Organised Sports - "Beaker of AIDS" DLEP

OH YES! haha, its Organised Sports download only EP "Beaker of AIDS" up for review! This Ipswich/C-Town based five piece HC band (featuring our very own Nick on bass, Jim of the now defunct No Quarter on vocals, Liam on drums, and Jamie and Bunkle on guitars of Dungeons...Bunkle often performing drumming duty as well) actually, amid the chaos, managed to release four unrelenting balls to the wall Hardcore tracks of sheer thrashing terror!

I have suffered numerous injuries from Jim and his slobbering showman ship, flailing wildly into the audience, infact my lip still bares the scares from when I nearly bit through it and spent 2 hours in A&E after he nutted me...a wound that still causes me hassel to this day...cunt...
The band were chaos and despite playing some pretty decent shows, soon became defuncted after Nick and Jim decided they were destined for better things, which Ive not seen yet.

2 of the tracks remain untitled and its the first one, "Track 1" that I enjoy the most. Having no lyrics sheet and Jims frantic shouts making whatever is being said uncomprehendable, its sure aural sound is what appeals most, with Bunkle, "Man of Wonders" excellent guitarmanship, some superb drumming, FUCK, even Nick manages to pull off a decent bass line. Its got some decent alternating vocals too.

DAMMIT! Head on over to http://www.myspace.com/organisedsportshardcore and download this uber rare gem. Maybe someone will bootleg it and a hard copy will begin to circulate.

Best band ever, dick all over Fucked Up and Black Flag.

J.W. [DIY/Myspace]

Direct Control - Direct Control 7"

This might be really old, but I just got it; one song in and I'm already in awe on how fucking awesome Direct Control actually are. Another outstanding release from KANGAROO records. Songs I personally can empathise with, and punk rock that doesn't let go. Forget all this shit with breakdowns, poppy mosh parts and songs about how true 'til death you are, fast, un-pretentious bands like this is what hardcore punk should be about. Shit artwork though, and the logo looks like it was drawn by a one armed monkey - I don't know the band, so maybe it was? - Nick [Kangaroo]

Column - Scene Critique

So, here I am, sitting in front of my humble little compu-think machine, half trying to think of what to write, half listening to Scholastic Deth and the other half shrugging off Nick trying to make me write controversial columns by filling it with half-arsed racism...

I began to think about Punk as community, as a life style. And thought "Ive disagreed with it for many years, but the truth is...Punk is dead", and if it isn't dead its really diluted/deluded and damaged in comparisons to what it used to be. And honestly I think it probably happened fucking quickly from when it all started off.

From what I'm aware it kicked off as some kind of retaliation to rock star attitudes and record label prejudices. So you had people thinking "Fuck this shit! I can start a band and I don't have to be that good either" and you had stuff like Eater, the Germs, the Clash who while weren't Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin formed bands and made up for lack of instrumental ability with heart and passionate lyrics. The issue we have now, though, is that bands we all know and love from our precious little Punk scene get big and popular (which I have no issue with), but then get too high and mighty, and so have become exactly what this crazy culture started against.

Fashion: "Screw being told what to look like! Ill do it myself!" was the rebel yell, only not so much, because you've got Leather Jackets, Mohawks, Plaid trousers covered in patches and Shit Kicker boots. In the case of the Hardcore scene its a selection of either Hoody, Camo shorts or prison white trainers or Flannel/plaid shirts, Vans/Converses, and Tight as fuck jeans with your obscure band T-shirt, heads either shaved or scruffy. (I'm not gonna pretend I don't do those things, but I'm gonna be honest about it). Punks got a fashion, a look people associate with it, so that little revolutionary streak as gone out the window too. And honestly even if you're T-shirt says "Spazz" is that really any different from one that says "Nike" or "Adidas"?

Unity: I remember singing along to the Casualties about "Unity" and "Up the Punx". But the more I look around me, the less I agree with it "I don't believe In Unity, its just one more abandoned dream" is what the Descendants sung, I for one agree. Unity as described by the dictionary:
"oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement."
Well, I sure I'm not alone when is say that the Punk/Hardcore scene is chocca block with cunts, row upon row of them. Why the fuck should I unite with them? I don't agree with them and their mentality. We all have differing idea's about things and some of those idea conflict, Unity is a mirage, forget it. Ive always got my friends back, but if you're a tosser, you're on your own.

Elitism: This shits everywhere too. Its all about liking bands that are uber obscure, find stuff first, the smallest distro's, the tiniest bands. Then immediately turning against them when the show the slightest sign of notoriety and faining interest in them. Whats wrong with just liking bands why does everything have to be a competition. Another reason Unity is fucked.

