Like having a piss and not washing your hands...

We've all done it from time to time.  What I'm referring to (all similes aside) is downloading music. This was brought on by Nick's little justification for slamming up some choones for you all to enjoy (mostly live stuff from the Hardcore days of yore). But his little "please don't shoot me for uploading" speech set the ol' cog's a-whirrin'. 

Like I said, I think at least 80% (maybe more) have downloaded music at least once in their lives and we're not talking the iTunes 70p a song downloading. We're talkin' full, free downloads. I didn't for ages but since moving out and finding myself increasingly more budgeted (having bills to pay does that to you for those not in the know), I began to download stuff, at first it was stuff that was no longer available from the 70's and 80's, then it was to stuff that was OOP and I couldn't find in some small dusty distro in Sweden and then it was stuff I wanted but wasn't really sure I'd like. I make it a personal choice to go download anything by anyone HUGE because, although the bastards can afford to lose the sales, the wrath of the RIAA comes CRASHING down on you and not having the money for music becomes the least of your troubles when you cant afford to settle out of court or pay fine, and this face is far too pretty for jail. 

Now like I said and probably like most people, I download music because firstly I cant afford to keep buying CD's/vinyl by bands Im not sure I'll like, and secondly because (in correlation to firstly) I want to check it out. I always do this with the express intention of at some point (when funds allow) to buy the "still active/music still available" bands stuff or in the very least pick up stuff by them when I see it (like new releases) so they can at least make money off me, and Ill go and see them live when I can.  I suppose the problem is though, once I have the music (despite always preferring to own hardcopies for album art and lyrics sheets etc) I lack the incentive to later purchase the albums I've downloaded (usually no more then one album per band) which is a terrible thing, I mean, I do buy the later releases or releases I want that I see are about, but not ever to really get the actual release I've downloaded.

The thing is you don't even have to have Limeware, Kazaa or Soulseek or any other p2p networking torrent sharing software to download music. Google seem to have inadvertantly provided scores of places which can allow you to download music from its Blogs. Google's blogspots (while I sure google dont condone, but also dont stop such acts) allow its users to link rapidshare/mediafire etc etc websites with the desired content for download which indirectly makes Google a part of the problem. 

The problem is this: there are a few honest souls out there (like myself) who download with the express and honest intention of getting money to the bands later (because if you're a Hardcore band of any merit you'll be small and poor, holding down a full time/part time job while you play or are claiming the dole) because they work hard to produce music that they enjoy playing and you enjoy hearing and its wrong to deprive them of this. And the various music bloggers always tell you to buy the stuff later. Hell! Ive even seen one blog that gives you direct links underneath the download clicky to buy the music (Hats off to them!). But the big question (and root of the problem) is how many people download music, but never buy? Id imagine its probably a little over half of that 80% download without any intention of funding the bands they claim to love (and Im being pretty optimistic when it comes that figure). 

The fact is, the people in the bands work fucking hard to make the music, and to just take it without giving anything for it, is just kinda wrong. Ill agree that CD prices are too high (well, HMV, Zavvi and occasionally Amazon prices anyway) but we're talking the little guys! who are on the little labels on need that money to make more records, to cover the cost of pressing the records, printing T-shirts and for touring, not to just go with the rest of the money they make from the fat advance they get their label, a la Gallows (Yeah! we know you got a 5K advance, its all you talked about when you played UEA), so to deprive them of that money is a damn site worse then robbin' up Mary J Blige or P Diddy etc etc.  

I suppose my big point is, if you worked for all week for your money and I then took a days worth of money out of your pay check it would suck, so don't do it the little bands you claim to support, if you're downloading their shit, which Im sure they don't mind because the fact of the matter is they probably do it too, at least go see them live and buy one of the albums/recordings they're flogging (also that way the money goes straight to the band which is a thumbs up) so they arnt going completely out of pocket.

J.W

Azriel - A Will of Fire LP

Have you ever begun listening to a band simply because of the name. I have, in fact I do it a lot... maybe more then I should. Like for the Melbourne Grindcore band Super-Fun Happy Slide (honestly how could you not like that name!?) or Cutting Pink With Knives, they're odd and eye catching, you cant help BUT check them out. Azriel were no different. 

