Greetings! A stacked distro update this week, which is definitely a
great sign for the state of New Releases in 2016. There are a ton of
heavy hitters in this update so I'll keep the summary short on this one -
the full list of new webstore additions and restocks is below!
For quick browsing of recent additions to the store, you can check out all of these titles mentioned below in the New Arrivals and Recent Restocks sections!
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In this update, we've got a couple of new releasess on Beach
Impediment from BLOOD PRESSURE and STRUTTER, new NO TOLERANCE LP on
Painkiller, the GAG LP, GAUCHO 7", and BEHAVIOR LP from Iron Lung,
FIREWALKER Demo, newest CRAZY SPIRIT 7", cassette versions of both
TENEMENT's "Bruised Music Vol. 1" and "The Blind Wink", the awesome
RAKTA EM TRANSE 7" EP, MUERTE LP, LIFELOCK / RAPPA split 7", THE STOPS /
DAILY RITUAL split 7", cassette version of NIGHT BIRDS' "Mutiny at
Muscle Beach", NO PAROLE 7", debut flexi from Richmond's FRIED EGG,
demos from EXIT DUST, POLLEN, ASEPTIC, and MUCH more ...
Plus a stack of restocks from AJAX, CHEENA, DRESS CODE, RESPONSE,
FREEDOM, SYNDROME 81, CHRONIC SICK, GAS RAG, THE KIDS, MUDHONEY, URBAN
WASTE, CRETINS, and more ...
Finally, restocked on a few GOVERNMENT WARNING T-Shirts in sizes
S-XL ... so if you are still shopping for a GW shirt that fits, all
colors of both the No Moderation and No Way Out designs should have all
of those sizes in stock!
Thanks for reading!
Alex / Grave Mistake
New in the Webstore for 2.05.16:
BLOOD PRESSURE "Need to Control" LP (Beach Impediment Records)
BLOOD PRESSURE finally deliver "NEED TO CONTROL" as a follow up to their Self Titled EP that turned heads all over when it came out in 2014. After a few personnel changes and a slew of gigs up and down the East Coast, the boys churned out yet another absolute pounder for the masses. You know the deal - this one features ten tracks of scathing hardcore punk from the Steel City, crafted in the way that they know how to make it out there... which is of the ripping, bleak, and fucked up variety. Featuring full color cover art by Matt Bellosi.
STRUTTER "S/T" 7" (Beach Impediment Records)
Beach Impediment is pleased to introduce the debut EP from Austin's STRUTTER. Hot on the heels of a true ripper of a demo and a slew of US and Canadian dates with GLUE that the band closed out 2015 with, this four song 7" delivers more of their brand of raging hardcore punk, bringing to mind groups like WHITE PIGS and other frantic acts in that vein. Featuring members of IMPALERS, VAASKA, GLUE, and THEE NODES. Each record comes in a glue pocket sleeve featuring full color art by Scott Young.
CRAZY SPIRIT "3rd" 7" (Toxic State Records)
It's been almost four years since the last Crazy Spirit record, with only a demo released in mid-2014 to sate our appetites. Punk landscapes change and does the world need another Crazy Spirit 7" after so long? Short answer: absolutely! The band has a very particular and signature sound and I know it can be difficult for artists to continue to keep fickle fans interested within that constraint. Crazy Spirit challenges fans by producing a record that is both a development (and refusal to stay in a holding pattern) and still sounds very much CRAZY SPIRIT. This new record is more complex and less immediate than their other 7"s, but I find it more rewarding with multiple listens. In short, it's more (sorry) Stealth Boy than Fat Man. Don't get me wrong, it's still catchier than most pretender bands out there, but it's just different enough to keep you on your toes. And, in the end, it's still Crazy Spirit and it's still a Toxic State release, which, may I add, this is the best looking Crazy Spirit 7" thus far, as well as one of the most impressive looking Toxic State releases. All in all it's fitting, then, that my cats are tearing around the house spitting and hissing at each other as I blast this record on repeat. Animal abuse? Probably. Essential record? Absolutely.
NO TOLERANCE "You Walk Alone" LP (Painkiller Records)
8 years after an impromptu afternoon jam that resulted in their first writing and recording session, and 4 years since their last record, No Tolerance return to deliver the straight edge hardcore album the youth and young-at-heart have been waiting for. Unchanged by the unstoppable march of time, You Walk Alone finds the band still able to mine the same territory as always, but formatted for the ebb and flow of a full length album. Expect a meticulous alloy of "Break Down the Walls", Confont's "Payday", and the Hard Stance E.P.s.
GAG "America's Greatest Hits" LP (Iron Lung Records)
Destined to be the most famous of all the bands. At least in their vision of the future that is. We like them. You like them. Why not? Go big or fuck off. Trippy violence and snake charms drenched in delay and fuel this wild, ugly, mid-tempo hardcore punk vehicle. All the way across the salt. For 180 days. Crew up and get down with America’s greatest. Housed in a heavy duty sleeve adorned with Scott Young’s perfect artwork. Recorded by Nudity’s own Capt. Tripps in Olympia, WA.
GAUCHO "Desplazados" 7" (Iron Lung Records)
The darkness and hate of living in the modern day is inescapable. People will always try to control you, force their ideologies on you and bind you with their ridiculous laws. Sooner or later you will get tired and hit back. And if true passion is there, you will succeed. It is hard not to hear the passion on this record. Gaucho delivers a Colombia-via-Canada raw hardcore pogo march to the death of tyrants far and wide. Members of S.H.I.T. give us a 5 song window into the struggle for a higher quality of life and we thank them for that.
BEHAVOIR "375 Images of Angels" LP (Iron Lung Records)
John Cage related this anecdote: “One evening I was walking along Hollywood Boulevard, nothing much to do. I stopped and looked in the window of a stationary shop. A mechanized pen was suspended in space in such a way that, as a mechanized roll of paper passed by it, the pen went through the motions of the same penmanship exercises I had learned as a child in the third grade. Centrally placed in the window was an advertisement explaining the mechanical reasons for the perfection of the operation of the suspended mechanical pen. I was fascinated, for everything was going wrong. The pen was tearing the paper to shreds and splattering ink all over the window and on the advertisement, which, nevertheless, remained legible.” This little musing somehow rhymes with the spirit of BEHAVIOR’s '375 Images of Angels,' unique “musical” approach to punk. The very essence of punk is a contemptuous “fuck you” to convention anyway, or at least a troubled groping for new avenues of self creation. There is a simple beauty in deconstruction, in calculated naivety, in messes, in processes and in the plain night air of Los Angeles. '…Angels' dances like a dog shaking off a swim. '...Angels' is as deliberate as it is free. Don’t we all want this dichotomy in our lives? The drive to make our time our own and the permission to chase joy?
RAKTA EM TRANSE "S/T" 7" (Nada Nada Discos)
Put out by the great Brazilian labels Nada Nada Discos and Dama Da Noite. This is a supergroup comprised of, you guessed it, RAKTA and our own CADAVER EM TRANSE and sounds exactly as you would hope it would. Creepy goth punk with a distinct SP feel. We love these people.
MUERTE "S/T" LP (SPHC Records)
"The awaited and hotly anticipated vinyl debut of Muerte, yet another flawless execution of hardcore punk" from the Mexico City crew that brought you Tercer Mundo, Inservibles, Era del Vacio, Cintas Pepe Records, etc. While the 2013 demo tape hinted at a more expanded vision and wider array of influences than their other bands, having a more goth-y anarcho-y undertone, its execution wasn't quite perfected. Their 2014 gigs with Sete Star Sept, Tercer Mundo, Lotus Fucker, and Globsters (now THAT was a tour!!!) left a big impression on us, with a tighter and more cohesive sound and style, and a powerful live show. And their appearance at Not Dead Yet fest in Toronto, with new songs and an undeniable urgency, cemented them as, well, I dunno, basically the best newer hardcore band in the world, in my opinion. This summer we're proud to drop their LP, which is (in my opinion) the best single record to come out of the much-hyped Mexico City scene. Flawless hardcore punk with the finely crafted songs and informed, immediate style that these bands are known for, but with some goth/anarcho-punk/New Model Army undertone that makes this record more dynamic, moody, and dark than the average hardcore record. Slower tempos with bursts of speed that builds and releases all the tension this shitty world builds inside of you. The soundtrack to your despair and rage. Real punk music."
