11.2
August 2004
11.2
August 2004
Review Team: (Ali) Ali, (CV) Chris, (DC) Dave, (EF) Ewan, (JW) Jamie, (JK) Jase, (JN) Jon Nash, (LC) Leanne, (LH) Leo, (MZ) Mez, (paco) Paco, (Russ) Russ, (Set) Set, (SC) Simon, (SN) Sneda, (SHY) Steve H, (SH) Stu, (WW) Will
McFLY s/t CD
|
B |
asic rowdy and upbeat hardcore punk from the Isle Of Wight. For our foreign readers, that’s that little diamond shaped island off the south coast of the UK. It’s famous for sailing boat races, sedimentary rock formations, a steam engine museum, Black Gang Chine park, homes of 19th century writers and being mentioned in a Beatles song. Other than that not a lot goes on there, and I think that’s why I can sense the genuine angst and frustration of this rockin’ young band with their melodic,gruff sounding music. Overall it’s a fair release for a first time DIY project and worth listening to once in a while. (LH)
Red Crayon Records, 16 Swanmore Road, Ryde, Isle Of
Wight, PO33 2TF,
UK
www.redcrayonrecords.co.uk
MALIGNANT TUMOUR dawn of a new age LP
|
A |
pretty damn fine crusty effort from this Dutch band. Nice n’ heavy and not too metally makes a winning formula. Perfect to listen to on a dark doomy March evening in a dark room which makes you squint (a 40 watt light bulb is perfect). So put on your combat boots and get down ya local swat and get ya mates into this one. (JK)
Insane Society, PO Box 6, 50101 Hradec Kralove 2, Czech Rep.
MARRAUDERY we’re rockstars CD
|
A |
nother ploddy effort from Russia – obviously it’s great that some countries who haven’t been able to get their stuff out there are now able to do so but Russian punk isn’t that hot on the evidence of what I’ve heard. In years to come the record collector snobs will rave about some of these bands on the strength of the rareness of their records. And I’ll laugh. (JK)
Neuroempire, Shemetova T.N. PO Box 58, 123100 Moscow, Russia
MILLIONS OF DEAD COPS now more than ever CD
|
B |
eer City has been re-releasing a lot of MDC stuff and this is a retrospective of their more than 20 year career. I think I was given this to review after a poll of RTB reviewers revealed that I was the only one that “didn’t own” the first MDC album. I think this is probably because I was listening to Wet Wet Wet when this stuff first came out. I’m glad I was given this though; it has all the hits including tunes I knew like “John Wayne was a Nazi” and “Dead Cops” and a broad sample of all their other stuff. I really like that in your face, fuck you, early 80’s hardcore, like the CIRCLE JERKS, with a bit of comedy and politics thrown in. Listening to this made me want to throw on my REPOMAN DVD and pogo around the house with a can of beer in my hand, shouting “Up the Punks!” I’m sure anyone, who’s anyone already has much of this, and at 68 minutes and 31 tracks I’m not sure how even the most diehard fan could listen to this in one sitting. I was unable to hear more than 20 tracks in one go. But if you’re a bit of an MDC virgin like me, than this would be a great place to start. (LC)
Beer City Records, PO Box 26035, Milwaukee, WI, 53226 0035, USA
MDC multi-death corporation (picdisc) LP
|
I |
’ve read reviews criticising the re-release of this which is complete lunacy. This is a 100% bone-fide CLASSIC and hasn’t been available on vinyl for quite a while, so it simply should be re-issued time and time again for future generations of kids to be able to hear. I remember (pun intended) first hearing this in the 80’s and hearing lyrics about the Klan and racist America and there was so many new ideas in the lyrics (sure you’ve heard it before NOW, but at the time it was a big deal.) that made me sit up and listen. Musically this was one of the greatest hardcore records of the 80’s – the songs have stood the test of time – from one of the most important bands in punk rock history. If you really wanna know about the Reagan (rot in hell you mass-murdering war criminal) Era forget all the nostalgic shit on the TV and buy this instead (hope Thatcher dies soon, too). (JK)
Twisted Chords, Reutweg 1a, 76327 Pfinztal, Germany
www.twisted-chords.de
MDC hey cop! If I had a face like yours… LP
|
A |
nother in the current reissue mania of the MDC back catalogue. Firstly I’m gonna say its great to see MDC getting reissued for a new generation to enjoy as they were one of THE most important US hardcore bands of the 80’s and were one of those bands that kinda got forgotten about after the late 80’s straight edge explosion. This is their 5th LP (I think) and it’s much better than Metal Devil Cokes, which I really thought was pretty weak (and subsequentually sold). A couple of tunes on here really reminded me of the mighty Wretched Ones – which kinda threw me. Good. (JK)
Twisted Chords, Reutweg 1a, 76327 Pfinztal, Germany
www.twisted-chords.de
MEXICAN POWER AUTHORITY LP
The final recordings (from '95) of this now-defunct Canadian band finally seeing
the light of day. MPA are ex NEOS(!!!) and THIRD WORLD PLANET members amongst
others, so if you take the bizarre edges of those bands and let it ferment
here's the resulting brew, and a strange brew it is, jazz-grind with a clarinet
