POINT BLANK- 'Life's Too Short' At Montclair, NJ's The Meatlocker

I'm still reeling from the fact that I wasn't able to make Point Blank's show at Montclair's Meatlocker. Having  reviewed their CD demo and the 7 inch that followed. It's easy to say I've been trying to get my aging ass to a show. Being  that they played so close to my own home base only makes the sting of missing out hurt a bit longer. Lucky for me lead singer Ken E. Wagner shared a video of their performance of 'Life's too Short'. I really do dig this track. And while I'm not yet sure if he sent it to ease the pain or prolong it. I really appreciate it. Thanks, JD

https://pointblanknyhc.bandcamp.com/

POINT BLANK NYHC - Live and Loud

Below is a recent video of NYHC band Point Blank performing live at Philadelphia's Voltage Lounge. Old School Hardcore played with plenty of energy and heart. Point Blank currently have a 7 inch EP out on Not Like You Records. Click the link below for info. JD

Not Like You

Into Another - Omens

Whenever a band decides to go the reunion route I can't help but think of the scene from
The Blues Brothers when
John Belushi say's "We're getting the band back together." Followed by Akroyd's deadpan
"We're on a mission from God."

Since his days fronting Underdog. Richie Birkenhead has owned the most dynamic and impressive set of vocal chords to ever come out of the NYHC camp. A quality that has aged well and carries the songs with an impressive sense of emotional command.

Overall, Omens was somewhat of a surprise and a markedly excellent return to form for one of the 90's most uniquely rewarding post Hardcore acts. Still sounding dynamic, original and ahead of their time.
After listening to Ignaurus almost exclusively for over a decade. I've found myself dipping deeper and deeper in to the bands catalog, finding hidden treasure within every release.
Whereas many reunited bands from past eras seem perfectly comfortable continuing as nostalgia acts. Into Another have proven they are much more. A band that, years later,
still has something to say. One that is determined to follow through on unfinished business.
It's easy to say that Into Another stand as one of the most important acts to come together over the past three decades. James Damion

Find it at the following;
itunes
Amazon
Spotify
Rdio

Muphy's Law - S/T Debut Album Reissue

Founded in Astoria, Queens, NY in 1983, Murphy's Law was at the forefront of the burgeoning NYHC scene of the 1980s but infused an element of humor and
light-heartedness. This debut album was originally released in 1986 but has been out of print for decades until now. CD includes one additional track.
Vinyl version includes full digital download of album and one additional track.

In listening to the bands 1986 debut album, I was returned to my early days on the Hardcore scene and how important a band Murphy's Law was to everyone involved in the music. Walking into West 3rd's Bleeker Bob's and putting my name on a list to secure a copy prior to the records arrival. The band and songs 'Beer", 'Crucial BBQ',
'Sit Home and Rot' and 'Care Bear' became integral parts of my vocabulary. Along with Agnostic Front and Token Entry, Murphy's Law drew me into the N.Y.H.C. community before I could even talk my way in to the doors of CBGB's. Listening to these songs, some for the first time in years, brought back some great memories while firmly planting a lasting smile on my face.

Along with the bands Debut record (featured here) I Scream Records will be reissuing Murphy's Law's entire back catalog, including 1989's 'Back with a Bong',
1991's 'The Best of Times', 1996's Dedicated' and 2001's 'The Party's Over'.
The reissues will feature new artwork and bonus tracks, and will release the albums digitally for the first time ever, as well as on CD and vinyl. The label will also be releasing a new studio album from the band later this year. Kind of cool if you ask me. Until then.
James Damion

I Scream Records  Get it Here

Underdog, The Brought Low and Huge Play Brooklyn's St. Vitus

Despite my shitty driving, Dan (One time Underdog guitarist.) and  I made it to Saint Vitus with plenty of time to check out the bar, the merch table and run into a dozen or so people 

I hadn't seen in decades. This was my first time at the Brooklyn bar and the first time seeing the Huge and The Brought Low. It was also my first time seeing Underdog in twenty five years.

