Chow Line - Six Trax Ripper CS

So you want to start a hardcore band, huh? Well I think myself and the members (2, but not like a 'two best friends playing grind' way, don't worry this is a full band) of Chow Line would agree just don't do it. But if you absolutely must, here is the recipe. Thick and meaty, you can feel the grit in your mouth; sand in your gums when you play these tracks. Five tracks of hardcore done right and a Ripcord cover. "Yea you know I'm good and ready, armed with balloons and confetti, couldn't hold back if I tried, I'll be laughing when you die". Now this is some top tier hardcore in a year of fest worship and instagram.





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Bugg - Demo CS

This guy is a regular Bugg superfan. Kora gave me a demo cassette and I had no idea what it was going to be, I assumed another band like Laffing Gas but I was very surprised. We got some 90s alt worship that gets you feelin'. Since jamming the tape repeatedly I had the pleasure of hosting them for OHC and live they were on another level. Got to see them again on this last GAG tour and they had a super lineup. I think I counted five guitars on stage. Needless to say I ride for Bugg. This tape is fantastic, be on the lookout for an lp.



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Criminal - Amongst the Thugs CS

 I love this fucking tape. When fizz told me he had a new band called Criminál I knew it was going to be right up my alley as I am a big fan of crime, and more importantly, fizz. This cassette has it all, the anthemic feel of Oi done respectable and the ferocity of hardcore at times. We got synth, gruff vocals and a bootboy choir, you sold me, easy. Do yourself a favor and just try it. Sadly I still have yet to see them play live. We were in cahoots for a Rixe and Criminal appearance at OHC but the tour got pushed back and I had a full day drive to eastern Washington for work and a forklift broke on me so I stayed an additional six hours fixing it while they played. Decent excuse for missing the set.

   



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Bricklayer - The Wall CS

Well, guess I'll throw this one out here. The hell that was getting this record out still isn't over. Recorded years ago, the Bricklayer LP is out in Europe and exists somewhere in the United States of America yet I have never seen a copy of it. RIP Grimace and Bricklayer, these were great, great times.







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Reptoides - 2EP CS

Now here is some wild ass shit from another planet, Monterrey Mexico's own Reptoides. The Monterrey scene took quite a heavy hit near the end of the first decade of the 2000s when a lot of the key players made the trek 10+ hours south to Mexico City for safer living. It was great to be back and see that the scene was still thriving with some new bands. Carlos gave me this cassette at our gig in Monterrey winter of 2015 (I know I'm really sleeping on putting stuff here) and I have been crazy about it since. This cassette compiles two releases from the band, the "Anunnaki Adolescente" EP and the Demo 2050. Both titles make nods to some crazy spiritual-ass future shit and I am down. Abductions, torturing your followers as an "Anunnaki adolescent", close encounters of an alien kind- this is a lot of stuff rolled into one I enjoy. To top it off it aint just the subject matter thats interesting, this tape fucking smokes. Do yourself a favor and get it while you still can on this planet.

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Stuck Pigs - Bleed Like... CS

This cassette is one of my favorites I encountered this year easily. DC has had no shortage of great output lately and Stuck Pigs might just be at the top for me. The release definitely has some heavy Scandinavian vibes, the walls of chaotic riff to riff, but pays nods to the American tradition through the gallop and pummel of tracks like "Go Away". Then again every American first wave act just wanted to ape Europe (at least the good ones). They bring it back to the American tradition with a Neon Christ cover. First wave Latin America is where my head went first but I'm gonna still keep to Scandi- either way it really doesn't matter because this is DC hardcore at its finest. 'Rips' doesn't do it justice, this tape is heavily rotated, as fierce as it gets. Sadly the band is no more and I was lucky enough to have caught their last gig in Boston and to have them for OHC earlier this year. Live the band leaves very little to want, the stage presence from every member is more than ideal, also very cool to see Ace on the skins. Brendan assures me there will be more output that won't leave me disappointed in terms of new acts. My only disappointment is no lyrics.

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CC Dust - Shinkansen No. 1 b/w New Ways

 

It's incredibly sad to see CC Dust go but all good things must end and usually the most intense and beautiful experiences only last for a moment. CC Dust sophomore release is a single with two of my favorite songs to date, very bummed I don't get to see them continue this direction. The release is very interactive and has a scan to watch a video David made. I believe the cassette and records were released in Sweden? I was lucky enough that little Davey boy hung onto some copies. I'm having a hard time doing the band and the release justice with words right now. I would definitely recommend picking up this release.