player, quirking all over from punk rock to metal and prog and downright odd,
this is some quality and a unique piece of work and NOT an easy one to describe,
'be prepared to be weirded out' they say, it's true. (SN)
Manufracture
Manufracture@noiseweb.com
http://www.noiseweb.com/manufracture
MINORITY BLUES BAND Capitalized Suffering CD
|
T |
his is excellent melodic pop punk that the Japanese seem to be so good at producing. It has that carefully crafted sound that balances the influence of English bands like THE JONES with Japanese bands like THE URCHIN. This is really catchy, driving stuff and I really enjoyed listening to it and reading the lyrics (in both English and Japanese). Worth it alone for lyrics like “The scene having you turns around me. I wish I’d be erased clearly, my pleasure.” Nice one. (LC)
Snuffy Smile 4-1-16-201 DAITA, SETAGAYA-KU, TOKYO 155-0033 JAPAN
MINORITY BLUES BAND Grab The Fire Swinging In The Rain CD
|
A |
real angry emotional punk rock release. It’s hard to pigeonhole, coming from the same corner of punk rock as Leatherface and Manifesto Jukebox, but sounding way more hardcore and nothing like either forementioned band. Does that make any sense? They’re coming over to the UK later in the year with Blocko, so look out for that. Included here is a cover of the Newtown Neurotics’ “My Death” and a cheery little number called “Annihilate Me”. (DC)
Snuffy Smile, 4-1-16 Daita, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan
MUTE CONCLUSION as the night fades we turn up the heat... CD
|
I |
'm happy to get this. Maybe I've not heard enough ska punk to be totally jaded by it, but I usually like it if the ratios favour punk like this - say 65% punk to 35 ska. Anyway, first of all I thought it somehow reminded me of 5 Knuckle, and then I see they're from the same area, so there's probably been some cross influencing going on. There's a couple of real nice Iron Maiden like guitar parts too, don't see those come into ska punk too often. in fact it takes till track 4 before the full "wacca wacca" ska guitar kicks in. I know they'd go down well in my town, so if they're coming near Scarborough they should get in touch. From what I can make out lyrics have something to say which doesn't always happen within the genre. I don't know how many Reason To Believe readers will give ska punk a chance, but if that's you then I'd highly recommend this as it's done DIY + cheap too! (Set)
£2 post paid in UK from Mike Simpson, Rustic Farm, Ham Lane, Kingston Seymour, Nr. Somerset, BS21 6XE, UK.
NAILBITER abused CD / LP
|
G |
reat Japanese influenced hardcore, going for the Deathside / Selfish sound, pretty classy stuff. You need to appreciate GOOD metal guitar licks + solos, but hey, you SHOULD do, that's what makes them different to 100's of others doing Scandi/ Jap influenced stuff. These are one of the best bands in Britain at the moment (if they're still here as I heard one of them got deported). I'm a bit dubious of the cheesy metal cover of a naked woman coming out of/ going into a monsters mouth - you decide, but I rather think punk is far the better without this stuff creeping in. This is let down a bit by the pretty meaningless throwaway lyrics which could go with a Japanese bands no political randomness, but I'd have thought these guys could do better. Not as immediate as their great split LP, a few more slow songs + less out and out ragers, but still one of the better UK releases of late. (set)
Hardcore Holocaust, PO Box 26742, Richmond, VA 23261, USA. hardcoreholocaust.com
NIKMAT OLALIM battle legacy CD
|
D |
ebut CD from this Israeli band playing old school political hardcore punk. Lyrically they remind me of DIR YASSIN with songs about the current situation in Israel and the Jewish terrorism mixed with more personal analysis of Israeli society sang in English and Hebrew and including English translation in a nicely designed plastic free CD. (Paco)
www.gutzy.comolalim
tal-olalim@hotmail.com
NINE NINE NINE concrete CD
999’s fourth album from 1981 – not one I’d heard before but I’ve been listening it to it loads since it arrived. They recorded this after their first US tour and it shows – there’s a Wild West theme to quite a few songs, which is great. There’re a few really poppy songs, some are maybe a bit sickly but I loved them anyway. I’m not sure that a lot of people would say that it’s that punk sounding – more power pop but the tunes are catchy as fuck and I think this is a great album which makes me smile loads. (JK)
Captain Oi! C/o PO Box 501, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP10 8QA, UK
9 SHOCKS TERROR zen and the art of beating your ass Tape
|
M |
ost of you have probably already got this on vinyl, but I win on punk points cos this version is a cassette from the Czech Republic, re-released by Drugs Kill Your Mind records and Phobia Dance Corporation distro, both of whom I take my hat off to. 9 Shocks Terror from Cleveland in the U$A do hectic and nasty sounding power thrash ready to blow your guts out. Nice. (LH)
Drugs Kill Your Mind - c/o Masarykovo
Nam 17, Boskovice 680 01,
Czech Republic.
