Back Off!! them there Casettes!!

If you had a chance to check out my review of Back Off's 2013 Demo Here you'd know how much I enjoyed getting a taste of the bands no holds barred old school sound. Well, if you are like me you appreciate physical copies of music a lot more than an impersonal digital download.
Well, here's a chance to get your hands on the real thing. Copies are very limited so jump that plane as soon as you can and reserve your copy NOW!!! James Damion

Stuck in a Rut - Nothing in Common EP

I've been on a bit of a Hardcore kick recently and to my surprise, a lot of what I've been listening to has been coming from Europe.

Liverpool's Stuck in the Rut really deliver the goods on their first EP "Nothing in Common". Four songs of straight forward, no frills Hardcore who's influence can be traced to bands like Negative Approach. Each of the four songs have a heavy, relentless sound that struck a chord with me.
At times I felt like I was listening to a distant cousin to NYHC curmudgeons Killing Time. Though the bands isn't exactly reinventing the wheel here. They are certainly doing their part in keeping it greased. James Damion

Bandcamp

Back Off - Demo 2013

When my friend Mike Bullshit posted Back Off's demo on his Facebook page. I assumed that this was a recently recovered tape from a long forgotten, unsung New York Hardcore band circa 1982. And why not? Newly formed Back Off play straight up early Hardcore that would slip in seamlessly with bands like Major Conflict, The Abused, Antidote and 

NY's Psychos. Six songs of punishing Hardcore with fierce vocals, skull fucking guitar and lightning fast drumming.
With five of the six tracks coming in under a minute and the other scratching and clawing to make the one minute mark. It's "Fast, Loud, Rules" at it's very best. The bands Facebook page Here doesn't really tell us much but I'm sure there is much to come in the near future. James Damion

Band Camp  Back Off

Balance - European Hardcore Music Book Review

"‘Balance: European Hardcore’, by Tom Barry and photographer Sophia Schorr-Kon, documents he modern European hardcore scene and the people behind it. The book features striking photography of shows and portraits of influential musicians. Alongside these images, the authors provide insights into the informal rules that give order to the international movement—for example, all lyrics are written and performed in English—allowing readers an insider’s perspective on the enduring but underdocumented music scene."

In all honesty I was very unimpressed with the book overall. I have plenty of respect and fondness for the bands and the genre overall but forty dollars (suggested retail price) for what is basically a photo essay with catch phrases on how "Hardcore is my life" is a bit ridiculous. The photo on the cover is the best of the entire book and that really isn't saying  much. The photos from live shows don't seem to capture the energy, emotion or fire of a thriving scene. The candid photos fail to evoke the character of the subjects or provide any insight to the viewer.
People involved with that particular scene might have a different outlook having been involved with the music. However, as an outsider I didn't very compelled to investigate it further.
If you think this is something you might be interested in. I'd recommend going to your local punk record store or place that sells independent releases and take a good look for yourself. To order this online or to walk out of the store with a sealed copy under your arms  would seem fool hearty and something you might end up regretting. In my very humble opinion this isn't worth the admission to a local VFW show.  James Damion
Buy it here