The rhythms presented here are incendiary. Twisted and devilish,
they help frame what is already a captivating canvas. In listening
to these newly cut songs. I couldn’t help but wonder
aloud, “What if Bauhaus indulged in a louder, more upbeat,
yet sinister hardcore sound?” “Gemini” and
“Brackish” are quick paced, yet dark in nature.
The third track “Down Ballarat” features a more
mid paced flavor, making way for the slow dance that is “Reed
Thin.”
Overall, “Remedy and Cause” showcases a band who’s
not afraid to experiment with different musical colors and
tones. One’s that create a record that is both complex
and sustainable After being solicited to review their 2017
two song debut. I wondered how long it would be before Night
Battles released any new music. Well, here we are more than
a year later feeling even more rewarded while still craving
for more. “Remedy and Cause” will be made available
on Night Battles Bandcamp this coming Friday, June 15. I highly
recommend looking out for it.
When starting a band, any band for that matter, blending your
influences with your own ideas and inspirations are essential
ingredients. Ones that make you identifiable while giving
you an identity of your very own. That's a lesson Alter Ego
might have benefited from when setting out to start their
band and record a demo. Instead, it’s painfully obvious
that they went out of their way to highjack the sound and
overall look of what New York’s Breakdown did more than
30 years ago with their groundbreaking, earthshaking self-titled
1987 demo. And while I will not go as far as accusing Alter
Ego of any copyright infractions, by all accounts Alter Ego’s
four song 2018 demo is a blatant, yet failed attempt to capture
the raw and very honest energy, anger and sense of alienation
felt on that release and the one’s the band would go
on to create.
Not only is Alter Ego's four song demo a complete and total
rip off of NYHC legends Breakdown's 1987 demo, it's terrble.
From the dumbed down musicianship to the painfully dreadful
vocals, Alter Ego's demo shows a band with little imagination,
originality or skill. Perhaps a more original approach or
overhaul of personnel would do the band some good. I’d
suggest starting from scratch.
As someone who’s always appreciated good hooks, breaks
and melody. with the exception of a couple of bands (Rorschach
immediately comes to mind) I’ll honestly admit to never
identifying with the sub, sub-genre of the 90’s known
to many as Powerviolence. Still, something in me, perhaps
my days experimenting with hardcore drugs and dissonant sounds,
drew me to revisit this Nineties band’s output.
Consisting of 64 (!) quick, stabbing dissonant assaults,
way too many to fully digest on even the emptiest stomachs,“Sweatin’
to the Oldies” struggled to keep my attention and
interest. Covers of State of Alert’s “I Hate
the Kids” and Half Off’s “Who Makes the
Rules?” are worth noting. Overall, though I would
only recommend this to the most devoted of fans and archivists.
If there is indeed a “Sweatin’ to the Oldies
Part II” out there, I’ll be sure to avoid it.
Available on 2XLP, CD and other download services such as
iTunes.
When travelling, a good rule of thumb is to find out where
the locals eat. Not only is it rewarding, but what better
way to get to know the city and the people who call it home?
The same thing can be said for music. While most big cities
(smaller ones too) have their brick & mortar, all-in-one
entertainment franchises, I suggest seeking out the local
independent record store and seeking out music from bands
the area might have spawned. I’ve always found it to
be a good way to discover music old and new while engaging
in a music related conversation with a true blue local. I’ve
done it in places as afar as London, Paris, Belfast and Tokyo
as well as American cities, such as New York, Princeton, Baltimore
and New Orleans. Each of which was rewarding, giving me something
extra to take home and commemorate my trip with. I suggest
doing a little homework in order to bring something to the
conversation.
Which brings me to my recent trip to Portland and finding
another Wipers record to indulge in. “Outtakes”
is just what the title might infer, featuring rare and unreleased
recordings from the band’s early days of the late
70’s to early 80’s, around the same time the
band released their landmark debut “Is this Real”.
Featuring thirteen demo and live tracks that were hand-picked
by guitarist and founder Greg Sage, the songs are raw, yet
audibly refined, essential to anyone fond of the band or
knowledgeable of the bands undeniable influence on American
Punk and Grunge. You really get a sense of how elements
of Power Pop and Hard Rock would influence many of the bands
that went on to create the American Punk sound. I highly
recommend checking “Outtakes” and much of The
Wipers recorded output. As far as influential, yet under
the radar acts go, it doesn’t get much better.
On their debut full length, New Jersey’s Shred Flinstone
reinforce the adage “What’s in a name?”
with brilliant strokes of distortion, reverb and an undeniable
knack for producing a diverse, yet focused stroke of indie
rock indulgence.
With the distorted guitar and fuzzed out vocals featured on
the albums opener, “I’m On the ParKway”
and the following “Scalps,” you get the feeling
you’re being treated to some of the best White Stripes
garage rock you’ve heard this far east of Detroit’s
Commerce Park. Then, just when you think you know what you’re
in for, “Doc Holiday” and “Delta”
take a detour down a more Indie Rock road. Overall, "They’re
Not There” features nine songs that blend Garage rock’s
edgy raw power with Indie rock beauty. There’s also
a noticeable progression from their five song EP “Cartoon
Physics.” Favorite songs include, but are in no way
limited to, “Doc Holiday,”“Delta,”
as well as the laid back and trippy grooves on “Living
the Life Avocado.” For fans of The White Stripes, Blind
Melon and anything that takes you where you want to be. For
the time being “They’re Not There” is available
for download and streaming through their Bandcamp.
Poking fun of Queens retail legend Crazy Eddie and The Descendents,
these former members of Fahrenheit 451, District 9, Abject,
and Downside title their lengthy 15-song debut “Milo
Goes to College.” The New York four piece looks to the
past to find inspiration, playing simple and fun Hardcore
without any heavy messages or political agenda. Ripe with
enough fiery riffs, barreling rhythms and catchy choruses
to keep the pit moving (check out Drew Stone of Antidote's
guest vocals on “Offended,”) Eddie Drops out
of College is one of those recordings that, as opposed
to making an immediate impact, grows on you more and more
with each listen. And while fifteen songs are more than twice
the amount I’ like to hear from any new band, over time
I found myself moving more closely to the core of what Crazy
Eddie had to offer. In the end, Eddie Drops out of College
reminds me of many of the middling demos being circulated
at clubs around NYC during the late 80’s and early to
mid-ninety’s. Nothing special, but not bad by any means.
Recorded at Six III studio in Forest Hills, Queens and mixed
by Andy Guida (Supertouch.)
It’s hard to believe Static Radio NJ had more or less
been missing from the New Jersey music landscape since 2011’s
“We are all Beasts”. With founding members Michael
Santostefano and Vic Costello cutting tracks with Pale Angels,
Crimes, Hot Knife, Scary Stories and more, it felt as if they
never really left us. While they remained with us performing
as separate entities, the dynamic that Mike and Vic created
as Static Radio NJ was missed.
The five new songs presented on … “Resentiments"
call for a healthy heaping of tasty riffs, melodies and
sing along lyrics. Static’s decision to take a more
melodic approach to their Punk leanings has produced great
results both in the past and on “Resentiments.”
There’s still a certain rasp to Santostefano’s
voice that gives these songs an urgency and blue collar
edge that always made the them stand out. While past comparisons
to Lifetime and Kid Dynamite were easily appealable, these
new recordings might find themselves sharing a lineup with
dearly departed acts such as Ben Franklin and The Wait.
Though each of the records five entries warrant strict attention
and numerous spins on the turntable, “Resentiments”
opener “Love to Death” and the closing track
“Lonely” are too good not to mention. The limited-edition
(250 copies) one sided color 12” EP includes a digital
download and is featured with a blank B-side. It's also
available through Black Numbers , Bandcamp, and iTunes.
Welcome back guys. I hope you decide to stay for a while.
While planning our first ever trip to Portland, Oregon,
I was reminded of some of my recent scores from 2018’s
official Record Store Day. With this year’s list looking
a bit thin and the fact that I had no intention to wait
in line for hours. I made it to my favorite record store
to find out that most, if not all of the releases on my
list were snatched up in a pre-dawn raid.
One of the big “ifs” on that original list was
a live set from the legendary Portland Oregon trio The Wipers.
While not known by the average Joe, the Wipers, by all means
a great punk band, would go on to influence many punk acts
to follow as well as many of the most celebrated grunge
acts (most notably Nirvana.) Recorded live at Portland’s
The Met (a legendary music venue that has existed under
numerous names since the 60’s and still remains today
under the name “Dante’s,”) on New Year’s
Eve, December 31st 1982, the album features 17 songs. The
live performance sounds raw, yet refined and audible, having
been recorded on recently purchased equipment and mastered
by The Wipers own guitarist/vocalist Greg Sage, offering
plausible evidence as to why the sound quality is so good
on this performance. Songs jump off the record, drawing
you in as if you were in attendance. “Live at the
Met” is an audiophile release and is limited to 2,000
copies. (Try eBay.) Knowing full well that most people don’t
run around trying to track down Record Release Day releases
after the fact, I will instead urge you to track down some
of their best studio releases, 1980’s “Is This
Real” and 1981’s “Youth of America”
I came across New Jersey creepers Haunt Club while checking
to see if there were any new releases to look into on the
Sniffling Indie Kids website. Though little background could
be found regarding Haunt Club, the band’s debut release
presented enough clues for me to keep digging.
"Volume One" features seven songs that sound
like they should be featured in an episode of Twin Peaks,
Stranger Things or X-Files. Complete with
reverb, fuzz, distortion and vocal refrains, “Ghosts”
opens just as the title might suggest, creeping into your
conscience slowly and gently before exploding like a car
bomb. “Incident” follows, adding a slow yet
sonic layer of creepiness to the band’s already (for
lack of a better word.) haunting sound.
The third, most focused and personal favorite track, “VHS,”
has an overall build to it that makes the song really work
for the band. There’s a lot of fuzz, reverb and distortion
on this release that really help it stand out in a way that
is gripping, yet enduring. “Volume One” is a
debut that more than earns the right to a sequel. Let’s
hope production is not delayed. Available on cassette and
digital download.
Mudhoney
– “LIE” (Live in Europe) (SubPop Records)
Being as I never really invested much time, money or interest
in LIVE albums, I felt no urge to purchase or even listen
to Mudhoney’s “LIE.” It wasn’t until
hearing it in its entirety while perusing my favorite West
Seattle record shop that I decided to take a copy home to
spin and possibly write about.
As I brought the record home and took it for a spin, my memories
of all the muck, mire and dirt under my fingernails - feelings
that always accompanied listening to Mudhoney - came back
to me. Formed in 1988 after the demise of the beloved band
Mother Love Bone, Mudhoney were one the bands that helped
put Sub Pop on the map and are considered by many to be architects
of the “Grunge Sound”.
The album opens with longtime favorite “Fuzz Gun
91’” and rarely lets up from there.
The fuzzed out, trippy leads on the B side opener “Judgement,
Rage, Retribution and Thyme” are as hair raising as
being lowered into a pit of poisonous snakes. Another personal
favorites is “I Like it Small.”
Recorded live during a 2016 European tour which included
shows in Germany, Sweden, Croatia, Austria and Slovenia,
“LIE” represents the first and only non-bootleg,
live Mudhoney recordings to date. The record also serves
a precursor to the band's upcoming release of brand new
material, their first since 2013’s “Vanishing
Point. “LIE” features 11 songs, including a
cover of Roxy Music’s “Editions of You.”
There are already a few editions/versions of this album
floating around, so be sure as to check first before ordering
or purchasing from your chosen record store. The end.
For those of you unfamiliar with them, Mission of Burma was/is
a band that originated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979 and
originally disbanded in 1983. “Forget” is a collection
of the band's early demos recorded prior to their debut EP
“Signals, Calls, and Marches” and the following
full length Vs. Though raw, these early recordings
from 79’ and 80’ show some of the foundations
of early U.S. punk and hardcore. The twelve demo tracks featured
here sound vital and well preserved. Mission of Burma’s
sound and knack for producing smart punk would influence countless
bands, including the legendary experimental giants Sonic Youth.
Mission of Burma would reform in 2002 (almost 30 years
after their initial split in 1983.)
The band has since recorded five albums while seeing their
original recordings of “Signals, Calls, and Marches”
and Vs remastered and reissued. Listening to “Forget”
served as a powerful reminder of what drew me to the band
as a young teen looking for something different lurking
in the back of my neighborhood record store.
On his fourth solo album and first on his own imprint “Tough
Lover,” former Shudder to Think vocalist Craig Wedren
reflects on age, death, sex, marriage and family. Wedren’s
14-song meditational narrative has a noticeable poetic flow
that is both warm and comforting, songs of reflection that
show a man who seems to have found peace with his past while
fully embracing his future. Each of the fourteen entries flow
beautifully with a hypnotic, reflective spirituality. Simple
acoustics meet subtle yet spirited vocal harmonies, providing
soothing soundscapes that feel rooted in transcendentalism.
As a whole Wendren’s voice seems the perfect vehicle
to carry and navigate “Adult Desire”. If you’re
looking for something unique, yet special. Look no further.
Over the last couple of decades, it’s become harder
and harder for me to identify let alone, defend Hardcore as
the vital sub- genre of Punk it once seemed. Hardcore music
continues to be going strong with an endless crop of new bands,
while much overdue attention and praise keeps getting heaped
on its first, second and even third wave. However, the problem
I tend to see and in many cases, hear is the overall lack
or originality in newer acts entering the fray. Enter my introduction
and overall disappointment in listening to Decline’s
“Own Your Words” 7-inch EP.
Hooded sweatshirt, check. Cargo shorts, check. Varsity
Jackets, check. Cover image of lead singer in full “Bust
it” mode for the cover, check. Their 6-song EP so
closely mirrors, if not imitates the look and sound of 80’s
youth crew acts such as Youth of Today, Bold and Judge,
it ’s hard to tell whether they’re honoring
the movement or straight up copying it. Chicago’s
Decline formed in 2013 by former members of Haunted Life,
Expired Youth, Noose and New Heart. It would seem that Decline
came together to create the most unimaginative, unoriginal
and perhaps most clichéd EP I’ve heard in decades.
While by most standards a very good recording. “Own
your Words” falters in that it lacks any sense or
originality or individualism that would distinguish them
as anything more than a nostalgia act, a trend I see/hear
much too often in HardCore these days. Considering how important
and urgent Judge’s classic “Fed Up” always
sounded, hearing it being covered here was like experiencing
it as a jingle in an “All You Can Eat” TV spot
for a local food chain. And while anyone who hasn’t
been around long enough to experience bands like Judge and
Youth of Today in the mid to late 80’s might find
reason to like this record, this old curmudgeon thought
otherwise.
