Monday, May 31, 2010

Posted by xjustinx |
For those that are unaware, Glory Kid Records is a hardcore label run by a swell guy named Andy out of Southern California. Over the last few years, he's been putting out some solid releases on a pretty consistent basis. If you recall, the 90s was really filled with two kinds of labels, you had the likes of Victory who were trying to become more professional and were pushing units into major shopping outlets, and you had the more DIY centric labels that were pressing small numbers and putting lots of attention to detail into their releases. Glory Kid would have fit in very well in the 90s with the other DIY labels of the day. They press records in small quantities and always give them great cover art (not just a photoshop treatment) that often times are hand screened. With this being our first review for Glory Kid, we're going to focus on five of the recent releases.
Restrained - s/t 7" (GKR008)
Restrained hailed from Southern California, and on this 7", they blow through 6 tracks of heavy metallic hardcore that is reminiscent of bands like Catharsis and Gehenna. The songs have various tempo changes that keep things interesting. Going from breakneck speeds to dark, metallic dirges that don't overstay their welcome. The recording also has a perfect amount of grit to it, so it sounds as dirty as a politically minded, metallic hardcore band should.
Notes: Limited to a one time press of 600 copies, all silkscreened covers with 6 color variations, and 7 different colors of vinyl.
The Separation / Restrained split 12" (GKR010)
This split kicks of with Northern California's The Separation on the A side, and much like Restrained, they show a strong resemblance to the likes of Catharsis, Gehenna, His Hero Is Gone, and other dirty, metallic hardcore bands from the 90s. This is The Separation's first official release, and they did a pretty good job of coming out strong. The production lends to the heaviness, and the lyrics are largely of a political nature with detailed descriptions about their meaning.
Side B contains 4 more songs from Restrained, and they definitely stepped up their game in the song writing department from their previous 7". The songs contained on this split feel a little more focused, and once again, contain just enough grit to keep the songs feeling powerful, but dark. Although these two bands play a similar style, they don't sound too much alike that you begin to feel like you're listening to a full length from one band as opposed to a split 12".
Notes: Limited to a one time pressing of 500 copies in a hand screened, recycled cardboard jacket with a hand assembled lyric booklet.

Run With The Hunted - Destroy All Calendars 12" (GKR011)

I don't think I find enough good things to say about Run With The Hunted. Hailing from Arizona, they play a brand of hardcore that maintains a heavy groove throughout their songs without treading into chug mosh territory. My band played a show with these guys last year in Portland, and they present an intense level of passion during their live show. This EP contains four songs, and I really enjoy the format of a one sided 12". If you're into the likes of Deadguy, or older Shai Hulud, you'll probably really dig Run With The Hunted.
Notes: Hand screened jacket, and hand screened B-side as well.

The Separation - No Exit LP (GKR013)
After their split 12" with Restrained, The Separation bounced back with a full length also on Glory Kid Records. The recording on the full length is only slightly more polished than the split 12", and their song writing became slightly more polished as well, but in a more epic nature. The lyrics maintain a heavy political stance that come off as passionate and powerful. With 9 songs in total, this one and only full length from The Separation should stand as a pretty good testament to a great, yet short lived band.
Notes: Limited to a one time pressing of 555 copies with two vinyl colors.

Time For Change - Bye Bye Blackbird 7" (GKR014)I can still recall the first time I was introduced to Time For Change. It was 2006, and they were up in Portland playing a show with Seven Generations. I must have been in a shit mood, because I was hanging around outside, but heard a very familiar riff coming from inside. Time For Change were covering Mean Season's "Pilgrim"! I may have been the only person that gave a shit, but that didn't matter, because it introduced me to a band that deserved my attention. Here on their swan song release, Time For Change continue with their 90s influenced hardcore that brings to mind bands like Strife, Mean Season, and Unbroken. Four songs are on this 7", and they bring a great ending to a band that far more people should have heard.
Notes: Limited to a one time pressing of 200 copies with a hand screened cover, and hand typed lyric sheet.

Supply of the records reviewed here are very limited, so be sure to check out the Glory Kid webstore, and jump on top of some of these before they're gone for good.
Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : ,
Happy Memorial Day everyone. Im heading out to meet up with some friends for a relaxing day but thought everyone would wanna see this. Disembodied played the Chain Reaction (their second home) in Anaheim, CA this past Friday before heading up to play Rain Fest. At the end of their set, our very own trouble maker Jav came out as did Marc Jackson and the band ran through 2 Martyr AD songs. The band just put the songs up on Youtube so here you go, enjoy. Everyone have a safe holiday.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |
I just got an email from Hartsfield saying that 207 copies of the Outspoken - Survival 7" EP on burnt orange vinyl (limited to 2 copies per order) and 30 copies of the very limited "77 Pressing" of it on bubble gum pink vinyl (limited to 1 copy per order) are available now on the New Age Records site for only $4.50 each! Get 'em while they're hot!





Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : , , ,

While I was in Japan back in April, I went to see Shai Hulud who were on tour with Endzweck. I met up with them for dinner before the show started and then we made our way back to the venue which was 2 floors under the main street in Shibuya. Im hanging out with my friend Koba and he tells me I need to see this band Inside, who was opening the show. I was planning to see them anyway but went in to check them out. They seriously blew up the stage. So much energy and a killer live show. I spoke to them afterwards and they had saved a copy of the demo for me (thanks guys). I told them I would post it as a download so here it is. Keep in mind, the vocals are sung in Japanese so Im not quite sure what they are saying but I really enjoy the music...if you dig bands like Have Heart, Strife, and Trial, give Inside a chance.

