PREACHING BACK TO PREACHERS

TAKE OFFENSE Pre-Orders Available

2012-01-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

Chula Vista's finest and easily one of the best Hardcore bands to emerge in the past 15 years, Take Offense, have launched the pre-orders for their newest 4-song release Under The Same Shadow through Reaper Records. If you're at all unfamiliar with the band, below is a track from the aforementioned release.

2012-01-10T11:06:00.002-05:00

Sammy Siegler apparently dug into his archives and has unearthed this rejected JUDGE artwork for what was to be used for a flyer before getting axed for being "too evil". The art was done by Bevin Stone who is known for having done the cover art for Leeway's Born To Expire album. Though cool, I definitely don't see it working for JUDGE... but it's an incredible piece of history nonetheless.

Post borrowed from Live Suburbia

AGNOSTIC FRONT Live In Luxembourg (1993)

2012-01-08T19:11:00.000-05:00

From the "One Voice" era line-up, which is undeniably the best line-up AF ever carried (taking nothing away from past and current members of course), here is footage from an incredible sounding and well shot and edited show in 1993 from Luxembourg... shirtless, in camo. It doesn't get any better than this.

NYHC: Greetings From New York Video Postcard

2012-01-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

In the early 80's you could send postcards in VHS format — cutting edge technology at the time. This particular video postcard from New York features, amongst other things, a look at the early New York Hardcore scene filmed outside CBGB's circa 1983/84. Spot Harley's stage pitting during Cause For Alarm at the 3:40 mark.

Top Ten Releases Of 2011

2011-12-22T13:08:00.000-05:00

01. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

02. Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

03. Backtrack, Darker Half

04. Crowbar, Sever The Wicked Hand

05. Soul Search, Bury The Blame

06. Mobb Deep, Black Cocaine

07. Dead End Path, Blind Faith

08. Midnight, Satanic Royalty

09. Fire & Ice, Collections

10. Volturyon, Coordinated Mutilation

This year was, without a doubt, the toughest year to choose a Top Ten Releases list... and that's an amazing thing. I've said it for a few years now and I have no shame in repeating myself — this is the best time for Hardcore music in the 20+ years I have been involved. The amount of bands, the sincerity and the true commitment to what these bands and people do is beyond inspiring to me.

Although Hardcore is my first choice in music, it isn't my be all end all. Above are my "hats off" picks for some of this year's true pieces of musical craftsmanship as well as a few picks from some of my favorite musicians and all around favorite people below.

Enjoy.

BRIAN BUSKE (Influential Older Brother)

Anthrax, Worship Music

At The Gates, Purgatory Unleashed (Live At Wacken)

Citizen Fish, Goods

Crowbar, Sever the Wicked Hand

Darkest Hour, The Human Romance

Earth Crisis, Neutralize The Threat

Megadeth, Th1rt3en

Opeth, Heritage

Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

Toxic Holocaust, Conjure & Command
(in no particular order)

PATRICK KITZEL (Reaper Records)

Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

Take Offense, Tables Will Turn
Backtrack, Darker Half

Ryan Adams, Ashes & Fire

Rival Schools, Pedals

Joell Ortiz, Free Agent

Fire & Ice, Collections

Crowbar, Sever The Wicked Hand

Turnstile, Pressure To Succeed

Sheer Terror, Spite

(in no particular order)

DxJx ROSE (Reaper Records, Path Of Resistance, Halo Tattoos, Cabal)

Radio Lab podcast

NPR Radio

Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

Mastodon, The Hunter

Naysayer, Laid To Rest

Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

Cold Cave, Enjoy The Light Years

Skull Defekts w/ Daniel Higgs, Peer Amid

Backtrack, Darker Half

(in no particular order)

GUAV (Reaper Records, Cabal)

01. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

02. Minority Unit, Clear Minded Fury

03. Giuda, Racey Roller

04. Sydney Ducks, Stray Dogs

05. Cold Stare, Fight Back And Win

06. Naysayer, Laid To Rest

07. Sheer Terror, Spite

08. Earth Crisis, Neutralize The Threat

09. The Clichés/Templars, Split

10. Wugazi, 13 Chambers

SCOTT VOGEL (Terror, S.O.S.)

01. Hot Water Music, 7"
02. Reks, R.E.K.S.
03. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight
04. Backtrack, Darker Half
05. Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto
06. Freddie Gibbs, Cold Day In Hell
07. Take Offense, Tables Will Turn
08. Ringworm, Scars
09. Rival Schools, Pedals
10. Naysayer, Laid To Rest

SAM TRAPKIN (Trapped Under Ice, Diamond, S.O.S.)

01. Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

02. Foo Fighters, Wasting Light

03. Backtrack, Darker Half

04. The Swellers, Good For Me

05. Freaky Franz, Freaky Tales

06. Polar Bear Club, Clash, Battle, Guilt, Pride

07. Samiam, Trips

08. Naysayer, Laid To Rest

09. I Am The Avalanche, Avalanche United

10. New Found Glory, Radiosurgery

TODD JONES (Nails, Betrayed)

01. Disma, Towards The Megalith

02. Soul Swallower, Devoured

03. New Lows, Harvest Of The Carcass

04. Skin Like Iron, Arrival

05. Acephalix, Interminable Night

06. Rotten Sound, Cursed

07. Merdoso, In Silence

08. Harm's Way, Isolation

09. Permanent Ruin, Demo

10. Brutal Supremacy compilation

STREETxGANG (Mob Mentality, Pit Enthusiast, DPN)

01. Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

02. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

03. Title Fight, Shed

04. Rotting Out, Street Prowl

05. Turnstile, Pressure To Succeed

06. Minority Unit, Demo

07. Twitching Tongues, I&I

08. Soul Search, Bury The Blame

09. Out Crowd, split w/ Written Off

10. Diamond, Don't Lose Your Cool

GROATER (Fire & Ice)

01. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

02. War Hungry, War Hungry

03. Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

04. Friend Of Foe, Demo 2011

05. Dead End Path, Blind Faith

06. Turnstile, Pressure To Succeed

07. Naysayer, Laid To Rest

08. Backtrack, Darker Half

09. Foundation, When The Smoke Clears

10. Harm's Way, Isolation

JAYCOX (Pit Enthusiast, DPN)
01. Take Offense, Tables Will Turn
02. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight
03. Backtrack, Darker Half
04. Title Fight, Shed
05. Boston Strangler, Primitive
06. Rotting Out, Street Prowl
07. Foundation, When The Smoke Clears
08. Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Belong
09. War Hungry, War Hungry
10. Naysayer, Laid To Rest

Karebear's Top Picks For 2011

2011-12-14T17:16:00.000-05:00

Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight

I remember well over a year ago, Justice showed me some demos for this record and I was really looking forward to what they were going to create and what it was going to turn into. I've been a firm supporter of this band since day one and the final outcome was a catchy/cohesive Hardcore record that could be dug inside and out of our community. It blends every kind of music that I love and shows many levels of progression from their previous material. Front to back you can tell they took time putting it together. There's number one.

Pistol, 25 Fa Life

Now, a lot of people say that Hip Hop is dead these days. Well, Hip Hop was truly resurrected with this record. Features some of the OG Jerz greats such as Tame One (Artifacts) and Young Zee (Outsidaz) to name a few, this record did a lot for me. I know how much work was put into this record to make it something special and to me it is. Every track is laced up. The production is math. Everything about it pisses excellence. That's why this record is on my top ten. "Now I know why these morons didn't sign me, cause ain't a rapper alive that wanna spit behind me".

Daytrader, Last Days Of Rome

This record is great and embellishes everything I love about radio hit rock punk. Did that phrase "radio hit rock punk" make you cringe? Whatever haha. It's nothing over the top or life-changing, but it's is super catchy and had me playing it over and over again. The perfect record to throw on while the train is moving and you drift off and think. The perfect record to hit the beach to and was absolutely my summer jam. Jeff from Run For Cover Records knows how to pick them and with this record he struck gold. Out of Strong Island. Check them out if you like that catchy shit.

Title Fight, Shed

This record is a true life changer for me. I know for a fact 20 years down the line I'm going to look back and remember it. The record was produced by Walter Schriefels (GB, Quicksand, Rival Schools) which is awesome because the record sounds like it was pulled straight out of the 90's. I'm a sucker for 90's Emo such as Mineral and Sunny Day Real Estate and when I hear this record, I picture Title Fight sharing the stage with them. The record front to back is genuine and heartfelt and got me through a lot of very tough times. I'll hold onto this one forever and I'm sure it will be a classic for generations to come.

Take Offense, Tables Will Turn

Here's a record that embodies EVERYTHING I love about Hardcore. It's done so fucking tastefully. Everything on the record hits exactly when you want it to hit. Everything on this record goes exactly where you want it to go. Riff after riff from Greg. A.H., who may have some of the coolest vocals and stage presence I've seen as of late, they have it all. If this was in order, this would be my number one record of the year. So much Suicidal Tendencies worship but pulled off so clean. I've had the pleasure of kickin it with these fools a few times and it's amazing to see how genuinely siked they are to be making the music they do. Take Offense is on another planet when it comes to making music and are in a league of their own. In my life I will have a Take Offense tattoo. Bet me. One band that truly means a lot to me. If you're sleeping on this band, wake the fuck up. It's their Time2Shine.

Supertouch, Lost My Way

This record is phenomenal. It's always cool to see a band that's been around so long give a big shit about the music they are writing and make it sound like they haven't missed a beat. Some bands try to recreate something that just isn't there anymore. The flame goes dull and the band burns out. That isn't the case with Supertouch. Every song bleeds passion and it flows so smooth. I've played it over and over again and it still makes me feel just as good as it did when I first heard it. Mark's voice is great and really blends peacefully through the melodic riffs on this record. I love it and you should too.