The
Adolescents – The Complete Demos (Frontier Records)
The Adolescents are a punk band formed in Fullerton, California
in 1980, part of a first wave of Hardcore/Punk acts forming
in Southern California. Like many bands of their ilk, the
Adolescents endured numerous lineup changes, break ups and
reunions since their conception.
Though dominant throughout the 80’s and beyond, former
cast members also went on to form such notable acts as D.I.,
Manic Hispanic (and who can overlook guitarist Rikk Agnew’s
1982 solo album “All By Myself?”) The band's
first self-titled album, aka the Blue Album, remains
the only classic, must-have release in the bands catalog.
With bands like Agent Orange, The Adolescents, The Vandals
and D.I. being such major early influences on hardcore and
skate punk, not to mention their stamp on the overall identity
and attitude of west coast bands to come, investing in a
vinyl reissue of “Demos 1980 – 1986” was
one without risk or downfall. Hearing these songs for the
first time since purchasing them on CD some years ago definitely
had its peaks and valleys. With the lack of production,
many of these songs sound lackluster at best. One has to
appreciate that many if not most of the bands coming out
the that defining, influential era were not blessed with
the best studio gear or production. The whole idea of being
in a punk or hardcore band was to play and hopefully record
songs that were raw, aggressive and pissed off. In the end,
as both a fan and a listener, you have to take that into
account. For me, hearing these original recordings of songs
like “Wrecking Crew”, “I Hate Children”,
“Amoeba” and “Richard Hung Himself”
was quite rewarding.
Way back in the early 90’s, I used to drive around Clifton
with my friend Tom in his Ford Falcon. While Tom had some
A+ taste in music, each joyride would come to a screaming
halt when he would pull a cassette from his pocket and proudly
exalt, “This is the worst shit you’ll ever hear.”
There was a certain joy and satisfaction in not only sharing
the misery with someone you trusted, but being able to distinguish
the good from the absolutely awful. Strangely enough, those
particular memories came to mind as quickly as the time it
took to wade through the first minute of Trail of Lies, “W.A.R.”
Trail of Lies' 8-song debut full-length opens promisingly
with the ferocious and punishing rhythms of “Master
of my Destiny.” However, when the vocals chime in at
the 18-second mark, “Ferocious” and “Punishing”
quickly become “Punishing” and “Unbearable.
While this is quite good musically. I can’t help but
think the front man (I would suffer from a bottomless shame
spiral if I used the words “singer” or “vocalist”)
derived his style while suffering from a near death battle
with irritable bowel syndrome. Think Viking Metal meets oral
surgery at a colonoscopy clinic. As mentioned, “W.A.R.”
features eight tracks, with “Fight for Victory”
being the only one to make the two-and-a-half-minute mark.
While fans of Another Victim, Bolt Thrower and Earth Crisis,
might find common ground here, Trail of Lies' debut LP only
made me miss the days of being trapped in an overheated Ford
Falcon listening to Bolt Thrower.
RevHQ
The
Last Gang – “Keep them Counting”
Following their debut 2017 single on Fat Wreck Chords, Orange
County’s female fronted punk trio The Last Gang return
with a full length that will surely put the band on the punk
rock map.
Female fronted Punk Rock that easily draws comparisons to
The Distillers, Rancid, and The Avengers, Keep them Coming
delivers tasty riffs, hooks, bouncing rhythms and a voice
you won’t soon forget. The 10 songs featured on “Keep
them Counting” keep the listener focused throughout,
while eliciting numerous listens.
The album’s opener, “Sing for your Supper,”
(originally heard on the band's 2017 single of the same
name) gets things started on a high note. While Reed's vocals
on “Strange Fruit” (one of my personal favorites)
sound quite fierce, the band never seems to forgo their
pop punk ethos, thus giving the record a unflappable sense
of cohesion. Overall, I felt I was being treated to a very
good record that introduced me to a band that will surely
bring more rewards down the road. The album cover picture
depicting the band propped on the edge of their van’s
rear leads me to think they’ll be visiting my area
sooner than later. For fans of The Avengers, The Distillers
and Rancid, the Last Gang give Pop Punk a gnarly edge that
allows them to stand out from the pack.
Originally released on the legendary indie label Dischord
in 1990 and long out of print, Ten Spot would be
Shudder’s first of three releases on Ian McKaye’s
imprint. Funeral at the Movies and Get Your Goat
would follow before the band jumped ship to sign with Epic
Records, where they went on to release Pony Express
and 50,000 B.C. as well as a handful of 90’s
teencentric soundtracks.
When experiencing Shudder to Think, one can’t help
but get swept away at how weird and eccentric the band sounded
and presented itself. Front man Craig Wedren’s vocals
and look set the band apart from many of their contemporaries.
More theatric and vaudeville than punk; both artistic and
eccentric at the same time; liked, loved and often hated.
There’s no denying the imprint their artful post-hardcore,
post-punk style left on those who were there to experience
it. Listening to these 11 songs for the first time in more
than twenty years was as much a pleasure as it was a chance
to, once again, embrace the madness that was Shudder to
Think. The reissue features revised artwork, courtesy of
Heather Hendrix Russell and comes on blue vinyl. As with
all Dischord titles, the vinyl version is accompanied with
a digital download.
The
Number One’s – “Another Side of the Number
One’s” EP
Having recently undergone their own One-ders/Wonders transformation
by going from the #1’s to The Number One’s, Dublin’s
fab four will hopefully be a bit easier to track down and
identify, thus opening the eyes and ears of a new crop of
potential fans. Playing tight power pop that would as easily
find its roots in the wave of exciting rock bands of the 60’s
as it would with the new wavers and power pop wave of the
late 70’s and early 80’s, each of the four offerings
on “Another Side” - “Lie To Me”, “Long
Way To Go,” “You’re So Happy I Could Cry”
and “Breaking Loose” - solidify the band’s
knack for creating and helping to preserve a sound rarely
heard in a genre that, for decades, has depended on image
and instant gratification over quality and sustainability.
The Number Ones' knack for creating fun, electric and frenetic
power pop and guitar rock puts them in good company with older
acts such as The Knack, Cheap Trick, The Buzzcocks and other
greats of that era. while still sounding fresh and vital.
I highly recommend you download their self-titled LP Here.
Their current EP is available both on 7-inch and iTunes.
Featuring three songs from the somewhat recently Dave Smalley
fronted vehicle Don’t Sleep, "Bring the Light"
suffers from what Hollywood might describe as typecasting.
We’ve all seen Dave play this role before. Maybe it’s
time to pass the torch to someone/anyone else. Here are
songs that are by no means bad, but don’t even remotely
stray from Smalley’s 30-plus years of recorded output,
for better, worse, or in my case, indifferent. It’s
predictable in the sense that, if it inspires anything,
it’s to go back and explore the work he did with acts
such as D.Y.S., Dag Nasty, ALL and Down by Law.
And while fans of melodic hardcore, familiarity and nostalgia
will certainly find reasons to rejoice, "Bring the
Light" doesn’t really distinguish or set itself
apart from anything he’s done in the past. Add to
that, this small sampling of new songs could easily be mistaken
as Dag Nasty or Down by Law outtakes. The three song EP
features three fast, melodic and upbeat songs with positive
overtones, but are we actually hearing anything new? While
I surely wasn’t expecting anything adventurous from
Smalley and crew, inspiring the listener to get excited
for more would have sufficed. At least in my case, "Bring
the Light" did not.
Tory Anne Daines is what most would consider a musician’s
musician. The very talented, multi-instrumental artist whose
beautiful violin and piano talent have been featured on numerous
recording and gave indie rockers Those Mockingbirds an artic
edge that many bands of their ilk lack or altogether ignore.
With Fair Panic and their thirteen-song debut Feels, steps
out of the shadows to front one of the unique acts we’ve
seen or heard in ages.
Having heard some of the early demos and being trusted
with an early advance of the album. I went into Feels thinking
I might have to step up my review game and dress up my thinking
cap. Being asked to listen in the sequence added an additional
level of pressure. One I may not have felt since being offered
this column. In the end, concept album or not. I found myself
listening closely to something that would be incredibly
rewarding.
Lush orchestrations add complex layers to the songs quirky
pop base.
Tori’s angelic voice easily draws close comparison
to that of Kate Bush, Tori Amos and perhaps more currently,
Regina Spektor. There’s an eccentricity and uniqueness
to the album that’s so engaging that you’ll
find yourself frequently returning for further visits. With
each go through, I feel as if I’m being treated to
something new and fresh. Song wise, Gateway Drug and You
and Me stand on the shoulders of giants. In the end, though,
hearing is believing.
URBAN
STYLES – GRAFITTI IN NEW YORK HARDCORE by Freddy Alva
(Di Wulf Publishing)
While many of the suburbanites who found Hardcore music
in the late 80’s might not admit or even remember,
much of NYHC’s inspiration and influence came from
urban kids who grew up on Hip Hop culture and graffiti.
This was most evident in the flyers, demo tape art, and
tagged up walls of the venues, surrounding streets, and
mass transit we took to get to shows. Listen to any Hardcore
record from the 80’s or any other period of time and
you’ll notice the Hip-Hop influence on every break,
breakdown and/or mosh part. Truth be told, with every Hardcore
band we listened to or went to see, there was a Grandmaster
Flash, Public Enemy, KRS-One or Eric B. & Rakim 12-inch
within reach. For every Sunday Hardcore Matinee or band
practice, there were fat markers, black shoe polish or a
couple of cans of Krylon at the ready to tag up the nearest
wall, mailbox or train.
Featuring images, art, anecdotes, interviews with the like
of Mackie ‘Hyper’ Jason (Cro-mags), Sergio ‘Deem’
Vega (Collapse, Quicksand, The Deftones), Chaka ‘Expo’
Malik (New Breed Tape Compilation, BURN) and countless others,
including the bands who were both influenced and populated
by many of the city’s most active writers, Urban
Styles traces, explores and documents the individuals
and cliques who drew from graffiti’s earliest 70’s
influences and displays their inclusion and contributions
to the New York’s Hardcore scene. From the walls and
trains to the flyers, zines, demos and album art, Urban
Style shows just how much these influences found their
way and ultimately found a home amongst a creative group
of misfits, outsiders and non-conformists.
Interviews
Spread out over more than three hundred pages, I myself
was reminded of my days getting a close up look at artists
like Jere and Mod, and crews such as TMR and DMS. And though
my tags, ‘Omen’ and ‘Southpaw never made
it further than my notebooks, school desks or mailboxes
of my neighborhood, still, my interest and appreciation
for the outlaw art form never waned. Just for kicks, a handful
of my earliest images and the cover image of the second
issue of my fanzine ‘UNITE’ can be found within
Urban Style’s pages.
Freddy Alva has always had a unique and sincere knack for
documenting his environment. From his early life i Peru
to the New Breed Compilation to the book Urban
Styles and everything in between, he’s made a
point to put a spotlight on and lift up those he experienced
these things with.
Cable
– It Cost Me Everything (Atomic Action Records)
The decade known to many as the 90’s was populated by
countless unsung bands that left an endearing footprint before
imploding or quietly calling it quits. For me, Cable can be
added to a long list of bands I had the pleasure of standing
eye to eye, nose to nose with in a sweaty basement or VFW
hall, a memory I can easily return to more than twenty years
later... like taking the express bus from Manhattan to Staten
Island with my friend Marlise to see Cable play with Weston,
Lifetime, Malcom’s Lost and others.
While many are quick to dismiss the endless caravan of
meathead metalcore acts whose music inspired countless backspin
kicks and more than their share of trips to the ER with
mosh inflicted injuries, there were just as many other bands
who expanded and experimented with Hardcore music’s
original sound in ways that made them stand apart from the
others. For myself and many others, Connecticut’s
Cable were and still are a very good example. While the
band’s sound could easily be categorized as hardcore,
their infusion of noise, spoken word, emo, impassioned screams
and musical discordance gave the band more of an introspective
vibe than that of an outpouring of emotion. The seven songs
presented on "It cost me everything" reflect just
that, sounding just as fresh and cathartic as they did when
they were recorded during the band’s first creative
year together. Though listening to “It Cost Me Everything”
reminds me of many of the bands of that era (Current, Hoover
and Rorschach immediately come to mind,) tt also comforts
me in knowing that many of those still remain. Killer tracks
include but are not in any way limited to "Plastic,"‘
" Flowers and Funerals." and "Feed Me Glass."
The EP includes a digital download and a blank B-side.
It’s quite possible I’ve spent most of my life
dealing with ADHD symptoms and related issues. How else can
I explain my short attention span and passion for a good single
or EP? Such diagnosis might explain the boxes of 45 rpm records
or my fond memories of the 90’s record label “SOL”
(Singles Only Label.) It might explain a lot of things, and
give insight to just what drew me to Supercrush in the first
place. The Seattle duo of Mark Palm and Aaron O’Neil
have released several singles that successfully blend sugary
sweet lo-fi fuzz pop (hink 90’s greats Dunebuggy) with
elements of shoegaze (Current NJ act TRU come to mind,) ingredients
that combine for excellent results. The warm, summery vibe
felt here and on previous singles are as refreshingly welcome
as an open hydrant or the sound of an approaching ice cream
truck on a steamy, sun drenched summers day. Familiar, yet
fresh. Reminding us of how a good pop song can stick with
you. "I’ve been around" provided some much-needed
warmth to Seattle’s current rainy season while inspiring
me to look for previous releases and information regarding
the duo.
Sometimes the difference between a positive review and a negative
one can depend on knowing your audience and directing your
work through the proper channels - knowledge that Rahway,
New Jersey singer/songwriter J Hacha De Zola and/or his handlers
might have benefited from.
This album came accompanied by a two-page press kit that all
but declares him to be the second coming of Tom Waits. (Sorry
kid, you’re going to have to put in some work before
you get to dance with the devil.) Considering it took me longer
to read the press kit than listen to the album and form my
own opinion, let’s just say I was more irritated than
entertained. Self-described as “creepy person writes
creepy songs,” it would seem fitting that De Zola would
be best suited to write his own reviews. As for the music,
think of an uninspiring mix of Josh Groban meets Clay Aiken
for a date at the opera. No offense to New Jersey’s
thriving opera community, but De Zola’s work seems best
suited for a J.G. Wentworth TV commercial spot. (Surely you’v
e seen them once or twice over the years.) Antipatico
(translated from Spanish to English, means “unfriendly,”
“unpleasant”) features 11 cringeworthy songs which
you can torture yourself with while reading his masturbatory
bio. Click the link below if you so wish.