DYKE DRAMA "Tender Resignation" LP (Salinas Records)
DYKE DRAMA is the solo project of G.L.O.S.S. vocalist Sadie Switchblade. "While G.L.O.S.S.’ Demo EP was a steamrolling eight minutes of louder-faster gutter blasts (Sample bellow-along: “THE FREAKS ARE COMING!!!”), Resignation is far more sentimental. Performed almost entirely by Switchblade, aside from a couple well-wishers stopping by to contribute organ and backing vocals, the EP is six tracks and a whopping 17 minutes of bleary-eyed heartbreak boogie. Though Switchblade hails from Olympia, Washington, riot grrrl capital of America, she more clearly follows the beautiful-loser Minneapolis lead of the Replacements here — “Westerberg” is even tagged on the EP’s Bandcamp page, and Paul’s probably wondering if a lyric like “I wasn’t born to lose / It’s just the thing I do best” might be borrowed from some ‘Mats deep cut he wrote too long ago to remember. It’s punk in its rawness, but not in any kind of musical elitism: The intro lead to “Hardest Years” sounds like John Cougar Mellencamp, ferchrissake. Switchblade is a worthy successor to Westerberg not just in her ability to turn a self-deprecating phrase while cranking out a stadium-echoing riff, but in her ability to make outcast vulnerability urgent and emboldening."
NO PAROLE "S/T" 7" (Mad at the World Records)
The debut 7” by NJ band No Parole, featuring ex-members of Criminal Intent, Altered Boys, and others, for those of you paying attention. 4 songs of rough but tuneful oi!, with definite cues from some of the more bald-headed varieties of hardcore and punk. We’re glad to see long-time tri-state area troublemaker Jesse Gasface fronting another band, and even happier to release the band’s first outing on wax. Great stuff if you’re into the newer bands like Crown Court or Rixe, as well as the classics.
FRIED EGG "The Incredible Flexible Egg" 7" Flexi (Fried Egg Ltd.)
Debut three track disc from FRIED EGG, the latest and greatest hardcore punk offering from Central Virginia. This is a total punk smasher, with a sound rooted in golden era HC punk filtered through modern depression and alienation, executed in just a few minutes. The four brainfried individuals behind FRIED EGG have also done duty in CRETINS and ANIMAL PLANET so the playing here is no slouch -- tight, fast, and to-the-point. The composition of the these tracks shows a bit more depth as well, with screaming guitar leads and fuzzed, walking bass lines jumping out at you, reminiscent of recent groups like Brown Sugar and Wiccans. Have a taste of the EGG and see for yourself. Second pressing of 250 copies with artwork by Lumpy.
TYRANNAMEN "S/T" LP (Cool Death Records)
The infectious debut album from TYRANNAMEN is a great slice of melodic and powerful Australian punk. Rooted in a similar rhythm-and-blues background as groups like Big Star and Reigning Sound, TYRANNAMEN's eponymous debut has just the right balance of harmony and grit. Eight well-penned, soulful rock'n'roll cuts packed full of hooks and delivered with raw, primal confidence.
COWBOYS, THE "S/T" LP (Lumpy Records)
This has been in the works for 14 months, it's finally out! A killer full length disc from an underrated band from Bloomington, IN, with a sound so classic that one weathered kbd collector/90s punk veteran (Ann Rerun of the Last sons of Krypton) actually thought it was recorded in '79!! Screen printed covers by Brian and Brandon in Springfield, IL.
FIREWALKER Demo Tape (Failure Recordings)
Debut demo from Boston's Firewalker. 5 mid-late 80s New York inspired hardcore songs.
WET WIRED Demo Tape (Failure Recordings)
Debut demo from Boston's Wet Wired. 5 hardcore/punk songs in the Boston/DC tradition. Members of Leather Daddy, Rash Tongue, and Death Injection.
TENEMENT "The Blind Wink" Tape (Dead Broke Records)
Demos collection of lo-fi pop/post-punk rock from Wisconsin's own, Tenement. This shit is pretty god damn great... you got your typical high-energy, popped-out Tenement rippers on this, but laced with some quiet, some noisey, indie/pop demo jams in between. 4th pressing on Red Cassette tapes!
TENEMENT "Bruised Music Volume 1" Tape (Dead Broke Records)
Tenement's first collection of singles & B-sides, "Bruised Music Vol.1". 150 pressed on high-quality Blue Cassette Tapes. Comes w/ download.
NIGHT BIRDS "Mutiny at Muscle Beach" Tape (Fat Wreck Chords)
In 2009 NIGHT BIRDS resuscitated the surf-inspired 80’s hardcore sound and have been cranking it to a new level ever since. Mutiny at Muscle Beach, the band’s third full-length and first on Fat Wreck Chords, is an unrepentantly raw blast of punk rock that evokes the spirit of Adolescents, Dead Kennedys, Germs, D.I., and Circle Jerks. The 12 tracks are further developed with NIGHT BIRDS’ integration of modern influences, a referential aesthetic, and a healthy dose of passionate innovation. From “(I’m) Wired” to “In the Red/In the Black” to the title track, Mutiny at Muscle Beach brims with an epileptic energy that defies the listener to sit still. Just like NIGHT BIRDS’ live show, this album is an unbridled onslaught of throwback-meets-modern hardcore that never stops to take a breath.
BLINDSIDE USA "Wave of Regret" 7" (Straight and Alert Records)
Blindside USA, from Kansas City, MO, formed in the fall of 2014. After recording a demo heavily influenced by late 80's NYHC (Breakdown & Agnostic Front) and early 2000's hardcore (Mental & Justice) they just put out their 6 track debut 7". Some say that Blindside USA is hardcore for the punks and punk for the jocks, but either way they're comin' from the blindside. Featuring members of SPINE and REALITY ABUSE.
LIFELOCK / RAPPA Split 7" (4490 Records)
A fine split between DIS-worship punks, LIFELOCK from Singapore and raw hardcore punkers, RAPPA from Morioka, Japan. No artwork, no bullshit. Just pure destruction. 500 copies.
DAILY RITUAL / THE STOPS Split 7" (4490 Records)
A Beautiful split 7" featuring two bands playing melancholic punk rock from both corners of the world. Daily Ritual from Singapore and The Stops from Portland.
CARNIVAL, THE "Hengen Juhlaa" 7" (Krypta Records)
"In my opinion, this is the best Finnish hardcore record of the last few years. If my label wasn't ground to a halt with pressing plant bullshit, I would have just manned up and released this myself, but alas, it wasn't in the cards. It is FUCKING AWESOME and clearly several steps ahead of the other (already solid) Carnival records. The Carnival play Finnish hardcore in the style of Terveet Kadet, with simple and bombastic raging hardcore punk music and totally manic, out of control, crazed howling vocals. The end result is demented, sinister, and dark. Super powerful and furious, totally pissed. Basically all the classic qualities you want from a hardcore record, right?"
MALOKIO "S/T" LP (SPHC Records)
"When my hardcore brother Guigui (Coche Bomba) gave me a demo tape of his new band Silent Bones in 2013, it knocked me out. I was a huge fan and an instant believer. Silent Bones managed a short tour and, to my dismay, broke up. In 2014 Guigui gave me another demo tape of his new band, Malokio. Lo and behold....it's Silent Bones with a new singer, same style but new songs. After seeing them live at Varning for Montreal, I immediately signed up to release their LP. For me, this fits nicely with bands like Post Regiment, La Fraction, The Assassinators. Straight-forward melodic punk sound, mid-tempo riff-heavy songs with adept and hook-y singing. Exactly the kind of punk music I enjoy."
TERVEET KADET "Lapin Helvetti" LP (SPHC Records)
"The last record by one of the greatest punk bands of all time. It's an honor to help make this record easily available for cheap here in my stupid asshole country. Since 1979, Terveet Kadet has been one of the best punk bands in the world". Tons of classic records, and like all true champions, they're leaving on a high note. This final (?) LP is a textbook example of the short-songs blazing-fast demented-and-vicious hardcore punk that Terveet Kadet stylized and popularized (yet nobody else has come close in copying). True masters. Stick a candle up your butt and pay your respects to the Black Gods of Noise."
THISCLOSE "Chapter III" LP (SPHC Records)
"The cumulative artistic vision, the magnum opus, of the world's finest purveyors of the Grave New Beat. Moving beyond any sort of parody, concept, or tribute, this second LP finds Thisclose at their most matured and fully-formed. Drawing equal influence from the entire spread of the Discharge discography, Thisclose finds a niche style within the tried-and-true formula of d-beat" that has yet to be fully explored. It rocks, it rages, it does it again (and again), with a tasteful stylistic subtlety that belies a band that has spent time honing their craft and has reached their climax. While everyone else was face-palming and throwing their copy of Grave New World LP in the garbage, Rodney Shades was up late at night studying Massacre Divine LP and Shootin Up the World LP in an attempt to understand how the good parts of these records could be reinterpreted and reapplied to the traditional notion of 'd-beat'. Chapter III LP is the final thesis and SPHC gives it an A+."
