Salad Days

The Plight - Winds of Osiris LPCD

2009-11-08T11:51:00.000-08:00

So, this is the first album from the Plight (I think?) previous releases Black Summer, the Self-Titled and the Demo have all been raging pieces of Rock and Roll inspired Hardcore at its very best. And honestly, this is not exception. It rocks so hard there should have been a sticker plastered to the front that says "WARNING: ALBUM MAY LEAD TO AIR GUITARING". Although this is perhaps a slightly at a more mid-paced tempo than Black Summer, but still touches all the right spots. This is erred a lot more perhaps to the Rock side than the Hardcore side of things with some strong Sabbath/Motorhead/Thin Lizzy riffs so its really neither here nor there this will get you stomping around your room in your boxers.

Eitherway, stuff is shit hot. Get it now from Amazon or somewhere like that and stick it on and don't take it off.

J.W [Visible Noise Records]

Nihil Baxter - S/T 7"

2009-08-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Right, so I was pretty fuckin' chuffed when I discovered this band. They're a brilliant little 80's style Thrash band, although really they just sit comfortably on the side of being Neos-esque Hardcore (although I suppose you could class them as Thrash too, its all Punk though, so fuck it). I found out about these guys somehow through Surf Nazis Must Die and up until recently was utterly convinced it was members of SNMD. I'm not alone either, so many people have apparently believed this they have a song on this 7" about how they're nothing to do with the Surf Nazis. I also feel particially responsible for this grave error due to posting it on forums far and wide proclaiming it to be ex-SNMD, so maybe it was me... Who knows, who cares.

Its a shame that they weren't ex Surf Nazis, because I gotta say, this isn't the demo tape they released previously, meaning, this isn't actually as good. The demo tape was brillaint, it was punchy, and had some fantastic riffs and catchy lyrics and this just feels somewhat lack-luster in comparison, it just seems to be a mish-mash of poorly written songs. I think the best thing about this 7" is the Cro-Mags cover, but even then its just that sped up, and it just doesn't sound that hot.

Over all , I was a bit disappointed especially after such a strong demo release. But definately pick up the Demo if you can (I think they had it up for Download), the Demo is awesome, this is just average.

J.W [Spastic Fantastic]

Record Collectors are Pretencious Assholes.

2009-08-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not reviewing this. I just won a copy of it on eBay a few months back and have been feeling really pleased with myself ever since...

J.W

Magrudergrind - S/T LP

2009-08-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

So, this is like, their 2nd LP... I think, possibly the 3rd if you count the Split LP with Shitstorm. I also think its got members of Coke Bust in, they're a pretty gnarly (thats right, I said it! I'm bringin' it back!) Fast... sorry, Thrash/Grind band. I've actually only listened to once side of this so far, and only about 4 times I suppose (while I was doing other stuff). These guys always remind me of Drop Dead. I donno, some of you might disagree, but theres a definate likeness to it for me.

Eitherway, shits tight, possibly tighter than Rehashed. If you like Drop Dead, Insect Warfare or early Napalm Death, shits for you. Eat it up

J.W [Six Weeks Later]

PS: Anyone that can actually tell me what Magrudergrind stands for will win a special prize.

Insect Warfare - Noise LP

2009-08-29T14:11:00.001-07:00

This is kinda old, kinda new. But nobodies written jack shit on this sordid little blog for fuck knows how long, and damned if I'm gonna put myself out for reviewing anything half-way relevant (although, this kinda is, but fuck it!)

This is actually a S/T LP, but its also known as their Noise LP. Because essentially that is what it is. Its 93 tracks of teeth grinding noise-grind. It lasts about 10-15 minutes too...

Imagine your listening to your favourite album being played on one of those shitty ASDA Pacific CD players at max volume. Then imagine a Meth crazed Ainsley Harriot taking said CD player, popping the cover, squeezing out a good 8 inches of his finest post-digested Carribean/Jamacian cousine into it, putting down the cover, and pressing play. Then in a explosion of PCP enduced rage forcing it into one of his patented blenders (Does Ainsley have a patented Blender? He must do). Thats pretty much what this record sounds like.

That might sound pretty negative. But the fact is, I don't really... get noise bands, I will freely admit that I skip MITB's noise tracks. But this actually intrequed me. It's prett much 93 tracks sonic bowl discharge that had me both wishing it would never end, and end very quickly (which it did, so I was both pleased and disappointed. Too much confliction for one day me thinks). Its good, its interesting stuff, and if someone who'se not overly keen on such deviant music can actually be pleased with it, then people who love this shit should bloody love it. Its both classic Insect Warfare Grind and Sonic Bowl Disrupting Noise at the same time... Plus the B-side is grooved to look like the cover (one assumes, because it certainly doesn't have any fucking tracks on it unless I'm missing something). I think this is pretty much a one-listener for me, or at least a once in a while listener. But, still, worth it.

J.W [625 Records]

Valhalla Pacifists/Prumyslova split 12" LP

2008-11-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

So, here we have it, the Valhalla Pacifists; Harrogate's finest and wittiest thrash troop and their second vinyl expedition with the Czech's Prumyslova Smrt. In total the band shred through 25 tracks of Thrashy, Grindy goodness.

PS play some furious Grindcore with some brilliant guitar riffs that had my head nodding piled together with some truly harrowing growls and snarls that fans of grindcore would naturally expect. The lyrics are really well thought out too and there's some original thought put into each one too (but not speaking Czech I don't know what the others are about HA!).

The Valhalla Pacifists side, however, was a let down. I mean, instrumentally and lyrically it delivers. It is what you would expect from the VP boys, 9 tracks of raging thrash with lyrics that go from Transformer Beatdowns to making sure the younger generation appreciate the Punk community that these lads have put their blood, sweat and tears into. I feel let down though because most of the VP tracks are from the "Punks In Trunks" split they did with Fuck With Fire (which costs about a quid I think) which was on Dead End Records. Granted the costs of recording are expensive (especially in these economically fruegal times), but really their side just left me feeling vaguely ripped off because Id already paid for those tracks and suddenly found myself paying [cosiderably more] for them again. Indeed support your scene, but I do feel kinda had and its not really the parting of money, its the general principle of being fobbed off with the same tracks from a previous release. Shit Id expect from Rancid or some other mainstream Punk band, but not these lads, for shame! Again, VP still deliver the goods in the way we all expect these crazy, twisted lads to, its just a shame they're not 9 new unheard ditties.

All in all, if you don't own the "Punks In Trucks" split this 12" is fucking rad. If you do, I wouldn't bother unless you really want the PS tracks
J.W [Keep Screaming, Cat And Owl, Dead Heroes]

The Burning Times - The End is the Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning 7"

2008-10-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

So this is the newest releases from Brighton Punk trio, Burning Times, consisting of Andy (Abandon Ship), Matt (also AS) and Nick. For those of you who remember the first 7", you will recall it to be a proverbial powerhouse of politics and gender issues and scene values. All expertly written and wonderfully delivered in a blaze of crust inspired thrashy Hardcore.

Well this is more Crusty then before with some Witch Hunt/Tragedy-esque blood running through its veins and is truely a stomping brutalising onslaught of epic thrash tinged Crust (mouthful I know. Trust me, it works). Some truly brilliant tracks on this 4 track EP. Lyrically it deals with being out and proud, coping with loss and family matters. Lyrically this record is really strong. They're the type of lyrics that few could maybe relate to personally which I feel is the beautiful part of this band. The lyrics are truely straight from the heart and although you may have no comprehension of some of the matters delt with, you feel every ounce of rage, sadness and resentment thats seered into every track. Christina is the guest vocals for "Disipitive Structures" which works fantastically as well with her deep growl and bark that seeths darkness into the song.

I love the track "Pride". The lyrics for "Pride" are just brilliant thought out and wonderfully phrased into a true out and proud gay anthem for every queer punk out their to sink their teeth into an even straight people can enjoy the passion put into it.

So pick this up and enjoy it!

