No Tolerance – Boston Straight Edge Demo EP – 540 Records #010 – 2010

No Tolerance. Boston Straight Edge. This EP was released by 540 Records (which you will never be able to find any useful information online about. Just know it is a record label in a dude’s house somewhere in Texas. Actually, sounds like the start of something great, really). This is actually a re-release. It was initially released by Edge Day Records on cassette. I have one kicking around here somewhere, but I got a copy of the vinyl ep and gave it a spin. Wouldn’t you know it, the music on the record sounds equally as awesome as the music on the cassette. No joke, this EP rips. It was originally recorded by DFJ and CC. Right there, you have a winning combo. DFJ did drums and vocals, CC did guitar and bass. Solid lineup, but not a good touring unit. So they pulled in Casey Watson for 2nd guitar duties, Doug Free on bass (like he needed another band. He’s racking them up like DFJ now) and Rifkin on drums. That’s right, DFJ does vocal duties. And he’s out front, not behind a drum riser with a weirdo mic set up. And this layout really works for the band. DFJ has a very intense front man style. Think Dwid. Very angry, very straight edge (but not on the Chorus / Path end of the spectrum). The live show really sets them apart. Hell, I think I even saw Cushman almost mosh to their set. He definitely had me pick up one of their tees for him. That’s saying something. Serious biz.

If you can find this EP, I highly suggest you pick it up. Check eBay as I can’t tell you ANYWHERE else you can find this ep. Unless you visit Chris Corry at his house, I literally can’t point you anywhere you can find this EP.

Boston Straight Edge! Drug Free Youth!

Power Trip Demo – Withdrawal Records #001 – 2010

Power Trip hails from Texas. Lots of demos coming out of Texas recently, it seems. Of course, this isn’t super recent. It was originally released as a demo, then was later pressed onto vinyl. And actually, I may have just received this recently, but it’s been out for quite some time now. I know there was a Sound And Fury press of this EP for instance. I did not get one of those. I was lucky enough to receive this one on purple vinyl. You can pick up your copy on purple or black too, just head over to the Big Cartel page.

It’s well worth a click over too. Sludgy hardcore with an excellent lead singer. I’m feeling it. Not exactly Trapped Under Ice or the west coast’s Alpha And Omega, these guys have a similar style, but with a unique feel. I can see kids moshing something serious for this band. Especially the song Untitled. Feeling it. Definitely feeling it.

Like I said before, you can still pick up this ep. Better do that. You can also pick up some tees straight from the band. And if that isn’t enough, you can always check Ebay. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find one of those Sound And Fury press EPs.

Street Sweeper – Stylin’ On You Demo 2010

street sweeper

Street Sweeper is grimy. Like filthy grimy. I doubt they live above and below a bowling alley, but this demo has grit. And it isn’t just the fact that it was recorded by DFJ and Doug Free. I’m sure they played their part, but the sound of this band is hard. Think Guns Up or No Warning. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this crew appears to be down with Marlboro, Mass. At least, they give shout outs to the Pitfall Crew and Marlborough Hardcore (Panthers Stink). This cd contains the 4 song demo. It was recorded back in December of 2009, but I feel like I just got it recently while at Anchors Up. Regardless, I plan to keep my eyes peeled for this band. I predict a Leeway cover or two from them. Into it.

Dudes have some tshirts on the web right now. Think about picking one up. I’d tell you to check eBay for old merch, but I doubt you’ll find any. This bands too new for that. Unless you want that DJ Kayslay disc or some serious heavy equipment. Just hit up their bigcartel site, it’s easier that way.

Past Present Comp – Revelation Records #150 – 2010

Oh shit. This one has been in the pipeline for years. I can’t believe it’s finally dropping! I’ve heard whisperings from Revelation Records, but nothing leaked in advance. Not a track. In the last 3 or 4 years, I hadn’t even caught a track listing. Come November 4, you’ll all be able to listen to it too. And you should, there are some great songs on this album!

For those not aware, this is a cover album. You have some of the hottest bands of the last 4 years doing covers from some of the hottest Rev bands of 25 years ago. You have to admit, that’s a pretty cool concept. You get Terror covering Side By Side, Set Your Goals covering Gorilla Biscuits, Down To Nothing covering Judge. Just some smart pairings. And don’t worry, some later Rev bands are covered too. This Is Hell even does a Movielife cover! But where’s the In My Eyes cover? Not one to be found. Bummer. And with every comp, you have your share of stinkers too. Death By Stereo covering Youth Of Today? That’s just reprehensible.

