315 Hardcore

Hometown hero’s Culture Shock played in Albany on the 30th. You can view the photo’s over at the Bystanderfanzine website. One picture stuck out for me, making the post worth while.

PURE ANGST!

Here’s something taken from lambgoat.com. I feel this is a big passive hit to Trustkill. I only say passive because they werent able to come right out say that Trustkill didnt do enough for them as they had hoped, but it’s definitely implied. TK is one of the biggest “non-major” record labels and Throwdown is one of the bigger metal bands around. There are two ways to look at it, I suppose.

Did Trustkill not support Throwdown as much as they could have because they dont have their priorities straight?

 Or did Trustkill not support Throwdown as much as they could have because they aren’t worth the investment?

I would probably go with option 2…..but thats a biased opinion as I’m not a fan of new Pantrowdown

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During a recent interview with MetalSucks, Throwdown guitarist Mark Choiniere has effectively stated that the band has fulfilled their contractual obligations to Trustkill Records. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

“This was your last album for Trustkill, right?

Mark Choiniere: Right.

And I know Dave [Peters] has made some very public anti-record company remarks, do you guys feel like you’re done with the industry?

Mark Choiniere: No, I don’t think so. I think Dave was merely speaking from personal… it was definitely more him. I mean, the band definitely backs him, but just from personal experiences… not necessarily bashing record companies in general, which I know it sounded like.”

Do you feel like you had a negative experience with Trustkill?

Mark Choiniere: I mean, I don’t like to talk shit, but… I just think things could have gone better. Just from touring with other bands and hearing how their record label helped them be the band that they are… it’s just kinda like, we could only imagine what it would be like to be on a label that really pushes you. That’s all I can say, I guess.”

Update: There has been some lash out because people think I’m saying Earth Crisis is going out just to make some fast $$$. I guess I just didn’t go into enough detail on what I meant. I was at work and wrote it pretty fast. Sooooo, I will post an un-edited clip from the forum of someone questioning me, and my explanation. Again, some probably still wont agree with me, but I really didn’t mean EXC was getting back together to make money.

“FROM UNCLE TONY: Peterson my friend you are entitled to your opinion but I have a question to ask. Wouldn’t it be cool if a band could get back together, write a killer record and just have fun without coming under fire from a mob of skeptics and nay sayers that I know are out there thinking the same thing that you are? I’m not attacking you man but those dudes were hassled about every move they made for their entire existance and I see that some things are just not going to change. You’re a good dude and I like what you’ve done with this site I just can’t agree with you on this one thing.

Tony [/quote]

ME: I don’t want it to sound like I’m hassling them because they want to line their wallets. I really don’t think that, and I know thats not why they’re back out on tour. I hope they make enough money to support themselves for as long as possible. They’ve obviously earned it. Earth Crisis has contributed more than most will ever get the chance to.

I just don’t like when bands try to come out of retirement and try to record and reinvent themselves again. I’ve rarely seen it actually work, and it usually ends with people losing their sense of amazement at what the band was. I’m afraid thats gonna happen with these guy, thats all.

This isn’t just at the Earth Crisis reunion, this would pretty much be my opinion on most bands I listen to that want to get back together after a decade apart.

Obviously, I could be wrong. They could write an amazing album and everyone will love it. It’s rare, but possible. Look at Piebald’s “We’re the only friends that we have”. ”

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Original post below

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As you can see, there isnt much going on around here so far. I purposely made this site as easy to use as possible hoping it would encourage people to do what they enlisted to do. All you have to do is type a bunch of stuff relating to music or the forum and hit “publish”. Easy enough, right? Even people that bitched to me about not having an account aren’t posting after I broke down and gave them one.

So here’s a real blog post about Syracuse hardcore.

The Earth Crisis reunion: Ok, the band changed the lifes of millions of people across the world. They did great things for both straight edge and animal rights. They’re one of the most important things to ever happen to Syracuse and hardcore in general. The short reunion tour was cool, but doing another tour and recording a new album? They may line their wallets, but they’ll probably alienate some fans along with it.

Local bands: Cicada and Aiia are awesome. Go see them if you get the chance.

Local Shows: While no local hardcore shows have grabbed my attention lately, I have been to some of the acoustic folk shows going on. Paul Baribeau played with Eric Auyote and Super Bobby some time in……eh I dont remember. The show was fun and chill. Unfortunately I got sick the next day and died. I was revived when someone found me in a ditch and hit me with a stick. Next was Ghost Mice and like 6 other acts that werent on the flyer @ Recess. All the bands were cool and Ghost Mice rocked. The best experience was the peanut butter hot chocolate though. Mad props to Dan Cafferty for booking both shows.

Here’s a video update for everyone. Forum user Ratsinthewalls posted a good number of videos so I figured I’d get them out there a little more.

Here’s some Hit The Lights:

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Here’s some footage of BRAINS! You can see the rare appearence of “Bolen”.

There are also some videos of Case Closed and Outtatime.

Case Closed:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Outtatime:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

During the last ACHC fest, I came picked up a zine(the name of this zine escapes me). A quick flip through this zine made me optomisitic of the contents. It dealt with a lot of political issues and hardcore/punk. Finally something that i could read when i was bored at work or bored in general. Nothing like a good zine.