J.W [Keep Screaming]

In crust we trust

86 Mentality - Final Exit CD/7"

2008-08-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

86 Mentality are probably one of my favourite bands, at least in recent years, and this Final Exit 7"/CD is the ultimate mark on their existence. Six tracks of British Oi inspired hardcore punk (with an extra track, and six live songs from a live show in Lintfabriek, Belgium) sits on this record so brilliantly.

It's catchy in its own right, and it really is fucking awesome. Included are riffs that are so powerful they just make you want to pick up your guitar and throw yourself around your bedroom. I've been there. Grave Mistake and Deranged are probably putting out some of the best records in hardcore right now, and long may it continue. YEAH.

Cloak/Dagger Interview

2008-08-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Basically, it took me ages to listen to Cloak/Dagger. I don't know why. I didn't go to any of their live shows because they toured with Life Long Tragedy (not as a protest, but I didn't think I'd be into them). Then a few months later I noticed that they'd done/were doing stuff with GRAVE MISTAKE, and realised that I should probably check them out. I bought the 7"'s and it started from there. 'We Are' was re-released on vinyl a few months ago, and it really is an awesome record. They were definitely a band that I wanted to explore further, so I sent Jason their vocalist a bunch of questions.

Here they are:

Nick: So, 'We Are' just came out on Grave Mistake on wax. Was a vinyl version always the intention from the start?

Jason: It took close to a year after the CD was released until the vinyl came out and we wish it would have come out sooner. There was even talk of Darren Walters ressurecting Hi-Impact to do the vinyl but we are happy that it came out with Alex and on Grave Mistake. We worked with Alex on our first release the Pinata 7" and then again with the Kamikazes 7" which had an unreleased song off of the LP so he was down to press the vinyl for the LP. The record sounds a lot more gritty and dirty which I think works well for the songs.

Nick: You did a tour of the UK with Life Long Tragedy, how did that turn out? Itwas kinda weird for you guys touring with a headline band that are largely musically different to you? How did it come about?

Jason: I talked to Avocado about coming over before the CD on Jade Tree was released. We just wanted to tour as much as we could when the record came out and they suggested Life Long Tragedy since they were looking for a band to tour with. We knew they had been over seas before and we were ready to go. It ended up being good because we all got along well with their band but the shows were strange for us to say the least. It was mostly core kids there definitely to see Life Long Tragedy and then there would be a couple kids with Fucked Up shirts or Career Suicide patches at every show and we would know oh ok they are here to see us. I don't think we won over any one on that tour.

Nick: On that note, word on the street is you're coming over again? When will that be, d'yknow?

Jason: Right now we are putting wheels in motion to come over there in November and we can't wait. We toured Canada in March but that's the last time we have done longer then a few dates and it's going to be with The Computers which are more our speed.

Nick: There's a load of good labels, which seem to be putting out some good records, and I keep seeing flyers for a bunch of gigs that make me weep that I don't live in the US but How healthy is the US live scene at themoment? And are kids buying lots of records or is it pretty apathetic?

Jason: It depends what kind of show it is. There are a lot of good bands in the US right now and sometimes there are shows that have awesome line ups where there are 200 to 300 people there and there are times where some good line ups only draw 30 or 40 people. We have a lot of shows in Richmond at a bar that holds about 60 people and it's usually packed and we just had No Way Fest here and Best Friends Day is coming up and those are fests that draw a lot of people from all over so I'm lucky to be in a city that has that going for it. Kids are definitely buying vinyl in a big way. Alex is almost sold out of the We Are lp's after a few weeks and we are running out of our copies fast too and people are always trying to keep up with new bands so we aren't that jaded over here. Every now and again there will be a show I know I should go to but end up staying home and I suck for that but there are a lot of shows here.

Nick: I don't know how aware you guys are with tours over here, cus prices arereally high at the moment, and it seems like a lot of bands avoid the UK unless they're with some booking agency like Avocado so they can safely tour with a guarantee, because it's so hard to break even. I think Loser Life came over and to break even they needed something like £250 ($500) every night...to break even and some kids lost a bunch of money on it. Is there a general impression of that in the US of the UK? And did you experience any problems when you came over at all with LLT?

Jason: Definitely. The UK killed us money wise on the last tour. It cost money for the work permits, the ferry over and for gas and food while we were there and we had a couple shows fall through so it left us in bad shape. We lost money at the end of that tour and it's unfortunate but bands need guarantees to make ends meet these days. There is gas, plane tickets, merch, food, driver, van rental, equipment rental and if you're lucky enough to cover that you still don't have money for rent or bills when you go home. Well some bands do but not at our level. All that aside we had a great time in the UK eating cheaper food and hanging out.

Nick: Are any of you guys in any projects/bands outside Cloak/Dagger that are going to be making an impression soon?

Jason: Not at the moment but I think there's things in the works.

Nick: Any awesome bands from the Richmond area we should be checking out?

Jason: The Ladies is a newer band from Richmond that rule. Wasted Time and Government Warning but I'm sure every one knows them by now.

Nick: Finally, GG Allin or Amy Winehouse?

Jason: I'm going Amy on this one. She smokes crack and keeps that glamour look, GG just throws shit and his songs are better but image is every thing.

Nick: Thanks to Jason for these questions. 'We Are' is now available from www.gravemistakerecords.com

Deep Sleep - Manic Euphoria

2008-07-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

I think the best way to review this record is by not listening to it while I do the review - which is what I usually do.

So, Baltimore's Deep Sleep really are a killer band. It's once in a while when you get a record completely off the cuff based on what you've heard and they turn out to be really really something. This is short, sharp and delivers a complete package of Circle Jerks and Descendents style inspired hardcore punk. It's catchy, and filled with riffs that Greg Hetson wishes he wrote (or in the case of Textbook Timebomb, did actually write; busted dudes!). Needless to say, bar one weird emo breakdown, this is the complete package. I knew I couldn't get away with doing this review without comparing them to some band. Whoops. - Nick [Grave Mistake]

Civic Progress - Disposable

2008-07-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

Nine tracks of angry pissed off hardcore punk. Rough til the end this band rips through the dregs of society, and leaves you feeling exhausted. Second seveninch, and still going strong Civic Progress are one of those bands you wish you could see live all the time because you know they'd destroy it every time. Fashionable Idiots should be proud, this really doesn't let go. I know I'm constantly giving good reviews, but y'know, I only buy good records, and this is another. - Nick [Fashionable Idiots]

Double Negative - Raw Energy EP

2008-07-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Negative Points:

- Ridiculously large thank you list, not even in an ironic way. Pretty disheartening to see I'm not on it.* I'm in two minds whether to do a good review. I jest.

Positive Points:

- Fast, thrashy, hardcore punk in the vein of Void, and loads of 80's hardcore bands I can't even think of right now.
- Probably my favourite 7" in the past few weeks.
- Packaging is illuminating. You can actually tear it apart and it makes a stencil of their logo. Although taking it apart would probably decrease its eBay value in a few years. Ooooh decisions. - Nick [Sorry State]

* There is literally no reason why I would be on the thank you list whatsoever.

Crocus - The Worst Kind of Joy is Hope CDEP

2008-07-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Will, I freely admit I am not a manly man (despite my size and stature), but I am a man all the same and generally act accordingly. However today was an different day, when this EP arrived and I put it on I squealed with girlish delight as each note was played, each string with struck and each lyric was sung.

You can always tell if a Screamo band is going to be good. This can be done in two ways, firstly if they list influences from the 90's and secondly if they name themselves after a flower (and example of this tenuous theory is Orchid).

This is the second recording by Crocus (the one track Kristallnacht demo was reviewed earlier) and released on We Heart Records. These guys are a truly amazing band captured perfectly on CD (shame its not vinyl, but there you go) on this 5 track wonder. From the moment "When Your Own Heart Asks" rips out to when "Eight Great Fears" drones to a halt is a complete joy. Zach is an incredibly accomplished guitarist and his frantic playing is flawless through out and Lewis does a brilliant job of keeping up the pace while playing exceptionally himself.

