Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : , ,

Dear friend to Stuck In The Past, Ray Harkins (Taken, Mikoto), along with some friends has started a podcast called First World Problems in which they discuss records, conduct interviews and just talk about the core. You can download it through Itunes.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM |
My friend Max asked if I could post up to help him complete his Strife collection. Here's what he's missing:

Grey 7'' TEST PRESS
In This Defiance LP TEST PRESS
Truth Through Defiance LP TEST PRESS
Angermeans LP TEST PRESS

If you can help him, you can contact him at: aallaahh00@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

As Chip wrote a few times on this blog (here and here for instance) Umeå, Sweden was the hometown of some awesome bands in the '90s. Desperate Fight, the label run by Jose Saxlund of Abhinanda, released a series of compilations called 'Straight Edge As Fuck' documenting the Umeå hardcore scene, 3 in total. The first 2, released in 1994 and 1995 respectively, would be released as a single compilation on Desperate Fight America (Victory Records), in 1996. I ripped, scanned and uploaded that version here. It provides a nice overview of the Umeå hardcore scene of the mid '90s. It includes bands such as the Doughnuts, Abhinanda, Purusam and ofcourse Refused. The last track on this CD, and the last track of the 1st compilation, is an early, slower, version of Refused's 'Everlasting', the title track of their EP. Tacked onto the end of that track is a short and unlisted Final Exit song called 'Mutilated Scumbag'. Final Exit being various members of Refused mixing up their instruments and just having fun playing fast old school hardcore. Anyways, enjoy!

Straight Edge As Fuck part I and II compilation
Posted by xCHIPxSEM |
If you are a regular follower of us, you know that I got married last month. Well hot on the heels of that, we just bought a house. We havent been able to move in yet because we need to do some renovations so Im selling off some items to help me put some money towards that. Im actually letting go of some tshirts (gasp) as well as a some vinyl so if you have the time please take a look. The money will be going to getting myself and my wife into the new house as soon as possible. Check the link below and thanks for all your support.

I Can't Believe Chip is Actually Selling Something On Ebay

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : ,
My dudes in Loyal To The Grave just posted the video for their new song "Weakness". Check it out if you have the chance...they'll be making their way over to California next month so if you can make it, do so. Oh did I mention they signed to Eulogy Recordings? New album out in 2011.


Posted by Anonymous |

Be sure to check out the Mankind Records online store for LOTS of great deals on '90s hardcore vinyl, demo tapes, CDs and rarities. More items added every day as well!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : , ,
While this is not a 90s thread, I felt that this is definitely worth posting. Our good friend Aram, who runs React! Records and has played in a slew of bands, is selling THE original acetate that was used in making Bad Brains "Pay To Cum" EP. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only one in existence and is the holy grail of hardcore/punk record collecting. From what I remember, the funds will be going into future releases for React! so bid and bid hard. (Photos courtesy of Aram and Vinyl Noize)

Bad Brains "Pay To Cum" Acetate on Ebay


Saturday, November 20, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : ,


Strife has put up some new merch through All In Merch. I've received emails from people in the past who were looking for Strife merch so now's your chance to get it before its all sold out. Good looks too on the colorways...I love a nice live photo on the back of a tshirt/hoodie.

Strife Merch on All In Merch

Friday, November 19, 2010

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.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : , ,

Last week, we posted up info on Matt Miller and Zac Wolf's camera gear being stolen when they came down to shoot my wedding. Well Zac has set up a 72 hour webstore to try and get back on his feet. The webstore features three different prints of photos he has taken including a beautiful photo from Have Heart's last show. If you've seen Zac's work in the past, you know that he does great work. Please take a minute and check out the webstore and support one of the great photographers of our generation.

Zac Wolf's 72 Hour Webstore

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Posted by xjustinx | File under : , , ,

Deadlock were a positive hardcore band from Spokane, WA in the late 90s. I actually first became acquainted with them when I made an order from Northwest Straight Edge distro, which was being run by Sam, Deadlock's guitar player. I had ordered a few shirts from him, and in the package, he also included the Keepin' It Positive demo tape from Deadlock. From there, Sam and I were pen pals for a short duration, and I was able to catch a handful of their shows in both Seattle and Portland.Deadlock - Keepin' It Positive [Demo 1997]
http://www.mediafire.com/?8w9a47qbzopw7c2

While I enjoyed the Keepin' It Positive demo, it's with their second demo tape that Deadlock truly began to shine. The songs were becoming really catchy and memorable, and their live shows were a lot of fun.

Deadlock - Demo 1998
http://www.mediafire.com/?9fly3f973al9buo

Deadlock broke up sometime in late 1998 or early 1999. Joe Preston moved to Seattle where he played drums for one of the early lineups of Champion, and then he went on to play for These Arms Are Snakes. Kris Johnson also moved to Seattle, and played for a great, but short lived band named Countless Sins. I'm not sure if Cory or Sam ever played in bands after Deadlock.

Although I know they had a couple of other shirts, here are the two that I have:

And a jersey in two colors:There was also a live Deadlock VHS tape, and one of these days, I hope to get the proper equipments, so I can convert it to a digital format.

