The God Delusion. Not a book review...

“It is all too easy to confuse fundamentalism with passion. I may well appear passionate when I defend evolution against a fundamentalist creationist, but this is not because of a rival fundamentalism of my own. It is because the evidence for evolution is overwhelmingly strong and I am passionately distressed that my opponent can’t see it - or, more usually refuses to look at it because it contradicts his holy book.”

“I am hostile towards fundamentalist religion because it teaches us not to change our minds, and not to want to know exciting things that are available to be known. It subverts science and saps the intellect.”

- Richard Dawkins

I'm in no position to be giving any kind of book review on such an amazing piece of work as Richard Dawkins masterpiece The God Delusion, so I'll just tell you this: Anyone who wants to open their mind a little and hear the Creationist/Evolutionist argument from the latter's point of view must read this book. Yeah, it's full of big words, and confusing sentences (I found myself re-reading many parts of this book, just for a little clarity), but all in all, it is a much needed breath of fresh air. I'll admit though, that after reading the book, my prior opinion's haven't been swayed either way (I still find it really hard to believe in one divine creator, while I hold almost the same fence sitting opinions about our existence coming from nothing), but my mind is definitely more open to suggestions from both arguments. Dawkins puts forward a slew of intense situations and ideas and really pushes the reader to think outside of the box that the majority of us have been brought up in. He also manages to do it convincingly and intelligently, while not allowing his words to become anything resembling propaganda. I feel enriched and enlightened for reading The God Delusion and I would instantly recommend it to anyone out there looking for a deeper introspective, wether they be christian, buddist, catholic, agnostic, atheist or anything in between. This book has something for everyone.

Timm McIntosh Interview

What's to say? If you don't know who Timm McIntosh is... well, what the fuck are you doing with your life? He formed Trial, played briefly for Champion, toured with The Warriors and now fronts Wait In Vain. He also runs Panic Records... a label that has put out a lot of good stuff over the last 2 years. But really, the only thing that matters there is the Trial bit. One of the best bands of the last decade easily. This interview first originally appeared in my zine TheSharpendZine issue 3. It was conducted nearly 3 years ago... just before the Trial Reunion shows. If you aren't familiar with Timms projects you need to look into them. Even if it's just Trial. Seriously... I can't rave on enough about this band. Pure gold. GO!

First up, I know it' lame but so the unfarmiliar readers can get an idea of you can I just get your age and where you are from?

 I'm 24 and I've been living in Seattle for the past 11 years, so that makes me from Seattle officially.

 

You played guitar for legendary hardcore band Trial and while in the band released what has been hailed by many as one of the greatest hardcore records of all time in 'Are These Our Lives?'. Do you find that you are often referred to as 'the guy who was in Trial'. Does it bother you?

 I think that anyone that was in a band that was noticed by a few people, they tend to become that guy/girl from whichever band. It doesn't bother me at all. It's a part of who I am completely. I put my heart into Trial and I'm proud of the things that we accomplished as a band. Some of the best times of my life were shared with the other guys.

 

How old were you when you formed Trial?

 hmmmm. Age really doesn't matter does it? Too young to know, too old to care? We started in 1994 after I moved to Seattle. Greg, Derek and myself got it going together.

  

Being that Trial haven't been together properly for 5 years, do you find that your / others in the band views changed a great deal? I interperated 'Are These Our Lives?' as a greatly politically motivated release. Are you still motivated in the same way that you were back then?

 The ideas still remain, the feelings for those ideas will never fade. They're apart of us and are still backed. We've all become really busy in our lives with our projects that it sometimes takes a backseat. We still incorporate the ideas that we spoke about on our record into our everyday lives though. In a sense you could say that we are all politically active still.

  

Do you think that overall the views and opinions of others in the scene have changes a great deal? How do you think the scene has changed most?

 It's definitely a new era of hardcore that we're involved in now. The scene has changed in a way that I don't see as many print zines with essays from kids that are involved in the scene. They're mostly filled with interviews with the bands and pictures. I think the involvement of the average hardcore kid has dwindled, when it used to be a very DIY scene. Meaning that kids would take it upon themselves to do shows and zines. Nowdays, kids let someone else hand it to them, and then cry about it not being the way they wanted it. The kids that are starting bands now have a different motivation behind it. Since the popularity of Hardcore/Punk has grown, a lot of people are starting bands to become rock stars, this is the wrong reason to be involved in hardcore I feel. There are things that separate us from the mainstream bands. No rockstar attitudes, messages and heart. Bands are rarely turning my head now days as I don't feel that I can take some of them seriously.

 

Trial are on the verge of playing two amazing reunion shows in October. One in your hometown of Seattle and one in Hungary. What made you guys decide to get together and set these shows up? Was it any trouble getting everything organised?

