HARDBOILED

Desperate Times

You gotta admit that with the name Desperate Times the band is in tune with the times. This is pretty much a young band but they've just released a State Of Mind Ep which I've been rocking really hard lately. Heavy and harsh hardcore with no bullshit lyrics. Take a few minutes to check what Desperate Times is all about!

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

We are a five piece straight edge band from welland ontario. Our message is probably not the most positive message, if you are not straight edge that's cool we don't want to discourage people from listening to us if they are not straight edge. If you are straight edge that's cool also, come sing along and mosh to one of our shows.

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

Me (Bo) and Josh have known each other since grade 8/9 but then started to hangout like 3 summers ago and I knew josh played guitar and I really wanted to be in a band but I didn't play an instrument so I just picked up a bass and taught myself. Josh knew codey for a while but codey also didn't play an instrument so we said try and sing and see what happens. Luc used to be in a band that codey was good friends with so he suggested him as a drummer so we started to jam. We wrote a lot of bad songs but eventually we got decent at our instruments and wrote "state of mind 2010" we started being a band in 2009 but only got serious last summer. We have had a few member changes but jamie is our newest second guitar player.

What's the toughest struggle for the band like yours? What's the biggest wall to get over?

I wouldn't say this is a struggle but money is an issue when in a band especially when you are starting off. We don't want to make any money but in order to recorded new songs, make merch and play shows it costs a lot out of our own pockets, but its all for fun and if we didn't have this band we would have nothing to do and spend our money on.

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

Hardcore, fast, heavy. Apparently people say we sound like buried alive, witch is weird because none of us really listen to them when we wrote state of mind.

What have you released so far?

Back when we first started we wrote a really bad split with our friends in thieves but we don't want anyone to hear that. So just State of mind ep.

Who are your strongest musical influences and why?

Our strongest musical influences are probably, leeway, biohazard, obituary and merauder.

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

From codey thompson- Most of my lyrics are inspired by shitty relationships and even shittier friendships. Before when we weren't a straight edge band i would Sort of hide little straight edge remarks and stuff in there, but now i am thinking of being a little more open about it.

Tell me about band's performance element – what should kids expect from your live show?

Honestly its not always the same if we play in our hometown or somewhere close we have lots of people moshing to us and singing along but if we are playing a town for the first time it might be not as intense. always have fun no matter what thou.

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

We are probably doing a split with Easy Way Out witch is like half of Desperate times. Probably going to be recorded at the end of december, 3 new songs for each band. As for shows nothing really we want to write new songs before we start playing some more shows. We would like to do a 3 day tour in march break with Easy Way Out and possibly Planet Danger in Toronto, Ottawa and montreal. Who knows thou.

Any closing thoughts?

Shout out to Easy Way Out, Planet Danger, Troubled Minds and the Author. Also I and the singer of Easy Way Out are making a zine called Climbing Aboard witch should be out in January, look out for that.

Band's Myspace.

Set To Strike

Set To Strike is Pennsylvania based band aiming at heavy old school hardcore sound and just trying to get their name out. They've been around for very little time but already have a demo out and are planning to record some more new shit soon.

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

We honestly are a group of 4 guys who just want to play some true hardcore, with a slight twist in the way we write. My(singer -Joey) lyrics are very inspired by the world around me, from politics, to negativity, to the streets, to positivity, pretty much anything that I can think of that sounds good to write about.

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

The band started as a fun project between myself(singer -Joey), Nikko(bass), Willy(guitar), and Johnny T(drums). We just figured...why not? So we started this band and about 2months into it, Willy had to leave because his other side band was getting pretty serious at the time. So we thought that would be close to the end of us, because where we are from unless you want to play blast beats, death metal, etc. you wont find a dedicated guitarist. However Willy found us a guitar player from the area, Travis. Not only did this fix the band, but Travis has taken us to an entire new level, and I think makes us stand out as a hardcore band, as he always is adding these little odd parts but they go so well with the music.

What's the toughest struggle for the band like yours? What's the biggest wall to get over?

I mean I guess to get heard, like any other band would be the hardest struggle. At the same time we arent really trying to prove anything, or become some huge famous band. But we just want to get heard, maybe inspire some new kids to get into hardcore. Maybe inspire kids with my lyrics, or even just go as far as them thinking from a different aspect of a situation. The biggest wll for us to overcome is touring. We would love to tour as a band, but Johnny T is in school, I'm a new dad, Travis works for a hotel so he works alot, and Nikko is in school too. But I promise you we will tour eventually, even if it means 20 small tours.

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

This is an oxy-moron when I say this, but I would say very modern old school hardcore. We like to try to keep it a traditional hardcore sound, but with that new twist of things in the mix. Make sense? haha.

What have you released so far?

A free demo that we made in this biker dudes basement. The coolest dudes ever. If you ever get offered by a big biker dude that works at Dominos to record your band.... DO IT! They love doing gang vocals, and just all around nicest dudes ever. I would plug them here to promote them, but I forget their studio name, I will get back on that, actually I'll end up promoting them on facebook/myspace.

We are also in the process of recording a better higher quality demo/ep. It will be about 5 songs. - self titled.

Who are your strongest musical influences and why?

This is a tough one, cause there are so many. Some if my biggest influences go from huge bands, to even bands that I'm friends with. I'm gonna have to say Madball, Kingdom, First Blood, and Black Sabbath. That is very random, but they stick out in my head. They are all groups who have very dominant strong lyrics about the things they believe. Which is what I go for in every song I write.

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

Everyday life. The positives, the negatives, my friends/family, my lovely wife and son. A big part of my lyrics come from my anger towards politics/governement in general. Thats a whole new can of worms to open though, and we can talk about that in another interview if you would like.

