Void - Sessions 1981-1983

Dischord has been kind enough to release this awesome collection of Void songs and for that I say Thank You!

What you get is the complete never officially released 20 song Hit and Run session from 1981 along with the first 1981 Inner Ear Demo ( including the Flex Your Head songs and the songs that ended up on the Condensed Flesh 7"), two out-takes from the 1982 Inner Ear session, and a couple live songs.

Overall this is a great collection of songs with top notch sound quality, as would be expected from the mighty Dischord label. The Hit and Run session in particular is killer...a must have Lp...Dave G.

Purchase

These Branches - The Payoff ep 2011 - Kat Kat Records

These Branches from Long Beach Island New Jersey are a 2 piece punk band featuring Nick Hertzberg (guitar/vocals) amd Bryan Batiste ( drums / vocals).

These Branches excellent new ep "The Payoff"gets off to a strong start with the opening track"Profiteer" which brings the Minutemen to my mind, however on the remaining 3 songs on this ep These Branches switch gears a bit and develop a more 90's Emo sound in the vein of bands like Small Brown Bike. Overall I am impressed by These Branches ability to write quirky yet hook filled songs that will keep the listener on their toes from start to finish.

These Branches are getting ready to drop a new ep " The Payoff" on Kat Kat Records on the 30th of October 2011. If my attempt at a describing the bands music sounds good to you then please preorder the new ep from Kat Kat or at least preview the songs for yourself on the Kat Kat Records bandcamp page...Dave G.

Kat Kat Records Preorder
Kat Kat Records Bandcamp

Holy City Zoo - Building a Strong Foundation.

Here's an excerpt from my upcoming interview with New Brunswick's Holy City Zoo. 

The band is set to release a 7 inch EP on Tiny Giants Records. They've worked tirelessly building a reputation as a "Must See" live act. Here they talk about the importance of basement shows, scene and connecting with the crowd.  James Damion

http://holycityzoo.bandcamp.com/

The Nolan Gate - Alchemy 2011

The Nolan Gate


One of New Jersey's longest running metal monsters has awakened from a 4 year slumber to unleash it's newest album "Alchemy" on the unsuspecting masses.

The Nolan Gate sticks to what they do best on this 7 song album which means you get big angry choruses, heavy rumbling bass, pounding drums and wave after wave of pummeling riffs to keep your head banging. The songs on this new album also have a bit of a looser feel to them, and Paul Andress throws in a few real nice black metal influenced riffs especially in the song Swordsman. I also feel that the vocals on Alchemy are the best that the band has delivered to date.

The Nolan Gate have been pounding it out on the Jersey club scene for 10+ years and in my opinion they are criminally under-appreciated. Please show the band some love and purchase a download of "Alchemy" for a measly $2.00 from their bandcamp page. I can only assume a CD or Lp is in the works as well so keep an eye out for them in the near future...Dave G.

Sample songs:

Grinding
Swordsman

Purchase "Alchemy"

Notes:

released 24 October 2011

Recorded at Moonlight Mile Studios in Hoboken, NJ
Engineered and Mixed by Mike Mobius
Mastered by James Plotkin

The Nolan Gate features former members of Snag, Dahlia Seed, Mothman and At All Cost (NYHC) .

Blue Chip Village - Self Titled EP

"What if Craig Wendren of Shudder to Think decided to start a Jazz fueled Jam band?" That's the question I  had to ask myself upon listening to Brooklyn's Blue Chip Village. The answer to that question and many more can be found on this gem.

The record opens with "Gusto". A song that notifies the listener that their ears are about to be treated to something very special. Ripe with wiry guitars, falseto vocals and a deep bass/drum sound. The overall range and eccentricities are impressive to say the least.

On "Two and the Tag" Mr. Gesualdi plays both 
Mad Hatter and Ringleader with his soaring vocals blaring the chorus 
"Blue electric tango / Bearing sweet mango". 
All is we're treated to some of the sweetest eccentricities of soaring guitars and falling drums. 
The EP comes to a close with "The Biggest Stopwatch You could Ever Imagine" which begins with the vibe of dark, bluesy Jazz cafe. Smoothed out vocals matched with the feel of a stand-up bass and a guitar weeping over its bourbon .


