The Road Less Traveled

European Invasion

2008-10-07T20:47:00.006-04:00

It's time to get motivated and update this thing more regularly, my apologies for those of you who actually read this and enjoy it, i actually do enjoy writing about music, and just writing in general and now that i have a reliable computer it will make things a little easier. I also updated my other blog, Against The Grain, I'm starting to do book reviews so check it out if you want to know about some cool books.

This post is going to be solely about European youth crew, specifically those bands on Powered Records. First off, the new Common Cause record "The Power To Change" is really great. I got the pre-order a couple of weeks ago and have been listening pretty consistently, I'll do a more in depth review when i can find a digital copy somewhere and have more time to listen to it. Secondly, the new True Colors 7" has solidified these guys as my favorite current youth crew band with Fired Up close behind, with TFS now out of the picture. Speaking of Fired Up, they're coming out with a new 7" on Youngblood Records I think, i can't wait for that, it'll more than likely be on my top 10 list at the end of the year.

Getting to that True Colors 7", it's probably their best material to date and that's saying something coming from me considering i can't get enough of their LP "Focus on The Light". The songs off of "Perspective" just sound more complete and little more dynamic. It's still straight forward catchy youth crew, with gruff, sometimes Ray Cappo-esque vocals and solid delivery all around. You can tell these guys have been around for a bit longer though, they've improved as musicians, or at least in their chemistry with one another and Packo's vocals seem a little more worn, which works just as well. The lyrics are positive and at times insightful. At this point this record is probably my favorite to come out in 2008, considering there have been a lot of other memorable releases this year that's some pretty high praise. Well worth it though. If you haven't heard this yet, it's really essential, especially if you enjoy any sort of youth-crew hardcore, this band reaches near perfection within the parameters of this genre, and that's right where they should be.

I was lucky enough to see True Colors play last night on their North American tour. It was awesome, they played a YOT cover, "I Have Faith" along with some of my favorites from their own collection. Their live show is somewhat reminiscent of the recently defunct First Step's, which is a really good thing, they had a ton of energy, their vocalist, Packo, was relentlessly yelling his lungs out and all the while sprinting, jumping, and moshing throughout the tiny space he had. Speaking of small places, the venue where this show was held, Siesta Nouveaux, was pretty small, it was the first time i had been there since it took over as the primary spot for hardcore punk shows, it has a cool vibe though and the owner of the place seems really into it. This is a good thing considering good venues in this city are few and far between.

This was also the first time my younger brother was able to make it to a show with me, his first hardcore punk shows, so it was definitely cool to see, he's been into the music for a while so it was about time he got to take part in the real deal. We got there half way through local band Come Clean's set, i won't link them because they were not enjoyable, although I'm sure some people would like them, just too melodic and the vocals were really bad. Next, another local, Molested Youth played, they were all really young, no older than 17 or 18 so that was good too see, they've got a good concept too, just a stripped down early 80's hardcore sound. They weren't very together on most songs and the guitarist couldn't figure out how to tune his guitar and aside from one valiant effort didn't seem to care that he was way out of tune. Their set was highlighted by their singer spinning around on the floor like Curly from The Three Stooges used to do, it was pretty weird.

True Colors were next, they opened their set with an instrumental in which Packo was leaping and moshing, i think the intention was to get himself warmed up. I don't remember all the songs they played but going off memory they played "Coming Through", "The Way To Myself", "Perspective", "Enough", "Direction", and maybe one or two others, they finished with "Focus On The Light" which was really fun. Also During the song "Perspective" they have a near seizure educing mosh sequence than would make any youth crew fanatic stomp into oblivion. If you haven't heard this song, it's on their new 7", listen to the last 30 seconds or so. There wasn't really many kids into it, although they drew the biggest response on the night. But nonetheless it was an awesome time and I'm thankful they were able to make a stop in Toronto on this tour.

Cruel Hand played next and although i wasn't really that enthused with them on record i thought they played a really good set, they had a lot of energy and seemed like they were dead on through every song. They also, along with True Colors seemed really grateful to be able to play which was cool too see. I'll definitely check this band out more thoroughly and catch them next time if they come back to the city.

Anyway, that's it. I'll leave with the lyrics my favorite song off of True Colors latest.

Without faith

Walls of lies - Buildings of hate
The people stand in line to taste the poison they create
Losing touch - Reality
Humanity is marching on a song without faith

Without faith

Without faith, without faith - brainless fools
Without faith, without faith - blindfolded truth

It's all the same, with all those stories
Power over wisdom, it's all about their glories
No eyes for no one, except themselves
The world is dying your own hands
Selfish needs - Absurdity
Selfish needs - No identity

Are you fuckin' buying it - No fuckin' way
Go

Hatred is becoming a natural thing - It's time
To do something

It's not too late

Walls of lies - Buildings of hate
The people stand in line to taste the poison they create
Losing touch - Reality
Humanity is marching on a song without faith

Currently Listening: The Clash - London Calling

Won't Leave It Behind

2008-09-10T20:50:00.003-04:00

Another major blogging hiatus is coming to an end, my computer is partially broken but that's only partly an excuse. Really I've just been lazy and with school starting and sucking not only money but most of my liveliness out of me, I'm having a more difficult time getting motivated. I didn't blog much this summer mostly due to not really listening to as much music as i would have liked, i found myself dedicating most of my free time to reading this summer.

I also think I've found more of a balance as to where hardcore and punk fit into my life, i no longer really look to lyric sheets for an escape or for "enlightenment" or whatever you want to call it. That probably has more to do with age, most kids around playing bands are around my age, or if they're now defunct they were around my age when they wrote their best stuff. I guess in a lot of ways I've stopped looking to punk or hardcore for my identity, that's stupid anyway, but i would say as a younger kid it helped me in a lot of ways. I'm not trying to say that kids in their early twenties don't have anything good to say, it's quite the contrary, there's something amazing that you can only really capture in your youth, the older you get the harder it is to sustain but i would say one of the most important things a person can do is hang on to their youth, to never get old in spirit.

The point I'm trying to make is that i think you move past the point in life where punk music can really have a profound impact on your life, that's not say you stop participating in it, or stop loving it, it just means that you're able to put it into a greater perspective that sees punk music as only a piece in the vastness of your entire life and your development as a person. I think the impact that punk or hardcore can have on a person can resonate throughout their whole life and can help them connect or carry on what it meant to them to others, it never dies, it just shifts priorities. Punk music has had a huge impact on my life, it's shaped part of who i am now, i can still remember the first punk song i ever heard, i was 11 or 12 years old and my aunt bought me a cover album which included a song by MxPx. I must have played that song a thousand times over within a week, something just clicked, the rest is history. A lot of my ideas as a kid in high school came from the music i listened to and for that I'm incredibly thankful, thankful i had music to spare me from the otherwise mundane existance of an awkward, angry teenagers life.

Although my philosophical bent on life has been changing and is in some ways moving away from some of the more dominant ideals in punk music there are still a lot of relevant bands whose political and social commentary speaks to what i believe. Good Riddance will forever be that band, specifically their record Operation Phoenix, which is a masterpiece. There are also bands like Minor Threat and 7 Seconds that speak to me and have influenced me on that level. And more recent bands like Strike Anywhere, Stretch Arm Strong, Verse, and Lion of Judah are encouraging to me, just to know that it's not lost on these bands that effecting the world in a positive way is the most noble thing a group of kids with a microphone and a few attentive ears can do.

With all that said, I've been listening to a lot of great music the last little while though and will be more so now. The Hostage Calm LP has been constantly churning the hard disk on my mp3 player, the more i listen to it the more i like it, perhaps my praise for it was a little subdued in the review i wrote for it, probably not. I've also been listening to the new True Colors 7", which is very good, maybe even better than Focus on The Light and Battery's Whatever it Takes is gaining near legendary status in my personal discography.

Over the past year or so I've been giving more time to Battery's entire discography and i haven't been slightest bit disappointed. I remember when i first heard of this band and i went through a struggle to get all their material so i could listen to all of it. Whatever It Takes was the first album i came upon and as often seems to be the case, with myself at least, it's still my favorite stuff by them even though I've had a chance to listen to their full discography thoroughly enough.

I think this album flows together better than any of their others, the production is a bit more crisp and seems to capture them as a band better. I've never been awed by Battery's lyrics, with the exception of Why Is She In Pain and this record is no different, the content is really good it's just not written great. They still saywhat they're intended and what they're intended to say is definitely worth saying. The song Who Are You? is also one of my favorite Battery songs, i love the riffs and melodies in it. This record really seems like a completion of their style, i don't want to say they coined a new style of hardcore but they certainly had a sound that would not have been recognizable before their existance. They're one of a few bands that have a distinctive style and sound that sets them apart from they're contemporaries and this record is in my opinion the most complete display of Battery's style of hardcore punk. If you don't have this record yet, pick it up here: http://revhq.com/store.revhq?Page=search&Id=REV065

I've written too much this post, one more thing. I'm going to be turning my other blog, Against The Grain, into a book review blog of sorts . I've read a ton of books over the past few years, some of them which have been hugely influential on my life so i thought it would be cool to do a little write up on some of them. So hopefully i'll have the first one up by the end of the week, just a heads up to anyone who may be interested, it will be on Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You.

Also, i almost forgot again, check out A Riot of My Own it's a really good blog by xroldx from The Netherlands. Some cool interviews and album reviews over there, definitely worth the time!

Currently listening: Good Riddance - Operation Phoenix

Passing The Torch

2008-07-26T20:01:00.007-04:00

I've been a fan of Another Breath since they released "Not Now, Not Ever" in 2004, the first time i heard it i was thoroughly impressed with the sound this band produced, really thick guitars and furious vocals, melodic but with enough edge that it doesn't get boring. I remember making a copy of this for the car just after i heard it for the first time, on the ensuing drive i must have listened to it 5 or 6 times, it seemed like i would start at track one and track eight would be over before i could really appreciate what i had just heard.

Since then I've made listening to this record a regular occurrence. I've since gained more of an appreciation for the lyrical content of this record, it's very straight forward, almost harsh but with a sincerity that comes across infinitely better than the number of bands who attempt to play a style of hardcore similar to this. The lyrics are introspective, but they aren't written so obscurely that there is absolutely no way you can relate to them, they're written in a way that seems to focus more on the personal effects of social or political forces. I've always been someone who looks first to the macro level rather than the micro, for good or bad, its always something I've done when attempting to address problems whether big or small. That's not to say that individual responsibility is lost and it certainly isn't in the mind of the singer as is evident is Clio, perhaps the best song on the record.

The song Rotting is probably my favorite lyrics wise, it deals with the struggles of unrealistic expectations based on appearance and superficial means as the first half of the song demonstrates; "Contingencies. You have no choice in this. We're brought into a world where judgment's made on face value. Desperation turned inward and another face frozen in time with disregard for substance. Billboard girls your smile looks so fake, the rain, your only tears, your eyes are dripping black. A false appearance. A brainwashing. Perfection unattainable. Image destroys the female youth." Another lyrical highlight comes in "Truth In Television" when the words; "You won't find any answers if you're looking away to The person that you wish you could be. I can't justify hiding behind masquerade. Reminding yourself that who you are doesn't matter at all," ring out to end the album.

Musically Another Breath play a style reminiscent of melodic youth crew with a heavy modern hardcore sound, similar to Go It Alone or Blue Monday. This record is well worth checking out if you haven't already, the only complaint i have was that it took a long time to place the lyrics within the songs, the singer's scream is somewhat indiscernible so at times you get lost, but overall it's a pretty futile detail especially if you take the time to let these songs grow on you.

Anyway, Pick this Record up at Rivalry Records

Currently Listening: Lagwagon - Hoss

No more Complacency

2008-07-15T19:37:00.003-04:00

Out of the plethora of music that i listen to and in particular hardcore or punk, there are a lot of bands that move me, whether it be socially, politically, or personally based i try and fill my ears with music that means something more than just the decibels pulsing through the speakers towards my ears. For me, punk was always about this, as much as there were certain records that i can say without a doubt helped me deal with growing up i always gravitated towards music that was solely agitated by how twisted the world is, music that not only witnessed this but sought to change it. There are very few records that can actually push a person to do something, to take legitimate action regardless of the cost and Verse's latest LP Aggression is one of them.

Verse has been one of my favorite bands since they formed, there is something so urgent in their music that is hard for me to ignore. Having listened to their previous efforts, Rebuild and From Anger and Rage thoroughly enough to be able to recite almost any lyric i can comfortably say that Aggression is their most complete, most thoughtful, and most powerful release to date. Each and every song and each and every word are played and sung like it's the last note or the last word ever to be produced.

The record starts urgent and pleading with A New Fury which highlights the devastating plight of our lives if we actually sit back and watch what's taking place, it ends with the words, " But they'll never silence me as long as i can breath". Those words and others like it are why this band is worth listening to, you can see the hopelessness, but if your not willing to fight it until there's nothing left of you, you may as well not know at all. Another moment of inexplicable will is witnessed in the song Scream, when after going over the defeats of others who haven't been willing to settle, vocalist Sean Murphy's insightful yell is heard exclaiming the words "But as long as my heart keeps beating. I still can't stop screaming. Silence. Is Violence. I'm Bending. I'm Breaking. I'm Broken. I'm still alive."

There are many moments on this record that have the potential to push stagnant minds into action, none more powerful than the album finale, Sons and Daughters. This song is really a recap of everything that's been said throughout the entire album, although it seems to say it even more powerfully than before. As the song slows to a halt the word Aggression is chanted with impassioned messages in between, culminating in the words "I won't stop until I've broken every chain" yelled until it seems every ounce of conviction has left the singers body.

I didn't make any mention of the musical qualities of this record, the words are more important, although the music is good, really good, the lyrics are overshadowing and in my opinion that's the way it should be. Most importantly this record isn't about rebellion, or angst, it's about truth and it's hovering very close to what i believe is the answer. The hard part is making the necessary sacrifices to be able to make a difference and this record can surely provide solace and motivation for those wishing to do so.

Pick this record up from Rivalry Records (In my opinion the best hardcore/punk label going right now) here.

Currently Listening - Verse - From Anger and Rage

Draw the Connections

2008-07-04T22:40:00.004-04:00

There's been quite a few new releases come out lately by bands that I've either been interested for a while now or have just been getting to know. The new Police and Thieves 7" out on Youngblood Records rips, i'll do a full review when I've had more time to listen to it. I received the new Killing the Dream LP last week from Deathwish, upon initial listen i wasn't impressed but i liked it much more upon the second listen and more the third time through, I'm not overly impressed with the lyrical content, after sitting down with the spiffy looking gate fold layout and reading the lyrics while listening to each song respectively i can't say that there's anything new or even remotely groundbreaking being said, although there doesn't always have to be and I'm sure the writing process was helpful for their singer.

One of the recent releases I've really enjoyed is Hostage Calm's debut LP "Lens". I love melodic hardcore punk when it's done right and this band does this style justice and then some. I've likened this band to Dag Nasty a couple of times now, if not entirely based on their sound it's because i can hear the ingenuity of their approach to the melodic punk sound, similar to what Dag Nasty was able to accomplish with "Can I Say". I'm not suggesting that this album at this point is in the same stratosphere as "Can I Say" but there is something about this record and this band that's unique enough to have even a fraction of the lasting impact of the aforementioned band and record and that, although seemingly pales in comparison is a feat not many in the 22 years leading up to this have been able to match. "Lens" is driven by a fast paced melodic rhythm that's present throughout every song but ultimately it's the vocalist who catapults each and every song beyond what the music gives potential for. It's in this aspect that i see the Dag Nasty comparison most glaring. The lyrics are equal to the vocal wizardry, without words worth singing there's really no point in singing. The lyrics are, like contemporaries Strike Anywhere and Verse, a call for change, really an urgent plea for our generation to wake up and even though that might sound cliche, it would only be cliche if we weren't all sleeping. Speaking of Strike Anywhere, there are more than a few moments on this record where the similarities between the two bands arise, in a song like Interchangeable Parts the Strike Anywhere comparison is easy to pin point. Audible and Lacuna are two songs with incredible melodies and really showcase the potential this band has while song like Nosebleed Section and Grayscale showcase a more stripped down approach. There isn't a weak point on this record, at least not that i can see in the 25 - 50 times I've listened to it, if you're into melodic punk, political punk, hardcore punk or whatever, just good sincere music with a message check this record out. Their demo, released last year is also really good, you can pick it up at the following link.

