Legions

"However, there are some seriously sketchy bands where we come from who don't represent the true meaning of hardcore at all. But it's not our place to comment on what is and isn't 'hardcore' so it's your choice to decide whats bogus and whats real..."

Band’s name: Legions

Location: Sydney, Australia

Active since: I think like February, 2009?

How do you define your overall style?
Modern hardcore, strongly influenced by old NYHC bands. Think of Ill Blood era No Warning with a bit of Breakdown and Outburst mixed in.

What’s your goal with this band?
Play shows, record songs

What do you have recorded so far?
Just a demo so far. It's available for download on our myspace profile (www.myspace.com/legionshc)

At first could you please introduce yourself and tell us something about the band? Where did you all meet and how did you end up forming Legions?
Tiernan plays drums, Elliott and Brandon play guitar, Jonny plays bass and I (Josh) do vocals. Me, Tiernan, Brandon and Elliott have all been friends for a while and played in bands together before, Jonny was friends with some of our friends so we were introduced and we asked him to play bass for us.


Is there any main idea behind your lyrics? Do you have a certain kind of message which you want to convey in your songs?
My lyrics are more personal, I don't aim to persuade anybody with what I write. They reflect my emotions and my perspectives on myself, the people who surround me and humanity in general.

What was the inspiration for the Bible themed cover of the demo? Is there any connection with the lyrics?
This band has no religious agenda by any means. The artwork ties in with the apocalyptic theme of the intro and the second track on the demo.

What are some good hardcore bands from Australia at the moment?
There's so many, I don't know where to begin really. Miles Away, Hopeless, Blkout, Relentless, 50 Lions, Ill Brigade, Iron Mind, Had It, Lookin In, Dropsaw, No Love Lost, Mary Jane Kelly, Worlds Apart, Persist, Goonzilla, Fixtures, Your Ghost is a Gift...I definitely forgot some but I think that list is big enough haha

What are some other hardcore bands do you like and listen too?
Everybody in the band is into all different styles of music, so I can only really speak from my opinion. I'm into Mineral, Trapped Under Ice, At the Drive-In, Violation, Breakdown, Daylight, Iron Age, The Cro-Mags, Youth of Today, Church of Misery, Dr Dre, Raw Deal, Pulling Teeth...not all of those bands are hardcore but as I said, we listen to lots of different genres.

What do you think it is about hardcore that it became a life style for so many kids all around the globe?
It's fun, straight forward and energetic, without losing its integrity and sincerity.


Is there anything that you think is missing in hardcore movement nowadays?
I'm only young and I haven't been a part of the hardcore community long enough to say I've noticed any dramatic changes. However, there are some seriously sketchy bands where we come from who don't represent the true meaning of hardcore at all. But it's not our place to comment on what is and isn't 'hardcore' so it's your choice to decide whats bogus and whats real.

What can we expect to see from Legions in the future?
We've just completed our demo so at the moment we're just focusing on making our band sound as tight as possible. There are no plans set in concrete as of yet, we want to release a record but we're in no real rush.

Do you have any final message to our readers?
Smoke trees, make money, fuck bitches. Peace.

Legions at Myspace.

Download the demo here!

Endwell - Avoidant

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In Desperation

In Desperation is a type of band that will appeal to a diverse audience of listeners. Although relatively young, they have already developed name for themselves for keeping their hardcore full of passion and energy. Their music is edgy and agressive, but still as catchy as it gets. Whether you like to bust some heads in the moshpit or just looking for a listening enjoyment, don't be sleeping on them!

Can you give a brief history of the band up to this point? When did you guys form and how you got the band name. Any previous bands members were in?
We all grew up going to shows together and some of us playing in bands together before this one. The band started in early 2008. We all live in different towns around northern,CA but we are based in Sacramento. Did a demo shortly after we started with 4 songs, and then the Ghost Town 7 inch pretty soon after that. We were originally called "Desperation" but then found out that a band from Illinois had the same name so we made a minor change that made sense. Bands before this......hmm... well Dan was in Harms Reach and Deathbox, Jared does Give Me Back from time to time, Ryan and Joey have Internal Conflict, and I was in a band called Trash Talk and Drugs of Youth.

What can we be expecting from your upcoming record? How does it differ from Ghost Town, America EP?
The new record I think sounds way better than the Ghost Town record. More time went into it, more thought, and suprisingly less money. But the sound quality is great still. Lyrically its a bit darker. Musically its heavier and has some slower stuff. Its a good progression from the last one.

What label is going to release it and do you have any title yet?
Heart In Hand Records from Los Angeles is going to be releasing this record. William is great and has helped us a lot so far. According to the cover it doesn't have a title, but its called "The Floods".

How would you describe the sound of In Desperation? What bands have influenced your music?
We are a hardcore punk band. We all have different influences but mainly bands like From Ashes Rise, Modern Life is War, Tragedy, Born Against, Left For Dead, etc..

Who or what has had some influence or impact on your lyrics? Where do you find inspiration?
Everyone around me influences me all the time, positive or negative. Recently Ive been reading about hauntings and possessions. Some new songs are about that.