Lyrically Crocus are decent as well, they're everything you might expect from an emotional band and more with lyrics that deal with love, sadness and thinking about your role in life.

Id have to say my two favourite tracks on this EP are the first, "When Your Own Heart Asks" due to the ferousity and punch that it packs and "Merit Lies" because of its truely haunting sound and fantastic lyrics.

I think everyone who loves early Screamo like Orchid, Guyver-One or Saetia should actively go out and buy this and listen to it forever because its just one of the greatest EP's ever!

J.W [We Heart Records]

Podcast Number FIVE

2008-07-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

yo, i've done yet another podcast featuring an array of bands including:

modern action, wipers, dean dirg, banxthis, the germs, the vicious, to the dogs, regulations, sick mormons as well as a heap of others. some new, some old.

can be downloaded from here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?4eofd0zmxrp

- Nick

Fucked Up - Mixtape II

2008-07-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Fuck, this is pretty cool. It's got some pretty hilarious stuff on it ranging from dodgy interviews to really really shit Nirvana covers. It's got loads of decent songs on it, including the Hidden World version of Dangerous Fumes - which wasn't included on the LP, God knows why not! Especially considering they play it live still. I think. Songs from Social Circkle, Brutal Knights, Sex Vid, Dangerloves, and various other bands. This is pretty good to listen to on a Sunday afternoon.

Pretty rad on the whole. - Nick [Deranged]

Born Bad - Moron Music 7"

2008-06-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

Woah this is cool. Third 7" from California's really -killer-SSD/Negative-Approach- worship-with-hints-of- Career-Suicide-hidden-about punks Born Bad. Probably one of my favourite Fashionable Idiots releases in a long time, it kinda is fast, but then breaks and slows down at the right points into sludgy mosh-parts. Most people into hardcore will like this. They call themselves Bullshit Hardcore, and that's probably what they are. Awesome. - Nick [Fashionable Idiots]

Masshysteri - Paranoid 7"

2008-06-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Limited to a mere 200, this record already goes for $60+ on eBay. Hype? Well, err...yeah. At £30 for one track, 'Paranoid' is arguably one of the most expensive records per track there is knocking about and I'm certainly in no rush to sell my copy either, but...it really does little for me.

Now don't get me wrong I do like Masshysteri, I really do, but they've followed an annoyingly poppy direction after The Vicious, and left their Wipers-worshipping/stealing behind. Which is a shame. 'Alienated' and 'Obsessive' were two really really awesome records, but there seems to be very little coming from them anymore. This single, is a bit too sugary sweet, it's not really punk, it's just something that's there. The annoying screams PAAAAAAARRRAAAANO EEEEEEEED does get a bit draining after a while. That's not to say it's not a bad record, because it's not, I just don't really dig it.

At Trashfest, the crowd was dull, yeah it was during Turkey/Holland, but no one really cared, and the music was uninspiring at best. The only time everyone got into it was during a Vicious song, I'm not one to judge a band on crowd participation but it's obvious that Masshysteri aren't as exciting as they used to be. They appear to be slowly burning out. I just hope they release a killer LP that proves me wrong. Sorry dudes. - Nick [Hell Yes!]

The Shitty Limits in NME

2008-06-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Or were they? Click on the article to see the full-thing.

Discussion re: the article can be found here:

http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/cboard/viewtopic.php?id=34937&p=1

Dean Dirg - RAUS!

2008-06-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

Shit! It took me way too long to get hold of this record. I don't even know why. Maybe because I was stupid enough to think that Dean Dirg couldn't top the classics they already have. But THIS RULES. For serious. Track after track, this delivers, oh it delivers on every fucking level.

Dean Dirg are back, with avengence. Fourteen tracks in under fifteen minutes, they haven't stopped doing what 'they do'. I'm so happy I'm seeing them in a few days. No more "I Won't Pay's", no more "I Am Boreeeed's", no more "ROCK OUT'S", get ready for this. Everyone take note, get this record, put it on, turn it up to thirty and lose your mind. WOW. - Nick [Wasted Sounds]

Play It Faster Podcast Number FOUR!

2008-06-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Can be downloaded HERE:

Includes, new and old shit from: cro-mags, the briefs, angry samoans, cloak dagger, deep sleep, skrewdriver, social circkle, circle jerks, modern life is war and various other bands. i'm not giving away the playlist anymore cus that's boring. listen, you might be in for a surprise! it's just over 30 mins long!

any problems, errors, mail me at nick (at) playitfasterrecords.co.uk or pm me on here; thanks!

can be downloaded by following this link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?lmgd9nm5xvl

Oh Kerrang, Oh Kerrang.

2008-06-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

I remember the days I always used to buy Kerrang. Long journeys with my Mum would result in me begging her to buy a copy for me at the Esso on the A12/M25 London interchange. I remember when I'd come out of hospital, I wrote her a list of what to get me whilst I was lying comatosed in my bed, Kerrang was top of that list, followed closely by Beano and Spurs magazine. As she popped over the road to the local post office, I put on the CD that I'd got from the week before. Dexter Holland's mix-CD. Holy shit I thought. This was fucking ACE. I still have it today, and there are still some real gems on that sampler. Black Flag, The Misfits, Minor Threat, the list goes on...

Now, this is by no means a rip on Kerrang. Well, actually, it is. That was a lie. But I mean, a magazine's got to do all it can to sell units, and that's fair enough. But the thing that that hacks me off is that Kerrang used to have credibility. Now it just relies on fifteen year olds on Myspace for opinions. It now compares any band with a vaguely hardcore riff to Gallows; including the band Maths. Excuse me Kerrang, but even my dementia-ridden Greek grandmother could pull out a better comparison. Do your research. That's what you're paid for. I even laughed when the called Your Demise a 'Champion wannabe' band. HAVE YOU ACTUALLY HEARD CHAMPION YOU STUPID FUCKING IDIOTS. Or did you quickly gloss over their influence list on MYSPACE and insert whichever one would sound funnier? What are you going to do next? Compare Bring Me The Horizon to Metallica?

This is the final straw YOU FUCKING MORONS. Next time I see a kid in skinny jeans, a black and red striped jumper buying a copy of Kerrang with Against Me on the front cover with the subititle "SAVIOURS OF PUNK ROCK" "BETTER THAN THE CLASH WERE" "BEST BAND IN THE WORLD" "BETTER THAN REFUSED" "EVEN JESUS LIKES THIS BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" or whatever TOTAL FUCKING GARBAGE you come out with, I'm going to fucking grab their head, smash it on the fucking counter, carve "TASTELESS FUCK" into his forehead with a HB pencil, and fucking post him to you in pieces. You're the worst thing about music in this country, and I can get better journalism from the DAILY FUCKING MAIL'S 'LETTERS' SECTION. PRICKS.

Public Apology to the Red Dons

2008-06-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

I recently stated that the Red Dons 7" 'Escaping Amman' on Deranged was "boring". I admit I was mis-guided, and the record is actually awesome. I'm issuing a full and frank apology to my friends for thinking that I would be unable to appreciate the music. When, infact, I can.

My new review is as follows:

Escaping Amman is a great record. A grower infact. At first I cast it aside, underneath a stash of Damned and Ramones records, disregarded and un-loved. I dragged it from its shell after listening to the LP (which, similarly, I never listened to after listening to this 7"), and it was really good, although had a few parts that I still don't quite *get*. I cracked on the little bit of plastic, cranked it up loud, and really can't see why I didn't like it the first time. Was I drunk? Was I still reeling from the fact that the Poison Control 7", that I got at the same time, was so unspeakably awesome. We will never know.

I have, of course, learnt from this lesson and will, in future, listen to a record fully before I jump to any rash and negligent conclusions. Sorry Red Dons. Sorry world.

Acid Reflux - Secret Power E.P.

2008-06-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

This is the second 7" from Albany's Acid Reflux (haven't heard the first, so you're not getting any references). It's been a bit hyped up, and to be honest I didn't find it that great. It sucks because I usually love anything No Way puts out, but this jus' ain't that special.