www.chewing-gum.cz/dkym
NOINFO nothing till now CD
|
T |
his has been co-released by 14 different labels, a record in my books. And it proudly states 'DIY rulez' on the back too! I was worried this was going to be boring Euro mosh core when I first played it, but after a few plays I realised there's more to this than that. In fact it’s pretty good, like Kafka cross-bred with Good Riddance or something. Fast solid hardcore with both melody and metal! The sound's done pretty well, pretty polished without sounding too studio or over done. Personal lyrics in Italian and English. Definetly worth a shot.(MZ)
Try:
El Paso via passo Buole 47 10127
Torino Italy
elpaso@ecn.org wwwecn.org/elpaso
Band:
www.noinfo.it
noinfo@libero.it
NOM Russisches Schwein CD
|
I |
love it when completely
unknown bands bowl you right over. Begins off in a slightly silly Residents
nonsense songs type way and slowly adds in Emerson Lake and Palmer keyboard
solosand sounds (some bits could be straight off Tarkus!); militaristic 'germanic'
chanting and metal banging not too dissimilar to Die Krupps/Laibach; total poppy
synths that sound like all that Commodore 64 music thing; and more abstract
nonsense poetry in a Stephen Hawking-esque Russian accent liberally splattered
everywhere. I think this Russian band should do a split with Apatt and make the
greatest record ever! (EF)
Manufracture
www.noiseweb.com/manufracture
NOT BROKEN IN SPIRIT CD
|
O |
kay , we've got here a decent 10 track CD from Bulgaria. The sound is sort of between HC and a UK 82 style. The vocals could do with a bit more perking up to lift this for me. No lyrics came with the advance review copy. This label also does a big distro of Bulgarian + East European bands both punk/HC + experimental + folk etc so wirte to them if you want to try some stuff from little known places. (Set)
A.O.N. c/o Ivailo Tonchev Tonchev, Stara Zagora 6010, kv "Kazanski" 16-G-115, Bulgaria.
NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY Hate is not the opposite of love CD
|
I |
'd heard the name thrown around a few times but never thought anymore of it. The press release says they're ex NEWBORN which can only be a good thing right? Well I don't know. Take the (much over-rated) HOPE CONSPIRACY and stick in IRON MAIDEN guitars, along with some dodgy vocals (the sung parts, the screamy parts are alright) and I guess you've got this CD sussed. Its pretty slick in the usual GENET fashion and the artwork is all pretty. Kid's with big muscles may or may go nuts for this? I'm not entirely sure; I think with different production it could sound a lot fuller. (WW)
Genet records, PO box 29, 9000 Gent 12, Belgium
www.genetrecords.com
NOVEMBER COMING FIRE Black ballads MCD
|
H |
mmmm…. this Canterbury band hail from the Sworn in, Give up the ghost, Legacy, ‘new school’ school of hardcore. For you money you get 6 tracks of well produced modern metallic hardcore with all the obligatory breakdowns that the kids in tight Terror t - shirts can do their choreographed turnip picking dancing to. They actually aren’t too bad when they just cut loose and go for speed cos they do have a bit of oomph at times, but I can’t really get into this, bands of this ilk seem more preoccupied with more style than substance. Vague poetic lyrics about being vaguely pissed off about something or other, I dunno… The record label say that the band are stalwarts of the UK DIY scene, and I’m sure they’re all very nice kids, so that’s something in their favour I guess. (Russ)
In At The Deep End Records
OBLITERATE tangled ways CD
|
I |
