Best Of 06'

If we're just talking hardcore music, 2006 was a great year. Alot of memorable releases, GB reunion, and alot of other rad shows, and as far as im concerned there seems to be a little less skeptisism and a little more optimism in the air. Hopefully the bands that had a memorable 2006 can continue to make a positive contribution to the hardcore community in 2007.

So here's my best albums, best song, and best show of 06':

Best Albums:

1. Have Heart - The Things We Carry


- Not only is this record my favorite of this year, it probably makes my top 10 of all time, and i've only been listening to it since the summer. Have Heart are the epitome of modern hardcore, they combine everything i like about hardcore music. This record deos something that very few do, it speaks to a part of you that is hard to reach, a part that can only be reached by the most powerful and charasmatic words or actions. With The Things We Carry, Have Heart do more than make outstanding music, they connect with the listener in an intriguing way, and thats what sets them apart.

2. The First Step - What We Know


- Youth crew at its finest, couldn't ask for anything more from these guys. The thing that stands out most about this record is its sincerity. The lyrics are stripped down and straight forward so it's easy to pinpoint the message being portrayed in every song. The thing that makes this record so great for me is that i was able to see the majority of the songs played live at a show they played in July. Seeing this band pour their heart and soul out on stage was awesome and it gave me a great deal of respect and appreciation for what The First Step were able to accomplish with this record.

3. The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record


- From the very first time i heard this record i was blown away, and every time i've heard it from then on i'm still blown away. I've always thought The Bouncing Souls were a great band, they were always just what i looked for in a punk rock band. So i had pretty high expectations for this release and those expectations were far exceeded. The Gold Record always manages to lighten my mood, its got a really feel-good vibe to it, even more so then previous releases from this band. I would recommend this record to anyone, regardless of muscial tastes. It's music that transcends genres and given enough time i think anyone would enjoy it.

4. Go It Alone/Blue Monday - Split


- Two of my favorite bands from the North West, both coming off stellar Lp's, Rewritten for Blue Monday and The Only Blood Between Us for Go It Alone. GIA's sound is pretty heavy on this split, but it's still melodic and full of energy. They cover a Reserve 34 song to finish their half of the split and do a really good job of making it their own. If GIA's next LP is anything like this stuff it'll be tops on my best of 07' list next time this year. This was also Blue Monday's last release, i was bummed out that they broke up, but it's good to know they left while they were still on top. The song Maplewood is probably second to The Everything Festival off of Rewritten as my favortie BM song. Two solid bands combine and put their best foot forward to release one of the more memorable splits over the past few years.

5. Ignite - Our Darkest Days


- All you need to know about this record is that Zoli's voice sounds as good as it ever has. Not to say that the vocals completely make this record, but they're an integral part of it and rightly so. The music is a little more on the punk side of hardcore punk, comparable to bands like Pennywise and Bad Religion. Personally, i think Ignite is a head above the rest simply because of the delivery of the vocals, not only on this record but on pretty much anything they've ever released. I'm going too thoroughly enjoy anything released by Ignite so my expectations were high for this record and i wasn't even slightly dissapointed.

6. Another Breath - Mill City


- Not Now, Not Ever was a really solid debut from this band and Mill City builds on it and then some. The heavily layered guitars, drawn-out, compassionatte growls, and often pounding mid-tempo drumming give this record a bit of a Modern Life Is War vibe. There isn't anything wrong with that and with this record Another Breath have found their niche and uncovered a uniqueness that really makes this record special. Songs like Diesel and Gunpowder, Sincerity, and Orange are my favorites and they really open up the unlimited potential this band possesses. Hopefully i can see them play a show in the new year, it's hard to really appreciate a record until you've seen pieces of it performed live.

7. Verse - From Anger And Rage


- The title of this record, From Anger And Rage says it all. This is probably the angriest release of the year, although it's not without merit. There are plenty of things to be angry about and many of those things are portrayed in the socially and politically driven lyrics that are prevelant on this record. The vocals are exceptionally passionatte and you can really tell the words being yelled come from the heart of the singer. I guess you could call the music on this record Epic, not in a traditional sense but some of the instrumental build-ups leading to the climax of some of the songs are pretty moving, and given the nature of the lyrics these moments are even more powerful.

8. Get The Most - Common Goals EP


- Straight forward youth crew hardcore from members of Go It Alone, Blue Monday, In Stride, and Ordeal. This was the description given on the bands website, when i read it i needed to hear this band. Theres really nothing that immediately stands out about this record, its just really well done, almost flawless. The songs progress nicely the vocal delivery is solid and the drumming is what carries the band. The singer from GIA plays drums for these guys and he deos an amazing job, alot of really tight fills that fit the guitar work and the rythm perfectly. The lyrics are stereotypical of the youth crew style and i wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing new is being done here, but what is being done is something i've always appreciated and something that refuses to grow old.

9. Shook Ones - Facetious Folly Feat


- Anything that reminds me of Kid Dynamites' Shorter, Faster, Louder deserves a spot on this list. It isn't quite as clean and the songwriting deosnt flow at the level Kid Dynamite was able to achieve. But, with Facetoius Folly Feat, Shook Ones have made some significant progress and maybe even seperated themselves, even just a little, from the rampant Kid Dynamite comparisons. This record just has a really enjoyable sound to it and its one that i've come to love, so for that its one of my favorite records of the year.

10. Betrayed - Substance


- I anticipated this record more than any other release slated for 2006. I'd be lying if i said i wasn't a little dissapointed. Addiction was such an amazing EP and their side of the split with Champion was really impressive. That being said i was expecting something that only comes along once every 15 years or so, something that might have kept these dudes together for a while longer. It's not that Betrayed didn't deliver, they did deliver a really solid record like only they could have. I was just expecting something unrealistic. Getting to the record itself, i enjoy most of the songs alot, Arams' lyrics are as provokative as they were before and there are some really catchy guitar riffs that help move the songs along. Although this isn't the best Betrayed could have done, when compared to most other hardcore records released this year, its still in my top ten. Being the last music anyone will hear from this band also makes it a little extra special.