*NEW LINK*

Inside - Tokyo Straight Edge Demo 2010
Posted by XhcnoirX | File under : , , , , ,
After the Shaft/Jane split CD got posted on the awesome Mind Intrusion blog, I offered to rip him the 'Taskmaster' MCD from 1997. So here it is, 4 songs of great death metal/metalcore with lyrics emphasizing the atheist beliefs of singer Dirk Jochums. They took the Belgian H8000 sound (even recording in one of the more popular studios for H8000 bands to record at, Studio Midas) and adding death metal influences to it, slightly similar to Deformity. This might also be why they seemed way more popular in Belgium (especially the H8000 area) than in Germany. Besides this MCD and the aformentioned split CD with Jane they also released a very limited 7" on Stormstrike Records (200 copies total).

Members went on to bands such as Allgentle, Killcast and Still Screaming.

Shaft - Taskmaster MCD

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Posted by xjustinx |

To celebrate RAINFEST and the beginning of the BANE/STRIKE ANYWHERE Canadian tour, AT BOTH ENDS is holding a contest to win a mega-prize pack that includes one set of test presses from the 2x7” that includes BANE, GRADE, UNRESTRAINED and BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY.

ENTER THE CONTEST HERE
http://atbothends.limitedpressing.com/products/2579
http://atbothends.limitedpressing.com/products/2579
http://atbothends.limitedpressing.com/products/2579


Here’s what’s up for grabs:

FIRST PRIZE/THE MEGA PACKAGE (One package to win)
In addition to the winner’s order, he/she will receive:
-1 set of test presses that includes two records from the At Both Ends double 7” included in the magazine. The test presses are for Bane, Grade, Unrestrained and Between Earth And Sky.
-1 copy of At Both Ends #8
-1 copy of Devotion’s Bastard Son Of Affluence Blues CD
-1 copy of Hanging Like A Hex zine #18
-1 copy of The Heat zine #2
-1 At Both Ends shirt
-2 limited, hand-screened prints done by my roommate.
-Assorted stickers and pins
-Optimum Wound #1 graphic novel
-REX graphic novella

SECOND PRIZE (Two packages to win)
In addition to the winner’s order, he/she will receive:
-1 At Both Ends shirt
-1 copy of Devotion’s Bastard Son Of Affluence Blues CD
-1 copy of At Both Ends #8
-Assorted stickers and pins

THIRD PRIZE (twelve packages to win)
In addition to the winner’s order, he/she will receive:
-1 copy of At Both Ends #8

This contest is open to everyone in The Known Universe, there will be 15 winners in total but only one will win the grand prize. Contest ends June 13th, winners will be announced the following week on AtBothEndsMagazine.com. If shirt size not in stock then there will be a substitution.

HOW TO ENTER THE CONTEST

AT RAINFEST
If you’re heading to Rainfest in Seattle/Tacoma at the end of May then check out the At Both Ends distro table. There will be a set of three zine/vinyl packages on sale for $25 (instead of the usual $35), when you buy this set your name/email address will be entered in a draw for prizes.
Don’t want to enter the contest but still want a copy of ABE? Single issues will be on sale for $10 from the usual $13 along with other deals from the ABE distro.

RAINFEST WILL HAVE EXCLUSIVE VINYL COLOURS NOT SOLD ELSEWHERE. BE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR RAINFEST VERSION OF THE RECORDS AT RAINFEST.

BANE SHOWS IN SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER
Check out the Bane merch table on June 3rd at Chop Suey in Seattle and June 4th at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver for the same deals as at Rainfest.

ONLINE
Can’t get to Rainfest or either of these Bane shows? Head to atbothends.limitedpressing.com and enter the contest there. Just click on the item marked “TEST PRESS CONTEST!” and order the package, your name will be entered to win.

ENTER THE CONTEST HERE
http://atbothends.limitedpressing.com/products/2579
http://atbothends.limitedpressing.com/products/2579
http://atbothends.limitedpressing.com/products/2579

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

You probably know that before Poison the Well took the name that would skyrocket them to hardcore glory, they were known as An Acre Lost (and actually Doubting Thomas before that) and released a split with Miami's Promise No Tomorrow on Ohev Records. What you may not have known is that they actually made shirts during their time as An Acre Lost. I knew about the second design but not the first. I came across the first one on Ebay about 2 weeks ago and realized that my friend Andrew Abramowitz (Drowningman, The Distance) was the seller. He was the first bass player and played on both the split as An Acre Lost and the first release as Poison The Well (not Geronimo as it was incorrectly put on the release). He messaged me and said he couldn't take my money for the shirt (see what being a nice guy as well as a collector can do for you) and would put together a package for me. What that meant, I didn't know but a week later I received a package which not only had the shirt but also the bands FIRST shirt of which about 24 were made. It was seriously such a nice gesture and while I don't see Andrew as often as I like, he is truly a great friend. Enough about me, on to the designs.

This is the first shirt the band made, roughly 24 were made. Aryeh (vocals) said they were made at Kinkos so I'm guessing it was an iron on design of some sort. The back design (second picture) is small and just below the neckline. Pretty sure that's Sabu from ECW on the front.