Backtrack, Darker Half

If you dig NYHC then you dig this record. Plain and simple. These guys are not only some of my best of friends, they write the hits. I had the pleasure of staying with Sir Nicholas Jett (BSGDNICKGODIE), while he recorded this thing and to see it come together was awesome. Ricky (guitarist) is an excellent guitarist and song crafter. Vitalo (singer) is a youthful Outburst worshipper. John (OG freak) is a great drummer. Chris (guitar) is a cheebah smoking lunatic. Reggie (bassist) does pottery and reads books. All of these dudes are worlds apart personality wise and I think that chemistry alone makes them memorable and one of the best bands out. Every track is solid. I had the opportunity of singing on the track "Darker Half" (slayed that shit...jk...sorta) and it's one record I'll never forget. The production sounds great and they mixed some of the best of the NYHC legends with their own youthful twist on it. Darker Half. That's what's up.

Foundation, When The Smoke Clears

This band is from ATL and I'm sure a lot of you reading of this are familiar. If you aren't, this record is a sincere recommendation from me. They are one of if not the most important Straight Edge band of our time in my opinion. To me it sounds like Buried Alive having a baby with Indecision but them putting their own spin on that. Those two bands are bands I love. Foundation is a band that I love. Their live shows are electric and they not only mean a lot to me but to a lot of kids in the Hardcore community. This band isn't a fly by night, important now forget tomorrow band. Thomas (singer) has passion put into every line he writes on paper. That's what I look for. Sincerity. This band is nothing but that and a true staple in our scene. Respect to them and I wish them the best. Also, Hank is my favorite pitter.

Rotting Out, Street Prowl

This record makes me wish I could skate but I really fucking can't. Its also makes me want to flip cop cars. That's something I can do with the help of a few friends. This is Hardcore/Punk Rock at it's finest. Wally (singer) is an incredible frontman and brings these songs together really well. I was into them before him but I think they are on a whole new level now because of his electricity. Every song is catchy and it's one that you spin a few times before you put on something else. It's raw. It's real. It's in your face. It's west coast as a bitch. It's fun. "Choke on the truth". Nothing else I can really say about it. Check it out for yourself.

Rival Schools, Pedals

I'm a huge fan of everything that Walter Schriefels touches. Like I said about Supertouch, it's amazing to see a band continue to progress after so many years without burning out. I listened to this record ALL summer. "Wring It Out" might be in my top ten songs of all time. The album as a whole to me is magical. It's everything I love about the 90's but dropped in 2011. Refreshing to say the very least.

Uriah Thomas' Top Picks For 2011

2011-12-10T09:59:00.001-05:00

When compiling a list of people who I was interested in seeing their point of view on this year's releases, I naturally thought of and eventually included my man Uriah from Dead End Path.

His band's record, Blind Faith made my Top 10 list for the year (complete list to be posted soon) and knowing his broad appreciation for music, not only within but also far beyond the spectrum of Hardcore ... and his keen sense of words, I knew he'd hit the nail on the head with this one. The kid never proves me wrong.

So, take a minute and read through which records made Uriah tick this year and if you're at all unfamiliar with any of these records, as I was/am, do your best to seek them out and get involved in the know. Nobody likes an unseasoned fry.

Flex your head and always ... keep the faith.

Hardcore LP's:

Title Fight - "Shed"

This is by far and wide my favorite release of 2011 and in the 8 months since it's been released has become one of my favorite records ever. This record gets me, and I get it. If it was human it would probably be my best friend. Every single fucking time I hear the opening hi-hat crashes of "Coxton Yard" to the last notes of "GMT", I'm left picking my jaw up off the floor. The record leaks honesty in every nook of sound.

War Hungry - "War Hungry"
Arguably the coolest metal/hardcore record to ever come out of the place I call home, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Warthur is a cold blooded axe butcher and it shows on every riff of this record. He has no qualms with relentlessly face-fucking you with his BC Rich Warlock while Hoodrack prods you with his pitchfork.

Omegas - "Blasts Of Lunacy"
What a cool fucking punk record.

Trapped Under Ice - "Big Kiss Goodnight"
I had the pleasure of hearing the unmixed version of some of the songs from BKG when we played Baltimore over the summer, I loved it but I wasn't completely sold just yet. That's until I heard the official mixed and mastered LP in it's entirety. It instantly struck a chord with me, from the huge choruses to the ill vocal melodies. There might be some people who wanted this record to fail for whatever reason but this is the TUI record. Proving a hardcore band appealing to a larger audience in 2011 can have not only have more than one good LP but have it completely smash their first.

Soul Swallower - "Devoured"
Someone on a blog said this record was "Citizen's Arrest meets Ringworm meets Sarcofago meets Hellhammer". That does it more justice then I ever could.

Disengage - "Expressions"
I knew this record was going to make my Top 10 before I even heard it recorded. I had the pleasure of sitting in a couple of the "Expressions Sessions" and just knew this was going to be incredibly good. I guess I'm a little biased though, they ARE my current favorite WBHC band and I love everything they've done as a band so far. Nah, actually fuck that, even if I wasn't already a fan and heard this band/record for the first time I would be floored. It's everything I love about hardcore in one incredibly tightly wrapped 13 minute package. Also, the artwork? Fucking perfect.

Boston Strangler - "Primitive"
Yes. This record fucking rules. It must have been hard writing a follow up to their breakout song "The Truth" but they somehow overcame the pressure and wrote a whole record filled with Truth's. Stranglers gonna make you pay.

Foundation - "When The Smoke Clears"
The fact that Foundation is doing something not a ton of current bands are doing says a lot about the band from the start. Not only have these guys been out for years playing the same style, they continue to do it with an incredible amount of passion and honesty. That shines through mostly on WTSC. They've perfected their sound and didn't lose any integrity in the process.

New Lows - "Harvest Of The Carcass"
So fucking heavy.

Mother Of Mercy - "IV Symptoms Of Existence"
I really hope for whatever reason people don't overlook this record as coming out this year. Sure it's not as incredibly memorable as "III" but it's still Mother Of Mercy, the riffs are huge and the songs are dark as fuck. Also, the artwork? Insane. Really love this record and I'm sad to see them go.

Touché Amore - "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me"
Nothing I can really say about this that every young kid on Tumblr hasn't said already. Actually, that's not true. People in the hardcore scene are going to write this band off but I can tell you that this bleeds sincerity front to back. In everything that band does is out of sincerity. That's no bullshit. I've fallen in love with this record. I will not apologize for it.

Incredible honorable mentions:
Backtrack - "Darker Half" (Would have made the list if I got the chance to own a physical copy of the record. I feel bad about this.)
Fucked Up - "David Comes To Life" (This would have made the list if it wasn't so long, I have an incredibly short attention span.)
Ice Age - "New Brigade"

Non-Hardcore LP's:

Pianos Become The Teeth - "The Lack Long After"
I never really fucked with this band before I was introduced to them by Jeremy from Touché Amore while we were on tour together. He played me a song and explained that it was about the singer's Dad. Fast forward a couple months and we are playing the same show as them at Fun Fun Fun. I decided to watch their set. Blew me the fuck away. Such an honest and uncomfortable set to sit though. After their set I picked up this record, got a backstory behind it and listened with open ears. Really glad I did.

Demonaz - "March Of The Norse"
I'm a huge fan of the 1st LP "Between Two Worlds" and this is basically a continuation of that record. Just straight up blackened rocking metal that pretty much just rips off Bathory. This is straight headbanger front to back. There is something pure about this record, it isn't over the top "evil for evil's sake". It's just honest and raw and completely listenable.

Foo Fighters - "Wasting Light"
How cool is this record? Recorded to tape in a garage, ill. Guest vocals by Bob Mould, ill. Guest bass slapping from Kris Novaselic, ill. Incredibly powerful and catchy choruses, ill. This record has everything I want, need and love in a rock record.

Gypsy - "Giants Despair"
Not really sure (along with one or two other records on my list, weird right) if this is officially 2011 or 2012. Although I'm pretty sure this one is 2011. This might be a pretentious thing to say but in my opinion it's incredibly cool that so many cool records came out of this small shit hole town. This record is the perfect mix between Handsome, Jawbreaker and Dinosaur Jr. and flows pretty perfectly front to back. Excellent production from none other than my main man Will Yip.

Yuck - "Yuck"
Killer record. I'm a huge fan of Dinosaur Jr. fan and subsequently, bands that rip off Dinosaur Jr.. I'm not saying this entire record is a complete Dinosaur Jr. rip off but it definitely takes queues from Mascis and company. Really catchy and fun songs. I've listened to this a bunch this year.

Ghost - "Opus Eponymous"
Creepy, evil, heavy, over the top. Everything I love and hate about metal. I guess this is kind of a shtick or gimmicky band but this record rocks. I think the image mixed with the darkness of the sound really makes this record stand out for me. Plus I'm really into the artwork, which is sort of cheesy but given everything else about this band, it works.

Cult Of Youth - "Cult Of Youth"
I'll be the first to admit I don't really know too much about this style of music, I mean I get it and I know there are a whole scene of bands who worship Death In June but I really don't GET it. My friend George turned me on to this band after telling me a story about he saw them in a sketchy Philly bookstore and all the freaks he encountered. Anyway, this record is pretty dark and bleak and something about it really stands out for me. Really into the chanty type parts. I guess if you've never heard Death In June or Cult Of Youth for that matter just imagine if black metal bands played acoustic? I don't know, but this is cool.

Samiam - "Trips"
I've been a huge Samiam fan since high school but to be honest never got into their last record (not really sure why). Needless to say I was a little apprehensive about checking this out but am really glad I did. It's just Samiam, a little bit more "mature" or whatever bullshit but this is still really catchy. They can still write amazing songs.