Best Show: Justice, TFS, Fired Up, Keep It Up, and Gunnar Hansen in Hamilton @ The Underground.


- Probably My favorite venue with one of my favotire bands and a really good supporting cast. This show opened my eyes to Fired Up and Justice. Justice, being from Europe i hadn't heard much of them before, i was thoroughly impressed with their set. Fired Up are an up and coming youth crew band and could end up being a real force. The TFS set was the most fun i had at a show all year. Stephen, the vocalist had so much energy and a really postive message that im sure lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance. When they played Something Inside chaos ensued, bodies flying everywhere with 20 kids up front yelling every word with as much conviction as the singer himself. If TFS play within 500 km of Toronto anytime in the future i am not missing it for anything.

Best Song: Have Heart - Watch Me Rise

- I'm not even going to say anything, just go listen to the song and read the lyrics, you'll see what i'm getting at.

Honourable Mention:
Sinking Ships - Disconnecting
Lion Of Judah - Universal Peace
Fired up - When The Lights Go Out
Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
Ceremony - Violence Violence
No Turning Back - Holding On
Champion/Betrayed - Split
Dead Hearts - Bitter Verses
Outbreak - Failure
Set Your Goals - Mutiny
Down To Nothing - Higher Learning
Iron Age - Constant Struggle
Legit - In Defeat Demo
No Trigger - Canyoneer
Set It Straight - Live Your Heart And Never Follow
Triple Threat - Into The Darkness

TFS!

I learned "Something Inside" by The First Step on guitar today. It's my favorite song by TFS and one of my favorite youth crew songs of all time. I don't know why i never learned it until today, it's so much fun to play.

If my brother and i get a decent recording of this song done in the week i have left on christmas break i'll post it up here. We have no bass player so its lacking in numerous crucial areas. I also hear TFS are releasing a 7 inch sometime soon. Anyone know if there is any weight to this?

Aslo, I've been getting into these bands recently:

www.myspace.com/theoneup - dudes play great melodic hardcore. They broke up months ago, but if you want hear more theres a new band featuring One Up dudes: www.myspace.com/crumblerhc

www.myspace.com/effortsmade

www.myspace.com/instride

Raise Your Flag To The Wolves?

Final Fight is a band that i really enjoy musically, for the most part. Sometimes i find they get overly melodic and it can take away from the intensity of the music. But overall i dig their brand of melodic hardcore.



I've always found this band intriguing, from the stories i've heard about them to the weird designs and concepts they use on some of their merch. Lyrically its hard to tell what perspective the singer is writing from. He writes intelligent, thought provoking lyrics but they seem to be pretty abstract and more diversified than most other hardcore bands.

I've been listening to thier split with Life Long Tragedy recently released on Deathwish. I can't figure out what the singer is trying to get at with these lyrics. He's obviously referencing the effects of intoxicants in one way or another. I've read this a few times now, these two quotes stick out. "raise your flag to the wolves" and "seek comfort in your den" i don't know what they mean and im probably over analyzing this.

Rage

Friday night, this is the party night! Such the perfect night, to stay separated from our minds Ten yards away is the drunken clamor, of pacified suburbanites (Bottles clanking, fives slapping, senses numbing) Josh is above the disconnect, and privilege that plague our times That plague our times Raise your flag to the wolves A fire in celebration to him and in rage For all the people swallowed whole and ignored Tagged "scary" by precious daddy's girls Left in fields to crack in the sun Like a wolf of neglect, seek comfort within your den

What Is Freedom?

I've been writing an absurd amount lately, none of it really makes sense. I took some of the more cohesive parts of probably 5 or 6 pages of writing and tried to make them into something. I read an essay by some dude named Emerson for my philosophy course. He talked about a struggle against conformity and consistency as something that is necessary to be free. I tried to write this to come across as saying I'd rather live a struggle than be dead inside.

I looked you in the eyes and felt so alone
You left me to struggle on my own
I know the only ones who can see this through
Are the ones who believe in not settling for second best

Second best is all you’ll ever be
If you’ve taught me one thing
It’s that in order to fit into this world
You have to give your life away
Tie your lifeless body and let the vultures pick at the decay
Now I’m glad that I cant’ see your face
Cus I refuse to sell myself short
Assimilate, conform and waste away

If I can’t stand up under the weight of these burdens, if I don’t struggle
I’ll end up just like them
Like the ones who came before me
Who gave in and didn’t second guess
The ones who couldn’t teach me
Because they didn’t know themselves
The ones that I refuse to follow
Cus I’m sick and tired of letting aspirations fade into tomorrow

To the ones who won’t conform
To the ones who wont give in
Don’t let this world bring you down

Cus I don’t want to have to look you in the eyes one day
And see that you no longer hope because your soul has decayed
I don’t wanna have to be the one to say
“Your time has come, turn around and walk away”

Modern Life Is War/Blacklisted/Some Girls/Converge In Buffalo

This show was alot of fun i went down to Buffalo with a guy named Peter, whom i hadn't met before this trip. We both wanted to go to the show and had no one to go with so we decided to rent a car and go down together. Buffalo is a sketchy place. Border security was really funny, on the way into the states the guy asked us a ton of question, searched the trunk, wore a bullet proof vest, and seem paranoid beyond control. Getting back into to Canada was hilarious, the dude looked at our I.D's for maybe a couple seconds each and then looked at us and said "have a good night" and let us through. He really didn't care.

Anyway we got to the venue, in an older area of town, pretty run down but the venue was reasonable. First thing i did was check out the merch, i got a Blacklisted T - shirt with a guy hanging from a noose on it, it looks cool. Then i picked up MLIW's Wintess on clear purple vinyl, its a new colour they just got on the tour. And finally i picked up a MLIW hoodie for my friend Etienne who couldnt make the show.

First up we're Blacklisted, i really dig this band on record, they played ok but were sloppy at times and the singer seemed disinterested. Maybe becuase it was nearing the end of the tour, but i still expected to see more energy. Overall they had some good parts, played the songs i wanted to see, so im not upset.

