Sentenced To Fight

Name: Sentenced To Fight

Location: Las Piedras and Juncos , Puerto Rico

Active since: february 2008

How do you define your overall style?
We define our style as music that comes from the streets from our hearts , filled with hate you know agressive music with themes from our everyday living ,from our problems here in Puerto Rico , basically We are all Sentenced To Fight in this life.

Whats your goal with this band?
Our goal is to deliver good music take it as far as possible for the world to see that in Puerto Rico there is a hardcore scene that still lives , we want to deliver a message a message of patriotism and loyalty , Love for your country and a message of fighting to live.

What do you have recorded so far?
We have recorded our demo that you all know is up to download for free at our space . and we al looking forward to record a video for Jauria Guerrera and a full Lenght that we are working on since January

For those who don’t know, introduce your band and let us know what you're about.
Sentenced To Fight is a Five Piece Hardcore band straight from the streets of Puerto Rico , our members josito in the drums, gernie -bass and backing vocals , melvin -guitar and backing vocals ,brian-guitar and Joey vocals we are all boricuas hasta la muerte we defend our homeland and family till death and making music is our life so sentenced to fight its all about delivering hardcore music with solid lyrics and not allowing shit from no one Because we have work hard to maintain this.

“Sentenced To Fight was born after a lot of sacrifice” – is it hard to run a band in Puerto Rico?
Yeah its hard its pretty hard because we all have to work and we do in different shifts so is very difficult to practice and keep an band together but we have survive and keep this shit together till now and we aint quitting

Could you tell us something about your demo? What has been the response so far?
Each song has a different message and we enjoy playing each and every of them live.
OUR DEmo wich is self titled has four songs Fuerza bruta , Jauria Guerrera , Nuestra Guerra and Mi Pueblo. Each song has a different message and we enjoy playing each and every of them live. Jauria Guerrea is this song about how we as a young generation are full of hate because of the system and we dont take shit from no one , we hate hipocrites , we stay and fight as soldiers united, only with real people with our homeland until the end and everybody likes this song wich was written by melvin and is dedicated to a guy that started talking shit about us and thats whats it all about the sing along " tu moriras , te lo juro ..." his just dead ...

What is Beatdown Family? What other bands are involved in it?
Beatdown Family we are just a couple of friends that we consider ourselves family and we like to do shows and stuff so basically there are no bands in it , is just a label for show booking.

Whats the hardcore scene in Puerto Rico like? How do you feel about hardcore nowadays? What’s exciting and what needs to be changed in the scene?

The Harcore Scene here is very full of energy people are very very crazy , and we love that but lately it started falling down people stopped going to shows , they are more into metalcore stuff but hardcore bands still play everywhere anytime so we still fight to maintain hardcore alive .

What other bands are you listening to right now?
Los Brothers , Everydays Fight , Rise in Sorrow , Color of Blood , quejidos del seol , with open force , obey the lie, all of them local bands ...

From the outside : Billy The Kid , Nueva Etica , Confrontacion , Versus and a lot more

So whats next for your band? What you got coming up next this year?
We want to finish our full Lenght and tour everywhere man this year we gonna still Be Playing here in Puerto Rico and working on the Full Lenght and when its ready we go out on tour !!!

Sentenced To Fight at myspace

Killing Time: new album samples

Yeah, that's right mother fuckers, the NYHC legends are coming back with the new album! Click here to listen to the samples!

New Album "Three Steps Back"

Killing Time is now in the studio recording our third full-length album appropriately named "Three Steps Back." The album is scheduled to be released in early 2009. The band started work on the album in January 2008 after returning from our tour of Japan and South Korea. To write the material, we decided to bring it back to where it all started—Drago’s parents’ garage, the place where Breakdown had formed and where the classic “Brightside” record had been written and rehearsed. We see “Three Steps Back” as both a return to the band’s roots and a new vision of what a classic hardcore band can still accomplish. We think that these twelve news songs bring New York Hardcore back to its punk beginnings while still offering up that classic Killing Time crunch and power.

In Cold Blood discography to be released on Demons Run Amok

We are really happy to announce that the IN COLD BLOOD –Suicide Kings Discography CD will be released through Demons Run Amok! Release date is: 01.06.2009

Newjacks: IN COLD BLOOD are one of the founders of so called Clevo Style, back in the days. If you are into Integrity, Ringworm or Rise and Fall, the missing Band is IN COLD BLOOD!
This is a must have for fans of dark, apocalyptic Hardcore!

This CD is a compilation of the long time sold out 7 “ (released in 1995), exclusive songs from various session in 1998 and a live set, recorded in 1998.

Get your copy through our webshop (www.demonsrunamok.de) or through our distributors worldwide!

Line Of Scrimmage and Enemymind to release split CD

Line Of Scrimmage and Enemymind are set to release the split CD. It will contain 3 songs from the New Yorkers and 4 from the Pittsburgh guys. Expect the new CD by the beggining of July.

Fed Up! live from CBGB's coming soon

FED UP! Live from the historic CBGB's. The Best Quality Live at CBGB's Album since Agnostic Front. Funny in between banter ALA Paul Bear from Sheer Terror or Jimmy G. from Murphy's Law. 16 tracks in all including covers from Breakdown and The 4 Skins. A Classic Live Record!!!!
Pre- Order Now and get Exclusive Extras!!!!! Click here.

Jungle Juice - Jungle Jamz

Jungle Juice - Jungle Jamz
Hellfish Records 2009

Fucking go! It’s 80’again and hardcore is fast, powerful and angry. This album offers some awesome pissed off old school hardcore punk tunes that make me think of bands like Black Flag or Poison Idea. The music is straight in your face and vocals are aggressive and mean. Most of the songs are short and fast but there are also some nice breakdowns.

Actually, there are more mid paced parts and breakdowns than one would expect, but it doesn’t change the fact that the overall pace of the album is fast. The lyrics got some pissed off attitude to them so even if most of the songs are anti-social, anti-war, anti-politics, the band comes off as some seriously angry bunch of guys who are here to make sure their voice is gonna be heard and not like the pack of crying hippies. I really like the No Glory song, where they mix the USA anthem with the furious anti-army punk rock. The opening track is also great, probably my favorite one. Lyrically, the best one gotta be Changed, Not Impressed and Nowhere Fast. If you recently have had problems with your neighbors, boss, co-workers or your girlfriend you should like em too. There are 10 songs on the CD and most of them don’t even hit the 2 minute mark. It’s not a problem with me cause every time I finish listening to it I want to listen to the record again. Definitely worth checking out if you like old school hardcore they way it was meant to be played.


Jungle Juice @ Myspace
Hellfish Records

Next Step Up - The Unreleased Heavy video

In the absence of strength the opposition flourished
And they've tried to destroy that which we have nourished
Talking shit about pride and the white man's glory
It's just a scam to hide your weakness
A science fiction story
Spreading racist lies, you know that shit is whack
This scene is ours and now we're taking it back

Straight Opposition

We want to tour everywhere and then we want to speak and sing fuckin loud with everybody we’ll meet in...'

