Striking Distance - The Fuse Is Lit

The final release from DC's Striking Distance and a fucking great one at that. What a way to end their project with a track like "Find A Way"; everything they released was golden in my eyes. The opening track rips into it and the closing track leaves you chilled. God this stuff is good. Bummer that they stopped, we need more good contemporary bands. I wonder why they always used war artwork...







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Striking Distance - March to Your Grave

Easily one of my favorite releases of the 2000s, this record is nothing short of great. I used to listen to it almost daily so it's great to revisit it right now. As I mentioned in the S/T post the lyrics are great and the song-writing is really unique and dynamic. Give this record a listen and read the lyrics, it is definitely worth your time.

"It's a shame we let those we blame govern who we are and what we do. They got the money, they got the power, turn your backs on us... you're through!"










Good music!

Striking Distance - S/T

Speaking of excellent contemporary DC bands here is the first Striking Distance release to complement the No Justice post. This is another one of my personal favorite contemporary bands. The lyrics are cynical, thoughtful, concise, and just great. This isn't my favorite release of this band and the more powerful full length that followed just shortly after this record has a few of the same tracks. I'll put that up next. Great stuff.





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New Direction Fest - Sampler

So when you hear the phrase "hardcore - fest" it seems like a contradiction does it not? New Direction Fest is a community effort hoping to change that. The fest is organized around the idea of hardcore punk as a movement and a vehicle for ideas leading to praxis. James and everyone involved is putting a lot of time and energy into making this happen, raising money and promoting. We've done quite a few carwashes, they've been tabling like crazy, and money is being raised anywhere it can be. You can find out more information on the website at New Direction Fest. There will be plenty of workshops and performances to keep anyone entertained and James got in contact with Vic Bondi (I guess he's in Seattle?) and Articles of Faith is going to play. When I got asked to play drums it was like a childhood dream. As James expressed I don't think Vic realizes how excited we are. Getting asked to play in AOF for me is like some Olympia downtown drunk-punk hipster getting asked to play in Black Flag or Flipper or something. Keep yourself posted and don't miss out on this event! Tickets are super cheap. Here is a sampler of a few bands that are playing in the first announcement. The highlight being the brand new OUTLOOK track. Outlook is currently recording a full length. YES!





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White Wards - S/T 7"

Here is a testie, pre-release of the White Wards 7" they made for tour. These recordings are awesome. I also included a Mecht Mensch cover that didn't make it to the record in the download. Listen up, really good stuff!





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White Wards - Live on KBOO

Speaking of Joey here is a new White Wards release featuring yours truly on drums. We got invited by Steven? of Walls to do a live set on the Portland radio station KBOO. T'was quite the endeavor, covered No Trend, it got very hot in that room. Also that is Adam of Red & Black fame on the cover wearing my jacket from when I was a wee lad.





Here is video of it.


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Sex Vid - Nests

As soon as they started playing "Always Home" live I knew I had to pick up a copy of the then new, Sex Vid record. The B side is awesome. Not a huge fan of "Exorcism" but "Nests" is a sick song too. The picture on the cover looks so much like Joey. Enjoy.









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The Rival Mob - Hardcore for Hardcore

The new ep from Rival Mob, picked it up in Boston. Probably my favorite material so far. I'll put the rest of their stuff up later.







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HPP - S/T 7"

I hesitate to say that this is the best stuff from HPP because I am so attached to the last two releases but god it is good. They definitely explored some new stuff moving back to their more groovy punk sound. Dillon does some wild stuff with his vocals, a lot of the songs, especially the first track, sound like they could be on a Dead Boys record. I love it.





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No Justice - Still Fighting

Really, really bummed I never got to see this band play, I heard their live shows were nuts. There is something about this demo that makes it interesting over and over, all the way through. All these songs are burned into my brain. I got the tape and the 7" from some dude selling records at an Insubordinate show in Seattle. Great hardcore from a contemporary DC scene.





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Opt Out - Demo 2010

You all may remember Dan from his work in Olympia's own DECONDITIONED, along with the help of Mckenzie pre-Sixes. On Sixes tour he gave us the opportunity to come into MRR and DJ some music on his radio show. There he gave me this tape of his 'new band'. I fucking love it. Ripping tracks with poignant and interesting lyrics, the way hardcore should be. Thanks Dan for being awesome.



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Hysterics - Tape

Hardcore punk from Olympia, WA. Awesome lyrics and catchy songs, sunk being a favorite. Also, fuck you Adriana for stealing a Scary Man riff. Just kidding.





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Male Nurses - Demo

Here was another gem we got to catch in Boston. Male Nurses was an opening band that blew me away. They all looked like post-77 rockers but played a powerful, dynamic hardcore punk blend. Also the drumming was really solid. They covered "Kids of the Black Hole" in its entirety which was pretty awesome. These demo tracks include a Koro and a Sick Pleasure cover, the Sick Pleasure vibe is definitely felt in the music. I was bummed they didn't have any music for sale and the demo doesn't reflect how powerful and sick they were live.

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Boston Strangler - Demo

Ok, so we all know what this band was going for and who they're ripping off but it's still a good listen albeit cheesy. I had a chance to go out to Boston with the cakemaster for a bit and we caught a couple of good shows one of which being Boston Strangler's second show. People went nuts although the band looked like dads. We met the same dude working at two separate record stores who helped us find the venue the show was at. It turned out he used to live in Centralia and played guitar for Boston Strangler. We never got his name. Give it a listen.



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Sixes - Morning

This is the last release from Sixes, unfortunately we just played our last show at Rainfest which was a joke considering that it was a fest. Our real last show was in Olympia and was awesome. I don't have much more to say. I made a lyric booklet that came with the release that will give more info.





















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