Having purchased and reviewed the bands 7' E.P. months ago. My Review I was pretty excited to see Huge perform live. Having seen Underdog numerous times in the eighties. Bassist Russ Iglay's daunting stage presence was something to behold. This was my first chance seeing him as a front man and though I really didn't know what to expect. I knew full well there would be no lack of energy or personality. I have to say, it felt really good seeing that record jump from my turntable on to the stage. The band got the night off to a great start with Russ working the stage both energized and animated. The bands sound leans more towards rock n' roll than Hardcore but retains all the aggression and energy of the latter. 

Add to that the skate rock leanings that always showed up in Underdog sets and you've got a clear winner.

Huge

Russ and Jimmy G. (Murphy's Law) join forces.

The Brought Low followed and though I had yet to hear the band, the immediate presence of a familiar face Benjamin Howard Smith (Sweet Diesel) put my mind at ease. The last time I spied Ben was back in early 2011 when Sweet Diesel opened for Supertouch at
Santo's Party House in downtown Manhattan. Being that this was my first time experiencing the New York City trio. It's safe to say, I had no idea what to expect. What The Brought Low delivered was a powerful blend of soulful Rock whose power seemed connected to long gone bombast of acts such as Grandfunk Railroad and the MC5. It seems the only thing missing from their set was a thorough cow bell solo. Good shit if you can handle it.

The Brought Low

As Underdog took the stage I began to brace myself. The crowd thickened as people began moving closer and closer to the stage. It had been twenty five years since I'd last seen them perform live. Yet in that quarter of a century. The bands influence on me remained strong. As one of the bands who stood above and stood out among many of the bands in the scene during that time period. The nights set was justly dedicated to the recently deceased Carl the Mosher. (Former Icemen frontman and one time Underdog vocalist.) The energy and intensity of their set seemed to flow from the band to the crowd and back to the band again, as the band worked through a set that included songs from The Vanishing Point, their self titled 7 inch and their demos. Their were plenty of highlights along the way.
From the moshing, stage dives and sing alongs. To Richie's M.C. breakdown that followed
'Not Like You' and a bunch of forty something crowd of middle aged men singing
"Mom says better get home early. I say, "Fuck that" lets get surly." Overall, a nice return on the twenty dollar invested at the door. See you in twenty five years. James Damion

Underdog

Looking Back; An Interview with New Jersey Hardcore Legends Underdog

Underdog got their start like so many Hardcore bands at the time. Through a conversation between two friends outside CBGB’s. Richie (Youth of Today guitarist) and Russ 
(an original member of Murphy’s Law) were the glue. They named the band True Blue before ultimately changing it to Underdog. In 1985 they released their self titled 7 inch on 
New Beginning records. The four song EP became an instant classic and sent a strong message that mediocrity would no longer be the norm in the genre.. Their full length 
“The Vanishing Point” still stands as one of the great musical  achievements of it’s time. Mixing Hardcore with accents of Reggae and Dub. Lyrics ranging from the personal “Vanishing Point” to the sociopolitical “No Matter What”. They were one of those incredible bands that in a sense stood out and transcended the genre. I interviewed the band outside of CBGB’s after what would be Arthur Smilios’ (Gorilla Biscuits, Token Entry etc.)

 last performance with the band. Looking back I realize I did a pretty shitty interview that day. Take into consideration I was high as a kite when I did this. Not the smartest thing to be when you’re about to interview one of your favorite bands. The interview would appear in the first issue of Unite. James Damion

James: Why is Arthur leaving the band?

Arthur: (shrugs) Why is Arthur leaving the band?

Russ: Like the guy on the oatmeal commercial says, “It’s the right thing to do.”.

Arthur: The truth is I don’t know.

James: Can you tell me about the recent tour you went out on?

Richie: We did a tour with
Agent Orange and Scream across the country to California. We played in Tijuana with Soulside. Some of our best shows were in Green Bay, Chicago, Kansas City.

Russ: Detroit was good. Seven people showed up. (Insert sarcasm)

Richie: We just started in the Mid West. Went to the West Coast and played a few shows on the way back. It was kind of an abbreviated tour.

James: Do the scenes out there differ much from here in New York?

Russ: More Pickets.

Dean: Less Pitbulls

Richie: More people saying, “Y’all are good.”

James: How many songs do you have in your set now?

Richie: Thirteen or Fourteen.

James: Are you playing any covers?

Russ: We haven’t played in a while but it usually varies. We’re going to come up with some new ones. We used to do a Negative Approach cover. Today we did Pressure Drop by the Clash.