Your last album is called "Gathered against mediocracy". What does it refer to? Just the Italian government or or has it any broader meaning?
Mediocracy is the place where critical judge become confused and much more useful day by day; You can call this place Italy, Spain or Europe, anyway, if you take a look above the massification process that we live actually, you’ll find the Mediocracy’s heart.

Who writes the lyrics and what kind of subjects do they deal with?
I write the great part of the lyrics approved by the whole band. The lyrics meaning are about and against mass society’s condition; we are afraid to live in a place full of puppets where the 85% people doesn’t care about real social conditions; sometimes it seems that this world is very happy and proud to fall in every sort of enslavement.

What was the reason to allow kids to legally download your albums?
We wish to spread as much as possible our music with the following message.

You tackle issues that nowadays many artists shy away from. How important is the message in hardcore?
We personally think that hardcore music was, after some punk bands, a kind of musical expression totally based on a political/social approach, and it should be cool for us if it something of that will keep still this spirit for the future also. But, anyway, we are not fanatics, so we think everyone has the right to keep his attitude and his own feelings to take inspiration from, to play hardcore. This is shouldn’t be a closed mind music.

Do you think that there are less hardcore bands that deal with social topics in their lyrics because since there are no big problems with i.e. racism in the hardcore scene its like preaching to the converted?
Yes I understand very well your intelligent ask. Actually every topic about racism is seemingly older than this world and a lot of people could be tired and bored to speak about that; but also I think that if we know a lot about this phenomenon, it doesn’t matter that we have to stop the struggle against it, because racism is a sort of cancer that groove day by day, too hard to stop it.

Where do you get your information and facts from, that look beneath the surface?
Everyday we learn something to refuse…this evidence is in front of us daily but, of course, it depends by ours starting feelings or ours will to change: for example we must see the events on media shows for the accurate contrary than media industry prepare for us. Sometimes it seems that what is false is what has been present to you as the only chance for your real life, as your only social structure or your only kinder society. For example in Italy, it’s urgent to keep this faculty: to doubt about everything has been showed to you.


What do you think about the book Gomorra? Do you think it reflects the state of the Italian state and life in your country?
We did finish to read Gomorra’s book two or three months ago and it has been a sort of personal confirmation for some past( and present ) thoughts about Italy. Roberto Saviano speaks about Campania region especially, but we have Mafia in Sicilia and Sacra Corona Unita in Puglia. That’s not all, because each Italian citizen has one real enemy called Silvio Berlusconi with all from his mafious, corrupted and ULTRA XENOPHOBIC bastard government.

How did Straight Opposition come to existence?
S.O. come to life by the will of Luca ( guitar ), Ivan Parbone ( drums ) and me ( Ivan, vox ) to play urban music in a fast way with a critical attitude in the lyrics. After two years passed in studio to write songs we decide to start with live activity seriously since 2006. So, since 2006 we play everywhere to spread our message and rage. About studio’s work we have recorded the following releases: promo 2004 ( self produced ); step by step ( 2006/ Indelirium Records ); finish what you started split (2008 world appreciated kitsch, Greece ); gathered against mediocracy ( 2008, Indelirium Records ). Our whole discography it should be out in the both cd, due to the bldclot Record’s will to reissue it.

What's your approach as a band, what are your goals?
We want to tour everywhere and then we want to speak and sing fuckin loud with everybody we’ll meet in.

Who do you all consider your biggest musical influence(s) and how the hell have acts like Pet Shop Boys or Inxs had any impact on your sound?
We are influenced by a lot of fuckin cool bands like slapshot, knuckledust, strife, sick of it all, strife and a lot more too many to mention it. Anyway we listen don’t listen hardcore exclusively but we like rock, electronic and classic music also. About Prince or Inxs, ahahaha! These names was wrote on space just as kidding. They never was a direct influence for the straight opposition’s sound, even it could be very very interesting play like prince or boy george! Ahahahah!

What is it about hardcore that appeals to you?
Oh yeah a lot of elements, but especially 2 above the other ones: energy and intensity;

Do you have something like an early hardcore memory? Who were the bands that impressed you back in the days?
Yes of course, first of all it is important to say that we listen a lot of new hardcore bands than a lot of oldest. Personally, for example, I kept my preferences for old school or mid 90’s school that impress my self more than new kids ( maybe luca’s too ). So I adore: slapshot, youth of today, ss decontrol, rykers, bulldoze, 108, biohazard, strife, backfire!, sick of it all, uniform choice, unity, bold, napalm death, minor threat, and a lot more.

What made the bigger impression on you then - music or lyrics?
Beside music and lyrics, I think the theatrical way also to communicate some feelings. If you look for some singers like Jello Biafra or Jack Kelly, you’ll discover something’s new and really primitive about the way to represent theirselves with the own suggestions too.


Getting back to present times, is it fair to say that you are happy with the current state of hardcore scene and music?
As I said before, now things are different, that’s obvious! About current situation we didn’t ask seriously to our self if are we happy or not; maybe it depends by the current situation that we are living for in a particular moment. Maybe some experiences are good, sometimes bad too bud it’s very difficult to express any definite thought about it. Maybe I don’t like to look at kids who’s think that bands like Heaven shall burn or All shall perish plays really and uncompromising hardcore, but, ok…shit happens! Nowadays we have to remember that there’s no just one definition about hardcore but one thousand point of view about what is or what is not this music.

How’s the hardcore scene in Pescara like?
I’m not so much interested about my city. I have nothing to say, I’m sorry.


Any last words for the readers?
Yeahhh! We have the big wish to make a tour in your country! So, please, help us to book shows and prepare yourself to sing along…and at last but not least, support OLD SCHOOL HATE and those the kids who sacrifice their own life to keep real hardcore spirit alive!!!
CIAO E GRAZIE!!!
Ivan D.M. and Straight Opposition 2009;

Straight Opposition at myspace

Pre-order: xRepresentx - The New Inquisition

Click here to buy pre-order. Will ship on June 16th. All preorders will come with a free copy of the Seventh Dagger Fest DVD.

REPRESENT "THE NEW INQUISITION" TRACK LISTING
1. T.P.S.H.
2. SWIFT JUSTICE
3. TYRANT KING
4. THE LONG HAUL
5. SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
6. THE JOKER
7. END OF AN ERROR
8. OUT OF MIND
9. BONUS TRACK

True Valiance - Hooked On Revenge

True Valiance - Hooked On Revenge
Rucktion 2008

The opening riff on the first song sounds like taken straight from the Urban Discipline album (Punishment!!!) so I was immediately hyped about the rest of the record and even though it turned out to be less NYHC influenced that I thought, it still made a good impression on me.