 It was a lot of work to get everything going for these shows and we're actually doing three now. Seattle, London and Budapest. The Seattle show was initially going to be the only one. Greg and I had been talking about it for the past year and a half. Going back and forth on the idea of doing a reunion. Neither of us could come to an agreement of how we wanted it to be. Finally we got together and figured out a way to make it work between our busy schedules and what we wanted to do with the show. After announcing the Seattle show our friend Zoli from Budapest got in touch and explained that he was going to come to the show in Seattle. Zoli then said "I'm going to spend about $1000 for my plane ticket, a visa, food and lodging. How about I get a couple people from here that would be willing to pay for your tickets to Budapest to play a show?" This made sense to us because it's Eastern Europe and they're not as well off financially, as Western Europe or the U.S.. This would allow those in Europe to save money if they wanted to see us. It would also make it possible for those who would never be able to afford to come to the U.S., a chance to see Trial. One of the greatest shows we ever played was in Poland. I know that 99.5% of the kids there would never make it to the U.S.. Budapest is closer, and a lot easier for them to get to, so why not? We decided on London as well, we never got to play the UK and it's on the way to Budapest where we need to catch a connecting flight. Why not right?  

 

Do you expect alot of newer hardcore kids who may have not been around back in Trials hey day to be there?

 I think there will be a lot of new faces there that haven't had the chance to see Trial. The Lp was out for about 6 months before we called it quits. We only did a U.S. and European tour on that record. Alot of kids got into Trial after we had broken up and now they're getting the chance to see us. There's going to be a lot of old friends at these shows as well. It's more than just a reunion of Trial, but a reunion of friends. I'm thinking of it as a huge family reunion, I can't wait to see all the old friends from the past years.

 

Why did Trial originally exsist? Was there a specific message that the band was trying to get across? Has any of Trials motivations cahnged since back then? Will you guys still be playing with the same conviction that you did when 'Are These Our Lives?' was first released?

 Trial originally existed out of the friendship that Greg, Derek and myself shared. I was from California orginally and met Greg and Derek at an Inside Out show. We become good friends through writing each other and they helped set up a show for my band in Seattle. I decided to move to Seattle shortly after that. Greg and Derek wanted to start a band and asked if I would do it with them. That was in 1994. The motivation behind the band was to play hardcore with a political message. The motivations for the band have not changed as Greg and I still feel the same way as we did in 1994. You can bet your life that we will be playing with just as much conviction, if not more.

 

How excited are you personally to be able to play these shows?

 I'm beyond excited. Now excuse me if this sounds cheesy, but it's truly how I feel and have always felt about Trial. Trial was an extension of who I am. It was also always about the kids that were interested in Trial. Every single person that came to Trial shows, bought our records, talked to us, they were just as much a part of Trial as I was. To know that the show is sold out here in Seattle, to know that there will be kids there that hold Trial in the regards that I hold Trial...is just untouchable.

 

Can we ever expect any more Trial shows after the next two? Or is all over after this?

 Well...you never know what can happen. I know one thing for sure, we will not be getting back together. We all have new bands that we're doing. Greg is doing Between Earth And Sky and also has a movie called Flight From Death, Brian and Alexei are in a band called 3 Inches Of Blood that they are always on tour with and I'm doing a band called Wait In Vain and have also started a record label. Between all that's going on with us currently, squeezing in these three shows has been a hard time. Like I said, you never know what can happen, but these will probably be the last 3 shows we ever play.

 

The band has just released a split cd comprised of your previous efforts 'Through The Darkest Days' and 'Foundation'. Why did the band decide to get these out there? How can fans in Australia get their hands on the cds?

 Yea, that's actually the first release on my own label, Panic Records. We've always wanted our records to be in press for kids to get. Both records have been out of press for the past 6 years and people still ask us for copies of those records. We didn't want it released by anybody else this time around though. We hadn't had much luck with labels in the past, so DIY all the way. People in Australia can order it from Panic Records, Revelation Records, and if there's a distributor in Australia that wants to get in touch to carry the record, I'm more than willing to make that happen.

  

Can we ever expect a re- release of 'Are These Our Lives?' Because it is hard emough to find as it is.

 You know, I would love to have this released on any other label other than EVR. 150%. That label could give a fuck about that record. If there is one thing that I would have to choose as being proud of, it would be that record. That is my finest accomplishment, I'm very happy about that record. From the artwork to the orchestra piece. EVR shit on that record. When that record came out, they did little promotion for it. After we broke up, they discontinued pressing it, even though people were still buying the record. They kept it out of print for about 4 years and have just recentely repressed it in the news of the Trial reunions in hopes to sell more copies. I am sure they're doing just that. Buy that record if you'd like, just keep in mind that the record does not include the original art work and does not include the lyrics. EVR cut out the lyrics to save on pressing costs. I can't blame them too much as they are a business and want to make money. I've heard you can find the complete record online for download and you can get the lyrics from the Trial site. Just what I heard.

 

Tell us about your new band Wait In Vain. Where and why was the band formed? Whos in the band?

 We're from Seattle of course, and we formed...well I've been kicking it around for about a year now. The band is still looking for a permanent drummer but has three other solid members. Since they've all joined, I would say that the true birth of Wait In Vain was around July 2005. The line up is Chris Jacobsen - Guitar, Ryan Scott - Bass and Roger Kilburn of Love Is Red fame on Guitar.

 

Trial held quite an obvious political message. Does Wait In Vain have any specific message to get across to the kids? Is the bands mission anything similar to that of Trail? What specific stuff to you choose to write about?