Then MLIW came up, pretty much the only reason i came for this show. Jeff had alot of energy as always, they played all the songs i wanted to hear aside from "By the Sea". Highlight was probably kids losing it when the played "D.E.A.D Ramones". There were bodies flying everywhere. Also when they finished with "First and Ellen" it was amazing the last minute of that song makes everyone go insane. The dissapointment was the crowd only responding to certain songs, there was a good amount of kids into every song but it seemed like the crowd only really got moving when they played their more well known songs. I think the last song Off of Witness (hair raising accouts) is amazing, especially the last two minutes, its sort of similar to "First and Ellen" in that way. Anyway i lost it when Jeff screamed "what will you do when the war is all around" no many others did, so that sucked. Overall though it was alot of fun, one of the better times i have seen them play.

Some Girls played next. Didn't like them. Wes from AN/GUTG is super weird now, the dude is on some powerful drugs im guessing. Their last song the frohawked bass player played another set of drums. and proceeded to play the same pattern for at least 5 or 6 minutes while the bass player yelled"hey" into the mic constantly and Wes just stood their glaring at the crowd until he decided to get a bass drum of his own and start beating it. Really weird and almost certainly drug induced.

Converge was up next. I'm not really into Hardcore that is that metallic. But i enjoyed their set. they had alot of energy and really got the crown into it, so that was good to see. Much respect to those guys their very good at what they do and Jacob Bannon seems like a really stand up guy, besides being an amazing artist.

I'll Post pictures later if i can find them.

We've Been BETRAYED!

From what i've seen Aram is one of the most stand-up dudes in hardcore, everytime ive seen him perform live, whether it be with champion, betrayed, or the first step he always has so much energy. It was nice to see him front betrayed, he always had something promising to say in between songs or whenever he had that chance.

here are some videos of Betrayed last weekend of shows with TFS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krr1klQGKOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wchPrGQov1U (this one is amazing)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh_h70L9gLM (so is this one)
The First Step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ZOe4HNQF8

West Coast Love

The new Shook Ones record is amazing, if you like Kid Dynamite, Lifetime, or hardcore punk in general you'll like this. The vocals are so raw, in my opinion there some of the best vocals in hardcore. www.myspace.com/shookones




Set It Straight is a band i couldn't get into, the vocals seemed constrained and the music was mediocore. They released a new album recently, i was a little hesitant to check it out, but i did and i was really impressed. The whole Northern California scene has been producing some great bands lately. Like Allegiance and Killing The Dream, whose vocalists both make guest appearances on this record. www.myspace.com/setitstraight



Theres been alot of really good stuff coming from the west coast in general lately. Most notably for me is Go It Alone, this is one reason why:

Go It Alone - Inheritance

In generation after generation the seeds of submission find fertile soil. They poison us with pride while the truth remains behind locked doors, sequestered in the minds of those who have been ignored, silenced, and pushed aside. The voice of truth is hushed before it reaches our ears so we inherit the lie. For generation after generation whitewashed "facts" masquerade as reality. Can you smell the bullshit? It lingers in history texts on highschool desks and on our leader's breath. Pushed aside, neatly swept under the rug. The voice of truth is hushed before it reaches our ears so we inherit the lie. This is our inheritance. Keep puffing your chest. Keep bursting with pride. Keep waving your flags. Keep closing your eyes. Close your eyes

If you havent heard this band, check them out: www.myspace.com/goitalonehc

Fakes Like You.....

Modern Life Is War - Fakes Like You (Make Me Sick)

This is a lesson in letting your guard down. Sometimes open arms are an invitation for disaster. So next time, I’ll trust my fucking instincts. next time you come around, all you will get are cold stares & cold shoulders. I’ll be crouching with my fists clenched in the corner. I can only hang on so tight for so long. I’m letting you go. I will be just fine on my own. You can’t come in. I’m leaving you out in the cold because there’s no room left in my heart for fakes like you.

I think this is the first Modern Life Is War song i heard. The lyrics are great, i'm sure most people can relate to them in one way or another. It's true though, some people never learn. They stay the same and no matter how many times you open up, no matter how much you care, they'll always be fake. It hurts to see but you have to let go and the next time they come around trust your instincts.

Solitude

"What can we do when the war is all around? The veins are constricting. The pressure is coming down." - Modern Life Is War

This band is pretty inspiring, you can take one line and it can mean so much. This is how i would answer the question posed above.

Walk into the storm

Walk into the rage

Walk alone and free of pain

Turn your back on the world

It's fighting to keep you dead inside

The thing that scares them most

Is your will to be alive

It seems everytime you try

You fall just short

Of taking a breath

That deosn't eat away at your soul

Walk away

Without hate, without fear

Walk away and the shame will dissapear

Take comfort in being alone

Becuase it's the only way that you can tuly live

The only way that you can give

Back to a world

That tried to take it all away

Walk with a clear mind and open ears

Walk with eyes that see the truth

And a heart that beats to its own rythm

A heart that's no longer subject to abuse.

Overcome the only thing that scares you

So the next time you try

You'll breathe a breath of defiance

And you'll know what it feels like to be alive.

Think What You Will

“No Faith”

I look up to the sky and see
The walls of this world falling down around me
And you’re still picking up the pieces
Rebuilding the same structure
Because you think we need it

We have no faith in anything that you’ve created
No faith that this city skyline won’t collapse
That the system you worship
Won’t turn and stab you in the back
We have no faith in your pretty smile
Because behind those lines the wasteland runs for miles

We don’t need your empty promises
We don’t need the problems you left for dead
We don’t need the schizophrenic tendencies
That run rampant inside your head

We need the hope that you’ve forgotten
Stop trying to save a society that’s spent to long rotting
Because all we need is what we have inside
Stop looking behind us so we can strengthen our minds
And if we let them run free they'll break the chains
That held us captive from the inside

NO FAITH
But there are things that we’ll create
That will take hold and shape
The way we live our lives and help us to finally escape.
NO FAITH

More Zinn

I came across this interview with Howard Zinn. I found it really interesting. www.alternet.org/story/43138/

The new Shook Ones leaked so i've been listening to it non-stop the whole week. Take everything Dan Yemin has been involved with and put it together and you have Shook Ones, it's amazing. Daggermouth is tommorow thats gonna be rad, its a weird venue, some goth club or something.

