Strike Back Interview

Strike Back hails from France and is all about angry hardcore played at decent speeds and with a decent weight on it. Ten years after their debut album and they still have not lost it. After two full lengths and couple of Eps, the band has self released their new album called Still Holding On in January. If you read the review I’ve posted some time ago than you know it’s good, if not, make sure you check out this shit. Fans of Madball or Sick Of It All will be happy, fans of My Chemical Dildo might be disappointed.

Strike Back hails from France and is all about angry hardcore played at decent speeds and with a decent weight on it. Ten years after their debut album and they still have not lost it. After two full lengths and couple of Eps, the band has self released their new album called Still Holding On in January. If you read the review I’ve posted some time ago than you know it’s good, if not, make sure you check out this shit. Fans of Madball or Sick Of It All will be happy, fans of My Chemical Dildo might be disappointed.

Can you tell us a bit about the history of Strike Back? How things got started and what have you been up to so far?

The band started 10 years ago, on New Year’s Eve 2000. With 3 friends of mine we wanted to play punk hardcore music, something in between Strife / Sick of it all / Madball /Agnostic front etc… a mix of all the bands we loved at that time. The problem was that we weren’t great musicians, we were young and inexperienced, so the beginning was hard and it took a while to find our own style. In 2004 came out our first LP “Straight from the 95”. When I listen to it now, it sounds a bit weird, a mix of punk rock, street punk and hardcore songs but I think it was a decent CD. You know now it’s a collector, very hard to find!

We started playing a few shows around Paris too and basically that’s how things started for us.

In 2007 came out our 2nd LP “Where I Stand”, we got great reviews and many people said it was one of the best hardcore CD ever released in France. We recorded it in a great studio and it really was a step forward for us. We played many shows in France and abroad with this CD and played with many great bands as well (Champion, Ensign, Comeback Kid, Internal affairs, Verse, No Turning back… )

In 2010, after a tour in the UK, all the guys left the band one after the other, I guess after 8 or 9 years in the band some guys wanted to do something else or were pissed with the hardcore scene.

So there was a total change of line up and luckily some new guys joined the band; otherwise it would have been the end of the band I reckon.

We worked hard and after a few months we were ready to record a new CD. Unfortunately our label stopped its activity so we had to do things on our own with a few friends for this one, the recordings, the promo etc… that’s a lot of work as you can imagine. Anyway, this CD is harder than the previous one and more aggressive. I think it’s our best CD, the songs are good, and the lyrics are sincere.

When you listen to this CD you kind of figure out who we are. We’re musicians, and normal people, we love playing music and writing new songs, we‘re not rock stars or hipsters. We spend more time in the studio then in bars or in clubs showing off or on the web spreading bullshit. We don’t try to be people we’re not.

Your album Still Holding On has been out recently. How has the reception been so far for? How long did it take to put the album together?

The CD came out 2 months ago; so far the reviews are very positive. We try to propose to the public something else, more authentic. I guess the youngsters won’t find us cool enough but usually the people who’ve been around for more than 6 months appreciate what we do.

The final line up was set in August 10 and we recorded in December 10. Many songs were written before august 10, with past and present members but we had to rework on everything to do something coherent.

So what can kids expect when they pick up a copy of the disc?

We play down to earth hardcore in the NY vein. There is no technical shit and no fantasy here. If you are into aggressive, sincere and energic hardcore this is for you. We talk about things we know and we deal with everyday there is no bullshit in here.

Which bands influenced Strike Back sound the most?

Each and every member of the band listens to different things, metal, hardcore, punk rock. We have always listed in our influences the same bands: STRIFE / MADBALL / SICK OF IT ALL for instance.

Speaking for myself, I’m not that much into new bands, and I still listen to the same old bands I used to listen to when I was younger: INTEGRITY / MERAUDER / CROWN OF THORNZ / WARZONE and also faster things like 10 YARD FIGHT or IN MY EYES

What are your overall thoughts about the state of the hardcore music and community nowadays? I am asking after reading the lyrics to couple of tracks on the album, like Newbie In This Game or Fuck Your Scene. What inspired these rants?

