Bravestar - A Warriors Heart
Bravestar - A Warriors HeartDIY 2009
Beer. BBQ. Party. Brotherhood. Party. Hardcore. Party. These are some of the random thoughts that surface in my mind whilst listening to the debut album by Germany based Bravestar. Not only their sound is reminiscent of New York hardcore at its best, but they are also bringing this laid back attitude and fun with their music which automatically sets them apart from all the depression and stress ridden hardcore bands of today.
The band’s debut album is something between NYHC a’la Madball or Agnostic Front with some modern influences like Death Before Dishonor or Terror. If you like these bands, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t dig Bravestar. A Warriors Heart is one of those records that have just about every element needed to make it cutting edge: catchy choruses, angry vocals, gang shouting, melodic parts, reckless breakdowns, thrashing drums and heavy riffs. They can go fast and aggressive and they can go slow and heavy, adding slick, mid-paced grooves to now and then. The album gets right down to business with “We Will Not”, fast paced slab of hardcore and one of the most powerful tracks on the CD. The other songs on the album follow in a similar vein with Bravestar BBQ being the one that stands out the most. As the titles of the songs may suggest, the key theme of the record is mainly party, friendship, hardcore, scene, pride and having good fun basically. If you like explorations of social issues, they also got song about Nazis and how they’re not welcome at the hardcore scene. I know there are kids out there who will hold the lack of socio-political agenda against them, but I say fuck it – hardcore is also about fun so let’s fucking party! At the end of the day, Bravestar’s A Warriors Heart is good to mosh or just listen carelessly to.
Author: Dloogi
Bravestar
Portrayal Of Vengeance
Band’s name: Portrayal of Vengeance
Location: We're based in Melbourne, Australia. Me and our bass player are originally from another city called Adelaide, but have lived in Melbourne for a few years now.
Active since: We did the first real demo songs in December 2008, but the concept of the band was in the works for probably close to a year before that.
How do you define your overall style?
Heavy hardcore with a metallic edge.
What’s your goal with this band?
To play hardcore with a message, for kids that stand for something. It seems that in the hardcore scene today, mass-appeal or marketability has taken a backseat to really taking a stand on an issue or using hardcore as an outlet for genuine outrage and aggression that we all have inside us.
No diss at all to bands who are doing well for themselves or bands who are playing a different styles of hardcore, but it's always something that i've appreciated and have noticed fewer and fewer bands in recent years that are down with that kinda thing.
What do you have recorded so far?
Right now we've only got one legit recording. It's just two songs that I recorded before I had any sort of line-up to speak of. I played everything except drums, which were played by our friend Dan Jones (ex-Stronghold). I knocked them out after hours in a studio back in Adelaide in half a day and just kinda took it from there.
They're kinda rushed and aren't really a true representation of the band. We've got a bunch of jam room recordings of newer songs that we did with a different drummer that we've just been showing friends and people who were tentatively interested in joining the band.
Hopefully we manage to sort out our line-up soon, because it'd be sweet if those songs could see the light of day.
Your myspace profile doesn’t offer much info about the beginning of the band. Could you tell us how did you guys get together to form Portrayal Of Vengeance?
To cut a long story short... I wrote some songs and recorded them myself with the idea of putting a band together around them. Everyone that's been involved with the band at this point have been old friends that were down to help out with it.
Even though we haven't really gotten the whole thing into motion yet, it's been fun and that's what it should be about, right?
Who are the members of the band?
The line-up as it stands is... Chris Jervis (Vocals), Stu Manuel (Bass) and Bob Tate (guitar).
Right now we're still in the process of finding a permanent drummer and possibly adding a second guitar to the mix, as well. If anyone based in Melbourne is down with this sorta thing, hit us up... haha.
What are your main influences?
I guess the bands that we could be most compared to would be stuff like Another Victim, Earth Crisis, Merauder and Strife. They were all bands that I've listened to and respected for a long time and I guess you'd call them influences on me personally.
What is the band’s stance on drugs and alcohol? Is anybody in the band sXe?
I am straightedge and have been for a number of years. So is our bass player Stu and our guitar player Bob. We're still looking for a permanent drummer and possibly adding a second guitarist and we're not really actively pursuing other sXe members.