With a namesake that brings 80’s lower east side squats
to mind and a sound that mixes a cross section of San Francisco’s
Penelope Houston fronted Avengers and New York’s crustier
punks Nausea. It’s no wonder why I found myself identifying
with the six songs featured on Rats in the Wall’s “Warbound”.
Featuring Brad Logan and Donny Morris of late 90’s anti-heroes
Leftover Crack. Their namesake, socio political leftist past
should serve as a preview as to what’s being served
up by this Huntington Beach, CA based unit. All comparisons
aside, it’s the vocals of Eva Hall (Gather) that make
“Warbound” feel so vital. Reminding me how many
of the raw emotions that originally drew me to Hardcore Punk
still resonate with me decades later. Rats in the Wall’s
raw, nihilistic rage, offer a sense of apocalyptic alienation
that draws you in. Knocking the listener out of their comfort
zone. Now, isn’t that what a good punk rock record is
supposed to do?
With album cover art reminiscent of 80’s death metal
acts such as Death Angel, Sodom and Death, one might expect
a sound and approach from Voice of Addiction similar to what
you might hear on labels such as Roadrunner, Century Media
or Metal Blade. Needless to say, I was a little surprised,
if not caught off guard, when I heard something so completely
unexpected and instantly identifiable.
Without a doubt, there’s a certain familiarity that
made The Lost Art of Empathy so easily relatable. Add to
it the call-to-arms singalong choruses and the tight musicianship,
it’s no wonder Voice of Addiction draw such immediate
praise. Though the album’s opener “Rustbelt”
creates an instant bond with the band, it’s tracks
like the gritty “Dead by Dawn,” the working-class
ska-influenced anthem “Corporate Pariah,” “Eviction
Notice” and the final and personal favorite, the reflective,
acoustic “Are We even Human anymore?” that cement
it with a brash sense of working class sensibility and strength
that cannot be overlooked.
Surely Voice of Addiction bring acts like Dropkick Murphy’s,
Stiff Little Fingers, The Living End and early Gaslight
Anthem to mind. However, The Lost Art of Empathy certainly
sets VOA apart while putting them on a course all their
own. If you’re a fan of guttural vocals, razor sharp
riffs and fierce rhythms, you’ll feel right at home
with Illinois’ Voice of Addiction.
Dead
Boys 1977 – The Lost Photographs of Dave Treat
For those unfamiliar with the Dead Boys, the Cleveland Ohio
band were key to the first wave of American Punk. Upon their
journey to New York City and the Bowery to be more geographically
correct, they became legends of their craft with one sonically
epic album Young, Loud and Snotty, a record - though
you may or may not have heard it - appears on just about every
list of “Best Punk Albums of All Time.” Often
compared to proto punk legends such as Detroit’s The
Stooges and Chicago’s The MC5, they were a band whose
legacy is not to be fucked with.
“The Lost Photographs of Dave Treat” collects
this photographer's rare and for the most part unseen photos
(only one was ever published in “Rock Scene”
magazine.) This was a shot that, though not used for the
cover of their Young, Loud and Snotty album, became
somewhat of a template for the band. Included in the book
is the original four-hour session of promo shots Treat took
within the urban decay of Cleveland’s streets, a few
images from a couple of shows before their exodus to New
York City, and upon their return to Cleveland in support
of the Dictators. Part III, entitled “Stiv Bators,”
is without any doubt, the best the book has to offer, featuring
images of Dead Boys frontman Stiv Bators for Treat’s
final photography portfolio at The Cooper School. In addition
to entries from Dead Boys members Cheetah Chrome and Johnny
Blitz, there’s an introduction by Ron Kretsch (contributing
editor of Dangerous Minds) as well as a Forward
by author/photographer Dave Treat.
Although the Dead Boys remain one of my favorite bands
of that first wave of Punk,
t he images presented are rudimentary at their best, something
one might expect to fish out of an old box of vacation photos
forty years after they were taken. With a lack of composition,
focus or even the most basic photography fundamentals, the
photos themselves are often overexposed, washed out and
badly focused. A good example would be how Cheetah Chrome
often resembles an albino ghost due to the images' lack
of contrast or detail. Chalk it up to time or perhaps a
lack of proper storage, the content within did little to
nothing to warrant becoming published. At a price tag of
$29.99, The Lost Photographs of Dave Treat hardly
merit more than a quick glance at your local book store.
Sad considering the impact The Dead Boys had on so many.
With isms reaching disgusting heights, a tax plan that could
all but erase the middle class, collusion with foreign entities,
and nuclear war being just a small sample of what Donald J.
Trump's presidency has brought this country. It’s a
wonder there aren’t more artists forming Anti-Trump
coalitions and side projects.
With acts such as Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine and
Prophets of Rage becoming distant memories to many, it’s
no wonder that more acts such as Truth Assassin haven’t
risen to the occasion. With Trump looking to further prove
he is incapable of doing much more than hosting a reality
TV show, it’s only a matter of time. Which brings me
to the task at hand: My impression and opinions regarding
Truth Assassin and their 10-song debut LP.
Following their 5 song debut "The Scrooge," In
the Shadow of Tyranny features ten songs of Hardcore-influenced
pop punk that rage against America’s greatest threat
to truth, justice and personal freedom. While both musically
and sonically viable, I can’t imagine wanting to dedicate
an entire album or side music related side project to a
single target of such misery and ire without having any
substantial outlet or fundraising goal. In the end, good
politically inspired music should inform and to a degree,
educate the listener, perhaps offering a solution. In the
case of Truth Assassin's In the Shadow of Tyranny,
I felt that I was merely being reminded of what a shit hand
we’ve been dealt.
You can follow the link below for blow by blow descriptions
of what each song entails.
Truth
Assassin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dinosaur
Eyelids – Left Turn on Red
Upon my initial introduction to Dinosaur Eyelids, I found
myself wondering how in the hell does one pocket of New Jersey
(New Brunswick, for those of you keeping score.) manage to
pump out so many noteworthy acts willing to keep the spirit
of guitar -driven, in your face music, whether it be Punk,
Hardcore, or in the case of Dinosaur Eyelids, Rock & Roll.
Is it the College Town atmosphere? The middle of nowhere placement?
Or perhaps the way the taps serve beers at local pubs like
the Court Tavern? Though the answers to this question will
surely remain a tight-lipped secret, I will forever be grateful
for its diverse contributions to music.
On Left Turn on Red, the band’s 5th album to
date, New Brunswick’s Dinosaur Eyelids continue to grow
while sticking to their D.I.Y. rock roots. Having carved out
their own niche through semi local gigs and somewhat regular
rotation at local college radio stations, these five New Jersey
rockers show no signs of slowing down or selling out to make
holiday jingles for Walmart. Through fuzzed out guitars, grunge
rock inspired elements, and a bit of 70’s Rock swagger,
Dinosaur Eyelids will have you rushing the stage to get a
piece or to offer to offer a pitcher or two after their set.
While Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Fu Manchu and local heroes Mr.
Payday each come to mind, all comparisons aside, it’s
quite evident that D.E. are on their own trip.
Left Turn on Red and its groove-heavy eleven tracks
shape up to be one of this year’s best and biggest
“Year Ending” specials. Mentioning or referring
to any one song would only take away from the fact that
Left Turn on Red should be listened to in its entirety
while wearing sunglasses and riding a motorcycle. Any band
that lists Turkey Lamps in the “Interests” section
of their band page deserves my attention, admiration and
perhaps, closer interrogation on your part. Listen, own
it, wash with it.
Man, woman or child, it must take serious cojones to name
your band Banana. Luckily, scorning acts with ridiculously
questionable name choices isn’t in my swag bag these
days. Instead, I hold back my judgement until I’ve had
a full get to know session with the bands songs and delivery
of such. When listening to Die Alone Part II (there
is actually a prequel,) I couldn’t help but think, “what
a fitting title.” Boston’s Banana (yeah, that’s
really their name) play self-described “Anxiety Pop.”
The six song EP is a collection of low fi recordings that
are monotone, morose and downright depressing (and by “depressing,”
I don’t mean in a cool, The Smith’s kind of way.)
While the fifth and second to last track "Doomed"
have their moments, and while could see potential in both
the vocals of Chelsea Ursin and the entire Banana crew, overall,
this is just a train wreck of an EP.
It’s no wonder Boston’s trio Squitch are sharing
the same bill with Banana. Considering how similar the two
seem. I can imagine a few showgoers scratching their heads
thinking “Didn’t this band just play?” Upbeat
/ uptempo female -fronted pop rock that doesn’t quite
feel like it’s ready for consumption. Musically, there’s
a certain garage band feeling to these two pop tunes that
remind me of a band of teenagers clunking away in the garage
before Mom intervenes with a plate of freshly microwaved Totstinos.
With this being their third entry to Bandcamp, I’m guessing
that Squitch have settled on their sound. Whether or not that’s
good is up to you. As for me, I could not have reacted with
more indifference if I tried.
Brooklyn’s Hot Knife were born out of a bar stool exchange
between Vic (Static Radio) and Ryan (Spanish Gamble). From
there, the two became four after recruiting Luke to sing and
Matt (Candy Hearts) to play drums. A self-titled flexi disc
on Black Numbers followed, inspiring the cast of Hot Knife
to continue writing their own story.
On “My Fangs,” the band’s second release
to date. Hot Knife take influences that run the gamut between
Green Day and Nirvana to create catchy and well executed
Punk Rock that I found to be quite appealing. While I could
hear the Green Day influence loud and clear on most of the
six songs, it was the fourth track, “Guppy”,
with its Bouncing Souls meets H20 vibe that particularly
resonated with me. A song that would fit rather nicely on
your mixed tape or, to be more current, Spotify playlist.
Listening to Hot Knife will immediately remind the listener
of how closely their sound mirrors that of their influences,
byt these guys do enough to stand out on their own. And
much like their influences, their style of Punk Rock might
not get them banned from the town meeting, but at the end
of the day, it just might keep the mall punks at bay.
For those of you who prefer, love, or hoard vinyl, only
250 copies are being pressed (100 on Yellow, 150 on Orange).
Includes free digital download.
It’s not every day that I get a personal, hand written
note asking me to review someone’s music. It’s
another thing, altogether, when that note includes an expression
of love and a drawing that honors your past, present, and
soon to be future as a universally celebrated music critic,
When you’re the subject or target of such genius promotion,
you best take more than a quick glance at what you’ve
been served. It’s what they call “tribute”
in the old country.
The
name Meeko Brando, intended or not, reads like a character
you might find concealing intentions at the end of the bar
on a Star Wars sequel. Though not created a long, long time
ago in a galaxy far, far away, Meeko Brando carries a sound
and style that is just otherworldly. On the band’s
second release to date “Lemonade, Lemonade,"
the Trenton, NJ band produces five quirky and weird post-punk-revival,
dance-indie-rock jams that run on all cylinders. When listening
to “Lemonade, Lemonade,” I couldn’t help
but compare the band’s sound to a Franz Ferdinand’s
self-titled debut meets The Killers “Hot Fuss”.
Now that may be dialing things back a bit, but it is a qualified
compliment on my part. Meeko Brando’s sound and its
execution has the potential for mass appeal.
When I think of the many bands I got to see live over the
years, it’s always the ones that I was able to get
face to face with in the basements and dingy rooms of New
Jersey that stand out as my personal favorites. What better
way to be introduced to the sounds of a local band than
standing nose to nose, covered in sweat as their twenty-minute
set washes over you? It’s how I started out, it’s
how I re-introduced myself to live music, and it’s
how I came to love the consonant loving LKFFCT.
LKFFT, or Lake Effect if you like a few vowels in your alphabet
soup, are a New Jersey indie rock band that formed from
the ashes of the praiseworthy act Washington Square Park
back in 2013. Quickly carving out a niche and grass roots
following of their own
f ollowing 2016’s “The Flower Investment Pawn,”
and my introduction and personal favorite, 2015’s
“American Sarcasm,” LKFFCT continue to work
their way upward with a gift for creating warm, uplifting
pop rock songs that have staying power that is somewhat
of a rarity in a time and place where immediacy and the
arrival of the next big thing are far too real.
Whether it’s the quirky, yet soaring energy of the
title track, “Dawn Chorus,” the raucous escapism
of “Flavor,” or the more subdued Neil Young/Big
Star channeled “Starling,” from start to finish
Dawn Chorus clicks on all levels. As each of the
albums 11 songs reward the senses, keeping the listener’s
attention and admiration, you can really feel the love and
hard work that was applied to these songs. You get a strong
feeling that the band really enjoys making music together.
If you take a moment to look at the credits,
which feature a wide array of contributing artists, you’ll
get an even better sense of the community and family LKFFCT
seem to foster. While names like Frank Joseph (NGHTCRWLRS/Sniffling
Indie Kids) and Ken DePoto (France/They Had Faces Then)
are already familiar, the list of contributors is astounding.
Also worth note is LKFFCT’s own Max Rauch's engineering
and the mix/mastering of the incomparable Skylar Ross (Skylar
Ross Recording)
Frank Joseph (Nghtcrwlrs/Sniffling Indie Kids/Holy City
Zoo) is a good man, one whose opinion in music I may not
always share, but always respect. So when he took to social
media to declare that Tera Melos (a band I admittedly had
never heard of.) was the best this galaxy had to offer,
I felt the weight of his proclamation calling me to, at
the very least, give them a listen.
After a visit to their bandcamp page, I was met with numerous
releases (12 in all,) dating back as far as 2012. Quite
a lot of material to sift through if you ask me. So instead
of taking the long way to the short route, I decided to
give their most recent release, August 2017’s 12-song
release Trash Generator, a robust go through. While
the spacy California trio Tera Melos and Trash Generator
took it’s time to build and eventually grow on me,
I feel it was time well spent. Their atmospheric ambient
rock took me places I had departed long ago; songs that
take the listener in a lot of different directions with
more than its share of twists and turns, eccentric, trippy
and totally worth getting weird with. And while I can’t
agree that Tera Melos are the best band in the galaxy, I
can wholeheartedly agree that these cats are out of this
world. One I hope to continue to explore.
I’ll be honest with you. When moving to Seattle, I was
expecting to find myself engulfed in the flames of the great
Northwest’s forever-changing music culture. Instead,
I found myself falling in to a series of reunited bands stopping
off for a last gasp at the past. This reunion-crazy world,
it seemed, would leave little time to explore the wide array
of local acts making names for themselves in the now. Still,
names like La Lux, Ayron James, and a handful of others sparked
enough inspiration to warrant numerous listens. Then of course,
there was Weep Wave.
Formed in the Seattle/Tacoma corners of Washington State in
2016, Weep Wave quickly gained notoriety and praise through
hard work, spirited live performances and low-fi recordings.