Bon Iver - "Bon Iver"
Got really super into this record on our last tour. The dude just has a way to my heart. His voice is magical and as corny as it sounds, makes me feel calm and comfortable. I don't want to over romanticize it or anything but it really is awesome.

Honorable mentions:
Zola Jesus - "Conatus"
Strand Of Oaks - "Pope Killdragon"
True Widow - "As High As The Highest Heavens"
Magic Circle - "Magic Circle" (I don't think this is technically out yet so I'll save it for 2012)
I Am The Avalanche - "Avalanche United
Rival Schools - "Pedals"

EP's/7":

Whirl (Whirr) - "Distressor"
Not sure if this counts for two reasons: 1. While I'm almost positive this was released this year, I think it might have been last year. 2. This might technically be classified as an LP. Spanning 7 songs (6 and an intro). Whatever, I'm making my own rules on this one. Soulful chilled out shoe gaze from kids barely out of high school. The first real track on the record, "Leave", could straight up be confused for the best song off "Loveless". Perfect for winter depression or riding your bike on the first warm day of spring.

Face Reality - "S/t" 7
This was my first "record of the year". Got the premaster back in March from my boy James and was instantly blown away. This record kills. Straight up, straight edge, icky sticky Detroit hardcore. The opening skank beat will make even the most jaded Coreman dust off their Doc's/Dunk's. Get it.

No Tolerance - "No Remorse, No Tolerance"
This fucking thing is hard as nails. Brotherhood meeting up with Confront in a back alley is early 90s Allentown PA and stomping nazi bonehead skulls in - in supreme unity. Such a cool sounding hardcore record. This is my shit.

United Youth - "Youth United" 7"
Yes, I'm fully aware this record isn't actually called "Youth United" but that was the working title and I really wish they stuck with it. Anyway, none of that bullshit matters because this one is a ripper. I think they youngin's really stepped it up with the 7". Nothing incredibly ground breaking I guess but where they lack technical prowess they make up in an insane amount of Red Bull/sugar fueled youthful energy.

King Krule - "King Krule" Ep
The artist formally known as ZOO KID is back with this incredible little package of amazing songs. Still the same deal as you'd expect with Zoo Kid but just fine tuned a little bit more and a tad more focused. Dude has an amazing voice, dude can play guitar and dude is only 16.

Iron Age - "The Sage Demos"
I sincerely miss this band. These two songs, in my humble opinion, are the best songs that band has ever written. The riffs are actual medusa like monsters and the King Diamond-esque vocals in parts really hammer the point home that this band is/was on a whole different level.

Mammoth Grinder/Hatred Surge split
Wow, Mammoth Grinder fucking rips the shit out of the ass of this record. Literally pounding heavy. Had the pleasure of playing with these psychos/seeing them a couple times this year and they have become one of my favorite current bands. Don't let the name fool you, if you're into classic death metal ala Master, Possessed or even Entombed check this band out. As far as the Hatred Surge side goes, they play a lot more of a grindy style mixed with some d-beat and are technically on point. This is front to back a PULVERIZER.

Supertouch - "Lost My Way"
Another flawless Reaper release this year (Darker Half, Tables Will Turn, BKG, Laid To Rest - they released a TON of bangers in 2011) and this one fits perfectly in the mix. A little more rock and brit pop influenced than their last record which was released you know 20 years ago. It's still Supertouch and that's what I love most about it.

Waste Management - "Power Abuse"
Such a ripper front to back. I'll early 80's styled NYHC not unlike The Mob, The Abused and Urban Waste. Not to mention the artwork fucking rules.

Honorable mentions:
New Brigade demo
Procession - "Fade" EP (Would have included this but I'm not sure if it's officially out yet)
Memoryhouse - "The Years" Ep
Beach Party - "S/t" Ep

TRAPPED UNDER ICE "Born To Die" Song Debut

2011-08-17T14:29:00.002-04:00

I've been honored and fortunate enough to have been involved in hearing portions of the latest Trapped Under Ice record as it was being written, via demos, etc., and to finally have heard it completed with a proper production, it's truly a modern day masterpiece and a work of musical art. It's always been said that a band's sophomore release is either going to make or break them. In this day and age, I don't know if those rules still apply but if they do and that's the case, expect to see TUI for the next how ever many years because this record is going to impress a ton of people.

With that said, enjoy "Born To Die" — the opening track from Big Kiss Goodnight.

...and pick up a proper pre-order for yourself.

Download: THE BEAUTIFUL ONES, Demo 2011

2011-07-29T21:00:00.004-04:00

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES

This demo was brought to my attention a couple days ago and it's been in constant rotation ever since I downloaded it.

Very catchy modern Hardcore with tactful yelling and great melodic sung choruses/hooks. The balance between melody and the unexpected (yet incredibly welcomed and tasteful) beatdown parts works wonders in keeping these dudes interesting and apart from the rest. I definitely feel that if they work to get out there and be seen, they could be a lot of people's next favorite band.

Their name has come up in conversation frequently the past couple of days and no one has had a band thing to say about them — both musically and personally (which goes a long way for me these days), so I look forward to hearing and hopefully seeing more of them in the near future.

DOWNLOAD

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES, Demo 2011

01. Too Beautiful

02. Truth Hurts

03. Old News, Same Blues

04. Absolute Minds

URIAH THOMAS (Dead End Path)

2011-07-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

Dead End Path is a band that hit home with me from the minute I heard them. It's the definition of no frills Hardcore mixed with lyrics that attack your emotions sung with true passion and conviction. There is no reinventing the audio wheel here which is exactly the reason I love this band... musically. Then there's Uriah, the singer/lyricist. The same passion and conviction he puts into singing for Dead End Path is the same passion and conviction he lives when off the stage without a microphone in front of his mouth — and that's why I love this band... personally. Do yourselves a favor and get familiar with their catalog (or Uriah next time you see him).

Name: Uriah Thomas, @uurriiaahh
Aliases: "Bumpo" (not a nick name by choice)
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Age: 23

The beginning of it all. How did Hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved? What sort of a personal impact do you feel it has made on you as a person?

I've always been really into music. Since I was like 7 years old, I got really into skateboarding and with skateboarding came punk music. I got "Dookie" on cassette, a boombox and my first real skateboard the Christmas of 1995. I remember it like it was yesterday, it was such a huge moment for me. Every skate video I loved back then had the coolest soundtrack, of course it wasn't until years later I really fell in love with all those bands. Andy MacDonald skating to Farside in the Union Video, Simon Woodstock skating to Chain Of Strength in One Louder. I felt the energy of those bands when I would watch the videos. Fast forward a couple years later and after discovering Metal. Hatebreed was on the Tattoo The Earth tour with Slipknot, Slayer and Sepultura and I fell in love with them instantly. Something about that band was just heavier to me personally than those other bands. I don't know if it was just the realness of the lyrics or what, but after that I was hooked. Hatebreed ended up being my first "real" Hardcore show in 2001. They played a place called Homebase in Wilkes-Barre under a fake name. Frostbite, Horrorshow, Dead Wrong, Ensign and Strength For A Reason all played. It was the first time I really saw the energy of Hardcore in a live setting, I can't even describe that feeling. Terrifying but at the same time incredibly gratifying. Hardcore has been my life ever since. It's cliche to say but I honestly have no fucking idea where I would be if it wasn't for Hardcore. It's scary even thinking about it because I could have gone in so many terrible directions. It guided me, in a way it was sort of like a father figure to me.

Dead End Path is a band that I first started noticing in/around 2009. Give a brief history on the band — how it came about, how the demo came to be written and recorded and what's led up to the bands existence to date.

We started in the summer of 2009. Foose (our bass player) and I wanted to start a NYHC influenced band. I'm not gonna front and say it was a completely original idea, I mean every band at the time was doing the "heavy" and "hard" thing but we knew exactly what wanted to do. We wanted to mix Death Threat with Breakdown and Outburst. Death Threat was actually the one band we originally based DEP off. That was before Ryan joined the band, he kind of had other things in mind for our sound. A more metallic edge, but at the same time more melody. I went on tour for a couple weeks and while I was gone Foose got everyone together and started jamming and by the time I got back, we practiced once or twice and the demo was written. We recorded our demo September 1st, 2009 and played our first show September 24th with Foundation. We played a bunch of shows, did our first tour that winter with Backtrack, Downpresser and Swamp Thing. That's when we met Sam BBB and he asked us to be a part of BBB. We played a ton of shows, recorded our 7" in March 2010, toured some more then recorded our first LP March 2011 and I'm so proud of it. We did a spring tour with Title Fight and now we're just taking things as they come. It's been an incredible experience thus far.

What really drew me to the band initially were the lyrics. You dwell a lot on the loss and malfunction of a relationship you had with your father — a subject that I know a lot of people in the Hardcore scene can relate to, myself included. What is the intent of the lyrics you write about him?

I grew up never knowing my Dad, never knowing anything about him and kind of thinking it was normal. Like that's how a "normal" family was. Just my Mom, my brother and I. It wasn't until I got older than I realized that's not really how it was and hard it was for my Mom to raise us by herself. That's also about the time when I started getting angry about it. I wanted answers, I wanted his love and approval, I wanted to punch him in the face. I didn't want to live in the trailer park anymore, I didn't want to get picked on every day anymore. I guess the selfish part of me blames him for that, like it was HIS fault that we lived there and it was HIS fault that I got picked on. Being that young and having those feelings and emotions was very hard and confusing for me. I never acted out though, I'm the type of person who just keeps things bottled up. It wasn't until I joined Dead End Path when I finally had a good, positive outlet for all these feelings I've been feeling for a long time. I know my father will never read my lyrics but maybe someone will and it might give them hope.

There is a line in "Only Begotten Son" that especially hits home for me being a new father myself that says, "I'll do what he didn't do and I'll be the better man". How has your past affected the person you are today? How you taken examples from your childhood that you hated and applied them in a positive manner to your life now?

