Still my favorite band

Burning Bridges - Demo

Oh, hey, a blog entry! I feel like every time that either Zack or myself update this bad boy for the first time in months, we have to draw attention to it. It is kind of like when you are in one of those awkward situations and you have to be the asshole that goes and makes things even more uncomfortable by pointing it out. "This isn't awkward at all!" I am a meaty-breasted failure.

All of that nonsense aside, I am not totally sure as to why, but I thought an update with this would be a good idea. Burning Bridges was a very frigging awesome hardcore band from Albany, New York. They had members of Tripface, Lariat and Blood Has Been Shed and members went on to form End of a Year. They had a few releases after the demo, The Best Revenge and Politics of Dead Friendships. There are three songs on this demo, all of which were rerecorded and released on The Best Revenge and one of which was released AGAIN on the Politics of Dead Friendships release. They were a very fun band to see live, and while I was bummed when they called it quits, I am at least happy that End of a Year came out of it.

DL HERE!!

I DIDN'T ASK TO BE THROWN INTO THIS WOOORLD BUT IT WASN'T UP TO ME

So my boy Alex recently made a little poll on Facebook asking who people liked more: Outburst or Breakdown? I thought this was a pretty wild comparison and got me to think pretty hard about this. If this question was asked 5 years ago I would tell you Breakdown without a doubt, but now I find myself listening to Outburst a hell of a lot more. I never really thought of Outburst to have the same sort of lasting value as Breakdown but I actually find it to be the complete opposite now. Nothing against Breakdown at all, I still love that band. JUS' SAYIN'.

I also have always thought this band to be criminally underrated. I know they are a somewhat popular legendary New York Hardcore band but at the same time I feel a lot of people tend to overlook this band when talking about the incredible music that NYC has pumped out over the past 30 years. It is a shame to me that Bold comes to mind before Outburst when NYHC is mentioned. And for those of you who don't know me, I am pretty open about my hatred for Bold. They suck. Outburst didn't.

Deuces.

Favorite Track: All of them. Seriously, don't ask me to choose.

Rating: 8 Out Of 10

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Scraps and Heart Attacks - S/T

Zack requested some Scraps and Heart Attacks and I followed through. You're welcome, you sexy beast.

Anyway, I'm sure most people reading this blog are at least aware of this band's existence but for those of you not in the know, Travis from This is Hell and Kellen from I am the Avalanche were in this band prior to their current bands. In my opinion Scraps happened to be way better than TIH (and those who know me know I really do LOVE This is Hell) and they are about a trillion and one times better than IATA (and those who know me know I HATE I am the Avalanche. The Movielife was a far superior band. Although I am the Avalanche has entertained me when I have seen them, their recordings do not give me a boner. But I digress.)

Scraps were around for only a few years but I had the pleasure of seeing them live a few times, once happened t0 be immediately after they changed their name from the Heist. (Tangent: The Movielife played that show with them at The Chance and I really want to say Brand New did as well, but I might be confusing shows. If it wasn't Brand New then it was definitely One Line Drawing.) They played a somewhat controlled but still chaotic style of hardcore not unlike their fellow Dead by 23 Records brethren Frostbite, although the SAHA recordings were a lot less cohesive and focused more on guitars feeding back and coarse vocals that pummeled through with a sense of urgency. I have always loved their lyrics (so much so that the sidepiece I plan on getting will have their lyrics going along with it) and can always appreciate it when a band wears their influences on their sleeves lyrically, in their case making references to Jawbreaker and Inside Out lyrics. Also, any band that says "kids like you are fucking spent/do us a favor, get fucking bent" is pretty much the best band ever in my opinion.

Anyway, I am tired and anything else I have to say about the band is probably going to be stupid/unfunny/uninteresting, so I leave you with this: their Self-Titled release which contains their 7", demo and a live set. Enjoy!

DL HERE!!

For The Crown - Demo 2001

First off, a big THANK YOU to Insane Sasquatch on Last.FM for helping me find a download of this. I have been (unsuccessfully) searching the interwebs for this demo forfuckingever since I lost it and I am now at peace knowing I have these songs once again.