Tell a little about each of the releases you have out? I know only about the Ghost Town, America 7”. Do you have anything else out?
Well we did a demo. Then we did the Ghost Town 7 inch. Next up is "The Floods" 7 inch. We were supposed to be on a couple different compilations but those never came out. We are writing new songs now too for a full length sometime in 2010 hopefully.
What part of California you’re from? What’s the hardcore/punk scene over there?
We are generally from Sacramento,CA. Its in the north. Where are you from anyways? The scene here is pretty good. Its different for sure, bands come through and don't know what to expect when they see punks, skinheads(not the bad kind) and hardcore kids all together, but everyone usually gets along. Fights rarely happen and if they do its usually against nazis, which is cool with me. All ages venues here don't usually last more than a year or so, but right now we have a great house that we do shows at. We also have a coffee shop that treats the bands really well too.

Do you remember the first time you heard hardcore music? What were your feelings then and how did the way you look at it changed since then?
Through skateboarding I had a lot of older friends, and they got me into some of the first hardcore bands I had heard. I already was familiar with Minor Threat, Black Flag, Negative Approach and some others, but they were listening to The Trouble, Blood For Blood, and Buried Alive and that was the stuff that got me really interested. My first hardcore show was First Blood and Terror in San Francisco in 2003 and that was craziest show I have ever seen. My feelings about it haven't really changed much. I'm actually interested now more than ever. I guess the only change would be not really understanding the fashion, although I'm not sure if I ever did. I think getting older tests your beliefs in it for sure, and I feel like I need it now more than ever.

What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?
Hah.. I feel like this is one of those first day of school orientation questions. Guns are a hobby of mine, I'm sure that's sort of surprising.

The hardcore scene is constantly changing. What trends - either in music or not- that you guys really respect and are following?
I could probably go on more about trends I don't like than ones I follow. That new trend where guys move like crabs on stage looks funny. I'll be interested to see where that one goes.

What’s your take on metal influences in hardcore?
Well if you mean the bands that have cyclops hair and play grind riffs followed by pop melodies......I think we all collectively cant stand that it. But, bands like Integrity, Ringworm, and Converge I think are great.

What are the future plans for In Desperation?
We start a west coast tour in 2 weeks with our friends Hell and Reason. That should be a lot of fun for sure. The new 7 inch is coming out sometime in the next month or two. After that just more writing music and hopefully touring. We have no plans of stopping anytime soon. Thanks for the interview, and I hope to see everyone on the west coast soon.

Ill Intent

Band’s name: Ill Intent

Location: Seattle, WA. United States

Active since: 2008

How do you define your overall style?
Fast traditional hardcore with a modern twist.

What’s your goal with this band? To keep playing shows, touring, having fun and keep releasing new music. We also want to go as far as the band will take us, as far as doing europe, Japan and everywhere else.

What do you have recorded so far?
Right now we have a 6 song demo released in 08, with a couple songs that haven't been released from that same session. We are going into the studio this month to record 8 new songs that should be coming out this fall.


Can you tell us some history about Ill Intent? How long have you been playing together and what was the reason to start a band?
Ill Intent has been a band for about 2 years, the first year, they had an 07 demo with a different singer, but that didn't work out. I joined the band last august, recorded and immediately hit the road on tour. When I joined the band, we were all living together at that time and I wasn't doing much as far as bands were concerned. It just worked out, because we were all musically and mentally all on the same page with what we wanted to accomplish with the band. At the time, I was feeling really frustrated with a lot of things that were going on with the government and in politics. So it gave me a great forum to voice those opinions.


How did you come up with that name Ill Intent? What does it mean to you?
I wasn't there for the initial naming of the band, but when I heard it, I gave it the thumbs up of approval. What it means to me is that we are a no bullshit band. Straight up and honest. You can see our name and no what we're about.

I really like the message behind the No Rest For The Weary song. Have you ever regretted your life decisions and what would you tell to the other kids when they gotta choose between the life of stability and security and following their dreams?
I haven't regretted any choice that I have made. Obviously, like anyone else, I have made mistakes, but I feel that I have learned from those mistakes and try my best to not repeat them. As far as following your dreams and a life of stability, they can be one in the same. If someone's goal is to find a stable job, buy a house, get married, live the dream, etc... then they should pursue that by any means necessary. On the flip side of that, if someone decides that life is not for them, that is perfectly fine. But either way or any choice you make, just make sure that you are making that choice because you want to, not because of what anyone thinks you should be doing. If someone were to ask me which path they should choose, I would tell them which ever one they wanted and to live life on their own terms. My life is a train wreck in every aspect. Financially, emotionally, romantically, stability-wise, but I wake up everyday happy and take each day as it comes. It's the life that I want to live, so fuck anybody that tells me I am doing something wrong. These are my choices to make.

