Freedom, Grizzlies, Discourse, Hollow Earth, Sawchuk, and From Hell at the Halfway House, March 7th show review

Show review:  Freedom, Grizzlies, Discourse, Hollow Earth, Sawchuk, and From Hell at the Halfway House, March 7^th, 2012

This was a show to which not attending seemed to be an inconsiderable option- four bands that I was seeing live for the first time, one that I hadn’t seen in about a year and a half, and one that almost always rips, all playing at a gnarly new DIY venue, on a fuckin’ Wednesday!  How could a practicing punk possibly refuse such a show?

My investment turned out to be well worth it; I arrived early, welcomed by a group of younger dudes who dug what I was doing (with the fanzine).  I always get a feeling that what I’m doing is worth the time and effort when people express interest and a desire to participate, and I certainly got that vibe from this small group of folks.  So, I entered the house, high on life and quite a bit of caffeine (source- Mountain Dew), read for what this place had to offer.  People began to pile in as the first band warmed up…

Freedom turned up their amps and blasted out a quick, energetic set of less-than-a-minute songs, one after another.  Armed with a few originals and a couple of covers, the set (though it was over in about ten minutes) lacked no energy in that short span of time.  Aiming for United Blood-era Agnostic Front and Straight Ahead styles of hardcore, these guys have a lot of potential, and this was only their second show!  Think a mix of the two aforementioned bands, and you have Freedom, proud Detroit straight-edge in-your-face youth crew.

Next was another new-ish band called Grizzlies.  These dudes played heavy, chugging hardcore that a few bands of today have been taking up- bands like Harm’s Way, War Hound, the Mongoloids, Take Offense… and it’s not entirely a bad thing.  The band is still in its formative stages, making its own niche of what that band exactly is.  Not my usual sort of jam, but they did a pretty cool Weekend Nachos cover, so I have hope.

Following that was group of touring dudes Discourse.  Having heard the demo, I had mixed feelings on how these guys would do- it was just alright, so would they be just alright live too?  Nope- they killed it, and brought an interesting sound to the table:  Youth crew, but downtuned, dark, and not lacking in speed; perhaps a more succinct description would be Skitsystem meets Bold, or Straight Ahead meets Gasmask Terror.  On top of being a genre that isn’t played out yet, the set just ripped.  What they lacked in the demo, they showed in their live performance.  The band was gnarly as fuck- I’ll be listening for these guys as they progress, and potentially release a 7”.

Next was the first touring band from Detroit, preparing for a sweet two and a half week tour, Hollow Earth.  Though somewhat of a new band, they were already loaded with fresh songs, and were picked up by Panic Records very swiftly.  This style of hardcore that Hollow Earth plays is somewhat new; the likes of Great Reversals and (to a much lesser extent) Fisherking have started playing it here in Michigan, but the melodic hardcore with generalized lyrics about the world ending (in a non-crusty way) has not taken off much.  However, this set was impassioned, if not energetic.  Not a bad band- I’ll be on the lookout.

The second band from Detroit about to set out for a tour was Sawchuk.  I had seen these guys before at the Bohemian House (R.I.P. sorta) in 2010, but after a somewhat lengthy hiatus and some band and member retooling, the band changed and improved their sound, now sporting a 90s hardcore vibe.  Also, the band came with a few 7” EPs for sale, something that they had trouble with before (that is, having merch).  The band powered through an anthemic, slow/ fast alternating speed sound, and to much crowd avail; many people in the room (basement) knew the words to the songs, and one guy, clad in cubicle work-wear, was copy room moshing, grinding his fax off- awesome.  For a band that prefers breakdowns to breakneck speed, these guys ripped.  I would have preferred a Bob Probert or Gordie Howe reference for a band name, but Sawchuk was a killer goalie too.

Closing was From Hell.  What’s odd about these guys is that they are good live, but the demo they’ve got (from 2010) is very “meh”.  Heavy, hard, and dingy, they’ve got a formula for success, and they showed their strong suit here; hopefully they can churn out a record that suits their live presence- Southern Lord, Halo Of Flies, Rodent Popsicle, Overdose On, Hell City, Deer Healer, IFB… they’re worth a 7” investment.

This was a great show, a fun place to hang out at, and I can safely say that THIS is the place to book for Detroit DIY shows, along with the CAID, the Bearcave, the MUG, and Refuge (Dearborn is close enough).  We’re on our way back up!

-Aunty Social

Frank & Earnest, React, NRR, and Professor at Frankie's, February 16th show review

Frank & Earnest, React, NRR, and Professor at Frankie’s 02/16/12 show review

I was super-stoked about this show; FOUR bands I hadn’t seen before, and they were all from Toledo, an area I had yet to explore in detail.  What was to dislike, especially this being a well-attended local show?  Nothin’ at all.

This was one of the better shows I’ve been to since Riot Fest and a house show in Pontiac a week after that; all the band brought it, even the stray Lansing band, Frank & Earnest.  While more of a melodic punk band than a full-blown hardcore band, they still managed to do what they do best, very well.  I don’t dig melodic punk that much, but even I can see that these dudes are well-versed in the art of punk and also happen to have musical talent.  It’s another band that falls under “They’re good at what they do, but I don’t like what they do” to me; Frank & Earnest definitely have value, and I appreciated the set for what it was.

Next was React, who replaced Detroit band Poison Tongues at the last minute, and for the better- React was violent hardcore, furiously pissed and angrily bringing the mosh; alternating intense powerviolence anger and breakdown hardcore, React was an utterly intense band from beginning to end, never letting up for even a song.  Holy shit, this band is pissed the fuck off, and I loved it.  Their EP did not convey nearly what they put together live, and for this, I’m glad I got to see where these dudes really shine before rendering any lasting judgment in regard to them.  This band is backed, hard as FUCK.

