It's been awhile and I apologize...

... hectic is a cool sounding word and it's often used too little. So, I'm using it.
I'm applying it to the current state of my life, at least in regard to work.
Soon it should settle some, and when it does, I again plan to post with regularity.

Promises, promises... I know.

For the time being, a friend of mine, Jsn has put up a website of work he has done- work being Tattoos, Art, and Design.

Check it out, its good stuff: Jsn Anthony


And don't hesitate to check out his band, Red Son (from Arizona)

or his old band, Where Eagles Dare ;)
----------------
Now playing: Propagandhi - Back To The Motor League
via FoxyTunes

Explosions in the Sky - 3 Song Peel Session

Instrumental music that defies most general pigeonholing, not as heavy as Pelican, more straight forward than a band like Godspeed You! Black Emperor or Mogwai, but possessing parts of both. Explosions in the sky craft songs that don't need lyrics- beautiful and floating at times and smashing you headfirst through the floor. They can bury you or lift you up.

This is a very nice Peel Session including one of my favorites "First Breath After A Coma". Live and still doesn't miss a beat.

Explosions in the Sky - "Peel Session" (DOWNLOAD)

Pre-Halloween Treat: Brother's Keeper - Five Hits From Hell

Its Saturday night, less than a week before Halloween- I know there's quite a few Halloween parties so I thought I'd offer this up since I know I'll probably be busy on Halloween Night. So, you get an EP of Brother's Keeper doing 5 Misfits covers.

I was never a huge Brother's Keeper fan, but I found this CD in a .99 Cent Bin 5-6 years ago and simply couldn't resist. Mike Ski's signature vocals to some good covers of the music (though there are some stylistic updates to fit the BK style). As much as I know I should probably think this is terrible, I can't help but listen. Devil's Whorehouse is good; Skulls is kinda ummm... interesting; and so goes the rest of the EP.

Not bad, definitely worth my dollar. This came out on Ides of March in 2000.

Brother's Keeper - Five Hits from Hell EP (DOWNLOAD)





----------------
Now playing: The Estranged - Don't They Know
via FoxyTunes

Champion - Live 2003

Another live recording post (look back through past posts for Billy Bragg, Over My Dead Body, Explosions in the Sky, Parades End, Hot Cross, the Murder City Devils & Greg Graffin). Seattle Straight Edge Hardcore. You probably know who this band is, just download it already.

This is straight from the soundboard at the now gone Showcase Theatre in Corona, California. Same as with the Over My Dead Body recording a few months ago, I was able to get the sound guy to record this for me. Over the years they sat primarily in my collection and a few friends got copies. With the rise of blogs and moving this past Feb. forcing me to box and unbox things, i found a lot of stuff.

This recording is from Feb. 21st, 2003 - Bane, Terror & Piece by Piece played this show as well. It was packed like sardines. Somewhere I have pictures from this show as well. Bane was at their peak of popularity out here and Champion was just fully coming into their own.

Enjoy! It's all one track, if anyone wants to download it, break up the tracks and send it back to me- I will gladly re-post it as individual tracks. I however simply do not have the motivation or time to do it now. Seattle Hardcore for your listening enjoyment, including a GB cover.

Champion - Live 2003 (DOWNLOAD)

Local Bands : Someday Somehow

Like most scenes, things out here in the Inland Empire have their ups and downs. Times when there are 10 local bands you are willing to go and see and times when there are 0 local bands you are willing to go see. Right now it isn't too bad, there are some bands that really excite me and make me glad to be from around the area and into punk/hardcore/independent music. Unfortunately, a lot of the bands haven't done proper recordings yet and are still in their infant stages.

In light of that, I've decided to start mixing in more local bands along with my posts.



First up (because at 5am I was in the mood for catchy nostalgia) is Someday Somehow.
They were a band from Chino/Inland Empire, Ca. who played hardcore punk heavily influenced by bands like Kid Dynamite, Saves the Day, the Lawrence Arms and Good Riddance. Singer Erich had been playing in various local bands over the years before recruiting his brother Kenny & friend Justin to create the band. A stable line-up eluded the band for most of their existence and sadly it greatly limited their playing live and recording.

After a handful of shows and this demo the band went into permanent hiatus- a few attempts were made at line-up changes, but it just never took. Bummer.

Someday Somehow - "DEMO 2005" (DOWNLOAD)

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - John Peel Session (live)

For any of you others who might be up at some unfortunate hour such 2am, such as I am right now. Anthony, this one's going out to you cos youre probably slinging boxes at UPS (hope you like GY!BE hah).

For any who don't know, great band of ambient, instrumental post-rock wonders from Canada. Rock music that you could call apocalyptic orchestra music. Explosive. Beautiful. The samples they use can be creepy as well. This is a John Peel Session from 1999. 1 Track, 18+ minutes long. I don't believe it appeared on a record.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - "Hung Over as the Queen in Maida Vale" (DOWNLOAD)

----------------
Now playing: Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Hung Over as the Queen in Maida Vale
via FoxyTunes listened to Slow Riot... and the other early record in awhile.

Straight Faced - 7inches

I'm not one to be embarrassed by what I listen to. I make no bones about what I like. Straight Faced is the epitome of those exact feelings. I started going to various local shows in the early/mid-90's, lots of different local bands & punk shows. At one punk show I saw my first straight up hardcore band, Straight Faced. I'd already gotten into a lot of the classics of hardcore (minor threat, black flag, 7 seconds, gorilla biscuits, etc.) but I hadn't really gotten into any bands that were current and accessible to me.

The first hardcore band I saw live was Straight Faced. They were from So. Cal. and played Showcase Theatre or the Barn on nearly a monthly basis. I was hooked. I bought the "Guilty" tape at the old Mad Platter (Sounds Like) and was hooked. I remember 4th of July in 1995 or 96, i had ordered the "Punk Bites" comp & the first Straight Faced 7inch and they came the day before. There was a block party and me and my friends just listened to that comp, guilty, and the 7inch all day. Fond Memories.

The first 7inch "Self Will Run Riot" is far from their best stuff; pretty standard hardcore punk but it still endears itself to me. I can listen to it and not cringe. That 7inch pre-dates the first lp "Guilty". The second record here, "Revolve" comes some years later, following their best work, their second album "Broken" and predating their Epitaph debut "Conditioned". "Revolve" shows the band much more in their own as they took on a heavier sound (for straight up hardcore)and experimented a little more with pedals & different sounds (There is another 7inch that i do not own, named "Pedestal" on Victory Records. If anyone owns it and wants to get rid of it, let me know).

As well, another 7inch worth of material exists from the same time/session as "Self Will Run Riot", but it unfortunately never made it to release (to my knowledge), though Hostage (who released Revolve) listed it as an upcoming release in ads & inserts.

It appears that Guilty & Broken have both gone out of print now, so I will post those sometime and go on a bit more. Straight Faced is one of those bands that; from a distance might have been good to some, but if you lived here at that time, chances are you were infatuated. Their shows never disappointed and believe me, I saw them ALOT over 4-5 years.