It's something that means a lot to me and obviously I have my options, but i've always considered it a personal thing. I'd rather judge a person on weather or not they're a decent and sincere person, sXe or not - it's all good, right?
If yes, what is it about straight edge that made you follow this lifestyle?
In the city I grew up in, recreational drug and alcohol use from a pretty young age was pretty much the norm. I messed around with that sorta thing when I was a lot younger, but quickly got over it and found myself feeling at peace with separating myself from that kind of destructive behavior.
At the same time I was listening to bands like Earth Crisis, Another Victim and Strife a lot and getting more and more into the hardcore scene in Adelaide, which at the time had a lot of vegan-straightedge crew. Being surrounded by like-minded people really cemented it for me.
A lot of people have come and gone since then, but I never looked back. haha.
Who was the best edge band ever, in your opinion?
Earth Crisis. They had a massive impact on my life and still stand for everything today that they always have. Much respect to them.
Are you guys vegetarians or vegans and do you support this ideas?
I am vegan and have been for many years now. The band collectively isn't though.
One of the songs on that two song demo actually does address the issue of animal liberation and general contempt for the industry that abuses animals. I didn't really have to factor in anyone else's opinions or thoughts other than my own when I wrote those lyrics.
I've always been down to do a vegan band, so I guess that was my chance... haha.
How many shows have you played so far? Give me an idea of what one would expect from your live show.
We've come close a bunch of times but have yet to actually play a show.
Last words/final thoughts/anything you would like readers to know about you?
Thanks for the interview. Shout outs to all Adelaide and Melbourne crew and vegans and vegetarians everywhere.
If anyone is interested in a hard copy demo or is interested in stepping up to play drums, get in touch... portrayalofvengence@hotmail.com.
Portrayal Of Vengeance at myspace.
Relentless merch
The new desings from the Relentless are brilliant - love both of em. Go to their Big Cartel store and get yourself some of this goodness!
http://dogfightrecords.bigcartel.com/
And if you don't know:
Relentless are a five piece hardcore band from Sydney playing aggressive in your face music. They have been together since mid 2006. They have finaly got a secure line up with all five members commited and are all level minded about the music they are playing.
Overcome
"We think the name speaks a little bit for itself. It`s a message of unity, continuous effort in order to face the day-by-day issues and taking advantage of all the good things life gives you."
To those who don’t know: Overcome is a hardcore band from Lisboa. You guys started in the summer of 2005. What else should be known about the band?
-Pedro - We`re 5 guys that know each other for years and decided to make a band. We all shared the same musical interests and convictions.
Your latest album called "Positive Thoughts, bring Positive Moments" is about to be released. What do you feel when listening to these tracks? Has your album lived up to your own expectations?
- Pex - Being the first real album (we made 2 demos on cd-r ) we feel we got the job done. Despite all the troubles we had in the recording phase we feel we got into a new stage for ourselves.
So, for all the kids who haven’t check it out yet, what makes your new album, "Positive Thoughts, bring Positive Moments", significant and what can kids expect from it?
- Sen - We think the name speaks a little bit for itself. It`s a message of unity, continuous effort in order to face the day-by-day issues and taking advantage of all the good things life gives you.
If you had to compare your musical style to any other band, what would it be?
- Tiago - There isn`t any band we can relate 100%. But you can hear some influences of bands that left their mark in all of us like the late Omited Gr and Criminal Waste from Portugal and Biohazard, Madball, Strife among others.
Are lyrics important part of your music? Is there any message you are trying to send through your music?
- Sen - We say whatever goes down in our minds. Like we said before we talk about unity, friendship, respect effort and energy, the basic day-by-day issues.
A lot of kids are saying that hardcore is not as it used to be, it got too commercial, too nice or too metal these days. What are your views on the current hardcore scene?
- Pedro - The scene is strong. There are many bands, many shows and many people doing their part. There are also variations within the portuguese hc scene. From the SxE Youth Crew, to the oldschool hardcore and also the new influences mixing oldschool hardcore and metal. Basically it`s in very good shape. It has everything to get even more stronger.
Where do you think the hardcore is heading? What's next for the scene?
- Noia - It will appear lots of new people and lots of people will go away.The real will still be here doing their part.
What’s the scene like out there in Lisboa at the moment?