I did go into this thinking "Christ, its just gonna be another one of those Modern Life is War style knock off bands that are all the rage at the moment", I mean, I do like those bands as much as the next guy, but when did originality die? And was even more skeptical when I saw the tell tale signs of Dan Mumford artwork, again, I love Mr. Mumford's art, its fantastic, but its being really over used at the moment and kind of used as some kind of badge of merit and achievement, a symbol of a band going places to have Mumford artwork. But I was pleasantly surprised, the Myspace tracks (yeah, I use myspace, so what!?) where actually amazing and something a bit different. These guys are a Hardcore band, but they take heavy influence from Metal, though they aren't particularly heavy, they are RIFFY AS FUCK! This band's LP is chocked full of "hawt lixx". Infact the band barely have time to sound heavy with the sheer amount of riff going on and how it managed to not sound "Showy offy" I will never know. This is a release on Thirty Days of Night Records who are distributed through Warner, so its Warner sinking its dirty teeth into Hardcore, which to me always seemed a bit contrary to the nature of Punk, but that aside its a great record.

Ill admit, even though this record came on 1 of 300 orange LP's the CD artwork is a lot better in my opinion (still Dan Mumford, just a different concept, see below), but what can you do? Its still an awesome record.  There was also no lyric sheet which annoys me, but that could just be because of an error, or intentional, its annoying if its intentional.

Like I said, this record is pure riff. The instrumentals are completely flawless, the harmonies are fantastic, the bass is powerful, the drums are thundering and it brings it all together into a complete powerhouse of a record which makes me think of a herd of wild stallions thundering across and open plain (lord knows why, but it does).  Its got some pretty typical vocals too, all gruff and shouty and some decent shout outs too.

The stand out track for me is Of Those Who Are Alive, which is simply fantastic, a really gem of a track, all the others are shiners too, but this one really stands outs!

Its a great record, if you're into techy Hardcore then Id say get it. They're a fantastic band and I recommend this record to anyone.

J.W (Thirty Days of Night)

Maths - MMVII (discog CD)

If I was told probably no more then two, two and a half months ago that Id be listening to Screamo and I'd have probably told you to fuck right off because "I hate that shit", isn't it funny how things change, haha. I think I actually started listening to it because I got into Guyver-One after downloading their s/t 7" off another blog and loving it. I remember saying bad things about Maths and decided that now I loved Screamo I should at least give them another chance, I did, and I loved it. I tried to get their Demo's and CD but they'd all sold out, but then Zen informed me that they have this little beauty set for release and so I waited patiently and it arrived! I ordered it and it turned up at my house and was immediatly put into my CD player where I listened to it continuously throughout the course of the day. 

Its good stuff, It is proper 90's style Screamo like Jeromes Dream (who are in fact covered) or City of Caterpillar only the songs are quiet as epically long (in terms of CoC) and are techi to the max. But I think you get the idea, that its that frantic guitaristry, with the little slow melodic bits and the manic vocals. This is no exception, the vocals are fantastic and heartfelt, the guitarmanship is exception really adding to the emotion behind each song even helping to halfway convey which emotion is being expressed, the drumming also melds beautifully into the tracks helping to set the pace.

This is mine blowing stuff, the CD compiles the new song, the 2007 tour demo, the 6 track EP, some alternative mixes and a complete live show. So theres alot to get with your money, I lyrics sheet would be nice, but I suppose that came with the last releases (which I dont have and which are now unavailable) however the lyrics for "ii" & "iv" can be found on their Myspace. But this is still good stuff on pure aural pleasure alone.

All the tracks are pretty noteworthy, and the added remixes are certainly a very nice touch. Im really feeling "How Shall We Comfort Ourselves" at the moment, but this is a bright star among a galaxy.  The new track, "2346" is an epic 6 minutes in length and despite the recording being a little quiet (unless Zen is going for Jeff style vocals) although this does pick up, is still a good number with some nice little guitar moments and some somber bass lines which really help to give the track shape and I particularly like the mass scream out that occurs towards the end. The Jeromes Dream cover is particularly awesome too with the band even seeming to employ the same vocal technique the Jeff does (a la no mic).