True Valiance are from Bristol and have been around since 2006. I’ve heard people comparing them to bands like No Warning, One King Down, Earth Crisis or Until The End and I can agree they borrow some elements from all of these acts but they mix it up with style and skills . There are moments when NYHC seems to fit it, but then the breakdown comes giving it a strong new school feel in the end. Lyrically, with the album title like Hooked On Revenge and considering the rest of the bands on the Rucktion label, I was expecting some heavy thug guy stuff but it turned out to be more on the political side of the things. Some of the themes they deal with in their songs are racism, police state, apathy, society etc. There are only six tracks on the album so it doesn’t get tiresome but I wish they could diversify their songs a bit in the future so there could be more gems like You’ll Never Understand, an adrenaline filled orgy of mosh which alone makes it worth to get this album. It’s a good and solid record overall, but I just don't think this one shines like some of Rucktion’s other releases I’ve heard recently.


True Valiance@ Myspace
Rucktion

Death Threat to release Lost At Sea on Reaper Rec.

It is lived and it is loved. It is preached and it is followed. It is breathed, ate and slept. It is the life we have chosen. As the soundtrack of our lives, it offers relief from what ails and for Connecticut's DEATH THREAT it is an inextricable way of being. A statement of purpose that keeps the group coming together time and again. A big middle finger in the face of all adversity. A "1,2, fuck you!" to the weekend warriors and tourists. Since their inception, the group has had the ability to pull together myriad factions into a cohesive group, even if for only a precious half hour. Chalk this up to the group being both credible and humorous. What a concept! Just one listen to their debut release, 1998's "Last Days", and you know they're not here to fit into any preconceived molds. Follow it up with 2000's. "Peace And Security" and 2002's "God And Government" and you can see a group as it should be — growing in talent without abandoning its core mission. The bands 3rd full length, 2004's "Now Here Fast" is the prime example of a band's complete reanimation of there musical influences. Classic hardcore and punk chants, riffs and breakdowns, all in the signature DEATH THREAT style. Shortly after the release of "Now Here Fast", the group decided to fracture and pursue other individual ventures. A great document of this time is the release of the Price Of Pain/Crowns Of Kings split EP on Reaper Records. The two sides comprised the new projects of the DEATH THREAT family. 2009 will bring great things to the bands fans as the group is set to release its newest offering, "Lost At Sea". The recording is a 4-song kick to the eardrum. A return to form by the band that helped knock a genre on its ass. This year will bring many live appearances by the band.

Sworn Enemy - new song & Blood For Blood cover

Now, SWORN ENEMY has returned with a scathing new assault that is unquestionably their most impressive and destructive release yet. This opus takes the group’s sound to new heights, which sees them embracing a thrashier edge and pummeling the listener with unrivaled aggression at times reminiscent of thrash titans like Exodus and Testament, as well as early Megadeth and Anthrax. “Total World Domination” was co-produced once again by As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis and the renowned Daniel Castleman (Destroy The Runner, Winds Of Plague).

Death Before Dishonor's "Better Ways To Die" to be released on July 28th

Death Before Dishonor's new album "Better Ways To Die" has been scheduled for a July 28th release date through Bridge Nine.

Wisdom In Chains inked a deal with I Scream Records

I Scream Records is very excited and proud to welcome Wisdom In Chains to the ISR family. Founded in early-2003, as a musical collaboration between musicians from both America and Europe, Wisdom In Chains have put their mark on the American and European hardcore, punk and Oi! scene. Richie and Mad Joe, who at the time both were in Krutch ("Whatever It Takes" released on I Scream Records in 2002) started Wisdom In Chains with Maarten from the Dutch band Daredevil and today, five years, three studio albums and some members changes later, Wisdom In Chains are recording a brand new album this Summer which will see a worldwide release this fall.

Brick

Name: Mitch Olshansky

Location: The City of Firsts, Maryland

Active since: May 2008

How do you define your overall style?
Hard to say, man...we pull influences from a lot of places. clevo/nyhc meets haymaker with sprinklings of thrash metal and some baltimore flavor...or something...

Whats your goal with this band?
To continue spreading the hardcore reality

What do you have recorded so far?
Demo/7'' ep and a comp song. We are very close to finishing our first full length. fuckin "stoked" yo!

What are the origins of Brick?
Shrouded in mystery.

When did you start a band and what was the reason to do it?
We started Brick exactly 1 year ago and just wanted to rage. After quitting previous bands, we decided to combine vibes and make Brick. Nah mean.

How do you feel about your track on Mercy For None compilation?
Yo that song was cool, but we went through a lot of difficulties getting it done. Long story, but in the end i think we made a pretty sweet raw track.

Are you guys happy with the outcome?
Yeah

What are your favorite tracks off the album?
Off Mercy For None? Personally...the Unforgiven track kicks my ass every time i hear it.

What are the most inspiring things for you when you write songs?
Distress and paranoia that runs through my head on a daily basis. Anxiety. I think about each song in a different way, guitar-wise. Sometimes I want to create a tense atmosphere and sometimes I want people to feel like they drove 75 mph(120 km/hr haha) into a brick wall. And listening to all kinds of music.


Your music got some modern touch to it but I guess we can agree that compared to the bands like i.e. Hatebreed It’s still pretty traditional hardcore. How do you feel about hardcore music today, especially things like death/metal core or emo stuff.
I feel the same about hardcore music today as I did 8 years ago. It still moves me in the same ways. I have no problem with death/metalcore/emo or whatever. Shitty music is going to always exist, who cares. The only thing about those kind of bands that pisses me off is when they try to use hardcore as a stepping stone to climb up some high wobbly trendy ladder and then hop on the next big thing. Real hardcore music will always exist. Its stood the test of time for the last 30 years.

Whats the best and the worst thing about being in the hardcore band?
The Best thing - playing music I've wanted to play since 9th grade with some of my best friends. Hanging out everywhere and making new friends all over and creating this alternate punk rock reality to the daily bullshit.
The Worst thing - I feel pretty lucky to be involved in this band, so I dont think theres really a "worst thing" about it.

What's the status of your relationship with Reaper Records?
Patrick Kitzel is the man. He's been very supportive of us. He wanted us to do the song and we agreed instantly. Support Reaper.

Any future collaborations?
Who knows. It would be cool.

You’re from Baltimore, how’s the hardcore/punk scene doing over there?
I love it here. There's really no other place I'd rather be. The hardcore scene is fuckin dope. We have many active venues and lots of shows constantly. Lots of awesome bands are from here. At the same time, since there are so many shows happening all the time, its hard to get kids to come out so frequently, but all in all...Baltimore is on top of shit. New bands to get into: TREASON, CRINGE, PLAGUELAND, BET THE DEVIL, PALA and SELF-INFLICTED. Pulling Teeth! Stout! Deathammer! Oak! Mindset! Deep Sleep! Alarmed! One Step Too Many! New TUI. New Surroundings. New Ruiner. SUPPORT A389 Records!! Baltimore 2k9 on Top!!