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : , , , , ,
Do you remember when labels packaged CDs in cardboard sleeves? Yeah, so do I and I really didn't care for it. It was awkward in your CD storage unit (whatever it was), if a price sticker was placed on the cover, it was impossible to get off and generally just got beaten up since there was plastic protecting it. When Victory Records released Earth Crisis's 7 inch "Firestorm", the label was finally finding its legs and was well on its way to becoming the powerhouse it would become having just released records from Snapcase, Integrity, Warzone and the planned release for Strife's "One Truth". The label released the record as a 7 inch and as a CD in the aforementioned CD cardboard sleeve. The insert was 2 sided with one side featuring a live photo and the other side had the lyrics. Eventually, the record was re-released in a jewel case but without the lyrics. I never understood this because in hardcore, the lyrics generally are just as important as the music. Also, notice the first mention of Guav the SXE Weapon. Anyway, here's the original CD release layout for "Firestorm".

PLEASE NOTE: We are not including a download for the record, just the layout for your viewing pleasure.
Posted by xjustinx |
Run With The Hunted's new LP on Panic Records can now be streamed in it's entirety over on BandCamp!

http://panicrecords.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled

Pre-orders of the LP have also started shipping from the Panic warehouse.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |

My brother Evan needs photos of the following bands: Sensefield, Texas is the Reason, Snapcase, Social Distortion, Descendents, Rage Against the Machine, Social Justice, Slapshot and The Offspring. Contributors whose photos are used will receive a credit in the film. Email him at evan@anhedeniafilms.com with photos and any questions or concerns that you may have. Thanks!
Here's an Italian sXe compilation 7" from the '90s based around a group of friends & bands from Rome, Italy, called the Roma Straight Edge Legion. It's got 4 sXe hardcore bands on it: Strength Approach, Redemption, Dehumanize and Reinforced, who were all fairly new bands at the time. My personal faves on here are Redemption and Dehumanized, mostly cuz they're the metallic hardcore bands on here, the other 2 play more old school youth crew inspired hardcore, and they're not the greatest bands ever to play that style.

This 7", released in 1996, was the first release on Surrounded Records, which was a label run by Maurizio Ricci, who was in Reinforced at the time, but is better known as the singer of Purification, an Italian vegan sXe band, which was also formed in 1996. Surrounded Records would afterwards release a Dehumanize 7" and a Redemption 7" among other things. Strength Approach is the only band of these 4 still going to this day, playing shows, recording and touring all the time.

Roma Straight Edge: The New Season compilation 7"

Friday, November 12, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |





And if you don't already have it, buy Hephaestus here or here. NOW.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Posted by xCHIPxSEM | File under : ,
I'm finally back from my honeymoon and getting back to real life. We had a great time and want to thank everyone for their well wishes. I'm still catching up on emails and requests so if you haven't heard back from me yet, be patient, I haven't forgotten. To get things going again, I bring you an interview with Undertow from Endangered Existence zine #2. According to the interview, the band had a 7 inch out and a CD single coming out so that might tell you about the time frame. I've always respected John Pettibone especially being that he is in his late 30's, still vocal about being straight edge, and still a part of the hardcore scene. I've got lots planned for the next few months including the SITP tshirts (yes they are coming, I promise) so continue to check back and thanks for your continued support.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010


Hey Everyone,
As some of you have heard our friend Matt Miller’s (of Most Precious Blood and Our Labor of Love fame) car was broken into while he was here in Miami to photograph Chip’s and my wedding. He was parked in a Chipotle parking lot having lunch when his car and the car next to him were broken into. Such a bummer that there are people out there like this. Both Matt and his assistant at the time, Zac Wolf, lost thousands of dollars of equipment.

Crystal and I wanted to try to help them out any way that we can and started a Paypal donation account for them. I know that times are rough for most of you, but please find it in your heart to donate a dollar, 5 dollars, 50 dollars, whatever you can spare. They are amazing people and photography is their livelihoods and careers. Please help them out. Please not that they have NOTHING to do with this...this is all on us.

Donate what you can! All donations will be given to Matt Miller and his assistant to replace lost equipment. To help out please visit the following website:

Matt Miller and Zac Wolf Paypal Donations







Monday, November 8, 2010

Posted by jav | File under : , ,

I loved zines. I loved hunting for them, buying them, and learning from them.
This page from Anxiety Closet issue 6, summer '96 is a perfect indication of why.
1. It breaks down the vegan-ness of photos, an alternative to them (with a pricetag that seems laughable today)
2. It has an ad for a zine, next to a drawing of an X-d up Calvin (very 90's)
3. A brief announcement about the fate of Kurbjaw that im sure was breaking news
4. An ad for Inside Front that includes a very early, if not the first, use of the phrase HOLY TERROR

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |
100 copies available on maroon vinyl



400 copies available on mint green vinyl


Friday, November 5, 2010

Posted by jav | File under :
Tommy Love, former guitar player of the Orange County based hardcore band Throwdown, has suffered a gigantic loss recently, in the form of both his father and brother dying within the same weekend.
A website has been set up with a Paypal, to help alleviate any of the family's stress in these difficult times.

Tommy Love, far right

Please take a moment out of your day and read this, and give anything you can spare.

www.fundsforlove.com

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Posted by Anonymous |
A very special thank you to Felipe_xHCx for providing us with this.