 Wait In Vain is a social/politcal band. Meaning that we deal mainly with social issues. The way we as people identify and interact with each other. We won't be as heavy politically as Trial was, but politics will always be present. If we had a mission, I would say it would be a human rights, self awareness and self discovery. A band that is about change, political, social and personal.

  

Instead of filling the guitar role as you did in Trial you have chosen to get on the vocals. Any specific reasons for the switch?

 I still write for Wait In Vain musically. I don't think I'll ever move away from that part of things. Before I was in Trial, the band that I came to Seattle with, I was the guy with the microphone. I think the singing part of things came from a want to get out things that I felt deep inside but wouldn't have felt comfortable having someone else singing.

  

For fans not farmiliar with Wait In Vain can you give iu a run down of the bands sound / mission / meaning of existance.

 I think I covered most of this in the above question. The sound isn't that far removed from the Trial records. It's just the style of music that I write and can't really get away from it. BURN, Judge, Beyond, Cro Mags, I think that would sum up the sound...and in one word Trial, because that's what Trial was as well.

 

What made you decide to get the band together in the first place?

 I wanted to get a band together and play music that I loved, sing about things that I cared about. I wasn't happy with things in my life and missed the outlet that I had with my previous bands.

  

Do you worry at all that older fans who new you as Timm form Trial may hold an unfair biast against Wait In Vain?

  Not at all. I know that Trial and Wait In Vain are two different bands. Just like I love Orange 9mm and BURN. I can separate the two and except that. BURN is greatest hardcore band ever. No band will ever compare to BURN, but that won't stop me from loving Orange 9mm. Trial and Wait In Vain should be accepted like that, if they can't, that's ok.

 

Is there any Wait In Vain material avavilable taht Australian fans can get their hands on? How do we go about it?

 Right now we've only done a 4 song demo that you can order from us from our website www.waitinvain.com we're currently working on songs for an Lp/Cd that we hope to get out by the new year.

 

What future plans do you have for the band? Any llabel deals or the like?

 Just writing songs for the Lp/CD, getting that recorded. Finding a label to work with...and then touring touring touring. This band is all that we want to do, it's all we will do.

 

Has there been any musical projects since the end of Trial other that Wait In Vain? What have you been doing with yourself for the last five years?

 Right after Trial broke up I played guitar in Champion for about a year and a half. Recorded Come Out Swinging and did a couple West Coast Tours. After I quit Champion I didn't do anything musically until last year when I started up Wait In Vain. Other than that, living a pretty boring life. Hanging out, getting tattoos, eating food, going to hardcore shows. The usual life stuff. Exciting right? hahahaha.

  

Any thanks / threats / words?

 Thanks for doing the interview. If you were ever interested in Trial and want to check out any of our new projects, you should, we'd appreciate your support.

Shipwreck AD interview from Death Before Dishonour

Here is the interview that Chris GB and I did with JD of Shipwreck AD a while back for Death Before Dishonour magazine. Can't remember which issue it was in. Maybe issue 6? Read on, if you haven't already.

Firstly how did life begin for Shipwreck a.d ? Can you tell me the story of howthis all evolved from just a bunch of guys from the Merrimack Valley to anestablished band that has gathered enough attention for you to be sitting here talking to a dude in Australia just prior to the release of your debut album?

One time during a blizzard I walked into the train station to catch my train home. I noticed a small crowd in the corner as I brushed the snow off of me. Peering in, I saw a man on the ground shaking, staring up at the ceiling. People tried to help but there was nothing they could do. I stood there and watched him die. Thats how Shipwreck was birthed, from the cold reality that we are all burning fuses. The demo was written with no intentions of being more than a side project. A few songs in the vein of the old Clevo/NY sound. The fact that things have gone this far gives me hope. Shipwreck has been one of the best things to ever happen to me, because now not only do I have a reason to wake up in the morning, but I have an outlet.

The name's been changed to Shipwreck A.D. yeah? What's with that? Why the change? I have noticed the band still being informally referred to as Shipwreck on the net, what's the deal?

There is another band from here called Shipwreck who already trademarked the name, so we had to change it to avoid any legal trouble. Shipwreck A.D. was an easy solution to the problem. In the hardcore scene, we will always be Shipwreck. The change was mainly for administrative purposes, like distro's and itunes and stuff.

You guys have the new LP "Abyss" out on Deathwish Inc. in November. When you started the band up, did you ever expect a label of such stature to ever come knocking on your door? How did the deal come about?

Deathwish employee/local sweetheart Nicole was responsible for us being christened into the family. Never in a million years did I expect to be on a label like Deathwish. They have put out Ringworm, 108, Integrity, and Blacklisted, and all of a sudden wanted to put out Shipwreck. Needless to say, it made me feel warm inside.

It seems as if nearly every band coming out of the Merrimack Valley/ greater Boston hardcore area these days gains some kind of wider notoriety. When you guys did get the band together, what were your biggest hopes? Did you ever expect to gain such a following?

Believe it or not, it is actually really hard to be a band around here. There are so many hardcore kids, and the scene is so segregated you have to really bust your ass to get above the local crowd. It is a small state, but one area might have an awesome show and kids from 30 miles away won't make the trip because its not in their scene or its not their style or whatever. So you have to play a lot of shows, know a lot of people, and pretty much compete to get your name out. We never expected to do more than local shows and put out a 7", but I am beyond glad that things have gone the way they have.