It's as standard as hardcore punk goes, but it doesn't really go any further. The instrumental bit at the end is interesting; yet boring. A couple of the songs are cool though, with basslines obviously pilfered from Limp Wrist (I know, they share a drummer; blah) being the better parts of the record. Buy it, listen to it, turn it off and put the new Nightstick Justice or Social Circkle 7"'s on instead. - Nick [No Way]

Hammer - Blue 12"

2008-06-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

Lord know what inspired me to buy this. I think it was because Id seen it sitting in the Deranged store for ages and it intriged me, so I bought it.

This is, like Deranged say, like Gauze, or G.I.S.M. (only minus the excellent solo's). Its boss to the max. These guys really know how to shred and I think this is their 3 or 4th release, all the rest are out of print. But this is brilliant. Lyrically I havent got a clue what's going on because I just don't speak Japanese, and the lyrics sheet is also in Japanese. Now, mad props for this, I think more foreign bands should sing in their mother tongue, why the fuck should they cater to a Western Audience, we should learn their language!

But anyway, this 7 tracks on a 12" (which probably could have just been on a 7") but they're pretty damn boss, these four guys certainly know how to play, and to be honest Im yet to find a Japanese band that just doesn't blow me away with their technical ability, even if they're playing something as simple as D-Beat or Crust, they can just play, thats it, they have "THE GIFT".

Id definitely recommend getting anything you can lay your sweaty little hands on by them, because they're pretty fucking sweet and definitely 100% better then the Arctic Monkey's, Nick.

J.W [Deranged]

hoping Nick gets raped by a broken vinegar bottle and fisted with salt.

Smart Cops - S/T 7"

2008-06-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

Six tracks of high-octane Italian trashy hardcore punk comprises Smart Cops' first 7" on Sorry State Records. Similarly with a few other related bands, with the exception of a few, Smart Cops don't sing in English, which is also nice, and it also means I can bond further with my Italian friends by asking them to translate for me. Kicking in in just under eight minutes and, with the creds of having ex-La Piovra/Ohuzaru/Endless Inertia members, this band are good.

Anything else I can say? Not really, although if you're a fan of aforementioned bands (although Smart Cops only really sound like La Piovra) you'll probably know/know of this band already. They're also better than Azriel, Jake. Fans of the Fashionable Idiots discography will lap this up in a split-second. On your marks...Go. - Nick [Sorry State]

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

2008-05-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-05-29T11:50:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-05-08T09:05:00.001-07:00

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...

2008-05-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

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....

2008-05-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

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]

2008-04-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

I figures it would be a good idea to post a blog comment whilst I'm under the influence of alcohol. Regulations; so, apparently REGULATIONS are playing a couple dates in the UK coinciding with KILLED BY GUILDFORD festival/all dayer. I'm psyched 'cause Regulations are sick, and probably more fun than most bands. Enjoy. PLUS erm NEGATIVE APPROACH, INTEGRITY, COLISEUM, OUTBREAK and AGNOSTIC FRONT, are playing gigs (not together) in small venues including my home town over the summer(ish) period. WOW. GOTTA GO, SHOULD BE FUN.

My flatmate is also going to wake me up at 7.30 tomorrow morning 'cause I gave him aggro tonight about making out with some sketch Irish chick. YAY.

2008-04-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, so...nothing of any substance has been posted on this site in a long time. So I figures I should write a comment, y'know just to keep the content up.

Firstly, I'm pretty stoked. Not only am I 20 tomorrow, yes, yes I do still look 15, but today I made a $90 Grave Mistake order. YES! It's the first time I've bought records in god knows how long, but I splurged and I'll suffer the consequences of my Uni sending me invites to debt meeting and threatening to kick me out of my room yadda yadda yadda. Anyway, what did I buy?

I bought, the new Smart Cops 7", which I will review as soon as I get it. Yeah. Should be really cool, considering the riffs are written by the same dude who did them in La Piovra, Ohuzaru and L'Amico Di Martucci. Plus we've heard the shit off the myspace. I updated my 86 Mentality records, and my Citizens Patrol records. I also bought the new(ish) Dirty Money seveninch. Yeah, from America. It sounds pretty stupid doesn't it. Over the pond, then back over again. Whatever, I don't care every UK distro seems to have it real expensive and it was only £2 over there.

Thirdly, I think, Trashfest is happening in the summer. Not only does it mean I can drink with my friends and act stupid under foreign law, I'm also going to see some rad bands. Masshysteri, Vitamin X, Dead Dirg, COUGH Negative Approach COUGH...as well as loads of others. Plus it's not going to be full of dweebs in green backpacks and This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb patch on their arse. COOL.

Play It Faster Podcast Number THREE!

2008-04-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

Tracklisting:

No Hope For The Kids - No Hope For The Kids (Swe)
Exploding Hearts - Modern Kicks (US)
Gorilla Biscuits - New Direction (US)
Radio Birdman - Snake (Aus)
The Wipers - Over The Edge (US)
Brutal Knights - Burlesque Is Horseshit (Can)
Career Suicide - Recipe For Disaster (Can)
Bones Brigade - All Go No SLOW! (US)
Slaughter ( & The Dogs) - No Way (UK)
The Shitty Limits - Social Disease (UK)
The Hives - Outsmarted (Swe)
The Adverts - Gary Gilmore's Eyes (UK)
Tranzmitors - Teenage Tragedy (US)
Black Flag - Revenge (US)
Limp Wrist - Complex (US)
Skitkids - Glajedodare (Swe)
Tear It Up - Live Fast, Die Punk (US)
Cold Ones - Minesweeper (UK)

Can be downloaded here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?4axg3djxngg

Aflightoremember Discography

2008-03-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

Aflightoremember is an acoustic act from Ipswich, Suffolk, and finally after a few years of hard touring, and recording the project, sadly, has eventually come to a close. I thought I'd take this time to mention that there will be a final discography (3xCD) release, availiable from Dead Ship records in the near future, tailor made by Marc for the person receiving the collection. Further details can be found at www.myspace.com/aflightoremember

Sundowner - Four One Five Two

2008-03-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

So, I just saw Sundowner on tour with Mike Park; and it was absolutely outstanding. There was a good turnout, a fair few people singing, and a nice colourful environment in which everyone was similing, and in full appreciation in the music that was being played infront of them. Solo music is always so personal, which is why I think it's so good, and it offers a nice warmth that listening to Black Flag doesn't neccessarily do. Even punks need a break, like...

Anyway, this record is really great. I'm almost scared to review is cus I don't want to let it down. Either way I really wish I had, because the TLA covers on here are awesome. Even though you could tell that he wanted to distance himself away from TLA, as he slowly juggled questions about their future, he still gave the impression that Sundowner is simply a 'side project'.because it deserves so much. Every track is perfect, and although I don't have a lyric sheet because I got a Boot CD-R done by Chris himself, I know what he's singing about is important. I never really got into The Lawrence Arms, I always got them confused with Good Riddance when I was a kid, and I think the only song of theirs I ever heard was something to do with porno and snuff, which I watched on P-Rock.

This record is really good, it's not boundary-breaking, but it's certainly a keeper and has tracks that will make you smile and sing along, which for me, is all that's important.

If you're a fan of slightly more upbeat folk (<-- *shudder*) acoustic punk, then I suggest you check this out. - Nick [Red Scare]

Circles Takes The Square Interview

2008-03-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

This interview is a little bit old now, but I don't think too much has changed from it and the answers are still gold.

Circle Takes The Square. Seminal screamo from Georgia. Drew was nice enough to answer some questions...

Marcie: First of all, how's everything going with you guys?

Drew: great, thanks for asking. we're in the process of writing a full length and sorting out other, somewhat "behind the scenes," issues that we have never really had time to address because of a busy touring schedule and a few other factors.
one example is that we've finally gotten a new website up and another example is the remixing/mastering of our demo and split seven inch material, which we plan on re-releasing as a cd/lp sometime early next year. which leads us to the next question....

M: You have recently re-released your original demo/ep, what were the reasons behind this?