THISCLOSE / ACTIVE MINDS Split 7" (SPHC Records)
"New split 7 by two of the UK's most notable currently active punk bands, released just in time for their USA tour together. Active Minds are one of the best punk bands of all time, period. From their humble beginnings in 1986 as the new iteration of SAS, all the way until the current day and age of 2015, Active Minds has walked, talked, and lived the true meaning of "DIY hardcore punk". Over the course of 5 LPs, tons of 7"s, splits with everyone from Unholy Grave and Yacopsae to Petrograd and Voco Protesta, Active Minds has never deviated from playing straight-forward hardcore punk. Yet their style is not one-dimensional: they can play real chaotic fast hardcore right next to slower melodic punk songs right next to more d-beat-ing songs, and it always makes sense together and sounds natural and proper. Matched with their outspoken hardline politics and their commitment to DIY punk ethics (like self-releasing the majority of their releases, trading heavily, and selling them at a bare minimum price), they are a band that continues to inspire, especially at a time when DIY punk seems so detached and apolitical. Their side is 3 new songs that fit nicely in-line with the rest of the Active Minds discography. Thisclose contributes a 2 song statement of purpose to bookend their discography of hits. A new recording of their own single "Leaders Deceivers", and a cover of Discharge's hit "Leaders Deceivers" from Shootin Up the World LP, which, clearly, ought to be your favorite Discharge record by now. A true summation of the politic of Grave New Beat: to love Discharge, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health."
ERA DEL VACIO "S/T" LP (Cintas Pepe Records)
"Anybody tracking this label knows how much I love the community of folks behind Tercer Mundo/Muerte/Cintas Pepe Records/Inservibles/etc. And anyone paying attention to the recorded output of these bands can probably tell that these guys have a lot of love and appreciation for goth. So you can imagine my anticipation and excitement when they tell me Dave Rata, Roger, and Eumir have a goth band with a full LP recorded. And imagine my blissful reaction when I hear these recordings. Great goth music, with the energy and momentum of punk, captured on a warm and raw recording that gives both the vibrancy and lo-fi desperation you want to hear. I think this band stands a few degrees above most of the other trend goth/post-punk kinda bands by virtue of being more energetic and having higher quality/better crafted songs and riffs (wait....isn't this kinda what makes all these guys' bands so good? hmmmm…..)."
ZEX "Fear No Man" 7" (Loud Punk Records)
After the demise of GERM ATTAK, singer/guitarist Jo spent the next few year writing songs and plotting his next endeavor. In 2014 Zex was born and they wasted no time taking the punk scene by storm releasing an astonishing 2 singles, an LP and several tapes all within a year of their first show! After some extensive tours all over the world they are back with their 3rd single "Fear No Man" which packs a mean punch of melody and aggression. The B Side "I Didn't Know" comes off with the sort of effect you would expect out of VICE SQUAD covering "End Of The Century" era THE RAMONES. This record is the bands strongest material to date and a good indication even greater things are to come.
MUCH WORSE "Chronic Instigation" LP (25 Diamonds)
2nd LP by this excellent hardcore band from mpls, mn, uxa. incredibly tight and technical without being nerd music, mean and tough as nails without being macho, all around a punk as fuck record. 12 brand new songs. Drawing from the best of U.S. and Japanese hardcore and the history of great music in general. 300 copies
COZY "Kiss Me Dummy" 7" (Secret Mission Records)
Following up their 2012 debut single on HOZAC records, Minnesota’s COZY now gives you, KISS ME DUMMY b/W SHOW AND TELL! The band continues their incredibly catchy and over the top Midwestern take on 70′s powerpop/glam. Featuring ex-members of Boy’s Club and Retainers, Cozy offers a perfect mix of 60′s bubblegum , 70′s glam hooks and 90′s Rip Off records raw power and energy. See the write up from their official fan club below!
CAR CRASH "Execution" 7" (Secret Mission Records)
Debut single from Tokyo’s CAR CRASH. 3 tracks of blown out, pure-punk rock that perfectly combines the U.S. 70′s KBD spirit with the blown out Japanese rock n roll sound that bands such as Teengenerate and Registrators made popular around the world in the early 90′s. The comparisons end there though, as Car Crash stand out from their contemporary, polished/powerpop peers by bashing out stripped down, powerful, angry, songs that come in under a couple minutes and leave little room to breath. They’ve also recently become one of the most popular live punk bands in the new Japanese underground scene. Great record, you’d be smart to keep an eye on them.
RAYDIOS, THE "Craps / Teacher's Pet" 7" (Secret Mission Records)
Christmas must be around the corner, because Tokyo’s The Radyios are at it again with a brand new EP on Secret Mission Records! Two killer tunes from Fink & Co, that are a little more lo-fi, tough sounding then what we’re normally used to from these guys. It’s evident from this record that the recent Teengenerate reunion might have been an inspiration. Craps on the A-side is a catchy punker that’s kind of reminiscent of some of that great New England stuff like Nervous Eaters or may be even The Reducers. Teacher’s Pet, on the flip, is actually what should play in the back ground as a gang of leather jacket clad jerks walks through the halls of their high school, taking down posters and cocking fists at jocks. This is a fun a little record, that’s a must have, from one of the best bands in the world. But, of course, those of you who are hip to these guys and their history already knew it. Better hurry up! Only 500 copies pressed!
V/A "Something to Du" Husker Du Tribute Compilation 7" (Dead Broke Records)
Here it is, the long-awaited DIY punk rock tribute to one of punk rock's best and most classic bands, HÜSKER DÜ! Featuring cover songs by UNFUN, CROW BAIT, TENEMENT, BENT OUTTA SHAPE, THE DAUNTLESS ELITE, & YOUR PEST BAND. Composed of punk bands from across the globe. Including an unreleased cover by NYC's late great, Bent Outta Shape, which was meant for a Hüsker compilation that never saw the light of day. Perfect. Split released as a love connection for the band and each other by Dead Broke & Drunken Sailor. One-time pressing of 800 copies.
VACATION "Back to the Land" 7" (Dead Broke Records)
New VACATION 7" Single! Hot off the heels of the bands’ newest full-length album, “Non Person” on Don Giovanni Records, we bring you 2 Unreleased exclusive songs cut from the bands‘, “Candy Waves” album (Lets Pretend Records). Two vastly different versions of an unreleased track, “Back To The Land”. Both versions are widely different, style-wise and performance-wise. Not just an alternate recording. Two completely different versions of this song from these Ohio spazzed-out lo-fi punk rockers.
SOVIETTES, THE "Rarities" LP (Dead Broke Records)
Proper Reissue release of the long-lost SOVIETTES collection of 7"s, B-Sides and non-lp songs! Previously available on a now defunct label and now distributed and widely-available for the first time.
WITCHES WITH DICKS "Not Just A Passing Season" LP (Dead Broke Records)
ONE SIDED 12" VINYL VERSION LIMITED TO 400 QTY. 8 brand new songs from the newly reformed Boston hard pop-punk masters. Members have played in such notable Boston punkers as Brain Killer, Awful Man, No Sir I Won't, The Credentials & more.
PERFECT PUSSY "I Have Lost All Desire For Feeling" 12" (Captured Tracks Records)
Just over a year after playing their first show as a band, Perfect Pussy have quickly made a name for themselves as one of the most intense bands in the indie rock and hardcore punk communities, both live and on record. Their fast rise to success all stemmed from this 4 track demo EP, originally released as a cassette only. Simply title tracks such as "I" and "IV" garnered praise from everyone to Rolling Stone and Pitchfork, to NPR and the New York Times, landing the on countless year end lists. "Punk-rock revelations like Perfect Pussy don't come along nearly often enough. They've got it all: great riot-feminist name, excellently miserable hometown (Syracuse, New York), ragingly chaotic live shows and a noise-assault donnybrook of a debut EP. The Double P don't make it easy: They give their songs stark Roman-numeral titles, and vocalist Meredith Graves' vibrant hollerings are buried under a violent hardcore scrum."
FIX, THE "At the Speed of Twisted Thought" LP (Touch and Go Records)
"With two relatively obscure 45's released on a label that helped kickstart the American hardcore scene both in print and on wax, Lansing, Michigan's THE FIX have somehow been lost in the historical shuffle. The six songs on these two singles (plus the track from the incredibly good, Process of Elimination" compilation 7" from 1981 - easily the best punk / hardcore compilation 7in ever - is there really any other competition beside "Unsafe At Any Speed"???) document some serious Midwestern musical aggression. In addition to the band's seven songs of legitimate, official output during the early 1980s, this LP contain the demos from the late 1980s bootleg compilation, "Cold Days," on West Germany's Lost & Found Records. These songs are split between the "Vengeance" and "Jan's Rooms" sessions, as far as I can tell. Additionally, the live material on this disc provide some absolutely brutal rage against the state, society, and state of affairs. Given the consistent downturn of Michigan's economy over the last thirty years in light of globalization, the continued decline and failure of unions, and corruption of local government, this band's recording paints an interesting philosophical picture of America's urban heartland."