Great question. A lot of my lyrics are focused on my past and how it has affected me. Whether it be in a positive or negative way. Growing up around people who were completely complacent in their dull day to day lives bored the shit out of me. I never wanted to be like those people. I knew I wanted to do something more but at the same time not having the resources or guidance to do it made me frustrated. This might sound stupid but I felt like a caged bird, living in a trailer park surrounded by people who I had nothing in common with and wanting to break out but not knowing how at the time was really defeating. Luckily my Mom moved us out of there while we were still young enough but I carried that shame for a long time. Looking back though, and seeing those experiences, they really did make me a stronger and better person. I shouldn't have been ashamed of where I lived, it was the best my Mom could do at the time. I see that now and I guess thinking about it, it kind of makes me feel guilty having had those feelings. I have always felt that the good and bad, the "normal" and not normal experiences you have in your life, shape it and make you a smarter and stronger person.

What prompted you to start and be the front man for a band? What sort of message, if any, are you trying to convey through your ability to reach so many people being a front man and lyricist?

It's weird because I never would have thought in a million years that I would have fronting a band. I'm kind of a shy, introverted person with incredible stage fright and public speaking fears. I guess it was just something I felt I had to do at the time. It's cool knowing I can get on stage and people are going to listen to the things I have to say. It's a really positive thing I have in my life actually. When we first started the band, everything I wrote about what centered around me and my life experience. It still is in a sense, but I feel like now not only do I have the freedom to talk about things that directly and indirectly affect my life like homophobia and sexism in Hardcore but also a responsibility to do so. Yeah sure, I could get on stage and say nothing about anything remotely "important" but I don't want to waste your money or my time. All of my favorite bands had something to say and that's why they're my favorite bands. I'm young, I'm angry and I have shit to say too, and I have the perfect opportunity to do so why not?

Dead End Path is soon to be releasing an incredible debut full length entitled "Blind Faith". I've been fortunate enough to have heard the record as it was developing from demo tracks to completion and I think it came together incredibly. Give us a little insight on the process of making that record. How do you feel it came out in the end?

Thanks man that really means a lot. The whole process was really fucking cool actually. From realizing we were going to write an LP, to writing an LP to recording it and putting it out... it's been a blast. Super stressful at times but I feel like the stress is completely worth the end result. I'm really proud of the record, I honestly couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. We all knew we wanted to take "our" sound and play with it and retool it a little bit. It's obviously still us, but it's the most aggressive, heavy and angry thing we've done up to this point. It's subtle though, some people might listen and say "it's a lot faster than the other stuff they've done" or "it's gotten more melodic", both are true but I don't think either of those take away from the emotion or aggression of the record. If anything I think it adds to it. It's darker, the subject matter is more serious. The people that have heard it seem to be really into it and that is an incredible feeling. I'm really proud of "Blind Faith", I speak for everyone in the band when I say that. I haven't really read too many "bad" reviews, maybe a few but I welcome all input. I just want people to be honest with their opinions, it helps make better records in the future.

The topic on this newest record revolves around faith. I think every song actually incorporates the word faith which I thought was very clever. Was this a conceptual idea you had for the record or did it just happen that way?

The whole idea of "faith" on the record is something I've been thinking about for a long time. Having faith in something and losing it. Having faith in friends/family/God and being let down by all. Finding faith in new things, people, places, humanity. Every song is about something different but it all gets tied in with this word, this idea. "Blind Faith" really sums up the concept of the record perfectly. You go into things blindly not entirely sure how they're going to turn out and having faith, whether it be shaky or completely that things are going to turn out in your favor. It can be a great feeling or a really defeating and shitty feeling. Every song deals with that in some way. Whether it be positive or negative, everyone has faith in something.

Name your top 3 lyricists, a line of your favorite lyric(s) by them and how it equates to you on a personal level.

Fuck dude, such a hard question. Chaka from Burn is probably my number one. Taking things like animal rights and writing about them in a such a way that even a meat loving fat dude from the pizza capital of the world can relate to. Seriously though, he spoke about important things in such a smart and reverent way that it really makes you open your eyes and kind of relate even when in some situations you really can't. His delivery, his urgency, everything about his lyrics are great. Chuck Schuldiner from Death is another one. He was this crazy metal dude and if you read his lyrics he isn't talking about Satan or killing people — he actually had shit to say. I'm no lyrical analysts but when I read his lyrics I sense compassion for life and human beings. The music is so heavy but the lyrics are incredibly deep and meaningful. Just read the lyrics to "Mentally Blind" or "The Philosopher", that shit is deep. Basically saying fuck stereotypes, this is who I am and fuck you if you can't accept it. Last but not least would be Ned from Title Fight. I guess it's kind of a weird answer but that band seriously means more to me than anyone could imagine. There are a lot of little references in those lyrics that I can relate to on many levels. I relate perfectly to those lyrics, they helped me out a lot.

Honorable mentions: Jules from Side By Side/Alone In A Crowd, not just typical youth crew type finger pointing in his lyrics but alot of genuine thought. Skip from Turning Point/Godspeed/Memorial Day, same thing as Jules. A lot more going on than you'd expect from a singer in a Hardcore band, especially the late era stuff. I think you see a great progression of a kid who is really angry to a young adult who is really angry and as he got older, the lyrics got more introspective and cloudy. Very vague but very straight to the point as well. George Hirsch (Blacklisted), great lyricist overall. Not afraid to take a look at himself in a less than flattering way and that to me is fucking awesome.

Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire?

Haha! Great question! Well, I've been off the sauce for almost 8 months but to answer this question - there is nothing better than a Tanqueray and tonic. It's the drink of a true gentlemen and I thank you for turning me on to those. It's like Christmas in a cup.

Final comments?

Thank you very much for letting me do this interview. Shout out to United Youth singer Dana Tackas who just got his jaw unwired. Shout out to BNB for always showing us love. Check out "Blind Faith". Download it, buy it, steal it off a friend, steal it off me — I don't give a fuck, just check it out!

WARHOUND Post New Demo Tracks

2011-07-18T12:01:00.001-04:00

One of the hardest working bands out right now, Warhound, hailing from Chicago, posted a couple new demo tracks on their Stereo Killer page last week.

"Blue" is an instrumental track that could definitely be used as a complete song with vocals if given a bit more attention whereas "Colder Than Ever" is your essential Warhound tune — complete with groove, tasteful trade off vocals, a big chorus and of course those pit beater riffs.

I Scream Records will be handling the full-length from these guys later this year and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they pull together to represent themselves with on their debut full-length. Judging from all the demos they've released, I don't think they'll have a hard time keeping their momentum going... at least with me they won't.

If you like what you hear, download the "Return Of The Hardstyle" demo posted in our Downloads section here.

MIKE JUDGE & OLD SMOKE Unreleased Songs

2011-07-15T14:29:00.004-04:00

4 previously unreleased songs from Mike Judge & Old Smoke have been posted on the band’s Myspace page. 2 of the songs (tracks 1 and 3 in the player) were demo tracks for an upcoming record that Tom Capone was assisting in production with. The other 2 (tracks 2 and 4 in the player), in Mike’s words;

“were done at the house of a good friend of mine. Mark Madden recorded us and engineered and also played piano on track 4. He passed away shortly after. He lost his fight with bone cancer and I decided I was done with the band.”.

These songs definitely have much less of a folk influence and a bit more rock influence and sound to them in comparison to the “Sights” EP that was released on Revelation. I would have loved to have heard these (and more) meshed out with full production but I'll take what I can get.

After all, it’s Mike Judge on a microphone — how can you go wrong?

DOUG WEBER (Terror, First Blood, Sworn Vengeance)

2011-05-31T12:13:00.003-04:00

Doug Weber is a monster. On stage his presence is commanding and off stage it's just the same. Standing well over 6 feet, heavily tattooed and unapologetic with obnoxiousness from time to time, he's a hard one to miss. He's done his time on stage from a pretty young age and shows no signs of slowing down... even with having the responsibilities he does at the newly fashionable Rebel8. Read on and get to know a little more about the Pussy King himself. Biiiggggg Doooouuuuuug!!!

Name: Doug Weber @dougweber82
Aliases: BIIIGGGG DOUGGGG, Dougernaut, Bull from Night Court
Location: San Francisco, CA
Age: 28

The beginning of it all. How did Hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved? What sort of a personal impact do you feel it has made on you as a person?

Growing up one of my best friends was from PA, he had an older cousin who was living with him who had all these cassette tapes like Minor Threat, Gorilla Biscuits, Bad Brains, Warzone, all the classic shit, so I always knew about it, but never really KNEW about it. I really found Hardcore through Metal. Kind of a random story as to how I got into it and how it changed my life forever. I was the biggest PanterA fan on the face of the Earth (and still am) when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I was in their fan club and all that shit! I somehow ended up talking to someone who worked at their management company and her boyfriend at the time was managing Earth Crisis. She told me to go to see them play in Berkeley. I went to that show, and it completely changed my life. It was the first time I had ever witnessed anything like that. The raw emotion, people piling up, singing along. People were diving off the bar. It was the craziest shit I’d ever seen! I knew from then and there I had to be a part of it. I was a lost kid looking for something to identify with and I can honestly say that the message Earth Crisis had, and still has to this day, totally changed my life. Even though I’m a drunk asshole now, I found Straight Edge at a time in my life where I really needed it.

Give a rundown of the span of your involvement in bands over the years. How did you first get involved playing and how did one band lead to another?