Here is an EP that caught me a little off guard but had me wishing for more. Blue Chip Village is not only worth looking into but a band I would really love to watch grow and expand. Their potential seems limitless. James Damion 


Blue Chip Village  Official
Blue Chip Village  Facebook

Cinema Cinema - Lady Abortion

Cinema Cinema will be playing at  The Charleston in Williamsburg Brooklyn tonight for Day One of the CMJ festival. You've already seen the review. Here's the video for "Lady Abortion", 

the opening track on their new EP "Shoot the Freak".  Be sure to pick up the EP and say hello to 

Ev and Paul if you go.  

James Damion

Cinema Cinema  Band Site
Shoot The Freak  Purchase EP
CMJ  Schedule/Info

Ressurection - I Am Not Discography

I can go all the way back to the days of 

My Space being a relevant networking site (Maybe four or five years) when I first heard chatter about a possible 

Ressurection Discography. 

As more and more time passed my excitement, along with my hopes, faded. Now, thanks to Deathwish Records, 

"I Am Not" Ressurection's complete discography is finally here. The bands entire output has been remixed and remastered. Something their album
"I Refuse" was in desperate need of.
The sound is excellent, bringing new life to a lot of the songs. Aside from the album, the bands S/T and Culture EP's, Compilation, Radio and other live tracks are included. Ressurection hailed from New Jersey and featured former and future members of 108, Lifetime, Deadguy,
Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black, Texas is the Reason, The Van Pelt, Jets to Brazil and others. As the band and its sound evolved they went from a more traditional HXC sound to a darker, heavier, more Metal influenced sound. It was  an interesting and extremely influential evolution.  The X2LP comes on white vinyl with a gatefold cover. 

The band has reunited to play a handful of shows including This is Hardcore in Philly over the summer. 

You can find more listings Here. You couldn't possibly ask for more. James Damion


Buy It Here
Related Interviews:
Norman Brannon  Unite
Tim McMahon  Unite

Gaslight Anthem covers Farside

When I came across this gem I only wished i could have been there. Gaslight Anthem is by far one of my favorite current bands. Here they cover Farside's "I hope you're unhappy". It's two favorites rolled into one. "Dear Music, why are so good to me?" James Damion

My Rifle - Self Titled EP

The long awaited, highly anticipated debut release of 

My Rifle's self titled 7 inch EP is finally here.
For those of you not familiar with My Rifle, the bands personnel read like a New York Hardcore 

Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

(Featuring former members of Life's Blood, Our Gang, Supertouch and Altercation, 

just to name a few.) 
The record really made a quick and lasting impression on this listener.

The songs are marked by excellent musicianship and production. None of which erase any of the songs raw energy. Though My Rifles sound is firmly planted in the band's hardcore routes.

They don't rely on old tricks or safe avenues to achieve their sound. Mixing Hardcore with Metal while adding different elements and angles that deliver powerful results.

The record opens up with "Fall On Your Sword", which has a fast, straight up, menacing hardcore sound. For someone who hasn't been involved in music for more than twenty years, Jason's voice hasn't lost any of the venomous appeal he originally displayed with the band Life's Blood. 

Lews dark and murky bass lines really shine on the track and Andy Guida show why he's one of the most sought after drummers in Hardcore.

The next track "By the Grave of God" slowly grinds the listener under heal. The sound is dark and ruthless with its twists and turns, highlighting Hobi-One's guitar prowess.

Side two opens with "Stars" a short, too the point burst of power that's done nicely.

Storming the Gatekeeper", my first taste of the bands sound, is still my favorite.

They seriously click on all cylinders here. Showing the bands musical range and ability to take chances. The guitar work on here is Maidenesque. I was just floored.

Recorded by the bands drummer Andy Guida with Artwork by the legendary Sean Taggart. The record comes on clear vinyl. My Rifle's debut also marks the return of Freddy Alva's Wardance Records.

It just doesn't get better.

Wardance Records  Buy it here
Related Interviews:
My Rifle  United By Rocket Science
Freddy Alva/Wardance Records  Unite 

Those Mockingbirds Pre- Review and Download

I've been listening to the new EP from Brooklyn's Those Mockingbirds all week. 

It's so refreshing to come across a band that's not afraid to flat out, Rock. I'm working on a review, which will be posted later this week. In the meantime, here's the track I find myself playing over and over again. Once you're done, if you can wait that long, go download the EP.  

Cheers, James Damion

Download our new EP 'Fa Sol La' right here for free.