If not at your local record store, pick it up here: http://www.andnowthisishappening.com/

Currently Listening: Craig's Brother - Homecoming

Much The Same

2008-06-25T20:36:00.004-04:00

Anyone who knows my musical likes and dislikes, or has read this blog much at all knows that i love 90's skatepunk, i never really got in touch with the roots of this genre and it was only until bands like Lagwagon, Millencolin, Face to Face , NOFX, and No Use For a Name started playing a brand of skate punk more melodic than the genres founders that i got into it. I guess that's when it became more popular as well, regardless there's something to be said for music that can hearken you back to a time when you were just beginning to grasp the influence of music on the world and on your own life.

Much the Same were a 2000's era skatepunk band that remind me a lot of how it felt to hear the blistering fast melodies of many of the aforementioned bands for the first time and it's a feeling i never get sick of. They're heavily influenced, or at least sound influence by many, if not all of the bands i mentioned above. In 2006 they released their second full-length entitled Survive, it's more polished and more melodic than any of their previous efforts but it's also their most complete album. I just recently decided to give this a listen and i was more than glad that i did. It's incredibly catchy but it still has that edge that a lot of modern bands attempting to play this stuff lack. The guitar work is fairly simple, it's layered heavily enough, almost too much, but the more I've listened to this record the more it fits. Overall i really enjoy the guitar on this record, i also think the vocals are the strongest aspect, they aren't overbearing, but they aren't too timid either, they just fit the music very well. I guess that's how i would describe this whole record, it fits together really well, it's the culmination of playing hundreds if not thousands of shows together and releasing two E.P.'s and two full-lengths over the course of 7 or 8 years. There isn't much else to say, i won't even mention any stand-out tracks, their aren't any, outside of Skeletons. It seems to flow well enough that each song has a distinctness while still maintaining a fluidity that's hard for most bands to discover. Every song is worth listening to, the lyrics are nothing spectacular but they aren't mindless either, whatever the case it's clear that an incredible amount of effort went into every aspect of this record. This band just recently broke up, it would have been nice to see them live but judging by this record they left on the top of their game. If you're into this stuff, or think you might be, pick this up, it's on Nitro records which in my opinion is one of the better punk labels putting out music right now.

Tried and True

2008-06-17T19:18:00.004-04:00

I've spent some time thinking of new things to do with this blog, maybe making it more focused. Doing something like themed mixes like the guitar solo one a couple posts ago, it don't see many if any blogs attempting to do that, it would be difficult and i would probably get sidetracked and have trouble keeping regular updates. I thought about uploading rarer out of print stuff, but i really don't have enough of that stuff nor do i feel like doing that, there are a ton of bloggers doing that now, a few that i have linked on the side bar. I really have no desire to be a critic of any kind, i enjoy writing about music i like and i don't see the purpose in tearing something apart that a group of kids have put their heart and soul into creating. I'm sticking to writing about bands and records i love and am currently enjoying, I'm not going to upload them, good music is worth sacrificing a bit of the all might dollar to enjoy in its entirety. I might do some of those themed posts i mentioned, if i ever get the motivation.

With all that said, I'm going talk about an album released last year, one that would have made my best of '07 list had i heard it on time. Nothing Done's "Everybody Knows" LP. Nothing Done are from the Netherlands and they have a that European hardcore punk sound to them, one that I've come to love over the last few years. In terms of contemporary Euro bands, they're comparable to One Voice and True Colors, although their hardcore punk roots show through a lot more. Their latest record sounds like a perfect mish-mash between early Black Flag, SSD, Uniform Choice, and the band i use to rank any, even remotely youth crew band, Youth of Today. They put their own twist on things, without it this record wouldn't be quite as memorable, there's something about it that seems less jaded and less influenced by the cynicism and bull-shit attitudes that are all to present not only within hardcore punk but within society at large.
This record is an awesome listen start to finish. It starts off with the incredibly catchy "Over and Done" the middle of the record is highlighted by songs like "Pull Me In", their staple, "Jailbreak", and the title song "Everybody Knows". The best part of this record is the point where your 30 seconds from being done listening to it, thinking how you should probably listen to it again, or at least more often, and the solo on "Give it Back" kicks in. Go download the mix i made a couple posts down if you want to hear it, i probably listened to that song in particular 4 or 5 times in sequence after hearing it for the first time. I love records that have closing songs that leave nothing on the table, this entire album and really anything this band has ever released seems to be built on that priciple. Let it all out, and demolish any and everything that appears in under 90 seconds.

Back from the Dead

2008-06-12T19:19:00.002-04:00

I've been sleeping on the internet the past couple of months, it's actually more liberating than you might think. Anyway i'll get back to updating this blog regularly. In the meantime I'm going to list off some of the albums I've been paying special attention to and i'll expand on them in future posts. Most of them are newer so i haven't had adequate time to listen.

Verse - Aggression - This record is incredible, so much urgency and desperation i can't wait to get my pre-order from Rivalry. This band is the hardcore punk band right now, they aren't just making music, they're creating and calling to life ideas that can change the current worn-out state of the world.

Hostage Calm - Lens - This band is the Dag Nasty of the 2000's. Innovative melodic hardcore punk, not generic in any sense of the word. I said this band ruled on my best of '07 list and this record puts my not so daring statement in a nuclear bomb shelter.

RAH - Intelligent Design 7" - Finally some good, new local stuff. This stuff rages, although it doesn't really speak to me on a personal level, it's emotional and angsty and reminds me, at least upon initial listen a bit of the Lights Out LP.

88 Fingers Louie - The Dom Year's - This band rules, this record rivals "Back on the Streets". I'm looking for a copy of this, someone give me a heads up.

Avail - Front Porch Stories - Prior to a couple months ago i hadn't given this record much thought but after a few listens i realized i was depriving myself. Avail are an awesome punk and have never missed a beat as far as I'm concerned. A Full review of this is in order when i get a chance to listen to it more.

The Real Guitar Heros

2008-04-17T15:47:00.008-04:00

A few weeks ago i was listening to Straight Ahead and the song "Breakaway" came on, if you know that song, the solo is incredible. It got me thinking i need to make a play list of all of my favorite solos in hardcore or punk songs. So for the next couple weeks i picked out the songs i knew had to be on the play list from the top of my head and then put my media player on shuffle hoping to stumble across a gem or two from my music library. I came up with 17 songs, I'm sure there are plenty i missed and some of these songs are just personal favorite's. There are a handful of NYHC songs, as would be expected, some youth crew stuff, and some punk stuff. I tried to get a good mix of everything. Anyway i'll list the songs, if they don't play in your media player in this order, put them in this order, I've listened to this through a few times and i think it works best the way I've ordered them. I'll try and say a little something about each song as i list them.

1. Iron Boots - Don't Come Back
- This song rages right from the start, Iron boots are one of my favorite NYHC style bands going right now, worth checking out.

2. Straight Ahead - Breakaway
- I don't think i need to explain my choice here, one of , if not the best hardcore solo I've heard.

3. Propagandhi - Purina Hall of Fame
- One of my favorite Propagandhi songs off of what i think is their best record, Todays Empire Tomorrow's Ashes, this song closes out the record in an incredible way.

4. Bad Brains - Don't Need It
- This one doesn't need explaining either, a great song from the first and probably most technically proficient hardcore punk band.

5. Seaweed - Rethink
- If you were ever into the 90's grunge stuff I'm sure you know of this band. Far more punk than grunge, this song is one of my favorite.

6. Uniform Choice - Once I Cry
- I had a tough time choosing between this song and In Time, you can't really go wrong with UC so Once I Cry it is.

7. Leeway - Defy You
- I'd feel dumb if i didn't put a Leeway song on this, i just picked my favorite Leeway song and here it is.

8. Dag Nasty - Justification
- This was a no-brainer, the solo in this song is awesome and Can I Say is a quintessential punk record.

9. On The Rise - Turncoat
- I love the guitar work from On The Rise, i had to include one song just because of my affection for this band.

10. Adolescents - Amoeba
- This is one of the best punk songs ever written, enough said.

11. Cro-Mags - Crush The Demoniac
- Without a Cro-Mags song this mix would fall short. I've never been huge into them, why? I don't know. But this song is great and it's impossible to ignore.

12. Nothing Done - Give It Back
- This song is incredibly catchy and from one of my favorite current bands. I love the way the solo kicks in and eases you through the last song off of their 2007 LP Everybody Knows.

13. Reagan Youth - Miss Teen America
- This is from Reagan Youth's later stuff and although i don't like it as much as their early songs its got some great guitar work in it.

14. Bold - Your The Friend I Don't Need
- I couldn't leave this song out, Bold were a great band and this song is more than likely my favorite by Bold.

15. Killing Time - Happy Hour
- The solo in this song shreds and Killing Time are one of my favorite NYHC bands.

16. Rise Against- Join The Ranks
- Rise Against were one of my favorite bands in the early 00's, they released two unbelievable records on fatwreck, the first being The Unraveling. This song was included in the re-issue of that record, although i think it was either originally from either the Transistor Revolt Demo or a compilation of some sort. Regardless, this song rules.

17. Outbreak - Sailin' On
- I could have included the original Bad Brains version of this song but Outbreak do an admirable job at covering this song and i didn't want to have two songs from the same band on here.

Here's the link: www.mediafire.com/?2ddlj4nyxl3

Enjoy!

Cheap Shot Youth Anthems

2008-04-12T13:50:00.001-04:00

I went and saw Paint It Black and Cold World last night, it was a really fun time, by far the best show I've been to since Go It Alone last August. Cold World were fun to watch, they actually surprised me quite a bit, i had previously written them off without giving them much of a chance but they played an entertaining set at the least, i picked up their newest LP so we'll see if i like them on record.

Paint it Black were just awesome like you would expect. Yemin is an absolute madman on the mic, the best part is when the song ends and for a few seconds after he stand at the edge of the stage with a gruelingly intense look on his face glaring into the crowd. They played Memorial Day and Atticus Finch which are two of my favorite songs. For the ending of Memorial Day Yemin got off that stage and everyone gathered around to help him sing the anthemic ending. They closed with Atticus Finch and if you know that song it needs no explanation, its perfect for the mosh, I've never been much a mosh connoisseur but that song wrenches it out of me.

I went with a friend i met in my social movements class who had never been to a punk show before, it's always funny watching someone react the first time they see kids climbing all over each other shouting indiscernible words into at the singer of a band. She enjoyed it though. We went to a jazz bar before the show and watched a guy rocking out harder than i though possible with a cello, there was a definite contrast in the music consumption last night.

Weathered to the Bone

2008-03-30T21:49:00.010-04:00

I've been listening to Leatherface a ton lately. They're the type of band that if i let myself listen to them just a bit i'll be hooked for a few weeks, they have a really contagious sound. If your not familiar with them, they have a really raw and emotional melodic punk sound. The songs are full of great melodies but there is an undeniable authenticity within the production of the guitars and especially the vocals. At times it's hard to decipher what words are being sung just because the vocals are so raspy.

I've been listening mostly to their second last release "Horsebox" it was released around 2000 i think. Outside of maybe Mush this is my favorite record by them. I think this record is probably their most daring, i mean they attempt a Cindy Lauper cover, the song True Colors, they nail it like no other band could. Ship Song is different song as well, its a bit slower and driven by a piano which actually fits well with the band. Sour Grapes and Watching You Sleep are two more stand out songs, both of those songs are extremely catchy. When i say they're catchy it's only because i can't think of a better word, i never really find any of the songs stuck in my head, maybe that's why i enjoy them so much, they don't wear out. There's no use in saying anymore, if you haven't heard this band go buy their records. I would recommend starting with either this one or Mush, or if you want to go back to the start, start with Cherry Knowle. Either way, if you like punk rock in any way whatsoever you won't be disappointed. I know this band is somewhat obscure, hiding out in the North Eastern part of the UK, but they're essential for anyone into any type of music in my opinion.

Speaking of Leatherface, after being out biking nearly everyday this winter my face has been subject to some rather harsh conditions. I'm so glad it's over, or at least we think it's over. This has been the worst winter i can remember. It hasn't been this consistently cold in years, nor have we had this much snow in a long time. I think the city of Toronto is near breaking the all-time record for snowfall set in the 1930's. I don't think we will though, mother nature isn't likely to give me that badge of honor. We have a bit of a volatile relationship, which is a pointless, she always wins and all i ever do is whine about it.

My bike has taken the brute of the punishment, i can hear the chain grinding the sand through the gears wearing them out as i peddle, as soon as the roads are cleaned up I'm going to need to take everything apart, clean it, grease it, and maybe get some replacement parts. That won't be enjoyable, although i will enjoy riding a good bike again. Here are pictures of my bike freshly spray painted last spring and then after all the torment it's endured. I don't know why I'm posting them.

Before

After

Looking For Gold

2008-03-22T22:51:00.003-04:00

This winter weather is really starting to bother me, i think having to bike nearly everyday in it is the primary reason why but mostly anybody would be sick of the winter we've had this year. It's supposed to be spring and it feels like January and has for most of the past month. The area of the city i live in looks like Chernobyl in the winter. I braved the cold and went to Hits & Misses today intending to pick up a repress of the Adolescents self titled LP, i didn't have much money to spend so i wasn't planning on looking around much. But before i headed for the A's i decided to check out the used section to see if anything new had come in, after flipping through a few records i found Outlast's "As Sure As I Live" LP. I've come to really enjoy this band and was not expecting to find this LP anywhere so needless to say, i picked it up.

As far as i know this was this Outlast's final release, i think it was a compilation of a previous 10" and a previous 7" which would explain why the recording is different on some songs than others. I know I've talked about this record numerous times on here but the more i listen to it the more i appreciate how sincere and emotional it is, I'm really looking forward to putting this record on the turntable and sitting down with the lyric insert and finally getting a chance to get more in touch with the message behind the music. As much as I've listened to this band my searches to find their lyrics online have mostly resulted in futility and considering the vocals are hard to understand outside of some of the sing-a-longs, chances are my obsession with this band will reach a fervent level.

There's also an insert which seems to be some sort of letter, I'm guessing written by the singer, about the band and what it meant to him, how he felt it was a way of using creativity to make a difference. I haven't read it all yet but it seems to venture off in to some sort of discussion about life and it's purposes and how to go about fulfilling them. It's a cool thing to see a band do and it's nice to know the songs I've been listening to all this time were born out of something more substantial.

I've had a hard time finding much out about this band, if anyone knows much about them or where i can pick up anymore of their music let me know.

Anyway, after i left the record store i got a call from a friend from elementary school i hadn't seen in at least 10 years. We had been planning on hanging out so we went and ate some Thai food, talked about how things change and just life in general. We actually have quite a bit in common which is a bit ironic considering i used to be into playing hockey and acting obnoxious and she used to be into books. It's weird how time changes.

Paint It Green and Blue

2008-03-12T18:20:00.007-04:00

*Disclaimer* Mike, if do not wish to be seething with jealousy by the end of this post please discontinue reading NOW and quickly hit the back button on your browser, or close it all together, whatever works.

I got my Paint it Black pre order in the mail last week. I was glad to know the vinyl version of this release was being done by Rivalry, I've been a fervent supporter of that label for a few years now. I was definitely anticipating hearing this record, I thought Paint It Black's two previous releases were really great. Both records were chalked full of well written angsty hardcore punk anthems.

New Lexicon is angrier sounding than anything Dan Yemin has been able to churn out to this point. This record is probably the most aggressive and straight forward Paint It Black release yet, there are a few anthemic moments reminiscent of those on CVA and even Paradise. Songs like The Ledge and Shell Game Redux are examples of this, while songs like Four Deadly Venoms and Dead Precedents start full of pure aggression and grind to a bitter pulsing halt.