What are your plans for the future?
Full Length coming out on PANIC RECORDS! (hopefully by early summer). After that...maybe a split or ep. WORD LIFE. PEACE LOVE JAH. SHOUT OUTS TO DIRTY MONEY AND PAIN RUNS DEEP!

Check out Brick at: http://www.myspace.com/brickmd

Nowhere Bound

Name:
Jaaron - I'm Jaaron and I play guitar in Nowhere Bound.
I'm Ryan- I sing. Jaaron also is in charge of giving me shit constantly via text message about how I never do anything for this band. lol.

Location:
Jaaron - We are from Chicago and Northwest Indiana (which is chicago suburbs basically)

Active since:
Jaaron - We've been a band for just a few months now, since October 2008...but we've all been around for years and years in a handful other bands including Blood In/Blood Out and From The Chest.

How would you describe the music you play?
Ryan- Suppose you could label it hardcore. But this band has a way different feel than anything else I've been involved with. It reminds me of Cold As Life meets Ringworm meets Wisdom in Chains, personally. I think it's too early to say, though. Dave & Jaaron wrote 2 more songs that I haven't heard. They say it sounds like Bad Religion, which can't be a bad thing. I think the one thing we had in mind for this band was to do whatever WE wanted & not get caught up with what the "scene" wanted or liked, or what anyone expected us to sound like compared to any other bands we've done. They may kick me out soon though, so their next record may be an instrumental.hahaha

What do you have recorded so far?
Jaaron - We've just recorded our first demo 2 months ago. Thats all we have so far.

I’m going to start by asking you why Blood In Blood Out decided to take an infinite break?
Jaaron - well we've done Blood In/Blood Out for like 7 years now and we've been at it pretty hard playing a shit load of weekends and shows left and right, and i guess it took its toll on some of us and our family life. Shit started falling apart for some of us on the home front, and we needed some well deserved time away from the band. And the band was just becoming not fun anymore, and whats the point of being in a band when it isnt fun anymore....so it was obvious we all needed time away from Blood In/Blood Out


Getting back to Nowhere Bound, how did you guys find each other and decide to start a band?
Jaaron - Dave and I were in Blood In/Blood Out together, and we weren't doin' shit anymore really with BIBO so we decided we didn't wanna sit around and wait for stuff to get goin' again with that, so we started looking for a drummer for a side project band. We found this kid, Cary, at a bar at a punk show, exchanged numbers, and started jamming soon after that.
We got to work on songs and a got feel for Cary's drum playing then we started thinkin about who would sing. One night at our buddy's party we asked Ryan, who was a friend of ours that sang in Chicago Hardcore band FROM THE CHEST, if he was down for doin' a side band....and he was down. And Jake, who was in Blood In/Blood Out too but had moved to Denver to play with FIGHT LIKE HELL then to Florida to play in KNOW THE SCORE, he decided to move back home to Indiana and we talked to him about playing in our new band NOWHERE BOUND when he came back,and he was down...so he joined up.

Fight music for the fighters or love music for the lovers – which of these better describes Nowhere Bound?
Ryan- I think fight for what you love fits us best. Although Dave is an extraordinary lover.

How do you think the new band compares to your previous projects?
Jaaron - Well we aren't kids no more, we know what we like and don't like by now. So we aren't wasting time tryin' to find our sound. Speaking from my point of view and my bands I can say that I'm excited as shit about this band. The songs are short and sweet and don't get boring. Prior bands I've been in, songs drag on and there is lots of growing documented in my old bands cds.
Ryan- Agreed. I have no patience. Sometimes I think that's why punk & core appealed to me so much. No fat. Just in your face & then done. That's what's great about NB is I never know what I'm gonna get.

How do you go about writing lyrics? Is there any message you’re trying to present to your listeners?
Ryan- There is nothing worse than some retard with a microphone gracing you with his so called "knowledge" of how life works & how you should live it. Being in a band does not give you the right to preach to anyone. Hardcore to me has always been about struggling to find your way. The band Dillinger Four said it best "in this frustration we find our salvation". I can't stand bands that try to write extra "tough" mosh lyrics either. I can't identify with that. I try to write about real things. Things that might even be embarrassing to admit about choices I've made & how I rose above it...or didn't & lost at the game of life. The demo ranges from songs about organized religion, to depression & feeling downright worthless, to my recent divorce, & ends with a song dealing with abandonment by people who really influenced me & once looked up to. I think people identify way more with a band that focuses on their own struggles, instead of pointing the finger at what everybody else is fucking doing wrong. Take care of your own bullshit. Writing lyrics is more of a self medication to quiet the constant mess in my head.


How many shows did you play already? What is the craziest thing that ever happened at one of your shows?
Jaaron - well this band has only just played our first show recently. but as far as craziest thing ive seen at a show was when Blood In/Blood Out played with One For All and Pride Kills in Arkansas.....Pride Kills played before us and a fucking riot broke out basically. no one was safe at this show. Tables and chairs were flying everywhere. people had bats and were breaking shit. i was like jesus, how the hell are we gonna play after this....so we set up and we started playing, and he Pride Kills guys came right up into the middle of the floor with a cinder block and smashed it on the ground and started throwing chunks at everyone and then everyone started detroying everything once again. craziest shit i ever saw at a show....indescribable really.

You guys are not a newcomers to the scene. How do you keep from getting burnt out after all these years of playing?
Jaaron - Honestly its hard. Cause i pretty much hate every new band that comes out almost. My guitarist is always suggesting new bands to listen to and i am always saying "Nope dont wanna hear em". I Cant stand these stupid fuckin "hype" bands that come out....like bands that everyone is buzzin about. Usually these bands suck. With all that being said when we meet bands and hang with em at and after shows, i see what kinda people they are and that goes a long way for me. that is what gets me interested in new bands - hanging with em. and that also keeps me into he scene and not burning out on it....the friends we make along the way, the people we get to see from time to time when they role thru our town for a show and get to party with us.
Ryan- I think taking myself less seriously helps me stay focused. You have to realize that all the tough guy attitudes, clicks & scene politics is all bullshit. People try way too hard to be "hardcore". You are not cooler than anyone because you play a basement show on a Tuesday night to 18 people in a shitty neighborhood. File that under no one gives a shit. That takes away from why we're all here & involved. Not gonna get too posi here, but do what you love & appreciate the moment. Question everything. Be able to get hit in the face & laugh. Let's face it...No one involved in hardcore is a normal functioning human. We are all fucked in our own way. That alone gives us a common bond & will keep this shit going.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the hardcore scene? What are the most and least rewarding aspect of it?
Jaaron - To be part of the hardcore scene is awesome....but sometimes it sucks. Cause now its starting to get watered down alot with the popularity of mainstream bands that are calling themselves hardcore and actual hardcore bands becoming popular via the accessiblity thru the internet. Its ruff business to accept people in hardcore anymore when there are so many fly by night people that are just riding a fashion craze or a passing fad. The most rewarding aspect of hardore to me is, like i said before, the friends you meet that you normally wouldnt have met.