D: well it hasn't been officially released yet, but the demo tracks are up online for download now. the physical release will be coming out relatively soon. the two releases that will comprise this re-release were relatively small pressings originally, and we get alot of requests for the material, so we've decided to just put it all on one record and make it available again.

M: How is the new material coming along? 'As The Roots Undo' was very concept based, are the new songs following in the same vein, or are they all separate stories and messages?

D: its coming along well. the songs are shaping up to include a few common themes, but they're being written in a way which allows them to stand alone when out of the context of the album. one of the songs we're working on now is the longest piece of music we've written, and contains a few different variations on musical themes within the overall framework.
its been a fun and challenging project and i'm getting excited about eventually performing it live.

M: Have you felt any pressure when writing the new material, due to the positive feedback that 'As The Roots Undo' gathered?

D: we're happy that as the roots undo has been relatively well received. the response to that record was beyond our expectations, and though there may seem to be some pressure at times, i don't necessarily feel that we need to "top" anything we've done already.
we're just focusing on making a few pieces of music that we want to hear and perform, songs to satiate our current musical hunger.

M: 'Non-Objective Portrait of Karma' was one of the highlights of 'as the roots'..., the layers, the structure were beautiful. How do you go about writing songs like that - are they ideas which are jammed, or is there a clear plan behind them?

D: its a combination of both approaches you mentioned, really. the process varies depending on the mood of the song we're working on, or each specific part of the song for that matter. sometimes there's a need for something cold and scientific to balance out a part that's warmer and more spontaneous. i guess its about balance overall, or lack of balance depending on what we're going for. this is a difficult thing to describe, mostly because the process is somewhat inconsistent. for me, the most difficult thing about writing music is deciding which part of music you want to be represented in a song.
a painting of a landscape is not the landscape, its a man- made interpretation of that landscape. i think songs' relationship to music is very similar. a song is not representative of the music that's floating around out there in the ether, a song is simply a snapshot of that organic body in one of an infinite amount of potential forms. its up to the musician to decide on how he or she wants to represent that infinite form. i may have veered from the topic...

M: You've made it pretty clear in the past about your views on your own government and a lot of the actions they take. Is it still a burning issue with you, are you still pushing to get your views heard?

D: i don't think we're as outspoken in the context of our band as we might be as individuals regarding current events, simply because we're a band and therefore made up of individuals with different viewpoints and concerns. these points of view can't really be easily lumped into a blanket viewpoint, so we tend to not really define circle takes the square as having any one stance, necessarily. but we have made a few myspace posts here or there about certain topics of concern when we've felt so compelled.
i think they maintain a huge amount of neutrality, though. i guess one thing that we standfor as a band is for people to be proactive- there's so much amazing information available to everyone and sometimes people just need a starting point on how to find out what they're looking for.

M: Have you any plans to bring your art over to the UK as exhibitions?

D: ha, maybe someday. right now my main focus is finishing the new circle material!

M: And finally, any plans to come back over to the UK at any point?

D: again, finishing the material for our new full length is the only thing on our agenda right now, but once that's done we will certainly be getting back on the road and the uk sounds like a lot of fun.

http://www.circletakesthesquare.com

--

Marcie

Play It Faster Podcast Number Two Up!

2008-03-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

Tracklisting is as follows:

Thee Vicars - Why Have You Changed (UK)
Masshysteri - Monoton Tid (Swe)
Wire - Mannequin (UK)
Cellophane Suckers - Sex Boys (Ger)
The Shitty Limits - Espi-o-nage (UK)
Cold Ones - D5 (UK)
Brutal Knights - Life Ain't Cool (Can)
Fucked Up - Police (Can)
Circle Jerks - Operation (US)
The Tranzmitors - Dancing In The Front Row (US)
The Methadones - Are You Really for Real? (US)
Regulations - My Future (US)
Government Warning - Arrested (US)
Reality- BIA (UK)
Shoot To Kill - Burnout (UK)
The Motards - You Make Me Sick (US)
Slumlords - Out The Door (US)
The Vicious - Obsessive Compulsive (Swe)
Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power (US)
Smart Cops - Tra Le Reclute (Ita)

You can download this here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?inzkbdj92mo

Play It Faster Podcast Up

2008-02-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

I made a podcast type thing (still trying to work out RSS feeds, and all that shite) up on Mediafire. It's got hardcore punk from the 70's/80's/90's and present day so that should be enough for everyone. Hopefully you'll uncover some new gems. Tracklisting is as follows (hope this doesn't put you off!)

86 Mentality - Get Away (US)
Adrenalin O.D. - Status Symbol (US)
Socialcide - Your Lost Cause (US)
The Vicious - The Happiest Place (Swe)
The Kids - This is Rock 'n' Roll (Bel)
Adolescents - No Way (US)
Smart Cops - Il Vile E Il Futuro (Ita)
Self Destruct - Not Your World (UK)
Skitkids - Ensammen Bygger Vald (Swe)
Tranzmitors - Plastic Genocide (US)
Agnostic Front - Victim in Pain (US)
Anti You - Bail Out (Ita)
Christian Club - Paradise Lost (US)
Shape Shifter - Feeding the Beasts (US)
Black Flag - Slip it In (US)
Dead Stop - The Flex (Ned)
Good Riddance - One For The Braves (US)
Bad Religion - Part III (US)
Angry Samoans - You Stupid Jerk (US)
Limp Wrist - Fucks With My Head (US)
Zero Boys - Livin' In The 80's (US)

You can download it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?asgy1xmnmsr

-Nick

Organised Sports - "Beaker of AIDS" DLEP

2008-01-17T17:31:00.000-08:00

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"

2008-01-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

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'

2008-01-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-12T16:00:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

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"

2008-01-11T15:01:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-05T17:31:00.000-08:00

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"

2008-01-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

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]

"Thrash War" 7" 4-way Split (Valhalla Pacifists/Patient Zero/Worker & Parasite/Brain Dead)

2007-12-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

Right, this is a four way split released jointly by Keep Screaming Records and Demo-Lition Records. As mentioned the bands on it are the Valhalla Pacifists, Patient Zero, Worker and Parasite and Brain Dead. They have 3-4 tracks each and make a fine job of it.

The Valhalla Pacifists open up the whole thing with some blinding thrash and with some blatant Scholastic Deth influences being thrown into the bundle just for good measure. Their section is introduced with the amusing "Street Fight" between the Ron Burgundy and the other news teams which is just funny haha.

Next up is Patient Zero which deliver some tight as fuck screeching Thrash, with a similar sound to Charles Bronson or Das Oath. Some very intelligent lyrics from these guys too about poseurs and an unprecedented hatred for the fashion industry haha! Fuck those skinny bitches! Stand out tracks are "Alkatraz" and "Poseur Pt2". Real Balls to the Wall stuff.

Flipping the record over and we get Worker and Parasite (who I have to admit are a personal fav of mine) who seem to brign a bastard mix of Thrash and Grind into the equation with songs that just rip through your ears with unrelenting blast beats. "Cluster Fuck" has some brilliant shout outs at the end which are guaranteed to upset someone.

Brain Dead (another personal fav) are the best but by no means least band on this little split who deliver some absolutely CRUSHING Power Violence in a truly Man is the Bastard style manner, with ploddy and pounding base lines, ripping blast beats and roared vocals that shake the very core of your body. LOVE IT!!

It totally recommend it.

J.W (writes the worst review in history...EVER) [Keep Screaming/Demo-lition Records]

*PS: The artwork on this is the fucking bollocks as well!