My favorite song on this record is probably Past Tense, Future Perfect, i think it combines the more melodic qualities of Paint It Black with the aggression that makes them such a vaunted presence in hardcore punk. It's hard to really compare this record with their previous efforts, they've never released a bad song. Like any great band each record has a feel of its own, you know its still the same band but there's a separate dynamic that makes each record special in its own right.

New Lexicon continues Dan Yemin's impressive ability to turn every musical en devour he touches into gold, even if he's not the one playing the guitar it still comes out sounding as tight as anything possible could. You can really hear the chemistry between all the musicians on this record and on every Paint It Black release for that matter. I remember hearing Kid Dynamite for the first time and not being able comprehend how together everything sounded, I'm sure if I'd been living under a rock all these years and came out to listen to Paint It Black I'd get that same feeling.

The lyrics on this record are pretty good as well. There definitely a lot of imagery and social/political undertones. They aren't as blunt as some other bands that tackle the same issues but when it's all said and done the message gets a hammered home effectively enough. Here are the lyrics to Shell Game Redux, probably my favorite on this record.

Shell Game Redux

Sweep out the cobwebs & recalibrate the
currency. They're robbing us blind.
They're trimming the fat, and counting every
calorie. Can't you see that they're robbing
us blind? Inveterate invertebrates ingest and
regurgitate. They are robbing us blind. There's
no convincing explanation for the crumbs on
your dinner plate.

Sharpen the knives and sugarcoat the medicine.
Consult your astrologist and be sure to tip the
weathermen.
I know we promised you a dividend...

They steal the bread from our mouths. They
steal the air from our lungs.
And they steal the ground from under our
feet. They will try to steal the words from our
tongues.

DON'T LET THEM

"... We Keep Warm With The Words That We Scream

2008-03-04T22:23:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since my last post, I've been busy writing essays and waiting for my Paint it Black pre-order to come, it came today but my camera is broken so i can't show off the slick looking vinyl. I probably need to listen to it a little more before i post about it, so i'll use this post to talk about one of the most dynamic emotional hardcore records of the past few years.....

How We Are - To Teach a Hundred. I actually didn't start listening to this record until sometime last year but it's really well written modern emotional hardcore. I guess a good comparison would be their upstate New York counterparts, Another Breath. This album definitely has an upstate NY vibe to it, there's even a sentimental song about Rochester. Most of the songs are of a much different nature, they're influenced heavily by Daniel Quinn's thought provoking Novel Ishmael which, if you've read the book is given away by the title of the record. I use the word dynamic to describe this record because it really is, the guitar work is incredible and Rory VanGrol's harsh and urgent vocals seem to drive, or be driven by the quick pulsing guitar work. Couple that with exceptionally well written lyrics that carry a message most people couldn't bare the weight of and this record is something you need to hear. I also really like how the tracks on the record were organized, there are two mellowed out instrumental tracks entitled "Takers" and "Leavers". Which again if you've read Ishmael make for an almost euphoric listen. There aren't a ton of bands that have a whole lot to say and of the bands and the records that do, this record ranks up near the top. I was sad to see this band call it quits last year, but they've left a dent big enough to keep me remembering.

I couldn't write about this record without at least mentioning a little about the book it seems so inspired by. I read Ishmael this past spring and it really helped me to see the world from a different perspective. From a perspective that is removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life, kind of like an eye in the sky that doesn't see all the superficial benefits our system of living creates, but instead sees the rape and destruction of an environment and an animal kingdom that has never so much as raised a finger against humanity. For hundreds, thousands of years we've been taking and taking, never giving back, never leaving anything to quench the throats of what we've left thirsting. Reading this book and then listening to this record is like a cold slap in the face, the kind where you just stand there for a few minutes, speechless, blinking your eyes in confusion, wondering what just happened. All it takes is one idea, one spark, to teach a hundred.

Anyway here are the lyrics to the title song, i really hope the LP gets released sometime soon like its been planned.

To Teach A Hundred

With split lips, shin-splints and sore throats.
With words constantly begging revision.
With all our desires, dressed in our basements best.
So anyone that ever wanted change could hear a voice that sounded the same as theirs.
The question has never been whether or not hope would remain,
but if we can gather enough in our hands to match the fire in our lungs.

We keep time with songs on repeat.
We keep warm with the words that we scream.
Hope is a crutch.
Push your desires.
Our words are fire.
To teach a hundred.

The Doctrine

2008-02-19T22:16:00.006-05:00

I finally had a chance to listen to Paint It Black's latest effort New Lexicon today. I did the pre-order with Rivalry so thanks to Rivalry being awesome and letting anyone who did the pre-order download the record starting on it's release date (today) i will be listening religiously over the next few days. So far it's great, i'll do a full review when i receive the vinyl.

Sticking with melodic hardcore, Long Island's Capital released a record entitled Homefront last year that doesn't stray too far from the Yeminite formula i can't seem to get enough of. I actually slept on this band for quite sometime, i remember reading reviews for this record and the one previous to it on Punknews but for some reason i didn't ever take the advice of the reviewers and check this band out.

About a month ago i heard Homefront and i was immediately impressed. Musically it's got a major Dag Nasty feel to it, just sped up and much more spiteful. There are some more progressive qualities to this record that make it stand out. It's got somewhat of a post-hardcore vibe to it at times and i hate to use this comparison because I've heard it used many times before in reference to this band but these dudes definitely listened to a lot of Quicksand somewhere along the way.

One thing that jumped out at me is the way the vocals are delivered. They give you a really creepy, unsettling feeling and almost force you to listen to the lyrics, which are also really good. Do not sleep on this band, this record rules and would have undoubtedly made the top 10 in my Best of '07 list.

Ohh yeah i almost forgot, this is my 100th post with this blog. I have officially reached a level of internet savvying that i can put on my Resumé, right along my impressive inability to hold onto a job with any longevity.

The Best Medicine

2008-02-04T23:08:00.000-05:00

I was bored tonight and having just finished with two exams and feeling a little under the weather, i needed to laugh. I've always found it really funny to see people lose control and do completely irrational things to neutral objects. Like... let's say a computer. I've never been angry enough to ruin pricey pieces of technology aside from a video game controller when i was younger. I also used to throw my skateboard around when i couldn't land tricks, used to punch my guitar when i would screw up and got exceedingly mad and took unnecessary penalties playing hockey some games. When i got to high school i graduated to breaking old televisions with baseball bats in front of a camera with my friends. I grew up in a small town. Anyway i was searching youtube and found some hysterical videos of guys breaking computers out of pure frustration.

Computer Smashin'

Keyboard Wreckage

Video Game Vengeance

9 -5 is getting old

Peer Hatred

This one's also really funny, no anger but equally entertaining

Turning Pages

2008-01-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

Last Friday night i decided to venture out to Adrift for the last show that will be taking place there. They're moving to a new location that doesn't have a back room/skate park in it. That place was always great for shows, a really small intimate setting, almost every show i saw there was good. It sucks to see it go but apparently there is a new venue that's popped up somewhere. You wouldn't think that venue's would be a problem in a city of over 5 million but the affordability factor is tough to get around.

Anyway i only showed up for the two middle bands, i was intending to see Libyans but unfortunately i showed up too late. It was nice to see Acid Reflux, i had heard them a bit beforehand and though they would be fun live. They play early 80's hardcore punk. Kid's were sort of into them. Next were Brutal Knights, really the band i went for. Behind Career Suicide they're probably my favorite Toronto hardcore band going. They play a style similar to Career Suicide, maybe a little more up beat, a little more punk, and a little slower. Anyway, as usual kids lost it for them. Rampaging around the floor, hanging from piping in the ceiling, throwing beer everywhere. I don't like the whole bringing the mosh when you have a beer in your hand then just losing control and flinging your beer at every person standing within a 15 foot radius of you.

The place was packed being that it was the last show there. It was really hot and stank like only it can when vast numbers of shower rebelling punks start sweating, so i left before Rammer played. This is a pretty bad post, i got no sleep last night and now I'm trying to tire myself out so i can sleep, get up early, and further decimate the confidence i have in my physical prowess when i go run around for a while in the morning. It's more like an angry, heaving trek through completely unacceptable weather conditions.

"Slick Shoes!....Are You Crazy?"

2008-01-24T21:58:00.000-05:00

I decided to start jogging and get myself is better shape, for what reason i don't know. I went to the store and got some runners, the vans weren't going to cut it, there weren't a decent pair of shoes for less than $90. I haven't bought running shoes in years but this is absurd. I'm still on my pop punk kick so the first run i went for i decided on Slick Shoes for my soundtrack. Bad Idea. I'm way out of shape even though i bike nearly everyday, running is so much more difficult.

Needless to say i was not having too much fun and the happy music bursting into my ears just made the situation worse. My energy quickly deflated i got home and collapsed on the floor until the burning in my lungs receded to a non-lethal level. Next time i need something pissed, just as much as i will be when my lungs decide to punish me for years of inactivity, any recommendations are welcome.

On the topic of this band 'Slick Shoes'. It's a bit of a weird name but it's from the movie The Goonies, thus it's a great band name. I started listening to this band when i was 12 or 13 years old. Their first LP Rusty, which was released in 1997 got me hooked. They've since released 2 or 3 other LP's that I've listened to pretty frequently.

They play ultra fast melodic punk with some great poppy melodies and smooth vocal delivery. The vocals are actually one of my favorite parts of this band, most of the time the delivery is spot on and they're just original enough to keep you engaged. The guitar work is also very good, it's well written and in terms of punk music it certainly isn't the most technically dull.

They have a song called called Last on this record that is one of my favorite songs. You know when your a kid just getting into a style of music you can relate to and you find a song that you can't stop listening to. Last was one of a few songs that i would play over and over and never get sick of it. I'm going to make a mix tape of all my favorite stuff from this band, i'll post a link for it up here when I'm finished.

16 songs of unmitigated pop punk glory

...And It Continues

2008-01-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to the band Digger constantly this week, They were on Hopeless Records in the mid to late 90's and early 2000's. Anyway, their first two LP's, Powerbait and The Promise of an Uncertain Future are both awesome.

Powerbait is 14 tracks of classic pop punk jams, this stuff is really uplifting and fun to listen to. I can't really explain this recent pop punk trend I'm onto. Usually around this time of year a band like Think I Care would be a perfect accentuation to the doom and gloom of winter. I guess I'm sick of the doom and gloom.

I catch myself playing these songs over and over in my head. Whether I'm in lecture, trying to read, or trying to sleep, i can't get some of these songs out of my head.

Lyrically it's pretty typical of pop punk bands of that time period, there's even a completely ridiculous song called I Want My Hat Back which is seemingly void of any meaning other than the dude really wants his hat back because he got a 'stupid haircut'. There are songs about screwing up in school and being in love with a girl who snarls every time she looks your way. There's even a Madonna cover. It sounds good, although I'm sure the original version would make me want to rip my hair out.

I don't really know what to say about the album art, other than that it's not very good and kind of weird. Do yourself a favor and check this record out, even if you don't typically like pop punk i think this record has enough appeal to make even the most cynical of cynics regress there prior opinions if even just a little.

Shake off the Dust

2008-01-10T21:31:00.000-05:00

This past week I've been revisiting all the old bands i used to listen in the late 90's when i was starting to really take to music. Tooth And Nail Records used to put out these compilations called Songs From the Penalty Box, i think they release four versions before the compilations for the most part went downhill along with the label. Anyway, it was through those compilations that i found out about bands such as MxPx, Slick Shoes, Dogwood, The Huntington's, Ghoti Hook, Craig's Brother, and The Undecided to name a few. Those bands, although shunned upon sometimes for their lyrical content were bands that had a profound impact on me as a kid and are still a part of me today. I have my friend Ben to thank for buying me a couple of those cd's for my birthdays over the years we hung out, he moved to North Carolina shortly after high school started and i haven't talked to him much since then. Thanks dude, wherever you are.

I dug out one of those cd's today because i remember there being a band that played skate/pop punk i really liked but could never manage to get a hold of any of their material. It turns out the band was called Off The Record. They only had one formal release entitled Remember When. So finally today i looked the record up, it was out of print so i resorted to soulseek, i wasn't expecting to get any results but fortunately i was able to find a copy and download it. I just finished listening to it once through and i was smiling through the whole thing. It kind of sounds like Blink 182 Dude Ranch era with a few more hard hitting, more technical riffs. The vocals have more attitude than Blink 182 could ever muster, as much as i like Dude Ranch, this blows it out of the water. At least upon initial listen.

One of the coolest things about music is that you can go back and revisit the bands that helped shape who you are today. You can feel just like you did when you were a 15 year old kid and didn't have to care about anything other than how you were going to explain your latest truancy from school to your parents or where you were going to skate without having the cops threaten to take your board away. Even though i only heard one song from this record previous to today, listening to this record let's me relive a part of my life i wouldn't change for anything. That's priceless.

Ohh yeah, on a side note, i started a new blog called Against the Grain. So from this point forward this one will be reserved for all things music since it pretty much already is. And the other one, well i don't really know i guess political/philosophical banter that will make no sense to anyone but myself. It probably won't even make sense to me.

Best of 2007

2008-01-03T22:15:00.000-05:00

2007 seemed like a bit of an off year in terms of punk and hardcore music. There were a few releases that really grabbed me but beyond that i wasn't too excited about much. There were plenty of good records released, just not many great ones.

With that said the year prior had a lot of great records released, there's really no way this year could compare. Last year picking my top 10 was way too hard, this year the top five were easy and after that i had some trouble. The "Honorbale Mentions" category for this year is huge just because so many records i listened to this year were good but were just lacking that final knock out punch.

Anyway, I'll get on with this. I might add a category or two more to this years edition, we'll see how it goes as i work my way through the cobb webbs of the year that was.

Top 10 Releases of 2007

1. True Colors - Focus On The Light

I wrote about this record earlier this year so i won't too in depth. Here's a link documenting my unrelenting praise for this record.

Positive energy oozes from this record. It's pretty typical Youth Crew both lyrically and musically but there just enough originality and edge to help earn this record the #1 spot on my list. I'm sure I'll be vehemently disagreed with on this, but i really can't think of another record more deserving of this spot.

2. Bitter End - Climate of Fear

This record is crushing, i'm usually not huge on metallic hardcore but this record is nearly perfect when it comes to this genre. The vocals are downright venemous and the words being spewd don't lack an ounce of conviction.

Musically there are some really catchy melodic riffs, and some really cool building to burst apart bass lines, just enough to maintain a sharp edge. There's plenty of punishing breakdowns, they just don't sound overly typical. There's a diversity evident in this record that is rarely shown within this genre. Combine that with near perfect production and well written, well thought out lyrics and this record gets the # 2 spot on my list. I can't wait to see what waits ahead for this band.

3. Go It Alone - Histories

This was Go It Alone's second and final full length LP. I thought everything they had put out up to this record was some of the best stuff modern hardcore had to offer. Needless to say my expectations were high. After an initial let down, i let this record grow on me and now it ranks right up there with the rest of GIA's discography. The rager songs on this record rage at a level of furiousity that's hard to top.

I won't go into to much detail, i wrote about this earlier in the year after i recieved one of the more limited copies in my Rivalry Records pre-order. Click here if you want to read more.

4. The Geeks - Every time We Fall

Seoul Korea's finest. The Geeks really stepped it up this time. This record towers above their previous efforts in so many ways. The production is cleaner than before but still raw enough to maintain the sincere emotion that makes this band so fun to listen to.

Musically they mesh better, the vocals are more controlled but still unrelenting enough. I really can't say enough about how much this record rules. One listen is explanation enough.

I wrote about this record earlier in the year as well. Click here to see the cool vinyl from Get Outta Town Records.

5. Lifetime - Self Titled

I couldn't have asked for a more triumphant return for this band. Amidst all the cynical talk surrounding these reunions i knew this band would pull through. They did and then some.

This record might even be better than Jersey's Best Dancers. That's a bold statement given the timelessness associated with Lifetime's previous work. You would expect that no matter how good another Lifetime record is, it would never be able to live up to the precedent set almost a decade ago. But somehow this record's done that. Anyone who doubted Yemin's prowess regarding this brand of hardcore punk really needs to check their head. Everything the guy touches is gold and this is no exception.