By the time 2017 rolled around, the quirky synth leaning/garage
act were making a lot of people take notice. What caught me
off guard and kept me tuned in was the simple fact that Weep
Wave manage to sound nothing like what you might imagine would
come out of a band by that name.
“New Climate” opens the set as if it’s
chasing down Guns & Roses' “You Could be Mine”
like a PCP tripping maniac with a hammer in one hand and
a blow torch in the other. Mixing a garage rock sound with
some spacy synth indulgence, you would think Weep Wave were
setting themselves up as the headlining band on the next
space shuttle festival. The three-song “Entropy”
EP rocks with a spacy and quite bass eccentric sound. Fast
and upbeat, “New Climate,”“Perfect Piece
of Pretty Trash,” and “Worm Eat Brain”
left a lasting impression on this listener, one that elicited
countless listens as I searched out more of the band's output.
At a time when so many acts are focusing on one style or
another, it’s refreshing to hear one that combines
different ones so seamlessly. Though this is the second
of three EP’s Weep Wave have released in 2017,“Entropy”
was my introduction to a band that had just recently appeared
on my radar. As they say, better late than never.
On their follow-up to “Embers to Remain” and third
seven-inch EP to date, “Ashes Lie and Wait,” Safe
and Sound take influences such as Burn, Turning Point, Strife
and Judge and end up sounding like your random screamo or
death metal act. Formed in Seattle back in 2012 by straight
edge kids looking to play 2000’s-era youth crew hardcore.
(I had no idea that even existed.) With EP titles like “Ashes
Lie and Wait,”“Embers to Remain,” and “The
Tides,” one might think that Seattle’s Safe and
Sound have spent a lot of time sitting in fire safety or disaster
relief seminars. And while I can’t say for sure if that’s
true or not, listening to their recent two song release, the
band seems to take themselves pretty seriously. The two song
EP features a mix of screamed vocals and spoken word fury
and 90’s metalcore instrumental cacophony that combine
to create an unfulfilling/unrewarding misery index immeasurable
by any current technology. And while I’m sure there’s
an audience for this type of noise, I found nothing remotely
desirable in these two songs.
The
History of Nemesis Records…. And Big Frank Harrison
(Patrick Kitzel) (Book)
Retracing and documenting the history of label founder
‘Big’ Frank Harrison and his indelible imprint
‘Nemesis Records’. “The History of Nemesis
Records” documents the labels 1988 – 1993 existence
through rare, never before seen photos, essays, insight
and memoirs from friends and select Nemesis alumni artists
including Ron Martinez (Final Conflict), Dan O'Mahony (No
For An Answer, Carry Nation), Isaac Golub (A Chorus Of Disapproval,
A18), Fred Hammer (It's Alive Fanzine), Jon Bunch, (Sense
Field, Reason To Believe) Rest in Peace, Mike Hartsfield
(Outspoken, New Age Records), Dave Franklin (Vision) Rest
in Peace, Andrew Kline (Strife) and more. Also, included
is a full label discography that includes all of the variation
and colors made available through Nemesis. The resolution
of the records scanned is high enough for close inspection
and the descriptions, photos, flyers and extras really go
a long way to properly tell the labels story.
Scanning the pages of this quick, yet enjoyable read. I
found myself referring to the bands I’d seen and counting
the records I currently own or did at one time or another.
How much time I spent and still spend listening to bands
such as Vision, Instead, Against the Wall, Gameface, Billingsgate
and others. My brief, yet personal exchanges with the band
Instead and how, as much as I loved and still love that
Against the Wall 7’ inch. Recalling what an absolute
knob the band’s front man, Madrid was.
Overall, “The History of Nemesis Records” was
a good go through. The anecdotes, stories and images brought
me back to a time when, for better or worse, I consumed
every Hardcore record I could get my hands on. And while
most of those records find themselves housed in boxes that
rarely get played or see the light of day. This book had
me looking back on a time when rifling through a box of
EP’s at a show or seeing an ad from an independent
record label in your favorite fanzine was the way we operated.
Published by Tribal Books and available through Reaper Records.
With just over two hundred pages. This medium sized paperback
fits snugly in your backpack or computer and reads well
during your otherwise mundane commute.
SPOKE–
Images and Stories from the 80’s Washington, DC Punk
Scene
(Complied by Scott Crawford)
As a teenager growing up in the mid to late 80’s
NYHC scene. I always looked up to the older kids and young
adults who were present during the early days or Hardcore
and Punk. As someone who hadn’t travelled a whole
lot and was just getting his boots scraped on the dancefloors
of places like CBGB’s, the Anthrax and Avenue A’s
Pyramid Club. I often wished I had been old enough to experience
bands like Minor Threat, Void and The Faith. And while the
New York and its surrounding hardcore scene presented more
than its share of cheap thrills, mosh pits and cleverly
choreographed stage dives. The music I closely identified
with always seemed to be coming from the Washington, DC
and its homegrown label Dischord Records.
Featuring images and stories from Bad Brains, Teen Idles,
Black Market Baby, S.O.A., Minor Threat, Government Issue,
Void, Iron Cross, The Faith, Scream, Marginal Man, Gray
Matter, Beefeater, King Face, Rites of Spring, Dag Nasty,
Embrace, Soulside, Fire Party, Shudder to Think, Ignition,
Fugazi, Swiz, The Nation of Ulysses and Jawbox. Compiled
by Scott Crawford. Who, as a pre-teen on the early DC scene.
Embodied the meaning of All Ages show. “Spoke”
is much more than a collection of photos. In that it allows
the people who lived it articulate what they were feeling
and experiencing, both as groups and as individuals. Comparable
to Cynthia Connelly’s “Banned in D.C.”
and Mark Jenkins “Dance of Days” Often feeling
like a photographic companion to the documentary “Salad
Days”. “Spoke” Perfectly illustrates a
very special time and place. Through images and personal
recollections of a time long past.
Just as Washington DC remains a political web of corruption,
betrayal and political turmoil. The music, relationships
and influence born out of this particular scene can still
be felt decades later. “Spoke” does an excellent
job of documenting what took place in D.C. during that time.
Reinforcing what participators and admirers alike still
hold dear. And that is a time and place that was both creative
and unique. “Spoke” is an absolute must have.
One that I find myself returning to on a regular basis.
On the band’s latest self-titled release, New Jersey’s
favorite sons and daughters prove once again that big things
really do come in small packages. Compared to the many lesser
known bands with minimal output during a short, yet highly
creative time frame, it’s no wonder Archie Alone quickly
became a personal favorite, one that keeps calling me back
to its well and wishing for more.
With 6 songs featuring emotive vocals, songwriting and
musicianship that put a unique spotlight on each track,
Nicole’s voice sounds powerful without ever being
too forceful - overwhelmed, yet not overcome. These songs
make the listener feel swept up in each emotion, as if they’re
being taken on a journey. Songs like the single “Mend”
stay with you long after leaving your ears. While the opening
song “Crawl” and its follow up “Motives”
dig deep and plant themselves firmly in your subconscious.
Overall, the band’s six-song, self-titled release
displays Archie Alone knack for creating songs that defy
genre pitfalls and easily identifiable categorization. It's
music that feels organic, honest, personal and intimate.
A group of musicians who continue to evolve, if not fully
embrace their importance to their local fan base and listeners
like myself, Archie Alone manage to channel all the emotionally
charged lyrics and tones of Emo while providing the songs
with enough musical muscle to take down a charging bull.
And that, my friends, is about as high of a recommendation
as I can shove down your throat. Archie Alone is
available on CD as well as a number of high quality digital
formats. Just go to their Bandcamp page and start listening.
Hardcore super label Bridge 9 digs deep to pull H2O’s
original 1994 demo session with Don Fury from the well for
an official vinyl release. Available on yellow and blue
color 12’ vinyl for the first time ever with a title
that tells you exactly what you get.
Present are the original six songs recorded by the legendary
producer Don Fury, songs that would introduce H2O to the
Hardcore scene and launch them onto Hardcore’s worldwide
stage. For those of you that haven’t kept up with
things, H2O are now considered old school legends in many
circles. Best known for their energetic, yet melodic, DC
inspired positive Hardcore and energetic front man and spokesman
for P.M.A. Toby Morse, H2O would go on to release numerous
albums (2016’s “Use Your Voice” being
their most recent.) and tour the world.
The EP features the original six songs from the demo - ‘Scene
Report”, “If the Mask Fits’, “I
Know Why” “Temperature”, “GO”,
“Here Today” and “Gone Tomorrow.”
The demo sessions take you back to the band's earliest recordings
with one of the true archetypes of New York Hardcore’s
recorded history.
In listening to this demo for the first time since its
initial release in 1994. I was quickly reminded why I recently
jettisoned any and all H20 recordings from my record collection
and hard drive. I just never cared for the band’s
music. Often regarding it as lite Hardcore or Easy Listening
Core, for me personally I always felt a H20 record would
be a great gift to give to your twelve-year-old or as an
assurance that your girlfriend would feel safe going to
a HardCore show. Songs that felt a little too safe or accessible
for someone that remembers the dangerous elements often
related to going to shows.
My personal tastes aside, it would seem that the years of
hard work and dedication to a style of music and a community
they truly love, deserves its credit For me personally,
their music never did much to inspire or challenge me. In
listening to these songs, I was assured that, at least in
this case, time hasn’t really changed a thing. Go
ahead though. That is, if the ears are willing.
There’s a certain risk/reward opportunity that goes
along with reviewing music from a band you have no relation
to or knowledge of. If it’s terrible, you write your
thoughts, absolve yourself by wiping your hands clean of the
experience and move on. Or, as in this particular case, you
hear a band that completely blows the doors off the hinges,
making you wonder what rock you’ve been hiding under.
New Brunswick’s Mr. Payday continues the town's undeniable
legacy of giving birth to edgy, creative and noteworthy artists.
On their second release to date, Mr. Payday offer an authoritative
answer to the question “What the Hell happened to Rock
& Roll, big guitars and bombastic swagger?” Each
of those parts can be found under the hood of “Welcome
to the Modern World”
From the opening note of “Club Test” to the
closing title track and everywhere in between, Welcome
to the Modern World establishes itself as a raucous,
fun return to Rock & Roll grandeur. Intended or not,
a thorough go through of the album has me likening Mr. Payday
to bands such as The Supersuckers, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
and just a few exits north of the NJ Turnpike, local heroes
The Rye Coalition. There’s also a heavy dose of 1970’s
era Rock & Glam influences thrown in for good measure.
Pieces of bands such as The New York Dolls, T. Rex and Mott
the Hoople find themselves sitting at the bar on the title
track “Welcome to the New World.” In the end,
the beginning and middle, you're left with all the evidence
you need to prove Rock music is alive and well. Sure, you
might have to go a little left of the dial to find it, but
when was that ever not the case? If there were ever a campaign
to “Make America Rock Again’. Mr. Payday’s
“Welcome to the Modern World” has earned the
right to lead the charge.
When it comes to shows and events that affected me in ways
that would reward me for years to come, Dromedary Records'
2013 Camel Fest (a benefit for the Roots & Wings foundation)
immediately comes to mind. It’s when I met the world.
It’s when I first heard the call of The Brixton Riot.
With a name that reminded me of the South London riots of
1981 as well as the beloved Punk band The Clash, all with
a sound and appeal that could be compared to that of the Replacements
or better yet, Husker Du. I was immediately hooked. Then I
got my hands on a copy of that year’s Palace Amusements
and the hooks got in and stayed in me.
Four years later and the band’s vocalist/guitarist
Jerry Lardieri reaches out to see if I’d be interested
in hearing what will soon be the new album. “Mmmm,
I don’t know. Is it good?” My anticipation busting
at the seams. Still, with no guarantees on quality, I waxed
my ears and adjusted my writers cap in anticipation of adding
my two cents on the matter.
On the Brixton Riot’s second full length Close
Counts, their first since the aforementioned 2013 Parkside
Amusements, the South Jersey band prove that they haven’t
missed a step or skipped a beat. It’s go-time the
moment the bass line meets up with the opening guitar riff
meet on the album's opening track “Can’t Stop
Now.” One can’t help but rejoice in its statement
of purpose and declaration of being. As the opening anthem
gives way to the album's second offering “Slow Evolution,”
you immediately feel the assurance that you took the right
turn on your journey. There’s a sense of warmth that
seems to wrap itself around every Brixton Riot song. Something
that feels accepting and comfortable. They didn’t
come to reinvent the wheel, but they might put some fresh
air in the tires before taking it for a spin. The warmth
and melody within the songs feel relaxed and enjoyable.
Giving somewhat of a bird’s eye view to the chemistry
within the band, a group of friends that create music that
feels very much in the moment. In the end, making me miss
a place it took me years to fully embrace. “Close
Counts” comes a lot closer than its title might lead
us to think. Skillfully engineered and mixed at Baltimore’s
Magpie Cage by the legendary J. Robbins (Government Issue,
Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels,) these 11 songs will
surely remain in my stream of favorites from the year 2017.
Close Counts is scheduled for an October 6th release,
but you can pre-order it now. Who says you can’t come
home?
More than twenty-five years since they were released, the
original two demos the Queens, NY band DMIZE recorded find
themselves on vinyl for the first time ever on Germany’s
Cupcake label. Featuring original DMS (Doc Marten Skins) (Drugs,
Money, Sex) members Ray (JERE) Oglesby (vocals on first demo,)
Chiqui Rodriguez (vocals on second demo,) Beto on guitar,
Richie Nagel on drums, and perhaps most notably Hoya Roc,
who would go on to be a permanent member of the long running
and still active band Madball on bass. Dmize, though short
lived, reflected a change of scenery on the New York Hardcore
scene, one that brought in more of a Latino influence than
the scene had experienced in years. Add to it the gang culture
and violence that often follow, components that would influence
New York Hardcore for years to come. Musically, DMIZE reflected
many of the stylistic changes that had been taking hold on
Hardcore music for years, with metal-tinged riffs melded with
groove heavy bass lines and hip-hop inspired beats. The music
was heavier, darker and a bit more negative.
The first demo, recorded in January of 1991, features original
vocalist Ray O. (Jere). The second, recorded in September
1991, features his close friend and heir to the vocal throne,
Chiqui Rodriguez. And while the band featured several people
I considered close friends at the time, I never initially
cared for their metallic influence or the violence that
seemed to follow them from show to show. Add the twenty-five-dollar
price tag and shipping costs, the 12 song “Demos”
can only be recommended to Hardcore nostalgia enthusiasts
and fans of 90’s crime syndicate Hardcore bands like
Madball, Merauder, Crown of Thornz and Skarhead. Included
is a 16.5" x 23.375" poster and is limited to
500 copies.
