Things are about to get real LOUD. Thanks to Dana Cooper of Joyful Noise as she continues to send me the best stuff out there. J.D.
Lancaster PA’s SPILL Release Video for their Song “Sucks Either Way.”
Lancaster’s Spill have released a video for their song “Sucks Either Way,” taken from the band’s debut self-titled EP. Featuring former members of Placeholder and We Were Skeletons. SPILL will be returning to New Brunswick this Tuesday, September 22nd to play their second area show in a matter of weeks. Click Here to get info and directions to the show.
Pulling Records Out of the Pile.
Honeymoon Suite – New Girl Now B/W It’s Your Heart
I’ve been spending a lot of my week in a recent over due book order “Dust & Grooves”. An amazing 435 page collection of images, stories and interviews with vinyl junkies from around the world. I highly recommend it. Long story short. A lot of the insanely large record collection featuring everything from genre classics to the oddball and obscure. Something about the book drew me to a nearby box of 45′ rpm records that I rarely listen to or go near. In the early to mid 80’s, before moving on to my obsession with Punk and Hardcore 7′ EP’s. I accumulated about two boxes worth of 45’s. They were cheap, pre CD singles, Pre I-tunes way of taking a bite out of the new single you were already hearing too, too often of on your local FM station. While many had the simple oval cut which allowed you to view the title. Many featured what you would normally see on an LP. A full 7 inches of eye candy that drew the eyes closer. The more eye catching. The better the chance of investing part of your hard earned allowance.
Hmm, this isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I like the nice thump that opens “New Girl Now”. The overall feel is very early 80’s MTV friendly. The band seems a bit unsure if their going to go for the New Wave or commercial Hard Rock vibe. Regardless, they’ve invested a good amount of their up front cash in Aqua Net and Bandana stock. A dash of Night Ranger. A pinch of Loverboy and perhaps a precursor to Hair Metal. I can see a lot of suit and tie record execs snorting cocaine off their briefcases in signing them. Less than a minute in and I’ve come to the conclusion this is flat out awful. I can see them playing on a boat in an episode of Miami Vice or better yet, getting an endorsement deal with Members Only apparel. The record itself is in almost pristine condition. Perhaps from years of being ignored, or properly stored. In closing, I must say. The cover is pretty awesome. Personally, I think it was wasted on Honeymoon Suite. I think the image would look delicious on a Divinyls single or album. I like the way it conveys the excess and utter nonsense that was radio friendly music of the 80’s. Well done. Well done indeed. ** J.D.
Year; 1983
Format; 45′ Single
Label; Warner Bros.
Courtesy Tier To Perform at Upcoming CMJ Festival.
Be sure to get out for the upcoming CMJ festival here in NYC. Our friends in Courtesy Tier will hitting the stage with lot of exciting news including the release of a new recording, new videos and photos. They’re eager to share it with you very soon. J.D.
Courtesy Tier;
Dolly’s Release a New Single As They Embark on a Fall Tour
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ. Indie pop trio, dollys, will be releasing a new single on September 23rd of 2015 and will be celebrating at the Asbury Lanes with a tour kick-off show. The two song single was recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios and continues the pattern of vintage-tinted production, also showcased in their previous single “Better Doctor”. The juxtaposition of “I Know” and “Imitator” displays a scope of dynamics dollys has yet to reveal. “I Know” is being released in tandem with a brand new music video shot and directed by Anthony Yebra on the Asbury Park beach. The single will be available for free download on the dollys bandcamp page linked below:
dollys’ tour kick-off show will feature performances by Asbury Park locals The Cold Seas and Goodbye Tiger. Up and coming North Jersey band, Hodera, joins the bill as well. Bradley Cooper, a hard rock group featuring select members of Deal Casino and dollys, will also make a special appearance opening up the show. The show kicks off for a twenty day tour of the northeast for dollys, the details of which can be found at dollysband.com/tour.
Revelation Records Offers A Titanic Reissue. Pre-Order Now!
Beyond, though short lived in the NYHC scene (1988-1989), made an impact with their personal brand of Long Island metal-tinged hardcore with intricate riffage. The “Dew It!” demo was supposed to be recorded for Schism but the label folded before it got off the ground. They sold their demos through Some Records on the Lower East Side until the store closed and the rest were sold through mailorder. Originally recorded on a 1″ tape and mixed on cassette, “Dew It!” has been remixed to give it the sound that was previously intended. Backed with the demo is Beyond’s live set on WYNU’s legendary punk and hardcore radio show, “Crucial Chaos,” which was started in the late ’80s and still continues to this day, nearly 25 years later. Members of Beyond have gone on to bands like Quicksand, Bold, Inside Out, Burn, Shelter, 108 and more. Revelation Records has combined these two gems on vinyl and paired it with a 20-page, 12″ x 12″ booklet. LP includes digital download. This is the blue vinyl version, limited to 769 copies.