Straight Faced - Self Will Run Riot 7inch

Straight Faced - Revolve 7inch (DOWNLOAD)

*Big Brian, Andy... this one's for you guys*

----------------
Now playing: Straight Faced - Gone
via FoxyTunes

Jeremin - Self-Titled 7inch

Hailing from Arizona, this little gem of screaming noise delivers 4 songs of 90's fury. Along the lines of Screamo, they mixed in some heavier influences that show the time this was written/recorded ('96-'97). It draws a lot on 90's emo with softer parts that pull you close and then simply smash your head against the wall with the full on attack of their sound. At other times, the songs are just relentless screaming all out attacks.

This record has only 4 songs, but it seems like more than its 11 1/2 minutes as it plays out. The insanely in-depth packaging booklet is to be seen to be believed. I've included scans, but they only do it a slight amount of justice. Enjoy- this isnt what you would expect from a band that has members of Overcome (no, Jeremin is NOT a christian band). *More info. can be found at: Jeremin - Last FM (which i did a week or so ago in anticipation of this post).

As always, enjoy and feel free to comment.

Jeremin - S/T 7inch (DOWNLOAD)

*the four songs are recorded as 2 tracks because separating them was almost pointless*

----------------
Now playing: Jeremin - Untitled / 30-60
via FoxyTunes

Post Hardcore 3 - Pack : Iceburn, God Forgot, & Quicksand (repost)

Iceburn started out as a chaotic hardcore band in the early 90's. Over the course of that decade they would play a ranging style from early mathcore to very experimental indie and beyond when they re-christened themselves the Iceburn Collective. I'm not much of a fan of Iceburn Collective, but this 7inch on Victory is some of their earlier stuff.





God Forgot was Dan O'Mahoney & Kevin Murphy's side project in/around the time they were both in 411. Not nearly as melodic as 411's sound, God Forgot bridges the gap from the aforementioned 411 to bands like Quicksand. The first track "Don't Touch" could be a lost recording of 411 that didn't fit the style & "Sex is A Weapon" leans far more towards Quicksand with its grooving sound & beat.




This is a re-post of a promo single for the legendary post-hardcore band, Quicksand. One song from the second lp, one not on the lp. Enjoy! More info. the previous Quicksand post can be found Here

Iceburn 7inch (DOWNLOAD)

God Forgot 7inch (DOWNLOAD)

Quicksand 7inch (DOWNLOAD)

----------------
Now playing: Quicksand - In The End
via FoxyTunes

Thenceforward - From Within 7inch

"Alone at last, I'm finally free. If only I'd know how cool it could be."

With a scream this little 90's raw gem gets under way. Hailing from down in Georgia they draw heavily on a lot of the 90's sound that wasn't heavy. Lots of starts and stops, high pitched bass, screaming and talking, and drums that sound like they may have been recorded inside a box. Don't misunderstand that last comment, i love it- it fits the sound. And the drums are well played, just a muffled sound typical of the style and time.

I easily see this band coming out to California and playing a show at the Pickle Patch (they may have for all i know) and if they had been around a few years later playing with a band like Dirty Dirty and the Dirts and maybe even Parades End. They bridge that gap well between political and heavily personal- both lyrically and in the styles associated with it.

This came out on Phyte Records back in 95/96, but could have easily been on Ebullition. Enjoy!

Download includes Hi-Res scans of covers/inserts
Super Big Thanks to Andy IV for the record loan.

Thenceforward - From Within 7inch (DOWNLOAD)


PS - i just found their second 7inch, "Winner". I'll post it at a later date.

----------------
Now playing: Thenceforward - From Within
via FoxyTunes

Rjd2 - Radio One Breezeblock Mix 8-06-2004

Gunna mix it up some, hope you all enjoy.


Ramble Krohn, better known as Rjd2 is a well known DJ. Taking his lumps coming up in Ohio with the group Mhz (feat. Copywrite & Camu Tao (SA Smash) ), he broke off on his own and has not only cut a line through hip-hop as a premier producer, but also crossing boundaries into pop music.

Besides 3 albums and numerous singles & ep's as a solo artist, Rjd2 has worked exclusively or largely contributed to albums by Aceyalone & Diverse; he has remixed countless artists from many different genres (being sought out to do remixes and even having a track on a Radiohead tribute), contributed tracks to many artists' albums, and has anchored the aforementioned Mhz as well as a current project with Blueprint, Soul Position. And the collections of instrumentals and mixes overflow.

This set is a 28 minute mix from BBC Radio One in England. To the best of my knowledge, the show "Breezeblock" would invite artists of various genres to play songs & artists they like- be it popular or not. For his turn, Rj chose to do a unique mix of many different records- some his own tracks, others very recognizable songs- all of it cut together in a near non-stop flow that goes from explosive instrumentals to old rock hits, oldies, electronic, rap, and most points in between.

It genuinely gets better with each listen as you catch new things each time.

Rjd2 - Radio One Breezeblock Mix (download)


Check Out These Rjd2 Albums:

Deadringer (very DJ Shadow influenced hip-hop, lots of oldies influece)
Since We Last Spoke (more electronic & rock influenced)
In Rare Form (Instrumentals of remixes or tracks made for artists)
The Horror (Maxi EP of 12inch + Instrumentals)
The Third Hand (big jump into pop music)
Magnificent City Instrumentals (instrumentals of the Aceyalone lp he did)
8 Million Stories / Things Go Better (Soul Position lp's)

Many mix cd's exist (rjd2 is god, loose ends), an official mix tape cd "Your Face or your Knee Caps", a mash-up of Diplo & rjd2, and The Silver Album (rjd2 vs. jay-z)

----------------
Now playing: RJD2 - Lobster And Scrimp
via FoxyTunes

Evergreen - Trudy Pushpin 7inch

Evergreen were a Emo/Hardcore band from Los Angeles during the early 90's. Similar to what was going on in different parts of the US at the time- but with a much more dominant soft side than some of their contemporaries (the band is often called emo/post-hardcore). Think more in line with bands like Indian Summer (emo with the makings of what would influence the Screamo bands) but in a more melodic and straight forward style. Besides this 7inch they have a very highly sought after 12inch, a split 7" with Still Life, and comp songs. A bootleg discography isn't impossible to find for download on-line and their final 7inch is still available from Gravity Records. The bassist went on to be in Antioch Arrow & the drummer is in Rilo Kiley.

Download features Hi-Res scans of the front & back covers as well as the insert and Record. Enjoy!


Evergreen - Trudy Push Pin 7inch (download)

Other Blogs you should be Checking Out v.2

I need to do a proper blog list again of some good ones I've found, but for now I have just two.

You find both of them linked to the right as well as in my Blog Roll (also on the right).


Deaf Ears & White Noise : So far, blog man, Chris M. has posted a nice mix of Screamo, D-Beat, & 90's Hardcore. His most recent being the almighty "If Only God Knew the Rest Were Dead" by Disembodied. Check it out.

Time. For. Change. : it's a blog run mostly by Andy (vocals) and Matt (guitar). So far it has documented the recording and releasing of their debut full-length "Memoirs" on New Age Records. Yeah, EVERYONE has a blog these days. But, its a good and fun read with good pictures.

Feeding Frenzy - "East Rail" Demo

Feeding Frenzy were a local band from Rancho Cucamonga/Inland Empire, California. They broke up last year (2007) after doing 3 demos and a ton of shows. Though there have been talks of releasing the material, to this point none of it has seen a proper release other than a self-released first demo.

