Feral Babies Final Show - Full Set

If you're familiar with the blog you'll know that Dave and I have a mutual admiration for Tampa's Feral Babies. I was lucky enough to see them live and hang out with them a couple of times and I can honestly say they're some of the best people around. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to book my private jet to attend the bands final gig. Thanks to modern technology and Christian Costello of the band Station Cases, It's all here for your listening and viewing pleasure. Thanks to Christian and The Feral Babies for the music, 

the memories and the good times. I'm looking forward to new projects, side projects 

and post projects. Until then, enjoy the set. James Damion

Recreant - S/T LP

When asking Tampa's
Andy Stern of the Feral Babies if he would refer me to any of the up and coming Florida acts worth checking out, he almost immediately put me on to the Sunshine State's swampy Recreant.

Upon listening to the sludgy brilliance of the LP's opener 'Rick Scott is an Evil Robot'
I felt as if I was being introduced to a south of Savannah version of Kylesa. That may have been true but with the overall diversity and excellence of the seven songs that followed, I heard influences and reminders of acts such as Portraits of the Past, Reversal of Man and Dillinger Escape Plan. All of these while really getting the feel for a band that is just as comfortable and at home in it's own sound.
Songs such as the epic  'For all the Grief You've Caused us, You should Slit our Throats',
the punishing 'After the Apple' and the chaotic 'Modern Day F Word' help to make this an inspiring release. Thanks to Andy for putting me on to this. Your good taste in music should be noted. James Damion

.Recreant  Bandcamp

Recreant  Facebook

Pity Party, Young Ladies, Feral Babies and Rubrics at Greenpoint Brooklyn's LuLu's

As I headed to the bar to order a drink. The guy next to me looks over and says,
"Hey, didn't I meet you at that show the other night?" Somewhat confused, I took a moment to do the math before replying "You're going to have to be more specific."
"I've been to four in the last five days." At the moment, I became fully aware of how much I had been going out lately and how the late night, early mornings had begun to take their toll on me. Turns out the enquiring mind was none of than Fid from the band Pity Party.
Me and Fid met just a few nights before at the Knitting Factory. Shortly before that show we bonded over our love of vinyl records and our favorite record stores.

Greenville, South Carolina's Rubrics got things started on a frantic note. This was my first exposure to the touring band. They always say, "Don't judge a book by the cover."
But if lead singer/guitarists "Fifteen"shirt wasn't a clue of what was to come. I don't know what was.
There were a few stop, start moments where the singer guitarist would go into a
1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3... miss-launch that had the feel of a North Korean missile launch. He had the super hyper personalty that made it feel like he was running a few blocks ahead of his band on the way to the candy store. At times, it felt like a show within the show or an after school special about the kid who takes meth to get that extra edge for the SAT's. It all worked out in the end as the trio ripped through a set of fast, raw punk with a socio-political edge. Though that style of preachy, unoriginal copy and paste lost my interest years ago when "Save the Children" and "Greenpeace" began setting traps on the streets of Hoboken. The Rubrics seemed to deliver a more focused and simple message in tune with my basic beliefs. "Respect yourself and others." "Don't be a Douche bag." Keep it simple, rock out, have fun. Mission Accomplished!
Rubrics  Facebook

I was really stoked to see the Feral Babies return to the area. They've been a steady presence on the blog since day one, being featured in record reviews, a show review and an interview. Getting to finally see them perform live within the cramped, yet intimate space of Brooklyn's Stolen Sleeves Collective was enough to file papers to have the Tampa Band become official citizens of our tristate area. On this night they played what seemed like an all too short set. The bands fast, aggressive sound finds inspiration in a lot of the straight up Hardcore acts of the 80's with a little more musical punch. Justin Arnold attacks each song with a noticeable passion and energy. Pacing the stage like a caged lion often growling towards the ceiling. A great set but like I said before. It all went by so fast. At this point, one can only hope it won't be an entire year before they return.
Feral Babies  Facebook

Initially, I didn't really know what to think about the next band. Young Ladies (they're actually not so young men)
At first they sounded like just about every other nondescript bar band. Good Rock and Roll with Hard Rock edge. But nothing that would make them particularly stand out. These locals feature Pat Schramm of The Latterman / Bridge and Tunnel and Ryan Seagrist (Discount / Monikers)
I remember seeing
Bridge and Tunnel on Record Store Day a year or two back. At the time I remember thinking the same thing. "Good band but nothing I'd write home about."
Young Ladies  Bandcamp