6. Get The Most - Moment in Time EP

Get The Most's follow up to 2006's Common Goals EP, is pretty much just as expected. More catchy, generic youth crew that hasn't strayed far from their most glaring influences. This record is beyond fun and incredibly positive and upbeat.

Don't let the vibe of the record throw you off though. There are some words that need to be heard even if they're just reinforcing what we already know. A record like this will always appeal to me, they could make 10 more EP's sounding exactly like this over the next 10 years and they would probably all find their way into my year ending top 10 lists. One more thing. The drumming on this record absolutely shreds.

7. Shook Ones/Easel - Split EP

The three Shook Ones songs on this split are probably my favorite stuff they've released to date. That's saying something considering how much i like Sixteen and Facetious Folly Feat. The opening track Order Form is classically catchy, the way the vocals bend and twist with the music is really fun to listen to. They cover the song Bad Year originally by Seaweed to finish off their side of the split and do more than an admirable job.

The Easel side of this split is great musically but i don't speak Japanese so it's a little hard to understand the lyrics. Other than that minor detail i really like this band. They sound a lot like early Lifetime, not as good but pretty close and that's good enough.

8. Smoke or Fire - This Sinking Ship

Above This City was one of my favorites in '05 so i was eagerly awaiting This Sinking Ship. With this record Smoke or Fire don't stray too far from their previous material. It's a little more mature in the lyric department and maybe a 1/2 step slower. I don't know if it's better but it certainly isn't a regression.

Being on Fatwreck it's pretty easy to predict what this band will be about. It's melodic punk with socially and politically conscious lyrics. There are some things that don't need to change and this is formula that works great for Fatwreck and a lot of the bands they work with.

If Smoke or Fire can up to this level for records to come they'll be another band added to an already stacked list of great Richmond punk bands.

9. The Swellers - My Everest

I decided to give this record a chance when i heard there was a bunch of young kids playing melodic skate/pop punk. I had put off checking these guys out for a long time , i guess i was doubting that kids barely out of high school could reach back a decade or so and play the stuff i grew up listening to.

I'm really happy i gave this record a chance, not only do these guys play this style, they excel at it. It may be a little too polished at times and there are a couple acoustic tracks i could do without but the bulk of this record is so much fun to listen to. I'm glad kids are still playing this style and not letting it be too watered down and just become plain old pop punk. These kids can shred, here's to hoping they keep it up.

10. Career Suicide - Attempted Suicide

This is what hardcore punk is. It's what it started as and there will always be a place for it. These Toronto dudes are taking it back more than a few years and with Attempted Suicide they do it with unrelenting precision.

I can't stress how much this record rips from start to finish. It doesn't relent one bit. Compared to their earlier material it isn't much different it's just a lot more precise, it's probably the most in sync record of the year in that regard. I can't even think when i listen to this record, it puts me in a state of paralysis.

Honorable Mention:

Sinking Ships - Ten EP
I Rise - Down EP
Down To Nothing - The Most
Soul Control - Involution
Modern Life Is War - Midnight In America
Justice - Escapades
Allegiance - Desperation
A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide
In Stride - Place of Decay EP
Ruiner- Prepare to Be Let Down
Ambitions - Stranger
To The Lions - Baptism of Fire
Only Crime - Virulence
Strung Out - Black Hawks Over Los Angeles
The Swellers - My Everest
Red Handed - Wounds Remain
Loud and clear - Self Titled
Common Cause - Statement of Purpose EP
Circles - Demo
Hostage Calm - Demo
Blacklisted - Peace On Earth, War On Stage
One Voice - Break Free EP
Government Warning - Arrested
Go It Alone - Histories Single

Best Show:
Go It Alone August 23rd @ Adrift.
One of the best Toronto shows in a long while. I wrote something about, click here.

Runner Up: The First Step sometime in April @ Adrift. Not a whole lot of people were there but there was enough kids into it and TFS always bring the energy.

Best Song:
Go It Alone - Relics
This is kind of a weird category, you can't really pick one song. But, if i had to choose right now this song would be it . The lyrics are some of the best written by the band, they give off an eerie hopefulness if that makes any sense. Musically the song builds from a slow paced hard-hitting intro into the furious pace Go It Alone kept up so well throughout everything they released. Seeing them open with this song in August was awesome, one of the highlights of this past Summer.

Best Up and Coming Band:
Hostage Calm
I wouldn't have made this category if not for the emergence of this band from the ashes of At All Costs. This band rules and their only getting better, think Ignite mixed with In My Eyes.

Best Record Not Released in 2007:
Good Riddance - Operation Phoenix
Even though this record was released 8 years ago it's words still pierce the air with an unsettling urgency. This is by far Good Riddance's most hard hitting album, it's probably their angriest and most politically motivated as well.

I could have picked any album by this band, I've found myself listening to them more and more as the year has progressed. Some albums speak to you more than others, this is an album that at times seems to speak to the core of who i am, there isn't much more meaningful than that.

Looking Forward....
I don't really know what this year holds music-wise. I don't really care, if it's good i'll hear it.

Moving away from the music front, i might start an additional blog to this one where i'll put essays and other ramblings. I want to start building the basis for something a little more substantial, that might be the place to start.

I'll be finishing my 3rd year of school and not a second too soon, i want to be finished now. Provided everything goes smoothly, and it better, i only have a total of 9 months left sitting in a classroom with surprisingly low amounts of stimulus flowing through my brain. And not because I'm brain dead.

2008 will be a better year, there was nothing glaringly wrong with 2007 but nothing went overly well either. Hopefully i'll be veering closer and closer to the potential my future holds in '08, hopefully I'm consistently doing that. I know, its stupid to judge things year by year.... what's time anyway.

Everything Means Something

2007-12-13T17:40:00.000-05:00

I've been working on an epic best of 2007 post of late, so the apparent lack of posting will be made up for shortly.

In the mean time, i was listening to With Honor's " Heart Means Everything" on the Subway about a week ago and remembered how good this album really is and what it meant and still means to me.

Musically it's energetic, it's passionate, it's melodic. While the music is good, the lyrics are what made this record for me. Every single song has a purpose and a drive or direction to it that really embraces you if you take the time to get to know the words. It's not just meaningless positivity, it's positivity with some weight behind it. There's no wishing, no wanting, no needing. "We will see heights we never thought we'd reach." Hope isn't even in doubt.

I think that's what strikes me about this record the most. How there's just an innate feeling of positivity, and there's so much conviction behind it, it's hard not to be inspired. I remember a couple of years ago finally get a chance to see this band live, i lost it to every song without hesitation. I remember Todd grabbing me and throwing the mic in my face, yelling the lyrics just as hard right back at me, that was pretty cool. Very few bands have something profound about them. Something deeper, you can't quite single it out but you know there's something unique, almost a presence about their music that permeates anyone but the most cynical listening.

I could post every song on this record, they all mean something different but are equally important, here is one of my favorites.

Perfect Stance

Hollowed OUT, empty, we’ve watched months erase the memories of years, It’s not tradition, not meaningless ideals, it’s a fire, FIRE, that draws us near. So come close, let your eyes meet mine, Try hard to deny this burning inside, Grab hold to status quo to justify, Keep telling yourself there’s nothing more to life. But there’s so much more than killing, than preying on insecurity, then getting what you want no matter who’s at cost… WAKE UP realize your virtue is dead. YOUR LIFE conviction for vanity. But we’ll take this stage, never forgetting the days when heart meant everything. We will take the stage, holding onto the days, when heart meant everything! This time is soon to end, and all your clothes and cliques will go with it, when the dust clears we’ll see that love still stands. The love that has no shame, no fronts, no fruitless games… the love that lays life down for a friend. YOUR TIME IS UP.

In The Dark

2007-11-23T15:29:00.001-05:00

I have no Internet so i biked to school in -10 weather for the sole purpose of posting this. Not really. It's disturbing to think how much i rely on the Internet now that the cable company decided that me paying them $30 per month isn't really worth it.

I think in a lot of ways we've become more connected with the outside world with the Internet, in other ways it's so much easier to disconnect and be anti-social, something I'm good at.

In other news, i get to see TFS on the 8th, with Risky Business, it should be fun, in all likely hood the mosh will be brought in large quantities. The last time i saw TFS there was no stage so I'm really looking forward to taking the leap of faith a time or two.

Also, I've said this before but Lights Outs "Overload" rules, it gets better every time i listen to it.... So does each and every Our Turn song.

Why Is She In Pain?

2007-11-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

Battery - Why Is She In Pain?

she wants to be beautiful for our beauty-starved eyes. she's dying, she's dying, she's dying but we never seem to mind. her cry is in her toothpick legs and attention-hungry smile, and as it goes on, the transfer occurs from magazine to child

but the only thing these beauty magazines leave is low self-esteem the only thing they leave is a low self-esteem

we're brainwashed to think that thin is pretty, but if beauty is love, why is she in pain? I'm guilty, I'm guilty, I'm guilty. it's time we placed the blame, let's also blame the media, and face the fact that this is insane, and spit in the face of their so-called beauty and make a change

we have got to open our eyes if we want to make a change we have got to open our eyes if we want to make a change

because there are sick and starving girls throwing up after they eat so they can look thin and pretty for the people the meet. and the thing that scared me the most is there are people that i hold close that are dying and i never even noticed

This song is one of the best hardcore/punk songs written in the 90's. At least in my opinion, i was listening to fatwreck bands and early tooth and nail stuff in the 90's so i don't relate much to hardcore from the 90's. Outside of youth crew stuff I'm impartial.

Anyway, back to this song. The reason i think it's so important is because it tackles an issue that so few hardcore or punk bands are willing to deal with. I think it's awesome when bands tackle issues that are specific to girls and are passionate about what they're singing. There are so many bands that just sing about whatever comes to mind or whatever is relevant at the time, scene politics and a bunch of other garbage. Then there are bands that have a social heartbeat, they can see the world outside of hardcore and they have meaningful things to say about what they're seeing. Battery was definitely one of those bands.

"Why Is She In Pain" is probably my favorite Battery song off of my favorite Battery record, musically its incredible and lyrically not much can match it. Even i can relate to what's being said because I've seen and know girls who have fallen victim to this unrealistic perception of how they're supposed to look and behave. Maybe not to the extreme of throwing up after every meal or starving themselves, but you can see the weight of these expectations in their eyes and i couldn't imagine how much that would suck.

Battery is still a refreshing band to listen to. It feels like so many bands are writing about nothing and a lot are, but there has always been and will always be a handful of band playing hardcore music with something to say that everybody needs to hear.

The Depths

2007-11-12T01:22:00.004-05:00

I think I'm going to attempt to learn an In My Eyes song on guitar. I'm not really sure which one, I'll have to see which are doable and which ones I'll suck too hard at to even attempt. Any suggestions are welcome. I was thinking 'Take The Risk'. I really want to try and cover a song of their's with my brother over Christmas break.

I just finished writing the lyrics to a song, i only have the intro riff finished so i hope all the words will fit well. I can't wait to go buy some new string/picks my strings are two months old, I'd change them every week if i could. My picks are all really dull, due to my laziness and lack of disposable income these little novelties are more like luxuries. Anyway, i'll post the lyrics for the song i just did.

Into The Sea

I’ve tried to look life in the eye
So many times
I’m starting to wonder why
Why I even try

I take one glimpse and turn away
Too much pain
Too many neglected wounds

The bandages I made
Are soaking through
Visible to the outside world
And still I run
Staggering ‘till I fall flat on my face

You stand and laugh at me
I believed in who you wanted me to be
And now you have me right where you want me

So I close my eyes
I concentrate on the only truth I know inside
And I’m lookin’
I’m lookin’ right through my soul

At all the dream, the broken dreams
The hope that still survives
I’m clinging to the scraps
The remnants that are still alive
Waiting for you to resuscitate me
Resuscitate me

Time Stands Still

2007-11-08T20:28:00.000-05:00

The awesomeness that is winter is almost upon us. Bike rides in freezing, snowing weather are not going be fun. But it could be worse, it could be better. But it's not.

I tend to listen to more music in the winter, I think the urge to shut off the outside world becomes more tempting when the gray, brownish hue that permeates the outside is depressing just to look at. A couple records I've been tuning out to lately have been A Wilhelm Screams' latest effort "Career Suicide" and Avails "4 AM Friday".

A Wilhelm Scream is a band I've followed for a few years now. Their debut record (post Smakin' Isaiah) was really good. A take on 90's skate punk, sped up , angrier, with incredible musicianship throughout. In Between "Mute Print" and "Career Suicide" they released another full length titled "Ruiner", I couldn't get into it nearly as much as their previous effort so i was really looking forward to what "Career Suicide" would be about. So far i haven't been the least bit disappointed. Catchy riffs and gut wrenching vocals make it hard not to pay attention through the duration of this record. I don't really know what else to say, if you like 88 Fingers Louie, AWS remind of a hopped up 88FL. If you like punk in general check this out.

Staying with the punk theme, Avail are one of those bands you can't not like. Ultra-Sincere punk rock with some poppy, some hardcore undertones. This record is probably my favorite of their discography as of this point. This record and Face to Face's "Big Choice" kind of stand out as landmarks for 90's punk rock. When i listen to this record now, i can't believe how well written the songs are, there's a quality about this record as with Face to Face's that's timeless. Some records lose their appeal after time, some stay the same, but the records that you can't stop listening to, that get better with every listen. Those are the records that you'll want to listen to when your too old and def and temp oncoming brain aneurysms every time you feel like reliving your youth. And this record certainly qualifies as one of those.

Focus on the Light

2007-10-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the major lack of posting lately. I haven't been motivated to do much, and when i am I'm focusing my energy on these really cool mid-terms i have the pleasure of doing every 6 months or so. As trivial as it sounds, when I'm done with this school business i'll feel like a really obese ugly looking gremlin has been removed from my shoulders. I guess that's what academia represents to me.....

There are a lot of things i would like to be able to do but can't because of the financial restrictions imposed by incredibly high tuition fees. Coupled with the fact that I'm living in the most expensive city in the country and the fact that I'm still dependent on family for financial support and I'm bound pretty tightly to my current situation. I really shouldn't be complaining though, a lot of people would do nearly anything to be in the situation I'm in. But I'm growing overly pessimistic and I'm frustrated... not a good combination

Enough with that, On to the main reason for this post. True Colors new(ish) LP "Focus on the Light"
I really can't stress how good this record is it has everything you want in a youth crew release. Tons of passion and energy, positive, concise and to the point lyrics, and a bunch of catchy sing a longs. Actually the entire record is catchy. Every Second. Most of the songs are clock in around the 90 second mark or less which works great for this band. They leave nothing to be desired after each song... only the anticipation of the next 90 second rampage.
I think what really grabs me about this record is the vocal delivery. I haven't had this much fun listening to a vocalist in a really long time. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that these guys remind me of the modern day equivalent of Youth of Today. There are a couple parts where it almost sounds like Cappo's overly disgruntled growl is being re-produced. Not nearly as fierce or chaotic but fun nonetheless.

As of this point this record is hands down my # 1 release of 2007. I've been listening to it constantly for the past 6 weeks or so and the more i listen the better it gets. In the title song there's a part where the vocalist really accentuates the words focus on the light... something like "focusss on the liiiggghhhttt" anyway if you have the record listen to that song, you'll know what I'm talking about. I have a hard time containing myself when i hear it.

There are plenty of well written songs on this record but i'll post what might be my favorite here:

The Way To Myself
standing on the edge, nowhere to go
trapped, there's no way out.. NO
my head is going to explode
but you reached out, gave me hold

I’ve got my music, I’ve got my friends
but you took me to places I never went
you keep me out of trouble
gave me back my life
for that I’m grateful
you keep me alive

you can say black, I can say white
you can go left, I can go right
you can think day, I can think night
no matter what, I stand by your side

never let you down
never let you down

I’ve got my music, I’ve got my friends
but you took me to places I never went
you keep me out of trouble
gave me back my life
for that I’m grateful
you keep me alive

you showed me the way to myself

Stanger Than Fiction....

