All this Music; Young Widows / Coliseum Split (Relapse Records)

With almost daily trips to local records stores. My new life in Seattle has more than proven that I'm not ready to free myself from the grips of the addiction many of us in the record collecting community have come to know as  both an obsession and currently an untreatable  addiction. The split I picked uo on this particular day features the vaguely familiar Young Widows and Coliseum. This is a copy is the 2006 Relapse Records release. Scroll  down to give Young Widows 'Future Plans' a listen. It's fierce.  

Discogs

Relapse Records 

Archie Alone Post Two Tracks from Their Upcoming Spit 7 " Inch

New Jersey Post Core / Emo Gods Archie Alone  have posted two new tracks that will be featured on their upcoming Split 7" with a special (unnamed) West Coast band in the near future. You can download fit or free or donate  to their bandcamp at the link below.

Available Here

Low Culture / Iron Chic Split 7' EP

I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned. Whoever it was that came up with the idea to make the first split 7' inch EP needs to have a monument erected in his/her honor. Most importantly, it should feature two completely different sides that show the differences... little or small and their overall uniqueness.

The idea for this particular split came like many before it. While two bands, Iron Chic and Low Control were out on tour. While the two bands shared bill along the east coast, southwestern desert and further north in Canada. The idea to not only make a split record, but to complicate matters further by turning it in to a split label release between
Mike (Iron Chic) Bruno's Dead Broke Rekards and Chris (Low Culture) Mason's Dirt Cult Records.

This split gave me my first taste of the band Low Culture. The mix of melodic Punk and southwest flavor is addictive. I was immediately drawn to the band due to this two week sample. I'm looking forward to hearing their demo,  s/t 7 inch and LP Screens soon.

As for Long Island NY's Iron Chic continue to raise the bar as one of my favorite "go to" bands for an uplifting energy buzz PMA booster that's helped me get through my day, my week, my month and even my year. The bands uplifting melodic punk always rates high on my list. Go pick on up now. James Damion

Dirt Cult Records Buy it Here
Dead Broke Rekards Or Buy it Here

All Eyes West / Easy Creatures - Split 7'

As Chicago's All Eyes West get ready to head out on tour they offer us another sample of what an amazing band they are and have the potential to be. I first came upon the band when they opened for Seaweed at Brooklyn's Bell House in April 2001.

Since then I've been surviving on mere table scraps. Imagine how grateful I was when the latest table scrap, a two song split with Philadelphia's
Easy Creatures.

Once again, Chicago's
All Eyes West show they have but one mission as a band.
That is to forever tease us with these samplings of brilliance and perfection. "Stumble" is a confident three minutes of mid paced bombast that features some awe inspiring leads and progressions from guitarist
Jeff Dean.

Philadelphia's Easy Creatures bring the rock sound to some intense levels. This was my first taste of the band and I can honestly say, they left a lasting impression. The vocals on "Initio" are praise worthy.
Shane Evans provides a nice blend of Rock and Post Core. The high point of the song comes at 2:19 when it feels as if Vic Bondi (Articles of Faith) has stepped into the booth. Really impressive stuff here that reminded me of the many great split EP's that fill my collection. I highly recommend picking up a copy. James Damion

Jump Start Records Get it Here
Easy Creatures   Bandcamp
All Eyes West  Bandcamp

Back Off / No Mistake Split EP

Mike Bromberg is a good egg. One who seems to think my opinion is worth checking in on every now and again. Being that Mike checked in with me and a select few on everything from the bands name to the songs and even the cover designs.