Headlining the intimate gathering were Brooklyn's Pity Party. Now, the only exposure I had to this band prior to tonight was the little Fid, the bands guitarist, had relayed to me a few nights before at the Knitting Factory. For whatever reason, perhaps the feeling they weren't completely foreign to me. I was somewhat excited to see them. In a sense, Pity Party's performance almost mirrored that of The Unlovables (The band I saw a few nights before at the Knitting Factory.)
An energetic female singer (Cassady) who spent the entire set on the dance floor engaging the crowd with songs that perfectly conveyed bratty pop punk angst with a sense of inner strength. The only notable difference was that the band itself looked and played like they could be headlining a local Hardcore show. With guitarist Fid often launching in the air as if was the second coming of Youth of Today's Porcell. Add to that bassist Joel who mirrored a younger Matt Warnke (BOLD). The band also features local legend Mikey Erg on drums. Add that to your checklist and you've got everything you really need.
Pity Party Facebook

Tampa's Feral Babies; L to R Sulynn, Justin, Andy, Marc

I really enjoyed my first trip to LuLu's. The place has great drinks, good prices and free personal pan pizza. (Believe it) The bartenders are laid back and despite it being a really nice place. It still manages to maintain the vibe of a good dive bar. There are lofts on either side of the bar with seating and a vintage Galaga video game. There's also a pool table on the way to the stage in the back. All of that nestled in the deep of Greenpoint Brooklyn. How can you go wrong? James Damion

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

An Interview with Andy Stern of Feral Babies

Tampa's Feral Babies first came onto my radar when my buddy Dave reviewed the bands demo back in September of 2011. After listening to the demo and the 7 inch that followed, it was safe to say that I was a fan. So when I heard they were hitting Brooklyn's 

Stolen Sleeves Collective for an intimate show; I knew I couldn't miss the opportunity to catch them live. Prior to their set I spoke briefly with the bands guitarist Sulynn. About an hour later I was standing about six inches from the band as they played a rip your face off set to a collection of punks, nerds, geeks and hardcore kids. (Basically, the kind of people you'd want to fill a room with.) Although I really enjoyed listening to their tunes from the safety of my computer; seeing the band live and feeling that incredible energy was inspiring. As the tour wound down and the band headed back to the sun city; I got the opportunity to ask the bands drummer a few questions. Here's what transpired.  James Damion 

(Interview; James Damion Photos; Nicole C. Kibert)

The Feral Babies are Left to Right Sulynn Hago - Guitar Andy Stern - Drums 

Justin Arnold - Vocals Marc Cody - Bass

Photo: Nicole C. Kibert

James: You were in bands prior to forming Feral Babies. Was the band born out of anything in particular or was it just a case of wanting to start something fresh?

Andy: The band started when a project that Justin and I were previously part of was coming to an end. We started writing songs in the style of the 80's hardcore punk that we've always loved. Knowing that we didn't want to do Feral Babies as a two piece, we immediately thought of Sulynn for guitar and Marc on bass. We were super stoked that they wanted to do it and had the time. All of us play in multiple bands at any given time. The idea of being stagnant musically drives us nuts.

Sulynn is an insanely good guitarist. Where did you find her? Has she received any offers to do her own version of Guitar Hero?

We "found" Sulynn playing in a band called Lights Out when Justin and I were playing in INJ/SYS. Her stage presence and playing was incredible so she was easily the first guitarist we thought of. As for her own guitar hero, no offers yet... hello Activision!

James: When you started the band did you have any lofty goals in mind? What was the game plan?

Andy: Early on the game plan was to not have Justin die of exhaustion. Talk about out of shape! After that we really just set out to start writing songs we liked and see what happened. We never expected the response that the band's gotten and certainly aren't complaining. We have songs for a split recorded and a handful of new ones for a full-length in the works. Other than that, we have no "5 year plan" etc.

James: You just got off of an East Coast tour. Was this your first excursion as a band?

Andy: Our first Feral Babies trip outside of Florida. Each of us has toured with other bands but crossing the Florida/Georgia border with the babies felt good. It was a long time coming.

James: What were some of the highlights and low lights?