Socialcide - Sick of the Pressure EP

2007-12-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

This is fucking insane. Just over six minutes of 80's styled frantic hardcore punk, really gritty; with some rad bass parts. I'm trying to think of comparisons, uh, uh, it's like Cut The Shit vs. Tear It Up, at least I think so. Check out the new Burn In Hell Bundy 7", and the interview I did with Zach - Nick

Dead Swans "Southern Blue" 7"

2007-12-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

I dunno, I liked it. Its not been until recently that Ive gotten back into this side of Hardcore (the heavy borderline metal stuff), but its probably due to these guys. They're as I said heavy Hardcore, and basically one of the Cross Over bands, like Get Fucking Dead and Haymaker (I mean as examples of Cross Over bands, not interms of how they sound), but lyrically are all about a break up apparently, which I think its kind of cool because it displaces them from the tough guy macho shit that seems to attach itself to the Metally Hardcore bands. Oh yeah, these guys are Melodic as well. Also the vinyl is blue and black (ooh aaaah) so its kind of cool as well with some really nicely done and passionate lyrics (album artwork is also the teets).

BUY It!!

J.W [Anchors Aweigh Records]

* I've not done a bad review yet. God, how posi am I! Maybe I just like everything, God! Maybe I'm just really easy to please, I should go and buy a shit record so I can say bad things about it now...
**PS: Fuck you guys! I'm reviewing Thrash War! I just need to listen to it again...Cock knockers!

Shitty Limits "The Limits Appear" 7" ep

2007-12-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

I think Nick has done the 'Limits self released 7", but I see no review of the KSR release. So Ive taken it upon myself to fill the void in this humble little webzine (although to be honest it seems more of a collection of reviews then a zine as such. Scene reports, gig reviews and band interviews are welcome! PLEASE! even some sort of article about something would be nice, anything that stops this being Amazon.com with pissed off teenagers and minus the ability to buy said music).

Anyway, this stuff is rather good. Kind of like Dean Dirg in the sense its that jangly garage hardcore that seems to be going around like the recent outbreak of Bird Flu/Foot and Mouth/Blue Tongue (or any other agricultural nightmare). As Ive said, its garagy and its Hardcore, its good. I love it. Louis has this fantastically frantic vocals that are half screamed and half blurted out that just add more energy to the overall sound, Eddie's erratic and jangly guitaring (check out the technical instrument terms there!) go further to frantic energy of the music.

I cant be fucked to say anymore, I'm tired. Go out and buy the fucking thing from Keep Screaming Records, its cheap as chips and well worth it, its like pocket change (so about £4 max). Stand out tracks are "Limits Appear", "Minds Eye" and "Just Because".

J.W (Over uses brackets) [Keep Screaming Records]

*Fuck Nick in his tight Greek arse if he just wants this to be reviews, I think it needs more!

Attack! Vipers! - The Mirror and the Destroyer

2007-12-17T12:59:00.001-08:00

Yeah, so this is really ancient now. But who gives. This is super awesome really heavy hardcore mixed with rock'n'roll; think the heaviness of Jets vs. Sharks versus the rock of The Suicide File. Anyway, this band is super fast, and really special live. (Playing with Coliseum on Wednesday; diary that shit, now; 17/12/07) If you've missed it, unlucky, because this band are probably in the top five UK bands right now. Better than all the other JetsVs incarnations (sorry duders; the others are still really rad though), so get a grip on this. It's retails at £8, which probably went to pay the dude who designed the whole CD inlay - oooh controversial - but I don't care, cos it's definitely a keeper. Someone give me the 7"! - Nick [Rat Patrol]

Vile - Soloutions

2007-12-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

Get into trouble, not me
Rob a liquor store, not me
Rape little girls, not me
I didnt do it
I didnt do it
I dont care what they say
Lock me up or let me go free
But someone punch that fucking D.A.
5 to 10 is what i got
In a cell in walpole state
All my freedom i have lost
I just wish it wasent too late
She was fat she was ugly
She was grossly sick
She was fat she was ugly
I wouldnt fuck her with your dick

What more needs to be said you have to have this record, unless your a PC lepper in which case this is musical aids to your ears!

Red Dons - Escaping Amman

2007-12-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Don't get this at all. Boring? 45rpm sounds better. Nick [Deranged]

LiveFastDie "Pissing on the Mainframe" EP

2007-12-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

LFD help to further usher in the final phase of the true decline of western civilization with not one but two songs referencing "garage rock" messageboards (and actually their third total if you count that "Webshits..." thing), effectively forcing all of us punkrock record collectors and gossip mongers to gaze at the unshaven and sallow face reflected back in our monitors. The fact that I am typing this review should force some sort of armageddon clock to start ticking or seventh seal-style plague-of-frogs kinda shit. It's like they broke the fourth wall or something. Yet, regardless of whether I walk outside and the skies are raining blood and the earth is covered with locusts, I can actually say I have heard LFD's best record, because this is it ladies and gentlemen. It took subject matter as disturbing as this to elevate Camero Werewolf and Co.'s game to that next level of total GG-fronting-the-Ramones shitfaced genius. These guys have a seemingly unending supply of crappy-yet-awesome guitar sounds and recording "techniques" that give every song a different look, and it's this sort of innovative stupidity that makes LFD so transgressively enjoyable and unique. Well done, especially the title cut, but "Sonic Thread" is no slouch either. I need a fucking lyric sheet though. Scum
http://www.myspace.com/livefastdienow

I found this pretty amusing so im posting it up, also its just to buy me some time before i write a wax museums review as i have a shit load of work to do in the mean time why dont you buy some records from these guys you bunch of poseurs !

http://myspace.com/douchemasterrecords

Die Kreuzen 'October File'

2007-12-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

So we all know that 'Cows and Beer' along with the self titled LP are pretty fucking rad and essentials in terms of your record collection, and we have all heard the warnings that pretty much after those records there isnt much worth going out of the way for.
So anyway im trawling through the wax factor categories and im having a pretty successful day, ive already snagged Ill communication, Orgasm addict and some alternative TV stuff for a good price and i come across October File, now i remember the warnings but hey its only 6 bones of my brothers christmas present whats the harm i may as well see what all the fuss is about, i mean come on how bad could it be.
So yeah onwards i stick it on the spin and it starts of with some eerie guitaring and then the drums and bass kicks in and it breaks into some kind of over produced post punk stuff. It doesent get any better either later on this song 'Theres a place' kind of sums it up, slow and infrequent drumming with repetative guitars and just random patches of whiny incoherent shouting throughout. The only bearable thing about this record is a song called 'Open Lines' and even that isnt so hot.
So the moral of the story i guess is its all well and good to find things out for yourself but sometimes the majority is just spot on, this is no cows and beers, don't buy this record it will only end in tears before bed time!

Tranzmitors - S/T LP

2007-12-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

Apparently some people hate this.

Apparently some people are idiots.

This is good. - Nick [Deranged]

Shermer - Hope Is An Anchor

2007-12-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

This is an outstanding full-length. Serioooously great NO IDEA worship from some place in the Midlands or something. This has got some of the songs off the first seveninch on it, as well as some really awesome other ones. The intro to 'New Years Revolutions' is slick as fuck, and this band I need to put on. The split with the Machines Will Take Over is brilliant too. - Nick [Art for Blind]

The Shitty Limits - Yesterday's Heroes

2007-12-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

So yeah, this is good. - Nick [DIY]

White Rose - Ghosts of the Sidewalk 7" EP

2007-12-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

Ive known about this band for yonks, and Ive already reviewed their War Machine album which is the bollocks, but they also released this 7" EP (one with the massive 45 hole in the middle...dont know why thats worth a mention, but it is) for charity. So Im reviewing, if you dont like...well honestly I dont give a fuck.
Alot of the time when I mention them people are like "are they racist?", the quick answer is No the long answer is "I dont listen to Racist music, so no". Their name comes from a bunch of students in Munich around the time of Hitlers rise to power who (along with their teacher) protested against him with leaflets and other such things. Anyway, they got rounded up and strung up for it.

Now, the 7" is two songs "Ghosts of the Sidewalk" and "Seed's of Destruction". Both great tracks. "Ghosts of the Sidewalk" is my favourite, its basically about homeless people and how we choose to ignore them when essentially is us whose put them into this position. The lyrics are brillaint the melody to this piece is really haunting (which I suppose is fitting), basically mad props to the guitarist for really making this piece. The lyrics are fucking exceptional too.

Get this brillaint little 7" from this awesome Hawiian Punk band. They're true Punk awesomeness in the vein of Against Me, Strike Anywhere, 7 Seconds and those other melodic Punk bands.