Check the band out live.


10/19/11 - The Bowery Electric - New York, NY (Bang This! CMJ 2011)
10/20/11 - Lulu's - Brooklyn, NY (free)
10/21/11 - Cin-M-Art Space - New York, NY (Reverbnation & DvsG Monthly Music Series)
11/04/11 - Maxwell's - Hoboken, NJ

Triplehorn - Portland Oregon 2011

Triplehorn is a new 2 piece band out of Portland Oregon featuring Alex Miller and Thomas Rusnak (Rorschach (NJ), Kiss It Goodbye (Seattle), Ambush (Berlin) and King Black Acid (Portland).

Triplehorn have 2 songs available for your listening pleasure, the first is "Grisdale" which can be heard Here and the second "Corners" which can be heard Here. Both of these tracks are heavy, pounding and mean as fuck. I would image Triplehorn is one heavy monster in a live setting. Definitely a band to keep an eye on...Dave G.

Triplehorn

P.S. If you are in the Seattle/Portland area be sure to catch Triplehorn live.

October 14th @ El Corazon In Seattle OR
Halloween @ Rotture In Portland OR

Suspect - You Brought This Upon Yourself EP

On the bands debut EP
New Jersey's Suspect deliver a fast, raw, unrelenting sound that grabs hold like a rabid dog clenching it's victims throat.
The band mixes Punk, Hardcore and Thrash rather well. The guitar work displayed here is particularly impressive and make for a perfect partner to the singers throat ripping growls. I'm wondering if the band has heard of Rorschach considering the EP will draw immediate comparisons to the legendary band.
Each of the seven songs carries a similar flag into battle with crushing results.
However, I felt "Kill the Host" set itself apart with it's unique and somewhat misleading bass intro. The EP was recorded during one session at Backroom Studios in Rockaway, NJ.
A great idea considering how the recording really shows off their raw quality. This is a band I'd be very interested in checking out live. If you like it rough. This is definitely the stuff. James Damion


Download it Here.  Bandcamp
Upcoming Show  Click & Go

Sheer Terror - Spite

Not much has changed since Sheer Terror formed back in 1984 and with their first release in almost fifteen years, it doesn't look as if Paul Bearer has mellowed with age.
Spite finds the band in top form, delivering Reverend Paul's signature misery, bitterness, depression and dark wit.
The record opens with
"Blue Shadows Will Fall" which features epic guitar parts and a chorus you'll find yourself growling to immediately. The next track. "Heresy on the Monkey Bars" is so dark and chaotic that I can only describe it as beautiful.
It's amazing when a band can capture a mood so perfectly. Neither song will, however, prepare you  for the records B side. Here, the band  covers the Old 97's "Salome" rather perfectly. The song choice and its delivery throws the listener a most unexpected curve. It's a rally cry to say the least.
One that will surely elicit countless sing alongs and pile ons.
Fans of Sheer Terror know what they're in for. They know exactly what to expect each and every time. It's brutal, angry, miserable.
It's fucking Sheer Terror.
James Damion

Reaper Records   Buy Here

The Nico Blues - Living Proof Video

As long as I'm listening to The Nico Blues new album 

"Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements". I thought I'd go ahead and post the video for one of my favorite tracks from the album. Look for a review later this week. James Damion

The Nico Blues  Official
The Nico Blues  Facebook

Cinema Cinema - Shoot The Freak EP

On "Shoot the Freak"  Brooklyn's Cinema Cinema put forth three noisy yet diverse tracks that quickly make their way into your subconscious and ricochet around like a stray bullet gone mad. 
The EP opens with 
"Lady Abortion" a  song so dark and phrenetic you would think it was suffering from schizophrenia. 
I can't help but draw immediate comparisons to bands such as Unsane and early Helmet. 
"Please to Meet You, Anesthesia" is a much calmer offering with a chorus  that has you singing along almost immediately, showing the bands diversity and ability to shift gears seamlessly. 
The third track "Day Leash" 
by far my favorite, seems to capsulate the best elements of the first two songs to craft one excellent offering. There are lots of different sounds, angles and vibes on the track. 
None of which seem to prepare the listener for the descent it spirals towards in the end. 
It's eccentricities make for an epic ending. It's unpredictably is notable. 
Here is a band that really feels as if it is still growing and finding its sound. Something that I think most will really enjoy being witness to. Engineered by the legendary Don Zientara at Inner Ear Studios.  The band plans on selling  physical copies at  shows while the realease will be available on itunes and all the major digital outlets as of Tuesday, 10/11/11. 
.James Damion


