The War Goes On-"This Shitty Life" EP

This record has taken quite awhile to see the light of day, but as always, it was worth the wait. For those of you who know the demo this will be no big surprise but there are a few things changed here. First off we have an additional guitar track added, it has been re-mixed by Lasse Ballade at Planet-X, and has been properly mastered for vinyl by Hajji Husayn. The three songs on this are seething with depression and rage which comes off great with the raw delivery of the band. The closest thing I can compare TWGO to is Ronni's last band No Hope for the Kids but less melodic, and without every song being about war, . There is a distinct introspective element to the lyrics for sure. Another great band from K-town with members of all the bands you already like. This record was also done with limited hand-made covers. Thanks to the band for playing a great record release show here in Hamburg!

Download Lossless

Order Here

*note the link above for limited edition copies (1 per person) is only good for the first 20 people who order, all other payments will be refunded through paypal. If it has been a few weeks and you haven't got your records yet, do NOT email me. They will be sent! If you are an impatient bastard and complain you will be banned from my paypal account and never allowed to order records from me again. Legitimate concerns will be addressed of course.

Top Ten of 2011 as seen in MRR no. 345

LP’s:
BRAINOIL - “Death in this Dry Season” LP (20 Buck Spin)

It’s been a long wait for these guys to release a new record and this one is full of all sorts of energy, as well as some of the heaviest riffs you will ever hear in underground punk. I’m totally floored by the sheer power of this record. listen

WARSONG-”Ancient Times” LP (The Pression)

Really catchy melodic punk rock from Zaragoza Spain. These guys have been pretty busy in past bands, but in my opinion this is more varied musically than any of their previous bands, and therefore more notable than any of their past efforts. This record is really solid all the way through in the same way that bands like NO HOPE FOR THE KIDS, or PELIGRO SOCIAL, have managed to be. listen

BELGRADO-”s/t” LP (Static Shock)

This is the quintessential death rock record made by punks in the 2000’s. It has tons of hooks that are reminiscent of all the 80’s favorites, but has enough energy and musical ability to come away sounding fresh and super danceable, and heartfelt. listen

SMART COPS-”Per Proteggere E Sevile” LP (Sorry State)

This band is so blatantly overlooked it should be criminal. This record is probably one of the best hardcore records in years. Totally saturated in garage-style hooks but with enough speed and energy to remain totally modern and powerful. listen

RIPPER-”Into Oblivion” LP (Black Water)

This is the best marriage of punk and metallic rock n’roll since INEPSY. The hooks fill every nook and cranny that hasn’t been taken by the pummeling rhythm section. listen

NO PROBLEM -”And Now This” LP (Deranged)

This record has to be up there with GOVERNMENT WARNING “No Moderation” and “Arrested”, and a slew of records by CAREER SUICIDE, as the top of the game hardcore bands going these days. NO PROBLEM play flawless hardcore that doesn’t sound like any other band and is easily recognizable. listen


DEATH TOKEN-”All Dreams are Nightmares” LP (Adult Crash)

This record has been in the works for a long time. Well, it was worth the wait. The sounds of this record harken back to those of thrash bands like B.G.K. and VENOM, while mixing in some great mid tempo rage-rs in the haunting style of RUDIMENTARY PENI. Need I say more? listen

HARDA TIDER-”Gatan Kallar” LP (Instigate)

This is the best Hardcore band since CRO MAGS! See them live anywhere in Sweden and you will become a believer. The record just pummels the listener the entire way through. Scathing Scandi style riffs with brutal breakdowns and gang vocals. Don’t think this is a tough guy macho hardcore band though. This is as underground as it gets. You will find the band members at every DIY show in the Malmo area. listen

UNLEARN-”s/t” LP (Deranged)

This record is everything you want from a apocalyptic punk record. Screaming vocals about antisocial behavior and a world without a future. All the while accompanied by searing raw guitars and charging drums. sample

GOVERNMENT FLU-”Are You Sorry Now” LP (Nikt Nic Nie Wie)