Hardcore and Punk...Punk (both the same fucking thing, you're a fool to think otherwise), are fucked. Spider Jerusalem (the infamous Transmetropolitan character, created by Warren Ellis, and Darick Robertson) says "There's one hole in every revolution, large or small. Its one word long -- PEOPLE. No matter how big the idea they all stand under, people are small and weak and cheap and frightened. Its people that kill every revolution." Id say that's a pretty true statement. We all came into this listen culture, looking for the same thing, acceptance, friendship etc from a society (not as a whole, but maybe a social group) that has scorned us. We came here not to judge or to be judged. Unfortunately that's gone tits up, We've started to dress the same, and conform to a stereotype in order to find in with friends or in immitation of bands we enjoy, its all natural, everyone does it, but its just kind of annoying thats its fists in the air for individuality when really if you think about it, the notion of individuality is bollocks. We have Straight Edgers beating up the drinkers and visa versa, the Vegans and Meat Eaters against each other. even the Tough Mosh guys verse everyone, why because within our own little world we've created we've managed to find differences within each other that we can target and discriminate against each other for. I mean not everyone does the above, but its still there, and you can all scream "But they're not part of Hardcore/Punk!" all you want, but its naive and its bollocks! They are part of our scene whether you like it or not. Our scene still has sexism, racism and homophobia and Classicism. We're no better then that which we turned our backs on. You might disagree, but take a look around and you'll see what I mean.

I suppose at the end of the day, what got started was something that would inevitably turn on itself due to the very nature of people. So this leaves us with 2 choices, you could either choose to accept that this is really what Punk is and just get on with it and leave words like "Unity" and "Individuality" out of it or we can just let it all die and carry on liking this style of music and playing it. Personally, Im happy to just carry on and see that individuality and unity just dont fit.

That's my bitter little rant over with.
J.W.



Disclaimer: No one here at Saladdays.com is a racist. We are all bastards to some degree though

Column - 'Myspace-d'

Has anyone noticed the amounts of bulletins that some bands post about, things like..."CHECK OUR NEW SONGS" or "LOOK SOME STUPID SLUT HAS GOT HER TITS OUT ON OUR PAGE", all the fucking time. It's strange because I know it's all about Myspace views, and trying to get as many plays as possible. Which is fair enough, but isn't it a bit silly, because bands think that they're actually big just because some people click on their page, and as a result get 300,000 odd views on their page, then wonder why no-one shows out when they play the Cricketers Armpit in Ashby-de-la-Zouche?

I just see all these bands strive for as many plays as possible, and it doesn't mean jack shit in the grand scheme of things, who cares, I don't mind accepting requests from bands who are actually alright - well in my eyes. Whatever. I just don't like the barrage of bulletins and comments going "BIG NEWS", yeah, it's not big news when you tell me about it ALL THE FUCKING TIME, I don't give a shit whether you've got a new massive recording deal with X label which is going to get you in Kerrang and the NME's new 'hardcore punk' section. Just keep doing what you do, and if you're any good you'll get the credit you deserve, three-thousand bulletins everyday saying !!NEW SONGS!! CHECK EM OUT! isn't going to do anything. Maybe I've been guilty of similar crimes in the past? But isn't it time to give it a rest?

Interview - Socialcide

why did socialcide form?

boredom i suppose? me and adam did a band together 3 years before socialcide started (when i was in highschool). we had always talked about doing another band after that one had broken up (once i graduated). i did another band without him, then everyone in that band moved to richmond, virginia and things started to slow down. that's when socialcide started. we got two other random morons from the area that would evenutally quit/get kicked out, which was honestly no surprise, but there was really noone else from the virginia beach area we could have gotten at that time. a few lineup changes later enters chris lenassi, parsons, and matt.


bundy died 20 years ago, what's the beef? or are you just ripping off hated youth?

basically, i had to write a paper in my psychiatry class anything related to the subject matter. i wanted to write about a serial killer(actually tried writing something that interested me for once) and i chose ted bundy. so, i wrote an 8 page paper on mr bundy, and a hardcore song afterwards.

apparently, zach, you're pretty pissed off when you play, what fucks you off the most about punk rock today?

morons that go to shows with a pack of beer in their hands but dont have money to get in the door and want to get in for free. eat my shit. go the fuck home.

any proper decent places to play around va?

there's a few different places to play in virginia. richmond is obviously is the main spot with alot of great bands. the only problem is there's no steady venues there, but they make by. charolottesville (1hour from richmond) we've recently discovered is really cool. alot of kids come out to the shows in that area, but it seems like no bands ever want to play there which is unfortunate cause its not far at all. virginia beach (where most of us are from), is a shithole for the most part. there's usually nowhere to play, noone comes out when there actually is a show going on, and most of the bands from around here gave up.

how did you guys get hooked up with kangaroo and even worse?

i mailed noel from even worse our demo. he loved it and wanted to press it on vinyl, as well as wanting to do an ep for us. when we sent him the burn in hell bundy session, he told me he played it for henk and that they wanted to split release it with even worse/kangaroo. so i guess we lucked out all together?

are you guys doing europe anytime soon?

i wouldnt count on it. we can barely play out of our own state. maybe if we're around in '09. who knows..

are you doing no way this year?

at this point i'd say we are not playing no way fest. other than our california tour in march, we are not trying to play out until our next record comes out. and im guessing that's gonna be late summer/early fall '08. last year's fest was incredible. im honestly not into fests for the most part, but as im sure you saw the lineup for NWfest was pretty much all killer no filler. i honestly dont know who is playing this year, i havent heard anything about it yet. but im sure it'll be as good if not better than last years.