Cinema Cinema  Band Site
Cinema Cinema  Facebook

Upcoming Shows;

10/16/11 @ The Galaxy Hut, VA (Featuring Don Zientara)
10/18/11 CMJ Festival @ The Charleston.  Brookyn, NY

Making a Scene; New York Hardcore Revisited

"Originally released in 1989 with a scant 79 photos and under 100 pages; this expanded edition brings over 200 photographs as well as reflections from key characters documenting a special time period in one of the most notorious hardcore music scene in the country.
Making a Scene - New York Hardcore in Photos, Lyrics and Commentary Revisited 1985-1988 captures the energy of the New York hardcore music scene in photographs, lyrics, and comments from those involved in their music, their attitudes, and their lifestyle.

Hardcore is a way of life for thousands of band members and fans all over the world. Here, New York City's hardcore movement is represented in all of its outspoken, opinionated, and often contradictory variety. Participants are shown with friends, spouses, even children, performing, dancing, and hanging out. They also explain in their own words and lyrics to songs what they think hardcore is all about.From moments of quiet intimacy to the controlled mayhem of live shows, Making a Scene documents in a unique way this flourishing and often misunderstood underground style." 


Having picked up the original version at New York City's fanzine mecca See Hear back in 1989. (Only to sell it on Ebay along with most of my cherished fanzine collection ten years later.)  
I was fully aware of "Making A Scene" and its status among fanzines of its time. The original was a 
must-have document of our own scenes history. A time capsule of sorts. It loomed pretty large over a lot of the NYHC fanzines being published at the time with it's slick look and content.


Fast forward more than twenty years since its original release in 1989 and an expanded edition returns  with over two hundred images. (More than double the original seventy-nine featured.) 
The updated commentary helps to expand on its original ideas,  giving the book a sense of perspective. 
I found some of the  original insights from Gavin Van Vlack, (NY Hoods, Absolution) to be quite moving. I also found Brendan Rafferty's (SFA) 2011 assessment of "Who were Hardcore kids?" 
to be dead on. "We were homeless street kids. Affluent suburban kids. Left Wing, Right Wing, Illiterate, Intellectual, drug users, straight edge and so on." "There were countless different personalities and beliefs, but we all had one thing in common." "For whatever reason, we didn't fit in the normal world, so we created our own."
There's a somewhat surprising foreword by Freddy Cricien who was only ten years old when "Making A Scene" began its course. However his story and contribution to both the book and Hardcore in general is priceless.
Though "Making A Scene" doesn't cover a wide array of the opinions, viewpoints, characters and bands.  
It does do an excellent job with those it chooses.
If you had a copy or lost yours somewhere down the road, failed to pick one up when it originally hit the streets or want to get somewhat of an understanding of what it was like, I very highly recommend picking up a copy. James Damion


Order Here;

X Marks the Spot

I had just gotten in touch with JJ of the Aquarian a couple of days prior to see if I could get a shot at covering some shows for them. When I got the green light I sent over a list of upcoming shows that peeked my interest. To my surprise and glee the letter X came up almost instantly.
I was well aware of the bands history and the current "Los Angeles" tour. When I couldn't accept the Saturdays Irving Plaza show due to prior commitments, I was bestowed with a pass to Maxwell's that very night. Perfect considering the club is just blocks from my home and I'd be able to catch them in a much more intimate setting.

As I walked into the room the film "The Unheard Music" was in full swing. In all of my years hanging out at Maxwell's, I have yet to see a movie screening. The whole vibe was that of some secret religious ceremony. A large number of worshippers seated on the floor interacting with the screen as if a sermon were being given. The crowd was older than I'm used to seeing there. Not a shocker considering X released the album Los Angeles over thirty years ago. There was one very animated character who was front and center to the screen that seemed to hang on every word often flailing his arms, singing along and even flipping the bird when the film focused on the A&R head that failed to sign X due to their harsh, unmarketable sound. 

As the screen went up the crowd moved forward in anticipation of the mighty X. 

I found a spot
(at least I thought) and got ready for what was about to happen.