What inspires an Ill Intent songs lyrically in general? Would you say you are a political band?
Life in general inspires the lyrics. When I wrote all the lyrics for the 08 demo, I was at a point in my life that was extremely stress free. I had a good place to live, a stable, great paying job, a beautiful girlfriend and basically smooth sailing. Emotionally, I was solid and sound. So, I did not have a lot to write about emotionally, because I refuse to ever fake passion. Hard core is fuled by anger and emotion, so the only thing that I had left to write about were a lot of political issues that really pissed me off at the time. Since I wrote all the lyrics for the 08 demo, a year ago. I have gone through a lot personally. Went through a pretty hard break up. Had lots of health problems, some of which caused us to take a 4 month hiatus. I moved to New York and failed out there, so I came back home. Had some close family members pass away. I have been homeless for the last 4 months and just had a really hard time with health and finances. So the new stuff is going to be pretty personal about struggle and overcoming adversity as well as some of the same government issues that still aggravate me.

Tell us about Ill Intent live show? What is your formula for a successful performance and how it makes you feel when the kids are feeling your music and singing the lyrics?
A typical Ill Intent show, you are going to get a high energy performance. Always. Hardcore is all about energy and every member of this band lives for it. We have all made sacrifice after sacrifice for this band and we all feel it 100% So every member of the band goes off and when people are feeling what we're feeling, they go off too. I love it when kids sing along and go crazy. Although I do not expect everybody to agree with my lyrics, I just want them to know what they are about. I want to provoke conscious thought, which is why I always provide explanations to the songs. So people know what the content of the song is all about.

What's the thing that you are most proud of in the history of the band?
The way that we all get along so well and are friends first and foremost. I love every member of this band like brothers and wouldn't do it if our bond of friendship wasn't as strong as it is. Also, in the year that we have a been a band, including the 4 month medical break I took, we were out of the road for almost 5 months. We were able to go to central america, canada and hit the states extensively. I am extremely proud of all the hard work every member has put in.

Whats playing on your stereo the most at the moment?
I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. Lots of hip hop, radio and underground. Lots of old rock bands and some softer stuff for times when I just need to chill.
Fences - My homie from seattle, it's really talented, accoustical, folk rock, pop stuff that fits every mood I am in.
Atmosphere - my all time favorite MC next to every member of Wu-Tang.
Black Sabbath - One of my all time fav bands
Cro Mags - my absolute favorite band, I also entertain their whole catalog, not just age of quarrel
Biohazard - every album except for uncivilization. yuck.
AC/DC - Only the first 3 albums with Bon Scott, I don't like Brian Johnson at all and Bon Scott is the real deal.
Do you know anything about European hardcore? Any bands? Labels?
No Turning Back is one of my fav current bands. As well as Rise and Fall. Frustration is a new band from Ireland that is KILLING IT right now.

The worst and the best movie ever made?
Best movie, the warriors. Also, classics like the first 2 godfathers, good fellas, point break. Worst movie? Anything in the last few years directed by michael bay. Hollywood and the movie industry is such garbage right now. Everything is a recycled remake with a bunch corny CGI and sweet explosions. Directors need to realize that no matter how attractive the cast is, how many explosions, or CGI animals in the movie... if the plot sucks, the movie will suck. I only watch comedies these days, because everything else is garbage.

Anything you want to add, tell us about or give any general shout outs too?
Lots of upcoming bands. power, decades, persistence of time, hit the bricks, vanguard, gone but not forgotten, putrid brew, horizons, grave maker, rotting out, fences, sojourner, poverty bay saints, odd rule, rebuilt and the whole northwest scene right now, it's better than it ever has been in awhile. Shouts to 10Deep, Survie Apparel, Life of Villains, Winners Circle and The Cool in Tacoma. Fice, blue sky black death and northwest hiphop. Thanks for the interview! I hope you are well and taking care of yourself.


Catch 'em at:
http://www.myspace.com/illintent206

Go For It! - Reading Between The Front Lines

Go For It! - Reading Between The Front Lines
DIY 2009

I had never heard of the band before this review and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. A lot of music here may well be what you would expect from an old school hardcore album – some NYHC influenced grooves with typical fast parts and breakdowns now and there.

I was personally very fond of the tune of the album, because while staying true to the roots of hardcore, it does have a decent punk rock and metal influences which adds a right amount of heaviness and aggression. There are 8 tracks here which clock in about 16 minutes so they keep it tight. The production is heavy giving the songs pretty beefy sound. The compositions in themselves are generally fine with some hits and some misses. One of the things I didn’t like is the inconsistency of the album – the good moments broken up by the not so good moments. It doesn’t bother me that much cause the record is short enough not to get boring but they should work on it when writing the stuff for the next record. Generally, Go For It ! is a good example of a band not trying any new tricks but getting the most out of a simple concept. Reading Between the Front Lines doesn't contribute with anything that hasn't been done by others by despite its flaws, the album possesses many high points and is worth checking out if you’re an old school fun.

Author: Dloogi

Go For It! at Myspace

Danny Diablo vs. The Vendetta feat. Ceekay - Snow White

Pushed Too Far - Fools Never Move On

Bravestar - A Warriors Heart

Bravestar - A Warriors Heart
DIY 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.