Tell me about band's performance element – what should kids expect from your live show?

We actually had just played our first show recently in Bethlehem, Pa. We were fortunate enough to play with two great bands, Unlearn, and Death Before Dishonor. The show was supposed to be in like 2-3 different venues, but they all cancelled so it ended up in Bethlehem, Pa. Which actually was better in my eyes. A bunch of kids had shown up, good turnout for a last minute venue change. It was all around a great show.

We try to be a very high energy band. Not a band that just stands there, and expects the crowd to do the moving. Every show we try to get more and more crazy. I think a band doesnt need lights, and effects, and all that bullshit. All you need is a bunch of energetic crazy fuckers on stage, ready to have some fun.

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

We are currently looking to play anywhere/everywhere possible for us. So if you listen to us and like what you hear... PLEASE get in contact with us, we would LOVE to play your area if we can make it out. Thank you.

Any closing thoughts?

Come out and have fun with us. That is our dream. Not to make tons of money, not to become anything more special than a ton of kids going crazy in a firehall or small club or something of that sort.

Band's myspace can be found here.

No Redeeming Social Value - High in Holland

Well here we have the NYHC gods of self-destruction at the Dynamo club in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

SOUND: the sound is spot on. Heavy, thick guitars; clean drums, crisp snare and pounding bass and toms; discernable vocals. Lots of the songs get the dual vocals done on them, bringing back the extra energy of the old days. Volume is perfect. The band is tight. While i Miss some ex-members, the band is a well-oiled machine here. The drums are ridiculous. The guitars are tough riffs and fast bursts. You can here the elements in total synch. And that another prize of live albums. You here a band take older songs and put them down after years of practicing and playing live; rendering them better then when recorded.

SONGS: These dudes go thru it all. They open with the timeless "More Tattoos". Hard and charging. They go into probably my favorite NRSV song, "Wake Up". I was surprised to hear them still do "Fabio and "Guido" and "Microwave" and it was pleasantly. I forget how good those songs are. The new tunes of "Still Drinking", Beer == Fun", and the massive "Drinking is Not a Game". My theme song "I Hate Everyone" is here in all it's glory. Classics like "Chicken, "New 64", "Olde E", "No Regrets", "Skinheads Rule" all show up on this disc. Two covers get the NRSV treatment; "Drunk at YOT Reunion" (blowe, roaw!!) and "Raining Blood".

VIBE: you get the full NRSV experience. so good. Lots of comments and banter. The total fun, buzzed up vibe of a NRSV show comes through. I am picking up change alone in my room as i listen; fondly recalling the one time i saw them come to Providence (Met Cafe). Wish i had more memories to dance to. Their schticky campy comedy stylings intro the songs and the NRSV personality shines through.

INLAY: a nice pair of boobs grace the cover in a leopard bra. some cool pics, live and goofing off; lyrics to each song - just in case, somehow, you do not have the other cd's (dummy). Full credits and props for the tour. A healthy incentive to buy the hard copy.

BOTTOM LINE:
basically, this gets thrown in with the legends. i will quickly reach for this disc as i would any other NRSV disc; and any other live cd. The sound is perfect; the performance is true NRV. impeccable. Clear, top-notch sound quality capturing the cavalcade of 20 years of music form this blast of a boozed up band. Fast metal riffs to tough guy breakdowns to funny in between babbling. Energy and the feeling of the live show, sing a-longs, all get you swept up in the moment.

I am tired just listening; yearning to be soaked in beer and sweat.

This is guest review by Hutch from Empty Hands blog
Label: Dead City Records
Year: 2010
Band's website

Straight To Your Face - The Struggle

It’s been two years since Denmark-based Straight To Your Faced released an album, but the wait is over with the release of The Struggle. It’s an album of pure hardcore goodness with some of killer tracks such as ‘The Struggle’ and ‘Back In The Ring’. The songs come hard and fast with some slick grooves and sick sing along parts.

The band has a knack for writing catchy tunes so the album definitely doesn’t disappoint. Their style is heavily influenced by NYHC sound laced over with a hint of metal, not unlike bands like Madball, Terror or Backfire!. The songs are pretty much straight forward but they pack them with enough hooks to keep your attention all the time throughout the album. Thanks to superb work of Jakob Bredahl , the production is fat and heavy giving these songs even a bigger adrenaline boost. If you like your hardcore rough and without too much useless technical wankery, you should give this one a go.

Review by Dloogi
Label: Demons Run Amok Records
Year: 2010
Band's website

Of Salt And Swine - Lights Out

If you follow this website you know I’ve got nothing against bands that mix hardcore with metal. When it’s done right, the results can powerful. But on the other hand, there’s a danger that if you inject too much of that metal sound into your music your risk losing the hardcore feel. And when it happens, most of the vitality and energy is lost for me(check the last album from Sworn Enemy if you don’t know what I mean).

So this is no surprise that I’m not a big fun of deathcore genre. No matter how I twist and turn it, this style fails to appeal to my liking. Unfortunately, that’s what Of Salt And Swine is about. Just like deathcore album should, Lights Out showcases plenty of down-tuned guitars, guttural screaming, blast beats and groove breakdowns. With very little variety, all the tracks tend to be indistinguishable from each other as the album drags on with no trace of vitality. And it’s not even band’s fault I suppose, cause they seem to be pretty good musicians after all, but the nature of the genre make it all sound so horribly pre-judged and forced. The fact that the band does very little to distance itself from typical deathcore sound doesn’t help at all. Anyway, if you’re into deathcore you might find this album entertaining, otherwise you will get heavily disappointed.

Review by Dloogi
Label: Innerstrength Records
Year: 2010
Band's website