Coke Bust- Confined LP review

Coke Bust- Confined LP review

What else have you come to expect out of Coke Bust other than the most stellar hardcore punk this side of the Atlantic?  They are known for their steady, excellent output of multiple short, fast songs- here’s nine more to add to that.  Sociopolitical/cultural/personal lyrics over top of some rapid drumbeats and fucking crushing riffs (Neutralized will make you mosh no matter who or where you are) delivered with spot on production and precise playing from four highly dedicated individuals in the hardcore punk scene (they don’t just play D.C.- they play all over; in fact, as of June 2015, they’re going to Japan, and have been all over the continental U.S., Europe, South America, and probably Canada and Mexico to boot).  This band is what all bands should aspire to be in terms of dedication and influences, one of which is a personal twist that makes your band your band.  I expected nothing less and received nothing less.

-Aunty Social

Social Damage- three song demo review

Social Damage- Three song demo review

It will take me longer to write this than to listen to it.  Punishing, fast hardcore punk that Indianapolis is beginning to become known for- cynical, pessimistic, never-let-up hardcore with songs that never exceed a minute long.  This is what makes this style of music so lovable- it’s brutal, unrelenting, quick, pissed-off, and puts all the necessary energy into a short set that has to work hard to top ten minutes in length.  Circle pit or die, motherfucker.

-Aunty Social

Sectarian Violence- s/t 7" review

Sectarian Violence- self-titled 7” review

Fast, 80s-tinged hardcore with two guitars instead of one, they are not unlike singer Nick Tape’s other band Coke Bust; however, this band definitely breaks it down a lot more, and has more in the way of quotable lyrics.  This has a great degree of the “skate thrash” vibe a la What Happens Next, Common Enemy, Disco Assault, Dr. Know, etc., and that sound mixed with traditional youth crew is what Sectarian Violence has in store.  The two guitar approach undoubtedly sets the band apart, sounding better more often than not.  A circle pit would be an appropriate reaction to this band and record.  Pretty good stuff- not on my top five list of records of the year, but worth unearthing from one’s collection of records every so often.

-Aunty Social

Just Sayin'- Do Something EP review

Just Sayin’- Do Something EP review

Two-stepping, gang vocaling, hardcore-sounding youth crew tunes, this sounds like a more negative version of contemporary youth crew bands, ringing heavily of Cleveland’s Search Bloc and a more refined, more NYHC style of the Neos’ 80s hardcore jams.  If this was on the east coast, everyone would know about and love this band.  However, being from Texas, they are unfortunately not quite as well known.  Think if United Youth in about six or seven years became Disillusioned Youth (dibs on that band name in the future)- same sort of sound, but with more grit and not quite as cookie-cutter (although this is not exactly original stuff, it’s got the same quality Face Reality has about their  approach to youth crew, and original or not, I dig it).  Crucial music, though not an absolutely crucial release- worth buying a tape, though.  It would also be cool to see them on a split or compilation 7”.

-Aunty Social

Spit Spewing Snakes- demo tape review

Spit Spewing Snakes- demo tape review

A mix of fastcore a la Disciples of Christ, Positive Noise, and the lot and a bit of the hardcore that the former incarnation of this band (Bearfoot) would play.  Very danceable and a bit moshable as well.  The lyrics, written by singer Nate, are definitely the high point of the demo- cryptic and general yet surprisingly insightful, not a common theme for most contemporary hardcore.  I enjoyed that the most, actually.  Still, the music isn’t without its energetic and “punk rock” edge.  Two-stepping and push pits (and maybe a little bit of pillow moshing too) would be rampant during an SSS set, and have been as well.  Anyone who likes youth crew, laid-back 90s hardcore, and fastcore/ thrashcore bands would be wise to lend an ear to these local guys.

-Aunty Social

Rape Revenge- Paper Cage 7” review

Rape Revenge- Paper Cage 7” review

I usually hate grindcore.  This is vegan, straight edge, queer, feminist grindcore.  Well, this review isn’t starting off well.  If you’ve decided to keep reading, you’re either really open minded, brave, or masochistic, and for that, I must commend you.  Music-wise, this is actually pretty high-quality.  The slow parts here are fucking brutal with the crunching bass and thundering drums, and the fast parts blast and shred away with the high-pitched guitar and extremely shrill singer (which is the biggest, but the only noticeable downside to this EP).  The lyrics are well-written and intelligent, but they are very difficult to discern by ear only, as per most grindcore.  However, this is more intelligent, refined, dare I say higher quality grindcore- this stands for something, and the band truly lives up to the DIY name (they played a fucking Laundromat- how punk is that!?).  For that, much respect.  I still don’t like grindcore, and these songs are higher-echelon for that genre- points for seriousness, honesty, and being good at what they do.  However, the vocals will never cease to bother me.  That, however, isn’t their fault.  For grinders, buy or die.  Punks who don’t like grind, give it a stream online first.

-Aunty Social

Dip Shit System- demo tape review

Dip Shit System- Nine song demo tape review

Not unlike Positive Noise, this band features Ryan Cappelletti (of Punks Before Profits Records and Grand Rapids’ collectively run Bartertown Diner) as a member, and it also features fast hardcore punk with some mid-tempo and slower parts.  This is hardcore circa ’82- political fast, DIY, and youth-driven (though it’s notable that no walls were broken down in the kids’ eyes here).  This is simple, nothing new, but music like this will never not be at least a bit enjoyable.  For those who like fast but hate grindcore (or if you like grindcore, but why you would is beyond me).  Worth jamming a few times, no doubt.

-Aunty Social