- Pedro - It`s strong. New promoters, new bands, new faces, lots of shows. The evolution is quite visible.
What has been the most unexpected part of your experience in this band?
-Sen - All the setbacks we had during the recording stage. We were forced to delay the release due to personnal issues.
What can we expect from Overcome in the future? What goals would you still like to achieve?
- Noia - We want to keep on playing, play more shows, promote the album, getting back on studio to record some new material and spread the message. Play for more and different people.
Well, is there anything else that you'd like to expound upon?
- Pedro - Thank you very much for doing this interview and helping promote the cd. Thank you also for being one of those who do their part.
To all the people reading this, go to shows, support the bands and the people who put on shows. Hardcore unity worldwide!
http://www.myspace.com/overcomeband
To those who don’t know: Overcome is a hardcore band from Lisboa. You guys started in the summer of 2005. What else should be known about the band?
-Pedro - We`re 5 guys that know each other for years and decided to make a band. We all shared the same musical interests and convictions.
Your latest album called "Positive Thoughts, bring Positive Moments" is about to be released. What do you feel when listening to these tracks? Has your album lived up to your own expectations?
- Pex - Being the first real album (we made 2 demos on cd-r ) we feel we got the job done. Despite all the troubles we had in the recording phase we feel we got into a new stage for ourselves.
So, for all the kids who haven’t check it out yet, what makes your new album, "Positive Thoughts, bring Positive Moments", significant and what can kids expect from it?
- Sen - We think the name speaks a little bit for itself. It`s a message of unity, continuous effort in order to face the day-by-day issues and taking advantage of all the good things life gives you.
If you had to compare your musical style to any other band, what would it be?
- Tiago - There isn`t any band we can relate 100%. But you can hear some influences of bands that left their mark in all of us like the late Omited Gr and Criminal Waste from Portugal and Biohazard, Madball, Strife among others.
Are lyrics important part of your music? Is there any message you are trying to send through your music?
- Sen - We say whatever goes down in our minds. Like we said before we talk about unity, friendship, respect effort and energy, the basic day-by-day issues.
A lot of kids are saying that hardcore is not as it used to be, it got too commercial, too nice or too metal these days. What are your views on the current hardcore scene?
- Pedro - The scene is strong. There are many bands, many shows and many people doing their part. There are also variations within the portuguese hc scene. From the SxE Youth Crew, to the oldschool hardcore and also the new influences mixing oldschool hardcore and metal. Basically it`s in very good shape. It has everything to get even more stronger.
Where do you think the hardcore is heading? What's next for the scene?
- Noia - It will appear lots of new people and lots of people will go away.The real will still be here doing their part.
What’s the scene like out there in Lisboa at the moment?- Pedro - It`s strong. New promoters, new bands, new faces, lots of shows. The evolution is quite visible.
What has been the most unexpected part of your experience in this band?
-Sen - All the setbacks we had during the recording stage. We were forced to delay the release due to personnal issues.
What can we expect from Overcome in the future? What goals would you still like to achieve?
- Noia - We want to keep on playing, play more shows, promote the album, getting back on studio to record some new material and spread the message. Play for more and different people.
Well, is there anything else that you'd like to expound upon?
- Pedro - Thank you very much for doing this interview and helping promote the cd. Thank you also for being one of those who do their part.
To all the people reading this, go to shows, support the bands and the people who put on shows. Hardcore unity worldwide!
http://www.myspace.com/overcomeband
Still Proud Clothing
Still Proud Clothing is an upcoming brand which should appeal to both hardcore and hip hop kids. So far, the designs are amazing! The guys who run it have been around for some time so you know that when buying their stuff you're supporting the scene not some new jacks trying to cash in on hardcore.
So first of all, what inspired you to start your brand?
I was motivated to start Still Proud Clothing after some years of involvement in the hardcore scene. I’ve been in bands, booked shows and also ran a music section for my college newspaper when I was in school. Clothing seemed like the next logical move as I like the fact that it has the power to convey such a powerful message and I also felt that I could bring something different to the table with SP.
How do you think your designs stand out amongst the plethora of other hardcore brands? While there are many clothing companies out right now, I don’t think that many of them have as wide approach as Still Proud. Most are geared towards certain niches ( straightedge, posi, etc.) whereas with SP, I’m aiming for the hardcore and hip-hop scene as a whole. Our designs are merely observations of the different walks of life within our scene.