However, the zine was filled with nothing but political bandstanding and holier-than-thou posturing. Comments about how if you own a Hatebreed shirt, you condone violence against women and homosexuals or how a writer of some zine in Pennsylvania is a mysogenist because he gave a positive review of some alkaline trio album that had descriptions of violence against women. The fineger pointing and preaching never ended in this zine.

The zines constant reminder of what hardcore was about(in this case: super militant left wing politics) left me wondering….what the fuck is hardcore about? It is a question that i struggled with for a few weeks. Why am I into hardcore and what is it about? Is there some universal reason and meaning that plays such a big part in my life and the lives of a lot of us?

No, there isn’t. Throughout its short history, there have been a lot of different people getting into hardcore, going to shows, starting bands and writing zines for a lot of different reasons and causes. What does Negative Approach and XfilesX have to with Earth Crisis and Discharge? Is one group more “hardcore” than the other and have a better claim of belonging?

The fact of the matter is is that we all got into this music, this scene for many different reasons. Some came simply because they were angry at something or someone. Some came because they wanted to be apart of a community and didn’t fit in with any other group at their school/neighborhood. Some came because they wanted to help fight injustice. Some simply came because it was the cool thing to do.

So anyways, Hardcore means everything to me(well, almost. it takes a 2nd to my fiancee), but i’ll be damned if or anyone else can tell you what the fuck it’s about.

It’s a slow morning at work and I’ve got some extra time, so I’m popping in to post a couple videos. Here are two clips from the 2007 Assault City Hardcore Fest. The first is around 10 minutes of the Forfeit set. As you can see, Steve baby isn’t wearing a shirt, so its obviously a good clip. Their EP was recently released on Reaper Records. Check out the label and order the album! Reaper Records

Next up is from local rockers Mistletoe. This is also from the ACHC Fest ‘07. This was a well documented event, and I’ll probably be posting these videos from time to time since they’re pretty well produced. Anyway, this band is full of good dudes and good times. Hex is a great, energetic front man and the music is a universal sound that anyone can enjoy.

If you have live videos you would like posted you can e-mail me the footage or send me a youtube link. Using my hosting I have the ability to host larger, better quality videos. And what a coincidence! I would love to do that for you! Drop me a line, mail me a DVD, post some footage and I can convert it and have it posted right here on 315hardcore.com for you. You can find my e-mail by clicking my name at the bottom of the post.

Happy Valentines day!

I logged in listening to the new Life of Crime song, “Excuse Me Sir” (http://www.myspace.com/lifeofcrime315). I’m a guy who listens to grindcore, thrash metal and more than my fair share of Cleveland hardcore, and these guys are what have me excited on Syracuse hardcore right now. If you don’t hear the Black Flag within a minute of listening, well listen longer. It’s a great way to get up . . .

. . . as opposed to the real fun I had going to sleep last night. It just wasn’t happening. Roll over, not fall asleep, repeat. So, what do I do? Go through my music. The last thing I looked at was my Godbelow / Ringworm split CD. For those that don’t know, most of Godbelow formed Brand New Sin (YEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!), Joe Murphy’s currently drumming for Unholy, the new incarnation of Santa Sangre that will tear your soul apart (http://www.myspace.com/unholy), and Danny Johnson is raising his family by example, sailing across the land on a pair of Heelys.

Now Danny has been in a few bands over the year. Godbelow, Unholy up until last year, The Last Season, Blood Runs Black (no, not As Blood Runs Black. Get out of here with that.) and more. Looking through my CDs or my collections of CDs and records there’s a bunch of Syracuse bands that I wish were still around (Another Victim), ones that have led to how Syracuse is today (Attitude, Black SS) and ones that have stuck it out (Ed Gein, anyone?).

Older guys that are still around have shared stories about the past, like seeing Quicksand at the Lost Horizon or seeing Deadguy foam at the mouth with their own rage. Syracuse Sluggers . . . moving on.

Some of this magic was caught on a compilation, appropriately titled “Syracuse Hardcore 1998-99.” 2 songs by each band on it, like AV, Hermon Dekalb, Beta Minus Mechanic and 2 Earth Crisis tracks, pre-Slither. (Yeah, I know it’s not everyone’s favorite album. I like it. Stuff a banana in your tailpipe.) It’s been almost a decade since this came out and a lot has changed. A bit of the progress was captured with Reaper Records’s Assault City 7-inch (www.reaperhardcore.com), but why not go all out with another Syracuse hardcore comp? Same deal as the last one: 2 songs from each band (perhaps for a vinyl release, one song on each side?), and JD and Tom Ranger are a must — just switch Another Victim for Unholy and Eternal Youth for Attitude.

I can say myself that Syracuse now isn’t what it was when I saw what hardcore was for the first time. And that’s ok. Kids today have a lot to be excited about. Culture Shock, Forfeit, Election Day, Another Breath, Life of Crime, Ed Gein, Mistletoe, I can go on but they’re all on that site . . . yourspace or something. Do your homework.

(P.S. This is my first attempt at this type of thing. So if it’s incoherent or not visually pleasing, you live and learn. Forgiveness denied!)

Simple enough, this is a test post to see how a video works. It’s also the first local band video posted. Its a little dark, but you get the idea. This is Attitude playing at the Municipal Waste in July, 2006. Rowdy as hell. Thanks to DL5 for capturing the video.