Certainly a CD to own if you've just got into Maths or if you missed the Demo and Ep's when they came out, or even if you just want it for the Bonus material. I enjoy it and there's no reason why you shouldn't. So basically, if you're into stuff like Pg.99, Jeromes Dream or City of Caterpillar then you'll get into this.

J.W [Holy Roar]

The Shitty Limits - Espionage 7" ep

For me, when it comes to the Limits this stuff writes itself. They've just not written a bad piece of music that I know of. Its all completely top knotch stuff. As you know by now, they play a Garage Hardcore fusion that is simply genius. My opinion of these guys is completely bias, I think they're awesome and are probably one of the best live bands I've ever seen and and are one of my favourite bands to date. 

Espionage is no exception to the rule. This is yet another completely competent record from these four guys. Its pure Punk Rock on plastic. Louis vocals are as manic as ever adding to the pace and Eddie's guitarmanship is equally flawless, and the same goes for Ellis and Tim. Its just great. My favourite track is "We Had A Gang", but all of them are equally noteworthy. 

Again, this is a must own.

J.W [Dire records]

Thee Vicars - ...Let Us Play 7" ep

These four young lads from Bury used to be in a Dead Kennedy's style punk band called the Punctuals who are actually worth a mention to. They moved from playing DK Hardcore and now play Garage Punk to a disgustingly high level. These lads are all competent musicians and it clearly shows in this record. They're worth seeing live too, just for the instrument destruction that occurs. 

The record contains 4 tracks and each one is brilliant, there really is no way to fault it. Reuben's vocals really help to set them with his very nasal whine. It really is play you guitars with legs akimbo at the knee's stuff. Its pure riffige from start to finish, really excellent stuff

Its really impossible to pick which tracks are the best because honestly I think they're all fucking superb. 

This is a complete must own for anyone who likes the Briefs, the Sonics or Thee Mummies.

J.W [Dire Records]

Warboys - Too Drunk To Skate 7" ep

So, after so long waiting it finally arrived at my door and was brought to me by the zombie like Weed Junkie that lives in the attic (he's kind of like our Lurch, but 100% useless and we have to pay him for the internet). Henyway, the first thing I can say about it is it's fast. Very fast, in fact upon my first listen to had reached the last track without me evening realizing. It churned through 5 tracks in about a minute. Its true Grind/PV to the max.

The A-side starts off with some soothing Operatic number which is ended with the sound of it being ripped across the needle before the NOIZE commences. In that briefest of brief minute that the A-side is, the Warboys manages to send a big fuck you to Metallica, a whole host of TV celebs and worships Japanese Thrash and Power Violence legends BREAKfast and Fuck on the Beach, before the title song Too Drunk To Skate begins with a rousing Gang Chant of "Im too fucking drunk to skate".

The B-side contains some amusing audio clips and some good lyrics about the fallacy of Punk, about masculinity and just some all out hatred. This sides a little ploddier and more Power-Violencey then the A-side which is much more Grind orientated. 

Charles vocals range from all out screaming to that Cookie-Monster style we all know and love delivering a punch to the songs. The lyrics themselves are pretty funny but the serious message still remains intact despite the casual nature of its approach. The instrumentals are pretty standard for a band of this type: Play it fast, Play it Loud, they do so brilliantly. Kai's drumming is unbelievably fast and the others do well to match the pace.

All in all, its a pretty good record. Its bog-standard Grind/PV and its enjoyable. If you're into bands like Fuck on the Beach or Charles Bronson, you'll enjoy this. Its not a must own, but its good stuff.

J.W [Keep Screaming/Beefy/Cat and Owl]

Miami Ink

Okay. This isn't exactly 'punk', but whatever. If you haven't seen this show it's basically a show where people get tattooed and talk about why they are getting whatever tattoo and why. It's filmed in a shop on 'South Beach' Miami, and from super-models, to that guy who played Jaz Hoyt in OZ to the SxE 4lyFe dude from H2O, Miami Ink caters for a large demographic.