This record reminds me that talented kids still get together and make hardcore music which won’t stay trapped in easy definitions of what a 80’s style hardcore band should sound like. The LP is recorded with the perfect amount of ferocity and perfection. It’s a shame so many people will overlook this band because they aren’t from a big city where there are tons of great bands releasing records all the time. Check this out. Listen

PELIGRO!-”s/t” LP 

This is the closest a band has come to playing ANNIHILATION TIME style hardcore with rock n’roll riffage that doesn’t rip every single element of theirs off. PELIGRO! keep a firm foot planted in their Spanish hardcore roots, but with tons of BLACK SABBATH and MOTORHEAD guitar noodling. The songs are energetic and filled with passion. Really great! listen

EP’s & Demos:

CULO-”Life is Vile...So are We” EP (Deranged)
LOS MONJO/RULETA RUSA-”Split” EP (Solo Para Punks)
NIGHT FEVER- “Transparent” EP (No Way)
FY FAN-”Ingen Framtid for Alltid” EP (No Way)
TERRIBLE FEELINGS-”Impending Doom” EP (Sabotage)
THE WAR GOES ON-”Demo”-Cassette (self released)
CAREER SUICIDE-”Cherry Beach” EP (Dirtnap)
INFERNOH-”Demo” Cassette (self released)
DOPECHARGE-”Kill Cops Dead” EP (Roehrs Records)
BLANK PAGES- “Unseen” EP (Taken By Surprise)

Re-Issues & Bootlegs:

TOZIBABE-”s/t” EP
LA PESTE-”Better Off Dead” EP
THE STIFFS-Innocent Bystander” EP
THE FEELIES-”Crazy Rhythms” LP
BASTARD-”Controlled In the Frame” EP
SVART FRAMTID-”1984” EP
DEATHSIDE-”Bet On the Possibility” LP
T.N.T.-”Manifesto Guernica” LP
ETAE-”All Possibilities Will Come” LP
AXEGRINDER-”Grind the Enemy” LP
VOID-”Sessions 1981-83” LP

Live Bands:

PELIGRO! (Spain)
NIGHT BIRDS (USA)
THE ESTRANGED (USA)
HARDA TIDER (Sweden)
LOS MONJO (Mexico)
WARSONG (Spain)
OUT ON A LIMB (Germany)
HOT SNAKES (USA)
INFERNOH (Sweden)
JEMEK JEMOWIT (Germany)

No More Art -"Peripeteia b/w Evil Eyes" EP

No More Art -"Peripeteia b/w Evil Eyes" EP
This is my new band from Hamburg. This is a description from Erste Theke who released this plate:
No More Art is comprised of people from rather dissimilar backgrounds in music, but the elements are easy enough to lay out. There are the surf-drenched guitars, the complementary female vocals, and the rock ‘n’ roll frenzy of X (Los Angeles), some of what has been brewing in Denmark and Sweden over the last decades with bands like MASSHYSTERI / VICIOUS, and NO HOPE FOR THE KIDS, but also with lots of melody and leads that is reminiscent of 80's LA bands like SOCIAL DISTORTION and ADOLESCENTS, but with a unique sound of their own as well. Lead singer Milo has been paying her dues for some years now as a singer song writer in her own solo project ROSIE TIE. Drummer Juan Miguel has been busy on the heavier side of music, playing guitar in bands like LOS DOLARES, ETACARINAE, and PELIGRO!, in Barcelona over the past decade. Will has also done time in many bands over the past decade with groups BORN/DEAD, DESOLATION, SUICIDE BOMB, DOPECHARGE, and most recently Portland's RED DONS. Recorded by Dennis Rux at Yeah Yeah Yeah Studios and mastered by RED DONS Hajji Husayn in a 80s sound that made you KBD fans out there forget the modern world. Enjoy the first No More Art songs! 