2007-10-12T12:49:00.000-04:00

I've really been slacking on updating this thing lately. I've been listening to True Colors so much I haven't had time to bother with anything else i guess. Next up is a major True Colors appreciation post.

A couple months ago my brother and i recorded a couple songs using a new mic he got, it hooks up to the computer so all you need is a really mediocre mixing program. One song was one i wrote and we also covered Insted's "Voice Your Opinion" which was a lot of fun. The recording quality really sucks so i haven't bothered to expose them to the interwebz relentless critique quite yet. I think we'll try and re do them when i go visit for Christmas break.

Anyway here are the lyrics for the song i wrote, it's a rager and i really like the way the lyrics go with it.

"Solace"
They're not taking this away
You give up and give in every single day
But there is one thing you've hidden away
Behind locked doors where your heart has to stay

How are we supposed to live
when all we ever do is give
we give our time
we give out lives
To live out a life that's based on lies

So is it any wonder
That so many want to numb the pain
And is it any wonder
That so many lives are lived in vain

I see you in the streets at night
I see you searching for that light
I see you open up locked doors
And i see you stolen
They took what was yours

Kiss It Goodbye....

2007-09-29T14:25:00.000-04:00

Summer is officially over, although it hasn't felt like it. The last week or two we've had mid summer like weather, it's always nice when summer gives one last valiant effort before the cold sets in.

Over the summer i usually find myself listening to more upbeat, positive music. The summer season seems to have more of an impact on my musical tastes of the moment than even the winter when angry, dark sounding music accents the weather in this part of the world perfectly.

Anyway, here are the records that have been played most frequently this summer:

Face To Face - Big Choice

I really can't say enough about this record, in terms of punk music this has to be one of my favorite. It's incredibly catchy and still maintains a rawness and an authenticity that is rarely seen. My affection for skate punk coupled with my appreciation for good pop punk make this record essential for me.

The Swellers - My Everest

Here's another skate/pop punk record. It doesn't touch the Face To Face record. But, it's good in it's own right. This record sounds like a more pop sounding No Use For a Name when they were in their hay day. There are a couple of acoustic tracks on this record that I'm not very fond of but overall I'm glad stuff like this is still being released, even if it is a little smoother around the edges.

Dogwood - Building a Better Me

More Skate punk.....I listened to this way too often throughout high school. When i listen to it now it's mostly for nostalgic purposes, but every now and then I'm reminded why i loved this band so much. I would compare them to a rougher version of Alkaline Trio, at least on this record. The vocals are incredibly raw but manage to fit the music almost perfectly. Lyric wise, it's borderline cheesy at times but it's positive and uplifting more often than not, and the title song is really well written both musically and lyrically.

Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone

Do i really need to explain this? Cappo's vocals make me want to break things.... in a good way. Thats it.

Outlast - As Sure As I Live

This record is quickly becoming a classic in my library. I mentioned this band recently so i won't go into to much detail. The production on this record is really raw. It doesn't take anything away from the quality of the record though. Just awesome melodic hardcore punk with continuously eye watering bass riffs and squawking vocals.

Reserve 34 - Rain City Games

Outlast and Reserve 34 seem to go hand in hand with me, when I'm enjoying one band, a listening binge of the other is sure to follow. This record is just really upbeat melodic hardcore from Vancouver. It has a really distinctive sound, you can almost feel the impact of the city on this band. This is probably my favorite stuff Reserve 34 ever put out, if you've never listened to these guys, check it out.

Those records have been a staple for me this summer, I've listened to a lot of other stuff, I've enjoyed a lot of other stuff. Some of it I'm too lazy to put up and other stuff really didn't impact me than much.

Midnight In America

2007-09-20T22:41:00.000-04:00

I got my pre-order for Modern Life Is Wars latest record "Midnight In America" the other day. Luckily I've had it in mp3 format for a little over a month now so I've been able to get a pretty good feel for most of the songs.

Initially i wasn't overly impressed, i felt it was good but nothing really stood out. In almost every aspect the band progressed or changed, whatever you want to call it. Nothing really drastic outside of maybe the vocal delivery, but for a hardcore punk band it was a daring enough effort. Gone are the pulsing, spine shivering build-ups and endings that were evident in the songs "By The Sea", "First and Ellen", and "Hair Raising Accounts of Restless Ghosts", songs I've played numerous times over. "Midnight In America" beats and pulses, the intensity is evident but it never explodes.

I was bothered by this at first but when i was able to put the album into perspective it really doesn't take anything away. This record is definitely more punk rock sounding than their previous efforts, musically but also vocally. Jeff seems to have added a little more attitude and taken away some intensity. This attitude sounds awesome 9 out of 10 times but there are times when it would have been suitable to just let loose.

Overall "Midnight In America" stands out from their previous releases, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a not so good way. Modern Life Is War are still delivering unique punk music. And it's still better than most stuff being released today. I don't think they've ever released a bad song and songs like "Screaming At The Moon", "Big City Dream", "Pendulum", "These Mad Dogs of Glory", "Humble Streets", and the title track showcase Modern Life Is Wars consistent delivery.

You can't talk about a Modern Life Is War record without mentioning the lyrics. Lyrically this record is more literary.. i guess you can call it. Jeff is one of the best lyricists in punk music and reading the lyrics to songs on "Midnight In America" he shows he's just a good writer in general. The lyrics are a bit different i can't really pin point why, i think they just sound more "mature" for lack of a better word. That's all i can really say about this record now, I'm sure I'll have more to say when i let it grow on me some more.... ohh yeah Brooke Strausse's vocals on the last song are great, one of the highlights of the record.

Screaming At The Moon
It's a good life if you don't weaken, so I won't weaken. And I'm a kid with a history of confusion. The life that was pushed upon me was one I could never lead. Cause my candle burns at both ends. My problems never seem to end. Just like my footsteps in the vein of the American night. Just like the burning in my lungs. Just like the rocks in my guts. Just like I can't get enough. With persistence of my vision. With this bottle in my hand. I bless the thieves who stole my masks. I wander this land and through it all... I drag my chains, they don't drag me... through moments of pain. I drag my chains, they don't drag me... through moments of grace. I drag my chains, they don't drag me... through untamed thoughts. I drag my chains, they don't drag me. I walk right through. Cause my candle burns at both ends. My problems never seem to end. Just like my footsteps in the veins of the American night. Just like fire in my lungs. Just like the burning in my guts. Just like I can't get enough. Only the madman is wise in a world of cold logical minds. I seed no shelter. I emerge unscathed. As propaganda rains down even harder I become that much stronger. I walk right through

More Than Music

2007-09-10T15:03:00.000-04:00

There's been a bit of slacking in the blogging department as of late, I've been relatively busy with the return of school, not that i couldn't find the time. I've been too busy breaking out the room mosh to the new Bitter End record, Climate Of Fear. This record is awesome in just about every way. I'm usually not a huge fan of metallic hardcore but 2007 seems to be dishing out the goods in this department, the new To The Lions and Allegiance LP's are both memorable listens.

The vocal delivery on this record is beyond venomous at times, it never seems out of place and the occasional growl really adds to the authenticity. Almost every riff is perfectly placed and the breakdowns, while maybe not the most original are very well done. Coupled with politically and socially vibrant lyrical content and some great bass lines and you have one of the best releases to date in 2007.

Other stuff I've been listening to as of late:

Robot Whales - Vehicle

Groovy hardcore with really well written lyrics.

Strung Out - Blackhawks Over Los Angeles
This band just keeps getting better, melodic skate punk with some awesome metallic riffs. They've gotten a bit more pop over their last two records but its only enhanced their sound.

Outlast - Trust
Everything about this band rules, I'm working my way through their discography and this is the latest release I've had a chance to listen to. I'm still missing some of their stuff so if anyone knows where i can order it or download it, let me know.

Uniform - Screaming for Change
This stuff gets better and has more meaning with every listen. For me this band marks a landmark in hardcore punk. The song Once I Cry is unbelievable and would make an awesome band name.... at least i think so.

Once I Cry

The rain begins
And yet the sky is clear
My eyes are shut tight
No one gets in here
My mind’s in a room
With no windows or doors
Away from the hands
That wrap tight around my neck

My neck, my neck, my neck around my neck
These hands that wrap tight around my neck

Where is the sun
I’ve heard so much about
Whose glance is all warming
Erasing doubt
I feel a chill
Run down my spine
So many contradictions
Which road leads home

Once I cry
The rain begins
Once my heart hurts
No one gets in

The sweat pours down
And it stings my eyes
Just as your promises
Turned into lies
I trusted you
What a fool was i
Now I just sit in a room
With no view

No view, no view, no view
With my eyes shut tight I’ve got no view

I heard a sound
Now I’m all alone
A heart beat pounding
It’s my own
Seeking an answer
Question unknown
I’m slowly drowning
I’m my sea of remorse

Go It Alone/Fireworks/Eating Glass/Easy Days

2007-08-26T16:10:00.000-04:00

This past Thursday was Go It Alone's last Toronto show as they're breaking up after this tour, I think a final show is going to happen in December or something.

Anyway, The first band to play was Easy Days. They're from St. Catharine's, a city in Southern Ontario and play a mix of youth crew hardcore and early 2000's Boston Hardcore along the lines of Mental. I thought they played pretty well, musically i really enjoyed them, the only thing that bugged me was the singer wouldn't turn and face the crowd, he always had his back to the crowd. I guess being a new band it takes time to feel comfortable, either way i still liked their set quite a bit and I'm looking forward to hearing new things from this band.

Next up were Eating Glass, they got kids moshing and signing along, which was nice to see considering they haven't been around for all that long. This was my third time seeing them and by far the best time. They seem to have really grown in the past few months and their take on thrashy hardcore is going to start catching eyes. Out of any band in the Toronto/Southern Ontario area, I'm most excited to see what the future holds for this band. If they keep at it i think they'll really catch on.

Fireworks played next. They're from Michigan and play really catchy pop punk that's just rough enough around the edges to make it really enjoyable. I just started listening to this band when i heard they were playing this show. I've given their EP a few listens and I've enjoyed it but it was nice to hear the songs played live, they come off really well and the band seemed to have a lot of energy. I think they sound a lot like early New Found Glory, which isn't a bad thing at all, it reminds me of being 15 again.

Next up was Go It Alone. Needless to say I was really anticipating their set, and they exceeded my expectations in every way. They opened with Rapture from their new record, that song sounded way heavier played live. Right from the start kids were moshing and singing along harder than i have seen in a long while. Next they played two songs from The Only Blood Between Us, Constant Refrain, and Cold Winter. Both those songs are great and only made the atmosphere more intense. Next they played the title track to their Histories 7", Evelyn from TOBBU, and Picking Up The Pieces from the Vancouver Gold EP. Evelyn was probably my favorite song of the night, the end of the song was incredible. The lyrics to that song mean a lot to me, i'll post them further down. Next they played Our Mistakes, Rapture, Flatline and a Chain of Strength cover which was awesome. They finished with the title track from their first LP. I don't think people were ready to see them go, so after a little persistent chanting and encouragement they played one last song, Statement, to finish the night.

I can't really describe how much fun i had at this show, i can't remember the last time a show was this memorable. I was happy to see Go It Alone get the kind of response they deserve and even happier to be a part of it. The intensity level of the whole band was great, even with how much i enjoy their records, their live show blows the records away. It's sad to see these guys go, but i imagine they accomplished more than they set out to. Given the sound of their last record i really think their sound has come full circle, if there ever was a perfect time to call it a day i guess this would be it. Anyway, here are some pictures from Go It Alone's set:

Thanks to Andrew Schoenrock for the pictures.

Here are some more pictures:

Credit goes to antipeterleague

I think I've posted this song before, but it deserves to be posted again.

Evelyn

It's a sick world and innocence doesn't last any longer than bloodstains on the city streets that wash out with the rain, slip through gutters and down the drains. Down here life decays like scraps of old newsprint that yellow with age. There's a place in the city where things go to die and the streets are littered with soiled lives. Human wreckage the byproduct of a diseased society. It's a disease. It's a cold world and the sick and addicted are left to die in the corner of town that tourists don't see and on the street corners at night. Desperation is an ugly sight so we force fake smiles and avert our eyes. We become prisoners of our own privilege, living in fear of those we've demonized. There's a place in the city where things go to die. A spectacle of ruined lives. Destitution and addiction, symptoms of a modern plague. It's a disease. So lock your doors and close your eyes and whisper to yourself: "Everything will be alright." It's a cruel world and innocence gets lost somewhere in piss soaked alleys and on filthy streets.

Growing Up Numb

2007-08-20T15:25:00.000-04:00

I had a pretty cool chat with a WWII veteran today at work. The guy was overly conservative and i didn't agree with his anti-Muslim, basically anti anyone who isn't white Anglo-Saxon protestant stance but regardless it was cool to hear some of his stories.

He talked a lot about some of the strategy employed by the British army which he was a part of, the bombings, the reckless disregard for life, as long as it meant victory, even if only temporary. I really admired this guy not only for being willing to talk about his experience but also just because he lived through it, he was a part of the greatest human travesty the world has ever known.

Some of his opinions on the current state of the world got me thinking that those opinions he expressed today are a product of his experiences with war 60 to 70 years ago. War isn't exactly something that gives you faith in humanity, in my opinion it's the product of a wasted human heart that has no capacity to reason with love, it only reasons with self righteousness, lust, and hatred.

After we finished talking i got thinking about the effect of that war not only on those involved but the entire generation that lived through it. The opinions on global issues and the outlook on the world as a whole changed with war. I think it's only natural that when generations grow up with war they can't see the world clearly let alone their place in it.

The main thing i took from talking to this guy was how profound the impact of war on individuals can be. After i thought about it a little more Strike Anywhere's song "Chalkline" popped into my head, particularly the end, where Thomas yells "Watch us grow up to war...no more". If we want to see the world in a more hope full way we need to find a way to diminish the corroding effect that the world around us can have on our lives. Otherwise we'll keep running around with bloodshot, rage filled eyes, looking for next scapegoat, when we live this way somebody has to pay.

Chalkline isn't so much about what i was talking about above, it's more about the boundaries we're forced to live in, the false beauty and the symbols that control so much of this society. It doesn't speak exactly to what I'm saying but i think it's easily relataeble.

"Chalkline"

We see the billboard girl the one devoted to ritual standing in the rain holding all of her pain inside I know you're hurting now but I can't point my finger at the words I should or shouldn't say anything to take the pain away to walk alone on the streets tonight and fear nothing to choose to love what we are in this life and shine brighter don't let the crosses and dollar signs the symbols of man unkind make you feel that you're not real all this time walk out out of the shadows we see the lines in chalk the warning sign for where we walk in the shadows of the cities maze to try and fight for better days yeah we're ungrateful yeah we're ungrateful for holy books, religious men values of beauty, original sin all this time we unwind it i won't give up, I'm not afraid Resister go as long as it takes to reverse the hypocrisy challenge the stakes of safety and survival at the heart of women's voices women's art to walk alone on the streets tonight and fear nothing to choose to love what we are in this life all that matters don't let the crosses and dollar signs the symbols of man unkind . . . I won't give up through all this time walk out out of the shadows if we take our strength to market to trade for their ugly beauty watch us grow up to war no more

A Farewell To Outlast

2007-08-16T21:26:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted in a while, I've been way too busy with work, by the time this week is over I'll have worked almost 70 hours when you factor in commute time. Not fun. My work is really easy so i get a lot of time to read, I've read a couple Palahniuk books, i like his writing style but sometimes it seems too over the top. They're always an interesting, relatively quick read, and i like how they play on the down n' out people in society.

Today i finished Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell To Arms." My copy is nowhere near as cool as the one shown above. I wasn't sure what to expect from this but i was really surprised. The writing style is simple but at the same time really descriptive and raw. There are some moments in this book where the picture painted in your imagination is so detailed you really feel a part of the story. If you haven't read this or heard of it, i won't give any spoilers in case you ever want to read it. It's basically about an American ambulance driver in the Italian army who "falls" for a British nurse. The story follows the main character through his time at the Austrian/Italian front. I won't get into anymore because it's best to know as little as possible before reading it.