This is the 2nd design before they changed their name. Not sure how many were made but still a cool design. Much more in the vein of where the band was heading. No back design.
I also own a rare Goodlife Recordings "Opposite Of December" tshirt that was pressed when the band was originally going to release the record with Goodlife before they went with Trustkill. I posted it a few months back so if you would like to see that, click here.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |

Jason "Electric Hillbilly" Hampton, singer/frontman or member of countless '90s hardcore bands, kicks off the 2010s with, you guessed it, another new band - The Beautiful Buzzards. Rounding out the lineup are Grant Peterson on bass and Hampton's fellow '90s hardcore alumnus Barry Fader on drums. They just finished recording a 5 song demo available for free download on their website. Check it out but be warned - to quote Barry's brother Sean, "this music will punch your nuts, tool your ass and kick your face all at the same time."

http://thebeautifulbuzzards.blogspot.com/

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under :
You may or may not know that from 2002 to 2004, I played guitar for the third incarnation of Where Fear and Weapons Meet. The band broke up in 2001 then decided to get back together and asked me to play second guitar. I had been friends with them before they started the band and was a fan so naturally I joined. This interview was originally printed in Open Zine #11, a South Florida based zine in the 90s and early 2000s. Not incredibly long but it gives insight into what the band was up to at the time (Fall 2001). The incarnations of the band are:
1. John - guitar, Jason - drums, Ryan - bass, Alex - vocals.
2. Tim and Scott - guitar, Jesse - bass, Jason - drums, Joe - vocals
3. John and Chip - guitar, Dan - bass, Jason - drums, Alex - vocals

Friday, May 21, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM |
Im thinking about making Stuck In The Past tshirts...would you guys seriously be interested in this? Id like to make a straight edge design as well as a non-straight edge design but is this worth me doing it? Readers, leave a comment, anonymous or signed in, if you think you would be interested in purchasing one.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : ,

I had planned on posting something else but a friend of mine brought up the full length of Where Eagles Dare and my train of thought was completely derailed. No, this is not the full length, this is actually the debut EP from Arizona's Where Eagles Dare. I can't quite remember how I became friends with their bass player, John. I think we had mutual friends...either way he told me about his band and sent me a copy of the record. The band played fast but were incredibly melodic with Jaesyn's high pitched screaming over it. I heard a comparison to Shutdown from someone but I never heard it personally. I seriously fell in love with this record. At only 7 songs, I felt like it was a tease. I did manage to see them twice and finally meet John in person which was great. He also sang for a band called George Moshington (great name). While the band wasn't reinventing the wheel by any means, the sound was fresh in 2002 when most bands were still chugga chugga-ing. As most bands do, they ran their course and broke up but this will always hold a special place in my heart. Check it out, see what you think. Enjoy!!

Where Eagles Dare - In A Thousand Words Or Less

http://www.mediafire.com/?zmnmuo23ymm

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |
No doubt many of you are curious to know about the upcoming Outspoken reunion shows and what else is in store for this '90s hardcore staple, so hopefully this interview that I did recently with Mike Hartsfield will answer some of those questions for you. On a personal note, I've known Hartsfield since '92 and not only is he one of the coolest and nicest guys in the hardcore scene but his devotion to both hardcore and to Straight Edge simply can not be denied. Enjoy the interview. - Jake




I guess the first thing that you and I should discuss is the Outspoken reunion. How did it come about? What is the lineup?

Basically, Dan Adair (our original bass player) called me with the idea of a show this year just for fun, not to make it a huge deal and just one for kicks since it's the 20 year anniversary of the band forming. I told him to count me in. So, Dan made all the calls, some were on board and some weren't. Since not everyone was into doing it, we got the guys that were down and started practicing all the songs under the band name "Save Yourself". Well, the more we talked to people about it, they started asking "why aren't you calling it Outspoken?", since we are playing Outspoken songs, that 3 out of 5 of us actually wrote. We started asking ourselves should we really start all over again just to doing the same thing? Dan went back to the guys that weren't interested in playing a show, asked them again if they wanted to be involved, and told them we might be doing Outspoken again as a band. Again, they wanted nothing to do with it. With three of us having been members of Outspoken, we filled in the gaps with the best elements and individuals humanly possible and Outspoken will play again in 2010. Dan and I are doing the same old thing, Jae moved from bass/backing vocals to lead vocals and we added Brian from Mean Season on guitar and Jae's friend Danny on drums. Jae knew Danny for years and thought he would fit perfectly, and he has.


So why are some of the original members not involved in the upcoming endeavors?

Without getting too much into it, everyone is older now with families, careers, etc. Things get more and more difficult to pull off and we totally understand them not wanting to do it. It's some of the same reasons why we originally broke up in 1994.


I understand that the initial reaction to the official announcement of the Outspoken reunion seems both positive and negative.

Yes, we heard both. It was very positive before we announced the lineup. Once we announced the change, we got a lot of negative but still some positive. It's been amazing though and I am excited about it.


Even the negative?

Especially the negative. I never knew other people were so passionate about this band. It's incredible. Some people are totally excited and want to see what we can do with it. Others seem pissed off and feel it should have a different name or that we shouldn't be doing it at all. Either way it's exciting to me. It's the challenge we need. It creates a bar we not only need to meet but the test is to go above and beyond without compromise. I think it's totally possible for us to be better than we ever were before. We can't wait.


Is Outspoken back together for good or just to play some shows? Will there be brand new songs/records?

We had originally talked about "a few shows" but now that we have a dedicated line up, we aren't setting any boundaries on what we might do.


So tours? New records? What else is coming? You must be thinking about the future.

We're just now starting to confirm shows so we are looking at a few offers and planning on what to do this year and next. Touring isn't out of the question, we just need to be smart in planning. Most of us cannot to be away from work too long and we all have financial obligations to keep in check. The band has never paid us even a fraction of as much as our full time jobs do so we need to be smart with taking on obligations with the band. As far as new records go, I started writing Outspoken style songs again in the late 90's so I have some material waiting in the wings. I just don't know which labels we should approach.