The first band I ever played in was called Execution Style. I must have been 15 around that time. We played a ton of shows with bands like Hoods, Powerhouse, Sworn Vengeance and a lot of other CA bands. During the same time I was also playing in a band called Above This World with Mikey from Hoods and a few other dudes from the Nor Cal scene. We put out a record on Thorp and did a couple U.S. tours and that was about it. I ended up becoming good friends with all the guys in Sworn Vengeance and eventually they asked me to play guitar for them. They were hands down my favorite local band at the time, so I was stoked when I had the opportunity to play with them. We ended up doing some touring, and we were starting to get noticed worldwide, but eventually we split up due to some dumb shit. Right after Sworn Vengeance broke up I started First Blood with Carl and Tony who were also in Sworn Vengeance with me. Almost immediately after forming First Blood, I got an email from Scott Vogel telling me to quit my job and join his new band Terror. I really had nothing going on for me at the time, I had just turned 19 and the thought of living in a van and touring the world sounded like the greatest thing in the world!

You were a part of the TERROR line-up for some time. Explain the decision and reason(s) why you ultimately decided to leave the band. Are you currently working on anything music-related?

After being on the road for all those years it really just started to wear on me. It wasn’t the life that I wanted for myself anymore. I still love everyone in Terror and I do miss touring, but I love coming home at the end of the day and sleeping in my own bed. I’ve been working on a project which now seems like forever with Rob Barrett from Cannibal Corpse, J.C. from Pro-Pain and you. (ed. - that was weird, haha) Got lots of music written, but finding the right singer has been very difficult. Hopefully we can get this project off the ground by the end of this year though.

How did your involvement at Rebel 8 come about? Do you find yourself smoking retarded amounts of weed more now being around Mike Giant?

After I quit Terror, I was just picking up shifts working at bars around SF. Didn’t really have a solid job. My good friend Ricky told me he knew someone who owned this company called REBEL8 and could help me get a job. He introduced me to Josh (the owner) and I started working in the warehouse here. I’ve been here for over 2 years now and I’m moving into sales and this is the coolest job I could ever ask for. I’m glad to be apart of it! And yeah…I’ve turned into a fucking stoner! Why do you think it took me so long to do this interview?!

You are quite an over-sized human being who has been a bouncer and also involved in quite a few personal confrontations. Share one of your favorite fight stories.

Hahahaha. Well I’m trying to put those days behind me, but if I had to choose one great story from when I was working at the bar I would have to say it’d be the time this crazy cowboy lookin’ motherfucker with a duster and a leather cowboy hat pulled out multiple throwing knives on me for trying to kick him out. Needless to say I hit that motherfucker so hard that he broke his leg when I knocked him out and the amberlamps had to scoop him off the sidewalk. When keepin’ it real goes wrong.

If you were to take 1 film, 1 CD and 1 book with you to the grave, what would they be and why?

Rambo – Hardest movie ever. Period.
PanterA – Vulgar Display Of Power. Hardest record ever. Period.
On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Always thought this book was awesome, especially having done all the traveling I have done.

Final comments?

Thanks for choosing me for an interview. I miss being in a band with you! I hope we can get this shit going. It’s been too long my friend!

TODD JONES (Nails, Betrayed)

2011-05-19T12:08:00.001-04:00

If you were to ask me to name 5 of my favorite current songwriters (or within the past 5 to 10 years), you would without a doubt hear the name Todd Jones come up and be refuted to any naysayers. Upon first hearing Carry On, I remember thinking and saying, "this dude knows how to write a fuckin' Hardcore song". That was about 10 years ago and I can easily say the same thing today. If you're unfamiliar, I suggest you digest all the bands he has partaken in and keep him on your radar going forward.

Name: Todd Jones
Aliases: N/A
Location: Orange County, California
Age: 29

The beginning of it all. How did Hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved? What sort of a personal impact do you feel it has made on you as a person?

My buddy Joel put on a Minor Threat album and said, "you have to hear this". That's how I got into Hardcore. Before that, I was familiar with mainstream bands like Metallica, Nirvana and Green Day, and Offspring just got big and I was starting to discover independent music. My life changed as soon as I heard the first guitar notes to 'Filler'. That's when I equate myself to becoming a man. Haha, not really but that was probably the one of the 3 most significant life changing experiences I've ever had. Since then I dedicated my life to music. It wasn't a conscious decision I made; it's just what I did. Throughout the years I've tried to go a different route but I keep coming back to music. It's who I am. I really have no choice in the matter. For better or for worse. I make music because I have to and only for the benefit of myself - anything else that comes along from it or contributes to anything is secondary. I go to about maybe 6-10 hardcore shows a year that I'm not playing. Which isn't that few compared to some people but it's certainly not as many as I used to normally go to. I used to throw about 6-10 shows a year, be part of a 3 person team who did a 3-day hardcore festival in California etc., so I'm used to being really much more active but unfortunately that's not the case for me these days. Personal impact... where do I start? This interview would really be way too long.

Give a rundown of the span of your involvement in bands over the years. How did you first get involved playing and how did one band lead to another?

I started playing instruments when I turned 11 years old. My dad was a musician so I had access to a guitar and he taught me some chords. I joined my first band with my buddy Zack who you might know as the singer of Retaliate. The band was called "It Doesn't Matter". We were all pretty young and the quality was what you might expect out of people who were between the ages of 14-16. Certainly no dis, but both Zack and I went on to do much better bands. That was my first experience of playing with a real band. The feeling I had after playing with them for the first time must've been the same feeling of injecting heroin because it's something I've never been able to kick and I'll continue to chase. Anyhow, I played in bands here and there. When I was 18 years old, I joined Carry On. That was a really rocky ride but looking back on it, it was my favorite of times I've had with any band.

In December of 2001, I got in contact with John Lacroix. He had an advertisement on his website that was seeking musicians in California to start a band with him and Scott Vogel. I answered the ad and told him that Nick Jett and I should try out, or whatever. Nick and I got together with John and everything seemed to go well and then Nick and I met Scott and that's essentially how Terror started. Terror played their first show on April 26th of 2002 in Ventura and I was in the band up until February of 2004; approximately 2 years. Being in Terror was incredible; Scott and Nick are some of my favorite musicians in Hardcore at what they do and being in Terror was a true roller coaster ride. Because we made great music together and Scott knew a lot of people that would help us out, we did a lot of things very quickly that most bands take years to do. The first European tour was with Biohazard. We got to tour with Death Threat more than once. Recording at Mars Studios and Sound City Studios. It was a great experience, but it was also the first time I hit the road hard in my life and I discovered that touring as much as they do was certainly not for me, so I had to go. I think they were disappointed because from the start we wanted to be a full-time touring band, but when it came down to it, the reality of touring that much wasn't something that was for me. Terror seems to be doing what Scott and Nick wanted to do with the band from the beginning, so I'm happy for those dudes. Nick and Scott sacrificed a lot to do Terror at the extent they do it at. To this day, Scott is the hardest working person I've been in a band with.

After Terror, I started Betrayed with my buddies Aram, Todd and Greg. During the same time I joined Internal Affairs. My role in Internal Affairs was basically just to show up and play, which I wasn't used to but it was a welcomed change. I enjoyed playing in that band and not really contributing much song wise. During that time, I also started a band called Snake Eyes which put out a demo and 7" but that was something that wasn't very significant to me.

In February 2007, I joined Blacklisted. I look at this experience as the most significant in my music playing history to date. I didn't contribute anything at all as far as writing any tunes, but it was the most inspiring experience for me. Fuck, I don't even know what to say. I feel like anything I could say would be inadequate. Anybody who was in the Blacklisted circle knows what I'm talking about.

I used what I learned in Blacklisted and started Nails in December of 2007. I'm currently doing Nails and Betrayed. I also play in Knife Fight but my role in Knife Fight is the same as my role was in Internal Affairs.

You've done a great job of keeping all your bands from sounding alike. Is/was that a conscious decision or were you just looking to grow as a musician by playing new styles of music?

Thank you. Mainly looking to explore other sounds. Do something a little different than what I've done before.

What influences have lasted with you over the years and have you found influence in anything new recently?

My drive to create cohesive sounding recordings that maintain energy and flow from beginning to end is the biggest influence I've picked up. Recent influences are my peers and my life in general.

Of all the bands you have been involved in, which are you most proud of? In hindsight, do you regret any of them or find yourself wishing you did or didn't do this or that with any of them?

Nails is the band I'm most proud of. Because I sing and write all the lyrics it represents me more than any of my other bands at any given time. The three recordings I'm most proud of that I have been part of are Nails 'Unsilent Death', Carry On 'A Life Less Plagued', and Terror 'Lowest Of The Low'. The only regrets I have regarding doing bands is the relationships lost or damaged. Some of the relationships lost I am certainly OK with. It's easy to make irrational or harsh decisions that with a moment of clarity, could've been dealt with a bit better. To be into Hardcore you have to be fucked up in some sort of way. People who grew up in good homes and went to private schools generally aren't interested in bands like Straight Ahead or Breakdown's '87 demo or owning an original press gatefold "Victim In Pain". Having to communicate with people who aren't the best at dealing with big issues, that makes it even harder when dealing with sensitive subjects — you have to quit a band, you have to kick somebody out of a band, or you get kicked out of a band yourself, etc. I have very fond memories of all the people I've played music with and it's sad sometimes looking back on how I dealt with certain things. I could've done things a little differently/better if I knew better. Out of all my dealings that I've had, I wasn't the only one who dealt with things poorly, though. I also regret ever having anything to do with Josh Grabelle; but I know karma is very real and will catch up with him (if it hasn't already).

Nails is getting quite a lot of attention lately. How did that band get started and what was the intent of it, if any at all? What have you released and what's on the horizon for the band (releases, tours, etc.)?