I think that for many people it’s meaningless. You know we live in a consumption society were image is important and commitment and trust is not. Everything goes very fast now, so it’s easy to move on to something else.

If I look at the old bands some recorded 3 or 5 CDs now it seems that every new band lasts 1 or 2 years and then split, you see what I mean, either they get tired of it or they weren’t that interested in playing music and being part of that. This is why I’m not that interested in the new things cause you never know what is the spirit behind that. I am not saying everybody is like that, but it seems that music, creation, the message, is not that important. Some people have understood it very well, some bands will sell 10 different types of shirts and have only recorded 5 or 6 songs… you know there is something wrong with that, the approach is different.

As I said before I’m not that much into new bands because, you need to know what you’re talking about, I wasn’t born yesterday and I know how things work, so when I meet 18 year old kids who talk shit, about politics, the scene, life etc… I just move on…

I dig the Crashing Down song but I am wondering, how do you guys cope with the new, challenging economic situation facing everyone today? What’s your advice to get ahead but not to get trapped in life´s routine?

Today if you want to survive in this world, you need money… there is no alternative and sometimes you sit on your principles. You know people don’t like to talk about money in the hardcore scene, but people are selling shirts and CDs against money … so for me there is no problem in having a real job and still being part of the hardcore movement. Why? because if you want to talk about society about what’s going wrong, the best thing is to be involved in that and to face it every day. In every job there is some kind of routine, no doubt about that, but if you like what you do and it allows you to do your things afterwards (like music, sports or what so ever) then it’s good.

I guess having a passion and hanging out with good friends sugar the pill

And what is the story behind the Self Respect song? What you think should be done to keep kids away from drugs and fucking up their lives in general?

This song is dedicated to all the people who ruin their everyday life because their too fucked up to move on and to do things. I mean since we were kids people have told us that drug using is shit so why people keep on doing that? I’m not Straight Edge and I enjoy sharing a drink with my friends but in a conscious way because I know that the day after I have things to do and I can’t afford to screw everything up because I got high the night before.

I don’t have a solution to keep kids away from drugs, I guess the inner personality is important, some people are stronger, some are weaker, and it’s easy for someone who has a boring job, no girlfriend, no ambition or dreams to fall in that trap.

France has always had a reputation for having one of the hardest bands in hardcore. What are some of the current bands from your country everyone should check out?

Unfortunately most of the bands we hang out or played with stopped… we had a bunch of great bands here in France. Nowadays there are a few new bands that hit the stage recently and that sound pretty good.

If you are into hardcore music, you can check out: xDIGx or BLACK SPIRALS, if you are into New school hardcore, check out REVIVAL, and if you are more into Punk Rock, check out THE DAVID CARRADINE APOCALYPSE.

What does the future hold for you guys as a band?

We are going to try spreading our name as much as possible. We got some shows coming up, and with the new CD out, we’ll try to play more after this summer. We ‘re also looking for people who could helps us dealing the CD abroad, review it and talk about the band too. We would like to go abroad for a few shows before the end of the year too. We are also going to do our first video clip in May on the song “Self Respect” .So we’ll see what comes up

Do you have any shout outs or anything that you would like to say?

I just want to thank all the people who have supported us since day 1 and all the others. As you can see we’re still around and we’ll keep on doing what we do best.

If you are interested in the band, the music etc… don’t hesitate to get in touch with us too through www.myspace.com/strikeback95 or facebook .