The greater Boston scene I speak of has certainly conceived some amazing bands over the years. More recently bands like Guns Up!, Have Heart, Mind Eraser and yourselves to name just four. What are some other great up and coming bands kids need to look out for?

Boston hardcore is always on top. Living Hell, New Lows, The Carrier, Colin of Arabia, Soul Control, Four Year Strong, Wolfwhistle... They all have Myspace's so go check them out for sure.

How much of an impact did signing to such a well established label as Deathwish have on Shipwrecks fan base? Did the bands popularity grow greatly following the pair up? Why did you decide to sign with Deathwish and not another label?

It's hard to tell. I mean it has obviously helped us a ton, and a lot more promoters and kids have given us a chance because of being a Deathwish band. But to determine how much we have grown since we have been signed is tough cause right as we got signed we started to tour regularly, so I can't say exactly how much it blew us up. We decided to sign with Deathwish because to us, they are the best label in hardcore. Plus we all wanted to know what Jake Bannon was like off stage.

Quite a few of the newer Deathwish bands as of late, including yourselves have been generating quite a bit of hype if you will. All I hear about at the moment is Shipwreck and Cold World. Do you guys buy into hype that way? Do you think it's well deserved. How do you deal with the 'hype' factor?

I could honestly care less. I mean, it's cool that people talk about us and stuff but I don't see the difference between hype and popularity or whatever you want to call it. One thing that does bother me is when people hate on Shipwreck because we're a supposed 'Hyped band'. Apparently because people talk about us on messageboards, we some how become a hardcore boy-band and are no longer legitimate. It's not like we hype ourselves. I don't walk around Boston going "WHAT UP WORLD, ABYSS DROPPIN ON YA TABLES 11/29 HOLLA". I don't get it. But whatever, I'm pretty sure we are a real band, and I'm very certain I am a real dude. So the rest is hog wash.

The bands discography includes vinyl and CD releases. Over time have you guys been vocal to ensure releases in both formats? Do you feel a need to cater to kids from both markets? Do you think it really matters? Are Shipwreck a vinyl specific band?

We have always been more of a vinyl band than cd band. Mainly just because after our demo, we released 2 different 7"s. So since then, we have always just had records. The first 7" came out on a cd but we had them for like 5 minutes before they were sold out. I don't really care how the music is passed on, as long as kids get it some how. We aren't a vinyl specific band in a sense of making limited covers or pressings, etc. We definitely don't care about that and I feel dumb when kids ask me how much of one color we pressed because I never know. I'm not a record guy.

As a band that to date has only released a demo and 2 EPs, what was it like sitting down with the intention to write an LP? Did you approach the writing process differently when you had 10 or so songs that needed to be written as opposed to 2 or 3? Do you think Shipwreck can be a normal, 'album' band, or do you feel better releasing EPs?

Now that we have done it, I think we are a LP band. We have matured musically, so our sound has definitely evolved. The writing process musically is approached with a far different attitude than the way it was when we first started. It is more abstract than it is structured. We have the problem of kind of being overzealous when we write. Too many ideas coming out all at once, but I think thats a good thing. Writing the next record should be interesting. I am going to sleep in a different cemetery every night until the record is done being recorded.

Your second 7" has also been given a paid digital release through Download Punk, how do you feel about the issue of downloading music? Would you rather have kids paying for downloads, downloading for free or just buying the hard copy releases?

Eh I don't really care. Most kids buy CD's just so they can load them on their ipod's. I would rather everyone bought hard copies so they could read the lyrics too, but I can't control that. Times have changed and stuff like lyric pamphlets aren't as important anymore. Abyss revolved heavily around the lyrics, and the insert will help it make more sense. So, I apologize in advance to anyone who downloads it or pieces of it and has no clue what the hell is going on.

So many artists spout up about illegal file sharing. With hardcore by nature existing as such an underground art form where any real profit is near impossible, do you guys feel that illegal downloading is any sort of hindrance to struggling bands such as yourselves? Or do you guys get behind that kind of thing?

There is 2 ways to look at this question. Obviously I want kids to pay for the music because I want Deathwish to be able to make money so they can continue on putting out records. Also, it helps us selling records on the road because its extra money. On the other hand, downloading music helps more kids get into your band and expose you in places you wouldn't normally have your music available in. I guess we hope that people will download a song to check us out and like us enough to buy our record. We should just bring a laptop to shows and charge kids 3 dollars to load our songs off itunes and safe everyone the trouble.

I've heard one of the tracks from "Abyss" entitled 'Ascent' and I must say it is definitely a good Shipwreck song. Going into the studio with backing from such a big label, did you have more of a budget to play around with? What can fans expect from the rest of the new LP in that respect?

The quality is so much better than anything else we have ever recorded. So you can put it on your speakers and it won't sound like shit. Budget wise, we recorded on the moon so it cost a bit to fly back and forth however I think it was worth it in the end.