Next was NRR, another group from Toledo.  These guys play darker hardcore that doesn’t let up on speed or on breakdowns; this group was energized as hell for this set, and it showed.  The singer radiated with fury, and the guitars pushed so fast that it was near breakneck speed punk.  I wish these dudes would come out with an EP; they definitely deserve the acknowledgement.  Dark hardcore with mosh, speed, and Toledo blood?  Sign me up for an annual subscription.

Closing the show was Professor, this exemplary youth crew band without too much experience in playing.  From the looks and sounds of it all, they don’t need experience; they’ve already crafted an excellent, energetic, vivacious vibe present in both their live show and in their EP titled “Corientation” (more on that record later; short story is that it rules).  To top off their great set, the lead singer actually got on stage dressed in a full professor outfit, clad with sport jacket, turtleneck, long pants, and scraggly beard.  But this was no ordinary square university professor; this guy had all the energy of Bold, Judge, and Ten Yard Fight.  The night ended with the band’s signature song “FAFSA”, which had a good number of people singing the chorus.

Youth crew got its unity back, and Toledo has a niche of hardcore crafted.  Best show I’ve attended in a long while.

-Aunty Social

Sawchuk- How Can You Live Like This? EP review

Sawchuk- How Can You Live Like This EP review

Just based on the name, I couldn’t pass up reviewing this record.  Although I have more personal favorite Red Wings and hockey players in general, goalie Terry Sawchuk was one of the most notable of his kind of NHL history (the Red Wings of the 50s were as much of a dream team as the Gretzsky-era Oilers).  For those unfamiliar with hockey, Sawchuk was a hard-as-nails, tough yet skilled goalie who played and won championships with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1950s.  This EP is just as tough and hard as the goalie.

The intro sets an interesting and ominous tone; it sounds like something straight out of my nightmares.  As it fades out, the EP kicks into full gear, driving forward some crunching hardcore that mixes unity-based NYHC-style and heavy, hopeless Earthmover-style hardcore.  The vocals/ lyrics are internally driven hardcore anger, with the anthemic, shout-back-at-you words that can be sufficiently moshed to and quoted in social networking updates, on denim jackets, and occasionally in peoples’ tattoos.  Even I can’t deny the ability of the record to elicit emotion; as most of my emotions are anger-based, this record brings those pissed thoughts to mind- H.L.D. is a straight up beatdown song (as in literally beating the fuck out of someone until they can’t get up off the ground), and Centuries & Torn Apart bring out the frustration life can bring (that then which can be cured by moshing to said songs).  Some of the lyrics get a bit cheesy at times, but that’ the only thing I can think of to not like about this record.  Oh, and a lyric sheet would be rad, too.  Get this record, and LRMP like mad.

-Aunty Social

Hardware Youth- Miami Style EP review

Hardware Youth- Miami Style EP review

I’m somewhat surprised there hasn’t been a fest called Sausage Fest yet; at the very least, it would generate some discussion and therefore, some promotion.  Speaking of sausage fests, hardcore is a GIANT sausage fest, more so than punk, ska, hip-hop, or metal.  The women involved in hardcore are few and far between, and such gender isolation is a tragedy.  I won’t go into any lengthy discussion on how or why this is, and instead stick to supporting current and future female involvement in hardcore.
Side note:  Shout-outs to Anna Atanassova, Ramona Shureb, Stefania Ramirez, Michelle of H.LA.L. Booking, Jill Bishop, Alejandra from the Trumbullplex, Christine McCollum, Madison from Cloud Rat, and anyone else I forgot.

This is classic 2-step youth crew-style hardcore, save for one thing:  There’s a female singer, a rarity for this style of music.  However, singer Nicole does not lack in vocal power or emotion; the only noticeable difference is that her voice is a bit less deep than is usual for the genre, hardly a surprise or an issue to worry about.  These tunes are catchy as hell, especially the initial song “Word to the Wise”, managing to retain a level of speed satisfactory to punk and an amount of mosh brought satisfactory to hardcore brethren.  Also a first for a hardcore band, they have a song about surfing; fuckin’ cool!  Most bands sing about skateboarding or bike riding (Canadians even have snowboarding), so this is a first.  That being said, this is also the first Miami punk or hardcore band I’ve heard of (I’m certain there are more, but this is the first I’ve heard from Miami); most hardcore and punk from Florida is from the northern part of the state- Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, etc.  There’s a bit of something new and something used here- regardless of any of this, a pretty damn good EP.  Also, this is a fucking awesome band name (our generation is getting dangerously plugged into this interconnected consumer information hardware system).  Check this shit, you won’t regret it.

-Aunty Social

GROG- Hood Core CD review

GROG- Hood Core CD review

This CD somewhat continues the Michigan-based, party punk, dirty punk rocker theme that was set forth by GROG’s first release “Back in the Crack”; though the theme continues, the style is notably different, and a lot better.  While “Back in the Crack” left me a bit disappointed, Hood Core certainly redeemed the band, amping up the energy and tossing aside the clean production for a grittier one with much better songs.  Though the band calls their style of punk “Hood Core” (and I couldn’t disagree), it’s more clearly described as a dirtier, faster, heavier, but not quite hardcore version of the Dead Boys or Stiff Little Fingers.  Though the production of working class asses with penchants for alcoholism, weed, and hooliganism, this is a good record that has a lot of fun packed inside.  Not required listening, but I can certainly recommend it.

-Aunty Social