The band took the stage to the cheers of the crowd.
The original lineup, intact and looking, pretty damns good. The band quickly launched into their set with the opening track to Los Angeles
"Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" and just raised the bar from there. As for me,
I was pitted between two very loving younger couples throughout the entire set. My positioning didn't allow for many creative shots. 

At one point I actually saw an opening and jumped on the stage to get to the right side. 

"Gotta get those shots of John Doe!!!" Yet as soon as I got back on the floor I found myself being scolded by some old timer who was filming the whole thing on his cell phone.
(The same guy that was yelling at the movie screen while filming it earlier. It seems I had gotten in front of his pal who was about a foot taller than me. Being the peacekeeper I am I diffused whatever Johnny filmmaker was yelling about and quickly found my old, familiar spot waiting for me. A song or two later I was so enveloped by the sounds of X, the thought of getting the prize winning photo of the night had completely left the room. 

By the third song Xene who had looked a little stationary in the beginning kicked into high gear. Billy Zoom loomed large and carried the same swagger as in the bands heyday.
John Doe stood defiantly as he blasted through song after song and DJ Bonebreak pounded away in the background. Old classics such as "Johnnie Hit and Run  Paulene". "Soul Kitchen", "Sex and Dying in High Society" and "The Unheard Music"

All sound refreshingly new without losing their old Punk charm. Before the night was over they gave an acoustic gift in "See How We Are" and even came back for a short but blazing encore. As the set ended Billy Zoom dipped into his pocket to reach for his camera. Continuing his ritual to get shots of the adoring fans the band shared the night with.
(Pretty cool if you ask me.)  Shortly after the set I got to talking with the bands manager. He told me to stick around to meet the band and get some extra shots with them. I somehow ended up getting into a good conversation with Al Crisifulli of Dromedary records  (Something about making difference, volunteering, leaving a positive foot print.) and before I knew it, X had left the building. Needless to say, it was another memorable night at Maxwell's.  James Damion

Static Radio NJ: One More for the Good Guys

Since their debut in 2002 Static Radio have come a long way but not without taking some heavy hits. 
It's been almost 10 years since they got on this ride called "punk rock" and they show no signs of getting off or giving up. What makes Michael Santostefano and Vic Castello, original members and main songwriters, keep going? 
Here's some stories shared and questions asked on a September afternoon in my apartment. 
Shannon Perez


Mike: Did you hear The Arteries do the 
Dead Milkmen song? Its "Dean's Dream"?

Vic: It's coming out soon on a split with us.

Shannon: No Way! I love The Dead Milkmen! What other songs are on it?

Mike: We do a demo version of "Last Year" and it's actually Chris Scanlan's last recording with us which is so weird to say.

Vic: We actually do a Gallows cover, "Nowhere To Go". The test press just got ok'd and you can Pre-Order Here

Shannon: You have a new album, "We Are All Beasts".  It's a bit of a leap from your earlier albums..... 

Mike: Yeah,  there's nothing fast. It's definitely different but it wasn't a conscious thing.

Shannon: It's a lot darker and more emotional than your past stuff. Is this the album you would like to be taken more seriously?

Mike: Well, my life changed and my life has changed since then. As you get older life get's harder. Relationships end, people get married, people fucking die. When I was 22 my reference on life was,"dude's on tour can be total dicks, yeah" and that was all I really had to say. I never had to deal with death or deal with a relationship that was flawed and fucked up on both sides. It's not meant to be shocking. I'm just like anybody. I'm writing what I know and that's what I knew at the time. Me and Vic both still live those lives. We're still scared. There's a bigger risk involved now. Our friends are going off and pursuing careers and we're still in that band trying to make it.

Me and Vic went through hating all of our albums at some point but I put this on and I like it. I'm proud of it. It was just a natural progression. It's not like our next album is gonna be a rap/rock album. I really don't think it's miles away from our first record, 
but I hated some of that first record. After every vocal take I felt like I was going to keel over and die. I didn't know what I was doing.

Shannon: So, the song, "Between Hello and Goodbye,"  what's that about?

Mike: Man, my shit isn't about anything. I don't really think about it. I don't look at a chair and say I'm going to write about that chair. I never sat down and said I'm gonna write a song about my dad. Everything subconsciously makes sense afterwards.

Shannon: Do you consider yourself a writer?

Mike: Na' man. I'm just a dude with a dick hole.

Shannon: So, you have a new line-up. Tell us about it.