For The Crown were a west coast band and come to think of it, I don't think they actually ever made it out this way to my neck of the woods on the east coast. If they did then I am an idiot for not going to see them but I am pretty sure they didn't. Regardless, I never regretfully never saw them. I remember learning of them through the InStrife message board in 2001 when the guitarist's (I think?) brother used to post on there and mentioned this band. I do recall the dude who posted on the board was named Nate. I instantly fell in love with the music. Musically, it reminded me a little of Reach The Sky at the time without being a carbon copy of them. I very much enjoy the full length they put out a few years after this but I always felt the vocals were much better on this demo. "Counting Footsteps" was one of my favorite songs for a very long time and I am happy I can listen to this over and over again.

Check it out and hopefully someone will enjoy this demo half as much as I do.

DL HERE!!

Have Heart - Live at CBGB

Live set from 2005 I believe. The closed with an Inside Out cover. Always delicious.

I am going to miss this band...a lot.

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Horror Show - The Holiday EP

Final release from one of the only good things to come from Philadelphia. I kid, I kid. But really, they are one of the few awesome things to come from that place. Fuck the Phillies.

PS - I JUST ripped this 7" into mp3 format and I didn't tag it properly and I also didn't bother to clean it up very much, so if you don't like all the crackles and all that jazz in there, I apologize.


Favorite Track: One For The Angels

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Deathcycle - S/T 7"

Missed their last show. I don't wanna talk about it.

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Can I Say - The Last Goodbye

Awesome EP from an upstate New York band that went way under the radar. The broke up a while ago. Singer went on to form Dead Hearts. Fin.

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Divided By Hate - Sediments Of Shame

I was bored last night and decided to rip a few of my 7"s to my computer. This was one of them. This is for all the older dudes out there who might actually check this blog out.

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A New Enemy - S/T

Aside from The Misfits (obviously) this band right here is probably my favorite New Jersey band. Heartfelt hardcore punk, sincere lyrics, awesome vocals, catchy melodies, songs about skateboarding and a Bad Brains cover. What more could you ask for?

Singer went on to front Robot Whales, Spanish Bombs and probably 19872817978972987 other awesome bands I'm sure, but I have always liked A New Enemy the most out of his projects.

DOWNLOAD HERE!!

The Solidarity Pact

Speaking of Long Island, I caught this reunion recently and can't stop listening to this.

Features members of Latterman and Jeff from Bridge and Tunnel.

Fast, awesome hardcore.

dl

Favorite Track: Moscow On The Hudson

Rating: 8 Out Of 10

Lariat - Means Of Production

I had recently found myself going through my cd collection and looking for albums that I haven't listened to in quite some time. Means of Production by Lariat was one of the albums that I dusted off the shelf and put in the cd player only to remember why I purchased this album in the first place. Putting it in brought me right back to Hellfest 2001 which was the first time I had seen and heard them and I remember being completely blown away by their set. I remember there being a pretty large sing-a-long to the song "Cubicle" (which is on their split with At War With Shadows) and just being pulled in by everyone screaming "This is not forever, we are not immortal/If you knew you were dying tomorrow how would you have lived today?" Unfortunately that was the only time I had caught these dudes live. Excellent hardcore and crust influenced metalcore with a big political agenda to boot. Think Unbroken meets His Hero Is Gone meets Deadguy...kind of. Just give this a listen if you have not heard them, this release will NOT disappoint. I know I say that about a lot of things, but I MEAN IT!


Favorite Track: Monsanto

Rating: 8 Out Of 10

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Chain Of Strength - What Holds Us Apart 7" / True Till Death 7"

No review needed, just going to say that this is the way the songs were supposed to sound in all of it's raw and passionate form.

DOWNLOAD TTD HERE!!
DOWNLOAD WHUA HERE!!

Lion Of Judah - Soul Power

I'm going to keep this one extremely brief. If you haven't heard this 7" by now I would be pretty surprised, but it's definitely worth checking out. The best EP Lockin' Out Records has released in my opinion. Burn meets Rites Of Spring meets Bad Brains. Love it.


Favorite Track: Soul Power

Rating: 9 Out Of 10

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One Up - The Single

This is unfortunately the final release from one of my favorite straight edge bands from Philadelphia, PA. I was lucky enough to see One Up three times, the first two being completely awesome and a whole lot of fun while the third wasn't as great. You could tell the band was on their way out and it was a shame to see them go like that, but they were still great while they were around regardless. This final release leaves us with two songs, one original and one Texas Is The Reason cover. Honestly, for a long time I was a little bitter about this being their final release, but after putting this on for the first time in well over a year, I now truly appreciate the record for what it is. I wish they could have recorded enough material for a full length or something more than just a single, but I am pleased with their final recorded original song and the TITR cover is pretty on par. I don't know, maybe this band was nothing special to a lot of people, I know a lot of people wrote them off as just another generic straight edge band with Youth Of Today style vocals, but they did mean a lot to me at the time and I still find myself listening to them every so often wishing that they were still together. I also find that the vocals are a billion times more enjoyable than Youth Of Today, but if you know me then you know how much I really can't stand that band anyway. Once again I digress. Anyway, check this record out and buy it if you enjoy, buy a copy. It is still up for sale on RevHQ.