am sure this five piece have grown up listening to NAPALM DEATH and TERRORIZER and later got into DISCORDANCE AXIS and DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN whilst collecting AGATHOCLES 7"s. The album is a really impressive 9 songs CD of really technical Slovakian death grindcore with a crazy vocal that reminds me of thrash-hardcore bands and quite a lot of guitar dissonance and double bass drumming !!! It sound pretty much like NAPALM DEATH as far as grind goes but still reaches new metal territory at times, mainly the vocals. Lyrically they seems to deal with social issues like racism and greed all from a personal approach. All in all an interesting CD to check out if you like well played grindcore/death metal. (Paco)
OF NOBLE BLOOD let glory be MCD
|
I |
opened this up and took the CD out to see 3 of Leeds' finest in the photo. Of Noble Blood play metal influenced hardcore or moshcore, complete with rising octave melodic parts and big breakdowns. If I'm honest there's one breakdown on the first song and that's the only bit I like or can relate to. The vocals are dead gruff, with the lyrics focusing on, I guess, personal strengths/weaknesses. It’s got good artwork and music production, and I'm sure they'd hold they're own on a bill with the likes of The Break In and Knuckledust, but its not my thing. Is the name ironic then, they're from Cardiff for fucks sake, Abertawe's where it's at muthafuckaz. (MZ)
Staunch Records Unit 222,
61 Wellfield Road, Cardiff CF24 3DG
www.staunch.co.uk
OI POLLOI carson? 7”
|
1 |
st + 3rd tracks are pounding slow-ish chugga stuff. The 2nd track is the Oi Polloi stuff I like best - faster, more urgent Discharge-ish stuff. Lyrics this time round are in Gaelic (probably a first for a punk band) and cover ecology and the loss of local culture (that always seems a bit League Of Gentlemen when it's in Europe but not when it's in the rainforest or whatever). People speaking traditional language is fair enough, tho I always liked the idea of a common world language to increase our communication, I did read somewhere that Esperanto was invented by an anarchist. There's a lot of complex reasons why language + traditions are dying out, often voruntarily as generally the youth aren't so interested in old ways of living. Anyway, this is pretty good stuff, but if anyone is new to Oi Polloi I'd recommend they check out their last LP "Fuaim Catha" or the "Guilty" + "Boots do the talking" ep's first. (Set)
Nikt Nic Nie Wie, PO Box 53, 34-400 Nowy Targ,Poland.
ONE CAR PILE-UP Worst episode ever CD
|
H |
ave OCPU been hiding for the last couple of years or have I missed something? I guess OCPU are the closest thing that Grimsby has produced to Propagandi, and the new material on this CD is really tight, accessible, and has lyrics that (while maybe not as assertive as Propagandi) are pretty cool and often politically motivated. I wasn't expecting I'd enjoy this as much as I did. OCPU really cut through the barrage of Fat Wreck influenced bands flooding us in recent times, they've got BSE, Bitta Somin' Extra. This CD also has tracks from the early 'Dr Robotnik' and 'Police Academy' 7"s tagged on the end. (JW)
Crackle, PO Box 7, Otley, LS21
1YB, UK
www.crackle.freeuk.com
crackle@freeuk.com
ONE LEAF / THE URCHIN split 7"
|
O |
ne leaf - sharp sounding pop punk similar to the now defunct Leeds band JOE90, with a fair helping of DILLINGER 4 blended in for good measure. The Urchin - Chopper with twiddly rockin' out solo's, Cool vocal harmonies, giving an over all sound that reminded me a bit of RUTH RUTH. These 2 bands compliment each other really well and makes for a smart little release (WW)
Snuffy smile: 4-1-16-201 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0033 Japan
ONE MAN DOWN Burn the Past CD
|
D |
ecent moshy metalcore with quieter acoustic bits in between from Ireland with a pretty good clear recording. 5 tracks here that don't really remind me of anyone in particular, about average for the genre. (Set)
Sotome Records, c/o Jason Kearney, Kilgill, Claregalway, Co. Galway, Ireland.