Overall, these songs resonated with me more in 2017 then
they did back in 1991 - good, but by no means great - perhaps
due to a sense of closure regarding the past. They turn
bad memories to good while reminding me of those wild and
crazy times growing up and coming apart.
BOOK
REVIEW:
Stealing Time – 23 Year of Punk Images by Mark Beemer
(Dischord)
With proceeds all proceeds go directly to the Syrentha
Savio Endowment to help low-income cancer patients afford
treatment, I felt compelled to pick up a copy of the reissue
of Mark Beemer’s long out of print “Stealing
Time”, which documents his long history and dedication
to photographing punk and hardcore acts. It includes photos
of memorable bands such as, but not limited to, Fugazi,
Henry Rollins, Quicksand, Rise Against and Texas is the
Reason. As both a photographer and a show goer, I’ve
always been interested in what the other shooters in the
pit or on the stage were capturing. Whether it be their
gear, choice of film, vantage point, or overall approach,
I’m always eager to talk shop and eventually see the
results.
So, despite not being familiar with Mark’s work, I
was excited to explore his images and the artists he chose
to document. And while I can appreciate the journey, dedication
and countless acts he documented, as a photographer and
self-proclaimed documenter of my experiences, I honestly
didn’t find myself drawn to many of the work presented
within.
What I did find was a mix of live and promotional location
photos that more than not failed to draw me to the subject.
As one who's photographed countless shows, yet a handful
of band members gathering for a group shot, or better yet,
being caught in a moment, I’ve always been drawn to
the latter. Therefore, I felt myself more closely drawn
to a picture of a band standing in a corner or crowding
into an elevator than performing at a show.
For me personally, “Stealing Time” is more
about the number of images collected than the overall quality.
Regarding the number of images provided in its 124 pages,
it failed to evoke any emotion from someone that may have
hoped for more of a back story or personal view of the many
inspiring artists he captured over those 23 years.
Formed in 2016 by former and current members of various
and musically diverse elements of New Jersey’s indie
and underground scene, Trü quickly evolved from a creative
exchange of ideas to a full-blown band. After releasing
a well-received demo in the Winter of 2016. Trü headed
back to the studio to record an EP for soon to be born “Destroy
All Monsters” label.
Mixing elements of shoegaze and dream pop with indie-rock
proficiency. Trü has quickly won both my attention
and admiration. After receiving a copy of the band’s
debut EP. I felt compelled to reach out to what has quickly
become one of my personal favorites.
Q: I had been hearing the name trü from Cindy and
friends at The Meatlocker, long before I heard the 2016
demo or saw you live in 2017. Can you tell me when you first
came to be?
Pat: We solidified the line up in Summer 2016 but Keith
and I were kicking around the idea since Fall 2015. Once
we started jamming, we really started clicking and that’s
when we brought Steve and Cindy in to round out the rest
of the line-up.
Q: You each come from different bands and musically different
corners. Can you tell me what is was that made you want
to create music together?
Pat: We’ve all been in the same scene with our other
respective bands for a long time. We’ve all played
shows together or were in the same room together too many
times to count as we’ve all become friends over the
years it just all seem to fall into place at the right time.
Q: Were you set on the type of music you wanted to create
before you got together. Or was that something that happened
later?
Pat: We never really decided what type of music we wanted
to write. It just kind of occurred naturally. Everyone in
this band has a wide array of musical tastes and I feel
like with this band we were able to pool together our ideas
to make the best songs we can.
Q: Coming from varied places musically. What was it that
made you want to create this particular style of music?
How would you categorize or identify trü’s
sound?
Pat: I am SO bad at this but when people ask, I usually
tell them in the most general sense we’re an alternative
emo band. As for what made me want to write this type of
music, I wanted to write catchy pop songs but the catchy
pop songs early era Weezer would write. Just simple catchy
tunes.
Q: Cindy, you moved from guitar to bass in trü. What
was that like for you? Had you played bass in the past.
Or was this completely new to you?
Cindy: Playing bass was completely new to me. I'd never
played bass in the past or even owned one, but when Pat
reached out to me I decided to give it a shot. I borrowed
my girlfriend’s bass gear for a practice with Pat,
Keith and Steve and immediately loved it. It was more about
the musical chemistry I had with those three then it was
about the instrument I was playing. Through playing in trü,
I have really grown to love bass and want to become a better
player.
Q: What’s behind the name?
Pat: I thought of the name because I liked how it looked
visually. I wanted something simple we can build a brand
around. We stay very conscious of how we stylize designs
for our merch and album art and building it around trü
has honestly been a lot of fun.
Q: Who’s involved with writing the music and lyrics?
Cindy: Pat and Keith always show up at practice with tons
and tons of ideas. Whether it is just a riff, some lyrics
or an entire song, we all jam on them together and everything
just comes together naturally.
Pat: Yeah, we all have our say when it comes to practice
and it’s what I really think makes these songs great.
There’s a real sense of intimacy in the songs. Do
the lyrics reflect personal situations?
Pat: I’m completely new at writing lyrics and singing
in general but a lot of the things I write about are about
relationship situations I’ve been in.
Q: Having always felt that music has medicinal powers.
I was really inspired by the records prescription style
lyric sheet. How did the idea to do that come about and
what made you decide to go with it?
Keith: The prescription template was our friend Todd Campisi's
(Destroy All Monsters) idea and he based it off of the lyrics
for the song "Trouble".
Q: “Kirsti” will most likely remain my favorite
song on the EP. It sounds as if it could be the feel-good
hit of the summer. Yet somehow, I’ve convinced myself
that the lyrics come from a darker place. Can you give me
a little background on the song and the lyrics?
Keith: I wouldn't say they come from a darker place. I
would say that song is more of a "pick me up"
lullaby. Often times we forget our worth or feel insecure
about our place in the world and if we're lucky we have
somebody who somehow makes it all better. I just wanted
to reciprocate that warmth to someone very special to me
who was feeling blue i.e. “Kirsti”.
Q: You moved from 2016’s demo release to the 7’
EP rather quickly. Was there any specific motivation behind
that?
Cindy: We actually had no plans on releasing that demo.
We self-recorded 6 songs in Steve's basement for pre-preproduction
which ended up coming out really cool. We decided to release
2 as a demo to give people a taste of what was to come.
After releasing the demo, we received a lot of positive
feedback so it pushed us to go into the studio and get more
out there. As we were preparing to record an EP, Todd Campisi
approached us about launching his new record label and putting
4 of our tracks on vinyl. We were honored that he asked
us to be his first release and the timing was just right.
Q: Is it more rewarding to have something on wax (vinyl)
than releasing something to say, bandcamp?
Cindy: Absolutely. For me personally, it feels almost like
a milestone. A lot of work went into putting the entire
thing together between communicating with the pressing plant,
having artwork made, physically putting everything together
and getting 5 people to agree on it all in a timely fashion!
Dropping the needle on the record for the first time is
an incredible feeling that can't be articulated.
Pat: I’m a vinyl collector (just like everyone else)
so getting my own music on vinyl is always a great accomplishment.
There’s a great feeling to having something you can
hold in your hand.
Due to my move.
Q: Due to my moving to Seattle the same day, I missed the
band’s record release show. From all the post show
posts on social media. It seemed to be a very special night
for the band and anyone in attendance. Can you give me a
run-down of what made it so rewarding?
Cindy: We missed you at the show! We celebrated the birth
of Destroy All Monsters and our first EP with a party fit
for a bunch of grown up kids! We put together some goodie
bags, had a popsicle party and spent the night with our
favorite local bands, friends and families. The amount of
support from everyone was overwhelming and we can't wait
to do it again!
Q: At this point in time, would you classify trü as
side project or full time band?
Cindy: I feel like we all went into this with the intentions
of having fun and seeing what we could create together.
It started off as a side project but I would consider it
a full-time band for each of us at this point.
Pat: I totally agree. We’re all just having so much
fun with this it’s hard to not dedicate a lot of our
time to it.
Q: What’s next for trü as a band and as indiviuduals.
Cindy: We are already in the process of demoing out more
songs. Pat and Keith have so many ideas that they bring
to practice so we keep cranking out new material. We hope
to get back in the studio by late fall to work on recording
our next release. In the meantime, we all have our other
bands that we are committed to as well.
D.C.
Disorder – Naïve to the World (Youngblood Records)
Having grown up on countless Dischord releases and influential
acts who called the District of Colombia their home, my interest
and/or curiosity regarding most area releases should never
come into question. Whether it’s Punk, Hardcore, Go-Go
music or any form of underground sound, the mere gathering,
proximity or alignment of the letters D and C have a habit
of drawing my attention while arousing my curious ears. Such
was the case when it came to D.C. Disorder. Which brings to
mind D.C. Disorder and the "Naïve to the World"
EP. The vinyl 7-inch includes digital download.
From the scathing 1:01 instrumental introduction to the
sinister vocal appearance on the record's opener "Put
to the Test," the listener is put on notice. Six short,
but not too, too short, blasts of energy, ire and a sense
of cannibalistic urgency. "Naïve to the World"
possesses an authenticity that makes it nearly impossible
to overlook. Sure D.C. Disorder feature a cast of characters
from current Hardcore lineups, but considering how good
this record sounds, the mere mention of any such relations
to or association with seem unnecessary. With a fresh approach,
energy and conviction, "Naïve to the World"
makes an indelible mark.
Though not thoroughly researched, there must come a time in
a Punk or HardCore kid’s life when just about every
new band you here begins to sound like something you’ve
heard countless times before. Such was the case with California’s
DARE and what I hear on their rather generic offering "OC
Straightege." Whereas countless bands have found influence
in those that came before, acts such as DARE don’t seem
to have anything new to bring to the table. And while I can
honestly say I enjoyed my first listen of ‘OC Straightedge,’
I didn’t feel as if I was experiencing anything that
would stay with me or set them apart from the countless other
bands who continue to follow and not lead. Here is a record
that one would rightfully judge by its cover art. The 7-inch
ncludes digital download and is limited to 400 copies.
Abuse
of Power – When then becomes Now (Triple B Records)
On their follow up to the excellent 7-inch on New Age Records,
Atlanta, GA’s Abuse of Power deliver a sophomore EP
that should ingrain them as one of the best current bands
HardCore has to offer.
The five song EP opens with the title track "When Then
Becomes Now.” Instantly grabbing the listener’s
attention and admiration with its gutsy aggression and straight
forward approach, it had me reaching for the lyric sheet,
words pouring off the page with a sense of timeless wisdom.
"All I Need" follows with a sense of strength and
wisdom. By now, you’re wondering why you haven’t
already bookmarked Abuse of Power as a band you need to know.
Overall, while sounding original and current, Abuse of Power
have a way of reminding me of the things (however few) I loved
about 90’s HardCore. With each song evoking strength
in a forceful, yet vulnerable way, Abuse of Power’s
"When Then Becomes Now" feels both identifiable
and real. This is a very good and thought provoking release.
The 7-inch includes digital download.
Though "Instant Execution" serves as Aggression
Pact’s second release, (the followup to 2015’s
self- titled debut,) it should be noted that it is their first
output as a full band. On the 7 song EP “Instant Execution,"
Aggression Pact stay the course with a fierce double guitar
attack and gut-wrenching growls via Mark (Wasted Time, Mercy
Killings.) With each of the seven songs presented being similar,
yet distinguishable, the EP’s third offering "Buried
and Rotting" slows things down just long enough for you
to get a better feel for the musicianship involved. The drums
move up for a more pronounceable presence while the guitar
sound is particularly insidious, all combining for a recording
that is quite rewarding. And while I really enjoyed their
debut EP. I feel that the additional pieces present on "Instant
Execution" show off growth and improvement when comparing
to the self-titled debut. Aggression Pact continue to keep
me interested and on my toes. The 7-inch includes digital
download.
Order from Revhq:
Order from Painkiller
Records:
With the band's EP ‘Rope’ in hand and their
record release show just days away, I reached out to Scary
Stories singer Paul Alan to learn more about the band and
how a group of veterans from New Jersey’s music scene
came to be. Below is what Paul had to say. - James Damion
I know you all come from other bands (both current
and inactive or defunct.) Can you give me a little background
on the band and its members? How did Scary Stories get its
start?
Adam reached out to me in the fall of 2015 with the idea
of doing a band and writing some songs. We had been playing
together in Hell Mary for a bit (and still do), but given
the circumstances and locations of members in that band,
we are unable to get together and write songs. Of course,
I was all about it. Adam brought on Greg because he hits
the drums like he's trying to break them. He also comes
with an unmatched positive attitude which definitely becomes
necessary in a band where the music generally comes from
a dark place. I brought on Vic who was asking about the
status of Hell Mary, but I was like "why don't you
come see how you feel about this new thing we're starting."
The four of us kept getting together on Mondays for a long
time after that and made our first EP in April of 2016.
Here is each member and a list of their current active projects
off the top of my head. I am sure I'll leave something out.
Adam: Permanent Tension, Entia, Bury Yourself, Khantra,
Hell Mary.
Greg: Basement Beers, Moot Point, Shred Flinstone.
Vic: Hot Knife, Static Radio.
Alan : Control, Hell Mary.
What made you want to make music together? With
those responsibilities, how much time do you have to dedicate
to Scary Stories?
I can't speak for the other guys, but when Adam from Insouciant/Khantra
contacts you to do a project, you don't say no. I've gotten
to know Vic and Greg through doing this band, and I would
definitely do future endeavors with them. It just seemed
to click when we got together because everybody was vocal
about what they wanted to do and we all listened to each
other. The writing process for this band was always gratifying.
I feel like each song has a touch of every member but not
in a way where it’s forced and you end up with a reggae
song with metallic breakdowns. Everyone "got it"
and contributed what is best for each song.
How did the opportunity to work with Black Numbers
come about?
Vic and Dave go way back. He heard our second EP and saw
the art and liked both.
Having released the 'Shimmers' demo on cassette
and 'Rope' on a flexi disc. One might think the band is
fixated on outdated technology. What went into the decision
to go with these antiquated formats?
Well, we're on all those digital platforms, so I wouldn't
say we're fixated really. We really had no plans. Tohm from
Forced Abandonment offered to do a short run of the cassettes
and we said yes because we like how he runs his label and
enjoy his catalog. We thought the second one would be awesome
to have on vinyl and Dave from Black Numbers was about it
so we went with it. If they didn't come out in these forms,
I don't think we'd have a physical component to each release
and they'd just exist in cyberspace conveniently waiting
to be ignored.
How are you planning on promoting the record? Will
you be leaving the beloved Garden State?