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MPK - Demonstration

Now here's a demo I'm very excited about. You may have read my high regards in a previous review on the split cassette with Chemos (another great band) and the Portland Alive Comp, pretty much all of those tracks appear here aside from the last track on the Alive comp. MPK genuinely embodies first wave American Hardcore to me particularly the more playful but catty side of the Midwest. I can't give enough praise to this band they were one of my stand out sets of OHC this year and every time I've seen them since I've had comparably transcendental hardcore experiences. I'm excited to hear new material this is a good fucking band. Hardcore rules.




David didn't grace the tunes with song titles but he was kind enough to send some lyrics.

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United Void - Demo CS 2016

One of my favorite demos to come out of the NW this year. This cassette broods with misanthropy the likes of which you'd be sure to find poison idea bathing in. Couple that with a fantastic live performance, endless energy put out by Steve matched by beautifully executed start, stops once again harkening to some PNW name brands like PI and Lockjaw but with a more modern mid 2000s twist. I feel like I heard a little bit of our friends from across the pond Out With A Bang. Members have been holding down NW acts forever now and Steve was the first of the pilgrimage to rock the trip to the west coast, his other Kansas City boys followed suit later. Don't sleep on this demo.




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Dry-Rot - Hairless 7" EP

Dry-Rot was a damn good band and this release has always been one of my favorites. The discordant blast of chaos that is "Hairless" sets the tone for the record (a tone most other bands can't achieve without just sounding like absolute garbage). The follow up track tightens up a bit just to let it all go for "There Are Seven Levels", a track I listen to quite often and probably my favorite on the release. This band was one unique unto itself, the music alone isn't even testament to their strangeness. Somewhat akin to the first Negative Trend ep or some Cyanamid comp tracks or something but truly all its own.





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Gem - Sugar High b/w Spinner

Here's a piece of music I acquired recently that knocked me on my ass. I ordered it from Paradise Records before I left for tour in February because they are homies and the aesthetic grabbed me. I have finally returned and had the chance to listen to it and it couldn't have arrived at a better time. It was a beautiful day in the high seventies and everything was blooming. I put it on with my door open and had to sit down, the record commanded my attention. "Sugar High" opens with crunchy chords punching in over sullen feedback and then driven home by heavy percussion. The vocal delivery is unique in that it pulls from a 'rosey' candor akin to Cranes, Medicine or Lush. Can't quite put your finger on them. It feels childlike and innocent but pulls at an adult heart. By the time that first lead cranks in I'm completely sold and the song ends leaving me desiring so much more. The opening track itself reflects the fleeting quality of love in that it fills you completely and leaves you elated then disappears. I can replay it over and over but I'm just searching to reconnect with that feeling I had when it took me by surprise in my initial listening. It's perfect, leaves you wanting more; always a good quality in a piece of music. The B- side is titled "Spinner" and has more of a conventional structure with a definite hook. Actually, multiple hooks (in that the whole song is a succession of them). The song begins with a plucked melody that eventually cascades down in a crash of a driving chorus as described vocally by the lyrics. By the second time this musical process all hits you again it is dressed with a lead that really drives the song home. I contacted Jeremy about the band just to send my praise and we talked about the idea of it scoring a 90s film and how appropriate it seemed. I believe the specific things referenced were the soundtrack for "Clueless" and the Cranberries "Just My Imagination" video. If you don't get the idea and don't know that you need this already please download it. It's summer time and I'll be flipping this like crazy.



