Various - Hope For Us Ep

Here is the Wisconsin HC compilation I referenced last time out... Hope For Us came out on the same label that did the Animal Farm and One Day Away 7"ers and features tracks by both of those bands.  Additionally, two other short-lived bands appear on this disk - Buried and Damitol.  Damitol did a couple of Eps which I thought I had in my collection but apparently I am mistaken or they were lost somewhere along the way.  Buried seems to not have released any other material beyond the track on this comp.  Those familiar with the Eps I already posted know what to expect from Animal Farm and ODA.  Buried's track is in a similar vein with perhaps a bit more straight edge feel, like Verbal Assault perhaps.  Damitol is a bit more melodic with a bit of a Bay Area influence which reminds me heavily of Fuel and Crimpshrine.  Overall a cool document of a scene that seems to have sprung out of nowhere and for a little while in the mid-1990s plugged into the circuit of the DIY HC network that seemed to be growing exponentially at the time.

V/A - Hope For Us Ep  

One Day Away - s/t Ep

More 1990's obscurity... It probably would have made more sense to post this record a few months back when I did the spate of mid-western U.S. hardcore that included Animal Farm and Hinge but I moved on to other groups fairly quickly.  One Day Away hailed from Wisconsin and this 7" was their sole release and was on the same label that put the Animal Farm Ep.  ODA had a similar sound to those previously mentioned bands - mid-tempo but metallic and featuring a singer that sounded like Sam Mcpheeters gargling glass.  Political lyrics and a cover/packaging that made this 7" look like an Ebullition release rounded out the aesthetic.  Aside from this Ep, One Day Away had one track on a Wisconsin HC compilation that I'll be posting soon - a record that also featured Animal Farm. 

One Day Away - s/t Ep

Cause & Effect - s/t Ep (Repost)

After last week's Légitime Défonce post I remembered that I never re-uploaded one of my favorite French melodic hardcore Eps - Cause & Effect's self-titled 7" on Panx records.  This group popped up in the mid-1990s and released only this one 7" and a few compilation tracks.  This Ep does remind me a bit of the first Légitime Défonce LP as well as some British and American groups of the same time-period; H.D.Q., Cowboy Killers, Pegboy, etc.  Newer bands like La Fraction or Inner Conflict, minus the female vocals, are good reference points also.

Cause & Effect - s/t Ep

Légitime Défonce

Alright, while I'm posting a spate of more melodic bands, here is a great French group from the 1990s, Légitime Défonce.  These guys played fast and catchy as hell punk with a strong U.S. hardcore influence.  To my ears, these guys remind me a bit of the U.K. wave of bands in the late 1980s that took their cue from 7 Seconds, SNFU and the like - groups like H.D.Q., Exit Condition, Snuff, early Leatherface, etc.  Légitime Défonce are not quite as classic as those bands but I think they are within the same realm.  This post collects their first two LPs, both on the great French label Panx.  The first LP, self-titled, was an instant favorite when it came out - fast and melodic with enough aggression to satisfy my more HC tastes.  The second LP, Ya Basta!, is a bit more 90s pop-punk sounding and with muddier production so it doesn't quite stand up to the first... still, its not a bad record per se, just not as good as the first.  Légitime Défonce had a few EPs and another LP that came out in the late 90s that I've not gotten around to tracking down yet, though I should have obtained those early 7"ers a long time ago... too many records, not enough time or money tho!

Légitime Défonce - self-titled LP and "Ya Basta!" LP

Tunstin Gat - s/t Ep

More 1990's melodic punk here and another short-lived band.  Tunstin Gat hailed from Berkeley, California in the mid-90s so I suppose you can guess what they sounded like...  when I first heard these guys I remember describing them to a friend as sounding like a "poppy Econochrist" and I think that description holds.  Gruff vocals and prominent bass lines like the aforementioned hardcore punks but married with a Jawbreaker-esque pop-punk sound.... the result is not unlike the more melodic tracks by Grimple or the early stuff from Jawbreaker.  This was their only release, a 5 song 7" Ep on 702 Records out of Nevada. 

Tunstin Gat - s/t Ep

Skinhead Magnet - We Work, We Dream, We Die, Time Flies 10"

Up next is another early 1990's band from California.  Skinhead Magnet was a short lived project of ex-Jack Acid members Ernst and Elspeth and this 10" was their only release.  Skinhead Magnet ends up sounding so much like Jack Acid that its a bit of a wonder why they changed the name, but to me that is just fine.  For the uninitiated, Jack Acid did a few 7"ers back in the day, one of which was a early Lookout! Records release.  Jack Acid and Skinhead Magnet were from the Bay Area but played a more old school punk influenced take on the prevailing sound in that area at the time.  Both bands reminded me of early UK punk filtered through their native California scene - a sound that makes me think initially of the X-Ray Spex or perhaps the Partisans meets the Avengers.  The Jack Acid discography is still available for sale online by the label (here) but for some reason this 10" seems to have never been re-released or widely distributed, a shame and a bit strange considering how closely the band is related to the classic 1990s Bay Area scene.