Not New Age?

I'd rather not. I just don't have the time to dedicate to giving it the attention I feel it would need. I've only got a few releases left to put out and I'd rather dedicate my time and resources elsewhere. It's been fun though. But, if a label doesn't come around, I'm always here to do it if need be.


Are you still Straight Edge?

Absolutely, unapologetically, and without compromise. It was easily the best decision I have ever made to better myself and my situation almost 25 years ago. Bleed for it...


What's your take on hardcore reunions in general, particularly reunions of Straight Edge bands with one or more key members who are no longer Straight Edge?

I've been here too long to keep score. With my time served, it's obvious that most people break Edge eventually. We have seen so many fall. So I take reunions as I see them. If I liked the band before, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they will be good. I'm more excited about hearing the songs than keeping an Edge count or figuring out who is an original member, It's about the music and the message more than the individuals involved. That feeling we had when we first heard those songs is what we want to feel again.


Outspoken was one of the most popular hardcore bands of the early '90s and headlined several shows during that time as a result. Did you ever feel overwhelmed because of this and if so, how did you deal with it?

Never overwhelmed, always just wanting to do more and thinking we had never done enough. Now, we have the time and new people to see what we can really do with it. Better late than never.


What are some of your favorite Outspoken songs and why?

"Shadow", "Innocent", "Burning", "Current". Haha, the newer the stuff, the better it is to me as with most musicians, I would think. We got better with time, I think. That's probably the reason why I'm really excited to see what new material we come up with.


What are some of your favorite songs by some of your other many bands and why?

I think A18 was the only other that I had favorites with: "Dig", "Gravelines", "Dear Furious", "Heartbreak Affiliated", etc.


As a musician and a songwriter, who/what are some of your influences and why?

Pretty much all the hardcore I got started on: Stalag 13, Aggression, Uniform Choice, Dag Nasty, Crumbsuckers, Insted, Verbal Assault, etc. Plus, before I got into hardcore, I was into a lot of metal. That influence creeps in from time to time.


You, along with David "Igby" Sattani and Colin Duckmanton, make up Hardcore Reunion, a group whose purpose is putting on shows featuring '80s and '90s hardcore bands with all of the net proceeds going to charity. How exactly did Hardcore Reunion come together?

Colin and Igby both are two legit guys that I know do things for hardcore for the right reasons. It (HCR) was just one of those ideas that sounded like a great idea when we first thought of it. We didn't want to deal with bands wanting big money and playing again just for their egos, etc. We knew Dan O'Mahony had been talking about a possible reunion of No For An Answer and that was our first chance to get things started. I was trying to get Outspoken on that first show but that didn't work out. We'll do the next one, I hope.


The very successful first Hardcore Reunion show took place at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California on 3/22/09 and featured No For An Answer, a surprise performance by Carry Nation, A Chorus of Disapproval, Headfirst, Blackspot and ICE. How did you, Igby and Colin decide on that lineup for the first show?

Well, No For An Answer came first and we ran everything by them before booking anyone. As ideas and options were presented, we just made the choices available to NFAA. It fit pretty well together without too much effort.


A number of people (including you and Chorus frontman Isaac Golub) brought their young children to the show. Were you at all worried or concerned for their safety as well as them being exposed to the rampant profanity that accompanies most hardcore shows?

No, not at all. We knew the show would be an older and less rowdy crowd. Plus, since I was there and didn't have any duties that would distract me from hanging out with my daughter, I knew she would be safe. She wore ear protection. Her best friend came too. There wasn't any inappropriate language, but if there was, I'm sure she hears worse things from friends at school. Both girls had a great time and so did I.


How are you able to successfully juggle your numerous hardcore endeavors with your responsibilities as a father and a husband?

"Successfully" (laughter). It definitely has it's ups and downs. I work so much that I have had less time to go to shows and I have been home more. Plus, I haven't played in a band in over a year. Now, thanks to Dan (laughter) opening his big mouth, it looks like I will have less free time than ever before.


You turn 41 this year and you are just as heavily involved in the hardcore scene now as you were when you were a kid, if not more so. What is it about hardcore that has kept you so heavily involved in it for over 20 years?

I have taken a huge step back actually. The label alone has taken a huge step back, I just don't have the funds I had at one time to contribute to it. Not to mention how my time has become more limited. But it's not hard to still feel connected to the hardcore scene. It's where I'm from and where I'm at. I love it.


How exactly did you get into hardcore?

I got into hardcore half way through high school (1985/1986), when I was becoming more and more disinterested in the heavy metal scene. I was really hungry to find something more personal, something I could become involved with and find a personal connection with. I joined a hardcore punk band at the time I still had long hair. Those guys exposed me to all I needed to be sold on hardcore, thanks to Paul, Matt & Justin!


You founded New Age Records in 1988. You were still a teenager and pretty fresh out of high school at that point. How did you go about starting New Age with what little resources (money and otherwise) that you had at the time?

I worked two jobs to get things started and just found a place in a local music magazine with an ad for a place that offered a special deal on pressing records. I called them and asked a handful of stupid questions, and figured out I could order 1000 records and it would be up to me and the band to sell them. When it started, I never even thought about releasing a second record.


It's my understanding that many record labels are ceasing production of CDs and only releasing records in digital and vinyl formats. Are you planning on doing this with New Age? Why or why not?