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Dog 3

Dog 3 is finally here but unfortunately keeps going through copyright issues. Keep checking back because occasionally it has sound. DOG 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLWm0lhKi1Q

Cherry Death - Stone Shake Golden Mile EP

Wow. Ok... let me think about how to do this. This was a band this year that truly fucked me up. Cherry Death was a surprise set for me I guess they hopped on when a band dropped and just blew me away completely. At one point there were 12 people on stage. That can sound a bit deterring but it was all very calculated and created the perfect atmosphere. The understanding of dropping from complete noisy chaos to a soft simple and very clear melody that is so important to a lot of music this band pays homage to was perfectly executed. The set began with a loud somewhat discordant swell. One after another punctuated bursts of every instrument at once. I wasn't sure what to expect at all but suddenly as the wave of sound ended everything just burst into a beautiful melody. Drums took off and carried the harmony creating a driving feel that just felt like it carried your weight had me enthralled. One of the possibly five guitar players put on a capo and delivered the sweetest lead as the song began to come to a close and another began. One thing I found particularly interesting about the project is that they had two drummers. This could be complete garbage but somehow, some way both players delivered identical beats and fills deviated only intentionally for impact. I was blown away by this. To make it even more involved one was left handed and still matching stroke for stroke. It was the icing on the cake for me to watch. The music itself almost has a folky noodling to it (see "puppet dance" especially) all carried by chaotic strumming high on the neck and atmospheres reminiscent of some early 90s britpop acts. Extremely powerful stuff. I can't stop listening to this tape I love it. Thank you Oklahoma. Very few places can create this sort of thing so genuine. Bedroom project turned miniature symphony.

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The Deacons - Beat Up The World

 '77, LA, NY, ugly and snide hardcore punk comin' at you. Some of my favorite sets I've seen recently. Bummed they couldn't make the fest last year but seeing The Deacons play twice on this last GAG tour was one of my highlights for sure. The cassette is infectious I keep flipping it in my van. Trae's vocal delivery reminds me a bit of the dude from F. I get those vibes from this release pretty heavy. Great stuff, count me in as a really big fan.

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No Tolerance - You Walk Alone

The record finally came out, picked it up at Edge Day, ordered the euro copy and snagged it on cassette. I like it that much. As with all Hardcore full lengths with a formula they can be hard to break into but this one sits real well. Lots of direct song title homages on this one. Love No Tolerance. If I am at the gig you will catch me in the NT and Waste Man pit ALWAYS.





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The Flex - Flexual Healing VI Live From The Pain Cave

Gotta love the Lads and their Flexual Healing line. I'm a big fan and was happy to receive Volume VI. Love these boys and hope to see them again soon. This cassette features a set live at the Pain Cave I'm pretty sure recorded during Red Flex because I remember Sam talking about it on tour and they also performed "Just Can't Hate Enough" and a lot of that set on the tour. That was a mad weird sentence. They come in, destroy the spot, and are out before you can get up. Beautiful. God I love the Flex.



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C.C.T.V. - Practice Tape 2016

My god I've been waiting for this cassette for well over a year (might be two?). Since before I went to Not Dead Yet with Ooze and Big Zit. Mark sent me a video of a new CCTV riff that featured a small troll dancing on his phone. Since then I have referred to it as "The Troll Song" and have been asking forever when it will be recorded so that I can skate to it in a video. Well that day has finally come and it was released on this cassette as "Song About Shit Talker's Demise". Can't wait to make the edit. What a pleasant surprise in OKC, I tried to contain my excitement. Been jammin' it a lot these sunny days. Really digging "Song About A Big Plan". Also loving the tongue in cheek humor on the inserts.

  

    

 

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Big Zit - Demo Re-release

I'm leaving for GAG tour so I figure I'd let the blog rest on a gem that will stand the test of time. The Big Zit cassette with a cool new cover. Same dew, new view. See you guys around the states, I have much more I need to put up. Anyone noticed how much Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's "Hand On Heart" bears a striking resemblance to Wire's "Reuters"? Hope y'all are still around after my hiatus.

Big Zit Demo Tape
Big Zit 7"

 

Protester - DCHC 7" 2014

The first vinyl Protester release. Once again all the tracks are credited to Connor but the insert indicates that yes, this band does indeed have a lineup (which was accidentally not edge). The intro fucking slams and brings you in real hard. Also divebombs now, always a good touch for this sort of thing. "Let You Forget" is the track for me. Man... I feel you bud. "Left to Rot" contains a few lyrical references and I'm sure you also remember "Break" from the demo cs. "Here to Stay" is mean as hell. Watching Robin start that one off is always fun, he lays into that snare. These last three tracks bring the band in a new direction with hard breaks and some tempo changes different from the 'all-go' of the initial release. I fucking love Protester, good shit. Songs of the edge. "Drop out"... Man Connor I feel you. Also in comes that touch of SSD again.





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