Finally thanks to the people who picked up our last CD too and to you for giving us the chance to appear in your webzine

Strike Back - Still Holding On

It’s good to hear the NYHC sound is getting more popular In France. Until recently, bands from out there that I was most familiar with were mostly into heavy stuff, like Kickback, Primal Age or Out For The Count. Can’t say I don’t love this sick, brutal shit that only French are capable of, but a little diversity is always a plus and makes things more interesting, right? Strike Back is one of the bands that made me change my perception of what’s going on over there. The band is totally into fast and aggressive hardcore in New York vein, with a strong vibe and some slight metal touch to keep things sharp. They are totally at home with this style and creep through these ten tracks with vicious flows and catchy hooks. It’s not ground breaking, I don't get that shivers-down-the-spine feeling which I get when I pop any Madball or Breakdown album, but I can assure you it’s damn solid. Nothing fancy, no messing around, no technical wankery, just getting down to business from start to finish. This is a type of approach to play hardcore I’m totally down with! Lyrically, the band explores the themes of friendship, self pride, integrity and getting by despite the bullshit everyone gets, whether from the scene kids or the society in general. They must have a beef with a lot of people in their local scene as ‘fuck the scene’ attitude is present in more than one song in here. You shouldn’t take it too serious though, Strike Back is and will always be a hardcore band, but if you’re getting tired of bullshit politics and phoney preaching in the scene, you can relate. All in all, Still Holding On is a solid album that delivers its share of aggression and energy. It’s a good soundtrack to these hard times we continue to face and gives you a sense of meaning, pride and direction.

Review by Dloogi
Label: Self released
Year: 2011
Band's website

Cold Steel

Cold Steel from Strasbourg, France offers hardcore that is deeply rooted in the 90' sound of bands like Next Step Up or Bulldoze. I know a lot of you have a sentiment for these old times and pioneer bands that were tearing shit down back then. And if you remember that France was producing bands like Stormcore, Drowning or mighty Kickback, you know these guys have mosh in their blood and the outcome sound is never less than compelling.

For those unfamiliar with the band - what do you want people to know about the band and your music or message?

For us it’s easy: friendship, open minded lifestyle and passion are what it is all about.

Friendship is what keeps us stuck together since day one. It’s been almost 10 years so far that we’re all playing music in different bands together.

Open minded life style is because one of our most important struggles is to be open to new points of view, new perceptions and to diversity. We believe in changes, in alternative ways to act and live. Some of us are really into travelling for instance.

Passion because it is the most powerful engine. Passion is definitely what drives us. We don’t only mean passion for hardcore. We mean passion for music in general. We believe that it’s a chance for us that most of COLD STEEL’s members are not only into hardcore music, and all the other influences we have do influence the songs we write.

That’s about music; let’s talk a bit about the message. We’re absolutely not into politic nor into religions. Mostly the message which is to be understood in our songs is about the most valuable thing we have in this world, which is the present moment. We believe in human relations and exchanges rather than in material possessions. We believe in the power of now rather than in past memories or unknown future.

How did you all meet and how long have you all been a band?

As we mentioned earlier, we have been knowing each other for almost 10 years and we met in our local underground music scene in STRASBOURG (FRANCE) as we were all starting playing in bands. (we started with bands such as SOLSTIS, BATTLING SIKI, SPITFIGHT you should check them out on MYSPACE). Then we started COLD STEEL like one and a half year ago when some of our bands splitted up.

What's KEUS LIFE CREW about?

KEUS LIFE CREW (KLC) is our local crew. It’s the informal part of our local activism. We’ve got our musical association called ACTS NOT SPEECHES as well for organising shows, promoting bands and realising stuff. KLC would not really mean anything in English, but it’s a mix of English with some French slang. It’s roughly a way to tell that we don’t give a shit about judgements; we don’t pretend to be better than anyone; we don’t say we’re some kind of musical geniuses (haha). We’re just people, friends, a family who want to share great times, have fun playing shows and backing us up anytime.

For those who have not heard anything from you how would you describe band's playing sound?

Well, it’s sometime kinda hard to describe the music you’re playing but we would say that it’s a kind of mid 90’s mid-tempo hardcore. That means there are also quite a lot of metal parts played with a single guitar. Even if we got a lot of respect for all what’s going on today, and in Europe moreover, we don’t want to play something that you can find on any MYSPACE band page.

Your first demo has been released recently. How the response has been so far?

The response so far is positive. We only burned a few copies for free promotion and people seem to enjoy something that is not so common these days.