Andy: Justin throwing up on himself all the way from Brooklyn to Richmond was probably a low light. Justin blaming dirty hippies for not washing their hands before preparing our food was a highlight. Oh and we also found out which states consider smoking Spice legal thanks to Marc's indulgences. Consider this a public apology to North Carolina for Marc's behavior.

What the hell is Spice?

You obviously live in a non-legal spice state. It's a synthetic form of pot that while getting you high, also can cause heart palpitations. Man did Marc love that stuff. Now we are trying to get him into "bath salts" since the Miami face eating thing. He isn't biting though.
Get it? biting? ugh.

James: You opened for OFF! What was that like? Did you get to mingle and such before or after the show?

Andy: Playing with OFF! was awesome. We are all big fans of the band and they put on a hell of a show. Keith Morris couldn't have been nicer. I went out drinking with the rest of the band after the show and can't say with any certainty but I think they were good dudes.

James: When your opening up for a big name band and you know that most of the people are there to see them; Is there anything you do a little differently to leave your mark?

Andy: I don't think it matters if we are opening for a big name band or headlining a house show, we always play with the same level of energy and engage the audience as much as possible. If we aren't having fun, can't expect anyone else too.

James: When I saw you perform in Brooklyn it was in a very tiny space, yet you were all moving around like kids on caffeine and candy bars. As a band do you prefer those tighter, more intimate spaces?

Andy: Smaller spaces make us realize how fat we are getting and motivate us to lose weight. We are very vain people. Sulynn always looks in shape though. That said, we prefer intimate shows to larger venues. It creates more of an opportunity to an opportunity to connect with the audience on a more personal level and enjoy the heckling THAT much more.

James: How would you describe the chemistry in the band? Which one of you is the creative genius in the group? Who's the malcontent?

Andy: None of us wears the creative genius hat. We have a vision for the sound we want and all write equally. I've never played in a band that writes songs so easily together. As for malcontent, we are all pains in the ass.... except Sulynn. When we returned from tour, we all liked each other a little less. That passed quickly though.

James: Being somewhat of an artistic head case myself. I found myself completely related to your song "Violent Boredom". Can you tell me how you go about maintaining your sanity when there's an inability to be creative?

Andy: Who says we maintain sanity?! We all have at least one other band at any given time, write our our music, and have various other hobbies. The idea of being stagnant creatively is unbearable. Yeah, Violent Boredom paints a very true picture of who we are.

Feral Babies

Feral Babies - Violent Boredom 7" available

We reviewed the Feral Babies excellent demo tape a few months back so I figured I would take a moment to let you all know that their debut 7" is now available for order, so please grab a copy quick and get color vinyl or the even more limited alternate pre-release cover version...Dave G.

"Feral Babies is a hardcore punk band from Tampa, FL. Reminiscent of early Los Angeles hardcore punk. On Rigid Records of Assuck and Pink Lincolns fame".
100 yellow, 150 on black vinyl, 50 yellow with alternative record release cover. Record comes with stickers, a poster and a digital download card for the record.
Purchase
Feral Babies Facebook

Feral Babies - Violent Boredom 7 inch

On their debut 7 inch Tampa Florida's Feral Babies deliver nine songs of fast, angry, aggressive
Hardcore Punk that's reminiscent of first generation Cali bands such as Jodie Fosters Army and the
Circle Jerks. Violent Boredom is a record that really took a few listens to properly digest.
The sound is raw, a bit sloppy and completely lacks in the production department. All short comings that, after a few listens, actually become part of the records charm. You might be a bit curious as to how the band managed to cram nine songs on to a 7 inch record. Well, most of the tracks clock in under a minute. The longest track doesn't even register a minute and a half. Which, unfortunately doesn't allow enough time to distinguish one song from the other. Though the record really fell short of resonating with me. I have to admit, however short lived, it had it's moments. James Damion

Though I would add my two cents to James review of the Feral Babies 7".

Feral Babies play an aggressive straight forward form of hardcore punk that took a few listens to grow on me. The positives are the sometime Ray of Today style lead vocals and strong backing vocals along with the loose rumbling bass lines. At times the Feral Babies remind me of "Christian Club" ( an obscure hardcore band from a few years back that few people have probably heard of , but I would suggest you check them out). As James stated the recording could be a bit brighter and tighter, but hey it's punk rock man...Dave G.

Feral Babies Facebook