Fast, pissed off, fun, Feeding Frenzy played Hardcore in its base form of "fuck you!" and with tons of energy. I'm not one to really make comparisons as it too often is taken to mean that the band sounds (exactly) like who you are describing. But, FF definitely takes influences from the old Dischord Records scene (faith, teen idles, void, minor threat, soa) and bands like Negative Approach as well newer bands such as Knife Fight.

Enough talk- this demo is their second, it was at one time planned for a 7inch release (and may someday happen- who knows). This is my favorite stuff from them, although the outro for "East Rail" would have been better if it had been re-done (as it was talked about) or altogether removed. After this demo they had some member turn over (a guitarist & drummer) and recorded a final demo (that while a little different, is very good as well).

Feeding Frenzy - "East Rail" demo

Billy Bragg - Live x2

For those who have followed the blog from early on, you may remember my posting of a Greg Graffin acoustic set where he plays songs from his solo folk album "Cold as the Clay" as well as some Bad Religion standards & even a treat from his 'American Lesion' album from the 90's.

That posting wasn't a fluke, but an underlying symbol of my musical tastes. Even though this blog is almost always Hardcore/Punk slanted, Folk music was some of the earliest stuff I was exposed to as a kid from my mom & step-dad. So, if you know anything about Billy Bragg it should come as no shock to you that I am posting some live stuff of his here.

For those who don't know, Billy Bragg, the "urbane folk" musician of the early 80's UK punk scene (starting out in a punk band named Riff Raff) armed with just his voice and an electric guitar. Bragg has been someone who has come, stayed, and remained vital and important and managed to not become a sad, drained parody of his former self. Rather, he has continued to play, write, record, and much like a previous man armed with a guitar (dylan) he has expanded his musical output but still retained a connection to those early years of just a voice and a guitar.

Billy Bragg shows are often typified by a collection of old classic tunes from his early records mixed in with later stuff, cover songs, and collaborations (especially from his works with Wilco on the Woody Gutherie tribute 'Mermaid Avenue" Vol. 1 & 2). Also to be expected at any Bragg concert is banter with the crowd, and politics interlaced with humor.

Presented for download this time are two seperate shows. One is a set I had long heard of from some old Aussie friends, from when Bragg & the Blokes played the island in 1999. A nice, little show with some of the Mermaid Avenue songs dominating the set list. The second show is from a show in New Zealand. This was a bonus disc of some sort that was given to me by a friend who worked in a local record store. A really good mix of old Bragg classics with some later songs and a great cover of the Buzzcocks "ever fallen in love". All of it, just Bragg and his electric guitar.

I have a few other shows worthy of posting, in the future (or comment/message me) surely they'll find their way here.

Live in Melbourne, Australia 1999 (download)

Live in New Zealand 1987 (download)

Former Members of Alfonsin - "Let's Not Forget the City Burning in the Background"

First things first- Former Members of Alfonsin are a band that I heard about a lot, but never saw and never got a chance to hear until a few years ago. I just missed them when they were around- bummer.

Former Members of Alfonsin do not contain any former members of a band named Alfonsin, so don't go looking for another band. They were however a really good (and interesting) mix of melodic hardcore and 90's emo sound. Fast at times and able to take it up to a frantic hardcore punk pace at times, they for the most part did the melodic hardcore thing with the old emo talk/sing-scream vocals (though some songs include alternating male/female vocals). Political, straight edge, funny- they truly deserve a proper re-release but until then they at least deserve some more recognition.

As well, while their stuff isn't impossibly hard to find, it isn't like you can walk into any store and find it. Information on them is sporadic as well. All of those things factored in, the download you find here is a personal Discography comprised from a playlist I have been playing around with, changing, and listening to for the last few months. I'm currently trying to get my hands on actual copies of their records (as I have none) but from my searching around I can share at least this much info:

____________________________________________________________________

1-6/7 are from their split 12inch with Project Hate released on Phyte
*one copy i downloaded had 6 songs, one had 7*

8-11 are from their split with Bread & Circuits released on El Grito

12-13 are their split 7inch with Sawpit

14-18 i know they recorded/released a demo, based on the quality I would guess that this is it.

I have some other assorted tracks, some that may be different versions or may be bad rips. I know there is also a live track from the Pickle Patch comp. and I think possibly another comp. track or two. Any more information is greatly welcomed.

______________________________________________________________________

Former Members of Alfonsin - "Let Us Not Forget the City Burning in the Background" (Download)




Members went on to be in Please Inform the Captain This is a Highjack (3 Members), Remain, Project Hate, & Amateur Party.

semi-logged into myspace: Former Members of Alfonsin

no clue if someone from the band runs it

The 8-Bit Revolution...

Through the course of this blog I've done music or music related posts because, well, it's a music blog. But another passion even pre-dating music is video games. Geeky? Nerdy? Fuck that! Fun? Entertaining? Fuck Yeah!

I had been debating doing this before the blog derailed during the summer, but now that things are back on track and the fall looms in the next month(s) (well, in places not named the Southern Western US) here's some fun for all of those sitting at home times- or, if you're a laptop toting type (like me) you can put this on the PC and the laptop and have it for when you're stuck somewhere.

This is a pretty big collection of original NES games (over 300 last time I checked) and two Emulators (JNES and FCE Ultra - I Reccomend FCE). A lot of these were tracked down and converted by the awesome gentleman over at The Old Computer (who also has a wide variety of old games and/or emulators from various systems).

I personally reccomend the FCE as its more compatible with modern use and most importantly, a computer controller. I use the Logitech dual controller similar to this:



and it works nicely for this (and my other Emulators- N64, NES, Sega, Coleco Vision, etc.).

NES Emulator/ROMS (Download)

Some Other Useful links:

The Old Computer (lots of Roms and some Emulators)
The Emulator Zone (Tons of Emulators & info.)
Emulator (wiki page)
ROM Image (wiki page)
NES Wiki (for old times sake)

Enjoy, more may follow

A few weeks ago, local label Glory Kid Records released their newest record, Glory Kid #010 - a split 12inch release between So. Cal. locals Restrained and Nor. Cal. faves The Separation.

The record hits on all levels possible.

Sonically it attacks you.

Lyrically it engages you.

Emotionally it moves you.


Coming forward in an all out Hardcore Punk explosion you get two up and coming California bands who play on the heavier side of the punk sound and they deliver a lot of ideas to give you pause and reason to think.

This isn't a review of the record, this is an introduction. And all introductions need a good sample, so do yourself a huge favor, download and give the two tracks a good listen. Check out the bands' respective myspace pages for more songs & buy the record already.

Not that it should be THE selling point, but the packaging is great too, with silk screened covers (custom artwork from Andrew Gomez IV), and it comes with a booklet & digital download of the record.

Glory Kid Records /// Restrained /// The Separation


Restrained / Separation Split 2-song Sampler (download)

"This first song is called Neanderthal Convention and Fuck white power!"

To say anything other than I loved and still love Over My Dead Body would be a horrid understatement. From the first time I heard "Be There" to the last show, I enjoyed every moment of as many OMDB shows I possibly could. Other than Faded Grey, there probably wasn't another band I loved seeing more during that same time in the early 2000's. Energy, anger, fun, Straight Edge (blatantly but not ignorantly)- the band made shows a lot more fun for me again.