I'm reading "Burmese Days" by George Orwell right now and then I'm going to pick up one or two of Rold's recommendations, I'm leaning toward "The Tortilla Borders".

Also, Outlast, the band Outlast rule. It's all I've been listening to this past week on my way to and from work. Their whole discography is great, some of it could use some better production but all in all it's awesome stuff. Songs like "Had Enough People Making My Choices" and "Misprint" send chills down my spine. Some of bassing just shreds so hard. It's perfect blend of melodic youth crew, if i was in a band these guys would definitely be a primary influence.

Everchanging

2007-08-01T01:17:00.000-04:00

So i turned 22 this past Monday. I didn't really do anything, i had to work. The weekend before i went up and visited my parents, it's nice where they live in the summer so it was good to get away from the thick summer air in the city.

I almost did what Kate suggested. Get a cake and eat in my room alone, but i thought better of it when i realized the humiliation i would feel even if i was the only one to know what i did. haha.

Anyway, the past couple years on or around the time when i turn a year older i can't help but feel the urgency of time. Sure, I'm still young but it's easy to stagnate and just stop progressing. It can be frustrating when you look back on the year passed and realize you didn't accomplish what you wanted, you didn't accomplish anything really. But i think it's important to remember that you don't always see results instantly, sometimes it takes years to realize that what you learned at a certain point in time was incredibly valuable, even though you had no idea you were even learning anything at that time.

We're so concerned with instant results that it's easy to get frustrated with yourself, but if your willing to learn and adapt with time you'll be better off than the overwhelming amount of people who opt for the instant success or the instant feeling of accomplishment. Slow and steady i guess. Time can be an ugly thing if we let it but it doesn't have to be.

The latest Go It Alone record and the single preceding it were themed around the challenges of time and the changes that come with it. I think both the LP and the single were really well written and given that Go It Alone are calling to quits after this tour I'll post a song relating to what i was just talking about from the "Histories" Single.

Histories

I used to think i was unchanging like the rock besieged by the pounding sea, but Ive come to realize nothing is set in stone as i once believed. time can change me (and it has) but i cant change time. time can change us (and it will) but we cant rewrite our own histories.

Like i promised before here is a rare picture of me looking approachable or even sensible for that matter. I was an usher in my sisters wedding so i had to walk to my mom up the isle during the ceremony, this is the only reasonable looking picture of me out of a ton that were taken and it's the only picture where it doesn't look like i was trying to impersonate a clown with those stupid shoes i was wearing, my mom also looks extremely nervous and freaked out by something, so enjoy.

Unravelling

2007-07-26T04:51:00.000-04:00

I started working night shifts doing security for a nursing/retirement home. So my sleep pattern is non existent and i haven't really had time to do much else other than eat and sleep. I usually have a lot of free time during the nights, it's a 12 hour shift and at most i have 5 hours of work, so i get a lot of reading done.

I've been reading a book by Mother Theresa called "no greater love" nothing has really grabbed me about it, she's basically just preaching selflessness to the point where you choose poverty and therefore can relate to and begin to help the poor. There is one part that really grabbed me though:

" When i pick up a hungry person from the street, i give him rice and bread, and i have satisfied that hunger. But a person who is shut out, feels unwanted by society, unloved and terrified - how much more difficult is it to remove the hunger?

You in the West have the spiritually poorest of the poor much more than you have the physically poor. Often among the rich are very spiritually poor people. I find it is easy to give a plate of rice to a hungry person, to furnish a bed to a person who has no bed, but to console or to remove bitterness, anger, and loneliness that comes from being spiritually deprived, that takes a long time."

There's a lot of truth in that statement, you look at our society, we have so much but we have so little. Our immense wealth is able to mask our downfalls, it doesn't take much to see it and if you look closely you can see every bit of structure in our culture and our society rotting. It hasn't collapsed yet, but I'm not sure how much longer a society that is as empty as we are can stand on its own two feet. I guess we're staggering pretty hard now.

All you have to do is look at history and it will show you what happens to a society that rises to the top, eventually it falls to the bottom. Thousands of years ago these collapses took hundreds maybe even thousands of years, but with the acceleration of technology and rapid movement of social systems these collapses can happen much quicker.

I guess looking at North American you could say the pendulum was set swinging in Europe with all the political turmoil and social hardships many of our ancestors had to endure, current generations in North American are so far removed from that struggle that it doesn't mean anything to us anymore. We just let government and the corporations do whatever they please and as long as it doesn't affect our bottom line we don't seem to care.

All of this connects to being empty inside, our pockets and our bank accounts are full but our minds and hearts are empty. I think it's up to the ones who are bitter, angry, socially neglected, and oppressed to make a change. People who are accepted aren't desperate enough.

I'm not sure how this all connects and i don't really care, it makes sense somehow. There's a song by Rise Against off of their first and best record called The Unravelling, it sort of speaks to what I'm saying here, even if it doesn't this song is incredible, lyrically and musically. The Unravelling is one of my favorite records of all time, so much raw emotion and intensity. The few times i saw this band live while they were touring for this record were unbelievable. I know they've gotten insanely popular and even though i don't really like their last two records I'm happy for them, the lyrics are still meaningful, the music just got a little more tame.

Anyway here's the song:

"The Unraveling"

and all these things that we tie together

keep unraveling apart

and the light that used to burn so bright

now is dark

with anger-laced intent we set fire

to the bridges that remain

and they're wading through the current now.

and they drown in the flood of the tears

that have been wept

and i scream to the sky

"no, you are not alone..."

if you think that your words will ever make a difference

think again and carry on

because the weight behind the hand that holds us is strong

but there is hope in the roar of a thousand pleading cries

and all these things that we tie together

the sound of their tongues being bitten

is all I hear

as we fire at the whites of theirs eyes then

dance on ashes of the world

as they drown in the flood of the tears

that have been wept

and their tongues being bitten

is all that I can hear

as I scream to the sky,"I need you now..."

can you feel this truth now unraveling?

or will you chase the burning sun

into the sea.

Desperate Times

2007-07-11T19:45:00.000-04:00

It's been incredibly hot lately, it's almost unbearable at times. A couple days ago it was 45 degrees (113 if you don't get Celsius) Summers are violently hot and winters are bitterly cold.... i need to move.

I got the new Allegiance LP in the mail a few days ago, This record is pretty harsh, if you liked "Overlooked" in any way whatsoever you'll dig "Desperation".

I also won Insted's "We'll Make The Difference" 7" with gold print, I'm pretty sure it's the first pressing. This record as well as "What We Believe are both really fundamental when it comes to youth crew hardcore in my opinion. The lyrics aren't exactly groundbreaking, they're simple, to the point and ooze conviction. The music, on this record is a little more raw production wise in comparison to "What We Believe" but it's just as good.

This:Is awesome, TFS in Guatemala, if only kids around here got that stoked on hardcore

In other news, my sister got married Saturday along with 40 million other couples being that it was 7/7/07. It was weird because she's my younger sister, but I'm happy for her, they're happy that's all that matters. Pics will be posted of me sporting a tux looking like a total geek, but only upon request.

Local Talent

2007-07-05T10:59:00.000-04:00

Lately there have been a few promising bands start up in and around Toronto, this is really good to see, i think this city is in need of a revival of sorts.

Eating Glass - www.myspace.com/eatingglasshc

These guys are the band I'm most excited about, they sound a bit like Infest with more of a modern vibe and a little Outbreak thrown in for good measure. The vocals are really good, and for being pretty young dudes the lyrics are impressive.

RAH - www.myspace.com/wearerah

Weird name, i don't really know what they sound like but i can get into it.

About To Snap - www.myspace.com/abouttosnap

This band isn't new they've been at it for a couple years, you may or may not have heard of them. These guys are by far my favorite band in Southern Ontario at the moment, fast, pissed early 80's hardcore with a modern touch, thought provoking lyrics, and a front man who is prone to unpredictable antics. They're playing a pretty extensive U.S tour this summer, if you get the chance make it out to one of there shows.

Fever Out - www.myspace.com/feverout

I saw these guys play with Another Breath, the lead guitarist shreds.

Urban Blight - www.myspace.com/urbanblight

These guys have also been around for a few years, but they they deserve mention considering outside of ATS they're my favorite Toronto band. Probably the closest to a true youth crew sound this city has to offer. They hardly play any shows but when the do it's always a fun time.

Rain City Paradise

2007-06-23T15:23:00.000-04:00

Vancouver continues to produce a plethora of great hardcore/punk band. I guess Circles is the latest. www.myspace.com/circlesvancouver

I've only hear the three songs they have up but I'm really into it. Former members of Blue Monday and one or two other bands. The Blue Monday influence is pretty prevalent in the songs I've heard. Far more punk sounding than anything Blue Monday ever did, just read their influences and its pretty easy to see where they're coming from.

If you check this out be sure to listen to the song "Find My Breath" i can't stop listening to it.

Good Riddance

2007-06-11T22:07:00.000-04:00

This band is one of my all-time favorites, a perfect blend of punk and hardcore. And i always liked that they had a bit of a 90's skate punk vibe to them at times. It's sad to see them go, but they had more than a good run. It also means more time for Only Crime, who are touring through Canada later this summer.

Here are two of my favorite records as well as their last record. I haven't given it much of a listen but from what I've heard it sounds as good as ever.

It's impossible to pick a favorite song by Good Riddance, looking at it from a musical and lyrical perspective they had so many solid songs. Whether the songs were about personal, political or social issues they were always well written and thought provoking. If i had to pick a song it would probably be "Choices Made", this could change by next week but as of this moment this song will have to do.

"Choices Made"

I'm so alone
In the darkest place I know
I'm a prisoner in my mind
And I'm searching for that light
And the faith I left behind
I've tried so hard
To look you In the eye
Time has never been a friend
And once again I've been betrayed
By the weight of what I know
And the choices that I've made
You stood so tall
And I've watched you fall
Looking on the bright side
I've known some peace
Cried on the shoulders
Of better men than me
It's going to take a lifetime
To wash away
If I want to stay clean
I've got to start today

DIY Drumming Pt. 2

2007-06-07T22:00:00.001-04:00

Haha, check this out. My brother exposing his drumming skills to the world of youtube.

DIY Drumming Pt. 1

2007-06-07T21:58:00.001-04:00

Time Marches On

2007-06-04T00:53:00.000-04:00

Go It Alone have been one of my favorite bands ever since i heard the Vancouver Gold EP. Then, after the The Only Blood Between Us was released i was even higher on this band. Needless to say i was anticipating GIA's second full length pretty intensely.

Initially i was a little disappointed in the progression of their sound. I heard the Histories Single and i was really impressed but when i first heard the full length it seemed like the band had lost a bit of their edge. I wasn't going to give up on it that easy, so i listened a few more times and sat down with the lyric sheet and let Histories grow on me. The more i listen to this record, like any previous GIA record, the more i appreciate it. This record is more mid-tempo but it's just as furious. It's more hard hitting and has more a dreary rain city vibe to it.

Histories is also more of a themed record. I think that's one of the reasons i like it so much, it really shows the creativity of vocalist Mark Palm. The record seems to flow flawlessly from one song to the next without losing any steam. Songs like 'Monastery' and 'Rapture' have a more typical GIA vibe lyric wise. While a song like 'Love' shows the sincerity put into the lyric writing. Of all the songs this band has written i think this one is the most easily related to and one of the most beautifully written.

I'm sure there are those who will just stop listening to this band given their relative "popularity" within the hardcore scene. But it's their loss. I can't wait to see this band in August, i guess then we'll see if they've been disbanded to join the heap of "unhipular" bands that came before them. In any case, this record is great, listen to it.

"Love "

I never felt the ache of being alone, never sensed an empty space inside myself. Never felt the urge to fill a void with the presence of someone else. But you uncovered a feeling inside of me, unfamiliar and unique. Created a vacancy within where one never used to be. Dear absentee, dear missing piece, I've missed you since the day we met. Dear truant friend, dear tune stuck in my head that i cant forget....a lost memory, an errant wish, you were a missing limb; every morning i had to wake up and realize you were gone all over again. An unfinished sentence, an interrupted thought, a name on the tip of my tongue. An unsent letter, an unopened book, a lyric left unsung. Dear absentee, dear missing piece, I've missed you since the day we met. Dear truant friend, dear tune stuck in my head. Dear you....I've got these feelings inside, somehow i always knew you'd understand. they've been laying dormant for a lifetime. I'm waking up for the first time.

Anchorless

2007-05-28T00:22:00.000-04:00

"Isn't it true that you start your life a sweet child believing in everything under your father's roof? Then comes the day of Laodiceans, when you know you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and with the visage of a gruesome grieving ghost you go shuddering through nightmare life." - Jack Kerouac

That quote is probably one of the most disturbing, most tragic pieces of writing i have ever read.

In a sense it's what inspired me to write this:

"Deathgrip"

Where did it go wrong?
When did my mind become so restless it turned on itself?

I used to know the difference between fact and fiction,

Between truth and lies.
Now I only know what fiction is, I only know lies.
And everything is a lie, this world is dead
And we made it this way, we watched it die
We had our say, but it’s all lost on us, it’s lost on us.

Why choose to feel when you only feel pain
The knives twisting in and out of your back.
Why choose the light when darkness hides everything you hate
Your scars are concealed when darkness permeates
Why choose the narrow road when you can’t see the end
And the end is only something you dream of
On those nights you were nearly broken, but you wouldn’t give in

I’m still holding on
I’ve seen too many fall short
Wasted lives take a piece of me with them every time they die

You only hold on because somewhere, you believe in hope
You only let go because death is easier
Than staring yourself in the eyes
Swallowing your pride
And admitting you were almost too far gone
And the direction that we were heading was stomped, peddled, and beaten upon

We were wrong, we were all wrong

So just let go, let go

Lights Out....For Good

2007-05-26T00:42:00.000-04:00

I'm so glad i was able to get my hands on this record. It was the second pressing out 215 or something like that. I love the artwork on the album cover, it really suits the whole vibe of the record. Most of the songs on this record took some time to grow on me, but ever since i was able to sit down with the lyric sheet and listen along I've gained more of an appreciation for this record.

Pretty much any song this band put out was teaming with anger. It's easy to be angry but most anger lacks any sort of direction. Every song seemed to have a direction or a focus whether it be pointed inwards or outwards towards other people or towards society. My favorite song from this record is "Trapped" to me it epitomizes what this band stood for for the short time they were around. I'm a little bummed i didn't get to see them live a single time, but i think I've took what needed to be taken from this band.

Swarm, like a pack of dogs
Destroy the wounded
Fucking eat me alive
But I'm far from harmed because I don't hate my life
You want to break me down and build me up
Follow your every move
Sell me happiness in 15 minutes
You think you can because so many do
Fall into your trap, I'm smarter than that
Your fucking lies, your dirty scheme, I'll never let you beat me
Their control....
Refuse it....
Destroy it....
Control it....
Cause it's always you telling me what i want
and no matter what i do you'll never stop
Everywhere I turn, there you are
But you'll never destroy what i know inside

We Are The Walking Dead

2007-05-21T01:37:00.000-04:00

Usually when i write i try and make it somewhat poetic or i try and put it into the format of a song. Its more powerful that way. But sometimes its too hard to say what i want within that context. I've been in a bit of disturbed mood lately, here's some of the outcome.

What does it mean to be alive in this world? I'm not talking about simply breathing, waking in the morning to face the same blown-out routine. You can only walk down a path so many times before it becomes beat, boring, and lifeless. It might seem enticing at first, giving in is always the easy way out but you'll live to regret it. For generations we've been nothing more than walking dead, marching our way to burn out in beach side towns and retirement homes.

There are a few who resist but most of us either get dragged in line, kicking and screaming, or we can't even will to raise an eyebrow at the fact that we're living unfulfilled. In doing so we've raped and ravaged entire continents of landscape and entire societies of people. Because we do it better, who needs to live when your skeletal remains can bask in a sea of colored paper?

One of the problems is that we've created an empty life, we're born into it, it requires us to leave our true ambition, or aspirations at the steps, before we even see the light of day. Most of us don't even know what it means to be ambitious, in the true sense of the word. You can be ambitious within the realm of our society, but set foot outside those confines and you can't even fathom what it means to breath freely. Let alone know what it means to have aspirations that are true to your heart.

