Anderson Bradshaw (Another Victim) discusses the upcoming Another Victim shows

When it comes to reunions, many people are split on the idea including members of the bands that participate. One such is Anderson Bradshaw, ex singer of Another Victim who will be reuniting to play Bloodaxe Festival this weekend in Japan. He wrote up a little something discussing the reasons for the reunion and why he is a part of it. Interesting read and worth checking out.

Andy on the Another Victim reunion

Ghost Ship (ex-members of Another Victim, current Another Breath)

I heard Ghost Ship actually for the first time today and was definitely into it. For me, its getting harder and harder to find current bands that I enjoy, especially in the vocal department. But Ghost Ship made a believer out of me. They've just recorded a demo/EP and will be releasing that soon. Just prior to recording, they recruited ex-Another Victim drummer Tony Tornabene to round out the lineup. The quality of the demo is perfect, everything seems to be mixed at just the right level. My favorite track so far is "My Oath", a blatant straight edge anthem. Its nice to see a band who is proud to be straight edge and not afraid to be vocal about it. For a band that has been around for a short period of time, they seem like they really have their shit together. You can download their 2009 EP "X Marks The Spot" below. I spoke to their vocalist, Curtis, and asked him to give us some info on the band and here's what he had to say:

Syracuse has an amazing hardcore scene, and we wanted to strengthen the straight edge here with our new band GHOSTxSHIP. We are lucky enough to share a town with great straight edge bands like Earth Crisis, Path of Resistance, Black SS, and more.

GHOSTxSHIP started as a side project for us from our other bands.
Steve Port, the drummer from Another Breath is the driving force behind writing our songs. He plays guitar for us, not drums. But because we went through some drummer issues Steve kept this band going with his multi-talented ability to play and write both guitar and drum parts. We got to play a few shows this summer before we parted with our drummer, including an off date with Bane on their 10 for 10 tour, and a show with Foundation & Title Fight, which was great for us.

At the time, we only had a rough copy of "My Oath" so we decided that we should go into the studio with our good friend Gabe Solomon in Auburn, NY. This was about the time when we lost our previous drummer, so Steve pushed forward recording guitars, bass, and drums while I took care of the vocals. We had our friend Alan French (If Hope Dies, Christ Crusher) do guest vocals on "Enough" and I think that it turned out awesome in my opinion. Needless to say, we're pretty proud of what we accomplished this past month with Gabe. I guess we are a little impatient and want to share it with everyone now rather than waste time trying to get our money back selling burned copies. Plus, we'd rather get kids pumped instead of waiting around for pressed copies. We will be pressing them sometime this fall (artwork and $$$ pending) but until then, we'll let people pass it around on the internet. It's tentatively titled "X Marks The Spot" So please, if you like it... burn it for your buddies or email it to your friends, we don't care.

Now that we have our mastered songs, we're practicing and getting our material tight with our new drummer Tony Tornabene (Night Owls, ex-Another Victim) for fall shows. We'd like to write another song or two before the fall is over with him, but right now we're just concentrating on playing some killer shows. Anyone who is interested in booking us, we'll be available for weekend shows in the Northeast starting in mid-October.

Booking: curtislepore@me.com
or just message us on our myspace page. http://www.myspace.com/ghostxship315

2009 EP "X Marks The Spot" - http://www.mediafire.com/?dj1h3n52krw

Thanks for the support!
XXX
-Curtis

Another Victim - Leftover Japan Tour Merch Now Available

Buske just hit me up to let me know that the Another Victim merch that was sold on their Japan trip is now available through Merchnow. Limited sizes are left so get on it. Oh did I mention, these were printed by Cabal?

Another Victim - Leftover Japan Tour Merch Now Available

Another Victim to reunite in Japan

The first announcement for the 2010 Bloodaxe Festival in Japan is a pretty big one. It appears that Another Victim will be reuniting specifically for this fest.