As such, my return to music posting is a live set of theirs that was recorded at the old Showcase Theatre in Corona, Ca. on May 19, 2001. Straight from the soundboard to the tape which i then recorded to mp3's. All that energy, banter, and fun of an Over My Dead Body show. Enjoy!

Over My Dead Body - "Live: May 19, 2001 :: Showcase Theatre / Corona, Ca" (download)

I Swear I'm Not Dead

I know its been too long.

Camp always messes me up.

Lots of other stuff, but I've been promptly yelled at.

Last time it took Chris, now it's Andy.

Here's to finishing at least one thing I start... slowly.

I'm ALIVE...

I was away at camp for 8 days, I am alive and planning some posts. Maybe tonight.

Some fun stuff, Former Members of Alfonsin, Dirty Dirt & the Dirts, & some more.

Also, a change of pace i'm going to put up some video game emulators in bundles (NES, SNES, Coleco, Sega to name a few- not all at once). I love these things and a savy person with minimal ability can track em down usually, but it can be a pain some times due to lots of ROM sites being full of ads and bugs.

and, as some or all of you may know, I am part of a Booking Group SOS Booking here in So. Calif. Nate (Xibalba) & Andy (Time For Change/Glory Kid Records) do most all of the booking and I really just lag on checking emails (a million apologies), look pissed off, protect walls, lift shit/clean up. But, I mocked up a flyer for an upcoming show:


(click to see full flyer)


MUSIC (and more) SOON!!!

"Land of Greed, World of Need" Embrace Tribute/Comp.

Embrace was a mid-80's DC band that came after the end of both Minor Threat & the Faith. Swapping younger Alec for older Ian, the members of the Faith joined the Minor Threat vocalist to put down songs that would inspire whole generations of Post-Hardcore/Emo*core bands to come after them. Taking the aggression and turning it on its head musically, all the fury and conviction still comes through and hits like a foam bat with a steel center. Softer music doesn't mean soft music and the lyrics cut and accuse.

Because those statements are very true, in the early 90's record labels Watermark & Trustkill came together and put together an Embrace tribute album (also a homeless benefit). Long out of print and containing a very wide selection of bands, I still haven't seen a physical copy in real life. Needless to say, it can fetch ample attention any time it surfaces. But, that is to be expected of a record that not only pays homage to a band like Embrace but includes bands like Outspoken, Ashes, Rancid, Avail, Lifetime, Current, & Undertow. There are some real suprises on here (I didnt know what to think of Rancid covering Embrace, but they make it fit into the forumla of the early 3-piece Rancid) and for the most part the covers are great.

The entire Embrace record is covered, in order, 1 song per band. The bands are:
Nations on Fire, Current, Undertow, Groundwork, Outspoken, Sparkmarker, Function, Blindfold, Avail, Rancid, Lifetime, Process, Farside, Ashes.

Enjoy.

Land of Greed, World of Need Comp. (download)

H20 - What Happened? (Video)

Personally, coming from a punk background, i think a band like H20 should be a required band to listen to. Seeming to almost perfectly tow the line between Punk & Hardcore in that seamless manner that a hardcore band should. Catchy enough that you could catch your mom bobbing her head to it, but pissed enough that you know its on the level and from the heart.

Like many, I was sadly disappointed by the "Go!" album. So, when I heard they were making music again I was happy, but cautious. What came was their fifth album, "Nothing to Prove." Which is ironic I guess, a band of their stature certainly doesnt have anything that they HAVE to prove, its been proven. But, the album establishes that H20 is still around and still capable of writing a catchy, honest, angry record of Hardcore Punk. The video of their song "What Happened?" to me, shows in its best form, everything that I love about this band. From the records they single out while in a record shop (including Rancid, Gorilla Biscuits, & Descendents among others) to the balanced guest singers of Lou Koller (Sick of It All) & Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), and of course the words in the song.

Just watch the video. And buy the cd.


pS - ive got a new power cord for the laptop, so i'll get back down to business here.

----------------
Now playing: H2O - Fairweather friend
via FoxyTunes

As for the Interruption...

The power cord for my laptop (which i do all of the blog stuff from) took a powder on Monday and opted out early.

So, I havent updated due to that. Thankfully, I knew it was going and got a replacement ordered and it should be arriving soon. I also uploaded a few things and I will try to make some time for an upload or two on the desktop (which i almost never use)

Summer Day Camp also started at my work and its a grind/adjustment the first 2 weeks or so.

Forgive an old guy pushing thirty (ha ha).

Catharsis - Newborn split & Newspeak Split

Catharsis are one of those bands that you neglect hearing until that fateful moment you finally hear them and then you kick yourself for the next 6 months for not hearing them sooner. For me, its also another case of a style I simply wasn't into at the time they were at their peak. Sadly, that means I missed seeing them live. Their body of work however is extensive and good enough that it balances those "i'm a fucking idiot" feelings a bit.

Catharsis was heavy. Catharsis was fast. Catharsis was crazy. And all of those comments could be used to describe their music or even their lyrics. Catharsis took deep concepts, heavy & fast music, and made into something very distinctly their own. With a speedy & heavy sound that conjures up Tragedy, its safe to say Tragedy & His Hero is Gone probably listened to some Catharsis in their time. Political as can be (their singer began releasing their stuff via the Crimethinc. Collective) and even flatly anarchist, Catharsis in their audio state is a truck hitting a brick wall at 80mph and going on afterwards despite the wheels being off and the engine in flames.

Long songs & some interesting sounds to mix things up (their album "Passion" is still available, find it if for nothing else, the song "Deserts without Mirages" and hear how a band like this can make a smooth reggae song blend with haunting spoken word into a slow screaming mess and back into reggae- NO, seriously!), Catharsis may not have been ahead of their time, but they probably existed in their own time.

Members went on to other bands, including Requiem who also released a cd on Crimethinc. Besides these splits, they have a split with Gehenna (i have a copy, but the sound is super thin/tin sounding. im gunna see if a better version exists), the "Passion" album i mentioned, another album named "Samsara" & some assorted demos/ep's. All in all, there's plenty to be found.

I included the splits in their full state, with Newborn & Newspeak's tracks as well. Newborn are really good as well and worth a complete listen. Heavy as well, they mix in some clean vocals and elements that remind me of older screamo at times. Newspeak have a heavy fast sound, but it leans more towards screaming and thrashing around than Catharsis or Newborn. I guess, more of an overall screamo feel than Newborn.

Enjoy!

Catharsis / Newborn - Split (download)

Catharsis / Newspeak - Split


----------------
Now playing: Deadguy - Running With Scissors
via FoxyTunes

Deadguy - Work Ethic 7inch

Crazy. Disturbed. Fucking Insane. Far before there time, Deadguy with Tim Singer was insane. Their 2 7inches, and full length before his (and guitarist Keith Huckins) departure to start Kiss It Goodbye are still making waves.

In some ways a modern Black Flag in the sheer force of their power and expressiveness, they would explode and quickly burn out. Odd and driving, kind of like the third step after Bl'ast (and the aforementioned Black Flag). Pounding drums, thick guitars, and off beat changes under vocals that scream 'man on the edge', there really isn't too much I can do to give justice to what this band was doing. But the odd changes, thick guitars, and utter anger found in these three songs has probably directly made some of your favorite bands possible today.