MEATMEN, THE "We're the Meatmen and You Suck" LP (Touch and Go Records)
"After the Blood Sausage and Crippled Children Suck EPs helped stake the Meatmen's dubious claim to rock godhood, We're the Meatmen... And You Suck!! helps slam the door completely on that particular notion. Recorded in front of a live New York City audience whose members presumably knew exactly what they came here for, We're the Meatmen has the same confrontational spirit as, say, the Misfits' Evilive, but one-tenth of the talent. In large part, this is because Tesco Vee is a (admittedly intentionally) terrible singer and raconteur -- take his introduction to "Mr. Tapeworm," demonstrating, among other things, what said tapeworm sounds like. More than once, his singing is mere gargled up-and-down hooting. Give him credit for knowing the ridiculousness of what's going on -- thus his a cappella rendition of the opening verse of "I Sin for a Living," which demonstrates clearly that Meatmen lyrics are best heard in a blur rather than recited as poetry. More than once, the musicians save Vee from himself -- the switch between hyper-speed thrash and slow-burn attitude on "Orgy of One" almost distracts attention from Vee's beefily voiced description of the joys of masturbation on the midsong break. Meanwhile, the otherwise unrecorded "Buttocks" finally gets the whole Meatmen aesthetic, if you will, down right -- Vee merrily uses the chorus to shout out "Buttocks, buttocks, I love buttocks!" over a surf-punk combination that's sheer hilarity. This is perhaps all related to the claims about girls who sh*t on the band's faces later during the introduction to "Meat Crimes," if one wished to investigate in more detail. Yes, the whole thing is perversely, stupidly funny -- but really, it only needs to be listened to about once every five years, if that."
NEGATIVE APPROACH "10-Song EP" 7" (Touch and Go Records)
Classic! The cover art might be a little different, but this EP is absolutely essential so this reissue is long overdue!
SWINGIN' UTTERS "The Streets of San Francisco" LP (Fat Wreck Chords)
The Swingin’ Utters first full length and an essential street punk masterpiece. No shit. This is the record that got ‘em noticed by us and established them as SF’s best punk band. Produced by Lars Frederiksen, so you know it’s fulla hits! Originally released in 1995 on New Red Archives.
EXIT DUST Demo Tape
Melodic dark Anarcho Punk. Chorus, reverb, distortion. Ex Vermin/Mauser.
ASEPTIC "Death is Their Currency" Tape
5 tracks noisecore d-beat from Philadelphia
POLLEN Demo Tape
Scandinavian-influenced punk on the noisier/faster side of the spectrum. Members of aseptic, pissbath, ectoplasm. Based in Philadelphia.
BOMBSPLINTER "No One Survives" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
No One Survives tape from Los-Angeles rawpunx Bombsplinter (after first demo and cd-r released before) which sounds like scandi hardcore of 80's in nowadays! We can see straightforward analogy of swedish raw hardcore punx Crude SS in artwork and it's done really amazing! For all fans of Moderat Likvidation, Discharge, Svart Parad and Crude SS must have!
HUMAN BODIES "No Life" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
Blackened crust/hardcore punk from Boston, MA with members of Sadist and ex-Aspects of War etc.
ORDEN MUNDIAL "S/T" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
Raw hardcore punk band from Mallorca, Spain. Originally released as 12" in 2012. Comes with double sided sheets with pictures and other stuff.
WOODBOOT "Krang Gang" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
First release in 2016, reissue demo tape called Krang Gang by auusie punks Woodboot outta Brisbale, QLD. 9 tracks of very early punk, similar to Ramones and other 77 / garage stuff!
HANK WOOD AND THE HAMMERHEADS "Stay Home" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
Secong full lenth LP of Hank Wood and the Hammerheads released in 2014 (Toxic State, LVEUM), heres tape version of this gem! 10 garage punk hits with pretty distinct singing of Henry. Coming with alternate covers and new cut-n-paste artwork for cassette foldout!
NO EXPOSURE Zine Issue #2
Second issue of this Aussie zine from the former editor of Jerk Store. With No Exposure the focus is contemporary punk/hardcore, with features on MISCALCULATIONS, SEVEN INCHES TO FREEDOM ZINE, DISSENT, and a nice photo spread/live review of Maggot Fest 2015 (including Hank Wood, Dawn of Humans, and Crazy Spirit). Excellent issue rounded out by a well-executed review section.
MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #393 - Feb. 2016
Here it is: Maximum Rocknroll #393, the February 2016 issue. The time has come to drop our 2015 YEAR-END TOP TENS. We’ve given music “journalists” and rock “critics” a polite but firm kick in the head: these top-tens were composed by real live actual punks. Writers include your favorite MRR reviewers and contributors as well as some special guests: members of the punk community at large including Laura Lança (Rakta, Chroma), Greg Benedetto (S.H.I.T., Not Dead Yet fest organizer), Arto Hietikko (editor of Toinen Vaihtoehto) Ralph Rivera (Not Normal Tapes, The Bug), the ladies of Shequalizing Distort (CIUT Toronto radio takeover), Paco Mus (La Vida Es Un Mus label impresario) and many more. No two lists are alike; over 232 records are discussed here. Expect to find your new favorite records in these pages. We also have an interview with BUSTED OUTLOOK, one of the most exciting hardcore bands in California, getting live on stage and on the page. Australia’s SCAB EATER talk about their new record, relive touring in Southeast Asia, relate some controversies at home and explain why they seem to be on the road at least every three months. Another intercontinental enterprise: SEI TO SHI discus splitting members between New York and Kyushu, Japan and the return from their brief hiatus. Texas crust outfit COMMUNION OF THIEVES talk about their origins on both sides of the El Paso-Juárez divide as well as their introductions to the wide world of punk. On top of all that, we managed to pack in a photo spread from Cacophonie Nights, a weekend of noise punk gaiety in Portland; all of the columnists you know and love; and of course, punk’s hugest reviews section.
Restocks for 2.05.16:
AJAX "S/T" 7"
ALTERED BOYS "Left Behind" 7"
BEACH SLANG "Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?" 7"
BIG EYES / MEAN JEANS Split 7"
BOYS ORDER "Tomorrow Dancing" 7"
CHEENA "S/T" 7"
DIALS "School Girl" 7"
DRESS CODE "Perception" 7"
GAS CHAMBER "Stained Hand" 7"
HARM DONE "S/T" 7"
IRON CHIC "Split N' Shit" 7"
IRON CHIC / LOW CULTURE Split 7"
IVY "A Cat's Cause, No Dog's Problem" 7"
MODERN PETS "B.I.Y.S." 7"
MUFF DIVERS "No Muff Too Tuff" 7"
RESPONSE "There's No Choice" 7"
SOCIAL DAMAGE "Both Demos" 7"
SYNDROME 81 "Desert Urbain" 7"
UNA BESTIA INCONTROLABLE "Nou Mon" 7"
VICTIMS, THE "Television Addict / Flipped Out Over You" 7"
ABUSED, THE "Loud and Clear" LP
CANCERS "Fatten the Leeches" LP
CHRONIC SICK "Cutest Band in Hardcore" LP
CLOCKED OUT "S/T" LP
DIAT "Positive Energy" LP
DINOSAUR JR. "BUG" LP
DINOSAUR JR. "FARM" 2xLP
DINOSAUR JR. "S/T" LP
DINOSAUR JR. "You're Living All Over Me" LP
DWARVES "Blood, Guts, and Pussy" LP
EXPLODING HEARTS "Shattered" LP
FREEDOM "U.S.A. Hardcore" LP
GAS RAG "Beats Off" LP
INSTITUTE "Catharsis" LP
INSTITUTE "Salt" 12"
IRON CHIC "Not Like This" LP
KIDS, THE "Naughty Kids (Deluxe Edition)" LP
KIDS, THE "S/T (Deluxe Edition)" LP
MIND SPIDERS "S/T" LP
MUDHONEY "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge" LP
MUDHONEY "S/T" LP
MUDHONEY "Superfuzz Bigmuff" LP
OUT COLD "Goodbye Cruel World" LP
PERFECT PUSSY "Say Yes to Love" LP
POWER "Electric Glitter Boogie" LP
RADIOACTIVITY "S/T" LP
RIVAL MOB, THE "Hardcore for Hardcore" 12"
SAND IN THE FACE "Music Made to Riot 1982-83" LP
STOPS, THE "Nameless Faces" LP
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE "Diary" 2xLP
TENEMENT "Napalm Dream" LP
UNHOLY THOUGHTS "The Attic" LP
URBAN WASTE "S/T" LP
V/A "Charred Remains Compilation 2xLP
WIPERS "IS THIS REAL?" LP
ZERO BOYS "Vicious Circle" LP
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Moderation" T-Shirt / Black w/ White
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / Blue
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / Kiwi Green
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / Red
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / White
CANCERS "Fatten the Leaches" Tape
CRETINS "Collection" Tape
BLOODKROW BUTCHER "Nigh Hell" Tape
CRAZY SPIRIT "Demo 2014" Tape
CREEM "S/T" Tape
DIE "Vexed" Tape
EEL "Endless Fucker" Tape
GAS RAG "Beats Off" Tape
GAS RAG Demo Tape
KOWARD "S/T" Tape
LEATHER DADDY Demo Tape
LEATHER DADDY "Sob Story" Tape
NOMAD "LP" Tape
SAD BOYS "Cry Now Cry Later" Tape
SAVAGEHEADS Demo Tape
WHO KILLED SPIKEY JACKET "S/T" Tape
NIGHT SHANK Demo Tape
NOSEBLEED Demo Tape
DISTORT #47 Zine
NUTS #17 Zine
NUTS ZINE Issue #11
NUTS ZINE Issue #12
NUTS ZINE Issue #13
NUTS ZINE Issue #14
NUTS ZINE Issue #16
BLOOD PRESSURE "Need to Control" LP (Beach Impediment Records)
BLOOD PRESSURE finally deliver "NEED TO CONTROL" as a follow up to their Self Titled EP that turned heads all over when it came out in 2014. After a few personnel changes and a slew of gigs up and down the East Coast, the boys churned out yet another absolute pounder for the masses. You know the deal - this one features ten tracks of scathing hardcore punk from the Steel City, crafted in the way that they know how to make it out there... which is of the ripping, bleak, and fucked up variety. Featuring full color cover art by Matt Bellosi.