Yeah, I won't do CDs any more unless it's a CD that would be included with a record. They are way too hard to sell and no one is really interested.


You co-founded the Network Sound record label with your Outspoken and Drift Again bandmate Dennis Remsing in the early '90s. Why did you find it necessary to create a whole other label?

Because we were both fans of the style of music Network Sound ended up putting out (emo and pop punk) and figured it would confuse the New Age and Conversion fans if we just released them as we wanted.


Do you have any funny or interesting Outspoken tour stories that you'd like to share?

One good one is while we were driving back east once, I was driving and Jae was in the passenger seat. It was my bright idea that we should drive naked. Once we were driving for a few minutes I started passing big rig trucks in the fast lane then slowing down right in time for them to look down and see Jae totally naked. Then I would pace them until Jae begged me to pull by them.


After Outspoken broke up in the mid '90s, you formed The Suppression Swing with the equally prolific Jason Hampton on vocals. Did you have any idea back then that he would become the Hell's Angel on steroids that he is now?

No, I had no idea. Jason is easily in one of the greatest guys of all time. The Third Degree is one of my favorite bands ever. Classically underrated.


Amendment Eighteen (A18) is your most well known band and I gotta confess that aside from going to one A18 show and listening to a few A18 songs here and there, I don't know enough to ask you any real substantive questions about it, so what are your thoughts on that band?

A18 is by far the most dedicated and fulfilling musical experience in my life. I thought it was my least known band (laughter), at least that's how it seemed at our shows. A18 was a wild ride.


Thanks so much to Jake and Stuck In The Past for all of the support! Our first confirmed show is the A Time We'll Remember Fest on November 6th at Stephens Church in Washington, DC. We are playing with some incredible bands and look forward to seeing all our old friends again and making new ones.

Check Outspoken's pages at the following links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outspoken/42761148068

http://www.myspace.com/outspokenhardcore
http://newagerecords.com/bands/outspoken/
Posted by Anonymous |
VRY MTL. 'nuff said.



Headfirst - The Enemy [1991 - Workshed Records]

http://www.mediafire.com/?2ji2m0mwzoq

Monday, May 17, 2010

Posted by xjustinx | File under : , , , ,
The late 90s saw an influx of great bands rising in the Northwest, such as Everything Went Black, Backside Disaster, and Champion, but one of the greatest of them all was Left With Nothing. Not only did Left With Nothing come down to play Portland quite often, but my friend Conrad and I were driving to Seattle three or four times a month to catch shows up there as well, so I was fortunate to see Left With Nothing play dozens upon dozens of times. One of the times that sticks out the most was in the middle of a pretty major snow/ice storm in the Northwest when Conrad and I decided it was still worth it to make the risky drive to Seattle, so I called in sick to work using explosive diarrhea as my excuse. We got into my beat up 1980 Datsun 510, and started to make our way up through the frozen tundra. As if freeway driving wasn't scary enough on a sheet of ice, it was certainly a blast to try to parallel park on the hills of Seattle's roads as well. We caught a matinee show at the legendary Velvet Elvis with Deadlock (Spokane, WA), Left With Nothing, and the crybabies in Harbinger. From there, we drove down to the Auburn Annex to catch both Left With Nothing and Everything Went Black at a battle of the bands. A few fights ensued at the battle of the bands, but that seemed to happen all too often when you mix such varied bands and their crowds. I also picked up a copy of Seahag's (Everything Went Black's singer) newest graffiti zine, but I've managed to lose track of it over the years. That night will stick out in my mind forever, but it's just one of an incredibly large amount of memories I have attached to Left With Nothing as a band and the people that made up the band.

Left With Nothing - Demo 1997
http://www.mediafire.com/?h3dzocdjmz1


early era shirt circa '97/'98
After their demo tape, Left With Nothing recorded three songs in 1998 for a 7" that was to be released on Division Recordings, which was a short lived label run by Ross Swanes of Last Man Standing/Stay Gold. I can't remember the exact numbers, but the record was pressed on red and white vinyl.I'm still not sure why anyone would play it at the listed speed of 33 1/4 rpms.
There were some issues with the printing of the covers, so the record was released with a temporary cover. I never actually got the real cover, so all I had to scan was the temporary one. From day one, the sound on the 7" was very tinny, so I did my best to lower that a bit without sacrificing the integrity of the original recording.

Left With Nothing - self titled 7" [Division Recordings - 1998]
http://www.mediafire.com/?omradnqmgle

Around this time, Left With Nothing did a West Coast tour with Trial. Myself, Conrad, and a couple of other friends drove down to Roseburg, OR to see what was supposed to be the first show of the tour, but when we arrived, we found out that the door had been kicked in the night before and a bunch of equipment was stolen, so there would be no show. Way to go Roseburg! I bought an ice cream sandwich to comfort myself on the 3 1/2 hour drive back to Portland where we then proceeded to watch Skinemax into the wee hours of the morning at Joey's house.
Sometime around early 1999, Left With Nothing recorded an album's worth of songs that they were going to shop to some labels. However, at the same time, another prominent Seattle band named Trial was looking for new members, and they were found in the form of Brian "the brain" Redman and Nicky Platter from LWN. At that point, which was the middle of '99, Left With Nothing went on hiatus, and the album remained unreleased aside from a low bit rate rip that circulated amongst friends. Tory (LWN singer) was kind enough to give me the master cd last time I saw him in Seattle, so for the first time in high quality, please enjoy their unreleased masterpiece! (especially Brickball, which became a theme song for destruction at NWHC shows)

Left With Nothing - Unreleased Album [1999]
http://www.mediafire.com/?tnlzmted5dm

In February of 2000, Trial broke up while on tour in Italy. Sometime after Brian and Nicky made their way home, Left With Nothing was reformed, but this time they added a second guitar player to the mix, which thickened up the sound, and helped lead to the heavier Left With Nothing that was to come. They recorded three new songs in October of 2000, and they were released at the beginning of 2001 on the legendary Excursion Records. 800 copies came on black with with a silver foil logo on the cover. 100 copies came on blue vinyl with a silver foil logo for mailorder, and 97 copies came on blue vinyl with a blue foil logo that were sold at the release show.The 7" recording sounded huge, and didn't sound like a crazy divergence from old material, so it was appealing to old and new kids alike.

