Tag: Underdog

Point Blank – On the DL

There’s a timeless line in the film The Godfather that says  “Just when I thought I was out… They pull me back in.” that perfectly illustrates my feelings about Hardcore music as a whole.  For years now I’ve found myself greying out of a genre that for decades was at the core of what my music consumption and show attendance. Thanks to bands like Queens’ Point Blank. I’m still finding reasons to go back to the well to reacquaint myself with that old friend.NLY-016 jacket lowresOn their eight song banger “On the DL”. Point Blanks first post demo release. The Queens band shows progress in both the musical and lyrical department. One can’t help but feel drawn to the dark bass lines and angrily pronounced vocals on “Life is too short.” Everything from the cover imagery to the short bursts of early 80’s rage and discourse reminding this bitter old curmudgeon of  what originally drew me to Hardcore in my early teens. Before the crossover. Before the tough guy posturing. Just Hardcore in its purest and most potent form. Archaic  and beastly Hardcore that draws you into the vortex of the circle pit. Give it a spin on Bandcamp and decide for yourself. “On the DL” is available through Not Like You recordsin both digital and CD format. If you’re vinyl junkie like mysewlf. Keep your fingers crossed that itv will be pressed to 7′ inch format in the near future.  JD

Not Like You Records

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Point Blank – Demo 7′ Inch

nly006My love and appreciation for the format known as the 7″ inch EP has never waned. That short, yet enduring burst of energy and emotion. The kind that nourishes the soul while leaving enough room to keep you yearning for more. The same can easily be said about the original demo format. So when a demo is good enough to warrant a vinyl resurrection. Chances are good that it’s going to produce rewarding results.

As more than thirty years have passed since I was an earnest Hardcore Kid from Queens, NY. That early to mid 80’s sound that New York bands such as Agnostic Front, The Abused, Antidote and Major Conflict created still resonates with me more than anything that came later. Point Blank more than honor that sound without making it feel like a nostalgic trip or gimmick. Easily done considering half the band served time in the early days of what was NYHC. With Dan (Danny Dog) Derella being an original member of Underdog and singer Ken E. Wagner spending copious amounts of time-serving on the front line of what become the New York Hardcore scene.

The imagery, packaging and most importantly, the sound draw the listener in. Reminding the listener of a time when Hardcore music drew influence from Punk. Yet to explore and eventually find itself more aligned with Metal.

A lot can be said about the simple, yet direct approach that set the early 80’s Hardcore sound so far apart from anything that had been created before it. Point Blank serve that approach rather well without sounding outdated or nostalgia driven. From the rolling bass that leads the attack of “No More” to the marching leads and directness of Ken’s higher pitched vocals on “Fuck Off”. These eight songs make this kid from Queens remember that, while NYHC may not have originated in Queens. The borough was responsible for some of it’s best output. Point Blank remind me of all the elements that made me love Hardcore in the first place… And that, my friend, is as good as a recommendation I can give. Thanks and praise go out to Not Like You records for making this happen. This is the same label that recently brought us  The Faction – “Pegged for Live” and McRad – “Lion Pure” J.D.

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