We would like to make clear that as well as our latest video clip (HARD COMMITMENT check it out), this demo is 100% DIY shit: we recorded, mixed, designed and released everything ourselves thanks to everyone’s effort in the band.

Who are your strongest musical influences and why?

Our strongest musical influences are like we said earlier:

- Mid 90’s metal hardcore crossover, think about bands like NEGLECT, ALL OUT WAR, NEXT STEP UP or CONFUSION because this is what we are listening the most to.

- We’re also big fans of trash metal from SLAYER to PC DEATHSQUAD for the evil metal touch!

- Hip Hop as well, cause it’s such a good way to get inspiration for powerful punch lines! We would mentioned artists from DUCK DOWN RECORDS, or PSYCHO REALM for example.

- But also some jazzy, blues and soul music for the intensity and intimacy we find in it. By the way we are currently working on a BILLIE HOLYDAY cover, stay tuned…

And where do you draw your inspiration from when it comes to the lyrics?

The inspiration when it comes to the lyrics mostly comes from our personal experience, lives, aspirations and determinations. We got a bunch of positive songs which are to be heard as a spiritual help when the tough moments show up. They deal with friendship, partying, street life, love, travelling…

But as well we got some really dark and negative songs which reflect the inner dark passenger we try to cornered most of the time, but who sometimes reaches the surface, poisons our lives and distorts our perceptions. We think this dark part exists in every single one, but we also assume there are ways to get rid of. Our own way is to release those dark and shadowed songs.

We write down quite a lot thanks to the two singers together, and we’ve got something like 5 or 6 songs already written and ready to be used!

Who should start a hardcore band: Dirty Harry or Donnie Darko?

Haha, definitely Dirty Harry!! Even if Donnie Darko is pretty smart, he’s way too negative and too lazy to play any good music. And how could his friend, a gigantic rabbit play drums??

Stormcore vs. Kickback?

First of all you’ll have to know that we love both of them, from a musical point of view. They both released some masterpieces (think of TO THE POINT and CORNERED), and they’re both French so…! We believe they did a lot in the French underground music scene and we can only be respectful for that.
Maybe we should ask every member which one of these bands they would prefer, but this is not really worth it.

Tell us what you have coming up that we can check for. Plans, gigs and releases planned for the upcoming months?

Yes of course! We’ll play a show in AUGSBURG (GERMANY) in March for some good friends we’ve got there. We would love to play anywhere so if promoters are interested, get in touch with us. We hope to start touring in 2011.

Early in 2011 we also plan to hit the studio in order to record a 7 tracks MCD with a selection of our finest tunes. We still got some shirts and are currently working on a new design.

Any closing thoughts?

Well, first of all thank you very much for the interview and the support! We hope it will help people to know more about us and to get in touch with us for anything. We’ll be more than happy to share cds, stages, beers, parties, BBQs or any constructive thoughts with cool people worldwide.

Last but not least: never forget we’re only tenant of our organic shell, we don’t belong to any flag, any country or any continent. We belong to the earth as a part of it. Whatever happens we survive, we move on, and we overcome.

New Providence song: Vengeance Over Victory!

French war machine Providence has posted new song online on its Myspace some time ago. The new track is called Vengeance Over Victory and is taken from upcoming 7" King Of Klubz/Providence split which is due out in January 2011 on On The Attack Records. This will be limited edition! Mastered by Len Carmichael ( Shattered Realm, Nothing Left 2 Mourn, Barricade, CDC, Steel Nation, Barricade...) Providence has also announced "Time For Grievance Tour" in February, when they gonna play Belgium, France, Germany and Poland to promote this release.

Cold Steel - Cold War

Cold Steel hails from Strasbourg, France and play tough hardcore that is sure to keep fans of bands like Fury Of V or Bulldoze happy. Dual vocals got the job done and they deliver some heavy stuff - sometimes they slow down, but the meat of the demo re tight, mid-tempo grooves. My only complaint would be with sound quality, but guess you shouldn't expect much from the demo. Download it.