STRUTTER "S/T" 7" (Beach Impediment Records)
Beach Impediment is pleased to introduce the debut EP from Austin's STRUTTER. Hot on the heels of a true ripper of a demo and a slew of US and Canadian dates with GLUE that the band closed out 2015 with, this four song 7" delivers more of their brand of raging hardcore punk, bringing to mind groups like WHITE PIGS and other frantic acts in that vein. Featuring members of IMPALERS, VAASKA, GLUE, and THEE NODES. Each record comes in a glue pocket sleeve featuring full color art by Scott Young.
CRAZY SPIRIT "3rd" 7" (Toxic State Records)
It's been almost four years since the last Crazy Spirit record, with only a demo released in mid-2014 to sate our appetites. Punk landscapes change and does the world need another Crazy Spirit 7" after so long? Short answer: absolutely! The band has a very particular and signature sound and I know it can be difficult for artists to continue to keep fickle fans interested within that constraint. Crazy Spirit challenges fans by producing a record that is both a development (and refusal to stay in a holding pattern) and still sounds very much CRAZY SPIRIT. This new record is more complex and less immediate than their other 7"s, but I find it more rewarding with multiple listens. In short, it's more (sorry) Stealth Boy than Fat Man. Don't get me wrong, it's still catchier than most pretender bands out there, but it's just different enough to keep you on your toes. And, in the end, it's still Crazy Spirit and it's still a Toxic State release, which, may I add, this is the best looking Crazy Spirit 7" thus far, as well as one of the most impressive looking Toxic State releases. All in all it's fitting, then, that my cats are tearing around the house spitting and hissing at each other as I blast this record on repeat. Animal abuse? Probably. Essential record? Absolutely.
NO TOLERANCE "You Walk Alone" LP (Painkiller Records)
8 years after an impromptu afternoon jam that resulted in their first writing and recording session, and 4 years since their last record, No Tolerance return to deliver the straight edge hardcore album the youth and young-at-heart have been waiting for. Unchanged by the unstoppable march of time, You Walk Alone finds the band still able to mine the same territory as always, but formatted for the ebb and flow of a full length album. Expect a meticulous alloy of "Break Down the Walls", Confont's "Payday", and the Hard Stance E.P.s.
GAG "America's Greatest Hits" LP (Iron Lung Records)
Destined to be the most famous of all the bands. At least in their vision of the future that is. We like them. You like them. Why not? Go big or fuck off. Trippy violence and snake charms drenched in delay and fuel this wild, ugly, mid-tempo hardcore punk vehicle. All the way across the salt. For 180 days. Crew up and get down with America’s greatest. Housed in a heavy duty sleeve adorned with Scott Young’s perfect artwork. Recorded by Nudity’s own Capt. Tripps in Olympia, WA.
GAUCHO "Desplazados" 7" (Iron Lung Records)
The darkness and hate of living in the modern day is inescapable. People will always try to control you, force their ideologies on you and bind you with their ridiculous laws. Sooner or later you will get tired and hit back. And if true passion is there, you will succeed. It is hard not to hear the passion on this record. Gaucho delivers a Colombia-via-Canada raw hardcore pogo march to the death of tyrants far and wide. Members of S.H.I.T. give us a 5 song window into the struggle for a higher quality of life and we thank them for that.
BEHAVOIR "375 Images of Angels" LP (Iron Lung Records)
John Cage related this anecdote: “One evening I was walking along Hollywood Boulevard, nothing much to do. I stopped and looked in the window of a stationary shop. A mechanized pen was suspended in space in such a way that, as a mechanized roll of paper passed by it, the pen went through the motions of the same penmanship exercises I had learned as a child in the third grade. Centrally placed in the window was an advertisement explaining the mechanical reasons for the perfection of the operation of the suspended mechanical pen. I was fascinated, for everything was going wrong. The pen was tearing the paper to shreds and splattering ink all over the window and on the advertisement, which, nevertheless, remained legible.” This little musing somehow rhymes with the spirit of BEHAVIOR’s '375 Images of Angels,' unique “musical” approach to punk. The very essence of punk is a contemptuous “fuck you” to convention anyway, or at least a troubled groping for new avenues of self creation. There is a simple beauty in deconstruction, in calculated naivety, in messes, in processes and in the plain night air of Los Angeles. '…Angels' dances like a dog shaking off a swim. '...Angels' is as deliberate as it is free. Don’t we all want this dichotomy in our lives? The drive to make our time our own and the permission to chase joy?
RAKTA EM TRANSE "S/T" 7" (Nada Nada Discos)
Put out by the great Brazilian labels Nada Nada Discos and Dama Da Noite. This is a supergroup comprised of, you guessed it, RAKTA and our own CADAVER EM TRANSE and sounds exactly as you would hope it would. Creepy goth punk with a distinct SP feel. We love these people.
MUERTE "S/T" LP (SPHC Records)
"The awaited and hotly anticipated vinyl debut of Muerte, yet another flawless execution of hardcore punk" from the Mexico City crew that brought you Tercer Mundo, Inservibles, Era del Vacio, Cintas Pepe Records, etc. While the 2013 demo tape hinted at a more expanded vision and wider array of influences than their other bands, having a more goth-y anarcho-y undertone, its execution wasn't quite perfected. Their 2014 gigs with Sete Star Sept, Tercer Mundo, Lotus Fucker, and Globsters (now THAT was a tour!!!) left a big impression on us, with a tighter and more cohesive sound and style, and a powerful live show. And their appearance at Not Dead Yet fest in Toronto, with new songs and an undeniable urgency, cemented them as, well, I dunno, basically the best newer hardcore band in the world, in my opinion. This summer we're proud to drop their LP, which is (in my opinion) the best single record to come out of the much-hyped Mexico City scene. Flawless hardcore punk with the finely crafted songs and informed, immediate style that these bands are known for, but with some goth/anarcho-punk/New Model Army undertone that makes this record more dynamic, moody, and dark than the average hardcore record. Slower tempos with bursts of speed that builds and releases all the tension this shitty world builds inside of you. The soundtrack to your despair and rage. Real punk music."
DYKE DRAMA "Tender Resignation" LP (Salinas Records)
DYKE DRAMA is the solo project of G.L.O.S.S. vocalist Sadie Switchblade. "While G.L.O.S.S.’ Demo EP was a steamrolling eight minutes of louder-faster gutter blasts (Sample bellow-along: “THE FREAKS ARE COMING!!!”), Resignation is far more sentimental. Performed almost entirely by Switchblade, aside from a couple well-wishers stopping by to contribute organ and backing vocals, the EP is six tracks and a whopping 17 minutes of bleary-eyed heartbreak boogie. Though Switchblade hails from Olympia, Washington, riot grrrl capital of America, she more clearly follows the beautiful-loser Minneapolis lead of the Replacements here — “Westerberg” is even tagged on the EP’s Bandcamp page, and Paul’s probably wondering if a lyric like “I wasn’t born to lose / It’s just the thing I do best” might be borrowed from some ‘Mats deep cut he wrote too long ago to remember. It’s punk in its rawness, but not in any kind of musical elitism: The intro lead to “Hardest Years” sounds like John Cougar Mellencamp, ferchrissake. Switchblade is a worthy successor to Westerberg not just in her ability to turn a self-deprecating phrase while cranking out a stadium-echoing riff, but in her ability to make outcast vulnerability urgent and emboldening."