I don't know what appeals to me most about this show; the fact that it constantly makes me think that my Mum might die quickly, or my Uncle might die in a burning house, or that my first child will be born blind?

It might be the 'PITCHFORK HARDCORE' shirts, the desperately stale acting, the fact that the Japanese apprentice puts a 'd' on the end of apprenticed, or that it's so badly synced that one time he has a mohawk and then the next shot he's got a full head of hair?

Nope. None of them.

I guess it's a light-hearted soap-type-show where you kinda follow the lives of some dudes that do a job they love, listen to Madball, party, and flirt with hot girls. Plus Kat Von D cameos are pretty good, as she has a strange attractiveness about her. I guess it's not the most mentally scintillating show out there, but it's something y'know that covers an alternative lifestyle. There's something about it that I really like, and I think that's just it.

Black Flag - Live in '79 MP3

Right. This must be one of the earliest Black Flag bootlegs ever. It's probably one of their first shows as 'Black Flag' and it's got Keith Morris on vocals, and the sound is sketchy as fuck. So only download this if you're pumped especially on Black Flag - plus they don't even play Nervous Breakdown so that probably shows how early the actual recording is. This is for people who want a decent idea of the original discordant Black Flag sound.

Tracks:

1) Don't Care
2) White Minority
3) Spray Paint The Walls
4) Crowd Riot
5) Wasted
6) Revenge
7) Fix Me
8) Depression - Louie Louie

You can download this thanks to Mediafire, here: http://www.mediafire.com/?s11xpl5dyfy

Filip - Loud and Clear - Interview

I've you've never heard Loud and Clear, you're missing out. They put out an LP last year that is a fucking powerhouse, and reminiscent of a tougher and grittier early Justice. You can't really go wrong. After listening to the record over and over again I wanted to include them in this site, so I sent them an e-mail and got the questions I sent back, within hours. Here they are:

Nick: Why did you form Loud and Clear?

Filip: We formed LAC cuz the four of us shared a deep love for bands like Straight Ahead, Youth of Today, SSD and Agnostic Front. We also saw that bands who claimed to sound like YOT or the same style just sounded cheesy, too melodic and plain weak. If you dissect riffs of those bandS man…they’re HARD. Fast and straight forward, it hits you like a ton of bricks. LAC is also a full on straight edge band. Straight Edge is a big part of our lives, but not in the lives of many others, that’s cool. To each his own but we felt that there was a void to be filled and a point to be made. We are also the best of friends who come to together for the glory that resulted in forming Loud And Clear and recording the record.

N: Do you think you achieved all you could achieve with Justice?

F: I don’t know, we could have done more tours, probably a lot of them would have been with Blacklisted since we really saw eye to eye with them. And I really wish we had the chance to play the new songs more cuz we’ve put our heart and soul in the last recordings I did. The recordings of that record was probably the most intense thing I did in my life so far, it was brutal. Also the lyrics are really where my head was at the time…and I’m really opening my twisted brain. I wasn’t feeling that good I guess. Everything came out how we wanted it. We really went for it and went all out…it was insane. It was like we finally knew what we wanted to do and how we wanted to sound after 5 years of playing together, well me and Stief. But when I think of Justice I think me, Stief, Sike and Daan...Klaas, Geert or Bjorn selling shirts…nobody else. When I look to other bands I really have to say that we really connected on all levels to make this band work.


N: Now that Lintfabriek is over, are there any new places that shows are being put on in Belgium?

F: Kids are putting on shows wherever they can. But there is not really a place that feels like the Lintfabriek. Oh well, things change…it will bounce back.

N: You played Ninjafest last year, is there any chance of a UK tour any time soon?

F: I don’t know, should we?

N: So now Justice have split up, do you think that you'll be able to dedicate more time to Loud and Clear, or are there any other bands in the pipeline?