When was the last time you heard something that truly amazed you when it comes to hardcore? How do you feel about the current state of hardcore and where do you see it heading?
Jaaron - Truely amazed....hmmmmm....thats tuff, id have to say either when Palehorse - Secrets Within Secrets first came out, or when Death Defore Dishonor - True Till Death came out....both were fucking amazing cds to me tht inspired me to write and made me happy to be involved in hardcore. The Current state of hardcore is scary, but its getting better slowly. For a while here hardcore was getting goofy with the make-up and girl pants and white belts and girl hair cuts. Some of that shit is slowly disappearing. all these kids that do this shit are the same kids who were limp biscuit rap rockers a couple years ago, and then faded into girl pant wearing metal hardcoe dudes....and now they are all fading into thrash metal revival dudes. It makes ya hate hardcore kids sometimes cause they all seem like trend hoppers that just drop yesterdays news and pickup where the new trend is these days. But im seeing more and more kids that seem like they're passionate about doin shows and getting involved with hardcore in general these days. so shits gettin better i think.
Ryan- I'd have to say Blacklisted "The Beat Goes On..." I remember seeing them at The Heist in Chicago 5 years ago. I think it was the 1st time they played here. I picked up "Our Youth is Wasted" after their set & thinking "Fuck, this band could be really important". I always identified with George's lyrics & could feel the self doubt & loathing as if it was my own. I think he takes chances lyrically & puts himself out there. I always respected that. "Beat" is fucking explosive & unpredictable. That's one record that I feel captures that sense of urgency & chaos.

Whats playing on your stereo the most at the moment?
Jaaron - right now im listening to alot of Bad Religion, Doomhammer, Negative Approach, Government Issue, Circle Jerks, Operation Ivy, Suffocation, Testament ....to name a few.
Ryan- Face to Face, Jawbreaker, Mouth Piece, Avail, D4, Neutral Milk Hotel.

How do you feel about Indiana hard core scene at the moment? Any bands worth mentioning?
Jaaron - Kids are starting to come out to shows more. Young kids are steppin up and booking shows and doin shit to make the scene better, rather than just sit back and have us older dudes do everything. kids are bringing in good touring bands, that are actually worth a fuck, these days too. bands worth mentioning are Any Given Second, After The Quarrel (Blood In/Blood Out's merch guys band), Choking On Reality, Iceberg, The Rise of The Fallen, The Killer, Convicted, Doomhammer, Chasin' The Dragon, Duress, Harm's Way.

All right, could you give us the rundown, what are your future plans with the band?
Jaaron - honestly i personally have no clue, we are taking this band day to day really....nothing is outta the question. We have a couple of labels we are talkin with now about a release in the future. so as of right now we are writing a bunch of stuff and getting ready to start playin a shit load of shows.

Thanx for the interview, anything else you would like to add?
Jaaron - check out our myspace myspace.com/nowhereboundmwhc for anything coming up with us in the future.

Billy Club Sandwich - The Usual Suspects

Billy Club Sandwich - The Usual Suspects
Rucktion 2008

Billy Club Sandwich is one of bands that can’t fall off both lyrically and musically if they tried. After listening to this album for the last few days, I have to say this one of the most interesting and intense things I’ve heard recently.

Tracks switch from the typical angry and in your face NYHC to ruthless mosh parts to straight up metal. It’s amazing how smoothly everything flows and it’s good to see the band still got the sense of humor and don’t take this shit too serious, especially when it comes to artwork. There are many bands doing this type of shit nowadays but even with good skills and ideas, many times they end up sounding not all that different from each other. That’s not the case with BCS. When you listen to any of the song off The Usual Suspects, you know who you’re listening to. Like on their previous albums, this one got some lyrics written in Spanish and I couldn’t not mention the cover of Ready To Halt by Sheer Terror. The Usual Suspects is a record that displays that BCS don’t give a fuck about anything or anyone and just focus on perfecting their own craft of bringing the hardest and meanest songs they can bring.


Billy Club Sandwich @ Myspace

Endless Desire - Moonstruck

Endless Desire - Moonstruck
Spook 2009

I bought this CD not knowing much about the band and it's come to be one of my favorites records that came from this part of the world lately. Music wise, this one is a little bit on the heavy side of things, but while you listen to it you know this is still a hardcore record not a metal album.

So, what do we have here? Endless Desire comes through Moonstruck with a powerful combination of savagery and rage. 10 tracks filled with enormous head stomping guitar riffs and punishing drums. You get harsh, angry vocals backed by a solid, creative musicianship. From the first track they speed up the pace and don’t let go till the end. The songs on this album are straight and to the point with furious fast parts and neck breaking breakdowns which is just the way I like it. I know it starts to sound like I’m paid to advertise this CD but believe me, I really tried to find something to pick about but despite few minor flaws, nothing really bothers me with this cd. There’s always a need for a bands that keep it aggressive but still and surprising so if you’re in the mood for some mosh action, give it a try.


Endless Desire @ Myspace

Shorter Than Fast - HxC

Shorter Than Fast - HxC
DIY 2009

I gotta be honest, I don’t listen that much to youth crew/positive old school hardcore anymore, at least not as much as I used to. Times when I’m in the mood for this type of stuff are few and far between, but when it comes, Shorter Than Fast is not a bad option.

They’ve been around since 2003 and beside this EP have released a demo in 2006 and appeared on two hardcore compilations. I can sense a lot of dedication and sincerity in what they do. The band’s bio says they take inspirations from bands like Kid Dynamite, Raised Fist and Stand And Fight and even if I wouldn’t say they’re as good as their influences, it’s still a good listen. This four-piece’s sound is best described as positive old school hardcore. They sing in French and I agree it works great for them. The EP consists of 6 tracks and if I had to choosew the best one, I would go for the opening one called Vie Moderne, which is just a fast paced hardcore track but with nice build up at the beginning and guitar hook that makes it stand out. Overall, if you like this type of stuff you should give it a try. And if you know French and like to sing a long, make sure to check em out on stage cause these songs are just made for live performance. Personally, Shorter Than Fast impresses, but lacks the musical prowess to really make my jaw drop.

Shorter Than Fast @ Myspace

Kickback signs to GSR records, No Surrender out this June

Some bands are famous, others are infamous and Kickback from Paris, the latest signing to the GSR roster, are most definitely the latter.