Skinhead Magnet - We Work, We Dream, We Die, Time Flies 10"

I Object! - First Two Years

More early 2000s hardcore... I Object! were a straight edge band from upstate New York that played old school style HC with political lyrics and tons of spirit.  I saw these folks live several times on their numerous U.S. tours and each time they delivered the goods.  This post contains their 25 track CD that compiles their first Ep, a split 7" and quite a few compilation and demo tracks.  I Object! went on to release a proper full length on Alternative Tentacles but I've always dug this early stuff from them more.  Good times and good memories.

I Object! - First Two Years CD

Animal Farm - You Cannot Call This Peace Ep

More mid-90s Wisconsin HC here... Animal Farm featured a member of Hinge, from the last post, and similar to that band only released a single 7" Ep.  Animal Farm had a more metal influenced sound, one that brings early Neurosis to my mind - particularly their "Word As Law" period.  Early Dead and Gone as well as the first Rorschach and Born Against Lps are also good reference points for this delicious little slab of wax... check it out for yourselves and see what you think.

Animal Farm - You Cannot Call This Peace Ep  

Hinge - Meaning Ep

Here's another 1990s band that was very short-lived and who I know next to nothing about... this one comes from the days when you bought records from a distro based on knowing their tastes and assuming a band you hadn't heard of must be good because people you respected were selling it.  Anyways, Hinge were from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and played hardcore that reminds me of 80's political punk like Dead Silence or Dissent, as well as early 90's hardcore à la Born Against or Go!  A lost treasure from that time period, for sure... check it out.

Hinge - Meaning Ep  

Half Man

This time out I'm returning to the U.S.A. for a band from New York state called Half Man.  These guys were around from the early to mid 1990s and played an interesting brand of metal influenced hardcore that, to my ears, sounds like it would have been at home on Ebullition records.  This post includes their two 7" Eps and their sole Lp, "As Everything Fell Apart."  Their sound transitions some from the Eps to the full-length, with the earlier material sounding more reminiscent of early Ebullition bands like Struggle or Downcast, while the Lp showcases a heavier, more metallic sound that brings to mind 90s greats like Rorschach, Ottawa and even Antischism.  While I dig the Eps, the 12" is by far their best material and a great slice of 90s hardcore punk.

Half Man - Lp and 2 Eps

The Horror

OK, one more blast of brutal UK hardcore from another band descended from the all-mighty Voorhees - this is The Horror.  Featuring most of the final Voorhees line-up, The Horror continued playing fast and vicious hardcore that took on a somewhat of a Youth Attack vibe - incorporating a bit from bands like Charles Bronson and Das Oath, while retaining a decidedly UK HC sound.  Here is basically their entire discography - the two "First Blood" Eps and their two Lps.  The early material is the best with "The Fear, The Terror, The Horror" 12" being my favorite release.  I must confess that I found the final Lp "Spoils of War" a little flat and uninspiring but that was perhaps in comparison to the outstanding legacy these guys had built up... overall, great stuff.

The Horror - Discography

Break It Up

Here is another blast of UK hardcore... Break It Up were a short-lived band that featured members of Voorhees and played a similar style of vicious punk, though with a pronounced early sXe influence.  They only released a demo and an Lp, both of which are included here.  The album contains an Antidote cover and the demo features an excellent version of Beyond's flawless track "Effort" - two indications of where these guys were coming from, musically.  Sean, one of the guitarists from the first incarnation of Voorhees and for Break It Up, has a new band going that is in much this same vein.  Check out My Rules if you've dug these past two posts...

Break It Up - No Sides Lp and Demo Ep   

Voorhees - Smiling at Death

OK, this one is a straight up 1990's classic... "Smiling at Death" compiled all the early Voorhees recordings onto one 69 track CD - two demos, their first 7" and Lp, compilation tracks and studio outtakes.  For those unfamiliar, Voorhees hailed from the U.K. and played vicious, primal hardcore punk reminiscent of the first wave of U.S. bands - Negative Approach, SOA, Negative FX, etc.  All of these influences are at the fore in the lyrics, artwork and the myriad of cover songs sprinkled throughout the disc.  Voorhees lasted for just over a decade, albeit with a constantly changing line-up, and ended up with a slew of 7"ers, split Eps and a couple more Lps.  I dig their entire catalog of material, but for me nothing that came after can touch this release... one of the best hardcore bands of the era for sure.

Voorhees - Smiling at Death

Fields of Fire - The Kids Can't Be Bought Ep

OK, I've been back in town for a bit but have been playing catch up around the house and am finally squeezing in time for a new post... this week I've got a rockin' 7" from Southern California posi band Fields of Fire.  This one came out in 2000 and features some kick ass old school sXe HC in the vein of Insted or Chain of Strength - fast and heavy but with lots of melody.  These guys came from the same scene as Life's Halt and In Control, and like those bands were bridging straight edge and nardcore somewhat.  Good stuff.