I was somewhat saddened to find out the bands lifespan would be such a short one.
Both bands exhibit a raw style prevalent in the sound of many of Hardcores early band.
Both No Mistake and particularly Back Off play use the "Loud, Fast, Rules" playbook to deliver their brands of Hardcore. A style I've always appreciated more than the Metal influenced bands that dominated the genre after 1985.
No Mistake and Back Off both manage to squeeze six songs on to their respected sides of this EP. Not a moment to spare when delivering the goods. A complete package, from the music to the graphics and the slate gray vinyl. The inlet also feature lyrics.
This way you'll know exactly what their screaming about. Though No Mistake are no longer. They left us with more than mere leftover. As for Back Off. Well, their still kicking and screaming. Snag a copy while there's still copies to snag. JD

Get it Here

Ink & Sweat / Caseracer - Split 7"

I've always enjoyed a good split EP. An appetizer best savored when the ingredients feature uniquely different flavors. Here, Ink & Sweat and Caseracer team up for a five song split that perfectly showcases each bands approach, style and muscle.

Tampa based Ink & Sweat deliver a mix of impressive guitar prowess and sing along choruses. Each of the two songs presented here,
from the opening lead on "Brickwalls and Pitfalls" to the sing along chorus of "Our Words as Swords" leave a lasting impression on the listener. Hardcore swagger is one thing, but when  backed by excellent musicianship and good song writing ability, you've got something really special to build on.
Delaware/New Jersey's Caseracer deliver a sound that can easily be compared to
New Brunswick legends Lifetime, with their quick start/stop approach to Hardcore.
Listening to their side of the wax transports me to my younger days standing eyeball to eyeball with Ari Katz at some undisclosed New Brunswick basement show.
That can't possibly be a bad thing.  James Damion

Bandcamp Buy it Here

BoySetsFire / Funeral For A Friend - Split "Covers" 7" Inch EP

It's not an original idea. Surely, getting a couple of A-list bands to head into the studio and record a track or two from the others catalog has been done, done and did. Come to think of it. It's not a bad idea at all. Bringing together two bands who not only play in similar genres, but have a genuine admiration for one another.

No Sleep records did just that by bringing together two heavy hitters in BoySetsFire (NJ) and A Funeral For A Friend (Wales) to exchange covers and ultimately walk in each other's shoes.

My first go through with these two songs left me feeling pretty flat. The second and third spins only solidified my first impression. Though these covers aren't terrible.
They certainly didn't do anything to quicken the pulse or evoke any strong reaction within me. The reasons why I was disappointed with this split are simple. One of my absolute favorite bands (BoySetsFire) covers a song from a band I really don't like
(Funeral For a Friend). All while a band I don't really like cover one of my absolute favorite songs (Rookie) from one of my absolute favorite bands. If you're a fan of either band.
I wouldn't sway you from giving this a spin. Personally, I plan on passing this on to someone who might. The record comes on grey vinyl and includes a download card. James Damion

No Sleep Records Get it Here

Feral Babies / Chemical Ache Split EP

Tampa Florida's Feral Babies team up with Orlando's Chemical Ache to create one hell of a split. Allowing me to enjoy a band I love, all while discovering another.

The Feral Babies side features five songs of muscular Hardcore that are fast, aggressive, angry and above all, musically tight. The band draws you in immediately on the opener "Next Week".
The track is an avalanche of sound with it's bass, drums and blazing guitar excellence. You're already swept up in it's powerful grip by the time
Justin Arnold's vocal attack begins mere seconds later. The next four songs are just as impressive and addictive.
Sulynn Hago's guitar prowess cannot go without mention or praise. Her style and delivery make he one of the best in the game. Having followed the band since their demo days and seeing them live at Brooklyn's Stolen Sleeves Collective in 2012. They've become a favorite of the blog. I sincerely hope they find themselves in our neck of the woods this year.

Chemical Ache's side of the coin offers a different style but sounds just as good in comparison. The band delivers three songs of fast, laser sharp punk with a bratty vocals. "Medicated Kids" comes off sounding like an O.C. Punk classic. The sound is tight and smart with a really great energy.  Each of these three songs had me craving for more.

A stellar release by Kiss of Death records, the Feral Babies and Chemical Ache.
James Damion

Get it Here