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