Hardcore Is More Than Music 2011
Here's the Hardcore Is More Than Music movie with guys from bands like Agnostic Front, Madball, Hoods and others talking why racism sucks and why it should not be accepted on hardcore scene.In recent years we have been witnesses to new trends amongst neo-Nazis. Still more and more of them leave the skinhead image, and try to “catch onto” something else. One of the targets for them is the hardcore scene.
They find the aggressive music and uncompromising lyrics impressive. The leading figures of Czech neo-Nazi scene have been trying to infiltrate to hardcore shows and to take pictures with famous faces of the international hardcore scene. But they do not care about HC ethics, history or culture of hardcore. They only care about the “tough guy” image and macho poses. But that has never been what hardcore is about. People in hardcore scene differ from one another in many aspects, and that’s a good thing. But hardcore has never been connected to racism or Nazism. Hardcore community has always been a space for the people to meet without prejudice. And we want it to stay that way. That’s why we turned to some of the bands that have something to sa y. Among them were the bands whose shows attracted Nazis, who attempted to attend them. You can find the views and opinions of these bands on this DVD. Our questions remained the same, but the answers varied significantly. But they have something in common – there is no space for racism, prejudice and Nazism in the HC scene.
For us, HC scene is a family. For Nazis, it is just another scene they wish to abuse to gain support for their political goals.
With The Light Of Truth - book about Straight Edge related tattoos
Tattoos and hardcore have always gone hand in hand and here's a book which aims at shedding some light on this part of culture. With The Light Of Truth is a book profiling over 50 Straight Edge tattoo artist from across the whole globe. The official website states: "A collection of Straight Edge related tattoos and art and profiles of some of the best tattoo artists in the world. This book has a worldwide release of September 2011. Submissions are now closed. History is being made."
Think Fast! to release worldwide vinyl version of upcoming Earth Crisis album!
Official info: There’s no argument that the single underground band to stir the most controversy regarding their ethics and beliefs is none other than Syracuse legends, Earth Crisis. Forming in the early 90’s, Earth Crisis has remained a constant influence, combining heavy riffs with Karl Buechner’s signature commanding vocals. Not only have they stood as one of the most aggressive acts in the genre through their musical style, but also in their politically-charged beliefs.Earth Crisis’ message of human, animal and environmental liberation has caused shockwaves that resonated beyond the music industry. They have received national media coverage on CNN, TBS, FOX, CBS, MTV, and ABC. Charismatic vocalist Karl Buechner has spoken in front of members of Congress about teens and substance abuse. Earth Crisis epitomizes commitment, fortitude, and resilience and is an established and embraced trademark in the international metal, hardcore and punk communities.
It is with great honor to announce that the band's latest album "Neutralize The Threat" will be exclusively released worldwide on vinyl via Think Fast! Records. The release is under exclusive license from Century Media Records. Think Fast! co-owner Larry Scott says of the release, "This is a pinnacle moment, not only for the label, but for me personally. Earth Crisis has always been, in my opinion, an inspiration to unapologetically speak on behalf of what you believe is right."
Earth Crisis has continued along this path of breaking new ground, constantly working and reaching more people spreading their message to the masses. Their relentless touring has put them in front of countless national and international audiences - from the U.S. to Canada, to Europe, Japan and South America. In October 1999, they played Bogota, Columbia's Rock al Parque Festival for over 120,000 people. They have toured with bands ranging from Sepultura and Downset to The Misfits and Snapcase.
With “Neutralize The Threat,” Earth Crisis has never been stronger or more relevant. Look for the exclusive vinyl version to surface in August, with pre-orders expected to launch early on in the Summer.
Born To Hate has released new album - “Romper la Baraja" - on Cruzare Records
Born to Hate are back with their second record titled “Romper la Baraja” (“Break the deck”). New 9 songs of furious hardcore with mid-tempo and breakdown parts influenced by bands like Death Threat or Madball. The lyrics are in spanish! You can order it from Cruzade Records!
Desensitized to release new 7″ on Irish Voodoo,
Desensitized has joined Irish Voodoo Records! Currently, you can find the band working on new material in anticipation of their upcoming 7″ on Irish Voodoo, playing NYC and the surrounding areas, and generally having fun doing what they do best: making the music that they themselves would want to hear. The band came together in the spring of 2010, when Greg McGonagle, Jelani Wilson, and Jhonn Thomassen met during Black N’ Blue Bowl at New York City’s Webster Hall. The three of them quickly hit it off, and they were soon renting practice spaces by the hour, writing songs as a three piece with Greg on vocals, Jelani on drums, and Jhonn on guitar. Before they could even recruit a fourth member, Desensitized recorded their 6-song demo with Glen Lorieo and James Williams at Night Owl Studios in NYC. The demo was recorded, mixed, and mastered in a matter of days, with Jhonn and Greg splitting up the bass parts, many of which were written just a few days before entering the studio.