NO PAROLE "S/T" 7" (Mad at the World Records)
The debut 7” by NJ band No Parole, featuring ex-members of Criminal Intent, Altered Boys, and others, for those of you paying attention. 4 songs of rough but tuneful oi!, with definite cues from some of the more bald-headed varieties of hardcore and punk. We’re glad to see long-time tri-state area troublemaker Jesse Gasface fronting another band, and even happier to release the band’s first outing on wax. Great stuff if you’re into the newer bands like Crown Court or Rixe, as well as the classics.
FRIED EGG "The Incredible Flexible Egg" 7" Flexi (Fried Egg Ltd.)
Debut three track disc from FRIED EGG, the latest and greatest hardcore punk offering from Central Virginia. This is a total punk smasher, with a sound rooted in golden era HC punk filtered through modern depression and alienation, executed in just a few minutes. The four brainfried individuals behind FRIED EGG have also done duty in CRETINS and ANIMAL PLANET so the playing here is no slouch -- tight, fast, and to-the-point. The composition of the these tracks shows a bit more depth as well, with screaming guitar leads and fuzzed, walking bass lines jumping out at you, reminiscent of recent groups like Brown Sugar and Wiccans. Have a taste of the EGG and see for yourself. Second pressing of 250 copies with artwork by Lumpy.
TYRANNAMEN "S/T" LP (Cool Death Records)
The infectious debut album from TYRANNAMEN is a great slice of melodic and powerful Australian punk. Rooted in a similar rhythm-and-blues background as groups like Big Star and Reigning Sound, TYRANNAMEN's eponymous debut has just the right balance of harmony and grit. Eight well-penned, soulful rock'n'roll cuts packed full of hooks and delivered with raw, primal confidence.
COWBOYS, THE "S/T" LP (Lumpy Records)
This has been in the works for 14 months, it's finally out! A killer full length disc from an underrated band from Bloomington, IN, with a sound so classic that one weathered kbd collector/90s punk veteran (Ann Rerun of the Last sons of Krypton) actually thought it was recorded in '79!! Screen printed covers by Brian and Brandon in Springfield, IL.
FIREWALKER Demo Tape (Failure Recordings)
Debut demo from Boston's Firewalker. 5 mid-late 80s New York inspired hardcore songs.
WET WIRED Demo Tape (Failure Recordings)
Debut demo from Boston's Wet Wired. 5 hardcore/punk songs in the Boston/DC tradition. Members of Leather Daddy, Rash Tongue, and Death Injection.
TENEMENT "The Blind Wink" Tape (Dead Broke Records)
Demos collection of lo-fi pop/post-punk rock from Wisconsin's own, Tenement. This shit is pretty god damn great... you got your typical high-energy, popped-out Tenement rippers on this, but laced with some quiet, some noisey, indie/pop demo jams in between. 4th pressing on Red Cassette tapes!
TENEMENT "Bruised Music Volume 1" Tape (Dead Broke Records)
Tenement's first collection of singles & B-sides, "Bruised Music Vol.1". 150 pressed on high-quality Blue Cassette Tapes. Comes w/ download.
NIGHT BIRDS "Mutiny at Muscle Beach" Tape (Fat Wreck Chords)
In 2009 NIGHT BIRDS resuscitated the surf-inspired 80’s hardcore sound and have been cranking it to a new level ever since. Mutiny at Muscle Beach, the band’s third full-length and first on Fat Wreck Chords, is an unrepentantly raw blast of punk rock that evokes the spirit of Adolescents, Dead Kennedys, Germs, D.I., and Circle Jerks. The 12 tracks are further developed with NIGHT BIRDS’ integration of modern influences, a referential aesthetic, and a healthy dose of passionate innovation. From “(I’m) Wired” to “In the Red/In the Black” to the title track, Mutiny at Muscle Beach brims with an epileptic energy that defies the listener to sit still. Just like NIGHT BIRDS’ live show, this album is an unbridled onslaught of throwback-meets-modern hardcore that never stops to take a breath.
BLINDSIDE USA "Wave of Regret" 7" (Straight and Alert Records)
Blindside USA, from Kansas City, MO, formed in the fall of 2014. After recording a demo heavily influenced by late 80's NYHC (Breakdown & Agnostic Front) and early 2000's hardcore (Mental & Justice) they just put out their 6 track debut 7". Some say that Blindside USA is hardcore for the punks and punk for the jocks, but either way they're comin' from the blindside. Featuring members of SPINE and REALITY ABUSE.
LIFELOCK / RAPPA Split 7" (4490 Records)
A fine split between DIS-worship punks, LIFELOCK from Singapore and raw hardcore punkers, RAPPA from Morioka, Japan. No artwork, no bullshit. Just pure destruction. 500 copies.
DAILY RITUAL / THE STOPS Split 7" (4490 Records)
A Beautiful split 7" featuring two bands playing melancholic punk rock from both corners of the world. Daily Ritual from Singapore and The Stops from Portland.
CARNIVAL, THE "Hengen Juhlaa" 7" (Krypta Records)
"In my opinion, this is the best Finnish hardcore record of the last few years. If my label wasn't ground to a halt with pressing plant bullshit, I would have just manned up and released this myself, but alas, it wasn't in the cards. It is FUCKING AWESOME and clearly several steps ahead of the other (already solid) Carnival records. The Carnival play Finnish hardcore in the style of Terveet Kadet, with simple and bombastic raging hardcore punk music and totally manic, out of control, crazed howling vocals. The end result is demented, sinister, and dark. Super powerful and furious, totally pissed. Basically all the classic qualities you want from a hardcore record, right?"
MALOKIO "S/T" LP (SPHC Records)
"When my hardcore brother Guigui (Coche Bomba) gave me a demo tape of his new band Silent Bones in 2013, it knocked me out. I was a huge fan and an instant believer. Silent Bones managed a short tour and, to my dismay, broke up. In 2014 Guigui gave me another demo tape of his new band, Malokio. Lo and behold....it's Silent Bones with a new singer, same style but new songs. After seeing them live at Varning for Montreal, I immediately signed up to release their LP. For me, this fits nicely with bands like Post Regiment, La Fraction, The Assassinators. Straight-forward melodic punk sound, mid-tempo riff-heavy songs with adept and hook-y singing. Exactly the kind of punk music I enjoy."
TERVEET KADET "Lapin Helvetti" LP (SPHC Records)
"The last record by one of the greatest punk bands of all time. It's an honor to help make this record easily available for cheap here in my stupid asshole country. Since 1979, Terveet Kadet has been one of the best punk bands in the world". Tons of classic records, and like all true champions, they're leaving on a high note. This final (?) LP is a textbook example of the short-songs blazing-fast demented-and-vicious hardcore punk that Terveet Kadet stylized and popularized (yet nobody else has come close in copying). True masters. Stick a candle up your butt and pay your respects to the Black Gods of Noise."
THISCLOSE "Chapter III" LP (SPHC Records)
"The cumulative artistic vision, the magnum opus, of the world's finest purveyors of the Grave New Beat. Moving beyond any sort of parody, concept, or tribute, this second LP finds Thisclose at their most matured and fully-formed. Drawing equal influence from the entire spread of the Discharge discography, Thisclose finds a niche style within the tried-and-true formula of d-beat" that has yet to be fully explored. It rocks, it rages, it does it again (and again), with a tasteful stylistic subtlety that belies a band that has spent time honing their craft and has reached their climax. While everyone else was face-palming and throwing their copy of Grave New World LP in the garbage, Rodney Shades was up late at night studying Massacre Divine LP and Shootin Up the World LP in an attempt to understand how the good parts of these records could be reinterpreted and reapplied to the traditional notion of 'd-beat'. Chapter III LP is the final thesis and SPHC gives it an A+."
THISCLOSE / ACTIVE MINDS Split 7" (SPHC Records)
"New split 7 by two of the UK's most notable currently active punk bands, released just in time for their USA tour together. Active Minds are one of the best punk bands of all time, period. From their humble beginnings in 1986 as the new iteration of SAS, all the way until the current day and age of 2015, Active Minds has walked, talked, and lived the true meaning of "DIY hardcore punk". Over the course of 5 LPs, tons of 7"s, splits with everyone from Unholy Grave and Yacopsae to Petrograd and Voco Protesta, Active Minds has never deviated from playing straight-forward hardcore punk. Yet their style is not one-dimensional: they can play real chaotic fast hardcore right next to slower melodic punk songs right next to more d-beat-ing songs, and it always makes sense together and sounds natural and proper. Matched with their outspoken hardline politics and their commitment to DIY punk ethics (like self-releasing the majority of their releases, trading heavily, and selling them at a bare minimum price), they are a band that continues to inspire, especially at a time when DIY punk seems so detached and apolitical. Their side is 3 new songs that fit nicely in-line with the rest of the Active Minds discography. Thisclose contributes a 2 song statement of purpose to bookend their discography of hits. A new recording of their own single "Leaders Deceivers", and a cover of Discharge's hit "Leaders Deceivers" from Shootin Up the World LP, which, clearly, ought to be your favorite Discharge record by now. A true summation of the politic of Grave New Beat: to love Discharge, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health."