I created Nails out of necessity. Throughout the time leading up to me starting Nails, I've been in a lot of bands that have done a lot of great things that for whatever reasons only lasted for a short while. That's why I sing in the band. I don't want to ever feel that someone leaving the band is a reason to end it. We're doing a two week tour in July/August with Ringworm, Bitter End, and New Lows. Our first recording is an EP called "Obscene Humanity" that's out of print. The other thing we have out if a full-length called "Unsilent Death". We're writing a new record right now but I wouldn't expect that out until 2012. It's really much more abrasive than Unsilent Death.

What is your take on the current state of Hardcore? What bands are you into these days?

Hardcore is what you make of it. There's always good bands; you just have to find them. It's your responsibility to make it what you want it to be. Ceremony, Skin Like Iron, New Lows, Converge, Ringworm, Mind Eraser, I could name at least 50 bands. Warcry from Portland is my favorite current Hardcore band going.

If you were to take 1 film, 1 CD and 1 book with you to the grave, what would they be and why?

Ah, I can't pick one of each. If I was allowed 3 of each, Neurosis 'Times Of Grace' and Bad Santa would be in the list.

Final comments?

Thanks for the interest in interviewing me. Thanks to all the Hardcore kids young and old who have ever paid attention to anything I've been part of. Thanks to anybody who read this. Check out Nails "Unsilent Death".

FRANK NOVINEC (Hatebreed, Terror, Integrity, Ringworm)

2011-05-17T11:05:00.003-04:00

Frank3gun is undoubtedly one of the best people I have ever met in my entire life. His brutally simple approach at life is to be admired and revered and his contributions to the music world for decades is to be respected and honored. Always down for the best of times, no matter what the scenario — Frank Novinec may possibly be the greatest.

Name: Frank Novinec (@frank3gun)
Aliases: Frank3gun, Florida Frank
Location: Florida
Age: Ageless

The beginning of it all. How did Hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved? What sort of a personal impact do you feel it has made on you as a person?

 I got into Hardcore through Metal. In the mid-80’s I was into Slayer, Venom, Possessed, etc. (I still am) and then I found Crumbsuckers, Circle Jerks, DRI and then "Agnostic Front" and they were the band that changed my life... shaved my head, all that shit. If it wasn’t for Agnostic Front, I wouldn’t be where I am today — the guitar player for Hatebreed — I really believe that. And it also blows my mind to be friends with those guys, 20 some years after they had such an impact on my life. I try and keep my ear to what’s goin’ on in the scene. I know there’s real shit out there and there’s trendy bullshit that lasts a year. It’s tough for the young kids to see past all that. I just was on the road for the last week with Terror (hanging, not playing) and had a great time with them, Trapped Under Ice, Stick To Your Guns, etc. Got turned onto some great bands (Take Offense, Rotting Out. Shout out to S.O.S. and Reaper Records as well).

Depending on the audience, some people know you as Frank from Ringworm, Frank from Integrity, Frank from Terror or Frank from Hatebreed. Give a rundown of all the bands you have been a part of and how each one eventually lead into the next.

 Well that is the exact order. I just started networking as one does in the Hardcore scene. You meet people and one thing leads to another. Integrity and Ringworm were never full-time touring bands (with all due respect). When Terror wanted me to join I knew I was gonna have to throw my job, family, and security out the window, but I didn’t want to look back wondering down the line, "what if"? if I hadn't taken this opportunity. Terror was the first "full-time" band for me. I joined that in ‘04 and while enjoying playing full-time, during those 2 years (to '06), it had it's ups and downs. There were a lot of incidents that always had me leaning toward quitting and going back to work and leaving music period. Not that it wasn’t fun either though (Scott had been one of my best friends for 15 years before I even joined Terror) but at that point Hatebreed called and already being some of my best friends, they wanted me. There was to be no auditions or anything. So I decided it was time to move on. Though never vocally expressing being unhappy in Terror (with the entire band at least), I think getting up and quitting on the spot probably wasn’t the best way to go about it and is one of few things in life I regret to this day. Terror (especially Scott) and I had our differences for about a year until we made things right. Terror was a well oiled machine before I was in it and have been, and still will be for years to come since I’ve left. In the long run, it’s worked out for the best. Hatebreed is home now. I’ve been here for 5 plus years and I enjoy it well.

Having written some of my personal favorite music for many years, where did you initially draw influence or inspiration from when writing the early Ringworm songs and up until the most recent material you have written, what inspires you still? 
I just like something that’s catchy, something you listen to the first time and love. If it has to "grow on you", it’s usually shot from day 1 in my opinion. I’m very critical of my songwriting. With Ringworm, we were fans of Hardcore and the 1st wave of Earache bands so we made something of a hybrid. That really hadn’t been done before.

Of all the songs in the Frank3gun catalog you have written, what is your crowning achievement? What song or songs are you most proud to have signed off on?

 Ringworm "Birth Is Pain" and "Justice Replaced By Revenge" records and my work on Integrity "Seasons In Then Size Of Days" and "Humanity Is The Devil" records. No doubt.

Who is more weird; Jamey Jasta, Scott Vogel, Dwid or Human Furnace?

 They are all weird as shit in thier own ways, they would never be frontmen if they weren’t. I’m weird as fuck as well, and saying that, Scott and I are so much alike it’s insane. We come from the same background, same bullshit, same region of the country. Am I saying Scott’s the weirdest? No! We all know the answer is Dwid. No one else I have been on tour with has dressed up as, talked liked and pretended he was Wayne Newton for a whole tour in Europe, when in fact (in his mind) we were in Vegas! Hahahahah. I still talk to all 4 of these guys all the time. Shit, I may have talked to the other 3 more recently than I have with Jamey! They’re all great, I love them all.

Where do the nicknames "Frank3gun" and now "Florida Frank" come from?

"Frank3gun". First off, I just want to say I always hated that nickname. Dwid gave it to me after an incident in Buffalo where I was on the road with them (before I was in the band) and Integrity (as many of you know) used to start all kinds of shit back then. To make a long story longer, 3 of them had guns on them and Dwid decided he was gonna fight Daryl from Snapcase over some Victory Records shit in front of the whole club of like 600 kids. We knew the cops were comin', so since no one really knew me, guess who had to tote them around all night?, So I'm bugging out because the cops are asking questions and shit and here I am, standing right there, holding this bullshit. There's the story. "Florida Frank". A name given to me by Jim Chinni, one of our tour managers (due to my love of Florida and place where I now reside). Florida - as in "old", "retired", "living in Florida" ahahahahaha.

Does da booty really smell good doe?

You tell me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGKkcE_1WT4

Your thoughts on; 

Budweiser: King Of Beers
Pedialite: Saved my ass many times
Kiss: Hottest band in the world

Final comments?

This was fun! Thanks Buske. Anything for you, anytime!

ANDERSON BRADSHAW (Another Victim, The Promise)

2008-05-28T13:45:00.023-04:00

I have been good friends with Anderson since the late 90's when I went to go see his band, Another Victim, play at a community center in my hometown. I made a tongue in cheek joke that I was going to be the 2nd guitar player for AV and a month later, I was. AV disbanded, Anderson moved away but a few years later we started another band, The Promise, and picked up where AV left off. A few years older and wiser now, I still value everything Anderson has to offer both on stage and off and still say he has one of the best voices in Hardcore of all time, as well as some of the best thoughts and words on Hardcore. Read on and judge for yourself.

Name: Anderson Bradshaw

Aliases: Andy, Andy Victim, The Drip, Ander, Der, Der-Der, Zombie Hands, Fuzzy Lemons, Son, Booyah
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Age: 29

The beginning of it all. How did hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved?

Growing up, aggressive music was key but always in bedroom jam session form. Like so many other kids I'd get home from school, listen to music in my room and that's where it ended. Hardcore was different. It was tangible. It was local. It not only had a face but more often than not it was a face you recognized. You only know what you know so when discovering something new it's only natural that you assume it's new to everyone. I look back on being green to it all and seeing that as the "magic" time for me. It was a minute before I realized hardcore even existed as something other than the local underground. Being over a friend's house and seeing Judge, "New York Crew" on cassette among the pile, picking it up and asking, "Wait.. so there are hardcore bands OUTSIDE of Syracuse?" haha. Today, my involvement is limited due to time constraints and outside interests. I still have love for a scene that gave so much to me but these days I'm just a visitor. Most of my current support should be credited to my iPod. Still make it to the occasional show and much like those first shows it's pretty much stand in the back or to the side, watch and enjoy. Sure... trends and sheep-like social dynamics will always be rampant and just change to fit the times. It's bizarre that something even as simple as dancing is dictated by what is and what isn't. I'm not even really an old head but I've been around long enough to see this thing go around the block a few times. I'm convinced there was never a back in the day where everybody and everything was original. Even at the start, it was always like this. Time has shown us that. It's youth. Being young is all about trying to find yourself and a lot of times you need to jump on a few ships before you find one that's going your way. There are those kids out there though who are truly making it their own just like there were in the beginning. I think that's amazing.

You've been out of the game and spotlight for a few years now since The Promise disbanded. What have you been doing with your time and are there any plans to get back on the stage with any projects?

I'm still quite busy these days as a video editor which was something I was doing full time (High Roller Studios) while in The Promise. That, of course made it difficult to be out playing on a consistent basis which was probably one of the reasons things came to an end. Today work is going well though. I am part owner in a video production company, Space Monkey Studios with my long time friend, Doug Spangenberg. Much of what we do is music-based video projects such as music videos, DVD and TV spots, but recently we have also expanded to doing documentaries. I was the editor on Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry: The Life and Time's of Norman Keith Collins which is a full length feature on legendary tattoo artist Sailor Jerry. Work has been steady and busy which as an owner is always good. Future hardcore projects... never say never. The spotlight was something I never craved nor cared for. I've always been kind of reserved and even when I was in bands, off-stage, I was never that outgoing. My life leaves me little to no time for anything else but I do miss playing shows. Especially the ones in Syracuse. I know everybody gets sentimental about their hometown but The Promise shows there were always really memorable. Certain events, shows or locations come along and bond people who otherwise wouldn't cross paths. That was what our shows were. We weren't the best band but it was a glue that tied old friends together. Maybe by then a lot of us had grown apart but when a show came it was an opportunity to come together one more time. That made it special. For me, the only reason to do another project would be in that spirit. I'd like to see old friends and make new ones.