Left With Nothing - Wishing In Reverse
[Excursion Records - 2001]

http://www.mediafire.com/?ow3ojjigjmz

2002 saw the exit of Paul on second guitar, and the addition of Timm Trust (Divinity of Truth/Owen Hart) in that position. later era shirt circa 2002

With this lineup, they recorded the Good Things Come To To Those Who Wait EP for Excursion Records.
Although the EP features 4 songs, I've chosen to only upload 3 of them here, because the release is still available from Excursion. If you'd like, you can pick up a copy of it here: http://www.excursionrecords.com/store.html and I highly encourage you to do so, because the cd also contains the 3 tracks from the Wishing In Reverse 7", and because Excursion is a great label that can always use the support.

Left With Nothing - Good Things Come To Those Who Wait [Excursion Records - 2002]
http://www.mediafire.com/?gjzdtjn3mty

After this, Left With Nothing did record two more songs, but I have a feeling that they will probably never see the light of day. They broke up for the final time in 2003 if memory serves me correctly, and with them gone, it was definitely the end of an era for NWHC. The last of the great late 90s bands was gone for good.
In late 2009, Brian Redman was killed in a vehicle accident in Tacoma. His untimely death has left a scar on many people, including myself. When Left With Nothing play their reunion show on Friday, May 28th at Rainfest, it may seem like there's a giant, empty hole on stage, but somehow I know he'll be there in spirit when old dudes are brickballing the fuck out of the Viaduct.
1 - 2 - FIFE CREW!


As a band, and as individual people, Left With Nothing has meant a lot to me over the years, and I'm really excited to get to see them play one more time at Rainfest.

Posted by XhcnoirX | File under : , , , ,
The Netherlands has never been known for its vegan sXe hardcore scene/bands. Here's an exception from the late '90s, Driven from Amsterdam. They were an outspoken and fairly political vegan sXe band, which was (and is) a rarity in the Dutch scene. Driven was part of the so-called ADHC, the Amsterdam Hardcore crew, a group of people and bands from Amsterdam in the mid to late '90s who formed their own little scene. Other bands included Life Is Pain and Retch, but none got the exposure Driven which got. The band played countless shows and benefits and was always trying to raise awareness for animal rights, human rights etc. The line-up of Driven was not really stable, they had 3 steady band-members who were all vegan sXe, but you would see a different bass-player and occasional 2nd guitarplayer every other show or so for quite a long time. Which was unfortunate, I've seen many good Driven shows all over the Netherlands and Belgium, and maybe with a more stable line-up they would've recorded more than just 1 mini-album.

Anyways, formed in 1996, they recorded 'Demo I' in 1997. In 1998 they released their 'Cowardice Consumer Of The West' mini-album on Good Life, and played and toured around Europe. One of the tracks from the demo would appear re-recorded and under a different name, 'Reveal', on the 'Animal Truth' compilation on Sober Mind Records. In 2001 they recorded 2 more songs, which they sold on a self-released CD-r on their final European tour, after which they quit. In 2005 those 2 songs were re-released on a split MCD with a short-lived Dutch band called Bowling Alone. I included the demo and the split here. Unfortunately, for a band which had so much to say, there are no lyrics included with either the demo or the split MCD.

Vincent, the singer, current sings & plays guitar in Howl, who are signed to Relapse Records and who just released their debut full-length. As far as I know he's no longer vegan nor sXe. The other band-members, and most of the old ADHC people for that matter, have slipped into the mainstream and obscurity.

Driven - Demo I
Driven/Bowling Alone - split MCD
Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : , , , ,
This is another story that has been a long time coming. Rich Thurston has been a part of some of the most recognizable and important bands of the 90s. He has a great story to tell and told me that he wanted to touch on everything, not holding anything back. This is the first part in what is going to be quite a lengthy interview so get ready because Rich speaks his mind.
I want to preface this by stating that the opinions expressed belong to Rich and do not reflect
Stuck In The Past as a whole. His opinions regarding Conquer The World Records again are his.

Stuck In The Past: Alright well lets start at the beginning. How did you first get into hardcore?

Rich: I was introduced to "heavy music" by my cousin. She was into stuff like Kiss and Van Halen. I was five when I got my first Kiss 45". I went as Paul Stanley for Halloween and shit. It was sweet. Around fourteen, I started listening to Motley Crue, Iron Maiden and other metal bands of that era. I started skating and as such I was hearing more punk. I remember meeting a kid named Chris Goldbauch (Radiobaghdad). He was one of the few punk/skater kids in my high school. He had a Dag Nasty and a Minor Threat sticker on his car. I went into Record Bar in the Coral Square Mall and bought them both. The rest is history.

Stuck In The Past: Matt Fox (Shai Hulud) told me about how he used to go to Coral Square mall with some friends and see you at the arcade. He referred to you as the "Suicidal Tendencies guy".