OPUS DEAD control CD
|
S |
panish thrash hardcore that brings to mind SOZIEDAD ALKOHOLIKA's first LP with a rougher production and not as technical with a more modern approach from the crossover point of view and a way more DIY and political attitude. Seems like this band is really active touring relentlessly around Europe and USA and with quite a few releases out in the last few years so I totally admire their work even if their music is not my cup of tea. I nearly forgot that they do a DENAK cover !!! (Paco)
OUT OF REACH neverending CD
|
W |
ell, first I’ll tell you what it is then I'll tell you whether I like it or not. Its poppy emo hardcore from Italy, with a range of upbeat melodies and heart wrenching moments all with a nice head nodding tempo. It reminds me a bit of SAMIAM or MILLOY with the odd part that sounds like DONFISHER. Believe it or not, I quite like it. It's a little confusing because one song is amazing and you hit repeat like 5 times, and some of the other ones are awful and feel like such a chore. Anyway, overall I'd say that if you see it and it's cheap get it, if not I wouldn't go far out of my way. (WW)
Goodwill Recs, Viale Della Liberta 14, 84091
Batipaglia (SA),
Italy. $12 post-paid
WWW.OUTOFREACH.IT
PF COMMANDO 1980 CDR
|
I |
t rocks and deserves volume' goddamn right, another gem unearthed by NPNP recs, Sweden's PF COMMANDO areas 1980 as fuck somewhere between the old punk and what was to come, think quality bands like LAMA, NOLA NOLA NOLA or the more well know elements of BUZZCOCKS or the STOOGES, this came free with initial copies of the CEB/BLYTH POWER CDR reviewed elsewhere, surely this deserves its own release, KBD as fuck! I'm loading my copy up onto Soulseek right now! (SN)
POSTAL postal demonstration CD
|
I |
'm not sure if this is a demo meant for release or a full CDr release or what but its pretty damn suave I reckon. The cover has a monkey eating a banana on a human toilet (as opposed to those monkey toilets you see around) which I like....a lot. Monkeys are good and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This is some pretty good, very vocal, political post punk type stuff and, if I'm not mistaken, the drummer from this band was the guitar player in Imbalance (is Bjorn his name? I should check my LP's really). I always thought Imbalance were a fine punk band and that they were all capable musicians with varied influences under their belt. The first time I saw Imbalance Bjorn played the intro guitar part of the song "Here comes the judge" by the MakeUp in between songs. I fucking love that riff and feel the need to share this memory with you....sorry. Anyway I'm drifting here (Imbalance playing a Kito song with Rob at there last Leeds gig......mmmmmmmm mint) but I really like this record. It sounds kinda grim and Northern like Month of Birthdays (especially the singing...) or Four Frame but with a stabby drum style and disco beats to lively things up. I think this is well mint, especially "Toy Punx". How they managed to fit such elongated vocal parts into the riffs whilst still making them catchy is beyond me. I could say more but I won't go on. Good riffs and excellent vocals. Looking forward to hearing them live. (JN)
PRACTICE fight back 7” EP
|
T |
he Practice are a new band featuring ex-members of Bottledirt, 8 Roof and Screaming Fat Rat and pick up from where these great bands left off. This is very Clash influenced (think second album period) and “Throw Another Log In The Fire” holds down a great riff. Three tracks. Another excellent release from Yoichi at Snuffy Smile. (DC)
Snuffy Smile, 4-1-16 Daita, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan
THE PROFIT$ U.S. atrocity 7”
|
T |
he Profits play fast, tight punky hardcore (or vice versa) with male and occasionally female vocals in that style that the American seem so excel at and from the strength of this release I’m really impressed. With a name like this you’d expect them to be political and you won’t be disappointed – well writtensongs about post 9-11 USA and what’s going on in Iraq. I thought this rocked so track it down. (JK)
Propaganda Machine, PO Box 391273, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
PUGENT SOUND / KID BLUNT split CD
|
I |
really didn’t like this at first but it’s grown on me a lot, and now I think it rocks! Two younger Irish bands, who would be dead popular if they were on No Idea and everyone would wear their T-Shirts. They both seem to have taken that No Idea sound (if that does exist, copyright Mez 2004) and instead of playing along with it, they’ve taken it a step further. PUGENT SOUND then have a slight Small Brown Bike influence at the centre, but tear away with more rocking parts, guitar noodling and discordant meandering. It’s not instant but it’ll keep you interested. The lyrics are from the old personal political angle, as are KID BLUNT’s just less political references in theirs. KID BLUNT win it for me because the first song is going to be my essential comp tape track. They start of sounding much heavier and HC but then the discordant rocking then kicks in, before that break which is just bliss. You’re gonna have to buy this to found out, and I guess by now you’ll know if this is for you. If so get to it! I’d like to see these 2 on a bill with Jets Vs Sharks and Humanfly. Nice artwork completes a good CD. (MZ)
Rejected Records
ww.rejectedireland.cjb.net
mero32@eircom.net