Who creates the designs for the shirts?
I (Gavin) come up with the concepts and have a graphic designer with Mammoth Graphics translate them into the designs you see on the shirts.
Is there a theme to Still Proud Clothing, such as SxE or hardcore, or you’re open to various ideas?
Still Proud will always be a brand rooted in the Hardcore and Independent Hip-Hop community but that does not mean it’s exclusively for those individuals. I decided to go with the name Still Proud because pride is very much a strong attribute in these genres and regardless of your cause (god-free, posi, christian, straightedge etc.), it is something that everyone can relate to. I put out clothing for individuals who are strong willed and passionate about their beliefs no matter where those fall. With the first release, I was looking to make a bold statement and based upon the responses so far, I think I’ve made a mark. There will always be people who disagree and I’m not expecting everyone to catch on but those that support us get what we are aiming for and for that I’m very grateful.
Can you give us the meaning behind Keep Metal Out tee?
First off, I will say that it’s all a matter of personal preference that we can argue all day long and thus you will either love it or hate it. When I first got into hardcore, metal was starting to really saturate the music and take it away from its punk foundation and I know that there are many people tired of this, which is why we put this design out. Obviously, metal has made its mark and is not going anywhere, but for those that want to make a statement for the latter, have now got an outlet to do so. That’s not to say there are no bands out there past or present that merge the two well, but overall I’m sure we can find some common understanding that hardcore has changed which metal (among other things) appears to have more than a hand in.
What is your personal favorite tshirt design (done by you) and why? My personal favorite design would be the FCK Fighting shirt. Fighting at shows is always a problem and having been a promoter and lost many venues to it, I wanted to create something to convey my feelings on the matter. It also has a broader appeal and can be wore in just about any setting which is why I wanted to release it and based upon that observation, has shown to be one of our best sellers.
What are some of the bands you are working with and what was the reason to choose them?
We currently have three sponsored artists: Outerspace (PA), Knock Em Dead (FL) and Thick As Blood (FL). I decided to sponsor these three because besides being fans of their music, I know that they are hardworking individuals that mesh well with what we are trying to do. I’ve personally known Knock Em Dead and Thick As Blood over the years and have watched them grow to the level that they are currently at and Outerspace drew me in because of their awesome sound and appeal. The artists I sponsor don’t need to be exclusively hardcore but as long as they embody that sentiment , have a hard work ethic and are pushing the envelope , I’m likely to work with them.
What has been the hardest part of this business? The best? The hardest part about running a clothing company is the amount of time it takes to market the designs. I literally spend hours online through the various social media applications (Myspace, Facebook, Twitter) spreading the word about SP, but being unemployed at the moment has allowed me to get it off the ground. The best part is certainly running your own business and interacting with like minded individuals on a day to day basis. This music has been an integral part of my life for some years and being able to give something back and see people’s positive reactions, in itself is rewarding. So far, the companies started off on the right foot with various orders coming in from around the world (including a recent purchase of 18 shirts to Japan) and of course support from the U.S has been solid and is gaining ground regardless of the grim economy we’re all facing.
Are you sticking with shirts only or will you expand?
I have a lot of plans to expand the line to other articles of clothing such as hats, sweatshirts, b-ball shorts in addition to better quality fabrics but first and foremost I need the help of our community to get there.
What else can we expect from Still Proud Clothing in the future?
You can expect to see SP everywhere as we are just getting started. I’m planning to work with bands across the globe and even have some design ideas in the works with certain organizations that I think many in this scene will appreciate. In the meantime, please visit our store and pick up some t’s: http://stillproudclothing.bigcartel.com/. Every order comes with a custom SP hangtag sticker and I’ve also partnered up with some awesome record labels (Thinkfast, Rhyme Sayers, Significant, Caboose (Japan) and Deathwish) which have given me some rad extras for my orders. Also note that we ship WORLDWIDE!
You can also stay up to date with us on the following sites:
http://www.stillproudclothing.com/
http://www.myspace.com/stillproudclothing
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Still-Proud-Clothing/118810700672
http://twitter.com/StillProud