I included an interview (scanned from a zine and found on a fan/tribute Deadguy Myspace ) from this time period of the band.

There's another 7inch, "Whitemeat" & a full-length "Fixation on A Co-Worker" that are great. I'll post the other 7inch some time, but the lp is on Victory.

Deadguy - Work Ethic 7inch (download)

Deadguy on wiki

----------------
Now playing: Rancid - Can't Forgive
via FoxyTunes

Time For Change - Soiled Dove/Let This Go video

Last week Time For Change played the Pharoah's Den in Riverside & I recorded a few songs. Andy (TFC/Glory Kid) edited two of the songs together, touched it up a little and posted on YouTube. Here it is:



----------------
Now playing: My Revenge! - Gay Marriage is Better Than Your Marriage
via FoxyTunes

Drop It! - Demos

Drop It! was a Inland Empire, Ca. band in the mid 2000's that played fast, pissed off hardcore. Originally a 5 piece, they quickly trimmed down to a four piece and began recording (other than these demos here, there is a tape demo of some horrid standards that I have a copy of. I plan on doing a DI! Discog. at some point, so i'll include it then). At the time that the band began thinking of recording, Vic DiCara had come back to Southern California (and into the Inland Empire) and set up a home studio. Wishing to work with someone who had been in bands that they respected & to record close to home, Drop It! went to Static Void Studio in Fontana, California and recorded a 7 song Demo with Vic.

Its funny, writing about other bands you like or bands you looked up to is easy, but when you were there and even some small part of the process its harder. You remember so much, you have to edit yourself and wonder if youre fluffing everything up for memories sake. I was present for the Drop It! sessions and hung out with those guys a lot at the time and so to reflect on all of this and try to trim the fat is hard in some ways.

The Short Version goes... a 7 song demo was recorded. 6 originals & Vic singing on a cover of the Circle Jerks "Deny Everything." It was pretty to the point and pissed off, with singer Foose just letting go (you thought I was gunna say "letting loose"). The demo was briefly shared before Vic and the band agreed it needed a remix. A remix was done. Still, even after putting it up for download, it seemed lacking.
Admittedly, Vic was new to recording and said as much himself. He invited the band back to the studio in May of 2004 to re-record the demo, sans the cover. With the previous recording experience to both of their benefit; Vic & the band set to it again. Vic had more input and the band had more ideas. Foose didn't go so full steam into his vocals, instead using a cleaner voice. The demo, overall showed a better representation of the band. Sadly (in my opinion) the bass levels are some what off on this demo and the sound can be a little too much for a lot of standard stereo systems. But as a whole, Drop It! found their sound on the Second demo.

From this point the two 7inches were recorded and along with these demos they encompass the studio recorded output of Drop It! In the near future I will include the 7inches, the 4 track Tape demo & some other recordings I have of the band, as I unpack and find the cd's/hard drive.

For now, here is the Original Vic Demo, Original Vic Demo (remix), & Second Vic Demo. All of them include the Deny Everything cover for completion's sake, but its the same version each time.

*I'll scan the demo cover later for the Discography*

Drop It! - Demos (download)

----------------
Now playing: Anathallo - To Renew, Cause to Grow, Or Bloom Again
via FoxyTunes

Murder City Devils /// What's Been Posted So Far /// Blog Spotlight

This is gunna be a little bit of everything post. I've been meaning to make a post of links to all the posts so far, so that's first. Also, there's some awesome blogs out there (like the already linked and referenced South Florida Blog that Chip runs) & it's high time to link a few more for you all to check out. Lastly, I found a live radio set from the Murder City Devils (pictured above) about 6-8 months ago. Its from 1998 & is before In Name & Blood came out & features the full fleshed out line-up with Leslie Hardy on organ/keys.

Time For Change - Live video of unreleased song
Dead Ones - Busted Heads EP
Area 51 - Discography (pre-Murder City Devils/Pretty Girls Make Graves/Death Wish Kids)
Tension - Sickness of Our Age 7inch (Big ups to Chip & South Florida again)
411 - The Thoughts That Feed the Fire 7inch
Revolution Summer - Demo (not the Euro band)
Parades End - 2 7inches & Live radio Set
Le pro ou suis mort - EP
Greg Graffin - Live (Acoustic. Solo stuff & BR songs)
Endeavor - Kill Traitors CD (7inches) (Thanks to Severed Forever again)
A Reason For Living Comp. (w/ Despair, Snapcase & more)
Reinforce - Youth Shall Sing / One Life Thug Free 7inches
No Justice - Still fighting 7inch
Collision - Final/Crocodile Hunter Demo
Quicksand - Divorce/Voice Killer 7inch
Strain - Cataract/Turn the Tide 7inch
Hot Cross - Live on WLUW (radio)
Roswell Project - 7inch /// Stickfigurecarousel - Bastille 7inch
Drift Again - 7inch
=======================

All the Blogs linked to the right are great with the mighty South Florida Music Scene and x43x being two of my favorites.

Besides all of those, two of the ones I've been digging on lately are Prime Directive run by Chase & All Over This Town by Jav.

Prime Directive bounces around a little and includes older stuff (an early post had Blackspot) as well as more current things (Never Healed & Fucked Up to name a few) and includes downloads, interviews, and posts of information on long since gone bands. Really informative with a good diversity.

All Over This Town is real new and so far is focusing on Zines (older ones) & Interviews. Thus far Jav has posted a current interview with Steven Miller of Crushed On You (Kill Holiday & Unbroken) that is pretty interesting. He also just did a good length post on some old zines. Its got me itching to do one again dammit.

Check em both out.
------------------------------------

Lastly, we come to the Murder City Devils radio set. This is from October 1998. As I said before, it includes the full line-up with Leslie Hardy (Johnson) on organ/keys and all the other regular suspects in their respective spots. This was done in studio on the air. I was late to this band, not hearing them until a friend bought "In Name & Blood" and played it one night. I was hooked. Rock and Roll, Punk Rock, a swagger all their own, flaming drums, and that fucking organ.

I had to convert these and re-tag them. I have the suspicion that theyre not fully tagged, so i'll post the song order to make it easier (though most downloading this are probably big enough fans to know the songs)


the Murder City Devils - Live Radio Set October 1998

1- Murder City Riot
2- Dance Hall Music
3- Idle Hands
4- 18 Wheels
5- I Want Alot Now (So Come On)
6- Boom Swagger Boom
7- From the Cradle to the Grave
8- Broken Glass

*i also have "Three Natural Sixes" 7inch recorded, "Split" w/ Glucifer recorded, a handful of other singles/non-lp tracks, & the Showbox show (from the surprise show the night after the first reunion show). If that interests you let me know in the comments.*

Drift Again - 7 inch

People have their opinions about the 90's and hardcore. Love or hate it, the time post the big 1988 break out was a period of a lot of growth in the Hardcore Scenes. What lots of the bigger bands (be it Cro-Mags, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Gorilla Biscuits, or Agnostic Front) had built in the concepts of loud, fast, and pissed was being explored and reassessed.