Rich: hahahahahaha. I had a Suicidal Tendencies "possesed to skate shirt". I wore it all the time. I loved that mall. It was the best place in world when you are 15 or 16.

Stuck In The Past: When did you start your first band?

Rich: I was 18 I believe. I was still in high school. The band was called Ego Trip. It was terrible and amazing all at the same time. That was a really great time for hardcore and punk in South Florida actually.

Stuck In The Past: You guys had tracks on the Notes From The South Comp right?

Rich: That is correct. That comp was so much fun to be a part of. All of our friends had bands and we all recorded at the same studio back to back.

Stuck In The Past: That was a great comp. Some great forgotten South Florida bands like Beyond Reason and the Believers on it.

Rich: The Believers shit still holds up today. I loved that band. If you think back there were alot of really good bands in South Florida. The scene went through a shift in the 90's. Like there were alot of bands and kids then nothing then a huge resurgence again.

Stuck In The Past: It seems to go in cycles worldwide where theres lots going on then nothing.

Rich: Yeah man. I really think its a generational thing. The guys that have been around for years start to back out and the new kids come in. There is always a lull when something like that happens. Every scene has that happen.

Stuck In The Past: Yeah its a bummer...I miss a lot of the kids that used to go to shows.

Rich: Well when I moved from South Florida, it was under less then favorable circumstances. I was on the outs with the "scenesters" of the day. I do know what you mean though. I experienced it a bit there.

Stuck In The Past: We'll get to that in time haha. What year did you start Ego Trip?

Rich: I'm thinking it was like around 91' or so. I was a terrible guitar player. I had terrible equipment. As a matter of fact, we were all terrible in that band with terrible equipment. It was still an amazing time. There were no expectations, no worries, no managers or all that. Just straight up core.

Stuck In The Past: But thats kind of what makes your first band fun: trying to figure out how to play.

Rich: For sure. It was just four guys making it up as they went along. Kickin ass and takin names.

Stuck In The Past: How long did the band last for?

Rich: Two years I think. I also played in Timescape Zero during the tail end of Ego Trip. Just a few practices, nothing major. No shows or recordings. Ego Trip broke up at my house actually. My parents went out of town and I had some people over. I was the only edge kid around so everyone else was drinking. My buddy Bob Goldie and his girlfriend were there. She was passed out drunk in the spare room. The drummer of Ego Trip, Brian, snuck into the room and started messing with her. I caught them. I had to go tell Bob. He went in and it got ugly. The band ended that night.

Stuck In The Past: Yikes. Not a good way to end either.

Rich: Not for Brian. Hahahahahah. I was done with it though. I had out grown the band.

Stuck In The Past: What did you do after the band broke up?

Rich: Hung out for a while. I played with other guys here and there. Nothing major. I didnt do much until 94 or so when I started Culture.

Stuck In The Past: How did Culture start?

Rich: Well I had moved to Richmond, VA. I actually played in Grip which later became Dayspring for a bit. Played a few shows with them. When I came back I wanted to play again right away. I had a taste of playing in a real band at real shows. I wanted more of it.

Stuck In The Past: Did you do any touring with Dayspring?

Rich: No. I just filled in on some shows for them when it was still Grip. Like I think it was two or three different weekend trips on the east coast.

Stuck In The Past: They were great band...I feel like they were really overlooked even though they were on New Age

Rich: More importantly they were solid dudes but you are right. Way overlooked. I remember when Dayspring came to Melbourne, FL and played at that skate park place. So good.

Stuck In The Past: I wish I could have seen them

Rich: I wish alot of the kids that came up after me had got to see alot of the bands of that time. I think it would give a different perspective. I have a great Chokehold story if you want to hear it?

Stuck In The Past: Definitely

Rich: Chokehold in Melbourne at some over the top redneck bar. It was their last tour...one of the their last shows actually. There were about 100 people there which for melbourne was huge. I remember the first note like it was yesterday. All hell broke loose. The bar had no idea what was going on. There was a huge American flag hanging up and someone crowd surfing tore it down. That was enough for the rednecks. They cut the sound. The onyl thing you could hear was the drums and a hundred kids singing. So fucking good man.

Stuck In The Past: I remember my friend Ivan telling me about this. He was a little older than me and real good friend with Jerry (Morning Again). He said it was the best show he ever went to.

Rich: It was a great display of hardcore aggression. No doubt. I miss those days.

Stuck In The Past: So you started Culture when you got back from Virginia. What year was this? 1994?

Rich: Something like that yeah. After playing those shows with Grip I knew it was something I needed to do. I had no real equipment. I found a couple of guys in West Palm Beach that wanted to play. I had no place to live. I was going from house to house. It was a rough time for me. It really was. However... no matter how hard it got I knew I wanted to play hardcore and I was determined to make the band work

Stuck In The Past: Who was in the first lineup?

Rich: The very first practice was myself (guitar), Mark Mitchell (vocals) and Josh Williams (drums). Our first practice was in Marks spare room.

Stuck In The Past: Did you initially want the band to be vegan straight edge?

Rich: We had no agenda. I did want to be in a band with Straight Edge people but it didnt have to be a sxe band or a vegan band. I think thats what made our first demo and eventual 7" so good. I wasn't vegan until later on in the band.

Stuck In The Past: Did you play any shows with the first lineup?

Rich: One or two at a place called The Foundation in West Palm Beach. We only had like 3 songs. We played covers and stuff.

Stuck In The Past: What songs were you covering?

