Siege - Drop Dead

I sometimes find it hard to digest that after 30 years involvement in Hardcore music as a fan, participant and fanzine editor.
There still seems to be a shit load of bands and recordings I've not even remotely heard or heard of. A truth that sometimes makes me wonder if I've had my head firmly place in the sands of an exclusive beach just off the shores of the east river.

Drop Dead celebrates the 30th anniversary of the original nine recordings, fully restored, with original outtakes as well as two bonus tracks from the 2006 reissue as well as bonus tracks from the 2009 reissue. Add it all up, this is the most complete collection to date. While Boston, MA.'s Siege and these nine 1984 recordings may not be known to the masses. The band allegedly was a major influence on classic bands such as
Drop Dead, Heresy, Infest and Ripcord to name a few. Raw, scathing and brutal.
While this was definitely not my thing. I would recommend this for both fans of the bands mentioned and hardcore archeologists alike.  The album comes on opaque green vinyl, features song lyrics and info on the back cover (There is no inlet included. Just the sleeve.)  and unfortunately does not feature a download code. James Damion

Deep Six Records  Buy it Here

Fuck You Pay Me - 2013 Demo

On their 2013 Demo Cleveland's Fuck You Pay Me offer two songs of raw, relentless, melt your face Hardcore that will impress any and everyone who loves and appreciates the hardcore genre and it's origins. High pitch vocals comparable to that of Springa (SSD) and Choke (Slapshot) with musical influences ranging from that of Negative FX, Slapshot, Negative Approach, Infest and later Power Violence bands. Add to that crash and burn guitar, and less than rhythmic drums/bass.
Definitely worth the listen. James Damion

Fuck You Pay Me  Bandcamp

Barge - No Gain EP

Since starting the blog  a few years back,  Dave and I have savored each and every release from the VA's Grave Mistake Records label/distro. Bands such as Deep Sleep, Big Eyes, Government Warning,
The Shirks and
Sectarian Violence went from complete unknowns
(at least to us) to earning permanent residence on our turntables. The labels consistency and penchant for releasing some of, if not the best Hardcore and Punk out there.

Richmond, VA's Barge add to that lineage on their debut EP "No Gain" with eight songs of blistering Hardcore. If you love raw, fast and uncompromising Hardcore this EP is right up your alley. Eight songs delivered in just under nine minutes. It's no frills, no bullshit style reminded me a lot of early eighties Hardcore and particularly Infest. Though each of the eight tracks here were quite impressive. It was "Plague Me", the records last track that really had me shitting my pants. The breaks on this one had me running for cover. With this kind of raw intensity it will be interesting to see where Barge take things in the future. Better wear a diaper kids. James Damion

Grave Mistake Records  Get it Here

Ardmore Assault - Philly Punks Make Good.

I met Ardmore Assault a year ago when I traveled down to Philly with the band GO!. That night the band played a wild set at a trashed house called The Terrordome. I spent the rest of the night talking with their singer Jake and drummer Cassidy. We formed a quick friendship and almost a year to date I had them booked for ABC No Rio's final matinee.

Ardmore started when three friends decided to form a band all the way back in grade school. Jake, Pierson and Cassidy were already being influenced by the sounds that were coming out of their area of Ardmore. (Bands like Flag of Democracy, Paint it Black, Lungfish,

Kill The Man That Questions and countless others from their area all had their hands in helping the band find its sound.

After a short stint as 3 O’ Clock Bad Guys with Jake taking duties as both the singer and bassist. The results were less than stellar. Meeting Andrew “A kid with a goofy accent who could play bass” seemed to be the missing piece and the cement to form Ardmore Assault. With a sound that mixed Black Flag, Infest and A.O.D. they were on their way. Feeling the need to have something representative of their sound and raw approach they rushed into the basement to record the infamous cassette demo. Though they are eager to admit it was rushed and not the best way to get their stuff heard. It definitely shows a band who seems at is best in a small intimate setting such as a house or basement show. Thus far the band has mostly played shows around the Philly area and played with bands like World Inferno Friendship Society, Citizens Arrest, Mind Eraser and Common Enemy. They’ve also made it up to NYC supporting GO! for the final matinee at ABC No Rio. On that particular day they helped start demolish the aging LES structure with a stellar set of piss and vinegar.

When I spoke to the band that night they seemed as close as ever but hinted that changes could be coming soon. Let's just hope that they haven't outgrown one another just yet. In the meantime check them out live or better yet, book a show for them. James Damion

Ardmore Assault Facebook

Jake Email for Booking