Download Here

No More Art -"Demos Vol.1" cassette tape

No More Art is my new band in Hamburg Germany. This is our first demo after playing for a very short while together. It was recorded in HH at Yeah Yeah Yeah Studios with Dennis Rux and mastered by Hajji Husayn of Red Dons. We tried to go for a warm sound that you can hear every instrument, the end result is pretty good I think.This tape is available through Kink Records here in Europe.

Download

Column for Ox Fanzine #98

Continuing where I left off last time with values. I want to talk about activism and divisions within the punk scene. This is a difficult topic because everyone has different opinions of what kind of activism works. Some people also have differences on the exact definition of activism. For this column I’m going to broadly define activism as anything from setting up a show, releasing records, making a zine, along the more traditional efforts like organizing protests, distributing propaganda, or organizing within your district.

What is the end goal of activism? I think it should be to change something in this world for the better. We can debate all we want which tactics work, there are so many ways to confront different issues. I would say that non-violent actions are usually the most powerful.  I also sometimes ask myself where to put my energy because no one person can take on every issue in this miserable world.

On the topic of larger issues that confront political change, or the reform of laws, ect, I will admit that punk has been pretty ineffective as a movement. In a larger sense though it can help. What I mean is that if you show regular people that even though you look different and live different that you have morals and standards that are important to you and strong, then you can effect their views and eventually their politics. Sure not everyone is gonna be accepting and open minded but those people have kids that might think differently someday. When punks segregate themselves from everyone else in society they will remain ineffective activists.

When I go out here, I usually see a lot of people talking together with other people who have the same dress code. Spiky punks together, Crusties together, Hipster punks all with their own kind. I like hanging around with people not involved in a particular subculture sometimes, and when I go out with those people I feel like punks in the scene here will ignore them if they don’t have the look. I don’t hang out with lame, shallow, conservative minded people, so I assume that the reason that they don’t care about these people, my friends, is because they haven’t adopted the dress code. This comes back to what I was saying earlier which is that you will never change anything if you can’t even accept people who are different than you, it’s a form of reverse discrimination. Popular struggle is the only way to change government and last I looked punks aren’t exactly a large portion of the population.

It has been said to me that many Europeans look at Americans as unpolitical and by in large uneducated about the world. This may be true in a lot of cases but remember that America has 307 million people, and Germany a bit less than 81 million. This means that Americans have 74.2% more ignorant people representing us. I’m sure most Germans wouldn’t want the average Bavarian representing them on political issues. Sure Europeans have a firm grasp on politics but I also see the populations as being somewhat introverted when it comes to world politics. People care about things which affect Germany but a lot of issues are bigger than just one country and I see a lot of focus going into directions I feel are a bit less important than major events that are effecting the whole planet.

Punk is about counter-culture and should remain so. Everyone knows that the mainstream has subverted the style, but they can’t subvert the politics which make people punks inside which is what is important no matter which sub-genre you like most. The best way to remain a threat to society is to put aside the differences between people and use the common goals as a basis for activism and change. People will have alternate views of what works,  and which issues are most important to them, but if we put aside petty differences than we make a bigger group of opposition.

Here we stand with a passion for life, a world without hate, no violence no strife, see all there is to see, hear all there is to hear, know all there is to know, feel all there is to feel, a world without war where we can be free, our future, our earth begins with you and me, a search for life in this dirty world, a cry of pain and anguish for love. -Crucifix “Search for the Sun”

INFERNÖH-"Demo" Tape 2011

INFERNÖH-"Demo" Tape 2011

Released as a cassette on Distort the World (Sweden), and Atomic Age (Australia), this tape showcases the bands strength at creating memorable riffs of Cacophonous Scandinavian raw punk. With members of SKIT KIDS, FY FAN, HERATYS, and SKIPLICKERS, you should get an idea of what this band is about. Don't go getting too ahead of yourself though because this band is a different kind of animal. Check it out. Great first output. 