F: I’m not ready for a real touring band at the moment. Justice was a very busy band so I just want to chill out. Also all the other dudes in the band have other bands like Rhythm To The Madness, True Colors and The Reactionaries. I’m busy enough with POWERED RECORDS. We’ll play out once in a while, when the time is right. We might do a couple of weekends here and there, maybe even record a new record, who knows?! Stief is working on a couple of new projects… keep your eyes and ears open!

N: What is the main idea behind Powered?

F: The main idea is plain and simple. Release good records that sound and look good. Everything has to be perfect. I know a lot of you don’t know how much time it takes or thought that goes in every release. It’s hard work and it will probably never pay off. I don’t care…I love every second of it.

N: Top five bands out of Belgium right now?

F: Belgium: The Reactionnaries, True Colors, Rhythm To The Madness, Rise And Fall. World: ABSOLUTION, Trapped Under Ice, Blacklisted, Cold World, Union Town.

Thanks to Filip for being so efficient with the reply, if you wanna check out Loud and Clear go to their myspace page at www.myspace.com/loudandcleareu, or at www.poweredrecords.com
Photo courtesy of Face The Show, check out the site at www.facetheshow.com

Keith Morris in Blockbuster Movie SHOCKER!

So, my mate dragged me along to the cinema to see whatever was on the billboards this week, blah, blah, blah. We snuck into this shit looking film called Pathology, and err, it turned out to be, uh, shit. Stilted acting, desperately shit plot (similar to Dexter(ish)), and the lead Milo Ventimiglia is pretty much a Keanu 'How the Fuck Did I Ever Get An Acting Job' Reeves MKII. But that wasn't it...

They killed this hobo on the film, and it was Keith Morris! I nearly jumped out of my chair. I nudged my mate..."THAT dude used to be in Black Flag".

He looked at me with a blank stare. "Who the fuck are Black Flag?" he replied.
I slumped back in my chair and waited for the predictable ending. It came, and the film played out with 'Parade of the Horribles' by Circle Jerks. Why they didn't play 'Operation' I'll never know.

Awesome film.

Black Flag - Last Show '86 MP3 Rip

This is a live boot of Black Flag's last ever show on July 27th 1986 in Detroit, Michigan. The quality's pretty damn good, and the tracklisting's alright, although obviously not many classics there. Needless to say it's fucking awesome. I also can't remember where I got this. Check it on Mediafire.

1) Gimme, Gimme, Gimme
2) I Can See You
3) In My Head
4) Kickin' and Stickin'
5) Louie Louie!
6) Nothing Left Inside
7) Paralysed
8) Retired at 21
9) Society's Tease
10) This Is Good
11) White Hot

http://www.mediafire.com/?lngftuwmzj0

I've got a few more earlier Black Flag bootlegs I'll upload over the next few weeks or something.

Adolescents Live in Fullerton '81 MP3 Rip

This is a rip of a show The Adolescents did in 1981 in Fullerton. The quality's not amazing, but it's good enough. It's also a pretty good wrapup of their sound at the time. It's on Mediafire for you to digest;

1) No Way
2) Self Destruct
3) Do The Eddie!!
4) No Friends
5) Word Attack
6) L.A. Girl
7) Democracy
8) I Hate Children
9) Kids Of The Black Hole
10) Who Is Who
11) Wrecking Crew
12) Rip It Up!
13) Creatures
14) Amoeba

I got this from Punks Not Profit blog which you should check out 'cus it's got a shedload of decent downloads. I've re-uploaded it to Mediafire for its longevity.

http://www.mediafire.com/?gxmbhmcygzz

Cold Ones -Demo

Cold Ones are from Liverpool, and they put out what I think was one of the best demos I heard last year (probably). They play really awesome couldn't-care-less hardcore punk. Saw them at Christmas dressed up as Father Christmas at the second last Abandon Ship show (R.I.P.) and they blew me away.

They sing about partying, getting drunk, stealing alcohol, pretty much everything I care about and they rip through some awesome guitar parts. I can't really think of anyone they sound like, but if you're into non-serious hardcore punk you can jump around and sing to, this is the shit you're after. Even my non-punk liking Indie-type mates love it.