"BLOODAXE FESTIVAL 2010 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

"BLOODAXE FESTVAL 2010"
:​:​2010/​8/​28(​SAT)​@​TOKYO/​SHIBUYA CLUB ASIA::

ANOTHER VICTIM (USA/REUNION ONLY IN JAPAN!!)
THICK AS BLOOD (USA)
+
SPECIAL OVERSEAS GUEST!!!!!
MORE INFO COMING SOON. BE THERE!!"

Another Victim Discography Update

For those of you who had pre-ordered the Another Victim discography and haven't received it yet, heres what happening. I spoke to Justin who runs Closed Casket Activities 2 weeks ago and he said that there was a mistake at the pressing plant with the layout. Everything is being worked out and he said it will ship as soon as they are done. He expected the delay to be about 1-2 weeks so it should ship this week. In case you hadn't heard about this, the discography will include everything the band recorded and then some. Heres what Closed Casket has to say about it:

"For the first time in years this late ninety's straight edge hardcore band will finally be back in print. This 37 track, 2xCD discography features every release, demo, split and compilation track the band has ever put out. It also features two unreleased tracks meant to appear on the "Apocalypse Now" record as well as a complete live set from there home town of Syracuse, NY."

Also, the For the Liars and the Cheaters demo will see a proper release on limited 5 inch vinyl. It looks like he still has a few copies left for pre-order so get em while you can. All the info you need for ordering is right here: Another Victim "A Bitter End" Discography

When Layouts Change: Records That Are Repressed With New Layouts, Part 2

I had been waiting for something to come in the mail which is why it has taken some time for me to get to part 2 of this series I've star
ted. In case you missed part 1, you can go back and check it out here. To give a quick summary, this series of articles looks back at records that have been repressed with different covers and/or layouts. Now that we have moved into the age of digital downloads, it feels as if the layout is now an after thought and is no longer a necessary part of the album. I still enjoy sitting down and grabbing a handful of CDs and looking back through the layouts...they remind of great shows with people I was once close with though I may no longer see. Oh the nostalgia...anyway, on to part 2. As I stated before: Below are a few examples of records that were originally released by their respected labels and then repressed by either the original or another with a different layout. For now, I've just scanned the covers but Ill try to get the rest of the layouts scanned as well. The original is on the left and the repress is on the right.













Congress - Blackened Persistance (Original and Repress: Goodlife Recordings, 1996)
Congress were the first band that really put the Goodlife name on the map as well the infamous "H8000" scene. Loads of amazing bands were influenced by them in the 90s and they were definitely one of the best. Goodlife originally released "Blackened Persistence" in 1996 if memory serves and was a COMPLETE departure from your everyday run of the mill hardcore band layouts. I mean, look at the cover. Its got a freaking wizard on the cover. Amazing. The original release shows the entire painting of the wizard with his arms in the air, floating over what looks like a planet. This release became one of Goodlife's best selling release to the point that Edward couldn't keep it in stock. It was eventually re-released a short time later, this time with a live set attached to the original record. The cover, this time, shows just the face of the wizard as the cover. Normally, I wouldn't agree with this but its not a huge change and they did keep the original artwork as well as the rest of the layout. Overall, not much of a downgrade and an overall great album.













Split Lip (Chamberlain) - Fate's Got A Driver (Original and Repress: Doghouse Records, 1995)
Shifting gears a little, Split Lip was one of those bands that came along at the right time and just blew everyone's minds with their brand of Midwest emocore (this is back when you didn't actually cringe when someone called a band "emo"). After a 7 inch and 2 full lengths (not counting the discography of sorts), Split Lip changed their name to Chamberlain and their sound began to change as well. The band had just released their 2nd album, Fate's Got A Driver, when they chose to change their name. The band decided to re-release the album under the new name, Chamberlain, and re-record the vocals in the newer singing style that they had adopted. Again, the layout isn't a drastic change from the original though they used different photos. I do love the fact that they included a small photo of the original Split Lip cover on the last page of the insert. The original comes in a nice digipak while the Chamberlain release came in a standard jewelcase. I have no real opinion on this one since they are no photos of the band playing live in either release and the layouts are similar though I think I do prefer the cover of the original release.