With a history that is rife with controversy, violence and hatred along with a middle finger and fuck you attitude to the hardcore scene that spawned them, Kickback return with their first album in almost 10 years titled No Surrender. As one of the first bands to fuse metal and hardcore, Kickback continue where they left off and all 11 songs on No Surrender are fuelled by the hate that drives them. Stephen's vocals are as raw and pissed off as they ever were, spitting venom and rage with every twisted line of contempt. The music is a barrage of metallic riffing and thunderous drumming that lurches with groove forcing you to bang your head. With a history that spans almost 20 years and with thousands of records sold worldwide this is a much anticipated release for many people and is a continuation of the band's already powerful and destructive legacy. Kickback are very much back on the map and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2009 when thoughts and ideas have become weak and watered down and an attitude of following the leader with a sheep like mentality has become the norm, Kickback are here to tip the scales and upset the balance. No Surrender is just that and more and with a standpoint of Forever War, let the controversy continue.

No surrender will be out on June 12th 2009.

Stigmata: albums re-issue and reunion shows this summer

I Scream Records is releasing "The Wounds That Never Heal", a re-issue of the Stigmata albums "Hymns For An Unknown God" and "Do Unto Others", on June 9th 2009, the year Stigmata is doing a few reunion shows to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The band officially stopped performing in 2001 (although doing 2 exclusive shows in 2005 and 1 in 2008) and Stigmata alumni have gone on to make big musical waves with the likes of Shadows Fall, Murderers Row, Great Day For Up, Dead Rabbits, Crisis, to name a few.

This is a collection of two hardcore legacy, hard to find albums with a total of 20 solid, in-your-face, no-holds-barred hardcore tracks, and 1 extra bonus track, all for the price of one CD!

Stigmata ruled the Upstate New York hardcore and metal scene with their street smart, musical urban warfare and have developed a strong and loyal following in the underground hard music scene.

This is without a doubt THE album that can get the job done if you are in need of a heavy music fix with attitude!!

Stigmata will play with the original line-up at the 2009 Black 'n Blue bowl on May 30th in Brooklyn, NY. Make sure to go check them out!

Eulogy Recordings signed xTyrantx

Eulogy Recordings is very proud to announce the signing of Detroit's xTYRANTx. Eulogy will re-release "Prepare For Devastation" on July 7, 2009.

Commented bassist Chris Zomerfeld "We a re real ly excited to be working with Eulogy Recordings. With a great roster, and the push to get our sound out to the right people its a perfect match. It is important for us to be involved with a label that has been dominant in hardcore for so many years, so we lo ok forward to the partnership. We've already started writing our upcoming EP to be released on Eulogy, and I'm excited to say its the heaviest, hardest, energetic music we've ever wrote."

Added Eulogy owner John Wylie "We are very proud to give "Prepare For Devastation" a proper release worldwide for xTYRANTx. Their music is brutal and their message is about as sincere as you can get. We were very excited when they contacted us and we're happy to have them as part of the Eulogy family."

Bio:
You've heard the rumors, most of them are true. There are very few bands around in today's hardcore scene that will stand up for what they believe in, and live the lives they preach, but thats exactly what you'll get with xTYRANTx. With a line up of hardcore veterans from a long list of classic bands from the Detroit area you’ll get a refined sound with music that will not disappoint. After many years of hard work, the band signed to Eulogy Recordings for a re-release of "Prepare for Devastation", and they’ve begun writing an album that will prove to be the band’s most anticipated, energy packed, fast, heavy, and hard hitting record yet. The infamous, the respected, the feared, xTYRANTx.

Lineup:
John Music - Vocals
Dave Hayes - Vocals
Brad Walker - Guitar
TJ Ulin - Guitar
Chris Zomerfeld - Bass
Joe Sucaet - Drums

Myspace: www.myspace.com/xtyrantx

Bun Dem Out - Perucho's Tale

New song by xDeviantx

xDeviantx from Ukraine has posted new song on their profile called Keep It Alive. Take a listen to it here.

Wreckonize

Name: Wreckonize

Location:Italy-Ancona

Active since: 2006

How do you define your overall style?
It’s not easy to define our style, we don’t have a precise definition, sure we arent beat down or metalcore, our ispiration is all good bands present or past. Bands that most inspired us are from NY in 80-90’s, so maybe our style could be like NYHC.

What do you have recorded so far?
We just finished to record a new demo, it will be oh myspace soon, and it can be downloadable our first demo of 3 songs.

Tell the history of the band. How and when did it started?
We began to play in 2006, in 2007 we fixed the members of the band, and then we recorded our first demo of 3 songs, after some shows and some time to create new songs at the end of 2008 we recorded again and the work will be out in 2009.

What’s been happening with the bands since the demo came out?
It's thanks to the first demo that we could know new people around italy having shows. Now we hope that with that new demo we can do the same..ahahah

Were you in any other groups before you hooked up as Wreckonize?
Yes, each of us had previous bands, but now is our that goes on, unfortunately others broke up.

Where is the band from and what is the music scene like there? What is 071HARDCORE crew?
We are from ancona, in the center of italy, the initial scene of our city allowed us to form wrockonize, bands that were there before us gave also a hand both to play and for some other stuff. 071hardcore is nothing but the name of our “crew”, few persons continue to believe in this music and lifestyle, fortunately our scene seems to create, and we hope to do our best to carry it on.

Is there any story or concept behind the title Wreckonize?
No, there isn’t…

Where do you get your ideas and inspirations for the song lyrics?
Lyrics come only from things that happen in our everyday life, no crap…only real life.

What are the best and worst aspects of being a part of hardcore scene? What do you love and what do you hate?
It’s a difficult question…it’s not easy to say what we love of hardcore and what we hate. We don’t like italian hardcore scenery…too much little realities spread all over the country and often those are very different. Somewhere there are only beat down bands, and somewhere only metalcore, and the majority of times those bands are too simple…fortunately is not always like this, there are still valid groups that continue their style without falling into simplicity, this is the characteristic that make a group valid.



What are you feeling that's big right now when it comes to hardcore? Are you guys into beatdown, metalore, emocore or any of those styles?
No we don’t like nothing of this. Fortunately in our city there aren’t none of those styles, but if there were, we would respect them, everyone must do what he likes and what he wants.

What’s happening in the Italian hardcore scene right now kids in other parts of the world should check out?
As I said before we don’t like Italian scenery

Which movies have made the greatest impact upon you? ?
hahahahahah porn movie of course, then splatter, horror movies and trash italian movies from 80-90’s.

Shout outs and/or last comments?
Yes, i’d like to thank you for this interview and for the chance that you gave us, then we want to great all people that support us and thank to all those who read that interview or who downloaded our demo…get ready to the new one!!

You can find Wreckonize here.