School is terrible when you have to take "general education" classes that are pointless, yet the proffesors find a way to make them painfully boring and difficult.

Art of Life

I've been reading Howard Zinn Lately. He has a relatively new book out called "Original Zinn" It's a bunch of interviews he did with a guy named David Barsamian. Noam Chomsky has one out in that same format. They're both really interesting. I've been cluttering my mind with so much literature lately, between school and what i read for "fun" it seems like im always reading. I need to go to another show. Propagandhi is on the 25th, Daggermouth is the 20th and i got tickets for night one of the F*cked Up fest as its called, with Righteous Jams, Mind Eraser, and of course the infamous "Hidden World." I Finally got pictures from the Strike Anywhere, Ignite, MLIW show i saw a month ago. There aren't any photos of MLIW becuase kids in Toronto would'nt know innovative, creative and passionatte hardore music if it slapped them in the face. And it has slapped them in the face, numerous times, they just stand their like nothing happened, in a state of shock. I think most of them are robots who only respond to one-chord, monotonous breakdowns and then proceed to "ninja dance" as a result.

I only see myself in one of these pictures, i don't know which song this is from but some lame kid beside me is throwing up the horns, which sucks. i hate it when kids do that.

Urgency

I've been reading a really good book lately. Dealing with issues of the heart. While i was reading tonight something hit me and i felt inspired to write something, i would like it to be a song, but we'll see. I've been listening to alot of have heart lately so i guess you could say the overall attitude of the song is have heart inspired aswell as being inspired by the book im reading.

"Strength"

I need the strength to resist
Everything inside of me
That will try and bring me down
I need the strength to break myself apart
And expose every scar and every seething wound
That has been buried deep inside my heart

I’m screaming out, I’m asking myself
And anyone who will listen
Where do I find my strength?

I have been stabbing myself in the back for too long
I’ve been spitting lies about my life, about my heart
For too long!

And now the time has come to swallow all of my pride
To lay to rest
Everything Inside of me that strives to fit into this world

I’ve realized true strength
Comes from the truth inside of my heart
I needed to see myself for who I really am
And not for what this world would have me think I am

I’m learning what it feels like to be free
What it means to hear the voice of truth inside of me
Screaming “I’m taking back control, I’m taking back control”

"I Can Read The Pain In Your Eyes"

I learned "Picking Up The Pieces" by Go It Alone on the guitar the last couple days, i dont think ive ever been this stoked on learning one song. i had been listening to it for probably close to 18 months and i love the guitar in it, its fairly simple, but its the little things that count. If you've heard this song you know what im talking about, if you haven't you should really go check out Go It Alone's Vancouver Gold E.P. Take the innovation of Reserve 34 and add more intensity and really raw heartfelt vocals. And if you havent heard Reserve 34 do so, it's worth it.

I've been really getting into the Allegiance full length "Overlooked" it was released last summer on Rivalry i think. This song is one of my favorite off of that album, i can really relate to it

"Don't Tell Me"

I never thought it would've been you - Standing out in the cold - Just to get away from yourself - Hide the truth behind a lying smile - Remember when you were fucking strong? - You'll live to see another day - And outstretched arm and I'll grab hold - Seems like every time I get close - You shut your eyes - And back away - I know you better than this - I scream do not let it back in - Don't tell me you're fine - I can read the pain in your eyes

Strike Anywhere/Ignite/Modern Life Is War

This show was alot of fun, The crowd was a little weak for Modern Life Is War, which was dissapointing. I thought i was going to miss them since they were opening and we were running late. i was having a bit of a hard time coming to terms with that fact, but we ended up making it on time and my rampant worrying was all for nothing. There was only like 5 or 6 kids really into them which sucked, and then they blew an amp during the intro for "By The Sea" their second last song, so they stopped. It sucked but it was nice to see them again their music means alot to me.

A Global Threat played next, i'm not really into them so we didn't stay for their set. Then came Ignite, They were amazing, Zoli's voice is beyond impressive. I think "Who Sold Out Now" was my favorite song they played, i love the chorus. Their was alot of energy throughout the set, a constant circle pit which you dont see all that often, there was an inordinant amount of street punk kids there. I don't remember them being so violent.

Strike Anywhere were flawless like they always are. They played a nice mix of old and new stuff. During "Sunset on 32nd" They told everyone to get on stage. Maybe 30 people made it up, it was awesome, im sure their will be pictures it was probably quite the scene. I always enjoy seeing Strike Anywhere Thomas is so sincere and you can tell hes giving it all he has.

On a side note Sarah bought a Ignite hoodie she's never gonna hear the end of, and that is probably going to be the last show even remotely associated with hardcore music she ever geos to. it's a tragedy.

Restless Nights.

I was in British Colombia this past week, Vancouver and Victoria are both beautiful cities. I wanted to catch a show while i was in Vancouver but i didnt stay long enough. I wanted to stay until tomorrow, Blue Monday's final show with Betrayed, The First Step, and Allegiance. That would have been awesome.

I found some pictures from the Gorillia Biscuits/Comeback Kid show i was at a few weeks ago.

I think this was during "Changing Face" thats one of my favorite songs by Comeback Kid, you should be able to tell by my expression.

Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot ... i wish i was cool enough to attend that.

www.alternet.org/story/40344/
This is ridiculous. It's a little un-nerving to know that people like this exist all over the world. Maybe they exist more densley in area's such as the area the cotenxt of the article is based on. but still, i mean its a gun. It's sole purpose is to violently tear through human flesh with the intent of killing or severly injuring the individual lucky enough to be shot with one. Maybe its just a cultural thing. I just think guns are useless, but then again if i lived in a constant state of fear and accepted a government that whole heartedly embraces and exprots violence to all corners of the world, maybe i would be a little "gun crazy" too. Alot more can be said on this issue, but i think the article deos fair enough justice.