Another Victim "For The Liars And The Cheaters" Demo (Self Released, 2000)
I know I've been a little wishy-washy with the other two records I've posted so far but now here we go, this is where I get down to it. Another Victim released these 3 songs as their final release before disbanding for the second time and forming the Promise. The songs really shows the direction the band was heading and to be honest, I would have loved to hear another record with the lineup on this demo. Anyway, the first cover shows some chain links...nothing special. But...the Japanese, my wonderful friends from the East got the ultimate treatment. A beautiful full color layout (minus the lyrics side) with fold out wings!!!! This was limited to 75 copies and was labeled as the Japanese demo. A collaborative art layout by GrezDNA, JD and Derrick Van Wie...Americans, we should all feel cheated for the having to receive the original layout as opposed to the Japanese version. Absolutely beautiful.













Disembodied "Diablerie" (Original and Repress: Ferret Records, 1996 and 1999)
Name a band heavier than Disembodied...go on, I'll wait. Yeah. not easy to do. One of the few bands that I've ever found to be as heavy recorded as they are live. But upon hearing Diablerie for the first time, you could tell it was heavy but it just need to be louder. The mastering of the original definitely wasn't anything to shake a stick at but it did the job. When the remaster came out, it sounded as it always should have (by the way, I still don't own a copy of the remaster so if anyone has one to sell, get at me). The layout for the original release is...well, interesting to say the least. What looks like a mannequin on the cover engulfed by a blue-ish background. A small live photo in the insert and the lyrics. The re-release received an all new layout including a change from blue to red and what looks like some sort of religious statue on the front. I haven't seen the insert in many years but I remember there being an angel in the insert. Overall, I prefer the cover of the re-release to the original.

Stay tuned for part 3 coming hopefully sooner than it took me to write part 2.

90s Hardcore Recent Reissues

Sometimes a label goes under for one reason or another and their back catalog ends up out of print. There are so many great records that are no longer in print (our zine proves this) because this unfortunate situation happens but then there are labels that pick up the slack and release discographies or reissue those old recordings. For example, Prime Directive Records is releasing a CD of unreleased and out of print Disembodied material, Revelation Records just released the complete Mouthpiece discography, and Closed Casket Activities is releasing the Another Victim discography. Lets take a look at some discographies that have come out in the last few years that are worth your time and money. Click the artist and title to purchase the CD.

Unbroken - The Death of True Spirit: this CD compiles both "Ritual" and "Life. Love. Regret." on one convinent disc with a remastered sound.

Unbroken - Its Getting Tougher To Say The Right Things: this CD compiles all their 7 inches and comp tracks which have never been released on CD before. Also at the end of the "You Won't Be Back" , you can hear their first demo. Mean Season - The Memory And I Still Suffer In Love: complete discography from this California band. Wayyyy ahead of their time. Contains the "Grace" full length, "Bleed To Me" 7 inch plus comp tracks and unreleased material.

Outspoken - Spotlight: contains everything recorded by this Cali band. Incredible stuff, this is worth owning just for "The Current" 7 inch.Undertow - Everything: Just as the title indicates, this contains everything from this Seattle band. There a nice little essay in the insert about seeing the band, the power going out, and the crowd continuing to sing every word...gives me chills every time I read it
Shai Hulud - A Profound Hatred of Man: A re-release of this Florida/New York bands material up to their release of "That Within Blood Ill-Tempered". This contains the "A Profound Hatred of Man" 7 inch, the tracks from the split with Indecision, a Bad Brains cover, their tracks from the split with Another Victim, a Negative Approach cover, and the song from the Rev 100 comp. All tracks remastered.
Shai Hulud - Hearts Once Nourished With Hope and Compassion: a re-release with REMIXED and REMASTERED content. This record now sounds the way it was supposed to sound. There is so much going on that you couldnt hear initially and now this record is ready to achieve legendary status.
Birthright - These Words Run In My Veins: this compiles the Indiana vegan bands discography including a video of a live set. "What do we want? Animal Liberation!!! When do we want it? NOW!!!".