Thankfully, my favorite part, which all you collectors will also appreciate, is the amazing concept layout. I seriously love this idea. Back in the day, Revelation Records would trade limited vinyl for 12″ GI Joe figures. Seems weird now. Can you imagine trading a Together Comp with Batman stamp for a 12″ Duke? I don’t think so. But that’s what they did. And this layout then displays ALL those figures. Yeap, all those GI Joes are arrayed for this comp. But they aren’t fighting COBRA or smashing terrorists — they’re playing a club that could be CBGBs. Stage diving, moshing, finger pointing .. even vacuuming. This layout has it all. Even Barbie taking photos!

The cd drops on the 4th. You will have to wait until the 18th for vinyl. I suspect that layout will be even better than the CD. We’ll see. The comments and interviews are pretty cool. Definitely worth checking out. And if you want to get the originals, you just need to hit up revhq.com. I don’t think you can get away with trading GI Joe figures for that real old shit, but you can always find some choice items on eBay. Spin this one while digging through your old Rev vinyl. Worth the trip.

United Youth – Demo 2010

United Youth is a straight edge hardcore band in the vein of Crippled Youth. I say Crippled Youth because these kids are YOUNG. When they say YOUTH, they mean it. Honestly, I think one of these kids is Sweet Pete’s grandson or perhaps Al Quint’s great grandson. But don’t let their age trick you. Much like Crippled Youth, they bring the heat. This 4 song blazes through. I’ve listened to it 4 times in a row, and it didn’t even take 10 minutes — Ok, that’s a lie. 4 listens took 12 minutes … That’s 12 minutes of solid living room mosh though.

When I think of United Youth and this demo, I can’t help but think of the Free Spirit demo. Both have that in your face smash, and give nods to Straight Ahead. Fuck Your Standards is a perfect example. Straight to the point. I’m feeling it.

I’m guessing Back To Back Records will be doing something with these dudes soon. The flyer I have is labeled with the Back To Back crew logo. I’m not sure what they have for tees. Kicking myself for not picking up that Uniform Choice rip tee that Uriah of Dead End Path drew. I guess I’ll have to troll Ebay until one pops up. I’m patient.

Pain Runs Deep – Whispered Truths EP – The Essence Records – 2010

Whoa, pretty sure Pain Runs Deep is Polands answer to fortydaysrain. I’ve heard comparisons to Burn and Conviction, but this band is fortydaysrain. I expect their drummer to be formerly of the Polish Incite and to be a dude who is constantly pinging FSC Lublins. Dumb if he doesn’t. The music is hard, no doubt about that. Lots of early 90s references and nods. And there are times when the vocals are so growled & shouted such that I can’t determine if the lyrics are polish or english. It’s hard to figure out and place.

I’m pretty happy that Adam sent me the EP because the packaging is of the utmost quality. No skimping here. Vellum inserts, credit card style download cards, thick card stock and super professionally screened sleeves. The packaging is tight, no doubt. You can pick up a digital download over on bigcartel. I’m guessing the vinyl may have already sold out. The Essence Records keeps a pretty limited run. Check Ebay if you slept.

Blacklisted – No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me – Deathwish Inc #100 – 2010

I never quite got Blacklisted. I’ve seen them a ton, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to get into them. But they never clicked. I’ve watched kids in Philly and Boston lose their shit to them multiple times, but like I said, it’s never clicked for me. Something never sat right. The live gigs were always excellent. George is an animal on stage. The whole band takes it to another level.

When I first received this album, I sat on it for a while. And then I started to play it and replay it and replay it and replay it … Now this album speaks my language. This is the album for me. I know lots of kids were turned off by this album. “It’s not hardcore” “I can’t finger point” “I can’t kickbox.” Whatever. This album is the one that is turning me on to Blacklisted. Holy shit, it’s good. So fucking good. And the kids are right, it isn’t your typical hardcore album. It’s fucking weird. So fucking awesomely weird. Trumpets, noise, heavy drums, thick bass, flutes, violins, acoustic guitars, tambourines, … Seriously, that’s some out there shit. And that’s just ONE song… If hard rock is your thing, this album is for you. Think Sabbath, Blind Faith and even a little Black Francis …

I highly suggest you go pick this one up. If you read the same book I read, this is the album that will change your mind about Blacklisted. I now have to go back and revisit all their albums because I know I’ve missing something amazing. If you slept too and need that old vinyl (or merch), you’ll probably have to resort to Ebay. But as always, buy direct from the band or the label first. Do it.