Our record release is July 7th at Backroom Studios with
Concussed, Devoidov, What of Us and Ides. For our release
we wanted a diverse lineup of bands we would want to see/play
with and that we feel fit well together. It was probably
my first time reaching out to bands for a show and they
all said "yes" without me having to hound them,
so I have a good feeling about this show. As for future
plans, we are playing "Fest" in Florida in October.
Have you written any new songs since you recorded
the EP?
We haven't. Both EPs are now available "everywhere"
though.
Personal favorites such as Botch and more locally,
Kid Dynamite have been mentioned when describing your sound,
approach and overall delivery. What are some of the bands
that inspired you to play this style of music?
That's awesome that you think of those two bands when describing
our sound. I think you nailed it. Again, I can only speak
for myself, but I think our tone and sound comes from the
individual styles we brought from our past/current bands.
When I hear Vic, Adam and Greg on other recordings I can
usually always recognize that it's them. Outside of that,
I really like those "desperate" sounding bands
play with urgency and conviction. I was honored to be part
of one of the Dangers local shows back in the winter.
Though
I would never describe your music as Horror Punk, the name
'Scary Stories' brings to mind acts like The Misfits and
such. What's behind the name?
We stole it from those children's books of folklore
with the terrifying pictures. I like it because it's nostalgic
for me and those books may be the first "dark"
art I was ever exposed to.
What would you say is your favorite song on the
EP? Which one do you think performs best in a live setting?
"Rope" is my favorite because I think it's the
most dynamic and is a good metaphor for the band in general.
"Numbers" seems to go over well live...it's a
quick burst that has a lot crammed into a small space. It
opens up at the end where the vocals kind of go between
the hits (after being directly on them) and I always think
that "space" in parts translates well live. The
breakdown of "White Plague" is probably my favorite
30 seconds of the Scary Stories output and I'm happy we
chose that to close the album.
What influences / inspires the lyrics?
They are all pretty personal except for the last 2 which
touch on politics a bit. The hardest one for me to write
was probably "Fall Cleanups" because it had me
examining my privilege and a certain hopelessness that I
feel at times that I can't justify or validate...I guess
that was my attempt with these words. All of the lyrics
are posted on our bandcamp and the EP comes with an insert.
I encourage you to read along! A lot went into them.
Brian Musikoff should need no introduction to the readers
of Jersey Beat.com. For decades he was Hoboken's favorite
friendly neighborhood bartender at Louise & Jerry's,
a mainstay in local bands like Friends, Roman, Countrymen
and Stuyvesant, and a brilliant cartoonist and illustrator.
(Brian drew two fantastic covers for Jersey Beat during
our print zine days as well as the poster for our 35th anniversary
party.) His sudden departure to Seattle took a lot of us
by surprise, and he's going to be missed. Happily, thanks
to the Internet, he's no more than a few mouse clicks away,
and shared with James Damion some remininscences about New
Jersey and his decision to head west. - Jim Testa
James Damion: When I got in touch
with Brian about our interview, he seemed curious as to
why I, or anyone else for that matter, would be interested
in doing or reading an interview with him. To be 110% truthful,
Brian perfectly fits the mold for most of the interviews
I've done or been interested in doing over the years. Getting
to know someone who's inspired me with their music, art,
or straight up creative nature interests me more than any
upcoming release date, tour or single.
For me personally, Brian Musikoff fits the bill for the
kind of interviews and exchanges I prefer to approach. Brian
is the artist who created the logo for my blog United By
Rocket Science, and was the charismatic bass player for
Friends, Romans, Countrymen and Stuyvesant (a band whose
music and live performances brought me more joy than I could
ever wish for. ) So much so that whenever I think of or
hear their music, I'm brought back to my time in Hoboken
as well as my nights at Maxwell's, the music venue that
first brought me to the now famed town in the early 90's.
I'm also very appreciative of Brian's time in helping me
build a bridge between my former home in New Jersey to brand-new
one in Seattle. Here's what he had to share.
(Interview and images by yours truly, James Damion.)
Stuyvesant
What was it that sparked your move to Seattle?
After being fought, fucked, and educated in the NY/NJ area
for 45 years of my life, I was suddenly overcome by an insatiable
desire to tear up my roots; something that (with the exception
of a 4 month stint in Newport, Rhode Island in '92) I have
never experienced before. I needed a change and I needed
to relocate myself to a slower urban environment. Over the
past 20 plus years, I have observed a very lame and grotesque
assimilation in the NYC area as far as being a cultural
epicenter is concerned. I'm speaking for no one else other
than myself here when I say that I have been feeling an
ever growing increased tension toward the new generation
of entitled and naive people who have outwardly exhibit
a blatant disregard for NYC culture, and toward those who's
basked sense of entitled security which has made them feel
comfortable enough to behave disrespectfully without consequence.
I have seen the greater wave of social and economic interest
entirely shut down the venues, shops, and restaurants that
I hold close to heart.
What were some of your initial impressions of Seattle?
Pros and cons for any East Coasters looking to move there?
As with any metropolitan area, the local true blue natives
are going to be understandably defensive against an influx
of newcomers and their affects on the local economic and
social climate. As far as the weather itself, newcomers
need to be prepared for long, wet, grey winters. The sun
only appears in bursts between November and February and
the cold misty rain is frequent. Personally, and to the
dismay of many defensive locals, I love the winter weather
in Seattle. I see it as "forest weather". I'm
here to contribute more than I take, and those few who are
opposed or uncomfortable with me being here have no choice
in the matter.
What do you miss most about New Jersey? In particular,
Hoboken.
I miss the pizza, the "mutz", the NYC view along
the Hudson, our band Stuyvesant, my immediate circle of
dorks, my bartender family, and the proximity to the beach.
Have you had any musical collaborations since you've
been out there?
Not yet, but I shall.
(About Brian's "Live from the Barrage" podcast.) How
did you become involved? How do you stay involved being out
west? What is the key focus of the show?
I knew John and Patrick of LFTB largely through the independent
rock community, and not just here in NYC and NJ either.
I initially appeared on the the show as a guest and I guess
our host John Houlihan and producer Tömmy Röckstar
immediately picked up on my dedication to the mutual interests
associated with the show. Since I've moved away from the
NYC area I continue to support the show by booking guests,
designing the weekly promotional images, and promoting the
show on social media. The show is still focused on discussion
regarding (but exclusive to): good music and those who create
it, good comedy and those who best understand it, crap/not
crap, The Ryan Game, TRNN NOOZ, and Mario Asaro.
You grew up in a few stops from me in Bayside, Queens.
Some of my earleist adventures included heading to Flushing's
Main St. and eventually Mike's Comic Hut. Can you share
some of your early impressions of living in Queens?
I lived in Bayside, Queens until I was 11 years old, where
my experiences on my own were limited to nearby destinations
along Bell Blvd such as Peter Pan Arcade, White Castle,
George's Pizza, the Bayside Batting Range, and Bayside Cinema
(where I saw Empire Strikes Back, E.T., Stripes, and Poltergeist).
My grandparents lived in Flushing on Main Street so I was
there often, and of course this proximity made me a regular
attendee at Shea (whether legitimately or vagrantly, heh).
My dad moved around a lot but always remained in Queens,
so I've resided all over neighborhoods such as Forrest Hills,
Woodside, and Astoria.
| Brian's poster for Jersey Beat's anniversary show
What initially interested you in art and how did it influence
your decision to go to Art school?
As a hyperactive kid, music on the stereo in my ears and
a pencil and paper in my hands were the only things that
kept my interest as child. By the time I survived the social
warfare of a suburban NJ high school (my mom remarried and
moved us to Englishtown, NJ in 1983) I knew that a liberal
college, state school, or community college was not for
me.
You designed the logo for U.B.R.S. Aside from here and
the work you've done for Stuyvesant. Who else have you worked
with?
I've designed animation for comedians such as Patton Oswalt
and Brian Posehn, and my clients include Warner Bros Records
and Relapse Records.
The bass has long been my favorite instrument. Was it
the first instrument you learned to play? Inspiration?
My first ever instrument learned was bass drum for my grade
school band. Moving on to junior high, I wasn't focused
enough or disciplined to study drums, so I started piano
(which sucked.) In high school, I fancied myself a Hardcore
singer with Wake Up Call, and by college I had taken up
bass because the band that I was in at the time (Overeasy
with Brandon Stosuy, formerly editor of Pitchfork) just
had their bassist quit. To this day I can still not play
chords. I live for pushing air and fattening riffs.
What was/were some of the first bands you played with?
My first ever band was in 1986, I played Casio keys for
a middle school rap group that consisted of two white guys
and two black guys called The Funky 4 (no relation to the
much more accomplished The Funky Four Plus One of the Bronx.)
We played talent shows and battle of the bands. In high
school, I was in a home-recording "basement band"
with my best friend called Spleverb. Spelverb were reminiscent
of Ween (I guess) and by the time of graduation we had evolved
to a full 4 piece band. I was in a few punk bands that never
got off the ground in the early 90s, and then in 1996 I
was introduced to the members of FRC.
I first learned about Friends, Romans, Countrymean from
Al Crisafulli (Dromedary / Sugarblast Records). Can you tell
me how you met Sean and how the band came to be?
Bill Dolan (American Standard) and I were both at the first
big Descendents reunion show at the Stone Pony where he
introduced me to FRC members Sean Adams and Dan Murphy,
who were in need of a bass player. So we connected really
easily being that, after all, we were together at a Descendents
show (no pun intended,) and we all lived in or around the
Hoboken/Jersey City area. I played and recorded with FRC
from 1996-2002, and then in 2003 Sean and I joined Ralph
Malanga from Footstone to form Stuyvesant.
If you had the chance to read my review of Tru's 2016 demo
and my thoughts on their performance in what was my first
and thus far, sole show review, you might get the impression
that I think that they’re all that and a big ole’
bag of chips. Well, while all that might be (no pun intended)
TRUE, I thought I proper to save my real enthusiasm for when
they put something on wax. Well folks, they just have. So
excuse we while I get a little bit excited here.
On the band’s debut self -titled four song EP, New
Jersey’s TRU blend burly bass lines and guitar hero
riffs that add muscle and texture to toned down dreamy vocal
landscapes. Mixing elements most likely to be found with
dream pop and shoegaze vocalsm, they weave a perfect web
that is virtually inescapable. The EP’s opening track
“Take a Peek” offers itself as a perfect introduction
to the band’s sound and approach with its warm and
uplifting sound. “Trouble,” a holdover from
their 2016 demo, follows with its warm and infectious vocals,
spiraling guitar, and supportive backbeat. “Kristi”
and “Hand in Hand” ride the same bus with warm
lead vocals and even warmer refrains. One can’t help
but fall in love with a band that so effortlessly blends
elements of guitar rock with the lush landscapes often found
in the best that shoegaze acts, both past and present, have
to offer.
With members from local New Jersey acts such as Archie
Alone, Dutchguts, Lkffct, Threat 2 Society and Washington
Square Park, to name just a few, TRU’s personnel seem
like unlikely choice when it comes to creating such a chill,
laid back music environment. However, regardless of any
past or current associations. TRU strive and succeed in
creating artful sounds that see them escaping any and all
genre and geographical limitations. I can’t wait for
my record to arrive. Get it here...
The
Sweet Things – Love to Leave / Cocaine Asslicker Blues
(facebook.com/thesweetthingsnyc)
Here I am about to write another long overdue review while
wondering why, after all these years, anyone would care about
my opinion on music. So, when my friend, Spaghettytown Records
founder Ted Dougherty handed me the latest and second label
release The Sweet Things “Love to Leave” single,
I quickly embraced my role as reviewer / skewer and got to
work on throwing my weighty opinion around.
As New York descends into becoming a giant strip mall for
tourists and high rise living yuppies with Wall Street salaries,
it’s good to know that there are still bands like
The Sweet Things fighting their way upward from the cracks
in the sidewalk that once fostered the likes of the Ramones,
N.Y. Dolls and Dead Boys with “Love to Leave”
and its Johnny Thunders inspired B side, “Cocaine
Asslicker Blues.” The Sweet Things finds influence
in various genres that include, but do not limit themselves
to the Blues, Southern Rock, 70’s Punk and straight
up Rock & Roll.
The Sweet Things introduce themselves with a boogie and
swagger that quickly resonates with this listener. Bringing
to mind 1970’s Rolling Stones as well as the grossly
underrated act known as The Faces. This single spins on
limited release pink vinyl. I suggest you get it while the
getting’s good. Get it here...
The
Fiendz – Fossils (Black Pumpkin Records)
If you lived in or travelled through New Jersey in the late
1980’s or 90’s, you most likely heard the Fiendz,
owned one of their records, and might have even seen them
play a show or two at the Pipeline or City Gardens or any
other lost yet beloved music venue sprinkled throughtout the
Garden State.
I must have been sixteen or seventeen when I was introduced
to the Fiendz by future Electric Frankenstein bassist Dan
Canzonieri. I have to admit it was a tough sale for a kid
from Queens who, at the time, worshiped at the altar of bands
like Minor Threat, Bad Brains and Agnostic Front. Let’s
just say harmonic songs about girls weren’t my thing.
It wasn’t until Dan handed me a copy of the band’s
first single, “Runaway with Me,” that I surrendered
to The Fiendz and their knack of creating catchy pop punk
that welcomed you to sing along to every note.
Before long, I was running into Joe and Jimmy at parties,
and making friends with them while learning about countless
other mutual fiendz.
The unreleased Fossils unearths recordings by
the classic lineup of Jerry Jones, Jimmy and Joe Darone,
with 10 songs written by Jerry and Joe and produced by Tim
(Rumblefish) Gilles, during what I would consider the band's
height. This material is easily comparable to the albums
We’re the Fiendz and Wact.
While the Fiendz most definitely found influence in the
likes of The Ramones and Jersey horrorcore greats The Misfits,
their sound was a mix of harmony and Power Pop. (What if
The Ramones had recorded End of the Century with
The Beach Boys Brian Wilson instead of the maniacal Phil
Spector?)
While I have to admit that I haven’t paid much attention
to The Fiendz in the decades since these songs were written,
I thoroughly enjoyed having the chance to hear this. Mostly
though, it was the memories of younger days. The Fiendz
are still playing and releasing music today, with Jerry
being the only original member. Fossils is available
on CD and in digital download.
Warzone
– The Victory Years
Like many people my age. I was introduced to Warzone through
the Revelation Records EP compilation “Together”
and the band’s debut EP “Lower East Side Crew.”
Truth be told, my interest in Warzone became almost non-existent
after “Open Your Eyes” and the disastrous self-titled
mess that followed. By the time Raybeez and crew moved over
to Victory Records, I had all but moved on from Hardcore altogether.