Demo

Amebix Interview for MRR #316

It is 5pm in San Francisco as I wade my way through the TL with a bottle of Jamison in one hand and a tape recorder in the other on my way to interview the legendary Amebix. To say the least I’m nervous. Their lyrics, artwork, and primal sound have sent chills through my spine so many numerous times it is incalculable. After soundcheck we make our way to the green room below the club. This is my third night with them on tour and although I have become quite comfortable with them as people, I’m racking my brain for the right questions. The questions where written in such a rush I am second guessing myself. Roy is still soundchecking so we decide to get underway without him. The show is sold out so tons of people are filtering through and yet I somehow manage to get an hour of them on tape although a lot of it is unintelligible. Here is what we salvaged…

Interview conducted by: Will Kinser

MRR: How is it for Amebix to have reformed with a lot of these kids have grown up listening to you guys who’ve never even imagined what it was like to see you play live?

Rob: Like for us, seein’ Black Sabbath with Iommi and Geezer Butler…

MRR: Amebix is a band with a very distinct sound. You’ve mentioned in other interviews that you’re not really happy with some of the recording qualities? I’m of the opinion that recording quality or lack thereof helped define the band and only added to your cult status. What were some of the problems you had with each record?

.....The rest of the interview Here

My Column in Ox Fanzine #97

This is my first column in OX. It is just a jumping off point but at least I have started to try to articulate my thought here.


I would like to start this column off by quickly introducing myself. I am 30 years old and I have been involved with the punk scene for over 16 years. I’m a native of California, but recently moved to Hamburg Germany. I have played in many bands, toured around the world, booked tours, hosted people from all over the map, distributed records, distributed books for AK press, write columns, interviews, and reviews for MRR, and most recently started a new record label in Germany called New Dark Age. I also ran a DIY label and Distro called No Options Records for the past 10 years that in theory still exists. The subject of this column will be about the differences between Deutschland and my home country the United States of America, but hopefully it can also shed some light on our similarities, as well as serve as a diary of my thoughts here. So what are the differences? In short, Everything. That is not necessarily a bad thing though. Where do I start I wonder?

There is something that has been bothering me since moving here that is sort of a hard subject to tackle and that is the lack of new people, mainly young people, that are involved in the inner workings of the scene. This is of course my perspective in the North and does not cover all of Germany, or Europe, but from what I’ve seen it applies to a lot of places. The fundamentals of punk rock are supposed to be based on individualism, activism, and cooperation, along with a whole slough of other ideals, but lets just concentrate on individualism for now.

Individualism is an interesting topic because the longer I live here the more that I realize there seems to be no such thing in the punk scene. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear people saying that they don’t like someone because of their views on some political topic, or who they hang out with, or worst reason ever, the way they dress, or  even where they choose to hang out. Since when did politics in punk become so hardline that people can’t have their own opinions and outlook, much less style. It seems that all the different opinions have now been boiled down to one viewpoint and if you don’t share that viewpoint then you won’t fit in with whichever stereotypical punk sub-genre you may want to be part of. I don’t mean things like racism, sexism, or homophobia. I’m talking about world politics, personal politics, or even just morality issues! I would like to hear people discussing unpopular views without being ostracized or put down, and without having there opinions belittled. I still remember when punks were provocative and real, and people would argue over a topic and then still hang out afterwards.

I’m very aware that the DIY movement here is based on people trying to live outside of societal norms, but I also have become increasingly aware that if those so-called abnormalities don’t fit into a preset code of views and style then people are not made welcome in many cases. I have always considered myself a free thinking person from the time I was very young which is what drew me to punk in the first place. When people are really rigid and unwilling to see an alternate view I feel stifled and unchallenged. I feel that the scene here has become very dogmatic and to a lesser extent closed to the outside. The lack of individualism makes people unwilling to respect people who are younger and may not have all the informed opinions that the older generation thinks they posses.

