It’s funny how closely drawn I am to the music that inspired me as a teen. How the mere mention of a re-issue or pressing I listened to in my high school or college days can almost immediately bring excitement and anticipation. Not to mention a flood of memories, otherwise hidden deeply in my subconscious.
And while I can’t exactly pinpoint my early obsession with hoarding demos through purchase, trade or any other means necessary. I can still attest to my craving to hear a band’s earliest, perhaps most raw recordings. Press any demo on to a perfectly round slab of vinyl and you’ve got me. Hook, line and sinker.
The lesser known Freewill sounded like and played alongside the likes of Uniform Choice, Insted, No For An Answer and other like-minded, like sounding melodic California Hardcore acts. ‘And while they were signed to Wishingwell Records. The label folded before any of the bands material could be properly released. ‘Nothing Lasts’, my personal favorite brings to mine Justice League‘s ‘One More Time’ and a later, perhaps more cathartic Chain of Strength.
Being that these were the bands first recordings. I really wasn’t expecting anything more than a young band proud to wear their influences on their sleeves.. Yet, like many of these unearthed recordings from acts that followed a certain course, trend or sound. These songs really don’t hold up all that well. A nice time piece that otherwise might have been forgotten. Worth looking in to if your a fan of this era and the bands mentioned. For me personally, a casual listen was more than suffice. This version was released by Mankind Records. Comes on blue vinyl and is limited to 300 copies. JD
With a sound that can be likened to an autopsy at a bachelors party, or perhaps a riot at the Vatican. California’s Slobber goes for the jugular vein and proceeds to eat it before it goes straight for your heart. Five songs that scared the hell out of me in the way good Hardcore music is supposed to. If old schoolers Citizens Arrest met noise makers Rorschach at an Infest show. They would probably scheme to create something that sounds like Slobber. This is one hell of a ripper that didn’t just leave an impression. It left scars. With songs barely making the minute mark. There’s little room for bells and whistles. Lucky for us, this California band doesn’t need them. Quite good for all you bad ass motherfuckers. JD
Forming in 1987 Freewill quickly rose in the ranks of ranks of the Southern California Straight Edge Hardcore scene. Playing along with bigger names such as Uniform Choice, No For An Answer, Insted and many others. They quickly made a name for themselves. During my time as a fanzine editor and collector. The name Freewill appeared in many of ones that supported both Straight Edge and the thriving West Coast scene. Soon after singing to and recording with Wishingwell Records who soon closed down. Leaving the album to hang out dry before the Europe’s legendary music thieves Lost and Found bought the tapes and bootlegged them. Thus releasing them without the permission or knowledge of the band themselves.
Shimmers features six new songs from the Denville four piece Scary Stories. Recorded in April 2016 at Backroom studios and mixed by Scott Moriarity. Scary Stories sound is both vicious and savage. Featuring elements of hardcore, punk and screamo with an added metallic guitar sound the gives the bands overall sound the depth it otherwise lacks. A characteristic which gives them the EP some much-needed credence musically. With most of the songs sounding marginally similar. It was the sixth and final track ‘Diorama’ that left the best impression. Decent stuff, but nothing special or groundbreaking that would set it apart from the pack. ‘Shimmers’ is currently available for download on bandcamp 
My God, someone needs to remind me to steer clear of bandcamp. Not that I was looking for trouble. It’s just that after I was invited by a friend to attend this bands show. I thought it might be wise to see just what I might be getting into. With a name like Clam Jam. I knew it wasn’t likely readying myself for anything other than childish and gimmicky schtick. Low and behold. I might have been over reaching with that description.
Nosebleeds collects This is Me Looking Dangerous’ last 2 EPs (Because I love Death, and The Winter of my Heart) in their entirety. Ten songs that had such a negative effect on me that I became agitated and outwardly angry only a few seconds in to the first song. Abominable, annoying, grating and unlistenable. Ten songs that felt like twenty-four too many. Musically, this is somewhat diverse with its varied instrumentals, style and approach. Featuring attempts at campy jangle pop noted.Yet somehow, it all comes off sounding amateurish and infantile. This cassette only release comes via Rat Brain Records on slime green cassettes and is limited (thankfully) to twenty five copies. Unfortunately, I am amongst the twenty five that might be subjected to it.Honestly, I get the feeling this was created with the sole purpose of initiating enough ire to inspire the listener to fire the first shot in what will turn out to be an apocalypse yet to be seen by human eyes. J.D.
document fanzine 