So much so that I had no idea that The Victory Years
was originally released on CD in 1998, shortly after Ray’s
untimely death in 97’. Regardless, the vinyl release
had me reminiscing about a man who was instrumental in my
starting a NYHC fanzine around the same time their debut album
Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget the
Streets” was staking its claim on the streets of
Manhattan.
Along with Jimmy G. (Murphy’s Law) and Vinnie Stigma
(Agnostic Front,) Ray Barbieri (Agnostic Front / Warzone)
was one of the most original and endearing characters to
come out of New York City’s Hardcore scene and movement
Most surprisingly, these 17 tracks of Hardcore Punk and
Oi really stand the test of time, evoking memories of younger
days and reinstating my love for a style of music that,
for me at least, once represented a sense of acceptance
and community.
Thanks to this and the recently reissued Don’t
forget the struggle…, my appreciation has grown
for Warzone and Ray’s dedication to the music and
worldwide hardcore scene he helped create. Though the band's
message of positive thinking and unity could sometimes seem
a bit corny, it always came from a a very sincere and honest
place. The Victory Years are deserving of the attention
of anyone even remotely interested in hardcore, punk or
Oi. While you’re on the hunt, I urge you to also pick
up a copy of Revelation Records' recent reissue of Don’t
Forget the Struggle…Don’t Forget the Streetshere...
Record
Aficionado – Volume 1 U.S. Hardcore / Punk 1978 –
1985
How many times have we either kicked ourselves in the collective
consciousness for selling off our original punk and hardcore
records. (Oh those limited first pressings still haunt my
dreams.) Or wished we were around to pick up those round
stacks of wax when they bore their original “pay no
more” pocket change price.
As a kid growing up with a love and fascination for vinyl
records, I was always eager to see what was inside. The
lyrics, image, graphics and that oh-so-important “Thank
You List”. Information that made you feel closer to
the band as you listened to their music.
Record Aficionado goes further than many other books, fanzines
and record collecting websites, in that it goes beyond the
record cover to show the inner works and structure,
highlighting the records A and B side and reprints the record's
inlay/lyric sheet, stickers, record label advertisements,
as well as an accompanying record review from the time.
144 pages of two color printing featuring over 500 images
dedicated to every aspect of many hard to find, long out
of print EP’s that reshaped Punk while initiating
the birth of American Hardcore, from the Abused to Youth
of Today. Record Aficionado has it covered. Comparable to
Europe’s much sought after two volume Flex Discography,
all at a quarter of the price one volume would fetch.
Whether you regret selling that first pressing. Or, for
reasons beyond your control, were never able to grab an
original, Record Aficionado provides the visual stimulation
and/or blueprint for you to embark on your journey towards
record collection perfection.
While the book's binding leaves a bit to be desired. Its
content is as thorough as it is outstanding. The painstaking
attention to detail, cut and paste style and overall fanzine
style give Record Aficionada a personal touch that feels
as warm and intimate as your very own record collection.
An absolute must for record aficionados, collectors and
music archivists alike. For under twenty-five dollars. You
really can’t go wrong.
Even
Worse – We Suck! (The Lost 1982 Album)
If it were not for ROIR’s cassette only label and its
now legendary “N.Y. Trash” compilation. My taste
and knowledge of Punk may have never gotten past the Clash,
Sex Pistols, Ramones stage of my early adolescence. For it
was that trip to Broadway’s Tower Records that I got
my first taste of Heart Attack, Bad Brains, Stimulators, Kraut
(A band who, thanks to my Mom, I had seen open for The Clash
at Bonds Casino), Even Worse and many, many more. And while
I was much too young to have gone to those shows at Max’s
Kansas City, A7 and the Great Gildersleeves. That particular
compilation served as a spring board for what was to come.
Even Worse, one of the many bands featured on “N.Y.
Trash” were an integral part of New York’s early
80’s punk, thrash, noise scene. A band who at different
times featured Beastie Boy co-founder John Berry (R.I.P.),
The Big Takeover creator/editor Jack Rabid, Thurston Moore
(Sonic Youth) and future “Noise the Show” host
Timmy Sommer. Even Worse played fast, up tempo punk rock
with bratty female vocals that can be compared to many of
their New York City contemporaries. As well as their West
Coast counterparts, Alice Bag (the Bags) and the Avengers.
Punk Thrash at it’s very best. It was post Pistols
/ Sid Vicious Punk. Pre-Agnostic Front era N.Y.H.C. Recorded
at the legendary 171A studios and co-produced by Bad Brains.
The album’s B side feature’s the band performing
live at the famed New York City restaurant/club/bar Max’s
Kansas City in 1981. (The same year it closed.) Imported
from Italy and limited to only five hundred copies on 180
Gram vinyl. “We Suck” includes rare images of
the band as well as very personal liner notes from the bands
drummer Jack Rabid. This is a must for fans of more obscure
and undocumented punk and prototypical art-punk.
“We Suck” does a fantastic job of encapsulating
a time and place in New York City’s proud music history.
One that I feel has been shrouded in mystique due to its
limited amount and incredibly hard to track down recorded
history. Here’s hoping that “We Suck!”
opens the doors to more lost treasures as well as re-issues
of long out of print release from bands such as Heart Attack,
The Mad and many, many more.
If your childhood consisted of trips to Korvettes, Woolworth
or Caldor, chances are your parents were either price savvy
or economically strapped. Growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens,
I myself was familiarized with 82nd Street's Woolworths at
a very young age. So, when New York City’s Caldor Kids
dropped their ten song self-titled ode to discount chain stores
in my email, I immediately got the connection.
On what seems to be their debut, Caldor Kids deliver a
set of geeky garage punk that reminded this listener of
a cross between old garage punk favorites Crimpshrine and
perhaps a poorer man’s Screeching Weasel. Though based
in New York City, Caldor Kids' sound, style and approach
feels like something that fell out of the Lookout Records
family tree. Fast, noisy, adolescent and loose with bratty
vocals, I felt an East Bay connection running through each
of the record's 10 songs. I really enjoyed the song “Pop
Tart” with its fast and loose bass attack as well
as the familiarity of “Caldor Kids” (a spoof
on the original “Toys R Us kids” commercial.)
Overall though, Caldor Kids hardly warrant more than a casual
listen or two. Beyond that, it just gets plain irritating.
As raucous as this might sound, Caldor Kids seem destined
for the circular file at your local discount store’s
cut out bin.
Pete,
Cimdy and Pats’ Birthday Bash featuring Whiner, Tru,
Archie Alone, No Honeymoon, Puddle Splasher at The Meatlocker.
This past Saturday I headed west to Montclair’s Meatlocker
music venue for Pete and Cindy’s (Archie Alone drummer
and guitarist) Birthday Bash show. There was food, champagne,
friends, family and plenty of music. Five bands with varied
sounds that ranged from Shoegaze and Dream Pop to Emo and
Indie Rock performed. Over the years The Meat Locker has
been a consistent landing strip for local and touring bands
from varying sounds, styles and genres.
The venue's cavernous layout and sense of community combine
the structural feel of CBGB’s with the DIY ethos of
ABC No Rio. For me, personally, attending shows there has
become as much about the people as it is about the music.
Below are some images taken at and after the show. Happy
Birthday to Cindy and Pete.
Courtesy
Tier – Everyone’s OK (Beverly Martel Music)
If it weren’t for my tagging along with Jim Testa to
2011’s 3-day Brick City Riot Festival. I might have
completely missed the opportunity to become acquainted with
the music and personnel of Courtesy Tier. With a name one
might find at a hotel career seminar and a sound you wouldn’t
expect to hear coming out of any New York club or bar, the
chances they’d soon become so important to me seemed
unlikely. Judging on what I witnessed from the duo’s
performance and EP’s that followed, that importance
quickly grew stronger and stronger.
Enter 2017 and we’re greeted with Courtesy Tier’s
first vinyl output, the very rewarding “Everyone’s
Ok”. It brings together 11 songs that showcase the
trio's gift for creating a hauntingly beautiful mix of soulful
blues rock you’ll seldom hear north of the bayou,
Spirited songs that read like a dirty old pulp fiction novel
left on the nightstand next to the bottle of Makers Mark.
The 11-song LP opens with the long time personal favorite
“Cold,” previously featured on 2011’s
“Holy Hot Fire” EP. This is a song that’s
become so special to me that I feel I’ve come to know
every aspect of it intimately. “Childish Blues”
follows with Omer Leibovitz’s squealing blues riffs
and unique vocal style. By the time the album's third track
“And we don’t know” presents itself, it
becomes more than evident that you’re being treated
to something uniquely special and rewarding. Favorites from
the album include but are definitely not limited to the
haunting “Cold”, “Little Rock”,
the driving “Jackson”, “Hey Bee”
the incredibly bluesy storyteller “Mila Says”
and the album's closing tear jerker, “Home”.
With Courtesy Tier blurring the lines of style sand genre,
simply categorizing them as blues rock or alt-country would
be a serious disservice. A “What if Jack White and
Ryan dams hijacked the panels of an otherwise dreary Wilco
recording session?” comparison will have to do for
now. You’d be hard pressed to find a record as thoroughly
good as “Everyone’s OK”. Eleven songs
that feel so perfectly crafted, you’re sure to have
it in heavy rotation for the unforeseeable future.
Just when you thought that hardcore punk had run out of
every possible way to incorporate the word “Youth
in to their name, Charleston, South Carolina’s Backwards
Youth put the name game in reverse before putting their
brash approach to hardcore on blast.
“Reality Check,” the follow up to their 2014
EP “Outcast,” features 6 songs of well rounded,
metal influenced hardcore. Growled vocals, breakdowns, beefy
guitar riffs and a pounding backbeat highlighted by thick
bass lines, producing short, yet satisfying results. Overall,
it was the cleverly (insert sarcasm) titled instrumental
“Intro” and the EP’s fifth track “Life
Sentence” with its well-rounded metal core sound that
stood above the others.
“Reality Check” was tracked and mixed by Kris
Hilbert at Legitimate Business. Mastering is by Brad Boatright
at Audiosiege. Album art is by Chad Lawson, with track listing
art by Preston Weippert. Guest vocals on Excuse are by Patrick
Thomas of False Light. The record is available to download
or stream.
Fresh for your boom box comes a five-song demo cassette
from a new band that sounds as if it was carved out of an
80’s CBGB’s Sunday hardcore matinee. Featuring
membership from both the Garden State and Virginia, the
cast of Wall Breaker have played in such bands as Wormeaters,
Chainsaw to the Face and the very influential Coke Bust.
Wall Breaker come out of the gate swinging with a five-song
demo of raw, savage and blistering straightedge hardcore
you don’t often here in youth crew circles, asomewhat
rare trait that I found to be particularly impressive. Adding
speed and an updated sound to influences like Boston’s
S.S.D., Detroit’s Negative Approach and later 80’s
bastards of hardcore New York’s Life’s Blood.
The band's overall sense of purpose, swagger and intensity
allow Wall Breaker to set them apart from being just your
random act playing to their influences.
As I began to compose this review. I reached out and shared
the recording with some likeminded friends, including Life’s
Blood singer Jason O’Toole. The response was overwhelmingly
positive, and only served to reinforce my own feelings,
even though no one is being tested on their knowledge or
appreciation of music created when Reagan was still popping
jellybeans in the Oval Office. No matter the era, I always
find it easier to identify with a band that took the time
to listen, appreciate, and be influenced by such essential
stuff. For a band that is still very much in their infancy.
Wall Breaker really leaves a lasting impression.
The opening song “Wall Breaker” serves as a
perfect introduction with its forceful chorus: “Break
the fucking walls!!! Break the fucking walls!!!” “Autobiography,”
the band's fifth and final one, wraps things up rather well
with a short yet laugh educing skit. For someone just being
introduced to a new and current hardcore punk act, this
is about as good as it gets.
Cassette available through Absolute Contempt Records and
is is limited to 200 copies on pro duplicated white and
black cassettes (BE=100 white, AC=100 black) and glossy
printed covers. I suggest not sleeping on this one. Any
and all the money from donations and any profit from the
tapes goes to cat rescue as per usual.
While It might seem as if I’ve been hearing about New
Jersey’s Forever Losing Sleep… well, forever.
I can trace the first rumblings to an actual show they played
way back in 2014. I recall a friend talking up the band during
their exhaustingly long pre-show set up. Imagine my dissatisfaction
when what took nearly an hour to set up was sleepily performed
in a quarter of that time. A ton of build up with no climax.
To say the very least. I was not the least bit moved.
More than three years later I’m hearing the band
again for the first time again on a two-song split with
Boston, MA’s Arrowhead.
Forever Losing Sleep start things off with “Woken
by the Sun,” taking their slow, slower, slowest approach
to comatose depths of self-indulgent prog–rock indulgence.
Even when singer/guitarist Joe Kelly screams during the
9:00 plus minute track, it seems to be done while in a catatonic
state. Arrowhead follow, taking an almost exact sloth like
pace. The only difference being singer Tad Rios seems to
curse the sky a little louder. Perhaps trying to make up
for the nine or so less seconds it took to finish the song.
Regardless, it’s dull, duller dullest all the way
through.
Being a long-time fan of the split single. I’ve learned
that combining acts with different sounds, ideas and aesthetics,
tend to make for a better listen. On this particular split,
though, I could find little to no differences between the
two. If you have the time in your life to devote your attention
to a couple of songs delivered in a snail’s pace of
17 minutes, more power to you. For me personally, it was
an exercise in misery. If I as ever to write a suicide note,
it would, in all likelihood, be accompanied by this release.
If George Orwell and Orson Welles ever set out to start a
Punk or Hardcore band, chances are it would sound a lot like
New Jersey’s Aguirre. Considering their 2015 demo ‘Poverty
Rowe’ was accompanied with a dark, black and white film
noir movie concept, the thought doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
Part demo, part film college thesis, it was as outlandish
as it was brilliant.
Come 2017 and the band has returned with their first full
length ‘Overexposed’. I was invited by singer
Patrick Flynn and drummer Paul Alan to give these ten songs
an authoritative listen before putting in my two cents.
To start with, ‘Overexposed’ does a lot to
set itself apart from what’s being called Hardcore
or Punk these days. Not to say that there is anything wrong
with being a Hardcore act in 2017. Or for that matter, any
year. It’s just that I haven’t heard a whole
lot that sets one band apart from the other recently. Musically,
‘Overexposed’ goes in a lot of interesting directions
you won’t hear from in your typical Joe Hardcore act.