Abandon Ship - Good As Gold CD

So here it is, finally. The discography from Brighton's - now sadly defunct - Abandon Ship. It's got the tracks from the 'Till I Burst LP, S/T 7", and the split with the Permanent. The tracks are dead old, and I guess this is more of a *shudder* collectors item for fans - people who like this band should have these tracks already 'cos they've been out for ages. In fact, this is a pretty pointless review; you can tell I'm fuckin bored, should be revising, but all I'll say is that this band will be missed. - Nick [Ghost City]

Fucked Up - Davids Christmas 7"

Mine came late...but no matter, I suppose that's what happens when you order from America. Id first like to say GUTTED!! to all those people are a currently spending $40 on this single on eBay, if you go to Fucked Up's blog you can download it for FREE.

Right, Its your typical Fucked Up single, the main song then the b-side. The A Side is Davids Christmas, which is essentially the casting off the Christian shackles of our festive holiday and saying "Worship David Eliade, for he is great"...which is an odd statement, but honestly, would you expect anything less from Fucked Up? As Ive said its a big "Fuck you!" to Jesus and a big "Fuck me" to David. Enjoy it. This is also the first recording featuring the new 3rd (that's right 3rd!...Its Bad Religion all over again) guitarist The Young Governor (who does something in a band called the Marvelous Darlings). Anyway, Davids Christmas is a festive as fuck song with lots of jingly jangly "Yay of Christmas" moments. Sound guitaring from everyone (which is to be expected) brilliant drumming too, Basically all just great, despite whether you think they're dirty sell out bastards they still write a mean fuckin song!

The b-side is just a collection of stars (hence "Stars on 45") wishing all a Happy Xmas to one and all. And its funny...especially the Jarvis Cocker bit.

Download it, enjoy it, don't pay $40 for it...don't pay $40 for anything unless its the bollocks and you really want it.

J.W. [Hidden World Records i.e DIY]

*anyone who tells you I have a copy of Looking for Gold is a liar!
*If you can see the coloured, bolded and underlined words...my Firefox spell checker has raped my post...they dont mean anything significant, but feel free to add meaning to them if you so wish.

Army of Flying Robots - "Life is Cheap" 12" LP

This band was pointed out to me by a good friend of mine. And Initially I wasn't too interested because the name kind of put me off (and I still think its a silly name, but whatever). However this has become a big "Don't Judge Books by their cover", I checked aforementioned bands Myspazz profile! and gasps all round actually really enjoyed it. Noticed they had themselves a debut LP out (by the by if anyone knows where I can get a copy of the AoFR s/t 7" that would be awesome), so I bought it for myself on behalf of another friend for xXxmas for moi!

Anyway, to the band! They're a Grindcore/Thrash band or Noisecore...they're some kind of Core, but its good. Its fast blasting music that will have you in rage of thrashing and might even make you dust off the ol' Metal Horns, but can also deliver some heart wrenching melodie...So maybe they're like a Melodic [insert genre]core band. The vocals scream through you, delivered like a .44 Calibre Love Letter straight from your heart! (posi for Alexisonfire reference). I think its the lyrics (and the melodicness) that are the real pleasures of this album. As the album title suggests its all politics, but its shit Ive never really heard talked about (well, at least not this intelligently, anyway). For the most part its about greed and how that affects people (but, like, tribes people etc, the guys we westerners forget about). Some truly powerful lyrics and excellently delivered.

Favourite song is "Embodiment", its really melo despite the subject matter and is just fantastically written, I also like "House of Butterflies" and "Black Hole in One".

Honestly, I think this is really a must have LP.

J.W. [Feast of Tentacles]

"Millennial Psychosis" - Brain Dead/Rot In Hell Split 7"

This arrived today with my Army of Flying Robots "Life is Cheap" LP (review later). I don't actually remember ordering it, which isn't to say I didn't, I just don't remember ordering it. Either way it was on my list of "records to get" being the fan of Brain Dead that I am.

Brain Dead get 4 crushing Power Violency good tracks on this split, and once again do not fail to deliver with some punishing but also joyfully bouncy bass lines from Rob which grants Power Violence is unique...ness. Ones again we have Jake's roaring vocals which deliver some doom laden lyrics about Disease, School Shootings and evils of the Pro-Lifers. Squire is also an accomplished guitarist keeping tuneful while still keeping up with Bucky's frantic blast beats. Id say my favourite tracks are "Virginia Tech" and "Abort".

Rot in Hell are a band Ive not heard before so I was eager to give them a listen to see what they were like. They get 2 tracks on this 7" although they're quite lengthy. The insert comes with no details about the band, so I don't know who plays what or the names of said individuals are.
Its good though, nice bit of talented crust. Two vocalists (from what I can make out) which is something I feel more bands should have because its just an appealing effect especially when they both have different vocal tones which is the case here. The drumming is exquisite and so is the guitaristy. Some brilliant lyrics and the bass is good too. Honestly, I liked Brain Dead more and wasn't particularly blown away by Rot in Hell, but they're defiantly good at what they do, It just wasn't my bag.

All in all a solid split.

J.W. [Feast of Tentacles et al]