Gorillia Biscuits/Comeback Kid

This show was rad. The stage was at least four feet high making for some insane stage diving. Kids were clearing what looked like ten feet off the stage and landing in the middle of nowhere. I really enjoyed CBK's set Andrew is really doing a good job taking over vocals. I lost it when they played "False Idols" musically it probably isn't their best song but the lyrics hit home with me more than any other songs they play live. As for GB they were amazing i stood back and watched everything it was cool to see how much those guys mean to people, seeing them live helped me understand the true impact they had and continue to have on hardcore punk music. My favorite song by them was definately "Start Today" it's been my favorite GB song since i started listening to them so it was nice to see them perform it live.

Im missing some really good shows this month Iron Age and Spanish Bombs tonight, and then im missing Go It Alone on the 24th which sucks i've been looking forward to seeing them as long as they've been around.

Unbreakable

21.. i feel so old.. haha. my birthday was last sunday. Everyone keeps asking me how it feels to be 21. It feels good knowing i have my whole life ahead of me. I feel optimisitc but at the same time i'm my own harshest critic so im not taking anything for granted. its frustrating seeing people wasting their lives away on nothing, especially those closest to you. Being so young and having all the opportunity i could ask for it would be ignorant and selfish of me not to reach for the sky. I think its more a matter of finding who you really are and finding your passion, something that drives you like nothing else can. For me it's music and a desire to see the world change. those two things are so often intertwined that it becomes sort of cliche. But i still think that there are few things more powerful than music with a compelling message. In light of that, i got a preview of the new Have Heart "The Things We Carry" One of the songs is titled "The Unbreakable" and it's amazing:

He was a kind hearted man in a hateful world. And he caught everything that life ever hurled. Like the oldest mountain he always stood so tall. Forever showing what it means to be unbreakable. Paycheck to paycheck, three jobs a day. He's the ransom for his family's pain. In the coldest world with the warmest heart. He puts to shame what you consider hard. He's the man that you don't see in the mirror. While the world was screaming death, he chose a different song to hear. He's the band that's playing while the ship sinks. The song of hope forever sings. He taught the sun to shine. Now please teach this son to shine. How can this world never break your warm heart in this frigid fucking place? You're like the river: always flowing and growing, never changing, rearranging. How can this world never take your solid stance in these turbulent times? You're like the tree in the burning forest that never was burned down. And what he said to me was this:"Just love the world that won't love you back" Old man take a look at my life, I'm nothing like you are. Take a look at my life, I'm so very fucking far. From the person I aspire to be. Unbreakable.

The First Step/Fired Up/Keep It Up

I had alot of fun at this show. The First Step played an amazing set. It was nice to be in a room with people who truly know what hardcore is about and what its purpose is. It was relieving not having to deal with kids spinkicking and windmilling. It sucks always looking over your shoulder hoping your not going to get knocked out by some dude flaling his arms or legs. Anyway, The First Step really inspired me with the message, energy, and passion they brought. In a sense its renewed my faith in hardcore. Old school mosh rules. I cut my leg moshing; when i left the venue i looked down and theres blood running down my leg, i was pretty proud of it. Fired Up played a good set, im not all that familiar with them so i didn't get to involved, the same geos for Keep It Up.

This was my favorite song of the night. I lost it when they played this song, the lyrics realy resonate with me.

The First Step

"As It Is"

As It IsYES! I still believe but what do these words have to do with me. Are we all mute? Can't we speak and express the ideas we really think. I want your voice out of my head, I can't believe the words you said. All this great music with no message what is the point? Others MAY HOLD BACK, but I will speak my mind AS IT IS! The words I heard inspired me to look at myself and the world around me. I know what I believe I know what I think. I don't want this scene but I won't watch it sink. If we can help each other believe that life is worth living that is enough for me. A community that can do so much more than shout out slogans and hit the dance floor. Others MAY HOLD BACK, but I will speak my mind AS IT IS! I have faith in the words we said but it's useless man if we don't use our heads. Screaming at the top of my lungs you may think the core is over but it's just begun. So many people looking for green. They will curse and scream and just use the scene. It may hurt our name and you can win but you'll get out what you put in. Others MAY HOLD BACK, but I will speak my mind AS IT IS!

The Cost of Slavery

I have to go to some island on Georgian Bay to work the rest of the week. we have to stay at some rich dudes cottage. im gonna lose it.

Blacklisted called it quits a little while ago.. they had amzing lyrics.

Blacklisted

"I Refuse"

My mask is slowly fading, I'm quietly coming into my own. Time can be, can be so draining, like a cut that won't heal and goes straight to the bone. I refuse, To stand by, I refuse to close my eyes. Just because we're breathing doesn't mean we're alive, the beat goes on long after we're gone, what will they say after you die, moving along slowly moving along I'm moving towards, Nothing, Screaming out screaming so loud I'm screaming for, Nothing. Everything I want to say, buried deep inside of me, Everything that I say came back to me the wrong way, it's hard but I still have to try, to leave something behind, I refuse to stand by, I refuse to close my eeys. I refuse. I need to be moving towards, something, I need to be screaming for, Something, I need to be more understanding, I need to do more than standing, I can't, I can't let life pass me by.

Wasted On Nothing.

My boss is testing my nerves. It Deosn't seem like he has any morals or values. Sometimes i feel like telling him how i realy feel, I'd get fired so i don't. I wrote a little piece about how i see his situation and alot of other "business people." I guess its how i see the North American capitalist mindset. i could go on for days about this. i'll just post what i wrote out of frustration.

"Wasted"

What will you do when your life is at its end?
When everything that you have ever known is being ripped from your hands?
Would you still have the things that matter?
Or did you sell yourself out long ago?

Your integrity, your dignity, a fire that burns inside your heart
Its things like these that will stay with you forever
I don’t think you even know where to start

Your money, your material will fade away right before your eyes
And still you’re wasting your life away
Chasing dreams that fall short of reaching for the sky

DON’T FADE AWAY
Your life will let you down, looking back twenty years from now
DON’T FADE AWAY
Can’t you see there’s more; the truth is knocking at your door
So DON’T FADE AWAY
For the sake of you and for those around, for a world that’s desperate for the truth
And for those that you have helped destroy
I hope you SEE THIS THROUGH

For All The Unheard

The new Bouncing Souls record is amazing, i think it's thier best release to date. I've been listening to it non-stop since i picked it up last week. It has a really strong feel-good vibe to it. I can listen to it after I've had a bad day at work or something and completely forget about everything. So... if you like the souls, or punk or hardcore music in general, go pick up The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record.