Vocally, Aguirre lead a dark path with sinister vocals that
sound as if they were a prophetic narrative warning of darker
days to come. Timely, considering the current political
landscape. One can really appreciate the sense of storytelling
throughout. Whether intended or not, each of the 10 songs
feel connected, as if they were written with the intention
of being the score to a George Romero movie. I can say with
all honesty that I like where Aguirre are taking things.
“Overexposed” is available on cassette and digitally.
Moot
Point – "History Repeats Itself and We Never
Learn Fast Enough" EP (Bandcamp)
Greg Furlong is by far one of the nicest people I’ve
met through going to shows (my social media jabs regarding
his taste in music aside.) As the drummer for Basement Beers
and Scary Stories, he stands out as one of the best and most
animated stickmen in the state. Being how those two acts have
served me well in the somewhat recent past, I was eager to
give these newly recorded songs some attention and focus.
Having barely heard of the duo known as Moot Point. I approached
this two-song recording with little to no knowledge of the
band or the style of music they played, an approach that
didn’t change how completely off guard I felt upon
listening to these two short and very abrasive tracks. Raw,
unhinged, chaotic and dissonant would best describe the
sound being put forth on these songs.
Featuring Vince Basile (guitar/vocals/lyrics) and Greg
Furlong. “History Repeats...” two songs screamer
is more Power Violence, Screamo, Noise Rock than its predecessor,
2016’s garage rock friendly “Clockwatcher.”
With “A clear head of thought” and “History”
coming together in just about four and a half minutes, I
had a hard time judging just what it was I liked or disliked
about this particular recording. However, I’m grateful
in that it gave me the chance to compare it to their previous
recordings. Whether or not this is your kind of noise, it’s
definitely worth checking out.
I still recall the numerous times I stopped in to Some Records
when in route to the Sunday Hardcore matinees at CBGB’s.
It was the main spot to check out flyers for upcoming shows.
Peruse the latest Hardcore releases and pick up the latest
cassette demos from the latest bands in the scene. It’s
how I began to build my arsenal of demo tapes. It’s
where I picked up the first Breakdown demo.
Years later. After owning every conceivable reissue and
version of that original tape. The first full length LP
had me wondering whether or not to proceed. Was there anything
new to learn or hear. Was there any necessity in owning,
yet another copy? A full color 12X24 poster to tape to the
walls of my brother’s college dorm and extensive liner
notes to base my graduate school thesis on? Yes. A fully
restored recording of their live performance on WNYU’s
Crucial Chaos that I originally taped on my home’s
boom box? Check. In the end, though. A combination of nostalgia
meets familiarity made my purchase a sure thing.
Raw, unflinching and streetwise. The nearly thirty-year-old
demo still stands strong. The nine-song recording that almost
singlehandedly changed the face of New York Hardcore by
giving it a tougher edge. (One possibly absent due to bands
like The Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front’s fleeing the
lower east side due to touring commitments.) While almost
simultaneously offering a counterweight to Youth of Today
and the countless bands that were forming at the time.
Side A features the 87’ demo in its entirety. Nine
classic mosh classics like ‘Kickback’, ‘Life
of Bullshit’, ‘Vengeance’, ‘Labelled’,
‘You Gotta Fight’ and ‘Sick People’.
Great songs that reflected life’s everyday struggles.
To make this a full blast LP. The bands 87’s WNYU
Crucial Chaos greets side B. Their live set includes the
entire demo. Plus, the additional instrumental ‘Pipe
Dream’.
Breakdown would go on to be featured on such classic Hardcore
compilations as “In addition to recording another
classic demo and a couple of full lengths. The band would
be featured on the incredibly influential Revelation Records
“The Way it is”, Blackout Records “Where
the Wild Things Are” and one of the last tape collections
of its time. The “New Breed Compilation”.
For most though, it was the 87’ demo that would go
on to influence and become the springboard for countless
hardcore acts in and for decades to come. If you love Hardcore.
The 87’ demo should already be an important tool in
your box. If you ever wanted to educate yourself on the
development of late 80’s Hardcore in New York City.
This would be a great start.
I ran into an old friend at a local music venue the other
night. Though I hadn’t seen him in quite some time.
I felt more than comfortable reintroducing myself with a big
man hug.
We talked briefly about music and in particular, our mutual
appreciation for guitarist John Mayer and singer / songwriter
Ryan Adams. As we broke the ice. I felt the doors for further
exchange were opened for further dialogue. So, I asked what
he had been up to since our last encounter. When he revealed
that he was currently playing in Rocky & The Chapter.
The smile on my face was hard to conceal. For it had been
just minutes’ prior when I was speaking to his former
bandmate, NGHTCRWLRS guitarist and Sniffling Indie Kids label
boss Frank Joseph about an upcoming record release show featuring
the very same act I am about to write about.
Following a handful of singles as well as 2015 full length
‘ New Day / Old’ Here. (A record I found to
be deeply rewarding.) ‘You are not Mine’ welcomes
the singer / songwriter back to the table with sweet, yet
sweeping melodies that move effortlessly throughout. Ones
that perfectly encapsulate a sense of warmth and the promise
of good things to come.
‘You Are Not Mine’ offers a crisp Pop sound
with enough kicked up guitar riffs to give it an undeniable
rock edge. The added cowbell effect to the infectious guitar
driven leads on ‘Lucky 13’ launched me from
the couch to my hardwood floors faster than any recent calls
to the dinner table.
The following and EP closing track ‘Talk Small’
had all the sinister edge and longing to perfectly wrap
up an otherwise celebratory affair.
Four songs that gave me a continued appreciation and respect
for the Singer/songwriter camp. Rocky’s voice has
a special pull that draws that the listener close enough
to the song to make them feel as if they’re a part
of it. I’m looking forward to picking up a copy this
weekend at Jersey City’s Porta.
Sometimes, a good thing just falls into your lap. Such is
the case with the two-song offering from Raleigh, NC’s
Night Battles. Featuring members of various local NC acts
as well as old friend and guitarist Christopher Skelly. (Dahlia
Seed / Static is a City) Night Battles lay down some diabolical
post punk scripture on their debut two song release.
“Curse the Day” introduces Night Battles with
devilish vocals and gasoline soaked riffs. Dirty post core
that kicked in like a shot of whiskey with a rattlesnake
chaser. Knocking me off my balance while jacking my heart
rate to dangerous levels. Side effects aside. I really dig
the deviant nature it conjures up. The “Sinner takes
all” vibe displayed here cannot go without noting.
“Locust Sky” follows. Providing a musically
visual authority to its namesake with a slower, even more
ominous approach. Imagine Afghan Wigs and Laughing Hyenas
waist deep in the sludgy industrial complex along the side
of the highway.
While these two teasers had “Best stuff around”
written all over them. I was left wondering how soon the
collected personnel would get back in the studio for more.
Regardless of future collaborations. I appreciate Night
Battles reminder that great things often come in small packages.
Nostalgia is a funny thing. on the downside. It has a way
of stealing your time, as well as your hard-earned money.
Spend too much time in the past and you'll find yourself
trapped there. On the upside. Or at least in this case.
Nostalgia has a strange way of freezing moments tucked so
far in your past. You never realized you had retained them.
As a teen, I spent most of my free and not so free time
involved in the New York Hardcore scene. The majority of
it, spent with the members and close friends of a band called
Gorilla Biscuits. During my senior year of High School.
The name “Beyond” would come up quite regularly.
High praise from Walter and Civ. Shortly after graduation.
I was invited to share a rather large Queens apartment with
Walter, Civ and Beyond drummer Allan Cage. It was during
that time I got a full-blown taste of what was a very special
and unique band.
Originally released in 1989 on David Stein’s Combined
Effort label and later reissued on compact disc by New York’s
Some Records. Revelation Records brings the epic New York
Hardcore release back to life with a well-deserved vinyl
reissue.
While often bunched in with the bands like Youth of Today
and Gorilla Biscuits. (Bands they shared bills with as well
as common ground and philosophy.) Beyond's sound and influences
were had just as much in common with Iron Maiden as they
did Minor Threat.) With Metal tinged guitars, tribal drums,
and lyrics that travelled outside the boundaries of Hardcore
and Punks topics of the day.
Though short lived. Beyond personnel would quickly go on
to push the boundaries of Hardcore in acts such as Bold,
Burn, Shelter, 108, Quicksand, Seaweed, 1.6 Band, Last Crime
and more.
Featuring the albums original fifteen songs. “No Longer
at Ease” has aged incredibly well. The Metal tinged
guitar shredding and tribal drumming I mentioned sound just
as vital and fresh as they did when I was a teen. Add Kevin
Egan’s vocal urgency and the Vic Dicara’s sinister
bass work and you’ll find yourself listening to a
record that feels as just as urgent and necessary as it
felt when it was first released.
With liner notes by Walter Schreifels, song lyrics and the
option grey or red marble. “No Longer at Ease”
offers something for everyone. Beyond
on Revelation Records
Search
– Between the Lines (Revelation Records)
Sharpen your X’s. Dirty up those old cargo shorts
and dust off that old backwards Thrasher cap. It’s
time to go back to that old reliable fountain of straight
edge middle aged youth with the debut six song 7 inch from
the newly formed SEARCH. Comprised of personnel from such
stellar New Jersey straight edge hardcore acts Mouthpiece,
Turning Point and Floorpunch. SEARCH set out to create music
in the vein of Youth of Today the youth crew movement that
initially influenced them to start bands as teenagers.
“Between the Lines” features six songs packed
with all the thunderous glory of Hardcore past and present
with fast and furious urgency and intent. Spirited guitar
leads, dep rolling bass lines and percussion. All led by
the familiar voice of Mouthpiece, Hands Tied and Triple
Threat vocalist Tim McMahon.
While Search have done an excellent job with “Between
the Lines”. Their debut is nothing one wouldn’t
expect from a group of straight edge kids in their early
to mid 40’s.
Reliable or just plain predictable. The band sticks to what
they know and love so closely. That it ends up sounding
more like an ode to the past than a look to the future.
The hope of hearing something new and fresh never presented
itself. Making the record somewhat of a letdown. Six songs
that would complement any of Revelation Records (1987-1989)
earliest classics. A nice, colorful slab of vinyl tucked
neatly into a pliable cardboard sleeve. Nice, but not all
that necessary. Search
on Revelation Records.com
NYC
Headhunters - The Rage of the City
Comprised of members of The Rival Mob, Step Forward and
more. NYC Headhunters represent a new breed of Hardcore
bands bringing it back to a resurging NYHC scene. Still
abuzz from the band's well-received 2015 demo. I was eager
to hear what the Headhunters debut 7' inch EP would offer.
True to Hardcore form. The NYC Headhunters haven't strayed
very far from the ingredients that made their demo so god
damned good. Cutthroat vocals that blend Hardcore's aggression
with street punk's urgency and sense of alienation. The
five songs offered on 'The Rage of the City' are each impressive
in their own way. Musically and lyrically tight with a sound
that frequently reminds me of late 80's NYHC without sounding
anything like a nostalgia act. Overall, 'The Rage of the
City' feels raw, real and very authentic. Painkiller
Records
TRUE
VISION – Against the Grain (Painkiller Record)
Following their 2015 self-titled cassette release on Mind
Rot Records. England’s True Vision return with their
debut EP 'Against the Grain'. Featuring members of Violent
Reaction, Shrapnel, Arms Race and The Flex. Their lineup
reads like a who's who in the ranks of England's most currently
celebrated Hardcore and Oi bands.
All parts considered. True Vision exhibit a complete and
total lack of originality or ability to create anything
even remotely original. Instead, sticking to a cookie cutter,
cut and paste, play by the book approach to straight edge
Hardcore. Whereas countless others have proudly worn their
influences on their sleeves. True Vision recorded a record
that feels sleeved in decades old clichés. Upon my
first listen to True Identity sounded more like a band covering
early Revelation Records EP’s than one creating their
own sound and vision. Energy and speed? Yes. Any sense of
a band creating their own identity? Absolutely not. Disappointing.
Contact PainKiller
Records.
AGGRESSION
PACT - S/T 7' inch (Painkiller Records)
Formed by Dan, (Waste Management) and Ryan (Green Beret.
Two bands I admittedly have never heard of) as well as members
of personal favorites, Richmond's Wasted Time. Aggression
Pact is yet another band that finds influence days gone
by. With hints of A.O.D., B.G.K. as well as other acronym
leading bands of the 8o's. A.P.'s six-song debut EP wrecks-havoc
on the senses while endearing the listener to its savage
bar room brawl appeal. Intended or not.
On the bands six song debut EP. A.P. Do a very good job
of making an impact with their fast, razor sharp delivery
that doesn’t stop long enough for you to take a cigarette
break. And while I definitely felt a Boston / Choke / Slapshot
influence.
More closely, Aggression Pact reminded me of 'An Adjustment
to Society' era Kraut. (In case you've never heard of New
York's Kraut. That's about as good a compliment as you can
give.) An all-around excellent record from a band well worth
your time.
Bios are perhaps, one of the most overlooked parts of being
an artist, or in this case a band. So, when I read “We’re
a band from Jersey who like Weezer.” didn’t come
near describing the newly formed TRÜ. I reached to the
newly formed band’s bass player and friend for something
a bit more telling. Formed in late 2016 as a side project
for members of various local bands including, but not limited
to Dutchguts, LKFFCT,
Threat 2 Society and Archie Alone. What started out as a side
project for the four members quickly became a priority.
On their two-song demo, TRÜ produce sounds and ideas
unexplored in any output with the previously mentioned endeavors.
The chill, down to earth vibe on the demo’s second
track “Fool’s Gold” is just as seductive
on the ears. Perhaps offering more of a slightly more uplifting
vibe. With parts dream pop and parts shoe gaze. One can't
help but think of Belle & Sebastianne cruising down
the NJ Turnpike with Beach House riding shotgun.
TRÜ just recently recorded a 4 track EP 7” inch
EP at Nada Recording Studios with John Naclario. It's planned
Spring 2017 release on the soon to be born “Destroy
All Monsters” label. Though just a sample of things
to come. I felt TRÜ feft a nice calling card clearly
outlining the promise of things to come. Contact Tru
JerseyBeat.com
is an independently published music fanzine
covering punk, alternative, ska, techno and garage
music, focusing on New Jersey and the Tri-State
area. For the past 25 years, the Jersey Beat music
fanzine has been the authority on the latest upcoming
bands and a resource for all those interested in
rock and roll.
JerseyBeat.com
is an independently published music fanzine
covering punk, alternative, ska, techno and garage
music, focusing on New Jersey and the Tri-State
area. For the past 25 years, the Jersey Beat music
fanzine has been the authority on the latest upcoming
bands and a resource for all those interested in
rock and roll.