ERA DEL VACIO "S/T" LP (Cintas Pepe Records)
"Anybody tracking this label knows how much I love the community of folks behind Tercer Mundo/Muerte/Cintas Pepe Records/Inservibles/etc. And anyone paying attention to the recorded output of these bands can probably tell that these guys have a lot of love and appreciation for goth. So you can imagine my anticipation and excitement when they tell me Dave Rata, Roger, and Eumir have a goth band with a full LP recorded. And imagine my blissful reaction when I hear these recordings. Great goth music, with the energy and momentum of punk, captured on a warm and raw recording that gives both the vibrancy and lo-fi desperation you want to hear. I think this band stands a few degrees above most of the other trend goth/post-punk kinda bands by virtue of being more energetic and having higher quality/better crafted songs and riffs (wait....isn't this kinda what makes all these guys' bands so good? hmmmm…..)."
ZEX "Fear No Man" 7" (Loud Punk Records)
After the demise of GERM ATTAK, singer/guitarist Jo spent the next few year writing songs and plotting his next endeavor. In 2014 Zex was born and they wasted no time taking the punk scene by storm releasing an astonishing 2 singles, an LP and several tapes all within a year of their first show! After some extensive tours all over the world they are back with their 3rd single "Fear No Man" which packs a mean punch of melody and aggression. The B Side "I Didn't Know" comes off with the sort of effect you would expect out of VICE SQUAD covering "End Of The Century" era THE RAMONES. This record is the bands strongest material to date and a good indication even greater things are to come.
MUCH WORSE "Chronic Instigation" LP (25 Diamonds)
2nd LP by this excellent hardcore band from mpls, mn, uxa. incredibly tight and technical without being nerd music, mean and tough as nails without being macho, all around a punk as fuck record. 12 brand new songs. Drawing from the best of U.S. and Japanese hardcore and the history of great music in general. 300 copies
COZY "Kiss Me Dummy" 7" (Secret Mission Records)
Following up their 2012 debut single on HOZAC records, Minnesota’s COZY now gives you, KISS ME DUMMY b/W SHOW AND TELL! The band continues their incredibly catchy and over the top Midwestern take on 70′s powerpop/glam. Featuring ex-members of Boy’s Club and Retainers, Cozy offers a perfect mix of 60′s bubblegum , 70′s glam hooks and 90′s Rip Off records raw power and energy. See the write up from their official fan club below!
CAR CRASH "Execution" 7" (Secret Mission Records)
Debut single from Tokyo’s CAR CRASH. 3 tracks of blown out, pure-punk rock that perfectly combines the U.S. 70′s KBD spirit with the blown out Japanese rock n roll sound that bands such as Teengenerate and Registrators made popular around the world in the early 90′s. The comparisons end there though, as Car Crash stand out from their contemporary, polished/powerpop peers by bashing out stripped down, powerful, angry, songs that come in under a couple minutes and leave little room to breath. They’ve also recently become one of the most popular live punk bands in the new Japanese underground scene. Great record, you’d be smart to keep an eye on them.
RAYDIOS, THE "Craps / Teacher's Pet" 7" (Secret Mission Records)
Christmas must be around the corner, because Tokyo’s The Radyios are at it again with a brand new EP on Secret Mission Records! Two killer tunes from Fink & Co, that are a little more lo-fi, tough sounding then what we’re normally used to from these guys. It’s evident from this record that the recent Teengenerate reunion might have been an inspiration. Craps on the A-side is a catchy punker that’s kind of reminiscent of some of that great New England stuff like Nervous Eaters or may be even The Reducers. Teacher’s Pet, on the flip, is actually what should play in the back ground as a gang of leather jacket clad jerks walks through the halls of their high school, taking down posters and cocking fists at jocks. This is a fun a little record, that’s a must have, from one of the best bands in the world. But, of course, those of you who are hip to these guys and their history already knew it. Better hurry up! Only 500 copies pressed!
V/A "Something to Du" Husker Du Tribute Compilation 7" (Dead Broke Records)
Here it is, the long-awaited DIY punk rock tribute to one of punk rock's best and most classic bands, HÜSKER DÜ! Featuring cover songs by UNFUN, CROW BAIT, TENEMENT, BENT OUTTA SHAPE, THE DAUNTLESS ELITE, & YOUR PEST BAND. Composed of punk bands from across the globe. Including an unreleased cover by NYC's late great, Bent Outta Shape, which was meant for a Hüsker compilation that never saw the light of day. Perfect. Split released as a love connection for the band and each other by Dead Broke & Drunken Sailor. One-time pressing of 800 copies.
VACATION "Back to the Land" 7" (Dead Broke Records)
New VACATION 7" Single! Hot off the heels of the bands’ newest full-length album, “Non Person” on Don Giovanni Records, we bring you 2 Unreleased exclusive songs cut from the bands‘, “Candy Waves” album (Lets Pretend Records). Two vastly different versions of an unreleased track, “Back To The Land”. Both versions are widely different, style-wise and performance-wise. Not just an alternate recording. Two completely different versions of this song from these Ohio spazzed-out lo-fi punk rockers.
SOVIETTES, THE "Rarities" LP (Dead Broke Records)
Proper Reissue release of the long-lost SOVIETTES collection of 7"s, B-Sides and non-lp songs! Previously available on a now defunct label and now distributed and widely-available for the first time.
WITCHES WITH DICKS "Not Just A Passing Season" LP (Dead Broke Records)
ONE SIDED 12" VINYL VERSION LIMITED TO 400 QTY. 8 brand new songs from the newly reformed Boston hard pop-punk masters. Members have played in such notable Boston punkers as Brain Killer, Awful Man, No Sir I Won't, The Credentials & more.
PERFECT PUSSY "I Have Lost All Desire For Feeling" 12" (Captured Tracks Records)
Just over a year after playing their first show as a band, Perfect Pussy have quickly made a name for themselves as one of the most intense bands in the indie rock and hardcore punk communities, both live and on record. Their fast rise to success all stemmed from this 4 track demo EP, originally released as a cassette only. Simply title tracks such as "I" and "IV" garnered praise from everyone to Rolling Stone and Pitchfork, to NPR and the New York Times, landing the on countless year end lists. "Punk-rock revelations like Perfect Pussy don't come along nearly often enough. They've got it all: great riot-feminist name, excellently miserable hometown (Syracuse, New York), ragingly chaotic live shows and a noise-assault donnybrook of a debut EP. The Double P don't make it easy: They give their songs stark Roman-numeral titles, and vocalist Meredith Graves' vibrant hollerings are buried under a violent hardcore scrum."
FIX, THE "At the Speed of Twisted Thought" LP (Touch and Go Records)
"With two relatively obscure 45's released on a label that helped kickstart the American hardcore scene both in print and on wax, Lansing, Michigan's THE FIX have somehow been lost in the historical shuffle. The six songs on these two singles (plus the track from the incredibly good, Process of Elimination" compilation 7" from 1981 - easily the best punk / hardcore compilation 7in ever - is there really any other competition beside "Unsafe At Any Speed"???) document some serious Midwestern musical aggression. In addition to the band's seven songs of legitimate, official output during the early 1980s, this LP contain the demos from the late 1980s bootleg compilation, "Cold Days," on West Germany's Lost & Found Records. These songs are split between the "Vengeance" and "Jan's Rooms" sessions, as far as I can tell. Additionally, the live material on this disc provide some absolutely brutal rage against the state, society, and state of affairs. Given the consistent downturn of Michigan's economy over the last thirty years in light of globalization, the continued decline and failure of unions, and corruption of local government, this band's recording paints an interesting philosophical picture of America's urban heartland."
MEATMEN, THE "We're the Meatmen and You Suck" LP (Touch and Go Records)
"After the Blood Sausage and Crippled Children Suck EPs helped stake the Meatmen's dubious claim to rock godhood, We're the Meatmen... And You Suck!! helps slam the door completely on that particular notion. Recorded in front of a live New York City audience whose members presumably knew exactly what they came here for, We're the Meatmen has the same confrontational spirit as, say, the Misfits' Evilive, but one-tenth of the talent. In large part, this is because Tesco Vee is a (admittedly intentionally) terrible singer and raconteur -- take his introduction to "Mr. Tapeworm," demonstrating, among other things, what said tapeworm sounds like. More than once, his singing is mere gargled up-and-down hooting. Give him credit for knowing the ridiculousness of what's going on -- thus his a cappella rendition of the opening verse of "I Sin for a Living," which demonstrates clearly that Meatmen lyrics are best heard in a blur rather than recited as poetry. More than once, the musicians save Vee from himself -- the switch between hyper-speed thrash and slow-burn attitude on "Orgy of One" almost distracts attention from Vee's beefily voiced description of the joys of masturbation on the midsong break. Meanwhile, the otherwise unrecorded "Buttocks" finally gets the whole Meatmen aesthetic, if you will, down right -- Vee merrily uses the chorus to shout out "Buttocks, buttocks, I love buttocks!" over a surf-punk combination that's sheer hilarity. This is perhaps all related to the claims about girls who sh*t on the band's faces later during the introduction to "Meat Crimes," if one wished to investigate in more detail. Yes, the whole thing is perversely, stupidly funny -- but really, it only needs to be listened to about once every five years, if that."