Not to put some grand spin on Drift Again, it's a reflection of the time, the same could be said about the Quicksand & 411 7inches i've upped before. This band pre-dates Outspoken & features both Dennis Remsing & Mike Hartsfield. It also includes members of Solitude & second Ignite singer Randy Johnson (on guitar).

Personally, I hear the effect that Inside Out was starting to have on bands as hardcore and metal started to mix in a way that showed a dominance of hardcore's sound (as opposed to Agnostic Front who showed more of metal's dominance at the time). Vocals that are sung more than screamed, music with some little leads and fancier guitar work, and lyrics that reflect kind of darkly, but not depressing.

Enjoy.

*download includes full scans of the covers & insert*


Drift Again - 7inch (download)

Thanks Again to Andy for letting me borrow the record and scan/record it.

*they also had a comp song on 'Words to Live By'. Thanks to a good eye from Chase over at Prime Directive, this comp came out on New Age. DUH on my part*

Roswell Project /// Stickfigurecarousel - 7inches

Double post! In this one you get two different downloads for two different bands.

Both of these bands I stumbled upon accidentally. Roswell Project by being intrigued by the artwork as it looked at me in a used bin, again at the great Dr. Strange Records. When I looked at the thanks list, I decided the record was worth a two dollar risk and at worst i got some cool artwork. I wasn't disappointed. Screaming, pissed, anguished hardcore from so cal. circa the late 90's. Yeah, I'd call it screamo. Good stuff and definitely track it down if you can. The last song bums me out almost every time. Great song though.

Roswell Project - 7inch (download)

*at the time I upped this, I hadn't added the artwork to the zip file. All scans for the Roswell Project 7inch can be found HERE

-------------------------

Next is Stickfigurecarousel. Now, this band I had at least heard of before finding this 7inch in the used bin at another local shop, Red Planet (ne. CD World). I knew that Chad Stroup was in the band and that they were part of the second wave of "the San Diego bands" meaning, post Unbroken.

This two song 7inch comes packaged really nicely. It all folds out with little windows cut in the front and back sections to show other pictures through them. Nice, hard card stock for the whole thing and two songs that deliver chaotic, equal amounts of mid-90's screamo/emo. Infused with just enough of what made bands like Heroin, Indian Summer, & Saetia great- the band mixes things nicely.

They have at least two other releases, I believe three if you include the split 7inch, which I have never seen or heard. If anyone owns these, mp3's of them, or wants to swap - DEFINITELY get ahold of me. (I own the As The Sun Sets comp they were on). Thanks.

Stickfigurecarousel - Bastille 7inch (Download)

*I havent scanned this record yet. This is being posted because it accompanies the Roswell Project record nicely and a I promised a friend I would up it since he keeps hearing about them and hasn't heard them yet*

Hot Cross - Live on WLUW

Hot Cross was formed from the ashes of many well noted screamo bands, which set high standards of what the band would produce as a singular musical unit. Unfortunately, for most the expectations they held of a cookie cutter repeat of their previous bands (Sateia, Neil Perry, you and i, & Joshua Fit For Battle) would lead to a dislike of what Hot Cross would do.

Their first ep "A New Set of Lungs" set the pace both lyrically & musically and outlined a new band with a new sound that was going to operate independently of any expectations that others had of them. Forgone was much of the noisy, chaotic sounds of previous bands; in place was very well textured guitar parts with running leads dueling each other over less refined riffs. The guitar execution of the band helped set the band above, and maybe unfortunately, apart.

Also gone were singer Billy's impassioned & awkward screams- in place was a new voice- not unfamiliar, but rather just new. A cleaner voice that screams, sings, and talks along with vocal help from different members again gives the band a textured sound. Bass and drum round out a full sound with such utter perfection that its hard to not consider the possibility of them being robots.

The ferocity felt on the first ep was channeled into a much more lyrical anger backed by the aforementioned musical layering. Still enough piss and energy to go around, but when the "Cryonics" lp came out, many of those who liked Hot Cross began to tune out. Some of us though, listened closer.
"Fair Trades & Fairwells" ep came next. Mostly fast, dueling guitars, but still boasting a full and intricate sound- the previous output seemed to collide into one small record. All along a few split 7inches came out that tow the line between Cryonics and Prepare/Repair. Then came the departure of one singer and recording an album twice, the second time with said departed guitarist.

"Risk Revival" came out and took another step. Gloomy and with a more standard sound, a last step that pushed even more away. Even though its my least favorite Hot Cross record, its still a great record with some real gems and a lot of other good tracks on it. Sadly, at this point Hot Cross would go on an indefinite hiatus that they are still currently on.

Much, if not all of their stuff is still in print. Level Plane records carries a lot of it. Aside from that material there is this live set from WLUW radio. It offers an alright mix of songs (all great songs, just not much from Cyronics). This set predates Risk Revival. The quality is great.

Enjoy & excuse the long story.

Hot Cross - Live on WLUW (download)

Level Plane Records
Hot Cross Myspace Page



----------------
Now playing: Hot Cross - Vacant (demo)
via FoxyTunes

Strain - Cataract / Turn the Tide 7inch

At the request and assistance of the ever awesome Andy Kid (thanks for loaning me the record) this 7inch is coming to you. Heavy, Angry, and so very 90's. Strain is all things a band from their time ('92-'97) should have been. Hailing from the great white north of Canada and releasing much of their stuff on a German label has helped keep this band some what of a semi-forgotten treasure. And so, its a true pleasure to offer up this little 2-song gem. It was their third 7inch and in my opinion finds them first really coming into their own. Heavy hardcore (predating metalcore) with (no pun intended) strained vocals soaked through in anger. Members went on to bands such as By A Thread & member Eric has had a long running radio show up north called Flex Your Head.

Enjoy (scans of front, back, and insert included in download).

Strain - Cataract / Turn the Tide 7inch (download)

----------------
Now playing: The Spectacle - Angel's Choir
http://foxytunes.com/artist/the+spectacle/track/angel's+choir

Quicksand - Divorce / Voice Killer 7inch

Quicksand came out of the ashes of a multitude of prominent hardcore bands from the late 80's/early 90's (Burn, Absolution, Beyond, Bold, Gorilla Biscuits). Led by GB guitarist Walter Schriefels, they took a lead role in developing the sound of Post-Core and leaving an influence that is still widely felt in music today.

Equal parts hardcore, indie, punk, and innovative, they blended a sound that could have a menacing musical sound while being perfectly layered with guitar hooks and clean vocals that cut through it all.

They did an EP, 2 LP's and a multitude of singles/promos and have a wide assortment of other tracks floating around. They even began a third album before dissolving for good amid internal tensions.

This 7inch is one of the aforementioned promos, containing one track (divorce) from their second lp & Voice Killer, an otherwise unreleased B-Side. Enjoy.


Quicksand - Divorce/ Voice Killer 7inch (Download)

Quicksand WIKI Page

Moral Straightjacket

... My apologies, my laptop has been a pain the last week or so and it's prevented me from uploading much. I just got up the Collision demo (see directly below post) and I'll work on some more this weekend. I'm in the process of copying all my things and preparing to reinstall the OS, so bare with me as I use the PC which has almost none of the files on it. FUUUUN.