J.W [Unitree Records]

Citizens Patrol "Sick Routine" 7" EP

2007-12-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

This is another great little band from the Netherlands called Citizens Patrol. Blisteringly fast political hardcore which kind of reminds me of Career Suicide on speed. All the songs are just soo fast, but soo good and the lyrics are sung at a machinegun like speed with really snotty vocals.

The lyrics as I said are mainly political and range from the usually Anti-Cop sentiment to Anti-War sentiment, so granted its nothing that hasnt been said before. But its all sung with such venom and hatred, brilliant. Stand out track has to be the title track "Sick Routine" which is about peoples inability to prize themselves away from their televisions and just absorb the rot that comes out of it. As I said its really fucking fast but not in that Thrash or Power-Violence way, just fast. Its still got melody and rythem to it and isnt just a blur. Its all played really well and I reckon their live shows are the fucking bollocks.

J.W [Crucial Attack Records]

Bergenfield Four S/T EP 7"

2007-12-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

This is yet another of Damian of Fucked Up's little projects, but is actually quite different from what he's usually involved in. This also contains George Pettit from Alexisonfire along with members from Attack in Black and Keep It Up. This is also the first release on Damian and his better half, Lauren's record label, LowDown Records.

Named after the four teenagers who parked their car in a garage in Bergenfield in the latter half of the 1980's and committed suicide together using the Cars emmissions leaving a lengthy note that requested they all be buried together.
The 7" seems to deal with these issues, each song seeming to be written as a letter to various individuals (my ears are shot and I couldn't make out the exact lyrics over the instruments and with no lyrics sheet I couldnt tell whether they're supposed to be interpreted as suicide notes or not)

The music itself is jangly American Punk, kind of like if the Buzzcocks were fronted by John Brannon of Negative Approach. Its not fast, its about mid-tempo so dont expect blisteringly fast, just put it on and feel the groove and enjoy it.

I found the stand out tracks to be "My Sweetheart" and "To My Insurance Broker" which are perhaps the more tuneful of the 4 songs. But really its all good.

J.W [LowDown Records]

Pink Eye "World Wide Columbine" 12" LP

2007-12-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

This is is Damian's and Johan's of Fucked Up and Career Suicide side project (one of many for Damian who seems to have about 4 that I know of). The band's aim is a call to arms for all outcasts, geeks, dweebs, goths, gays, punks, and other members of the unpopular crew; So naturally I fuckin' LOVE this shit being the fat kid that no one liked in my school days and now just settling for the Fat guy that no one likes.
This band are brutal and honest and just great. The salient song I feel to the whole LP is In Praise of School Shooters which is a homage to all those kids who snapped under the muscled arms, thick necks and tiny brains of their school bullies and wondered into school harmed and dangerous putting a bullet into each and everyone of the fuckers (a fantasy alot of us have shared im sure) but the LP gives a big FUCK YOU to the Nazi ones. Those great songs are Thaco which essentially just seems to be about taking D&D too seriously.

This band are great, they're pure Void worship and Void were just the bollocks! Its fast and heavy 80's style Cross-Over Hardcore but without the shit.

Honest to god, if you can get either format of this record do, its just SOOOO fucking good.

J.W [Slasher Records]

Poison Control – The Violent Years 7” EP

2007-12-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Ex-members of Cut the Shit come together to form a slower but equally fantastic mid paced Hardcore band. If your into 80’s Hardcore then these guys are up your alley, they’re a bit like S.O.A. or Government Issue. This 4-track EP is great; I’m having trouble pigeon holing it, so why even bother. They’re just a great punk band. Stand out tracks are Human Targets (about the assassination of celebrities) and Nervosa.

J.W [Deranged Records]

Nothing Done – Power Trip LP

2007-12-03T15:42:00.000-08:00

When I decided to check out these guys the only thing that was holding me to it was that the singer (Michiel) “Wears glasses like me”. Not meaning we had similar glasses but, just as myself, he was visually challenged.
I was at a show and there was a rather large distro and I had picked up a few pieces but realised I hadn’t searched the LP boxes, I found this and immediately bought it, got it home and put it on. Its great stuff, fast hardcore punk from the Netherlands. Stand out tracks have to be “Control” “Crackhead” and “Up to you” but each one is awesome with skilful playing and snotty angry vocals. For fans of Career Suicide, Cut the Shit, Citizen Patrol (review for that coming later, can't find me spider for the middle of the record) and other fast hardcore bands but still with some melody (ie the guitars aren’t so buzz saw fast they bleed into each other) these are defiantly a group to pick up.
J. "Cant find his fuckin' spider" W [Not Just Words Records]

Henry Fiat's Open Sore - Patmos or Bust 7"

2007-11-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

"I fuckin' hate all that garage punk shite, but Henry Fiat's Open Sore are pretty good" says my mate Alex to me last week. The same dude that refuses to listen to anything that's not on Bridge Nine Records, or that you can ninja kick to. So I guess that's a good point. Either way, this band are really good (shame there's no insert with the 7" sfsfsjsfsfskkkklslslsjshsj!) really rock'n'rolly feel without sounding too much like The Kids. For some reason Sweden seems to kick out way more bands than the rest of Scandinavia, maybe it's something in the water...-Nick [Wrench]

Dean Dirg - Three Successive Blasts 10"

2007-11-28T12:40:00.000-08:00

The artwork for this is really cool; some punk dude with half his head off, steaming like the mushroom effects of an atomic bomb explosion...and it's been pressed on black wax with some bluey spurts all over it; lovely. ANYWAY, Dean Dirg are probably my favourite Euro-band, not by far, but they probably hold the top spot, based on record and live. This 10" is a collection of THREE of their 7"'s (Chimpanzee, Henry Fiat Split, Bombenalarm Split) all recorded roughly within a year of each other. I don't know why they did this 10", 'cos all the records aren't out of press. But that's a question that probably won't be answered. Essential band. - Nick [Six Feet Under]

Fall of Efrafa - Elil LP

2007-11-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

I was introduced to this band by a friend of mine who knows the Singer (Alex) of this band. I asked a little about them and he briefly explained that they were a "Melodic Crust" band, that the time it seemed quite the oxymoron to have a Crust band that plays melodically. Never the less this did not deter me and I typed their name into my trusty Google search engine and their name popped up. I clicked and read about the band discovering that they were somewhat of a concept band. This concept being Richard Adams' Watership Down novel (a tail about rabbits and their quest for a safer spot to set up a warren), I'm sure most of you have either read the book or remember being traumatised by the animated movie. The band see the book as the Animal Farm-esque tale of the evils of Fascism (the Efrafa Warren lead by the war mongering and vicious General Woundwort) and incorporate this metaphor into some of their songs about the mistreatment of animals and of the planet in general.
Anyway on their website they had stuck up a track from their first 12" Owsla called the The Fall of Efrafa and immediately I was hooked. I hunted down their original 12" (which took some doing, and eventually found one thanks to Nick), I then patiently awaited the second installment of The Warren of Snares (Owsla being part one).

Eventually it arrived (and after that long winded back story so does this review) with the title Elil, Elil being "Lapine" (rabbit talk) for the enemies of rabbits (principally, us, humans). Its pure bliss to listen to (I dont mean its tame by that). Its a brilliant record, Alex's gruff howling vocals sit perfectly within each track. The instrumentals are equally fantastic with almost harp like playing in the intro's and outro's of the songs before erupting into the thumping blasts that lovers of crust are familiar with. However the music is really delivered by the Chello which gracefully scythes its way through the grinding guitars and feels so brilliantly soothing. Ill admit, I had my eyes closed this entire LP in sheer relaxation because of the skillful playing of the Cello.
The songs are also introduced with a sound clip in this 12" case it is Richard Adams reading an extract from his book and their is also a lengthy piece (but still very interesting and brilliantly chosen) piece read by Richard Dawkins from one of his novels on athiesm (which I've not had the chance to read).