NEGATIVE APPROACH "10-Song EP" 7" (Touch and Go Records)
Classic! The cover art might be a little different, but this EP is absolutely essential so this reissue is long overdue!
SWINGIN' UTTERS "The Streets of San Francisco" LP (Fat Wreck Chords)
The Swingin’ Utters first full length and an essential street punk masterpiece. No shit. This is the record that got ‘em noticed by us and established them as SF’s best punk band. Produced by Lars Frederiksen, so you know it’s fulla hits! Originally released in 1995 on New Red Archives.
EXIT DUST Demo Tape
Melodic dark Anarcho Punk. Chorus, reverb, distortion. Ex Vermin/Mauser.
ASEPTIC "Death is Their Currency" Tape
5 tracks noisecore d-beat from Philadelphia
POLLEN Demo Tape
Scandinavian-influenced punk on the noisier/faster side of the spectrum. Members of aseptic, pissbath, ectoplasm. Based in Philadelphia.
BOMBSPLINTER "No One Survives" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
No One Survives tape from Los-Angeles rawpunx Bombsplinter (after first demo and cd-r released before) which sounds like scandi hardcore of 80's in nowadays! We can see straightforward analogy of swedish raw hardcore punx Crude SS in artwork and it's done really amazing! For all fans of Moderat Likvidation, Discharge, Svart Parad and Crude SS must have!
HUMAN BODIES "No Life" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
Blackened crust/hardcore punk from Boston, MA with members of Sadist and ex-Aspects of War etc.
ORDEN MUNDIAL "S/T" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
Raw hardcore punk band from Mallorca, Spain. Originally released as 12" in 2012. Comes with double sided sheets with pictures and other stuff.
WOODBOOT "Krang Gang" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
First release in 2016, reissue demo tape called Krang Gang by auusie punks Woodboot outta Brisbale, QLD. 9 tracks of very early punk, similar to Ramones and other 77 / garage stuff!
HANK WOOD AND THE HAMMERHEADS "Stay Home" Tape (Voice From Inside Tapes)
Secong full lenth LP of Hank Wood and the Hammerheads released in 2014 (Toxic State, LVEUM), heres tape version of this gem! 10 garage punk hits with pretty distinct singing of Henry. Coming with alternate covers and new cut-n-paste artwork for cassette foldout!
NO EXPOSURE Zine Issue #2
Second issue of this Aussie zine from the former editor of Jerk Store. With No Exposure the focus is contemporary punk/hardcore, with features on MISCALCULATIONS, SEVEN INCHES TO FREEDOM ZINE, DISSENT, and a nice photo spread/live review of Maggot Fest 2015 (including Hank Wood, Dawn of Humans, and Crazy Spirit). Excellent issue rounded out by a well-executed review section.
MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #393 - Feb. 2016
Here it is: Maximum Rocknroll #393, the February 2016 issue. The time has come to drop our 2015 YEAR-END TOP TENS. We’ve given music “journalists” and rock “critics” a polite but firm kick in the head: these top-tens were composed by real live actual punks. Writers include your favorite MRR reviewers and contributors as well as some special guests: members of the punk community at large including Laura Lança (Rakta, Chroma), Greg Benedetto (S.H.I.T., Not Dead Yet fest organizer), Arto Hietikko (editor of Toinen Vaihtoehto) Ralph Rivera (Not Normal Tapes, The Bug), the ladies of Shequalizing Distort (CIUT Toronto radio takeover), Paco Mus (La Vida Es Un Mus label impresario) and many more. No two lists are alike; over 232 records are discussed here. Expect to find your new favorite records in these pages. We also have an interview with BUSTED OUTLOOK, one of the most exciting hardcore bands in California, getting live on stage and on the page. Australia’s SCAB EATER talk about their new record, relive touring in Southeast Asia, relate some controversies at home and explain why they seem to be on the road at least every three months. Another intercontinental enterprise: SEI TO SHI discus splitting members between New York and Kyushu, Japan and the return from their brief hiatus. Texas crust outfit COMMUNION OF THIEVES talk about their origins on both sides of the El Paso-Juárez divide as well as their introductions to the wide world of punk. On top of all that, we managed to pack in a photo spread from Cacophonie Nights, a weekend of noise punk gaiety in Portland; all of the columnists you know and love; and of course, punk’s hugest reviews section.
Restocks for 2.05.16:
AJAX "S/T" 7"
ALTERED BOYS "Left Behind" 7"
BEACH SLANG "Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?" 7"
BIG EYES / MEAN JEANS Split 7"
BOYS ORDER "Tomorrow Dancing" 7"
CHEENA "S/T" 7"
DIALS "School Girl" 7"
DRESS CODE "Perception" 7"
GAS CHAMBER "Stained Hand" 7"
HARM DONE "S/T" 7"
IRON CHIC "Split N' Shit" 7"
IRON CHIC / LOW CULTURE Split 7"
IVY "A Cat's Cause, No Dog's Problem" 7"
MODERN PETS "B.I.Y.S." 7"
MUFF DIVERS "No Muff Too Tuff" 7"
RESPONSE "There's No Choice" 7"
SOCIAL DAMAGE "Both Demos" 7"
SYNDROME 81 "Desert Urbain" 7"
UNA BESTIA INCONTROLABLE "Nou Mon" 7"
VICTIMS, THE "Television Addict / Flipped Out Over You" 7"
ABUSED, THE "Loud and Clear" LP
CANCERS "Fatten the Leeches" LP
CHRONIC SICK "Cutest Band in Hardcore" LP
CLOCKED OUT "S/T" LP
DIAT "Positive Energy" LP
DINOSAUR JR. "BUG" LP
DINOSAUR JR. "FARM" 2xLP
DINOSAUR JR. "S/T" LP
DINOSAUR JR. "You're Living All Over Me" LP
DWARVES "Blood, Guts, and Pussy" LP
EXPLODING HEARTS "Shattered" LP
FREEDOM "U.S.A. Hardcore" LP
GAS RAG "Beats Off" LP
INSTITUTE "Catharsis" LP
INSTITUTE "Salt" 12"
IRON CHIC "Not Like This" LP
KIDS, THE "Naughty Kids (Deluxe Edition)" LP
KIDS, THE "S/T (Deluxe Edition)" LP
MIND SPIDERS "S/T" LP
MUDHONEY "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge" LP
MUDHONEY "S/T" LP
MUDHONEY "Superfuzz Bigmuff" LP
OUT COLD "Goodbye Cruel World" LP
PERFECT PUSSY "Say Yes to Love" LP
POWER "Electric Glitter Boogie" LP
RADIOACTIVITY "S/T" LP
RIVAL MOB, THE "Hardcore for Hardcore" 12"
SAND IN THE FACE "Music Made to Riot 1982-83" LP
STOPS, THE "Nameless Faces" LP
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE "Diary" 2xLP
TENEMENT "Napalm Dream" LP
UNHOLY THOUGHTS "The Attic" LP
URBAN WASTE "S/T" LP
V/A "Charred Remains Compilation 2xLP
WIPERS "IS THIS REAL?" LP
ZERO BOYS "Vicious Circle" LP
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Moderation" T-Shirt / Black w/ White
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / Blue
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / Kiwi Green
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / Red
GOVERNMENT WARNING "No Way Out" T-Shirt / White
CANCERS "Fatten the Leaches" Tape
CRETINS "Collection" Tape
BLOODKROW BUTCHER "Nigh Hell" Tape
CRAZY SPIRIT "Demo 2014" Tape
CREEM "S/T" Tape
DIE "Vexed" Tape
EEL "Endless Fucker" Tape
GAS RAG "Beats Off" Tape
GAS RAG Demo Tape
KOWARD "S/T" Tape
LEATHER DADDY Demo Tape
LEATHER DADDY "Sob Story" Tape
NOMAD "LP" Tape
SAD BOYS "Cry Now Cry Later" Tape
SAVAGEHEADS Demo Tape
WHO KILLED SPIKEY JACKET "S/T" Tape
NIGHT SHANK Demo Tape
NOSEBLEED Demo Tape
DISTORT #47 Zine
NUTS #17 Zine
NUTS ZINE Issue #11
NUTS ZINE Issue #12
NUTS ZINE Issue #13
NUTS ZINE Issue #14
NUTS ZINE Issue #16