Vic: I like this stuff now and I love this line-up. Our live shows are as good as it's ever been. We got Chris Krause. He's a drummer from Florida and played with a band we toured with Arm The Poor. He's also in Devout and Bible Dinosaurs. Charles Chaussinand played with No Harm Done and Off-Sides.

Shannon: How did they change the dynamic of the band?

Mike: I just think Chris Krause saved us. Ya know,  your as good as your drummer. He's so, so solid. We were borderline nervous trying to get him in the band.

Vic: The way we wrote the album is me and Mike demo'd the songs with me on drums, we sent it to Chris and when it came time to record I was almost giddy cause he added a whole new thing to it. Then we had a few second guitarists. Dave from Banquets went to Europe with us but he couldn't do it so we got Charles Chaussinand for The Arteries tour we did. He's super amazing and with him we are just unstoppable live.

Shannon: Why did you switch from Black Numbers to Kiss of Death for the new release?

Vic: Well, I shopped it around, had a few people interested but we decided to give Kiss Of Death a try and there's no hard feelings. We love all those guys from Black Numbers. I think this is our best record to date. Hands down.

Shannon: What's next for Static Radio?

Mike: I don't know. Everything else about music is debatable and the only thing that rules everytime is playing, recording and making it happen. It sounds cliche' but if that's why you're not doing it at the end of the day and getting managers and making it is your only focus you shouldn't even be in a fucking band. If you're not worried about writing a good song and getting better at what you're doing, what are you doing it for? There's so many fucking bands with all the business shit in order and sponsors but they play a show and I just want to go to sleep. It's so forced. This shit is pouring out of my ass. It eeks out of me. It's just in me and I have no control. I don't have to force it.

Shannon: Anything you want to add?

Vic: Actually, Shannon, the first time me and Mike technically met was August of 1986. Me and Mike were born in the same hospital 3 days apart, same year.

Shannon: Any joint birthday parties?

Vic: I tried it before. It just doesn't work.

Mike: Me and Vic are attention whores.

Vic: That's why we're still in this band. For all the attention.

Mike: I never fuck with his side of the stage and he never fucks with mine, but if he does, there's a battle royale. We're the most egotistical people you'll ever meet. And i kissed a guy....twice. And we support our troops.

Shannon: Are you really too cool to care?

Mike: Oh no. I care very much about the environment, animal rights, free speech..

Vic: And the right to bear arms

Mike: I own a flesh gun. POW! "We Are All Beasts" was released on Tuesday, Sept. 27th.

Vic and Michael display their love  for Shannon.

Static Radio NJ  Band Site

Kiss of Death Records  Label


Tour  Follow

Ben Franklin Calls it Quits

It is with sadness and the sense of loss that the band Ben Franklin has decided to, indeed, call it quits.  The band left us with two amazing records and countless shows that left us both inspired and exhausted. I was lucky enough to catch their last show at Brick City Riot Festival where the band flat out killed it. They left an indelible footprint on the New York/New Jersey music scene and will surely be missed.
The band left us with this statement.
James Damion


“…I’m sorry to say that [the band's performance at last weekend's Brick City Sound Riot festival] was our last show together, we’re disbanding, and our future appearances have been canceled. While it may be time for us to move on to new things, I’m quite proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and I’ll always remember the really fun times we had together. Thank you, Frenz Banklin, for being so supportive of us, you really are the best! It’s you guys who keep folks like us going…”

Fresh Meat - The Stunning Self Destruction 2011

Fresh Meat have a brutal hardcore punk style that is sort of horror inducing. Good recording for a band that has been together for less than 6 months. Give them a listen and keep an eye out for future releases...Dave G.

Fresh Meat bandcamp
Fresh Meat facebook

Fresh Meat started in May of 2011 and within three weeks started gigging. With influences spanning punk, hardcore, psychobilly and also electronic music we opted to use programmed drums instead of a live drummer. This gives the music a cardiac inducing pounding rhythm which will either make you dance or vomit down your favourite Exploited t-shirt

Night Birds, Give, Devotion, Wet Witch @ The Acheron in Brooklyn.