End Of A Year – You Are Beneath Me – Deathwish Inc #104 – 2010

I read this interview with Pat Kindlon of End Of a Year where he mentioned how Deathwish Inc let them to be as weird as they wanted to be. This is totally true. I’m sure Tre gives them a super long leash, and it probably has weird spikes and amulets hanging off of it. But it has worked out successfully for them because this album is a banger. I don’t know how they did it, but the band somehow managed to modernize the greatest sounds of mid 90s Western Mass hardcore. Think Dive and Bound (yes, Winchendon is so far north in Massachusetts that it is actually part of Western Mass. You know it’s true. Then again, Albany is just west Western Mass, right? Just kidding, jeesh). Like Sebadoh meets Motorhead meets Sonic Youth’s Dirty. It’s on a whole other level. Pat’s vocals skitter the line of yelling and talking. It’s almost so un-hardcore that’s it only hardcore. You know what I mean? Like it’s so right of right that it’s left. Yeah, like that. And the music bangs. You probably won’t catch people finger pointing, but I can see plenty of sing alongs and thrashing. If this band tours with Lion Of Judah and Give, the venues will erupt in weird metal mosh freak outs. It would be a sight to see, this is certain.

I strongly suggest you go pick up this record. Run, don’t walk over to Deathwish Inc. Great label, great dudes. Hook it up. And if that isn’t enough to wet your whistle, head over to Ebay to pick up that merch you slept on all these years.

Deception Of A Ghost – Speak Up, You’re Not Alone – Bullet Tooth Records #3 – 2010

Deception Of A Ghost … oh boy. Here we go. I know this is on Josh Grabelle’s new label. No longer Trustkill, but now Bullet Tooth. Granted, I’ve never been the Trustkill dude. You know me. Schism, Revelation, EVR, Bridge 9, … that’s my bread and butter. Trustkill was the other side of the tracks, on that metal tip. Deception Of A Ghost continues that heritage. Except this time around, throw in some singy Just Surrender-esque parts. It literally blows my mind. I don’t get it. Perhaps to fully enjoy it, I need to pick up some neon tees, neon silly bands, neon sneakers and tight black jeans. That might help my outlook because from where I sit in my crucial tee and loose cotton shorts, this album is a hot mess.

If any of this sounds like your jam, go ahead and pick it up. And if that selection isn’t enough for you, have a gander at Ebay. You can find some stellar tees over there.

If you’ll excuse me, I have to go wash out my ears with Youth Of Today now.

Kid Liberty – Fight With Your Fists – Bullet Tooth Records #2 – 2010

Kid Liberty hails from Texas. They do everything a little bigger in Texas. I keep expecting a pop punk album, but then it gets bigger. Double kick, lyrics about jealousy or stalking (I can’t quite tell), and lots of yelling (yes, that makes me sound like a 90 year old grandpa talking about his grand kids music. Maybe for a good reason). I was also expecting more of a Set Your Goals or A Loss For Words vibe. In a sense I was right. You know those songs on the latest SYG album that are a little … out there? You know, the one that feature a dude from Turmoil … Yeah, that’s what this WHOLE album sounds like. But throw in some autotune, high pitch yells and Simple Plan. Yeah, it’s sort of a mess. The thing is, I bet these dudes KILL it at Warped Tour. No idea if they played Warped Tour, but they should. As for me, I can’t quite hang. Wish I had seen them at Transmission Fest. That would have helped cement my feelings on this whole vibe. I know my feelings are biased by the album title. Seriously? Fight With Your Fists? That’s just bullshit “shelf candy.” Anything to sound edgy on that endless Hot Topic rack. They might as well call the album Eat Dinner With Utensils or Jog With Running Sneakers.

If this sounds like something you can get into, go head over to the new Bullet Tooth Records site. You can find links to downloads and album purchases. You can also find their merch on MerchNow. And if you are looking for some gems long gone by, there’s always Ebay. You just never know.