Past Shipwreck releases have seen contributions from hardcore contemporaries such as Pat from Have Heart and Dan from Guns Up!. Any new guests spots on the LP?

I wanted to avoid any extra hype being added to the record by having so-and-so from such-and-such band make an appearance on the record. I also feared that it would affect the intimacy of the album. I didn't want one song to stick out as like a trademark song that everyone learns the words to because its like the 'cool song' to know. But there is some back up vocals done by the producer Jay and on one song has female vocals.

Can we get the nitty gritty on Abyss? Who produced it? How many tracks are on it? How do you feel the band has progressed since your last release etc?

It was produced and engineered by Jay Maas of Getaway Group recordings in the suburbs of Boston. The record is 11 songs long. The first song on it is a re-recorded version of 'Squall', which was on our last 7". To give you the nitty gritty, Abyss is a concept a bum, for lack of a better way to explain it. Song 1 takes place under water and song 11 takes place on top of a mountain. Every song in between marks a different stage of the voyage. Lyrically each song displays a setting and a conflict. The reason I wrote it this way was because I am not the type of person who likes to discuss my life or my problems or the way I feel. But unfortunately, the only way I keep from ending my life is by writing. I found the middle ground by using nature as a way of explaining how I feel inside, seeing as how no words can come to mind when I try and explain how I feel. For instance, song 3 on the record is called 'Samur' and it is the only love song I have ever written. The song begins with me floating in the ocean dying of thirst. As I look in the distance, I can see there is rain clouds approaching, which will suffice my thirst. However, I feel so weak that all I want is to satisfy that urge to drink, to extinguish the burning in my throat, so I think about drinking the ocean water around me. Before I do, I realize drinking the salt water will only make things worse and kill me. I don't know what to do. So I finally wait until the storm is right above me, and as I wait I realize it isn't going to rain and that I had just been lead on the entire time, leaving me with nothing. Can you see how that could relate to females in my life? Haha.

Can anything be read into the name "Abyss", is their a dark theme that surrounds the new album?

By definition, an abyss is a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm. Scientifically, it describes any part of the ocean below a mile. In the case of the record, it is basically a glimpse of my mind. After reading the lyrics, you will have seen more of me than most of my closest friends have. The theme is dark and desperate, because that is how I feel every day of my life. The songs are slow and heavy for the most part, and in some ways reflect the lyrics and setting as well. Shipwreck has and always will be a dark band. Even if we some how find the light, I think we'd use it to burn everything down, not lead the way.

It seems like it has been forever since the last 7" from you guys. Why has it taken so long to finally get the new album on the shelves?

When it rains, it pours. Anything that could have happened to delay the release of the record did happen. The longest part was probably etching each 12" with a sharpened piece of whale bone and scribing each inset with a quill feather and ink. However, it finally has a street date and will be out soon, so the rest is ashes and dust.

Shipwreck are a band that is often compared to bands from the great mid 90's Cleveland metallic hardcore scene. I have heard you guys likened to the great Integrity and Ringworm more than once. Do you think these comparisons are just? Would you say that those 2 bands are some of the major influences on the Shipwreck sound or are there other bands you guys look up to more? Also, why are Integrity the best band in the world?

Anyone who has seen us or heard us can see the huge influence Integrity has had Shipwreck. I won't lie, when we first started I tried to rip off everything Dwid did. The way he sang, stage presence, lyrics, etc. The newer stuff not so much, but the influence is still there for sure. Aside from the Clevo bands, I'd say our biggest influences are Merauder and Starkweather, along with countless other lesser known mid '90s bands.

Here is 5 reasons why Integrity is the best band in the world:

5. Heaven inside your Hell

4. The breakdown in March of the Damned

3. "I'll tear you limb from limb; rip you peice by peice; put you in a state where it takes all you've got to breathe..."

2. Humanity is the Devil

1. One time I saw them play a benefit show for someone who had passed away and the first thing Dwid said was "I know this is a memorial show for a fallen brother... so I am going to pick my most emotional song in memory.. this one is called Vocal Test"

It's in the mail...

Late night, I'm bored and I haven't updated in a couple days so I figure I better ad something. Why not post about my record collection? Or at least some shit I have in the mail.