It has been a stressful couple of weeks filled with tension and angst due largely to the round the clock coverage of Hurricane Irene and the tenth anniversary of 9/11. A combination of houses floating down the river and footage of the Towers going down in the midst of smoke and  flames have put me in one of my shitiest moods ever.
So the idea of seeing on of our favorite bands the Night Birds play in Brooklyn seemed to be just the tonic to cure the mopes. As Friday approached and the day wore on I found myself constantly gasping for air as if I was going to have an anxiety attack of something. The humidity didn't seem to help  either.

I managed to get to Dave to drive in with the promise of him parking in Hoboken while we drove my car to Brooklyn. As I made my way downstairs he was standing outside the car on the passengers side. Something completely foreign to me. "Dude I hate fucking Hoboken." "I couldn't find a spot." Then came the question that turned my tension to panic "Do you mind driving my car there." Shit, I've come to terms with the fact that I'm a bad driver. I get lost or side tracked whenever I go somewhere new and often scare the Bejeezus out of my wife when we go out anywhere. I can handle that. Endangering myself, my vehicle or my spouse doesn't unnerve me in the least.
Taking a friends car and putting his destiny in the crosshairs is a different animal all together.
As I pulled out and adjusted the seat I felt a jolt and took a deep breath. Then, with the turn of the corner, all the tension and anxiety was gone and we were on out. I was psyched to see the Night Birds final show before their European tour and I was finally going to get to see DC's Hardcore outfit Give.
As we rolled into Brooklyn and finally onto Waterbury Street
I felt comfortable amongst the industrial surroundings.
I seem to going to a lot of spots in these less than suburban settings these days. As we pulled in to our spot, Dave turned his head anxiously, "Are you sure we can park here dude?" I let him out to check the signs and even circled the block to look for a more welcoming atmosphere. Only to park in the same exact spot only minutes later.

Acheron's music space is wedged between a small cafe and the bar and makes any basement event look like a trip to the Hilton. I went into the cafe for a coke but all they had was the birch beer shit. I asked Dave if he wanted a beer but it seemed to be the furthest thing from his mind. A crowd was forming outside and it just felt like one of those bad cliche's unfolding. There were a ton of skinny white guys with long, stringy hair, Buffalo Bill mustaches and cut of dungaree jackets. They could have passed as bikers if they had a little meat on their bones. The scene was just old and smelly. The thought of waiting for two bands we had no interest in seeing out in the humid air only to go into a dirty sweat box for the bands we did want to catch just didn't seem like a good idea. Dave was also becoming more and more disconnected. Having no one to talk to while waiting for such misery was enough for me to persuade him to cut our losses and head out of Dodge. As we got back onto the bridge Dave returned to normal and realized it was a good idea. "We'll see the Night Birds when they return from Europe." I said. I'm sure it will be at a cool spot with a better vibe than tonight.

To put an end to my first "No Show" review I want to admit that writing this was just my way of posting some more of my favorite shots of Night Birds. Enjoy. James Damion

Night Birds My Space

Night Birds  Band Camp

Scream - Complete Control Sessions EP

DC based legends Scream are back with their first release since 1993's classic "Fumble". Reunited in 1999 to play a series of shows including one at the DC's Black Cat during the blizzard of 2009. (Yeah, I was there)
Lucky for us they decided to head into the studio to record new material. As I pour over the seven tracks on Control Sessions I can't help but feel this is by far the bands best work to date.

Not to lessen the impact of the bands early work. Records like "Fumble" and "Bang the Drum" were epic recordings that still hold weight decades later. It's just that this record is that good. On Control Sessions
(Recorded live at Dave Grohls Studio 606 in February) the band fires on all cylinders.
It's great to see the original cast of Franz, Pete, Skeeter and Kent, along with the addition of guitarist Clint Walsh. The vocals and guitar work on the record are so good I was shaking my head in awe. All seven tracks have a "Stick to your ribs" effect but "Stopwatch" (The opening track) and "Jamin' at 606" are my absolute favorites. I'd highly recommend this to anyone. Even the most casual Scream fan can love a record that flat out "Rocks".
James Damion


Scream   Band Site

Negative Degree - 2011 demo tape

Negative Degree - Denver Colorado - contact: handoflaw@gmail.com

Excellent Straight forward angry punk / hardcore with a bit of a Germs feel in the stripped down guitar sound. Also, brings more current bands like the Formaldehyde Junkies to mind.

Honestly, not much more to be said about this demo, it's just a solid all around demo that should definitely lead to a 7" release in the near future.

Looks like distro's are selling out of this tape pretty quickly so I would get one fast if you like what you hear...Dave G.