You can download it here: http://coldones.co.uk/download/CrackIt/

The Many Angers of James Reatard...

This is a photo of when Jay Reatard suckerpunched some dude in the face. Awesome photo, and the videos are underneath. There's also a video of him kicking some dude in the face for falling on stage. What a cool dude.

Punch - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zOA8i9UnEQ

Kick - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRjoEtF--JU

Downloading music, for free...

You've probably noticed that I've put up a few Mediafire links on this site. I've done this for two reasons. Either, I want to put up a sample of a band/musician for people to hear. Or I want to put up records that are OOP, or that you can't get on mp3 elsewhere. Because that, in my mind, justifies what I'm doing. What's the point of a record being OOP if no-one else can listen to it? Makes no sense. I also think, if it wasn't for downloading then I wouldn't have any Graham Coxon in my iTunes. - Nick

PS: This is not universal.
PPS: Check out this site for downloads, it's really good: http://deathtofalseblogs.blogspot.com/

Vile - Solution LP

So you want a record that totally destroys the fuck out of everything you own? Get this. This is fucking VILE, and it's a record that crosses all the PC boundaries of punk rock. This record is for you. It's on Mediafire for your listening pleasure.

http://www.mediafire.com/?y1notdhf1uz

Disclaimer: I didn't do it, I don't care what they say.

Modern Life Is War, the end is....

It's a big shame that Modern Life Is War have called it quits and split up. A superb recording band, and even better live band, they will be sorely missed.

There was no bullshit with their sound, they carved out their own niche from a Black Flag cover band to an ingenious hardcore band whose sound really couldn't be matched.

Their first two full-length records really couldn't be beaten, and there was nothing bad about this band whatsoever. I know this is a bit lame but I honestly think that in 20 years Modern Life is War will go down with the Suicide File et al as one of the most definitive bands of this decade, and I'm lucky to say that I've seen them when so many others missed out. - Nick

Henry Rollins

So, I saw Henry Rollins about a couple of months ago, and I thought I'd post a little about him. I've been a pretty big fan of his spoken word things, and I'm a fan of anyone who can fit one hundred 'fucks' into an hour and a half and of course he was in Black Flag, so that's a pretty huge selling point for me.

I think the best thing about Henry Rollins is the fact that he turns unfunny anecdotes into funny ones is pretty impressive to say the least. I mean, who could make a burning Islamabad sound funny? Heneray can.

It's not funny in the way that Ross Noble, or Jack Dee (arguably) are, but he brings in his own slant on everything he says regardless of the actual comedic element.

I'm surprised that, over the hundred hours of different spoken word stories Henry has presented, he doesn't make anything up. I mean I'm sure he ad libs his way through many shows and probably most of what he says isn't the Holy truth, but what he seems to come up with seems pretty genuine. He covers topic after topic of, mostly, useless garbage and actually makes it sound interesting. I've uploaded a bit of his stuff below, so you can get a feel of what goes on at his shows...most of his stuff is available all over the internet anyway.

This is his Think Tank Spoken Word show:

http://www.mediafire.com/?yghfcy29jmv

Generic Disclaimer: You should download this as a sample ONLY, you should delete if you don't like it, or purchase if you do.

Blacklisted - Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God

Blacklisted, Blacklisted, Blacklisted...where oh where do I start with Blacklisted? Okay, this record's pretty good as 'hardcore hardcore' records go, and in all honesty it's got some really fucking cool parts. Intro riff to 'Always' for example, but it's got some pretty drab parts in terms of the fact that nothing really happens, and songs seem to drone on and on, and on, and on. I've got one of their former records, on wax, which I haven't really listened to because I always thought Blacklisted didn't really impress as far as other bands do. So I kinda ignored them. I was lucky to see them in Belgium at the Restless Youth/Dead Stop reunion show, and they blew me away. The crowd went crazy, and I felt, at that point, converted. But on record it's a bit, err, and huh all the way through, which for me isn't really enough. I guess some kids will adore this record, and a couple of my mates certainly do, but for me it's just an album that I'll listen to for a bit, and then forget ever existed... - Nick [Deathwish]