Life Long Tragedy is a rad band as well, they've got a pretty brutal sound, it works well for them. This summer has alot of new releases from bands im pretty high on: Verse, Sinking Ships, Have Heart, Betrayed, Ruiner, and Another Breath to name a few.

Since i'm seeing Bane in Erie next Saturday i figured i'd post some lyrics from one of my favorite Bane songs

"Release The Hounds"

all swelled with pride, your chest blown out face the flag as you declare "we are the greatest country in the world richest, smartest, most advanced... who can keep up with us?" and where has it gotten us? take a look around as miserable as we have ever been violent, mean , pulling our hair out as fourteen year olds march through metal detectors bitter unhealthy, empty most dissatisfied of societies my grand dad weeps for the simple days everything that you could ever dream of five minutes from our fingertips prettied, processed, packaged, shipped right to your door we need everything in every color to feel that we're alive we've got to brag to all the world about all our toys just like when we were five i hear you chant "everything is alright, it's gonna be alright" as you rush to your night job everthing is gonna be alright knuckles white as you grip your purse you scream that things could not be better as the flames lick at your face and i'm as fucked as anybody the bright lights catch my eyes i'm as scared as anyone the blood rains from the sky we can't tell what we want from what we need or which one matters more it's all a spinning mobile it's all a catchy lullaby everthing is gonna be alright so suck your thumb

Enough Of This

I'm starting to understand my current situation better, so i wrote something about it, i dont know if it will become a song or not. It makes alot of sense to me, i dont know if it will to anyone else.

"Enough of This"

I feel like I’m about to snap
The life I’m leading is going nowhere I can’t see
Spinning and spinning until I break apart and become SOMETHING NEW

And these days, they look so grim
My destination is somewhere in the sky, but the clouds always linger over my head
I climb higher and higher waiting to fall and become SOMETHING NEW

But these days are growing me up, from the inside out
I’ll bend, but I won’t break, you can shake me, but you won't break me
I’ll push ahead, with the wind in my face
And at a slow and steady pace I’ll become SOMETHING NEW

I know that we all face days like these
So keep your head held high and your eyes focused on the sky
Tell yourself you’ve had ENOUGH OF THIS

And you’re striving for more than you could ever hope for

This life is full of ups and downs
Persevere through the hard times, build unbreakable character and will
And you will become more than you could ever have hoped for.

Tell yourself you've had ENOUGH OF THIS

Fight The Pain

I was in a bit of disgruntled mood today, for whateve reason. So i decided to sit down and write a song. Just let out whatever was on my heart. I just wrote it a few hours ago, so far i've written the music for the first verse. It sounds good. It's tentatively titled " Fight The Pain" and im sure i'll make some modifications as i write the rest of the music for it.

Do you ever feel like running away from everything that you’ve ever known?
Turning your back on everyone that has ever cared for you?
Because sometimes it feels like it’s easier to just duck and hide
To choose to ignore your regrets and all the mistakes that you cannot forgive

When all is said and done the ones who choose to run are the ones who DIE IN VAIN
And those who stand and FIGHT THE PAIN, the ones willing to RE-ARRANGE
Are the ones who will be set FREE

From this life of captivity that so many of us lead
Left in the dark without a hope
The burdens of so many years are weighing on our hearts and minds
And the longer we push it away, the tighter the noose becomes around our necks

So stand up and FIGHT THE PAIN
Believe in what’s inside your heart
Even if it’s so bound up it’s BARELY BEATING

Because if you aren’t reaching for the truth, you may as well lay down and waste away
Just swallow your pride and FIGHT THE PAIN

Comical use of the english language

In Stride is looking for a bassist. When i read this i was slightly amused, i thought i would post it and see if anyone else find this as funny as i do. It's prbably not that funny, but i'm tired.

"We are also currently looking for a bass player who is a solid dude, can roll easy and does not bring drama. They must also be crucial and be down to practice at least once a week. No drunks or weeders please." - In Stride

It's a Sick World

Heres a few of the 1,000,000,000 reasons you shouldn't drink. And..... drinking alcoholic beverages should be reserved for those wishing to die. Even if you drink in moderation your still openly supporting an industry that has wreaked havoc in society and on countless lives. Just sit back, open your heart, and think clearly. I've been working so much i haven't had time to write anything on my own. So i'm posting lyrics from some of my favorite songs.

A song from Go It Alone, I love this song.

"Turn It Off"

I've watched too many friends destroy themselves, searching for fulfillment in the bottom of a bottle. And I know what it's like because I've felt it, too. That empty feeling can be enough to make you break. I know it's scary to face the truth of our lives. It's easier to just sedate our minds. Turn it off and disconnect ourselves. Numb all of our emotions until there's nothing left. Sifting through the wreckage of broken lives. Watch it all fall apart, leaving us dead inside. I won't settle for cheap escape, won't watch my life go down the drain, won't give up my control in an attempt to numb the pain. Watch it fall apart, keep running from ourselves. Watch it fall apart, try to drown out all the pain. You fell apart.

I Want To Be Rewritten

This is one of my favorite Blue Monday songs. It Captures the spirit of Blue Monday pretty well i think. If i had to use one song to sum up what this band is all about i'd use this one. If you haven't heard this song go download it and then read the lyrics while listening, you'll be moved.

"The Everything Festival"

And sometimes I think there has to be something more I feel it fester inside. But it looks like I'm destined to just fall back in line. Every one of my actions seems so damn clichéd has my path been predisposed. Am I just another pawn in this game? Every minute's one step closer to my last breath still I adjourn my aspirations to another day. When I look in the mirror I see my father's sunken eyes so lost and destitute just before he dies. I cannot succumb to a world of playing it safe with halls of regret my vices cannot placate. I don't want to have to look back and say I wish I had more. Apathy never gained me a gooddamn thing. I crave more. Every minute's one step closer to my last breath. I crave more. Still I adjourn my aspirations to another day. I crave more. I want to be rewritten. Cause I don't want to have to look back and say "Make me young, make me young...."