Fields of Fire - The Kids Can't Be Bought Ep

Never Conform - s/t Ep

Alright, I'm about to head out of town again - taking advantage of the holiday to do a little more traveling, but before I go here is a quick post for you guys...  This one is the sole 7" Ep from Japan's Never Conform.  This band appears to have been around for ages (Discogs says 1989-2014) but released very little recorded material.  This Ep came out in 2002 on 625 Thrashcore and features songs apparently written in 1989.  Regardless of the details, Never Conform on this record played some mean thrashy hardcore highly influenced by Never Healed-era Heresy - from the artwork to, sadly, the muddled recording production.  Despite the less than ideal sound quality, the songs are great and totally fit with the 80's U.K. HC vibe that they (and I) obviously love.  Enjoy and I'll be back in a couple of weeks with more tunes...

Never Conform - s/t Ep

Various - Four Corners Lp

Building on the theme of my recent posts, here is a great early 2000s compilation Lp of posi thrash and fastcore bands... "Four Corners" came out on 625 Records in the U.S. and featured 5 bands - Life's Halt from the U.S., Dead End (Sweden), Razlog Za (Croatia), German straight edgers Highscore (from the last post) and Holland's Point of Few.  Each band contributes at least 3 songs, giving each about a split 7"s worth of material...  The entire is record is killer, with Highscore and Life's Halt doing what they do best.  Dead End were short lived and didn't release much else, but their tracks are some of the best and showed a group with lots of promise.  Razlog Za are perhaps the weakest link - mostly due to the recording quality of their songs - but their contributions are by no means detrimental.  Point of Few comes out the winner, though, in my mind.  Their short, heavy and ultra-fast tracks bring to mind compatriots like Lärm and Seein' Red or perhaps a more muscular version of U.K. thrashers Active Minds.  Overall, a great collection of fast, pissed off youth crew influenced hardcore.

Various - Four Corners Lp   

Weaving the Deathbag

Alright, another Wisconsin band here... as I mentioned in the last post, Weaving the Deathbag featured a member of Defacto Oppression and formed shortly after D.O. disbanded.  Weaving... had a slightly different take on the early 2000s hardcore punk sound, playing faster and with somewhat cleaner vocals.  I've always thought WtDB would have fit well on Sound Pollution or 625 Records - their sound was reminiscent of 90s greats like Hellnation and Capitalist Casualties, with perhaps just a touch of melody.  Weaving the Deathbag released a total of four 7" Eps, each of which is collected here on their "Compendium" CD.  I picked this up from the band on one of their final tours - 26 tracks that collect all the 7"ers plus a couple of cover songs.  Great stuff from a sadly short lived and underrated band...

Weaving the Deathbag - Compendium CD

Defacto Oppression

Ok, I'm back in town and have had a little time to prepare some posts for you all.... this time out its back to the Mid-West of the USA for a short-lived Wisconsin band called Defacto Oppression.  These dudes only released a 7" and a full length CD, both of which are presented for you here.  Coming along in the late 90s and surviving into the early 2000s, Defacto Oppression's sound straddles the decades similarly... the 7" has a more 90s sound, reminiscent of the crusty hardcore you might hear on early Profane Existence records - bands like Deprived, Resist or early Defiance.  By the time their full length came out, Defacto Oppression seemed to incorporate a more "modern" sound - resembling His Hero is Gone or Tragedy, but with a flavor all their own...  the 8 minute long closing track, "The Train," is intense and a fitting closing number to both the album and their career.  One of these guys would go on to the great Weaving the Deathbag who will be featured in the next post... great stuff.

Defacto Oppression - We're Digging Our Own Graves Ep and Screen Symphony Suicide CD

Black Dove

OK, to finish off this Ohio trilogy, here is a final Dead Hate the Living related band that I've got... Black Dove featured the same three TDHTL dudes from Dismal, plus another guitarist.  Black Dove perhaps threw a bit more metal riffage into the mix, but in the main they continued on with the vicious Scandicore of Dismal.  Included here is their demo Ep - a 7" of the demo tape pressed for tour, along with their "No Future No Fate" Lp.  I don't think Black Dove released anything further, though they seemed to have soldiered on for a bit after the Lp came out.  Brandon and Carter, the bass player and drummer, appear to have formed another band, Paralyzer, after Black Dove but I've not tracked down any of their material.  Black Dove, like all their preceding bands, were great live, toured extensively and were staples of the early 2000s DIY scene in the U.S. and if you were into the previous couple of posts at all, they are well worth a listen...

Black Dove - Demo Ep and "No Future No Fate" Lp       

Dismal - Terra Plague Ep

Here is the Dismal Ep I mentioned in the last post... the core members of The Dead Hate the Living formed Dismal shortly after the band's demise with a different guitarist and minus TDHTL's main singer.  Dismal went in a much more Scandicore direction and the Anti Cimex influence is right on the surface of these tunes, with perhaps a half step more speed.  Unfortunately Dismal was very short lived but they did fold into the also excellent Black Dove.... their stuff coming soon.

Dismal - Terra Plague Ep