Collision - Croc. Hunter Demo

Unfortunately my copy of the demo is in a box right now, still packed away from moving a few months ago. But I have the files on the computer, so, no scan of the cover but you still get the songs (I know, if you HAVE to settle for just that, you will- ha ha).

Collision is one of the first local hardcore bands I remember. Fast, fairly simple, and fun live. The 7inch was okay, but the production lacked. The follow up ep was decent, but a mastering problem truly messed up what would have been a really good cd. Finally, looking to generate some interest, the band released this demo themselves. All things were at last overcome- production was good, songs all fell together in a familiar, but fun sound. Unfortunately, the band came apart as this demo was making the rounds to fans and labels alike. Members went on to a lot of bands that dont necessarily reflect what this band sounds like (including: oneXchoice, internal affairs, & impact/stand & fight). This demo captures a small shred of the fun this band was live- full of energy with good songs and always a well placed, fun cover.

Collision - Demo (download)

No Justice - Still Fighting 7inch

Hailing from Virginia/D.C., No Justice existed for an all too short time in the late 90's, recording a demo (if anyone has it, post in the comments) & a 7inch (i believe the memories of tomorrow comp track is the same as the version on the 7inch ???).

The 7inch came out on the Chicago label Underestimated around 1999 & featured the singer of Bladecrasher. Piled full of immense energy and what seemed an unending desire to destroy self & stage alike, the band tore apart everything- bolted down or not. Many No Justice stories have been told- like singer Timmy running about screaming into a megaphone, ripping instruments out of band members hands, and just general mayhem. Their shows are something of legends- taking the self-destructive live show of the early 80's bands into a pissed off youth crew type sound (dont rule it out if you don't like that sound, they break from that mold, a lot).

Here's a live show review I found on-line from 1999:

NO JUSTICE opened up first and their set was probably the craziest one I have seen in a while. Their music was decent youth crew sounding hardcore, but their onstage antics and quite possibly having the best jumping, energetic vocalist is what makes this band what they are. And let me tell ya, this was the first time that I have ever seen the opening band draw the largest crowd. Huge pile ons, stage dives in droves, and by the end, lots of blood too. I found myself laughing more than listening though because their singer was truely intent on either breaking his neck by jumping into spots where there weren't any people, or was more interested in destorying equipment such as the drummer's mic stand and a cymbal and stand which he threw into the crowd causing a wave of people getting the fuck out of the way. All I can say is that I'm glad that I'm a wuss and was standing in the back of the room.


No Justice - Still Fighting 7inch (download)

*this is an older rar file i had stored already, so i don't have scans included. if anyone would like them, i will get them up. while this record is out of print, it's still not impossible to come by with a keen eye from time to time*

----------------
Now playing: No Justice - Failed
via FoxyTunes

Reinforce - 7inches

So far there's been a lot more here of 90's screamo or heavier styled stuff, but during the 90's my biggest thing was- GASP! youth crew. Not that i'm ashamed of that in the least, I'm not. I don't care what people said, the "revival" bands had some great stuff.

I digress.

I first heard Reinforce on a local college radio station, the song "Butterfly". I was tape trading with a few people at the time and I traded with someone from the east coast. I got a tape with the Atari demo, Time Flies demo, In My Eyes demo, The Impact demo, UntilXToday demo, Bladecrasher demo, & the Reinforce demo. Far from mind blowing, miles from new, but it was fucking great. I was really into the revival/youth crew sound and no (then current) band got me running in circles, pointing fingers, and being (realistically) positive than Reinforce during those few summers in the 90's. When this band split as did another N.C. band, Until X Today (post coming soon), the First Step was born from their ashes.

Other than some comp. tracks, all I know that Reinforce did was both of these 7inches, their demo, & an lp called "Happy Kids Don't Paint their Rooms Black". The two 7inches you get here are:

Youth Shall Sing
1.) Butterfly
2.) Won't Accept It
3.) I'll Do My Best
4.) You Said
5.) Countdown
6.) There Speaks A True Friend
7.) Try & Try

One Life Thug Free
1.) One Life Thug Free
2.) It's Alright to Show Emotion
3.) A World Away
4.) Yeah, We Got It!
5.) Excuses, Excuses/There's A Warm Place in Hell For Me & My Friends
6.)This is Not the End

Both 7inches & cover scans included in download:

Reinforce - Two 7inches (download)



----------------
Now playing: Alice in Chains - Them Bones
via FoxyTunes

New Moves for Old Feet

On Tap for the immediate future (Thursday/Friday) is:

Reinforce - One Life Thug Free 7inch & Youth Shall Sing 7inch

No Justice - 7inch

Dirty Dirt & the Dirts - 7inch & 3 comp songs

and some finds I've made the last week in other blogs (and links to those blogs).

I also started another blog(totally unrelated to this one other than it being about another thing i love- my job working with kids), so if you have kids of your own or younger siblings, nieces, nephews, etc. check it out or tell people you know who could use it. Dancing Cookies / Little Bar of Soap Blog. It's designed to have activities, games, riddles and more in a wide range of areas for (mostly) School Age kids.

A Reason For Living 7inch Comp.

I actually piked up this little 90's gem about 6 months ago, again at the great Dr. Strange Records in Alta Loma, California for the used bargain of 2 bucks.

Nothing mind shattering here- you get two of my more favorite 90's bands- Despair & Snapcase along with the US Envy (Larry from Think Fast on vocals I believe?) & one more band that is kinda whatever (not bad, just by comparison its hard to stand out with Despair & Snapcase). A nice bonus is that the Snapcase track - Caboose is from a recording prior to the 'Progression Through Unlearning' album and even though the album version sounds better, I'm a junkie for different track versions of bands I like.

enjoy!


A Reason For Living Comp 7inch (download)

Through the Desert & Back (Geonna Grey, Where Eagles Dare, & 7 Generations)

May 17, 2008 a favorite band of mine, Where Eagles Dare, got back together to play a benefit for a young girl named Geonna Grey who had been injured at her daycare. The band, and many in Ariz. HC were friends with her parents. To help, care, and try to begin to heal many within not just the Ariz. HC/Punk scenes, but from all over came out for the fun of seeing old friends and bands and to help.

Myself & some friends made the trek through the desert from So. Calif. to Tempe, Az. for all the fun and good causes.

A few pics of WED & 7 Generations:

(click on the pictures to see them full size)

7 GEN:




WED:




Unfortunately, about halfway through Where Eagles Dare's set someone stepped on my arm as they tried to walk across the barrier to the stage and they knocked my camera out of my hand. I couldn't find it until after the show was over. So, I didnt get too many WED shots, but that isn't as important as when I found it, scratched and a little beat up, it wouldn't work at first. But, a little pushing, forcefullness, and willing it into being got the thing pushed back in place (the button you push to take the photo wasn't working) and produced the picture below of a sympathetic Nicholas (bassist for 7g) lamenting my broken camera (which is fixed now).

Lined up for the Near Future...

In the next few days/weeks expect a good mix of smaller (though i'm sure known to some extent) bands like Strain, Drift Again, Until X Today, Show of Hands, Stickfigurecarousel, & some local bands (riverside/inland empire, calif.) demos and assorted things.

For now, check out the last few days work below this post as well as this little treat.