Alpha & Omega- 'Devils Bed' 7": First heard of these guys quite a while ago when a few other notable bands from The States started jocking them on myspace. Wasn't sure why they managed to develop so much hype... possibly because they're friends with dudes in said bands? Whatever... I liked the demo so I ordered the record through RevHQ. Reminds me of the kinda typical 'get low' sound that is so popular at the moment. Similar to other bands that their label 6131 has put out recently.
Arms Reach- 'Within Our Reach' 7": Need I say anything really? Legendary, virtually institutional Newcastle hardcore band of the late 90's. Members went on to form many great bands, but I guess most notable the groups singer Dolan to form bands like Love Life Regret, The Dead Walk and White Male Dumbinance. Landed this ep off DX, along with some other shit.
Citizens Patrol- 'Dead Children' 7": I don't know a huge amount about this band other than that they are from The Netherlands and that they are on No Way records. Fast, thrashy hardcore, with a dab of DC. Rad none the less. Ordered direct from the label.
Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron- split 7": Grace Alley play experimental rocky spliced hardcore. I haven't heard Skin Like Iron. I ordered this 7" purely because I have ordered everything that their label Spiderghost Pressgang has put out so far, and I have been seriously impressed every time. That and the labels owner is the lead singer of Grace Alley and also another AMAZING band- Ramparts. They put out one of my favourite 7"s of last year on Spiderghost. Seriously, chase anything on this label.
Hatred Surge- 'Servant b/w Bestial' 7" single: Texas fucken one man grindviolence. He's got a tone of new stuff coming out soon on various labels, and this is just a taste. Out through Deerhealer Records. Ordered through RevHQ.
Insect Warfare- 'At War With Grindcore' 7"and split 7" with Carcass Grinder: I suck. I have only really tacked onto this band in the last 3 months. Subsequently I have missed out on most of their good releases. So to eBay I go. $30 a piece and I've got me some amazing grindcore wax. The best stuff that I have mp3's of anyway.
Iron Age- 'The Way Is Narrow' 7": Fucken hell whatever. Great band. Great single. Already got the tape and already got the Dead & Gone press of this 7", but being the huge nerd that I am I had to order the Painkiller press too. Did someone say Leeway??
Iron Boots- Demo 7", 'Easy Green' 7", 'Weight Of The World' 7": Once again, another band that I slept on. And once again eBay hunting. Managed to grab all these records in one auction for less than $40. Stoked. Did someone say Raybeez??
Life Trap- Demo tape and 'Solitary Confinement' 7": Was turned onto this Nashville band through mp3's of the demo over 18 months ago, and was instantly amazed. Got their first 7" when it was pressed. Just recently managed to get the hard copy tape recently for a steal on the 'bay, and to boot No Way has just released their second ep. Ordered it at the same time I got the Citizens Patol record. Typical No Way stuff: shredding DC/Black Flag worship.
Lights Out- 'Overload' LP with summer tour sleeve: Loved this band for a while. To date had been unlucky with eBay huntings. Luck was on my side this week- $32. Stoked.
Straight Jacket Nation- 'Cheap Tricks' LP and 7" single: They're back from their US tour and they're selling the LP. $30 got me both sizes of the record from DX, along with that Arms Reach ep and a few copies of Distort zine.
Surroundings / Pellinore- split 10": Surroundings play great metallic Clevo stuff with a newer sound. Nothing new but done very well all the same. I tacked onto Pellinore a bit back when they released their demo CDR. Ordered the groups debut 7" when they put it out and was impressed. Kinda dark, thrashy hardcore. Reminds me of Mind Eraser but not as serious, and Outbreak but not as snotty. Pre ordered from Free Cake.
Trash Talk- s/t LP: I shoudln't have to tell you about this band. They have left Deathwish and are doing this record themselves. Pre ordered through RevHQ.

PS- I don't actually have huge amounts of cash. Most of the $$ used to get this stuff had been raised on eBay through the sale of various CD's over the last few weeks. There's still some left too, so no doubt I will be ordering more records soon. Namely the new Violation LP, Bitter End 7" and WMD records.

Reviews

Pee Zine is printing a few of my reviews in the next issue. They'll probably also be in Downsided. Here they are for you, lucky reader.

RZL DZL- Strictly Saucers LP  (Lockin’ Out)

And here we have the much anticipated, long overdue long player from Detroit's own party dudes RZL DZL. This album is pretty much exactly what I was expecting from the band, their typical trade mark rock/hip hop/hardcore punk sound, mixed with plenty of boobs, booze, buds and babes. Where past releases somewhat suffered from the periled  ‘hit and miss’ syndrome, Strictly Saucers has hit the nail square on the middle of the head, with just about every song being a total banger. This album really does display how there are some great bands out there who go largely unnoticed, as past label mates Cold World go on to release their new sub par, overly hyped LP on mega label Deathwish, RZL DZL continue to be a spare time band for these guys. It’s a shame and a mystery to me why these guys aren’t receiving much more attention than they are, as their trade mark sound of bouncy party anthems are truly rad. 

50 Lions/Down To Nothing- split 7”  (6131/Resist)

Much more of the same from both of these bands with this release, and while both bands do somewhat manage to pull off the sound they are going at rather well, one just has to ask them self if we have seen the peak from both of these bands yet? Down To Nothing have been in the game for some years now, achieving moderate to higher success at home and abroad, especially with their new groove based sound evident with the latest LP and this split, but surely there isn’t much more that this band can do? And 50 Lions... riding the back of their latest, and very well locally received LP, once again have put together 3 good groove based, moshy songs that sound (bar mixing qualities) almost exactly the same as everything they have ever done in the past. Maybe they are about to conquer the international hardcore scene, maybe not, but for me, they really need to perhaps think about taking a different direction, or start writing some music with a little bit more of their own identity, as I am getting bored, and I reckon I’m not alone. All my bullshit aside, I have a feeling that most kids are going to lap this shit up. It’s heavy hardcore from both bands with really catchy hooks, and it’s the sound that is really getting it’s time in the lime light at the moment. If you liked either of these bands before, then there is no reason for you not to now, but with that in mind, if you were tired or bored with past releases, this split will do nothing to change your mind. More of the same.