War Hound Interview
Damn, it's been almost two years since I made the first interview with this band and look where they are now - the band has inked a deal with Europe-based I Scream Records and their new recording are getting mega positive feedback. The kids are definitely feeling their heavy and hard-hitting take on hardcore - they go hard but they make sure it's also smart and fun. Here's the short interview on what's currently happening with the band!
Damn, it's been almost two years since I made the first interview with this band and look where they are now - the band has inked a deal with Europe-based I Scream Records and their new recording are getting mega positive feedback. The kids are definitely feeling their heavy and hard-hitting take on hardcore - they go hard but they make sure it's also smart and fun. Here's the short interview on what's currently happening with the band!Whatsup dudes! So to start off introduce yourself/your role in the band.
Jon does vocals
Ronnie plays guitar and also does vocals
Nico plays drums
Sean plays guitar
John Bro plays bass
How did Warhound form?
We started in a garage about two years ago. Pretty typical haha
I know you guys are influenced by NYHC, any specific bands? Or bands from elsewhere?
We are definitely influenced by NYHC. Bands such as Life of Agony, Biohazard, Madball and Merauder are some of our favorites. We're also influenced by bands that aren't from NY such as Cold as Life, Fury of Five and the Bad Brains.
When writing lyrics, what is the thing that motivates each song? (Reason for writing)
Each song has it's own message. We all work on lyrics together, and these lyrics reflect problems/situations we've all had to deal with.
Are any of you in other projects?
Ronnie and Nico are in a youth crew style band called "Head Stomp"
You guys are gaining a lot of popularity after your release “Return Of The Hardstyle”, how do you guys feel about this?
We're very excited for the future. We really hope that it continues. We just want to keep playing songs for our friends, that we love to play.
What is “Hardstyle”?
Hardstyle is "joke" term that really just means a harder/heavier style of hardcore. If your wondering what other bands would be considered "Hardstyle" in our opinion: check out Next Step Up, Fury of Five, Cold as Life
Being from California, I have no clue what hardcore is like in Chicago, what are shows like over there?
Shows in the Chicago Suburbs have gotten a lot bigger as of lately. We're very proud of that. A lot of kids have been coming around, new faces and old faces. Shows out here are very fun.
What has War Hound released so far?
A few demos when we were first started
A tape called "Call of the Hounds"
As well as our most recent tape "Return of the Hardstyle"
What can kids expect when they pick up a War Hound record?
Groove, Passionate lyrics and HEAVY BREAKS ;]
Any upcoming releases?
We'll be releasing a full length in 2012.
What is your current label situation? How do you like it?
We're signed to I-Scream records. It has been awesome.
Where can a kid find some War Hound merchandise/records?
warhound.bigcartel.com
coldcutsmerch.com/warhound
bornill.bigcartel.com
Any tours/upcoming shows?
We'll be on the road with Line of Scrimmage in June. We also have some dates with Hardside and Born Low.
Thanks for your time, I personally am extremely pumped to see you at Sound & Fury this summer. Any final thoughts or shout outs?
Shout out to No Zodiac, Silverhammer, Born Low, Lockdown (VBHC), Big Mouth, FocusedxMinds, Den of Daggers, Reaper Records, Unfinished Business, Twitching Tongues, No Regrets, Unreckoned and BIOHAZARD!!!!!
Interview done by Jeffrey Wang!
Dead End Path Interview
Pennsylvania-based Dead End Path has made a lot of noise with their debut Death Walks Beside Us 7" on Triple B Records. Their in your face style of hardcore backed up by some heavy-ass riffing and breakdowns has not gone unnoticed and shows and tours with some of the best current hardcore bands soon followed. I am sure most of you are looking forward to their upcoming album which is also due on Triple B, and if you wanna learn more about the band and its future plans, check out this interview.
Pennsylvania-based Dead End Path has made a lot of noise with their debut Death Walks Beside Us 7" on Triple B Records. Their in your face style of hardcore backed up by some heavy-ass riffing and breakdowns has not gone unnoticed and shows and tours with some of the best current hardcore bands soon followed. I am sure most of you are looking forward to their upcoming album which is also due on Triple B, and if you wanna learn more about the band and its future plans, check out this interview.Let us begin! Intros are needed, what is your name/role in the band?
I am Uriah and I sing for Dead End Path. Foose plays bass, Ryan plays guitar, Jason plays drums and Ian plays guitar.
How did the Dead End Path form?
We started up from an idea Foose and I had. We wanted to start a band that was a mix of all the bands we loved. Outburst, Breakdown, etc. It all came together pretty quick actually. I went on tour with a friends bands for a couple weeks in the summer of 2009 and when I got back the demo was pretty much written. We practiced a few times then recorded our demo Sept. 1st 2009 and played our first show Sept. 24th 2009 with Foundation at the Black Lodge in Kingston PA. That's pretty much it. It's been a really fun and eye opening experience...
What is the story behind the bands name?
No story really, we had a long list of names. Dead End Path always really stuck out, it's a great Merauder song obviously but I think it has more meaning than that. If I didn't have this band, I feel like it the dead end path would be an easy one to take. It's a pretty hopeful and positive name to me actually now that I'm thinking about it.