ColdSteel - Hard Commitment video

Onore Edgewear interview

Onore Edgewear is a new clothing brand dedicated to sober and vegetarian lifestyle. It is run by guys who have been long active in the hardcore scene, including playing in a band called Providence, which all the beatdown freaks should be familiar with. This is a short interview to give you an idea what Onore is about.

Onore Edgewear is a new clothing brand dedicated to sober and vegetarian lifestyle. It is run by guys who have been long active in the hardcore scene, including playing in a band called Providence, which all the beatdown freaks should be familiar with. This is a short interview to give you an idea what Onore is about.

There are many hardcore/straight edge clothing lines out there, what made you to start your own line?

Yes that’s definitively true, there are many straight edge company but, it was like I wanted to have something I created by my own and I had so many ideas that I thought it was the right time for me to start something.

Could you tell us who is involved in Onore Edgewear? What are the primary objectives of the company?

I’m the only one involved in OEW but a lot of friends help me for making designs that come from my brain becoming real! I thank them for the bottom of my heart: xCYRx, vPIERREv, ALEX. The only aim that I have is to make shirts with designs that I like, including things that I feel right for me as being Straight Edge and Vegetarian.

How would you describe the style of Onore clothes?

I would say that Onore Edgewear has a very classic style, mixing hardcore and tattoo's image.

Your designs have images of straight edge and vegetarian phrases. How important is it to you to spread this message via your designs?

For sure designs include straight edge and vegetarian’s elements because of those things are the root of the brand but one thing who's really important is not to include rude or violent words; I don't want people who are not vegetarian/straight edge to feel judged, all is about respect; I want people to think by themself.

Running a clothing line can be a very tricky business. Could you drop some advice on kids who might want to follow in your footsteps?

I don’t think I am able to give advice on kids because of all of this is very new for me!

What are some of the bands from your local scene you’re down with? I know that you’re personally involved in Providence…

There are many bands that I’m working with right now: Lazare , Fierce, Strike Back. And of course my band Providence. A cooperation with xConfrontox should start soon!!!.

Where can people find your clothing?

People can find clothes here : www.uselesspride.com and at providence’s shows! Soon they could order from the myspace via a Bigcartel.

What are your plans for the future with Onore Edgewear?

Making new designs!

Before we wrap this up, would you like to kick some shouts?

First of all thank you Dloogi! I would like to thank angelique, xcyrx/per sempre tattoo, vpierrev, alex, djamhellvice, tonr, fab and dexter, vchrisv & vdamishv/lazare, xbenx & xecharkx/fierce, xjeromex/strike back, xsammyx/on the attack record, xjavierx/olc, xyox & vbenjhav/5blocks, vluisv/debajobarrio, xolivierx/alea jacta est, antho/cih, vmarcov beatdown, xbillyx/purify, tom/kartel, gideon and strengthen what remains guys, xjoex/pay no respect, xetiennex/8control, nina & julien.

Lazare

Lazare (LZR) is a French hardcore band with strong metal influences not unlike Kickback or Our For The Count. If you're in the mood for this sick and nasty stuff that only French can deliver, this one is for you. The band formed in 2008 in Rouen, they have a MCD out this year on NBTB records.

Lazare (LZR) is a French hardcore band with strong metal influences not unlike Kickback or Our For The Count. If you're in the mood for this sick and nasty stuff that only French can deliver, this one is for you. The band formed in 2008 in Rouen, they have a MCD out this year on NBTB records.

Could you introduce the band and give us a quick rundown on the history behind Lazare?
The band started in 2008. We are all from a city called Rouen. So there s David on the drums, Christophe playing basse, Baptise and Nico are the guitarists. And Damien and myself on vocals. We all had bands that did a few gigs in the past (sworn villanova junction…)

You have just dropped new album called simply LZR. Can you explain what should we expect from it?
Its not an album it’s a MCD with 4 songs. It s the first one that we did with the band. LZR means Lazare. 4 songs that where we just express ourselves.