Meatlocker- s/t LP (Trial And Error)

Musical visions finally realised? Sounds like it to me. I mean I liked Voorhees, especially the split with Devoid Of Faith, but Meatlocker really manage to pull of an older Boston styled sound, much more so than Voorhees ever did anyway. You’ve heard all of the ex member lines etc, but forget about that and forget my comparisons, this band really can do their own shit, and do it great. Quite a mixed roster of members from all over the place (okay, just the UK and Australia), have put together an LP of just fast, pissed off, straight forward hardcore with little to no fucking around and zero frills. From opener Destroy Hoxton to the closing title track, this album is thirteen and a half minutes (did I say LP?) of faithful, 80’s inspired punk rock. Not for most kids out there, I have a feeling that Meatlocker will satisfy the following groups: the older guys, and the people with some fucking taste. Brilliant.

Iron Age- Burden Of Empire 7” (Next Level) / The Way Is Narrow 7” (Painkiller)

Fuck I am excited for this bands upcoming new long player. If either of these songs are anything to go by, it’s gonna be amazing as they’re both total shredders. First- the Burden Of Empire single. From what it sounds, and from what i’ve heard, this is a record that was put together on a budget. It’s the roughest sounding song the band have released, but that doesn’t detract at all from it’s power and intensity. If anything it only ads to the songs impact. And where this single succeeds with it’s grit, the groups latest effort The Way Is Narrow displays the bands potential in a more professional studio environment. A cleaner sounding mix similar to the bands earlier works, this song while perhaps not quite as strong as the former is still just as good as anything being released at the moment by any other band... anywhere. I personally think that Burden Of Empire is the best song the band have ever written, and I love it just the way it is, rough and raw, but together both of these records display how diverse and flexible this band are and how much they have progressed and extended their sound since Constant Struggle. Where that album (and it’s single Butchers Bill) were more or less Leeway worship, these days they seem to be not discarding that sound, but definitely extending on it, and pretty much removing any cheese that Leeway may have displayed. Simply one of the best bands in modern hardcore today, if you don’t at least download these songs (it’s okay these records are more or less sold out by now), you’re an idiot.

New records.

A slew of amazing bands have put out records or are putting out records over the last few/next few months. The new Iron Age single 'The Way Is Narrow' is due out on Painkiller Records really soon. It has been in the works for quite a while now. Not sure what's going on with Painkiller there, but I'm sure it will happen soon enough. You may not be aware that English label Dead & Gone Records had the Euro press of this record out months ago, and it was available to everyone except people in The States (for obvious reasons). So if you were smart enough you probably picked up the Euro press of it then. I did anyway. The only difference between the two presses that I can see is that the Euro version used yellow for the Iron Age print, whereas Painkiller will be using a bluish type colour. And Dead & Gone pressed it on clear. Not sure what Painkiller will use. This single is from the new Iron Age LP which is due before the end of the year. Not sure what label it will be out on, but if I had to bet I would say hopefully it's Painkiller.

On other Painkiller news, the label is also supposed to be pressing a new Hatred Surge 7" soon. I don't know any info about this record except what is listed on the Painkiller site. But Hatred Surge do seem to have a shitload of stuff coming in the next few months. He has just put out a new single on Deerhealer Records, and I must say that it's only two songs, but it's a ripper. It's sold out through that labels website, but I reckon if you're quick enough you'll be able to get a copy through RevHQ. I also heard a rumour of a Hatred Surge/Iron Lung Australian tour this year, with an accompanying split 7". Time will tell. It's been a rumour for a while.

More Painkiller... they've got the new Breathing Fire LP 'Years Of Lead' out soon. Once again, it seems like an eternity that this album has been in the pipeline, but I'm sure that when it does eventually rear it's ugly head that it will destroy lives. For the uninformed these guys play brutally durgy hardcore in the vein of the early 90's PV classics like MITB etc. I also hear alot of Mind Eraser influence in there. Painkiller also pressed the Breathing Fire demo 7" around 18 months ago, and that record was an instant classic.

Endless Blockades has put out a bunch of amazing records over the last 4 months. The new Insurgents 7" is amazing, but more recently they've just pressed the new records by the now defunct Masstrauma and Japcore legends Deathcage. Both 7"s caved my head in, and if you don't have them yet, you need to email Reuben and Aaron to get your copies (endlessblockades_orders@yahoo.com). Be quick, they seem to be selling a fair wack of shit lately.

Speaking of Masstrauma, they have a new split with White Male Dumbinance out really soon on Missing Link. WMD also have a 7" entitled Forced Vengeance through the same label. Dolan has been talking up these records for quite some time now, and I'm sure alot of people are getting impatient, but I reckon these two releases will be the best hardcore to come out of Australia this year, bar maybe the latest Extortion LP. Speaking of Extortion, European label RSR (Regurgitated Semen), are supposed to be pressing an Extortion/Completed Exposition 7" and an Extortion/Rupture split 5" this year. Not sure about what's happening with either of those records, but apparently the RSR guys froth on old Rupture stuff, and they do do alot of good stuff (they just put out the new Meatlocker wax, and they've worked with tones of rad bands including Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Insect Warfare and the previously mentioned Hatred Surge), so I can imagine both will be amazing. With that said though, RSR did talk about releasing a Magrudergrind Asian tour 5" recently. Well that tour was over months ago, and we still haven't seen the record yet, so maybe the Extortion stuff wont happen? Maybe it will. Once again, time will tell.