Another Victim Discographies have shipped!!!

Just a quick heads up to let you know the Another Victim preorders HAVE shipped. I got mine in the mail today and it was seriously worth the wait. It sounds great and the double CD is packaged in a really nice fold out digi-pack. Lyrics are included in the insert as well as technical info as to which songs came out on which release. Pretty sure you still get both the double CD (which includes a live set from 2000) and a tshirt for only $20. Head over to Closed Casket Activities and check it out.

Another Victim Tumblr Site

I received an email today from Buske informing me that Another Victim now has a tumblr. The site has footage of the band, MP3s, photos and general information all leading up to the bands performance at this years Bloodaxe Festival in Tokyo (shout out to my dudes in the 168 and 178). Don't forget, you can still order the band's discography, A Bitter End, from Closed Casket Activities (hi Justin) for only $7.

Syracuse 3-Day Fest 1997 (Weekend Guide)

Right before I left for Japan, Jon Dennison (Unholy, The Promise, Another Victim, etc) sent me a package with various laminates from tours he had done as well as this weekend guide to Syracuse's first weekend festival. The fest was organized by Keith (In Hell of Hellfest) Allen and Ryan (Hanging Like A Hex) Canavan and took place over 3 days in June of 1997. The lineup...pretty much any fan of 90s hardcore dream. Snapcase, Ten Yard Fight, Culture, Coalesce, Despair, Indecision, Hatebreed, Day Of Suffering, Another Victim, Ascension...unreal. On the schedule, on Sunday, is a special guest that is unlisted. Im assuming its Framework, the Brown Stars, or Human Shield. If anyone knows, leave a comment and Ill update it. The guide also gives descriptions of the bands written by the organizers and most are pretty funny. The organizers also wrote about their feelings regarding hardcore and its a pretty cool read. Ive got more stuff to scan but for now, enjoy.

video: Another Victim - Arlington Heights, IL 12/19/98

I was going through a pile of old VHS tapes the other day, and I came across this quick set of Another Victim playing at YMCAin Arlington Heights, IL on 12/19/98.

Another Victim Interview: Abstraction zine #3

A short little interview with Another Victim that took place after the record on Stillborn but before Apocalypse Now came out. Also, note the early ads from both Eulogy Recordings and Catalyst Records.

Syracuse Hardcore Special

Anyone who knows me knows I love all things Syracuse Hardcore. So in preparation of the year to come which will see releases of the Another Victim discography, Earth Crisis's first new record since 2000, and Unholy's new record, here is a Syracuse Hardcore Special focusing on shirts from some of the finest bands (Labels and events included) to come out of the fine city of Syracuse. Someone needs to do a blog documenting the Syracuse scene like the South Florida Scene (cough, Guav, cough)

Cabal Clothing - DJ and Guav ran the best clothing company for hardcore kids. The quality was always top-notch and the designs were always fun.

Reaper Records - Patrick Kitzel keeping in real

The Promise - torchbearers of straight edge in the early 2000s

Path of Resistance - THE hardcore supergroup featuring members of Earth Crisis among others.

Hellfest 2000 - 3 days (actually 2) of great bands, great friends and no fights.

Green Rage - Bootleg shirt from a great band that only released 1 record then became Gatekeeper.

Earth Crisis - If I have to tell you about my love for this band, its gonna take some time. European tour shirt from 1995 screened by Cabal

Black SS - current Syracuse straight edge heroes

Another Victim - first design for this great vegan straight edge band.