Rich: Lets see. Integrity, Helmet, hell I cant remember now. Ha

Stuck In The Past: Haha alright. Well you guys released the demo and the 7 inch. Were those different recordings or were the 7 inch tracks taken from the demo?

Rich: Yeah. They were the songs from the demo. We sent it out to a few labels but never really expected it to amount to anything. I remember getting a letter in the mail from a label and they wanted to do it.

Stuck In The Past: How pumped were you?

Rich: I was so stoked. I mean, thats what every band wants. Hardcore was different back then. It wasn't as easy to get signed as it is now. There were only a handful of labels even going so to get an invite to one of them was such a wonderful feeling.

Stuck In The Past: That was Shadow Records?

Rich: Yeah. I think we were one of two releases they did. After our 7", I don't think the label did anything else.

Stuck In The Past: Culture was known as the band that launched the (for lack of a better term) legends of Damien Moyal and John Wylie. When did they join the band?

Rich: What about me asshole!?!?!?! Ha.

Stuck In The Past: You dick haha. You know what I mean

Rich: Damien and John were the final touchs that made Culture what it was. John was a great guitar player and up until he joined it was just me. It let us write two guitar parts and do different things. I think thats what gave the atmosphere we got in the release. Damien's voice is legendary. His range and his aggression fit the music so perfectly. Those times when he wasnt in the band the lead singer position lacked big time.

Stuck In The Past: Were you still writing the lyrics or did he take over when he joined?

Rich: I wrote alot of the lyrics on Born Of You. Damien really came into his own and started writing after that. That fucker wrote some serious lyrics man. I remember writing the music for songs and not being able to wait to hear what he was gonna say over it.

Stuck In The Past: He really has a distinct style with the layering of the vocals in the studio.

Rich: Absolutely. He gave the music such an air to it. It was just so angry. We were angry. We wanted to change the world.

Stuck In The Past: Tell me about Natural Order.

Rich: Hahahahaha. To be honest, it was just a bunch of angry kids yelling alot. We never really did anything. We all got Natural Order tattoos and thought we were invincable. We had such a passion about veganism and straught edge that we needed an outlet. We all did zines. Remember zines? Mine was called Nature First. My boy Anthony Conte had one too. We just need to vent our frustrations so thats how it came about. We were real dicks to people to. Ha.

Stuck In The Past: We were all angry at that age...kind of our way of dealing with the pressure around us.

Rich: I blame Earth Crisis.

Stuck In The Past: hahahaha

Rich: Yeah man. I mean it was real to us. It was something we felt strongly about so we went with it.

Stuck In The Past: Alright, so John and Damien joined, when did you find Gordon?

Rich: Josh Williams knew Gordon. They surfed together or something. Ha. We really needed a bass player so we didnt hesitate.

Stuck In The Past: Who was playing before him? Was it Stan?

Rich: Whats funny about the named bass players before is that none of them really played. I just used there names on releases and stuff so it looked like we had one.

Stuck In The Past: So Stan (Obal) never played on the demo?

Rich: Nope. I played all the guitars, bass and sang. Stan and I were good friends at the time so I just used his name. Ha.

Stuck In The Past: hahaha. I do remember Stan being a pretty good musician though.

Rich: That he was. I dont think that it was we didnt want him to do it. We just didnt really think about it. We just needed a name for the bass player. I think he was with me when I made the inserts or something. Ha.

Stuck In The Past: So the band was playing out pretty regularly and then you hooked up with Conquer The World records. How did that happen?

Rich: Ya know I think I sent a demo to Mike Warden because I knew Chokehold was on the label. He was into it and we began the writing process for a full length.

Stuck In The Past: And who are you to argue with being on the same label as Chokehold?

Rich: Exactly. Back then, they were the shit and pretty much the same as us. Angry and trying to change the world. Go ahead.... ask me!

Stuck In The Past: Ive spoke to Damien and John about it...tell me about what happened with Conquer The World Records.

Rich: That a boy. Ha. CTW helped launch some pretty important bands of that time. Chokehold, Culture and Morning Again at the front of the pack. We didn't know anything about Mike. To us he was a guy that ran a label that wanted to work with us. We didn't ask alot of questions nor was there ever a contract. All verbal promises. That was our fault. We never ever knew what he was doing. He was making shirts and never told us. He would say stuff was out of print but he was sending records all over the place. He is by far the worst graphic designer of all time. Did you see the cover of the Born Of You 12"? At what point did he look at that and say "sweet"? He just turned into a big liar. He ripped off a bunch of bands. I believe Morning Again used him so they could get a release out to shop around. He still maintains that he didn't do anything wrong and WE, the bands, lied to him. I have no idea how we could have lied to him about anything but whatever. He's a sad man that still tries to stick his nose in from time to time.

Stuck In The Past: In the insert for the Goodlife release of "Born Of You", the band says that the record was continuously repressed without the bands permission...or something to that extent.

Rich: Yeah. Records would show up in distros not only in the US but in Europe as well. He just lied to try to make a little change off his bands. Its not like he made alot. Seems a small reward for being basically black balled.

Stuck In The Past: As band, did you ever confront him over the issue?

Rich: Never face to face. We were in Florida and he was in Detroit so we never saw him. If we played close to Detroit he wouldn't show up or anything. I'm sure we had some letters back and forth. I really dont remember. I just remember knowing we would never work with him again. Like I said, I think Morning Again did it just for the sake of knowing he would put it out no questions asked.

Stuck In The Past: Anything else you want to cover on the subject?

Rich: I just think that it dissolved itself. We just stopped talking. He went his way and we went ours.