Tattered Hearts.

I wish that you could see the truth that lies inside your heart.
I wish that you could know the things that would set you a part
Your pushing away what you know inside is right
It hurts to much to open up, it hurts to much to let it all out.
Years of being stepped on, years of abuse
Have killed your will to live for more
You need to fight, you can't give in and let apathy control
I can tell you the truth and you can spit in my face
You can crawl back into the lies you've been living in for so long
But in the end it's up to you, it's out of my hands... because
THIS IS YOUR LIFE, THIS IS ALL YOU HAVE.

Bring It To Life.

The passion and hope inside you. It's needed now more than ever. Just look around and see the destruction of the human spirit, it's rampant. People are dying on the inside; dropping like flies. So... Don't fall, keep hope alive and be a light in the dark....

I Think I Have Been Here Before Because Everything Feels The Same

I got the new Go It Alone/Blue Monday and the new Champion/Betrayed splits in the mail today. Amazing. Go listen.

3000 Miles

I've been listening to alot of Vancouver/Seattle hardcore lately. It seems to produce some of the most unique and innovative hardcore bands around. I would say Go It Alone, Blue Monday, Champion, Sinking Ships, and Shook Ones are my personal favorites from that area. Although recently i stumbled across a few others bands that i really enjoyed from that area, Get The Most, In Stride, and especially Legit. If you have any time you should take it and go Check some of these bands out at www.legitimatebros.com . Especially Legit i'm really impressed by them

Inspiring

I thought i'd post some lyrics from one of my favorite bands (champion) this song hits you where it counts. seriously just read it and take what you will from it. It's nothing complicated, it's just telling the straight forward truth.

Miles To Go

When I fall I get right back up again and I walk it off
Because life's much too short to be held back by my mistakes
And when I struggle I try my best to find the lessons learned
They get me through and help me give my best
You're running from your problems and getting nowhere,
But you can't forget your dreams
You'll never reach the goals you've set
Unless you try to take the risk Can you take the chance?
You watched all your efforts get wiped away
And washed out with the tide
Don't let it kill the hope you feel inside
Let's get it straight you need to get back up and try again
Because sometimes the only path to take Is the hardest one to walk
Last shot at our mistakes, the time is now to set them straight
With miles to go will you take the risk?
The choice is yours, are you willing to take the chance?
With miles left to go, will you take the risk?
Because the only path to take is the hardest one to walk.

The Corporation

Is insanely evil. It's also a book made in a documentary that's extremely thought provoking. I get chills when i watch parts of it. The part when they show the revolution that took place in Bolivia over clean water. Watching that gave me hope that the people really do have the power. All we have to do is recognize the power is in our hands and make things right. It's a long road, but a neccesary one if humanity is to survive.

Go watch "The Corporation" or better yet go read the book then watch the movie multiple times. If you haven't been moved by the knowledge you've gained by doing this then i don't know what to say. It's just that crucial.

I have nothing to talk about but music......

Blue Monday broke up. Sad news. I never got to see them live and i was hoping one day the would play Toronto. They put on an awesome show, or so i've heard. Theres a real lack of positive hardcore in Toronto, hopefully some people see that void and fill it with the second coming of GB or something like that. Although it's highly unlikely that will ever happen, on any place on earth.

Lifetime is recording at some point in the near future. Im extremely interested in hearing the new stuff considering they haven't really recorded anything since '97. It'll be good, Dan Yemin will have his hands all over it so it has to be good. Speaking of that dude, i've been listening to Kid Dynamites' Shorter, Faster, Louder alot lately, its phenominal, it really is one of the best hardcore punk albums of all time.

I'm also reading a book right now called " In The Name of Democracy." It's about various war crimes commited by the U.S, it mostly deals with Iraq. It gives an interesting perspective, more rational than alot of other books that deal with that topic.

I wonder if anyone who reads this has the slightest clue as to what i'm talking about......

RAGE!!!

This is what i look like when i rage at a Comeback Kid show.
Check it.
I'm the kid in the grey shirt.

look closely....




adjusting earplug...

Redemption

I figured since i ranted about some of those kids at the show last saturday and how im dissolusioned with the mindset of some of the younger kids at shows i would write a blog on how im not at all out of touch with the music. There have been alot of hardcore and punk albums that have been released in the last few years that are amazing and should re-assure anyone like me that this music will never die. To name a few of these albums:



















Those are just some of the albums that have impacted me in the past few years. Theres quite a few more, thats why i know this music will never die, despite what people make it into it will always be sincere and it will always be special and have a spot in the hearts of alot of people.

Comeback Kid/This Is Hell/Iginite/First Blood

It was a good show, especially comeback kid, andrew did an amzing job with the vocals. which didnt surpirse me since hes so good with figure four. his vocals are different with comeback kid though, i think i like them better. This is Hell put on an amazing set, i was impressed, i had never seen them before saturday night and i'll definately see them next time they play toronto, i need to get more familiar with their stuff first. Ignite was awesome to, but it was unfortunate they didnt get a good reaction, aside from like 20 people, i'll get to that later. First Blood was ok, they were good if the only thing you like is throwing down and songs with breakdowns that are 3 minutes long. none the less, i have alot of respect for them and their beliefs even though i dont partcularly like thier music.

Now, this is the disturbing part. it seems all kids know how to do in the toronto scene is throwdown or two step, theres nothing wrong with it, but these kids need to understand that very rarely can you throwdown to comeback kid and you cant two step or throwdown to ignite. It was disgracefull a band like ignite thats put so much of themselves into the scene and the kids here dont know the first thing about them becuase they dont have breakdowns. the big problem is that 85% of kids are into hardcore music becuase they think its cool, or they're following a trend. its frustrating for people like me who have been into the music since we were little kids and becuase of that it holds a special place in our hearts. For me hardcore isnt about flailing your limbs all over when some dude plays the strings open on his guitar, its not about being in a crew, its not about looking a certain way, its not about following a trend. its about the sincerity of the music and passion and truth thats in the message.