Over the years, you've gone from writing and singing very militant Straight Edge themed lyrics to more thoughtful and tolerant themed Edge lyrics. Is your Edge going dull?

I think the key word is thoughtful here. Lyrics are a place for expression and if ever there was a time to let out something I can think of no better place, but the actual idea of militant Straight Edge has no reality to it. I never bought into the brass knuckle, bloody knife XXX bullshit imagery. There is nothing in that. Nothing that will last anyway. Anger is valid and the effects drugs and alcohol can have on a family or friendship push that. That's what always pushed me. What you do with that anger is something else though. Do you hate the person or do you hate the disease? Did I hate my Mom before she recovered? Of course not. Did I hate seeing empty bottles scattered about in the kitchen when I would get home from school? Absolutely. Hate the game not the player. Not even sure what militant Straight Edge is. Hating sellouts? Good luck. We all have friends who have lost their Edge... so now what? I don't base my friendship on who enables me. It's ridiculous when people hang out solely to have someone to get fucked up with, so to have that approach to not getting fucked up is a contradiction. My edge isn't dull... it's in focus.

Please give us your most memorable tour story.

I can't really pick one that sticks out among others. Looking back it was all little moments here and there that made it memorable. The worse the situation, I think, usually makes for the more memorable story. Van burnings and packing in the Bane van (which was an amazing experience), playing shows with buckets on stage to catch the rain from holes on the roof, dealing with you punching our guitar player (The Promise), dealing with you trying to kill our bass player (Another Victim), dealing with you spitting on somebody trying to steal our merch at a show in Italy (spitting may be worse thing you can possibly do there) so on, and so forth. I think one moment that is frozen in my brain is when we were in Another Victim together and every time we were on tour, we stayed with these two girls in Chicago. One was this red head who we both had kind of a goofy crush on. We were well-behaved boys (at the time) and stepping out of line especially with these girls was not an option. So, really, the only thing we cared about was getting a hug. I remember the redhead was leaving early in the morning for school and we both were "pretend" sleeping. We could hear her in the kitchen and although neither of us said anything to the other, we both intended to make a move and get a goodbye hug. As she came through the living room, I did my best "oh, I'm just waking up" stretch and she looked over, smiled and said, "it was nice to see you again.". "You too, thanks for letting us stay here.". She came over, leaned in and I got my well-timed embrace. During this special moment, I looked over and saw you start to stir and give your best "oh, hey what's going on?" stretch and sat up ready to receive your hug. Unfortunately, she did not see this grand effort due to the angle. She turned away from me and walked out the door... leaving you in the cold. You sat there sitting up with a nasty sleep face and let out a defeated sigh. We both laid back and proceeded to laugh for a good 15 minutes.

Being from Syracuse, NY and having grown up with all the Earth Crisis members, is it safe to say that you feel they are the best Syracuse Hardcore band of all time? What other bands from the area were you a fan of?

I think they were the most important band in Syracuse Hardcore, hands down. You really can't even argue that. People can have their favorites and maybe they liked other bands, but I honestly don't think the Syracuse 90's scene would have been nearly as strong as it was without Earth Crisis, DJ Rose and John McKaig. I consider myself honored to be apart of that second wave... going from a spectator to getting involved. That's directly credited to the old guard and the way those guys carried themselves. It never felt like a high and mighty, holier than thou scene. Being just a goofy kid with passion and wanting to know more... the ExC dudes, McKaig, DJ and many others were always welcoming and supportive. In return, years later, that made me want to be able to give the same guidance and support to younger kids coming up. That's what makes this great — building something that lasts. Something that will exist when you're gone — a community. As far as other Syracuse bands of that era, there were so many that were great in my eyes. A lot of it, I'm sure, is due to nostalgia but to name a few: Framework, Bonejack, Infusion, Blood Runs Black, Cross Section, Oversight, Forefront. Pretty much all of 'em.

If you were to take 1 film, 1 CD and 1 book with you to the grave, what would they be and why?

This question is tough because there are so many genres, different kinds of music, books etc. 1 of each would be hard... I have trouble deciding what to eat for lunch. Plus, if it's to the grave I'd be dead so who cares? Ask the worms that are eating me.

Your thoughts on;

Doritos: My favorite chip. I remember eating them as a kid when it was just nacho cheese. They used to have a picture of corn on the package and thinking... this is really good for me.
Nachos: Perfection. I'm a strong advocate of anything involving a dip process.
Taco Bell: It's lost a little bit of magic for me but this was the mecca on tour. The best idea before you eat it and the worst after.

DOUG SPANGENBERG (Space Monkey Studios)

2008-05-27T22:27:00.021-04:00

I first met Doug when he was on tour with Brother's Keeper and they stayed at my apartment in Syracuse. He was introduced to me as "Big Daddy" and being a whopping 5-foot nothing, I thought that was very amusing. Years later, we would live together and he took me under his wing at his video production company at the time, High Roller Studios. I had my first kidney stone while living with him — something he never lets me forget by taunting me about my pathetic moaning in pain. He's someone I've grown closer with in time and he is the true definition of "small man, big mouth". Here's to you, Full Force 2007.

Name: Doug Spangenberg (Space Monkey Studios)
Aliases: Dougie Dee, Big Daddy DNA
Location: Philadelphia 'burbs
Age: 32

Give us a rundown of how you got involved in the 'core, the scene you grew up and your career in the 'core prior to starting your own business.

I was a metal head in grade school. I was way into it — jean jacket with a shitty back-patch, Metallica and Anthrax in constant rotation in my walkman, white high-tops — the whole deal. In 7th grade, I got expelled for putting an art teacher in a head lock (a FEMALE art teacher... that's hard - haha) and got shipped off to military school where a friend introduced me to Cro-Mags and The Exploited. From there it blew up, but I still love metal. I had a good run touring around with friend's bands, selling their merch before I picked up a video camera.

Of the bands that you worked with as a road dog, who do you fondest memories with? Share your favorite story with them.

The first bands I used to tour with were Brother's Keeper, One King Down and Earth Crisis and those were my favorite tours. There's something real cool about getting 7 dudes into a shitty van and seeing some sites and meeting new characters. One memory that sticks out has to be the time I was sleeping in the back of the van and the gas tank fell off and we dragged it for about a mile. I remember seeing sparks coming off the damn thing and just figuring that was the end of the Dougger.

Being a father of a beautiful baby, how has that changed your outlook on life over the years?

I told Jen the other day that I might be doing a couple weeks of touring in September and she just gave me a death stare. It took me a second to remember that we have our second kid coming in September, so I'm probably not going out for a while after that... haha. Having a kid is the best, but it makes a long tour even more miserable than usual.

We've known each other for many years and I did time renting a room in your house in Philadelphia for a year, therefore, I'm sure you have many great stories involving me. Please divulge a doozy for us.

Those were some great times. Between you, me, and Anderson there was always something to do. There's not one story that sticks out, but when I think back to your time in Philly I always think about the "rage". You are one of the most "passionate" people I know, so you'll get super worked up about something and start losing your mind. 5 minutes later you'll realize that maybe you were at fault, but that just makes you more angry. I think I set you off one day and you threw a can of pears at the wall. I still have no idea what you were doing with a can of pears in your room. Did you have a can opener up there too? What other canned goods were you stashing, you fat fuck?

Your thoughts on; Anderson Bradshaw, Final Cut Pro, and poker.

Anderson Bradshaw: I told him the other day that I imagine him to be a very selfish lover. It's not a gay thing, just an observation. Maybe that is gay.
Final Cut Pro: Without it, I'd still be selling fucking t-shirts.
Poker: Your patience and rational decision making make you one of the best players I've ever seen. You should go pro.

CRAIG SETARI (Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, Straight Ahead, Creep Division)

2008-04-04T13:28:00.033-04:00

Next to Hoya, my other partner in crime in the bass world. No one knows hows to work the stage better. There have definitely been plenty of sets where I have watched only Craig play and nobody else in Sick Of It All, or Agnostic Front. The man floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee on the stage. Style and grace, personified. The man, the myth, the legend...

Name: Craig "Ahead" Setari (Sick Of It All / Creep Division)
Aliases: Skully, Cedric, Q, Pappy
Location: Bayside, Queens (but often the surface of the earphis)
Age: Veteran

The beginning of it all. How did Hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved?

Danny Lilker (Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, SOD) turned me onto punk which led me to Hardcore. I was drawn to it as it was a place I felt comfortable and was accepted, not for who I knew or how I dressed or whatever, but how I WAS, who I AM. No fronting, just being.

Are you really the inventor of sneakers on stage? (Hoya says you are and that you invented fire too).
I brought the sneaker to Agnostic Front, at least thats what Vinny says. I didn't invent fire, but I have used it to keep Hoya from stealing my lunch money.

The female body is, to many, considered a work of art. How do you view the female body in it's natural state and what is your favorite part of the female anatomy?
Perfect, I love it. Love to love it in all its natural beauty. Favorite part? Probably the eyes and the booty in the physical, also the soft side of the spirit.

Many people (including myself, without shame) have jocked your style on stage. Is that a flattering thing to you, or do you feel jipped that the style you have and have created is being mocked?
Yeah man, its cool... I'm flattered. Spread the word. Hardcore is history, not just a flavor. Spread the word about the history, keep the tradition alive. Let 'em know who we are and what we've done and WHY.