I'm trying to figure out how it feels to be dead inside, but i don't know, I'm not there yet. I don't know what it feels like to live because I'm not there either. I'm stuck in between light and darkness, blinded by a grey haze that leaves me waving my arms out in front of me in fear that i might grasp something that will point me in the right direction.

To be continued.....

Young Man Blues

2007-05-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

I saw Modern Life Is War last night for what i believe was the fifth time. It was one of the better times seeing them, just because Jeff seemed to really be into it, and i was equally as into it.

The turnout was weak once again. I guess the hipsters united and decided MLIW wasn't their cup of tea any longer. It's really amazing in a city that has a lot of great hardcore punk bands that a band as good as MLIW gets ignored. But if it isn't trendy here it doesn't fly. Another reason why i will never follow and will probably never truly feel at home in this scene.

They played most of my favorite songs including, first and ellen, by the sea, the outsiders, dead ramones, and clarity. They played three new songs each of which were really good. Their new record is going to be amazing.

I lost it during pretty much every song they played, more than normally would. I think it's becuase ive been so into Witness lately, it's almost as if i've been able to pin down where this band is coming from and it makes it that much more meaningful.

I lost my voice almost completely after the show, i guess i felt i needed to make up for the lack of support or something, me and my friend Etienne along with some really obnoxious kid were really the only ones consistently into it. We talked to Jeff after the show briefly, he seems like a really nice dude. We also talked to Brooke Strauss who is touring with them playing an acoustic set before their set. He seems like a really interesting guy, his lyrics were disturbing, not really in a bad way, more in a depressing, being torn from the depths of his soul way.

I've been listening to Witness a lot lately, the more i listen to it the more i get an "On The Road", "Jack Kerouac" vibe. The book seems to epitomize coming of age in Western society even today. For those of us who are searching for something real, something different, i think this book can't really say it any better. For me Witness definitely expands on this theme and the new record, from what little i was able to grasp seems to be expanding even further.

Trying to live for what your heart longs for is something that's nearly impossible with the obstacles we're faced with. Most of us can't even recognize what we want or need, we just do what we're supposed to be doing and that's the end. It never goes any further we just live our lives dead inside. Bands like MLIW deserve a lot of credit for being truthful to themselves and not giving in, i guess the challenge is finding a way to live, individually, without any restraints limiting your potential.

Dance of Days

2007-05-08T23:08:00.000-04:00

I finally had a chance to see No Trigger play on the 5th. They were supposed to play a show back in the fall with New Mexican Disaster Squad but their van broke down before they got to the border. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of kids singing along and the intensity of their vocalist. For those of you who haven't heard them, they play melodic hardcore punk similar to that of Strike Anywhere, they sound a little more polished and at times almost poppy but they pull it off better than most bands attempting to play the same style. They sounded pretty tight throughout the whole set, these guys are really young as well so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for them.

Daggermouth, Hostage Life, and Set Your Goals were also set to play that night, i stayed for Daggermouth and left before the next two bands played. I actually like both of Daggermouths' LP's so i always enjoy seeing them. The crowd went off for them which was nice to see considering the last time they played Toronto i think i was the only one who knew who they were. They did a Descendants cover 'I'm The One' which was great, i was singing along the whole time so i wasn't really paying attention to how it sounded but from what i caught it sounded like the pulled it off pretty well.

I started my Anthropology class this week, it seems really interesting. We get to read a book written by a dude who went and lived with crack heads/dealers in Harlem called 'In Search Of Respect' which is going to be awesome. The whole course is all essay writing which is a bonus for me, there seems to be an insane amount of reading (40 pgs of assigned reading plus the aforementioned case study book which will be at least 10 pgs a night) but as long as i get free reign on the essays i don't really care.

On a side note, my landlord brought me and my roommate an insanely nice dinner tonight completely unexpected. He's a French Prof. at York (the school i go to) and has been really good to my roommate and i so far. So this post goes out to Caribbean Cuisine and how good it tastes after you've been surviving off your own half hearted attempts to nourish yourself for longer than should be aloud.

In With The New

2007-05-02T23:17:00.000-04:00

Man, i really need to stop slacking and update this thing. I've been busy getting ready moving into my new apartment so all things Internet have taken a back seat. I needed to get out of that hole in the ground i used live in.

I've been to a couple really good shows the past couple weeks or so. I saw Lifetime on the 20th. It's pretty clear there making this comeback for the right reasons the whole band had a ton of fun on stage. Yemin was losing it to nearly every song which was great to see. And their new LP is really solid, maybe a little more polished than their previous stuff but it still holds true to what made them what they are.
I picked the LP up at the show and apparently i got the last one on limited red vinyl.

Then i saw Static Radio, The Loved Ones, Strike Anywhere, and The Bouncing Souls this past Friday. Static Radio play melodic hardcore punk sort of like Kid Dynamite, no where near as tight or fluid, but they seemed good none the less. I've seen the Loved Ones a few times now, i don't listen to their records a whole lot but their live shows are entertaining. They're just extremely catchy, without being to poppy. They still maintain that punk edge.

This show was sold out so by the time Strike Anywhere started it was getting pretty hot in the venue. I managed to maneuver my way up front and sang along for their entire set. They played a few new songs, a few from Exit English, and some of my favorites from 'Change is a Sound' including 'Refusal' and 'Sunset On 32nd'. They also played 'Earthbound' from the EP which was a nice surprise. As usual Thomas shared some of his political insights that shine through in mostly all of their songs. They didn't play 'Notes On Pulling The Sky Down' which i was a little bummed out about but when you've released four great records it's hard to please everyone.

I can't really explain how fun it is to see The Bouncing Souls, listening to them usually puts me in a better mood and seeing them live is just an extension of that feel-good energy. I just stood behind the chaotic crowd and took it all in. They played a good mix of old and new stuff and they finished with 'For All The Unheard' which has a really long outro that almost makes me pass out every time i hear it. They almost the entire thing vocals and all, it was cool to see that.

Saturday No Trigger is playing with Daggermouth and Set Your Goals. I'm looking forward to seeing No Trigger. 'Canyoneer' was a solid record so hopefully they get a good response from the crowd.

I start classes for the summer semester on Monday, im taking an Anthropology class so hopefully it deosn't suck on the same level of most university courses. And i changed the layout of this after realizing my last one was pretty ugly, brown rules.

TFS Pictures

2007-04-19T23:33:00.000-04:00

PS. These photos flatter my looks majorly.

TFS/Urban Blight/Keep It Up/Eating Glass

2007-04-15T22:21:00.000-04:00

I was really excited to get to see The First Step again. This band has become one of my favorite, especially after the release of What We Know. Of course TFS were the highlight of the show but i was interested in seeing the other bands. One is newly formed and the other two rarely play shows.

Eating Glass opened up, they play really fast, pissed off thrashy hardcore. Think Infest or more recently Ceremony or even ATS. I think they only had one song more than 30 seconds and it was because the intro and the outro were longer than usual. I thought they were good for just starting out, they have a ton of potential. I hope they live up to it, Toronto needs a band like this. www.myspace.com/eatingglasshc

Next Keep It Up played. If you've heard the Generations comp Bridge 9 put out KIU had a song on it. They play youth crew hardcore with more of a modern influence, but they still come off sounding really raw and their influences really show. The last time i saw these guys play was with TFS last July so it was nice to see them play again, i just hope they start playing more shows.

Urban Blight played next, i don't think they had played a show in more than 6 months. They weren't overly tight musically but they were good enough given the circumstances. This band is a lot of fun, i think I'd really be into them if they played more shows. Quit Harshin' My Buzz is a great song Check it out: www.myspace.com/urbanblight

TFS were up next. They opened with Something Inside and got kids moshing and singing along, including myself. I suck at moshing so i basically just run across the floor looking like an idiot if I'm not singing along. The only bummer was no stage = no stage dives, but otherwise the venue has been really good since re-opening for the last few shows. Stephen ( the singer) got cut above his eye during the first song, and bled on various parts of my WHITE Fired Up shirt. Haha I'll get it out somehow. They played Time To Understand, Learning, No Way To Live, The Higher Taste, When Things Fall Apart, What We Know, And The First Step. They played a new song called Connection which sounded really good. And probably a couple more I'm forgetting. I can't really pick out a highlight of the set, every song was good, Stephen had a lot of positive meaningful things to say in between songs and the vibe of the show as a whole was really positive.

This was definitely the best show so far this year, i hope TFS come back this summer or something because it'll be hard to beat a show with them on the bill. I'm sure there will be pictures posted somewhere shortly, I'll post them or link them when i see them.

Some Videos: Urban Blight: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJNinkIz8KM
TFS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZYkPmgwvFc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZoFAzC_nI

Iron Age/Rise And Fall

2007-04-08T22:06:00.000-04:00

Despite the fact that we are experiencing January in April and my refusal to wear a jacket to a show this show was a lot of fun.

I hadn't really heard much about Rise and Fall before this show, aside from the fact that they were from Europe and they were REALLY heavy. I enjoyed their set, i don't think I'll really get into them on record but the signer was doing some weird stuff and the band seemed like they were dead on musically. The first song the guitarist busted out this ridiculous solo that left me wanting to burn my guitar. I was expecting him to put my abilities to shame some more, but that was it, no more eye watering riffs. I was a little disappointed with that but all in all i appreciated the energy and intensity the band brought.

I think Iron Age are one of the more talented bands in hardcore. I'm usually not big on the crushing NYHC style they play but this band is an exception. They got kids moshing, circle pitting and signing along, i was able to sing along for a few songs, the few that I've taken the time to sit down and really get a grasp on. Their lead guitarist is a seriously talented dude, if you've listened to this band much you know what I'm talking about, almost every song has a riff that I'll probably never be able to do. I was happy with the response the kids in attendance gave the band they definitely deserve it and it was nice to see everyone appreciated what they were doing.

Local band The Kill Decibel opened the show, i got there just as they ended. Hatred Surge played after them, i didn't like them. Calculated noise. And the infamous Fucked Up finished the night, i didn't stay for them, I've never really been able to get into them. Their live shows are great but i can't get into them on record.

Check out some pictures @ www.formertransformer.com

Seoul City Straight Edge

2007-03-30T23:35:00.000-04:00

I got The Geeks "Everytime We Fall" in the mail today. Luckily I've had it in mp3 format for a few weeks now. In My opinion this record surpasses their previous stuff by miles. The music hasn't changed much but the vocals are much improved, a much more fluid delivery and they seem to fit with the songwriting a little better. I'm really digging this right now, i need to see this band next time they come to North America.

I did the pre-order with Get Outta Town Records and the vinyl looks rad, i think this pressing was limited to 100.

"Open Your Eyes" is probably my favorite song on the record, along with the title track.

Open Your Eyes

All i see is mindless determinations

The absence of thinking, we are not learning to grow

we are forced to believe in false ideals

Pursuing lives to get ahead is what we have learned

Are we making progress or just wasting our time?

What we were taught is blinding our sights

We are meant to live for so much more

Too blind to see what's real

Live for what's in store

Open Your Eyes

Get Me Out!

2007-03-29T22:25:00.000-04:00

This is what i do when I'm supposed to be listening to my violent accented Eastern European computers and society professor. And given the absurdity of my last post i figured i needed to get it out of the way as soon as possible.

Were we all born without a chance?

Into a world that won't give an inch

No matter how hard we push

The harder it pushes back

How are supposed to live?

When all we do is give

Give in and give up

Give our time, punch the clock

All for a world that doesn't give a fuck

Physical Fatness

2007-03-27T20:51:00.000-04:00

If you've ever been out in public anytime in the last 20 years you've probably noticed an absurd amount of obese people. I'm not quite sure why this is, of course consumer culture encourages people to eat slabs of fat and people are overly lazy. Because of technology and our fascination with instant gratification we don't need to be as physically active, and why would we be? I mean we won't see any result for at least a few weeks.

Conclusion. Obesity is a physical disease that only exists to the extremities that it does because the society that festers its existence is also diseased. And it permeates every facet of every part of life. Just like an alcoholic, heroin junkie, or an anorexic, obesity is a disease. When i say obese i don't mean just mildy overweight people, i mean people that can't walk 10 steps without their heart exploding.

Like This:

I took this article from the Toronto Star, it's what inspired me to rant like i just did.

The childhood obesity "epidemic" is so disturbing that today’s children will become the first generation in some time to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents, a new report says.
Entitled Healthy Weight for Healthy Kids, the report was issued by the Commons health committee today.
The committee said it "shares the fears of many experts who predict that today’s children will be the first generation for some time to have poorer health outcomes and a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
The committee noted that Canada has one of the worst rates of childhood obesity in the developed world.
Weight problems can bring on Type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, joint problems and mental health issues.
Recent data indicate that 26 per cent of Canadians aged 2-17 are overweight or obese, up from 15 per cent in 1978.
The committee heard that children continue to consume too many calories in fatty and processed foods and in sugary drinks.
The report proposed 13 recommendations, stating that to address the problem, programs that promote healthy weights for children have to be rewarding.
In addition, the committee said that interventions must take place at all levels - individual, family, community, school as well as all levels of government.
The committee also said it’s important to set specific, measurable health targets.
"The committee recognizes that childhood obesity is a complex and multi-dimensional problem that must be tackled immediately," the report said.

I was also thinking about how ugly truth can be. Truth about the world, about what we've morphed into. If truth were a person it would be a 90 year old, senile, meth addict with no arms or legs and 3rd degree burns from its head to its stumps.

Peace!

2007-03-17T23:52:00.000-04:00

Today was the fourth anniversary of the U.S led Invasion of Iraq, as well as the fourth anniversary of the annual anti-war rallies that happen all over the world at this time.

I participated at the one in Toronto for the third straight year. there were some moving speeches given by citizens of the middle east, They brought a few war resisters from the U.S up on the stage during the rally, it was cool to see them sticking to their guns and basically giving up any normalcy they had in their lives because they believed something they were participating in was wrong. I have tons of respect for those people.

The protest also dealt with Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, and an array of other social issues that the Canadian government continues to neglect. Although its sometimes depressing to go to these rallies, i walk away with at least a sense of hope that people still care enough to do something about it.

In a city of over 5 million people only about 1000 people were at this rally, which makes me wonder if we're just so far gone that we've given up. Either that or we're to ignorant to know enough to care. Millions and millions of people have died in the name of Western imperialism yet we ignore it like it doesn't really matter how many people die, as long as we can still drive our BMW's and live in posh neighborhood's with guarded entrances. Just enough so we remain to numb to the realities of what has created the great wealth we enjoy.

Reading Howard Zinn today i was reminded that every great empire will fall, mostly due to their unsatisfiable lust for power and wealth. It's just amazing the lengths that governments go to in order to keep their head above water for just a while longer. If you think about it the U.S (and for economic purposes Canada as well) has been at war consistently since WWII, so what happens if there is no war? Is war what sustains our fragile economy?

This got out of hand a long time ago. I'll stop now, but here's a song that re-enforces some of what i was saying. I could use this entire album, but this will have to suffice.

VERSE

Start A Fire

I can't accept what's been done

I'll question the motives

Of all things under the sun

There's something wrong

When a man is kept down

By another man's hand with a gun

We need to start a fire

To act consciously

To save us from our own defeat

Because there is still a war

That we must eliminate

And save ourselves

From this unconscious state

When you just can't take anymore

And you're being kept down

START A FIRE

We've gotta cut our ties

To a life lived in denial

I wish I could strike a match

And set fire to this fucked up empire

I'll never let myself become

Just another apathetic motherfucker

Who knows what we could do

If we would only try

If we turn our heads and walk away

This fire won't survive

START A FIRE

Amibtions

2007-03-16T17:44:00.000-04:00

Ambitions are one of my favorite new bands. From the No Limits demo to the Question EP everything this band has done has been incredibly solid. I can't wait for their new full length coming out on Bridge 9.

I got this in the mail today from Surprise Attack Records. These guys are great with sending stuff through mail. Fast/cheap shipping, well packed, and they stock a lot of rad records.