Let me give you some examples. If a kid walks into a well established DIY space here dressed in a Rancid t-shirt and baggy pants do you think they will be treated with respect and welcomed in by the older generation? Would they be ignored entirely? Most likely ignored. Do you think kids which have been around a lot longer in the scene and have adopted the uniform will be asked to join in at meetings, working at a show, or doing the bar at a squat or club? From my experience these places have a sort of old guard mentality to them. If you weren’t there in the beginning then you don’t matter as much. This is a huge difference in the United States where people are needed because of their youth and energy and DIY spaces are fleeting which means more people are welcome to help and contribute. The hard facts are also that these new people bring vibrance and life to an otherwise boring old jaded scene. I don’t see anyone dancing at shows and having fun. Is it because they are all too busy worrying what everyone thinks? Maybe they have become exactly what they hated in the first place? Leftist with rules and regulations that mirror conservative social values. To me it is not enough to just espouse slogans that preach the ideals that you believe, they need to be lived and grow with each person .

This all ties into individuality in a way that some people don’t think about anymore it seems, because punk has become an institution, and that is the fact that we where all young once and no one was born cool. Individuality is the most important part of the punk scene but to be an individual you have to think for yourself. Whether it is world politics, human relations, or punk rock. I would like to see people looking at the world through other peoples perspectives more the world over. When you actually want to change something in society you must first respect the people that have opposing views. This means a working class struggle. I would like to see more youth in the scene here involved in doing stuff, feeling welcome to participate, and making things interesting. So next time you are putting up posters for the next gig be sure to hit the schools. New people in the scene makes it exciting and interesting.

“The Future of the world is up to us, but the older generation will only fuck it up. The problem is they just can’t see what us little kids wanna be.  We’re making room for youth. Let’s make some room for youth!” -Making Room for Youth, Social Unrest 1981

LOS MONJO EUROPEAN TOUR 2011

LOS MONJO EURO TOUR 2011

Thurs - September 1st - Bordeaux

Fri - September 2nd - Paris - ????

Sat - September 3rd - Nancy

Sun - September 4th - Mannheim 

Mon - September 5th - mülheim - ????

Tues - September 6th - Munster 

Wed - September 7th - Flensburg

Thurs -September 8th - copenhagen

Fri - September 9th - Malmo -????

Sat - September 10th - Hamburg

Sun - September 11th - Berlin

Mon - September 12th - Leipzig

Tues - September 13th - Munich

Wed - September 14th - Freiburg -????

Thurs - September 15th - St. Etienne

Fri - September 16th - Barcelona

These are the dates for the LOS MONJO tour. The dates with question marks are still open so if you or anyone you know in these areas would like to book them (doesn't have to be exact city listed) please contact borndeadpunx@gmail.com LOS MONJO are a great band rom Guadalajara Mexico. I released an EP for them some years back and they remain one of my favorite current bands live and recorded.

LOS MONJO-"Cobardes" EP (No Options Records)

download

PELIGRO!-"s/t" LP (Discos Enfermos Records)

PELIGRO!-"s/t" LP
This is a new band from members of HORROR, LOS DOLARES, ETACARINAE, PRIMATES, but brings a fresh sound not heard from any of their previous bands. The music is a heavy dose of BLACK SABBATH mixed with MOTORHEAD, and ANNIHILATION TIME comes to mind as well, but the real treat is that they keep it hardcore with the drive that many heavier bands can't keep up. I really liked these guys live and this record is testament to their skills. I first heard this 5% faster than the LP was recorded at, and I must say I really liked that speed too.

the record w/ art & insert

Top Ten of 2010 as seen in MRR no. 334

Here is a list of my favorite Long Players from 2010. Quite a few have already been featured on this blog so I will keep my opinions short.