”Behind Obstacles Lies Truth” by Bolt

Helsinki’s hardest are back at it. ”Behind Obstacles Lies Truth”, the new full length album by Bolt, is yet another impressive epitome in the band's twelve year long career. It’s also yet another step forward musically, ideologically, and in terms of production. With added harmony, greater impingement, and undeniable musicianship, the band have once again reset their standards.

http://www.myspace.com/boltstyle

Straight Opposition's complete discography available now

OUT NOW FOR BLDCLOTH ( Bulgaria ) A VERY SPECIAL REISSUE OF ALL STRAIGHT OPPOSITION DISCOGRAPHY CALLED " 20 STEPS ON MEDIOCRACY ", STARTING FROM THE FIRST PROMO ( d.i.
y 2004 ) TO THE LAST EP "GATHERED AGAINST MEDIOCRACY"( Indelirium Records 2008 ) , FOR A TOTAL OF 20 TRACKS FROM THE PESCARA HARDCORE BAND!

http://www.myspace.com/bldclotclothing

Furious Styles - Menace

The Furious Styles - Menace
Eulogy 2008

I just hate when such a great band like Furious Styles puts out a great record like Menace and then disappears leaving me with no chance to check these songs live. It’s really fucked up what they did!

Furious Styles is one of the bands that carve their own lane in lyrics and music. It’s not your typical NYHC record, it’s not your average old school, new school or whatever album. It is apparent throughout the album that the band has it’s own flow and stands out in the crowded hardcore scene of today. Just listen to the songs like Rat Poison or Stillbirth and you’ll get what I mean. What also stands out is the sincerity in the lyrics. With a machine gun flow singer Michaels spits out tales of fake friendships, broken dreams, empty promises, living a fucked up live and police oppression of course. I guess many of us can relate to this stuff. Production helps Menace a lot. It’s way more raw and dirty than before and that’s something I really missed on Life Lessons. The sound is meaty and clear enough to know what’s going on, but at the same time without getting overpolished. Overall, Menace combine the hard hitting song writing with some good old styled ‘fuck the world’ lyrics and is one of the few CDs I’ve heard recently that I simply love every track on. From start to the finish they keep the adrenaline level high and Menace ends up being an extremely powerful album!

PS. Did I mention ACAB cover by you know who? No other track could fit more on this record!



Furious Styles @ Myspace

Strength For A Reason news

The new full-length cd 'Burden Of Hope' will be officially released June 1st on Filled With Hate Records. It will be available through our webstore as well as the FWH e-store.


The split 7' with No Turning Back on Filled With Hate Records will be officially released on May 2nd. It features 2 new songs from each band and is a limited edition picture record. It will be available through our webstore and the FWH e-store on May 2nd.


The split 7' with Cold World on As One Records will be released this May on As One Records. It features 2 new songs from each band and is a limited edition colored vinyl release. It will be available through our webstore and As One Records this May.


We are working on a webstore portal to bring everything together in one place for people to find SFAR merch easily. The webstore can be accessed from our Myspace page, but it is currently under construction. As for right now, the link for our shirt distributor's SFAR page can be accessed.


The SFAR / Cheap Thrills European summer tour is coming quick. Dates are being finalized and there will be alot of news coming shortly. For the latest info, check out the official tour page at http://www.myspace.com/sfarct2009.

Barricade - Michelle

Deven

Name: Deven

Location: Namur/Charleroi (Belgium)

Active since: 2003

How do you define your overall style?
All school hardcore!!! We have so many different influences... so, we try to mix them the best way we can.. when you listen to the demo, there are songs that are completely newschool with moshparts, some others are definitely old school & most of them mix the whole shit.. you know, we don't want to play a sound that's always sounding the same... So, we decided to mix it all & to qualify it as « All school hardcore »...


Whats your goal with this band?
We have no specific goal. We just want to play the music we love, to share our point of view, our values or our frustrations, but always if we're having fun in doing what we do. Our songs talk about friendship, disgusts and hopes for this world, staying true to ourselves,.. You know, the usual stuffs.. That's usual, but that means so much to us...

What do you have recorded so far?
«Demo 2004 » (unreleased, kept in a secret place for the good health of everyone, ahah! ), « Eat a pitbull and become a super hero » (2005), « Games Are Over » (2008).

Why did you choose to release "Games Are Over" by yourself?
We have no label & we're not especially looking for it... So we decided to make it DIY.. According to us, that's the first demo we recorded that reflects the sound we want to play... We are proud of that demo and want people to hear it.. That's why we share it in free download..

Any favorite songs off the album that really stand out for you?
If we had to choose, we'd say « Hardcore Family » & « All United As One ». We like the mass sing along on them, especially in the shows... But in each songs, there's a part we particularly like... So we may say that we stand out for all of them...

You’ve got a song called Hardcore Family. Do you think that such a feeling of unity is still present in the scene?
It can shock some people but : « Definitely, no we don't ». Nowadays, when you go to a show, there are always some fights. A crew against another crew, a band of brothers against another band of bros. We're young (average 22), we didn't live the true unity that you could see like 15 years ago (not even sure it truly existed..). So we can't talk about it... But nowadays, when you're in a show, all you can see is a competition between people.. « Hardcore Family » is not a song about the unity in the scene. It's about the unity between us, the unity with our friends, our families and few bands that became friends. Unity exists but not with everyone... and that's the same message in « All united as one ». The sing along is « Hardcore family united for party », we try to make people understand that they come to a show to have fun, not to find enemies... you know, it's a « party song », hehe. We feel so glad when people come to sing with us.. for few seconds, they're not there for violence but for fun..

Where are you guys from? How did the band get started?
We began in March 2003. At the beginning, every members were from the area around Namur. We were 5 members: Thomas (vocals), Pierre and Olivier (guitars), Charles (bass) and Denis (drums). We were relatively young, the average age being 16 years old, and we didn't really know each others. We shared a similar ambition : a desire to create a powerful sound. So, Deven's story began. We had like 20 shows with this line up, played with bands such as Broken oath, Burning Skies, Arkangel, Surge of fury,... & recorded 2 demos (that are not in anyway what we're playing today). Then, in 2007, the group’s line-up is modified due to the drummer’s departure. Two Violent Thought members (from Charleroi's area) are integrated, bringing their influences at the same time: Julien as second vocalist and Kacem as the new drummer. Few months later, we recorded « Games Are Over ».

What are your primary musical influences?
uh.. seriously, we can't say.. Hardcore, for sure.. but we like so many type of music.. from true hardcore to punk/oi to thrashcore to new school to beatdown to metalcore to deathcore to metal to hip-hop... It depends of the members! If we should choose some bands, we'd say Agnostic front, Madball, Terror, Knuckledust, Sick of it all, Backfire!, Settle the score, Discipline, Warzone, Die...my demon, Shattered realm, Walls of jericho, CDC, Murder practice, Nasty, Blood for Blood, Broken oath, Ninebar, Pitboss 2000, Trash Talk, Extortion, Pushed too far, Surge of fury, Bun dem out, TRC, Six ft ditch, Parkway drive, All shall perish, As blood runs black, Waking the cadaver,.. So many different styles and so many other bands that influence us, we can't choose!