Also, i got to go to a Toronto Maple Leafs game with my dad and brother in town on Tuesday. They won and pretty much dominated the entire game. The reason it's worth cheering for this team despite how frustrating they can be to watch at times:

Enough said.

Another Breath/About To Snap/Fever Out/ In Time

2007-03-12T19:32:00.000-04:00

This show was a matinee on a Sunday so it was a little weird, especially given the venue, but it was a really good show given the circumstances. The venue was this really small indoor skate park located in Kensington Market, which in my opinion is one of coolest neighbourhood's in the city.

In Time played first. They're a local band that got back together after a couple years with a new lineup. They played a bunch of old songs a Civ cover and one new song called Breakaway, all in all i thought they played a good set. Check out their music here. www.myspace.com/intime

Next Fever Out played, another local band, I'm not all that familiar with them and i didn't really like what i had heard prior to seeing them. I enjoyed their set though, they had a lot of energy and their lead guitarist is really talented. www.myspace.com/feverout

About To Snap played next, they play fast, thrashy hardcore punk. I don't really listen to them but i love seeing them live. Their singer is extremely comical. A few things he did that made me laugh: Jumped on a group of bored "scene kids" who were sitting on the table-top, he crawled all over them, messed their hair up and probably made them feel pretty uncomfortable. Next he grabbed a kids skateboard and road it across the floor before crashing into a group of assembled kids, in the midst of a song. And finally he made a lot of comical remarks that i can't remember but made me laugh at the time. www.myspace.com/abouttosnap

Another Breath was a lot of fun. the singer is really well spoken and sincere, he had a lot of meaningful things to say in between and during the intro of songs. It's nice to see a vocalist straying from the usual stage banter of a hardcore show. They had to cut their set a bit short because they were playing a show that night, but hopefully I'll be able to see them again on Wednesday before they leave the Province. They played Racing a Fading Image, Jailbreak, Orange, and a few others. There weren't a whole lot of kids familiar with them so there was maybe 3 or 4 of us consistently singing along, regardless the whole band had a ton of energy. In my opinion this is one of the best bands in hardcore today, Definitely check them out if they play your town.

Fired Up/At All Costs

2007-03-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

This show was a lot of fun, it had a really positive vibe and the bands were great. It wasn't actually in a venue, it was in someones really small, really old, unfinished basement with 7ft. ceilings. The room was maybe 12 x 25 and when you factor in the presence of the furnace, water heater, and random basement garbage there was even less room. In all there was probably about 25 people there, which is about as many as there could have been.

The first band that played was Easy Days, i missed most of their set, but what i heard was really good. www.myspace.com/thoseeasydays Next At All Costs played, i was really impressed with these guys, they play youth crewish hardcore with a twist. They use a trumpet and a trombone, which i wasn't too sure about at first but once they started playing it was great. The whole band had a ton of energy, jumping around despite such a small area. They also played a GB cover, I'm sure you can guess which one. Before the song the singer encouraged everyone to mosh, just avoid breaking the water heater. Everyone moshed, sang alone and the water heater made it through. I picked up their Directions EP after the show, i haven't had a chance to listen to it yet but I've read some of the lyrics and I'm really impressed with them.

Fired Up played next, they played From The Heart, and Time Heals off of the demo and maybe one other i cant remember. They played most of the songs off of their 7". The highlight was either Dead Dreams or When The Lights Go Out. Kids sang along to every song and I'm sure some others who weren't all that familiar with this band will be singing along next time they come through. All in all this was the most fun I've had at a show since the summer, I also picked up this rad Fired Up shirt.

Inside Out

2007-03-02T00:11:00.000-05:00

There was a huge snowstorm here today, which made my 20 minute commute into a 3 hour debacle that included waiting in a huge line up for the bus to show up, not get into that bus, waiting for the next one which doesn't take me as far as i need to go. I got on it, sat in a crowded bus moving 20km/h if it was moving at all for 90 minutes. Then had a 30 minute walk through 2 ft. deep snowdrifts and 70km winds. In skate shoes. I love this country.

During this i must have listened to Another Breath's Mill City at least three times. I've taken the time to sit down with the lyric book and actually read the lyrics lately and they're really well written. Every song has a pretty powerful message, many of them i can relate to. There's a song called Coming Home on the record that made this situation a little more bearable.

I've pretty much always had an issue with where i live, i always find a way to complain about the weather or the city, even if there isn't anything substantial to be complaining about. I know that this rampant complaining has nothing to do with my environment, it has to do with myself. It wouldn't matter where i am, I'd still feel like I'm stagnating and stuck in a rut. Anyway, this song speaks to this really well and it's helped me see this problem in a new light.

Coming Home

Everything is so empty. There's nothing here for me. This town is just a collection of dead ends and bad memories. It permeates everything I do. I was so convinced I could run away and just start again. I ran so far away but I found that nothing changed. Everywhere - the emptiness that I tried to escape. I found the same longing and desperation. I found the pain I thought that I could leave behind. See the town is not the problem. The problem lies in me and the failures and regrets that distort everything I see. I see it now so clearly in the sun that never left the home I left behind. The world is just a reflection of how I see. A projection of the ugliness and hate I live and breathe. Some things I can't outrun. Memories like asphalt never fucking change. Eyes turned blind to beauty. I cannot escape.

I'll probably post a few more songs off this record later, if you haven't taken the time to read the lyrics do so while listening along. The dude who writes this stuff is seriously talented.

I Rise!!

2007-02-20T22:51:00.000-05:00

I've been slacking pretty hard in just about every area, including updating this thing. But more troubling is the fact that i have two huge essays due in less than 36 hours and i've only started one of them up to this point.

http://www.myspace.com/irisehc

I'm really digging this band alot. Their original which is nice to hear, they have a rad name, and for a band that just started playing have a ton of potential.

http://www.myspace.com/nothingdone

These dudes are great too. I've been listening to their song "Give It Back" continuously, there's a riff about halfway through the song thats ridiculously catchy.

So This Is Rock n Roll.... I Like It!!!!

2007-02-05T21:16:00.000-05:00

I got this record about a month ago from Reflections Records. The artwork is some of the best I've ever seen. In my opinion this is No Turning Back's best album to date. They seem to have progressed to the point where they've found their niche. I guess you could describe their sound as a more metallic more pissed off youth crew hardcore. Aram Arslanian does guest vocals on the song "Alive or Dead" and it comes out really well, that song is one of the best on the record. The lyrics for every song are well written, honest, and in your face. Which is what I've come to expect from this band. This is a rad record and I'm glad i was able to pick up this cool looking vinyl.

Speaking of European hardcore, Apparently the new Justice record is really good. I've only heard 3 songs and I'm really liking what I've heard so far. Also, if anyone reading this knows of a band called Asptai from somewhere in Europe, i can't remember which country, let me know where i can hear more of their music. I stumbled across a few of their mp3's a couple years ago and haven't heard anything about them since.

I also got No Trigger's "Canyoneer" and this Down To Nothing 7". No Trigger plays melodic hardcore punk like Strike Anywhere or Crime In Stereo. It reminds me of some of the mid 90's Fatwreck releases, its a little more polished than i would like but its still a solid record. As for the DTN 7", i haven't even heard it yet, i can't find it anywhere on mp3 format on the Internet. I need alot more $$$, a bigger apartment, and really good speakers before i get a record player.

When The Lights Go Out

2007-01-29T12:44:00.000-05:00

Finally, there's going to be a couple good shows in Toronto. Fired Up and Another Breath are playing shows in the first two weeks of March. Winters here are dead when it comes to just about everything, including hardcore or punk shows.

I finally received my copy of Fired Ups "When the Lights Go Out" from Youngblood Records. They also through in a copy of Lights Out "Overload" which was a nice considering how long it took. I've had the Fired Up EP in mp3 format for a while. I ordered the CD instead of the 7" because i wanted to hear the demo they did in 2005 remastered. I liked the demo a lot before i heard it remastered, having listened to it a few times now i like it even more. If i had this in my hands anytime last year it probably would have made my top 10 of 2006.

One of the most noticeable differences between the demo and the EP is the songwriting. The construction of the songs and the lyrics are a step above the EP, which is impressive considering how much i liked the demo.

Although i like all the songs off of the EP, the lyrics from "All I Could" are great.

Took the chance to go for something more

Don't want to make the same mistakes i made before

Don't want to settle for just getting by

I want to get the most out of this life

This was all i wanted to i gave it my all

Investing so much, didn't think i could fall

What went wrong? How'd things end up this way?

I'm willing to try so what does it take

Hit the ground hard, but i gotta get up

It's a tough loss to face cause i cared so much

Wondering was my best just not enough?

All i can say is i did all i could

Figure out the mistakes i made

Pick myself up for another day

Try again, its never too late

But i need to know, what does it take?

Still Desperate For Answers

2007-01-17T00:41:00.000-05:00

I decided to change the layout of this thing, i finally figured out how to customize it and make it look a little better, so hopefully it looks okay.

I watched the movie "Children of Men" that just came out, its one of the better movies I've seen in years. The cinematography is probably the best I've ever seen and the story line and plot are really intriguing. If you haven't seen it, its set in England 20 years from now, the human race is basically falling apart because we can no longer reproduce ourselves. Women can't get pregnant. So there's a lot of war, fascist governments, and extremists trying to take back control. I won't get into the story, but watching it put me in gloomy mindset and i started thinking about our world, what its becoming and how i don't even know the half of it.

It also got me started thinking about what any progressive thinking person my age is struggling with. How long can you hold out? How long until the system that you hate so much swallows you and takes all your dreams away? And how do you avoid it, how do you turn your back on something that reaches every single aspect of your life in one way or another. It only keeps reaching further and further until it's got you in its hands.

I remeber at the GB reunion Civ said "What do you do when you grow up? When your forced into this system?.... You do what you love."

I wrote this mostly out of spite and anger, but there is hope, I'm just trying to find it.

Where It Ends

I fear nothing more than becoming oil for this machine
It eats you up, grinds your bones through the gears of progress
And spits you out a lifeless drone

You’ll comply or you’ll die, you’ll comply or you’ll die

How long can I hold out, how long until my persistence
Gives me life and I can rest my hope
In the hands that carried me this far
How long until we all wake up
Shackled to the promise of prosperity
Is this where you’ll stay, is this where you’ll waste away
Or will you hack through the bone, leave false promises behind
And find the strength inside to run away.

You’ll comply or you’ll die, you’ll comply or you’ll die

How long until I collapse, dead weight
I won’t land without the earth shaking
I won’t let you steal what little I have left

I’d rather die with dignity
Than with them pointing laughing at me
I’d rather die with all of me
Than with only broken pieces of me

Clean Living Youth, Hardcore Punk, And Social Change

2007-01-14T20:04:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading this book last week. As far as i know its the first "academic" book ever published on straight edge. Throughout the book the author (Ross Haenfler) addresses a bunch of issues concerning straight edge including its core values and how they're interpreted, positivity, commercialization, the internet, and the involvement of women. He does all of this taking the perspective of straight edge as a social movement and a subculture that has the ability to create social change. Every chapter he interviews a bunch of edge kids and gets their opinions on the topic being addressed. The author has been straight edge since 1989 or something like that so he's able to lend his personal experience, which is really what makes this book so credible.

There's a fair amount of discussion on the issue of selling out, reading it got me thinking about why so many people, people in influential bands who inspired edge kids to keep moving forward end up selling out, sometimes not more than months after the band they were in breaks up. I think one of the reasons for this is that being in a band or being constantly associated with other edge people it becomes a lot easier to be straight edge. Once that safety net is gone, when they're not around edge people all the time or not consumed with music and touring its pretty easy to slip up, to fall back on old habits.

There isn't anything wrong with having a lot of straight edge friends, but i also think its important to separate yourself from the pack so that when push comes to shove you have a backbone that can stand up to temptation. Personally, i hardly ever associate with other straight edgers, not because i don't want to, but because i feel the scene in Toronto is too much like a high school social scene. I go to shows and enjoy the music as much as anyone else, i just have no interest or motivation to really get to know a lot of people, especially because it seems so exclusive. The edge people i do know are in the same boat as me and seem to be pretty sincere about holding onto the ideals they profess to today, tomorrow.

The bottom line to all this is you've gotta do things for yourself, who cares what the world thinks, what your friends think, or what other kids involved with hardcore think. If your doing things for yourself and no one else that's as punk as you can be and its what makes the edge special to those of us who think it can make this world a better place

In light of this i was inspired to dig up the most famous song regarding this topic and one that still says it better than anyone has since.

"Straight Edge" By Minor Threat

I'm a person just like you but i've got better things to do then sit around and fuck my head hang out with the living dead snort white shit up my nose pass out at the shows i don't even think about speed thats something i just don't need i've got the straight edge i'm a person just like you but i've got better things to do then sit around and smoke dope cause i know that i can cope laugh at the thought of eating ludes laugh at the thought of sniffing glue always gonna keep in touch never want to use a crutch i've got the straight edge i've got the straight edge

It's a Disease

2007-01-10T20:30:00.000-05:00

I was on the bus on the way back from class today and the most putrid smelling dude got on and sat close enough to me that i was having a hard time breathing. He probably hadn't showered in weeks and cleary hadn't washed his hair in years. His hair was in this huge matted ball on the side of his head that looked pretty solid, it was bouncing up and down and slapping him on the head when he walked. I found this pretty comical, but i also felt bad for the guy. He obviously had no motivation to clean himself, which probably means he isn't motivated to do much else. Looking around and seeing what some people have been depressed to is pretty disturbing sometimes. It's product of a diseased society. It can be pretty angering if you think about the reasons some people are the way they are. The key is to use that anger to create something good, create some positive momentum.

There was a band from Toronto called "No Warning" a few years back. They released a couple really solid records before signing to a major label then breaking up not long after. They had a really crunching sound, think Guns Up only better. Guns Up were obviously hugely influenced by this band. They had really angry lyrics, almost bitter at times, that complimented the vocal delivery and the music really well. For the most part the lyrics managed to remain hopefull. Anyway, they have a song that in a way speaks to what i was saying above.

Caught in the Web

We can't win. They're everywhere. Gotta fight back. / Not on my watch, not while I'm here / I'll hold on to this while I still care / Turn away from the lies, embrace the anger / And use it as momentum to break out faster / As far as I'm concerned, this is as far as it goes / Tired. Neglectful. Here I am, here I hate, here I go / Say goodbye to the wasted time spent on other lives / That are a part of mine / It makes no sense - I wish I could stop / I've tried before - The web has me caught / Twisted minds will try to keep me off track / Shifty eyes keep watch over me and await the time for attack / Only to become what I've hated all along / What I've fought all this time / I've made my bed and it's where I lie / But I'll be damned if I'm to live this fuckin life / Your mirror shows you've changed / Look close - that's who you are / Your mirror shows you've changed / Look close - You can see your pain / I won't be a prisoner / Release myself from life's chains / What I lose in this endless fight / Somewhere else I will gain

Slamball accident

2007-01-08T17:48:00.001-05:00

Best Of 06'

2006-12-23T14:23:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-12-20T14:22:00.000-05:00

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?

2006-12-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

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?

2006-11-30T12:59:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-11-24T16:08:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-18T13:13:00.000-05:00

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.....

2006-11-12T19:44:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-06T13:14:00.000-05:00

"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

2006-10-24T23:55:00.001-04:00

“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

2006-10-19T12:52:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-09T11:44:00.000-04:00

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

2006-09-20T01:28:00.000-04:00

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"

2006-09-13T21:20:00.001-04:00

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

2006-09-09T19:42:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-09-01T21:20:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-08-22T09:36:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-10T11:36:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-01T20:12:00.000-04:00

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

2006-07-24T20:04:00.000-04:00

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

2006-07-18T21:58:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-07-10T21:30:00.000-04:00

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

2006-07-01T09:57:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-18T22:18:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-10T19:55:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-10T12:17:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-30T19:58:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-28T12:32:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-05-13T23:29:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-05-07T20:44:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-05T18:38:00.000-04:00

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

3000 Miles

2006-04-28T17:53:00.000-04:00

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

2006-04-22T20:08:00.000-04:00

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.