THE ESTRANGED-"Subliminal Man" LP

Perfect post punk.
Download

SPECTRES-"Last Days" LP

Elements of Joy Division and Sisters of Mercy.
Download

YOUNG OFFENDERS-"Leaders of the Followers" LP

Perfect power pop which stands up to the 70's originals.
Download
RED DONS-"Fake Meets Failure" LP

Wish I was in the band for this recording.
Download

HERATYS-"s/t" LP

Glad to have seen this band so many times.
Download

MASSHYSTERI-"s/t" LP

Unique style, great record
Download

COMPLICATIONS-"s/t" LP

4 years in the making and worth the wait.
Download

KNUSTE RUTER-"Gjennom Veggene" LP

Not the best cover but great record.
Download

DOUBLE NEGATIVE-"Daydream Nation" LP

Hardcore with the venom and cut of Poison Idea.
Download

EL BANDA-"Skutki Uboczne" 2xLP

Way too long but really great.
Download

THE ENERGY-"The Energy's first Album" LP

THE ENERGY- "The Energy's first Album" LP 
THE ENERGY from Houston Texas have one of the freshest punk sounds that I have heard in a really long while. This record has been on constant play for me in the past 4 months and I felt like I have to share it. They mix elements of KBD punk with old school hardcore ala 80's LA scene and also throw in a good measure of psyche to make things interesting. Don't let that description fool you though this is dark stuff as well. The vocals are sung like a storyline and are some of the catchiest I've heard in a long time. I give this record a 10 or 10 rating for the fact that it is flawlessly executed and sounds nothing like any other bands playing these days. If more bands would show this kind of  originality and inventiveness the punk scene would be a whole lot better. Supposedly this record is limited to 300 copies, I didn't have much trouble finding it but I think in the coming months it will be increasingly harder to find.


Download here

RED DONS-"A Forced Turning Point" EP

 RED DONS - A FORCED TURNING POINT EP

 2 new songs recorded on the last US tour in Chicago.  First songs with me on guitar. Stoked to be apart of this band now! Housed in a beautiful screenprinted sleeve, finally available! 1000 copies pressed on black wax. 200 have blank hand stamped and handnumbered center labels and slightly different sleeves available from the band and the TBSR mailorder only. 


US PRESS:  New Dark Age
EURO PRESS: Taken By Surprise

Download here

RED DONS EUROPEAN TOUR 2011

4/4- M- Hamburg @ Hafenklang
7/4 – Th- Bremen @ Spedition
8/4 – F – The Revisions @ Green Hell Records
8/4 – F – Münster @ Gleis 22
9/4 – Sa – Hannover @ UJZ Korn
10/4 – Sun – The Revisions @ Static Shock Records
10/4 – Sun – Berlin @ Kopi
11/4 – M – Leipzig @ Zoro (w/ The Revisions)
12/4 – Tu – Prague @ 007
13/4 – W – Vienna @ Arena/3 Raum
14/4 – Th – Budapest @ Trafik Klub (w/ The Revisions)
15/4 – F – Brno @ Melodka (w/ The Revisions)
16/4 – Sa – Revisions on Szene M on m94.5 Radio 3pm
16/4 – Sa – Munich @ Kafe Kult
18/4 – M – Erlangen @ Jugendhaus Erlangen
19/4 – Tu – Tübingen @ Epplehaus
20/4 – W – Brussels @ DNA
21/4 – Th – St. Etienne @ Assammoir
22/4 – F – Barcelona @ La Fabriketa
23/4 – Sa – Madrid @ Wurlitzer Ball Room
24/4 – Su – Valencia @ La Residencia
25/4 – M – Zaragoza @ Alberque Juvenil
26/4 – Tu – San Sebastian @ Mogambo
27/4 – W – Bordeux @ Saint Ex
28/4 – Th – Paris @ Belushi’s
29/4 – F – London @ Garage
30/4 – Sa – London @ Lexington
1/5 – Su – Brighton @ The Hydrant
2/5 – M – Nijmengen @ Onderbroke
3/5 – Tu – Groningen @ Crowbar
4/5 – W – Aalborg @ 1000 Fryd
5/5 – Th – Oslo @ Blitz
6/5 – F – Gothenburg
7/5 – Sa – Stockholm @ Grundbulden
12/5 – Th – Copenhagen @ Bakken
13/5 – F – Malmö @ Punks Only
14/5 – Sa – Hamburg @ Storte
15/5 – Su – Hamburg @ MS Hedi