Althogether a brilliant 12" and I look forward to hearing the 3rd installment from this brilliant Brighton based band.

-J.W. [Sound Devastation + others]
(Sorry for lack of track details, I dont have the record with me right now).

Eyeball Chambers - Demo

2007-11-27T15:10:00.001-08:00

Awesome punk rock band from the abaddon that is the Isle of Wight. Clearly been listening to shed loads of No Idea stuff, 'cos that's what it sounds like. If you like Jets vs Sharks or Shermer you'll dig this. Hopefully destined for good things 'cos this is seriousy good. - Nick [DIY]

Tortuga - Demo

2007-11-27T15:06:00.000-08:00

This is really good. OBVIOUSLY going to draw similarities to now d-e-f-u-n-c-t November Coming Fire, and it is kinda similar going for the crushing hardcore vibe. Not as good as other bands like Throats or whatever, but still really good. I wish they wouldn't keep going on about how they signed to In At The Deep End, though. I mean yeah it's cool, but we don't need to be told fifty times a day. Good band nonetheless, probably going to be heading on to good things too. - Nick [DIY]

Jealous - Jealous S/T 7"

2007-11-27T14:39:00.001-08:00

I love these guys. Ex Sworn In, with a super attitude. Heavy yet fast crushing hardcore, killer live too. Yeah some guys give them shit for what they do, but at least they're original and don't go around talking about how sxe they are. - Nick [Double Crossed]

Crash The Pose/Brain Dead 7"

2007-11-27T14:35:00.000-08:00

I never really liked Brain Dead. I don't know why, I think it's 'cos of the vocals. But yeah, whatever. The Crash The Pose side is THE SHIT, super. Really chaotic hardcore punk, split up. I wanna get hold of all their other stuff, cos it's all OOP. So if you have some in distro/trades list send me an e-mail. - Nick [ What We Do/Ghost City/Keep Screaming]

Burning The Prospect - Fires in Your Cities 7"

2007-11-27T14:32:00.000-08:00

SHAME this is one sided, but apparently it was meant to be a split with some other band who didn't pull through in time. But yeah, D-Beat from the Boston dudes, they do it better than most UK bands really, got some good stuff going on. Recently signed to FETO records, deserved it. - Nick [Right To Refuse]

Suicide File - Live on WERS 7"

2007-11-27T14:29:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite bands, with some of their best songs recorded on WERS (essentially like BBC Sessions, but not as lame). It doesn't encapsulate the best stuff about live shows like the crowd; probably cos there is no crowd, and it's just them playing in a studio. Needles to say, good for fans. - Nick [Lifeline]

Skitkids - Valkomna Till Paradiset 7"

2007-11-27T14:25:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favourite records in ages, I think I got it 'cos my friend Tom was going on about how amazing they were and the song he put on his Myspace page (which is track number one on this record) was some of the best Euro-punk I'd heard in ages. Really fast, kinda aiming for a crusty sound (probably just the vocals), and totally perfect. - Nick [540]

Shoot It Up - S/T 7"

2007-11-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

This is so trashy it's insane, like it was recorded in a bin. This release was super hyped like most Fashionable Idiots stuff is, but it's really good. Like FJunkies, but way, way more to the core. And they don't have a bassist on this record so it's even more guitar orientated and doesn't have the bass added too it. Turn the bass down on your record player while you're at it, insane. - Nick [Fashionable Idiots]

Formaldehyde Junkies - Are A Total Wreck 7"

2007-11-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

Yeah this is well old and the band are DEAD, but I'm reviewing it anyway. Super fast hardcore punk, you know the drill from the US bands. Serious Minor Threat ripping off is going on on this record, but who cares; THAT'S A GREAT THING. Formaldehyde Junkies are amazing anyway. - Nick [Firestarter]

Burning Times - 7"

2007-11-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

Saw these guys once, shame they split up. Both the brothers from Abandon Ship team up with another guy from Brighton to make a kind of epic hardcore punk. Hard to describe, but there's definitely some Witch Hunt worship going on in there. Artwork's a bit strange, but get this. Ever since I heard the demo I was hooked, some good lyrics going on there. As I said, split up. But still something to get hold of. - Nick [Tadpole]

Self Destruct - Self Titled 7"

2007-11-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

These guys are probably one of my favourite punk rock bands in the country right now, shame they don't do so many gigs, I've only seen them once, boo hoo. Anyway, back to basics punk rock, not fast, but not slow with some awesome guitar parts and solos. I'm not too sure on the lyrics, they're mostly good, but I don't know why the keep mentioning 'God' and 'Jesus' but whatever. It's a minor point. It's a kick ass 7" and a kick ass band. Probably out of press, get the mp3's anyway. - Nick [Dead and Gone]

Raise The White Flag/The Outpatients - Split 7"

2007-11-27T13:28:00.000-08:00

The Outpatients are basically the band that never was. Super amazing, and they only got a handful of gigs under their belt, but needless to say; the awesome band that never was. Features members of Raise The White Flag, and it's really fast hardcore punk, with some almost power-violence parts, and some awesome lyrics. The Raise The White Flag side is also amazing, also now defunct, RTWF were probably one of the best UK hardcore punk bands, if anyone heard Calling All Cynics, you'd agree. Anyway, this is more of the same from these dudes. Both bands split up, this record is also OOP. I never saw either live, but I have this record. So if you're in neither camp: GUTTED. - Nick [Keep Screaming/Demo-Lition]

La Piovra - 'Risacca' 7"

2007-11-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

This is awesome, super-fast Italian hardcore punk. These dudes kill it live too. This 7" contains probably my two favourite LP songs, even though their LP on Youth Attack slays. If you like Dean Dirg, or your EuroSuperFastPunk pick this up. - Nick [Punks Before Profits]

V/A - Public Safety LP

2007-11-27T11:48:00.000-08:00

There is literally nothing to say about this is that it's done by MRR, therefore you know which bands will be on it -Career Suicide, LBAL- as well as all those zeitgeist bands that MRR tends to cover (not a band thing...). Anyway, good LP, and also an awesome track by Limp Wrist who really need to get out of the shadows and do a Euro tour or something. - Nick

Life Trap - Bleak Reality 7" EP

2007-11-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

You know where you are with No Way releases; they're all good. This is no exception, fast, sketchy hardcore punk from Nashville. You get one of those 'shit! is this meant to be run at 45' moments when you put this on. But yeah, if you like Deranged stuff, Feral Ward stuff, you'll love this. - Nick [No Way]

Crocus - Kristallnacht Demo

2007-11-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

Jaw-droppingly crushing noise from the deepest south of England. Crocus have a Converge-esque sound, and they're probably a good place to start if you're into them. Similar to other UK bands like Attack! Vipers! in their sheer ferocity as a live band. This one tracker is a nice taster, but their sound has moved on since the recording of this demo, which was done a while ago.

Whatever, this band is awesome, five tracker on We Heart Records soon...so keep an eager eye out for that one.- Nick [DIY]

Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs

2007-11-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

This is probably Pinback's most accessible album to date, and a pretty strong record at that. There are no obvious 'weak' tracks - probably none- but this is definitely a slightly new direction for Pinback. The album artwork is off kilter, and not what they usually do (see Summer in Abaddon, Blue Screen Life etc), but it's definitely a good album, and definitely a grower. Not as sharp in some places as you'd wish, but it's a pretty textbook release. - Nick [Touch and Go]

The Plight - Black Summer

2007-11-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

Second 'proper' release and getting much better. You know what you're getting with The Plight. Probably one of the best bands patrolling the UK right now. 'Clarendon' kicks the record into shape straight away, probably the strongest on record, excluding the two re-recorded 'Ball and Chain', and 'Lifestyle' -whose inclusion is fairly unneccesary 'cos I always think it's better to just write more songs instead of making old ones better. Either way, The Plight are awesome; awesome dudes, great fun. Watching them at a house show a few months back is probably one of my fondest memories of the whole year. So yeah, if you're into rock'n'roll with gritty vocals sans bullshit, go for The Plight. - Nick [Visible Noise]