Who would you say is your biggest inspiration? Will fans of French bands like Kickback, Stormcore or Out For The Count get some of this heavy metallic hardcore sound here or are there some any new ideas we should expect?
We can’t deny the fact that we have all listened to kickback, we also did a gig with Out for the Count in Rouen for our release party, it was a blast. But they are many things that we listened to and that we get our inspiration from, not only in hxc but also in hip hop.

What is the idea and concept behind LZR lyrically?
Everything that is around us, daily life- from what happens in da streets, big brother watching you, this whole made world that we evolve in, or also how the media make us numb. And also how the people buried themselves and grow in their own vices.
We spit our vision of things without pretending that it’s the truth, its just our opion and things we believe in., without forgetting of course the values and morals we truly hold to.

Hardcore, metal and hip hop culture – how important is for you to incorporate all of these elements into your music?
This is the whole band’s aim. Its just the mix of the 6 os us that make lazare so special. Without this whole mix of people we wouldn t make this music

How do you feel about the state of French hardcore? What are some of the bands from your area you support?
I would say that French scene is far from how it should be. There are many good bands but very few cities where there is an active local scene with active people. For example in Rouen there is a good scene with new and older generation. The atmosphere during the gigs are quite wild.
The main problem is that there is not many places where to play anymore: either it s too small either you have to book it 6 to 8 months before the day you wanna play.

How did you hook up with NBAB and what do you like about this label?
Well I would say that he helped us out. We now work with Vincent from Emergence records, a homie from the area of Rouen that is good in what he does and he released 200 Mcds.

Do you have a general attitude to how you run a band – is it just for fun or do you feel any pressure to write better songs, play bigger shows etc?
Our main goal is to play as many gigs as possible, to play shows in cities or countries we ve never been before. There is not too much pressure, we make things our way, or the way we can sometimes but we always do it with strong beliefs.

What’s next for Lazare? What goals would you still like to achieve in 2010?
Till the end of the year we wanna play as much shows as possible. We are trying to book out first tour from October 30th to November 6th. And by the end of the year we ll try to get back to the studio so we can record new songs. But most of all we wanna keep enjoying each and every one of our gigs.

Any shout outs or last words?
This goes to all the people we ve met during our shows, to those who support the scene and or not here to show off or to pretend.
To those we would like to meet in the future and a special thank you to you for your support and this good hxc zine.

Hellburnsaway - Worse Than The Truth

Here’s a nine track debut album by France-based Hellburnsaway; a nice mixture of hardcore and a slight touch of metal. The songs in general are mid to fast paced but from time to time they also pull off some slick breakdown to keep things varied. Heavy-ass yet still groovy riffing with on-point style of drumming are more than matched by Thomas vocals.

The songwriting is just fine and groove is rarely absent. Hellburnsaway definitely got some Terror feeling to them, but also take influences from bands like Madball, Death Threat and even some modern hardcore can be heard from time to time. Even if they still got some way to go before they’re on the level of these bands, the album doesn’t lack memorable hooks and good ideas.. All in all, this is beefy and aggressive hardcore that can serve as a good soundtrack to lifting weights and heavy bag workout. Hellburnsaway has busted out a solid and promising album and I’m really curious how this band gonna develop in the future. I also wouldn’t mind seeing them live cause judging from their Myspace photos, they know how to move the crowd.

Review by Dloogi
Buy it here.
Year: 2010
Band's website

8Control - new album in works, new merch out now

Exciting news are coming from the 8Control camp! After having toured europe this year (Deez Nuts, TRC, Sick Of It All, Strife, Agnostic Front, Knuckledust, Ghost Inside, Pay No Respect to name but a few) the band is currently mixing their new effort to be out soon in Europe and UK on 2 labels (soon to be announced). They will be working now with SGR Artists Management (Gallows, TRC, Heart In Hand) for all the press and management stuff in UK. From the band: "This is a true and positive good thing for all of us... basically it means more exposure, more shows and more mosh parts around Europe in the months to come.". Make sure you also check new merch available and some lastings in their webstore.