Are any of the members in other projects?
Naw not really, at least not at the moment. This band is pretty time consuming and our name focus right now. I'd love to start a more straight forward hardcore band, just for fun and to play locally. But I think I speak for everyone when I say DEP is our main focus right now. Foose, Jason, our friend Maddod (bass player of Stick Together) and I were in a NYHC hardcore cover band a couple summers ago called Jail Of Depression, we covered Cro-Mags, Outburst, Warzone and Breakdown. That was fun haha.
What bands influence you guys?
Like I said early on our influences were pretty straight forward, just a hardcore band influenced by other hardcore bands. Outburst, Breakdown, Madball, Merauder and Biohazard were all big influences on the demo. While writing Death Walks Beside Us, we were all really into Alice In Chains, Only Living Witness, Metallica, Leeway and Mobb Deep. I think all of those influences reer their heads in some way or any other on the record. For our new record, It's been a year since we wrote the 7" so all our of tastes have expanded even further. Burn, Death, Meshuggah, and Dismember were all influences musically on the new record. More of a darker sounding record. Everyone in the band has a really open and eclectic taste in music so we have alot of different influences to pool from. It's really cool honestly, it makes things not so predictable haha
What song means the most to you and why?
This is a hard question. I'd have say the song "Faith/Void" off our new LP probably has the "most" meaning, it was kind of a hard song to write. It's just about losing someone close to me and being really angry about it and not knowing why the people I loved were being put through this. Deliver Us... is about something specific that happened to me, so that one is tough. There are a couple songs about my dad, and some about growing up in the trailer park. Everyone song has a meaning to me and mean the most to me in their own way. I guess it's kind of a cop out answer but it's the truth.
You guys are doing a pretty big tour with Title Fight, Touche Amore, and The Menzingers soon, how do you feel being the only “heavy” band on the tour?
Yeah dude, really excited about this tour actually. We definitely are the most ignorant band on the tour haha. Umm I think in certain places it might be a little bit awkward, but we've tour a few times and have friends in most of the places we're playing so at least if all else fails they'll make us feel at home. I'm really not too worried about it. I think DEP will be a nice change of pace, every band is soo different from one another I really don't see anyone being bored the entire time. Plus Title Fight are our best friends and we've known the Menzingers dudes for awhile so it'll be fun hanging with all of our friends. I think the people that haven't heard of us before this tour will be into us. I have faith
What can kids expect to see at a live show?
Hmm that's a hard question - well usually you can expect me to be wearing something ridiculous on stage ala a sleeveless sweatshirt, you can count on Foose moshing the kids in the front row while he's playing, you can expect Ian's amp to screeching and squealing the whole time, you can expect Ryan and Foose getting pissed at him for it, you can expect Jason just feeling the vibe and you can expect me laughing at all of them. Honestly though, I just want people to have a good time. Everyone is there for the same reason, to have fun so that's kind of the philosophy we go by. No violence, no bullshit, just fun. Stage dive, sing along, mosh yourself into a frenzy and be excellent to each other.
What is your discography so far?
Our demo came out in December 2009 on Collapse Records and is out of /300. Out 7" came out the summer of 2010 on BBB records and is out of /1000 and our new LP is coming out on BBB records and is out of /1000.
Any new releases coming up?
As I mentioned we have a new LP coming out this summer on Triple B Records. It still doesn't have a title but I can promise you it is our best material to date. I'm really excited for people to hear it. I think it's great.
What is the most memorable show you have played?
Most memorable show would have to be Richmond VA on our winter tour with Stick Together. It was probably the 5th time we had played Richmond but the vibe was just incredible and our set was actually bonkers. Definitely one of the best sets we've ever played. Also United Blood a couple weeks ago was amazing for us. This is tough, there are alot of good shows that we've played.
Most memorable show you have attended?
Damn, hmm. Frostbites last show was one of the coolest shows I've ever been to. Lifetime,Cold World and War Hungry played a show together in 2007 and that was incredible. Any Title Fight show in WB is great. Any Title Fight show period. Anytime seeing UNDERDOG is great. They're my favorite band.
I personally am from California, where are you guys from? How is it different show wise?
We're from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It's about two hours north of Philadelphia. We have a great hardcore scene here right now. Between the WB kids, the Scranton kids, the Philly kids, and the NY/NJ kids, it's great. Alot of different types of kids coming to shows and supporting every band. It's a great time for hardcore. The only major difference i've ever noticed between east coast and west coast kids is circle pitting. We're not really accustomed to that here haha.
Thanks for your time, any final thoughts/shout outs?
Thank you Jeff and HBFV for doing this interview, it was great. Shout out's to all of our friends everywhere. Check out the new Title Fight record "Shed", check out Lifeless and Not Til Death. Make sure to get the new War Hungry, Disengage, Stick Together and United Youth records when they drop and last but not least check out our new record when it drops this summer. Catch us on the Title Fight tour!
Interview done by Jeffrey Wang!