What do you reckon are the most exciting bands on the French hardcore scene?
We're belgian (hehe) (sorry guys, my mistake!! - Dloogi), so on the (active) belgian scene, we'd say Pushed too far, Nasty, Surge of fury, Deviate, The set-up, Reproach, True colors,... but check our friends from Dirty fingers, Truth in blood (side project of some Deven's members, hehe), Boxing crime, Glory goes down, The last shot of war,... For France we'd say: Danforth, Alea jacta est, None shall be saved, Kickback, Kill for peace, Providence, Tiger Joe, Back 2 Fist,...

What are the future plans for the band?
Just keeping it up and real! We're working on new songs... Not really sure when we're going to record them and what we're going to do with them.. maybe a split cd or another mcd.. who knows, maybe a full lenght later!... We just can wait to finish the set, then we'll make more shows and look for shows in farthest place..

Deven at myspace

Know Your Rules

As I can tell from KYR, we played a lot of shows and drove hundreds of kilometres and when we arrived there were about 10 people in the club or the show was bad, the sound was really shitty and you didn't get enough money for the fuel at the end of the show. This shit really fucks you up. But you have to go on! You have to get respect and and a name with your band and that can't happen without playing shows. And it doesnt matter if there are 10 poeple or 400, if there are the right people, you will have a great show.
How long have Know Your Rules been going for now?
We exist since early 2007. After a few lineup changes in the beginning, the line up was complete in spring of 2007 and we continued to write songs and looked for shows. A few month later we had enough stuff and we played our first show in November 2007.

When and why came the decision to start the band?
We have played in different bands before, but that wasn't quite the music we really wanted to make. And because we were pretty much the only people in our area that listened to hardcore we got together pretty quickly. After a few jam-sesions together we saw that it worked out well and decided to get things on.

Could you explain the meaning behind the name Know Your Rules?
It stands for what it says. Know Your Rules! I think that the meaning is, be shure about your rules and the things that you want to achieve in your life. And never give it up for someone or something, you have to always remember your rules and the things that are important for you in your live. Always keep struggling and hold on to your values and rules. That signifies and is Know Your Rules!

How would you describe your bands style? It’s a beatdown music for sure but what bands have influenced your sound?
Oh my god. There are lot of bands that influenced us! I think every band member has got his own special bands wich influenced them. But i would say that our style is influenced by bands like Shattered Realm, On a warpath, Kickback, Death Before Dishonor, Nasty, OLD Sworn Enemy, OLD Hatebreed, Embraced By Hatred and a lot of Old School stuff like 25 Ta Life, Anger Miami Fl., Madball and some Metal stuff and a little bit Rap!

What are you hoping to accomplish with The Loyalty?
We wanted to release a Demo to show the people what we are all about and what we sound like.

What was the reason to release it DIY?
We are a young band, Loyalty was our first record ever. So we had no music out before Loyalty and it's not easy to get a good label when you have no demos to make an impression. That's why we released it DIY, it was the best and easiest way for our first Demo CD. And now the people know us and our music. But we are searching for a label. So if you have a label, check us out, get in touch with us and offer us a good deal.

What's the general response been like to this release?
The response to Loyalty is very good. There are a lot of our very first songs on this Demo and we get a lot of positive feedback. We are satisfied with the response. When we where recording it we never thought of it being sold in Europe, America and Japan through distros. That was a major success for us.

Care to give us some insight into the lyrical content of the album?
The lyrics are about many things. Most about personal wars, to hold on to your friends and family, never give up and other stuff like this. But if you wanna know more, buy our record and listen to it! So you can make your own content of our lyrics.

You guys have played a lot of shows. How important do you feel it is for a hardcore band to get on the stage and perform?
I think it's defenetly the most important thing to play shows. You have to play shows as often as it you can, especialy in the early days of your band. Cause it's good chance to get connection to some important people for you and your band. Sometimes it's hard in the beginnig for a band. As I can tell from KYR, we played a lot of shows and drove hundreds of kilometres and when we arrived there were about 10 people in the club or the show was bad, the sound was really shitty and you didn't get enough money for the fuel at the end of the show. This shit really fucks you up. But you have to go on! You have to get respect and and a name with your band and that can't happen without playing shows. And it doesnt matter if there are 10 poeple or 400, if there are the right people, you will have a great show. And last but not least I think it should be the best thing ever to play shows for you and your band. Cause if it's not, you're in the wrong buisness!

What is the craziest thing that ever happened at one of your shows?
We've expierienced quite a lot of strange shit. From accidents on the way to a show over venues without backline and everything else to crazy old people in the pit. You'll never be bored with us...hahaha

German hardcore scene is very strong nowadays and with some many bands around it’s probably hard for the young bands to get noticed. How supportive is the hardcore scene in Germany to upcoming bands like yours?
It's true there are a lot of bands around in Germany. Every Myspace-victim can meet up with his Internetfriends and make a "brutal-faggot-smashing-cunt-slapping-beatdown-hardcore-band" and be the Kings of Kindergarden. There are hundreds of bands in germany but only a handfull of good ones. But I think if you are good and dedicated to what you do, you will get noticed, cause people will notice that you're serious about what you're doing.

What's the relation between hardcore and hip hop scene in Germany?
I don't think that the Hip-Hop scene in Germany is supportive to the Hardcorescene, because most of the Hip-Hop-Guys don't even know about Hardcore. On the other way around many Hardcore-Guys know about Hip-Hop and listen to it. So I'd much rather say that HC is supportive to Hip Hop.

Why do you think beatdown hardcore got so much popular in Germany?
I don't know and I don't care! But yeah beatdown is hyped in germany in the last years. And that fucks me up...haha Maybe it is cause a lot of very good beatdown hardcore bands worldwide are from germany. But I think that all the beatdown trend kids/bands are about to die out. I don't wanna say that all the new beatdown bands are fake or not real, but I don't like people or bands who do it because it is trend. And when the hype is over, they are gone and angry with oneselves because now they listen to electro or whatever but they got their 25mm plugs, their piercings and tattoos cause they where so true back then, when they were hardcore.

What was the worse hardcore fashion you’ve ever witnessed at the show?
I don't know. I guess I just hate all those fashion-victims that wanna look like clones and who do things because they apply to be "cool" or "scene" or whatever. Just do your own thing and don't imitate others but be yourself.

What can we expect from Know Your Rules in the near future?
We are writing new stuff. We are developing in songwriting and lyrically. Our Bassplayer just left the Band so there are some Line-Up-Changes to come. As mentioned above we are looking for a label. Of course we want to play as much shows as possible. So drop us a line if you've got something for us. We'll play everywhere for fuel-money and beer. Maybe there'll be a split or some kind of output from us in 2009. So keep your eyes and ears open...

Know Your Rules at Myspace