Short Fuse has just pressed the new Straight Jacket Nation 'Cheap Tricks' LP and its accompanying single. The band have just returned from their tour of The USA, so if you email DX through the link you may be able to pick that shit up. I've only heard the tracks of the single so far, but be sure that it's typical SJN stuff. Clevo worship ala H-100's/9 Shocks Terror/Upstab etc.

Dom America has just repressed the two Sex Vid 7"s they released. 'Tania' is now in it's third press and 'Nests' it's second. Both are available through RevHQ, but for how long who knows. All we need now is to have Kill Test re-press 'Drugging'.

There are a few new demo tapes coming about over the next few weeks. Namely the new Tear Gas (QLD) tape and the Pressure's On demo. Tear Gas is fronted by Neil formerly of Draft Dodger, for you unknowing fucks, and Pressure's On is pretty a super band featuring dudes from Just Say Go and Benchpress. I haven't heard either of these demos yet, but if I were to make a judgment based on live shows i'd say that Tear Gas have got a dirty punk thrash thing going on, different to Draft Dodger. Neil's vocals definitely seem to be alot harsher these days. Maybe it's just my imagination? And Pressure's On are pretty much genuine Boston hawd-kaw with a dash of NY. The rhythm section seem to have lost some of that Lockin Out style that they had going on with Benchpress and Nathan sounds like he has been chewing nails since birth. Both will be well worth checking out when they do actually drop. Pretty sure that the Pathetic Human 'Unexpected Death' tape is out now. These Melbourne dudes are just PV craziness from the songs that I have heard (I have been too lazy to get the tape yet), and they have a slew of other tapes on the way.

On a farely different end of the scale, Bridge 9 are on the verge of getting the new Ceremony album complete. The band were to take a tour only single out with them in the US recently but apparently they didn't get the wax in time for the tour, so (lucky for us Australians) B9 decided to sell it in their webstore. I have the single, and I must say that while the title track 'He God Has Favored Our Undertakings' is a shredder ("I wont be skull fucked by fate / I am the upside down cross"), the b side 'Dogma' is quite experimental (piano, organ etc) and it comes across a little wanky. I've talked to a few other guys about it who told me that they liked it, so maybe it's just my taste. Try it for yourself.

Cruel Hand have just signed to B9 . They put out a fucking shredder of an LP last year on 6131 Records so expect great things from these guys over the next 12 months. Forget the Outbreak comparisons. This band shits all over that faux thrash tripe. Other B9 news? There is none. I hate Have Heart.

Bitter End are doing a new two track 7" with Deathwish. It's only two songs but both run into 5 minutes a piece and the track I have heard is simply the best stuff the band have ever done, hands down. I will be ordering this record. You should too.

On other Deathwish news, I got the promo of the new Cold World album today. I can't see why everyone is so hyped on this band. It isn't bad, but there is no way that it's amazing either. Just b-grade Biohazard and Life Of Agony rip really. I didn't really love the old stuff either, so I guess if you did like that stuff, you should try this LP when it does drop.

Trash Talk recently parted ways with Deathwish to release their upcoming self titled LP on their own. Smart move I believe as their last 7" that they did with Deathwish really did blow the band out of the water and they really do have a large, loyal following of young hardcore kids now with or without the label. Anyway the album is being ditro'd by RevHQ worldwide and Reflections in Europe.

Also the new Rotting Out demo tape is out and it's pretty good. Pure Norcal/Ceremony worship, but it's got it merits and it's worth the $8 you'll pay for it.

There is plenty more rumoured stuff coming about over the next few months. Life Trap apparently has a new 7" close. If you have heard there first record and the demo, you know how fucking rad this band is. I've heard a rumour of the Gag Reflex demo being put to wax, but that's all I have heard, nothing more. I am chasing the demo tape, so if anyone out there wants to help me out it would be muchly appreciated. Scapegoat and Soul Swallower may be doing a split, but that is an old one. I think the Mind Eraser/Fucked Up split has been shelved for now too. QLD's Septic Surge are to release a new ep soon from what I have heard, and if i'm not mistaken, Taipan's new record is nearly out.

Keep checking back here for info if you feel so inclined.

Skull Fucked?

I'm starting a new zine. At first as was gonna call it Skull Fuck. Had a nice ring to it I thought. But my GF made a good point that if I ever plan to build any sort of portfolio (which I do) that Skull Fuck is probably not the best choice I could make. So I'm calling it Downsided instead. If you're curious the name is in reference to an old 7" by No Comment, one of the better hardcore bands of the early 90's by far. So Skull Fuck shall be immortalized by means of this blog.
Why'd I start this thing and what's in store for it? Who knows really... but I think it'll just be a bit of everything. I collect lots of vinyl, I love to read and publish zines, and Iove music. So I guess it's safe to say that this blog will contain content mostly related to that. See you soon with (hopefully) something a little interesting.