I was pushed over the edge to write this whole rant when i was in front of the stage for comeback kid, they played the song changing face and before they played it andrew said that the song was for anyone who is here for the right reasons. and if you know that song you know what they meant. anyway theres one line in the song that says "I don't need a crew to validate myself." and sure enough theres a kid who i know is in a "crew" yelling these lyrics into the mic. thats proof these kids arent in it for the right reasons.

Anyway thats enough, this is getting ridiculous. im just so disollusioned with the scene right now, its drving me insane to see these kids take something i love and twist it to fit their mold. A mold that is actually contradicting the whole message of the music that they claim to hold so dear.

This is Stupid.

Today in front of the Eaton's Center there was some dude, i guess you could call him an "evangelical loudmouth", He was yelling things about Jesus Christ and how if you dont worship him you'll go to hell, through a megaphone. So i told him to shut up and then he yelled through his megaphone that satan was laughing at me. haha. i wanted to go over to him and tell him how he was being a complete hypocrite, but it wouldnt have done any good.

I propose that we send every religious fundementalist in the world to an abandoned island far away from civilization and let them kill eachother. they'd all be yelling at eachother about who's religion is better. Then becuase they've been so sheltered from reality their whole life, they would have trouble surviving, go insane, and kill eachother. It would do our society alot of good, think about it........

Evil

The most evil human beings on the face of the earth are those who own, invest, and make huge sums of money from large corporations, such as haliburton, exon, walmart, unical, the list geos on and on. Money making corporations are mosters, those who work within them compromise their basic human instincts and become monsters themself.

SYSTEMS OF PROFIT, WE PUNISH WITH LOVE AS OUR WEAPON.

START PUNISHING!!!!

Lions/Protest weekend

Lions show was awesome this weekend, the last song was so intense. "From the blood in my heart, to the blood on my hands." was being yelled, furiously, into the mic by like 15 people, whichis the best part of any show. there was alot of stupid scene kids who know nothing about the spirit of hardcore music. To them long emo hair, tight pants, and lip peircings are the what its about, but for the few who actually care enough to know what hardcore music means to so many people that sort of thing is meaningless. ohh well kids will be kids i guess, at least in 2 years they'll be long gone from hardcore, and they'll be jumping onto someother bandwagon. im sure some of those kids will find out what its all about and it'll become more than a fad, but im not very optimistic about that. There's alot of crap going on in the hardcore scene right now, it sucks, but there's also alot of awesome bands out their making music for the right reasons.

The protest .... it was cold, but it was cool. it sucked not very many people came out .. thats the way it always is though. Im sure at least 80% of people oppose this war, but like 2% of those people came out to protest. thats the problem , people are to lazy drowning in their own apathy to even lift a finger in support of a good cause, i guess its just a microcosm of the bigger picture of whats wrong with our society.

In other news.... winter sucks, i will never hate anything more than i hate winter.

Che Guevara

This is disturbing. Whats up with all these kids walking around with Che Guevara parefenalia. I guess they think its cool becuase they have some rebellious dude they know nothing about on their shirt. I say they know nothing about him, becuase if they did they wouldnt be wearing that stuff. The truth is the company that makes the stuff is partaking in a capitalist acitivity, which is something Che Guevara deid fighting against. Its extremely ironic that this is happening, but its kind of funny. Whenever i see someone wearing something with his name or picture on it i can't keep a straight face. if you want to wear something with Che Guevara on it, go make it yourself, he would be proud of you. Anyone who owns any of this stuff needs to go burn it. Wearing it is only bringing shame to Che Guevara's name

Kid Dynamite......

I got the Kid Dynamite DVD "Four Years In One Gulp" last night, i havent watched the whole thing yet, but what i've seen is amazing. Before that Robyn and i went to swiss chalet becuase we're fiends for that place and i had gift certificates. Then her freind Phil wanted us to go the Cursed show at the reverb. So we decided to... only we went to the kathedral instead, the reverb is upstairs. So we had to witness a really bad metalcore band from the U.K that made my ears bleed. they did actually bleed... it was that bad.

In other news, go listen to a band called "Dead Hearts". you'll thank me later.

No Trigger

The new No Tigger album is really good, it's called Canyoneer. It's not out till march 21, but i got it leaked from the net. Which is cool cuz i always buy the cd for the sole purpose of supporting the very few bands i appreciate.

School

School SUCKS!!!! i have to write a 2000 word essay today and i have no idea what to do, thats what you get for slacking off. so i guess its me that sucks, not school, anyway im screwed as of tomorrow when i hand it an incompetant essay. just thought everyone who deonst care, or know me should know that.

Champion + With Honor

This is sad, sad news. One of my favorite hardcore bands, Champion broke up. It's a shame, they were amazing, they embodied everything i valued in the hardcore music scene. Their music wil live on however, their positive message will be with me for a long time. They left a lasting mark on alot of people.

In other news the Todd, the lead singer from another one of my favorite hardcore bands, With Honor, left the band. I dont know why, i hope it wasnt anything stupid. Anyway i thought that sucked, he seemed like an awesome dude when i saw them live in november. Unlike Champion their still alive, and hopefully wont lose a step. If there had been two break-ups in two days i dont know if i could have made it.

Anyway, to Champion and Todd, thanks for the good times, hopefully for the sake of everyone who cares about hardcore music you guys will resurface in another capacity.

Gutless

I finished reading a novel called Half-Breed for my humanities class. Its written by a women name Maria Campbell and its essentially a story of her life, not entirely accurate, but close enough to make a point. She's a Metis Women(half native canadian, half european) and she gives you an understanding of what it's like to be Metis. the most intriguing thing i drew from it was how our mainstream soiceities wreckless pursuit of money screwed with her so bad. her values were so different and then, believing she could obtain things of material worth she geos of and pursues wealth in that same wreckless manner. needless to say it ends up putting her in the psych ward of a hospital. a really good book if you want to understand the struggle native people in North America face. i would reccomend it to anyone.