Favorite Track: If It's Here When We Get Back It's Ours (What can I say? I have a soft spot for Texas Is The Reason.)

Rating: 7 Out Of 10

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Straightjacket Nation - Cheap Kicks Single

I have heard of this band mentioned before but never really bothered to check them out. I heard they were playing with Career Suicide and are from Australia, but other than that I didn't and still really don't know too much about them. What I do know is that I was lucky enough to see them play twice this weekend in New York City and they were one of the most intense bands I've seen. EVER. I regret not checking this band out earlier and I regret that I was only able to purchase the Cheap Kicks LP and 7" when I am now aware that they have a handful of other releases. This is really good aggressive, infuckingsane hardcore punk rock. If Career Suicide and Government warning had a baby on speed then that might give you something half as intense as this band truly is. Check this release out and if you ever have the chance go see them, who knows how long it will be until the next time you have the opportunity.

Favorite Track: Distaste

Rating: 9 Out Of 10

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The Spectacle - Rope Or Guillotine

Part crust, part d-beat, part screamo and part sludge. This now expired group out of Bodo Norway didn't make much of a splash state-side, but put out some fantastic records.

So impressed with this group, Phil Elverum, of The Microphone/Mount Eerie brought the band to America to re-record and re-release this album on his Anacortes, WA based label P. Elverum & The Sun, despite the fact they had been broken up for a year.

Armed with anti-capitalist lyrics, anarchist backing this band played a variety of squats and DIY shows all throughout Europe and even a short US tour. Citing influences from Zegota to Godspeed You! Black Emperor, there's something for everyone in this band.

dl

Favorite Track: Rope Or Guillotine II

Rating: 9 Out Of 10

Election Day - Demo

Election Day is a melodic hardcore band from all over Western New York. It is a little difficult to compare them to any band because no bands come to mind as a direct influence or rip off at any point, but I can see vague resemblances to Dag Nasty and maybe a hint of Champion from time to time. The vocals, lyrical content and the structure of all of their songs seem to set them apart from a lot of modern day hardcore bands of the same style and I can truly appreciate that. I remember the first time hearing them (maybe a year or so ago?) and it was like a breath of fresh air to hear a current hardcore band of this style playing it the way it SHOULD sound. I don't remember being floored by a demo like that in quite some time and I haven't had that feeling about a band's demo since. Go to the band's myspace page, stream all of their songs and if you really enjoy what you hear, go to the Secret Jams myspace page and purchase a copy of the demo 7". One of my best friends Chris put this record out and he put a lot of work into making the vinyl happen and I know him, the band and the buyer would all equally appreciate the purchase of one of the records. I hope you enjoy the music as much as I do.

Favorite Track: Sector 4

Rating: 10 Out Of 10

Cursed - III: Architects Of Troubled Sleep

After catching wind of their recent breakup earlier in the week, I became thoroughly bummed out with this news and decided to deal with it by listening to the newest, and in my opinion best, Cursed release. Cursed was one of those bands that every time I made an attempt to see, something either came up which prevented me from attending the show or they just happened to cancel. I have always been a fan since I first heard them & knew that anything with members of Haymaker, Chokehold and The Swarm were involved in was going to be both important and intense, and after this final release of theirs I am deeply regretting missing out on the opportunity of seeing them live. This album is one of the more violent records I have heard in a while, from start to finish ranging from slower sludgy parts to crusty influenced grindy blast beats, the riffs and drumming are sure to grab your attention and not let go. I believe III to be their most mature and most cohesive album while not losing an ounce of the chaos in their music they have been known to pull off quite well. The only complaint is that the quality is a bit iffy on this release, but it isn't so bad as to be distracted by it while listening to the album. Definitely a must have for any fan of Cursed.

Favorite Track: Friends In The Music Business

Rating: 9 Out Of 10

DOWNLOAD HERE!!