Explain to us what the Bass Mafia is and means to you... as a legendary and influential bass player.
I don't know what your talking about, but I do know that bass players are always cool with each other. Get a bunch of bass players behind you, that's a serious force.

You know how to throw those bones. Have you ever had any beef with bands that have caused you to have to get down? Did Straight Ahead have any beef with bands back in the day?
I'm into making friends, not enemies. If someone is born insecure and needs to find out, they go down if they make me have to get down. Bass and boxing are two things I'm good at. SA never beefed, all positive.

Your thoughts on;
Tech21NYC SansAmps: Great stuff, they've let me demo a lot of new products.
Double straps: My invention.
Front of stage monitors: Made to destroy.

MIKE MRAZ (Hoods, Above This World)

2008-04-04T00:25:00.016-04:00

The last time I saw Mike, he dragged me to a VFW hall down the street from the venue we were playing and we drank a few pitchers of beer before my set. The average age of the patrons in the bar was probably 76 years old, yet Mike knew them all by name and they knew him by name as well. There's something to be said about a man with Mikey's social prowess who can also blend in and chill out at VFW halls with senior citizens. Top dog on the west coast. All hail the King...

Name: Mike "Hood" Mraz (Hoods)
Aliases: Mikey Hood, Meow, Kitty, Meow Yum Yum
Location: Sacramento, CA
Age: 94 in cat years

The beginning of it all. How did hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved?

I got into heavy music way way back. It started with Black Sabbath, Sex Pistols, and Jimi Hendrix. In about '84, I really got into punk rock/hxc (same shit). The bands that gave me the feeling were Fear, Circle Jerks, Cro-Mags (one of my faves), MDC, and Dead Kennedys. It was more than music, it was what I was feeling. I was really alienated in my old neighborhood being one of the only white cats. This music had a lot of anger and energy. Two things that I still have a lot of. I could relate to being a pissed of white cat because where I was from it was just my brother and me. We used to get in tons of fights and shit. So this music was an escape. I love this shit.

People tend to slap the word "crazy" onto your name when it comes into conversation a lot. Do you think you are as "crazy" as people make you out to be?
Yes and no. Like, I do tend to think some of the shit I do is fucking nuts but at the same time I pay my bills on time, work, drive, and tour. If I was fucking nuts I would be locked up, so, I think I’m a normal cat. Yea, I do some crazy shit and thank god I’m alive but it’s the other voices that do the really nutty shit, not me. Just a normal dude trying to enjoy his life.

You have 3 huge X's tattooed on your leg from your days as a Straight Edge viking. Why have you never gotten then covered up and do you ever plan on doing so?
Because that was 7+ years of my life. I think it was a great time and feeling for me. And as the fore mentioned crazy question... yea, I was fucking nuts when I was XXX. I had no fucking release and tension would build and build. I wanted to fucking kill everything. I needed SxE. I wasn’t into the fucking bullshit fashion like 90% of the kids now. They want to be part of something, I never did. Hardcore found me, I didn’t find HC. These kids now are fashion victims. It’s so fucking trendy it makes me sick. When I was young, I would do things so other kids would not want to be like me at all. I sure as hell never wanted to be like them. Now everyone dances, looks, talks the same. I feel like this scene is one big fucking robot. I am not like you, so don’t ever think you’re like me. I am one of the few older cats left in this scene that feels such disgust towards HC kids. I am alone in the crowd and I fought for everything. Now the class president and popular kids are HC. Fuck that. I never want to fit in to this fucking fashion victim society. It’s almost all fucking fake. I have tons of hate.

Give us your craziest and most entertaining fight story.
Man, I am so over fighting these days. There was so many years ago. That is the one thing I have changed. I break fights up all the time now. In the years we have been around I’ve seen about 3 murders at our shows and tons of stabbings and blood. I don’t want to elaborate on the violence because kids now think it's cool. The kids now who think they’re hard would get their fucking heads smashed in the late 80’s. Kids fight 10-1 nowadays. It makes me sick. All I got to say is don’t fight, let’s party tonight. Have a good time.

Your thoughts on; Powerhouse.
I played 2 shows with Powerhouse and I love them as a band and as people. I met them when I first came back to Cali from Germany and I talked funny. They were solid dudes. When we started out here there was literally no scene. We used to be the only ones at each other’s shows. We grew this scene together. We planted the seed and it grew quick. Hoods, Powerhouse, and Second Coming did more for the West Coast scene in '95 than anyone since. Hoods has definitely put the west side on the map for HC. Fuck it... I built this shit and I don’t give a fuck who hates but, the west side is mine. Much love and piss.

HOYA (Madball, Hazen Street, Dmize)

2008-04-03T18:58:00.015-04:00

He's an international hardcore superstar. He's one of, if not the, hardest bass player to ever grace the stage of CBGB's. He smokes more weed than anyone I have ever known and acts exactly the same whether blown out of his mind, or sober. He lays pipe like a contractor and is as smooth as slow churned butter. His riffs are legendary and have sent thousands to the hospital across the globe. He's a brother to me and he's "vatican-esque". Ladies and gentleman, the man needs no introduction...

Name: Hoyaroc
Aliases: The Lady Killa
Location: Queens, NYC
Age: Ripe

The beginning of it all. How did hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved?
Well Johnathan,,,i got into hc threw my older bro..he liked it,,i herd it,,then lil by lil got into it,,and the only reason im still doing hc..is becouse im waiting for chip n dales to start recruitin

What was the demise of Dmize?
Dmize ended becouse some of the guys grew out of it,,then i joined MB,,then it was a wrap

If you had to be vegan upon doctor's orders to save your life, would you rather die on a nice piece of skirt steak, or save yourself?
Id go vegan..if they let me eat pork beef..chicken..fish..milk..cheese,,air,,,water,,

As one of the illest and hardest bass players in hardcore, who else do you feel as a bass player?
I like alot guys styles,,,i like old school guys,,like geezer butler..james jamerson from motown was king,,,,,cliff burton...

Is Craig Ahead really the inventor of wearing sneakers on stage, as he claims?
Yesss..he invented fire too

Your thoughts on; Kush, Hindu, and Skunk weeds.
Smokem all,,!!!!!

PATRICK KITZEL (Reaper Records, True Blue, Spawn)

2008-04-03T15:55:00.012-04:00

I first met Patrick Kitzel in September of 1999 at our friend Mike Ski's wedding party. My old band played the show party in Erie, PA alongside Earth Crisis and Buried Alive where Patrick and I shared our love for stage diving with each other during those band's sets. I first noticed him because of how much of an asshole diver he was, and what good style of dive he had, so I was automatically draw to him. We were introduced to each other after the show and both said that we noticed each other through our diving. In hindsight... pathetic — haha. Patrick now does one of the realest and best hardcore labels to date, Reaper Records with Path Of Resistance singer, DJ Rose and manages 3 tattoo shops (Halo Tattoo) in Syracuse, NY. With all this on his plate, he still finds time to keep it real with the 'core. Enjoy!

Name: Patrick Oliver Kitzel DNA (Reaper Records)

Aliases: P Kiddy, Peekay, Little Rebel (old one, haha), Pretzel (copyright, SV), KitzelDNA, Plowfox, PK Ripper and a slew of other great ones.

Location: Syracuse, NY / Essen, Germany

Age: 30.5

Reaper Records. What made you decide to start a record label, especially when your career outside of hardcore is so busy? What are the goals of the label?
Basically, True Blue broke up because of me moving to the States. When I arrived here it was nice for a few months to kinda take a break from active ‘core life. Needless to say, just going to shows got boring after a while and I needed to figure out something to do. I did a zine and while putting that together my friends in AWOL and I came up with the idea of putting out their EP. Next thing was Terror asking me to put out their demo on vinyl and it all spun from there. I love working with bands that deserve to be heard. I’ve been in quite some bands, managed bands, put out demo tapes, put on shows, etc. etc. At some point, I kinda realized that all bands I know bitch about the same problems with the labels they are on and figured that maybe I could give it a shot and do things a little better. So my good friend DJ and I teamed up and started the label with the main goal being to try and not make it a business, but more a platform for bands to get where they need to go.
A couple years down the line now with Reaper, I came to realize that things aren’t as easy as I thought, but I think we do a good job at keeping things real.

Give us a rundown of the bands you have played in and of any upcoming plans for bands.

From 1996 until 1997, I was in Spawn and from 1997 until 2001, True Blue. Currently working with my friends from Black SS on a project called "Combat". Aside from that, my man Buske and Rene and Frank from World Collapse (ex-True Blue) are still plotting to get something done with Retaliation. We got some stuff demoed but due to distance and everybody's busy schedule it’s hard to get anything done.

Having relocated from Germany to Syracuse, do you find yourself missing your home or are you happier and more content living in the States?

The only set back is not being around my close friends and family that I grew up with, other then that, I love being here. I love my family here in the States, I love what I do here and what I created.

Why do you think The Icemen are the best NYHC band ever, and why do you think they have been so overlooked in the grand scheme of things?
They were unique, man. From their sound to their lyrics to their artwork, it blew me away on first sight. It was just an all around thought out concept that was unmatched. I think they got overlooked simply because they didn’t get to stick around. I mean, even though the band was around for years and years, they never got to tour or go on and record a full length. I’m sure if they would have accomplished those things and kept on it, they would be just as big as any of the other NYHC veterans that are still doing their thing.

Your thoughts on; Rambo, Elvis, and Belladonna.

Rambo: New movie is hard as nails. Saw it 3 times at the movies. The violence is unreal. "What about the world?" Rambo, "Fuck the world.". 'Nuff said!

Elvis: First music I got into. Dude could make chicks cream their pants by shaking his hips. If I shake my hips, girls leave the room.

Belladonna: Love her teeth. She is a filthy animal that loves to please. Real keeper (too bad she has fucking herpes).