------------------------------------------------

Greg Graffin Live Set 2006

I'm a huge Bad Religion fan. Other than the Adolescents first LP & Suicidal Tendencies first LP there isn't really a band whose classic era of output is still so constantly in rotation and vital to me. I’m also a pretty big folk fan too. Sounds kind of random, doesn’t it? Except that BR singer Greg Graffin has been doing folk (acoustic and stuff closer to folk rock) off and on for a number of years. In the 90’s he did a project called American Lesion. It comprised songs he felt, for one reason or another, just didn’t fit into the Bad Religion song scape. The album drew much more on the rock side of folk songs, with a softer influence. One song even ended up in Bad Religion’s catalog (the song “Cease”).

Years later Greg did a solo folk record backed by the Weakerthans & Jollie Holland that was much more closer to the ideas of old folk songs (including some standards dating back to the 1800’s) when they drew from old hymnals, simpler times, and very different lives than our own. That album, titled “Cold As The Clay” struck a chord with me. I really enjoyed (and still enjoy) it.

In 2006 he was in Germany and played acoustically a number of songs from the Cold As The Clay album as well as a few Bad Religion songs. The quality is amazing and the set overall is interactive (between him and the audience) and fun. Enjoy.

*unending gratitude due to the folks over at www.bad-religion.net for this and many other Bad Religion gems*


(download link)Greg Graffin Live (download)

Greg Graffin Live @ the Silver Wings Club, Germany 2006

1 – Don’t Be Afraid to Run
2 – Omie Wise
3 – Cold As The Clay
4 - God Song (Bad Religion)
5 - Highway
6 – Talk About Suffering
7 – Suffer (Bad Religion)
8 – Willie Moore
9 - Rebel’s Goodbye
10 – Cease (American Lesion/Bad Religion)
11 – The Watchmaker’s Dial
12 – Sorrow (Bad Religion)
13 – One More Hill
14 – Dream of Unity (Bad Religion)



(download link)Greg Graffin Live (download)

Le pré où je suis mort - EP

Le pré où je suis mort (the field where i died)is a French/Swiss Screamo band. Anyone who has been paying attention to the Screamo scene knows that France (and other parts of Europe) & Japan have been the hotbeds for this stuff over the last few years. This band is no exception to that.

Le pré où je suis mort takes from the more current bands with a more refined sound that balances between bass driven softer parts to screaming explosions. The formula might sound a little done when reading about it, but if this is your thing I promise you won't be disappointed.

Band Myspace Page (still ative)

Download/Listen EP

*Their first ep is FREE to download at the download/listen link above. There is also a player embedded in the web page so you can even listen first. Enjoy, their label hooked it up*

Parades End - Discography

In April of 1996 I was just starting to go fully from punk and dive headfirst into hardcore. Making that transition from Dead Kennedys, Adolescents, and Minor Threat to the realm of Minor Threat, Mouthpiece, Gorilla Biscuits, etc. Helping that transition was the local college station 88.7 KSPC (claremont, california) and the radio show "Fall in Love with Nick."

Not only did the show play the afformentioned GB, Mouthpiece, and Minor Threat but it was my first exposure to Swiz, Snapcase, Earth Crisis, Killing Time, and the band this post is about- Parades End. At just barely 17 years old I had not a single clue of what screamo was and I was barely discovering emo-core via Dag Nasty, so Parades End blew my mind.

What I heard that night on May 30th, 1996 was a live in-studio performance of the band. They did five songs- their self titled 7inch and a song that would turn up on a split 7inch. For years I would play the tape I had copied off the radio to anyone who would listen. My punk friends hated it, and the few hardcore kids I knew at the time thought it sounded too weird or weak for their tastes. So, I remained oblivious for years.

Long story short, years later after I had discovered all the great stuff that went on/was going on I stumbled upon the two 7inches this band released a few years apart from each other. The "S/T" 7inch came out on Wordsmith Covenant Records in '96 and I am guessing that the split (w/Sky Falls Down) came out in '97 on Moo Cow Records. I excluded the comp. song from "Guilty by Association" because its still in print on Indecision Records and the song had a different singer and while i love the song, its almost nothing like these songs at all. Yes, an ex-member of Outspoken is in this band, and members went on to do a band later with most of these members.

s/t 7inch:
Sphere
Drought
Love
Dreamer

split 7inch:
Age Old Story
Death of the Fittest

Live Set:
st 7inch + Death of the Fittest


Parades End - (near) Discography (download)


*I didn't have the covers/inserts scanned when I originally made the download file, so you can find them HERE
and just save them to your computer*

Revolution Summer - 6 Song Demo

THIS IS NOT THE EUROPEAN BAND

As best as I can tell, this is a stateside band.
Unfortunately, getting information on this band has been fruitless over the last year or so that I've had this demo because of the D.C. movement associated with the name and the European band of the same name.

This was a random Soulseek score one night while I was up at late at Resident Camp. I downloaded this on the band name alone (not yet aware of the euro band).

Think fast D.C. Hardcore with punk doses and enough (tasteful) melody to drown in. Sung to screamed vocals with plenty of layered/slightly off back up vocals and plenty of bass guitar. This would fit in perfectly around the mid-late 80's in some combination of later era Faith with the energy of early era Faith and some Embrace thrown in (and heavy nods to some of the bands they influenced like earlier Avail & Hot Water Music).

Revolution Summer - Demo (download)

411 - The Thoughts That Feed the Fire 7inch

I first heard 411 my sophmore year of high school (lets just say it was more than 10 years ago) through a friend whose older brother had been into the hardcore scene before us. The friend would always go on and on about 411 and since he had turned me on to classic era Bad Religion and Sick of it All, I had to trust him. Their lp "This Isn't Me" (maybe I'll post it later) is great and remains one of my all time favorite albums I can listen to straight through, but the 7inch isn't exactly chopped liver.

The first song is faster than most of their other stuff and the second track is an earlier version of a song that would later appear on the full length. Melodic, mid-paced hardcore or maybe even post-hardcore; 411 had an all-star cast doing some of their best and most ambitious stuff (at that time at least) and the band still seems to go mostly unoticed and unrecognized.

The Thoughts That Feed the Fire 7inch
1. - Say It
2. - Those Homophobic

Dan O'Mahoney - vocals
Josh Stanton - bass
Kevin Murphy - guitar
Mario Rubalcalba - drums

*download includes scans of front & back covers as well as the insert- enjoy*

DOWNLOAD LINK NOW DIRECTS TO THE DISCOGRAPHY THAT WAS POSTED JAN 2010

Four One One - "Discography?" (DOWNLOAD)

Tension - the Sickness of Our Age 7inch

Tension came from South Florida and existed in the 90's. I had always heard their name, but I never checked them out. But, last week in what would become one of those "why didn't I listen to this band before?" moments, I heard Tension's "The Sickness of Our Age" 7inch courtesy of the Southern Florida Music Scene Blog (which has a full write up of the band with two other releases of theirs). Members went onto be in or were from a lot of prominent Florida bands and when you hear the power of this Florida Straight Edge band, you can see how. Political, Pissed off, and with a slight groove to their fast (but heavy at times) sound, the vocals come at you like a cross between Ray Cappo & "Advent of A Miracle" Strongarm.

Thanks again goes out to Southern Florida Music Scene Blog



Tension - "The Sickness of Our Age" 7inch (download)