TRACK LISTING:
1. One Kind Word (demo)
2. Effort (demo)
3. What Awaits Us (demo)
4. Hoax (demo)
5. Seasons (demo)
6. Feedback (demo)
7. Vitality (demo)
8. Better Things To Do (demo)
9. Ancient Heat (live)
10. Feedback (live)
11. Vitality (live)
12. Vampire Empire (live)
13. Hoax (live)
14. Seasons (live)
15. Care (live)
16. Better Things To Do (live)
17. One Kind Word (live)
18. Strike (live)
19. Someday (live)
20. New Wave Song (live)
21. Effort (live)
Breaking the Seal
When most people use the term “Breaking the Seal”. They are most likely referring to having to take a wicked piss. And while I’ve had to “Break the Seal” on numerous occasions. That has nothing to do with this particular post. What I’m referring to in this case is the number o
f records I come across that I’ve yet to break the seal on. A recent exploration my largest record shelving unit yielded a shocking forty one sealed records. As a matter of fact. I was just about to order a vinyl copy of Strife’s “In this Defiance” when I found a sealed copy I bought less than a year ago. An album I claim to love but already had a CD version of from years ago. As I’ve gone from replacing my vinyl with CD’s in the 90’s to my updating my CD version with vinyl. Add to it my obsession with updating as many Discord and Revelation Records colored vinyl reissues as possible and things have gotten a little out of hand. In the end, I think a lot of good can come out of this. If I look at the upside, I have over a months worth of “A record a day.” material to keep me busy. On the downside, I will probably be deaf, if not dead before I ever have the chance to listen to all these beautiful records. Until the next record store or mail order. Keep piling up those records. J.D.
Pulling Records From the Pile.
Afrika Bambaataa & James Brown – Unity
Okay, let’s see what we have here. Unity brings together two pioneers of their respected genres. Hip Hop innovator and founder of the Zulu Nation, Afrika Bambaataa joins forces with the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. This was an amazing all around find and pull. I remember finding this in a bin at Brooklyn’s Permanent Records some years ago. Considering Afrika Bambaataa was my introduction to Hip Hop and it’s culture. This rates very high on my finds list. A thoroughly good listen all the way through. Sadly though, it seems that, more than thirty years later. We’ve learned nothing from the message. The condition is excellent. Especially considering it’s age. (Originally released in 1984.) Not a nick, scratch or bump to be had. ***** JD
- A Side; Unity Part 1 (The Third Coming) Unity Part 2 (Because it’s Coming) Unity Part 3 (Nuclear Wild Style)
- B Side; Unity Part 4 (Can You See it) Unity Part 5 (The Light) Unity Part 6 (World III)
- Year; 1984
- Format; 12′ Maxi SIngle
- Label; Tommy Boy
Sand in the Face – Music Made to Riot; New Jersey Hardcore 1982- 1983
Music Made to Riot collects the very earliest recordings of Montville, NJ’s Sand in the Face. Largely recorded at Boonton, NJ’s Mix-O-Lydian Studios. The same studio that had already given us The Misfits “Walk Among Us”.The demos within feature the pre-LP lineup of Pete (Aaron) Wegele, (bass, vocals) Paul Schraft (vocals, guitar) and Mark “Munk” Lombardi, who sadly died of cancer in 2010 on drums.I found this to be a fun and quick listen. 
A good time capsule highlighting the first wave of NJ Hardcore (Something I believe to be criminally overlooked.) Overall the tracks are what you’d expect from a young band getting to know themselves as well as their musicianship in the early days of Hardcore. A trio of high school kids getting to know their sound while working in the studio for the first time. Snotty, mid to fast paced teenage anthems A sound akin to such contemporaries Adrenaline O.D. and Bedlam. “Music Made to Riot” compiles eighteen tracks in all and is accompanied by detailed liner notes written by Wegele himself. His dedicating the release to his departed friend and band mate is, to say the least, touching. Limited to 600 copies. My one complaint, if any, is that this did not come with a digital download. Something that would have come in handy when compiling my New Jersey Hardcore mix tape. J.D.
Lyrically Speaking;
Having always been drawn to meaningful lyrics. The thought of having a feature spotlighting some of the artists whose lyrics spark emotion while inspiring thought felt important. From the time I first heard bands such as Embrace and Rites of Spring to some of todays artists and unintentional poets. Good lyrics are worth celebrating. With “Lyrically Speaking”, the hope is to put a spotlight on some of the artists who are putting meaning and a poetic twist on the songs they write. First up is Richmond Virginia’s Positive No. Northern Aggressor is a track from their upcoming debut full length album Glossa. Be sure to follow the link at the bottom of the page to order your copy. J.D.
Northern Aggressor – By Richmond VA’s Positive No
Air Conditioning sounds like a running car.
Bus stop cigarettes keep smoking when you’re gone.
Gun and knife show handbills mocking pacifists.
Rebel flags keep coming back, what year is this?
What year is this?
Buttermilk has Southern charm
but home is where your records are.
One house buys and sells but never offers trade.
Tiny ziplock bags lie yawning in the shade.
The rhythm of the day is set by cargo trains.
Humid diesel perfume wanders like a stray,
an unwanted stray.
Buttermilk has Southern charm
but home is where my records are.
What is in a namesake?
There are no swans in Swan Lake.
document fanzine 