Here's a couple songs for you to check out.

Service Industry
Punch Out

Purchase demo tape.

Control - Obsolete Through Automation 2011

Control Facebook
If you are a fan of bands that straddle the alt/punk/hardcore line like Far or even post hardcore bands like Rival Schools or Error Type: 11 then I can present Control to you with my highest recommendation.

"Obsolete Through Automation" is one hell of a well recorded/polished and professional sounding record. Hell, I am not sure that I can even describe just how impressed I am with this cd. The songs are super catchy and powerful with excellent vocals and the overall musicality is well beyond what I would expect from a relatively unknown band from NJ.

At times the music crosses the line into commercial alternative territory but it never remains there long enough to get uncomfortable, and fortunately there's enough grit and post hardcore riffing and bass rumbling to keep things firmly planted in the underground. I've been told that these guys kill live as well, I will definitely have to get off my ass and catch them the next time they play out...Dave G.

Control Bandcamp

The Night Birds - The Other Side of Darkness cd/Lp 2011

Night Birds - Facebook

This is a review I did over on the Rocket Science blog. Since the Night Birds are a local NJ/NY band I figured I would share the review here as well...Dave G.

To my ears the Night Birds have always sounded like a modern day hybrid of Agent Orange and the Adolescents, and on their first full length album "The Other Side of Darkness" they have done nothing to change my opinion. In fact, they have maintained the surf punk twang of Agent Orange and upped the speed, catchiness and snottiness that always brought the Adolescents to mind, however they have modernized everything and thrown in so many hooks that it will make your head spin...in a good way.

I must say that we have another candidate for the top 10 list of 2011 right here, and maybe even the top spot at that. I'm finding that I can't get enough of this record, and that it just keeps getting better and better with every listen...Highly Recommended...Dave G.

Night Birds - The Other Side of Darkness - release date 09/13/2011 on compact disc and vinyl, to be followed by a European Tour September/October 2011. Tour dates can be found Here.

Night Birds to perform live on the "Crust Never Sleeps" Radio Show September 13, 2011 @10pm. You can tune in to www.newtownradio.com for an online broadcast of the show.

Grave Mistake Records - Purchase cd, vinyl, T-shirts and special preorder packages.

DYS - More Than Fashion (Live From The Gallery East Reunion)

As kids growing up in the 80's bands like DYS, SSD and Minor Threat, just to name a few, were untouchable.
They were Gods that walked on water as far as this wide eyed fifteen year old was concerned. Brotherhood and even the more Metal influenced
Fire & ice were already classics.
As one of the kids that missed seeing those bands by a few years I salivated over the chance to have seen them in their heyday or owned an original copy of Brotherhood. Fast forward twenty five years and the nostalgia of movies and books such as 'American Hardcore' has a good amount of the bands from that era have reformed are touring and recording. This brings me to DYS - More than Fashion. The music is taken from their reunion show at Gallery East in Boston on August 29th 2010. Looking back I really wish I would have taken the invitation to join Dave Stein and friends for the bus trip they took to this show. I'm sure it was memorable to say the very least. As for the record. It covers much of the bands material from both records rather well Dave Smalley and crew are in good form. However, it's rare when a live record captures the emotion and energy of the actual show. Personally I feel the old saying "You were either there or you weren't" best fits here. It's not a bad record but I think the band would have made their fans a lot happier by recording new material. I really don't feel this record does anything to enhance the bands legacy. James Damion

DYS on Bridge 9 Buy Here

Seaweed - Service Desk 7 inch

Seaweed was always one of those bands that lived outside the shadow of its genre.
Their sound was a mix of post core, punk, indie and what was yet to be copt as grunge. While allowing them to sit comfortably at the table with bands from any of the aforementioned formats. It was their music that set them apart and made them stand out.

On their new single Service Deck/The Weight
(Their first in thirteen years) Seaweed delivers the same hooks, tension and riffage fans are used to while keeping it fresh and not relying on nostalgia or old tricks.
The addition of keyboards on the last thirty-seconds of Service Deck add a new twist that surprisingly works.
The records B-side The Weight carries also has a driving rock sound that carries that classic Seaweed formula while adding a look into what hopes to be more music in the near future. No matter how you approach it this is one hell of a way to cap off the Summer.
James Damion

No Idea Records Buy Here

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