James: I heard you had a record deal and a new album on the way.
What's happening?

Richie: The record label was supposed to be bought out by another record company and it didn’t happen so they folded. We’re talking to a lot of labels. Our future plans are to just record the album. It’s going to be called “Over the Edge.”

James: How did the show go for you today considering the bouncers were controlling the stage and not allowing people to stage dive?

Richie: I’ll tell you something. Even after all that happened today, Dennis (infamous CBGB’s bouncer) came up to me and said that we’re his favorite band. He thinks we’re great and he wants a copy of our live off the board tape. He’s not as bad as everyone thinks he is. The bouncers were a little bit better then they have been in the past. No one got punched or anything.

James: From your experience touring, how would you compare the issues with violence at shows with that of New York City?

Russ: I’d say that other towns have a bigger problem with violence at shows than we have here.

James: How has the band changed since the seven inch?

Richie: It’s gotten better.

James: I heard Ernie Parada (Token Entry) was playing with the band for a stretch. How did that go?

Richie: He just filled in for a couple of shows. He did a great job.

James: What ever happened to your old drummer?

Russ: He moved to Florida. He’s in a band called the Doldrums.

James: What bands and styles have had the most influence on Underdog and your sound?

Richie: It’s really hard to answer that question. We’re into so many different types of music.
There’s really no handful of bands we can mention.

James: What situations influence what you write and sing about?

Richie: I try not to get too specifically political. I write songs about whatever is disturbing me. Whatever is moving me or inspiring me. Each song is completely unique.
They’re not written to any specific format.

(At this time Uncle Al from Murphy’s Law sticks his head in to say hello. A strange sound creeps up from Russ’s belly to his throat and makes the van smell of sausage and beer.)

James: What’s next for Underdog.

Richie: I don’t know. Let me look into my crystal ball.

James: There have been a lot of rumors circulating that your breaking up.

Russ: No, we’re just going to record our album.

Foreward; Underdog still play the occasional show. Richie has reformed Into Another.
While Russ fronts the band huge. They both have a show at Brooklyn's St. Vitus.
The bands anthology 'Matchless' and their self titled 7 inch are available at Bridge 9 .
Go scoop it up. James Damion

Underdog - Live at Asbury Park, 1998. (Full Set)

Underdog - The Vanishing Point (Full Album)

25 Years Later. N.Y.H.C. Classics from 1989

1989 was a banner year for me. One year removed from High School. I was back in my hometown of Jackson Heights and had published a whopping thousand copies the second issue of Unite, I was in either the studio or a practice space somewhere in Queens or Manhattan and shared what was my first apartment with a couple of Gorilla Biscuits and the drummer for Beyond. My first car was on it's last leg but still kicking. I was going to shows two, three times a week at places like CBGB's, The Anthrax, The Sundance,
The Right Track Inn and The Pyramid to name just a few. Above all, it was a banner year for two music genres I found myself deeply immersed in, Hip Hop and Hardcore. As I begin to collect my very own, opinionated and albeit flawed list of favorites from 1989. I'll present you with my list of favorite LP's to come out of the bursting NYHC scene twenty five long years ago. Feel free to comment with yours. James Damion                                                             

Blackout Records - Where The Wild Things Are

Killing Time - Brightside

Leeway - Born to Expire

Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today

Sick of it All - Blood, Sweat and No Tears

Youth of Today - We're Not in this Alone

Judge - Bringin' it Down

Token Entry - Jaybird

Underdog - The Vanishing Point

Beyond - No Longer at Ease

Huge - S/T Four Song EP

Huge, a band that features Underdog's Russ and
Dean Iglay along with
American Standard's
Matt Dolan seemingly come out of nowhere to deliver an adrenalin fueled four song EP that make the blood rush and the pulse quicken.
Fast, aggressive, fun and in your face. Huge features some devilish rhythms and heart racing leads but what's most notable is getting to hear Russ take on the vocal duties.
To put it best, I'd liken it to a
Pitbull taking on an intruder. Powerful and Relentless with a take no prisoners approach. Though some might expect a return to NJHC roots.
Huge represent a more Punkcore approach and seem more than at home with their Jersey Shore roots. Huge more than live up to their namesake. Thus leaving this listener hungry for more. "What's next Russ?" James Damion

Rev HQ  Get it Here