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What’s up Sorry Staters?
2023 has come to an end. Ooooooh and what a year it was. I was reflecting on all the dumb shit I got myself into and all the records I listened to this year, and you know what? Not too shabby. I always have my ups and downs, and SURE, there’s been some speed bumps along the way, but there’s also been plenty over this past year to smile about.
Here’s my Top 10 of 2023. Forgive me for the overly long write-ups about records I’ve probably already talked about plenty this year. Maybe it’ll be worth your time to read what I have to say. Or if you end up scrolling past a whole bunch of it, shiiit, I don’t blame you haha. I decided to not even mention anything released on Sorry State. Surely GUN, Sirkka, Mutant Strain, and even Koro would be mentioned.
Whatever, here we go:
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Personal Damage: Apathy & Entropy 12” - Easily one of my favorite records of the year. When Personal Damage first emerged onto my radar a few years back, they caught my attention immediately. It seemed like they became prolific right out of the gate, beating me over the head with a tape, then a 7” flexi, then another tape, then a proper 7” EP. I was curious how well the band would make the leap to the full-length format, and they did not disappoint. You can hear the influence of early 80s LA hardcore like Circle Jerks or The Stains, but Personal Damage has their own thing going on too. Catchy, snotty, memorable, not to mention amazing sounding production and beautiful packaging. Killer.
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Electric Chair: Act Of Aggression 12” – I think I may have mentioned the pre-release cassette version of this LP in my end of 2022 review and said something like “this will surely end up in my best of 2023” haha. So yeah, I’d already been listening to this record a lot for over a year now, but it was exciting when the vinyl version finally dropped earlier in 2023. The band’s first full-length LP took their already frenetic style of hardcore and added even more craziness to the mix. Insane shredder leads, weird sort of trippy, psychedelic passages in songs like “Security Camera” – it’s wild. But still the same awesome, outta control, catchy songwriting you’d expect. Electric Chair really got around this year. Even myself, I saw them multiple times, in Minneapolis for the Thrasher event, in Philly for Something To Talk About Fest, at Sorry State 10th Anniversary, and on Halloween in Richmond. I don’t know what it is about Electric Chair. All the dudes are funny as fuck, and there’s something cartoony and silly about them. But they are also undeniably one of the most dead serious, potent, explosive and raging hardcore punk bands out there. They rule.
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Tozcos: Infernal 12” – This record snuck its way onto my list right at the tail-end of the year, but it had to be included. First non-NY band to be released on Toxic State? Tozcos have been active for over a decade now I believe. Infernal is their 2nd LP, and it is worth the wait. Tozcos brings an element of “song-based” hardcore punk that I think is sadly missing at the moment. There’s a really thoughtful, dare I say, almost “pop-oriented” attitude toward their constructing of songs. I don’t even speak Spanish very well, but I find myself continuing to sing the vocal hooks after I’m done listening to the record. Not to mention the monster musicianship in the band. Limon’s razor-sharp guitar tone, Corrina’s super in the pocket, pounding, groovy drumming… Also, Kevin’s gotta be one of the best bass players in the game. Walkin’ all up and down that neck. When I heard the bass break intro in the teaser track “Presos”, I was like “deeeeeeyum”. And Monsé’s vicious vocal delivery brings it to the next level. What a great record made by genuinely cool people. This is the real shit right here.
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Sick Thoughts: Born To Blitzkrieg 12” – So, I will admit, I was way late in discovering Sick Thoughts. Even over the years with Drew releasing a TON of records, I just assumed I wouldn’t really be into it. I’m choosing this 2023 EP in part because I feel like an idiot for not even giving 2022’s Heaven Is No Fun a chance until way into 2023. I surely would’ve included it on my best of 2022 list, but it feels like I experienced it all in 2023. But Born To Blitzkrieg is so great too. There are 4 songs on this bad boy, and surprisingly, it opens with an eponymously titled ripping hardcore tune. What I discovered is that beyond Sick Thoughts’ sort of silly, crude presentation and lyrical content, my dude just writes great songs. “(I’m A) Hellraiser” is like somewhere between Generation X or Blitz mixed with some random raw, rockin’ KBD tune or something. The classy title of “Schoolgirls in Chains” is almost like early GG Allin, but then breaks into some straight up harmonized Thin Lizzy guitar leads? So sick. Then this EP ends with an unexpected tender moment with “My Heart Is Breaking Over You.” Consider me converted. I love Sick Thoughts.
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Pyr Kata Voulisi: Thymata Eirinis 12” – I try my best to pronounce this band’s name NOW, but when we first stocked this record, I remember everyone referring to them as, “You know uuuh, the Greek band!” Haha. An unexpected ripper for me this year. It sounds like these Greeks take some cues from Swedish hardcore, namely I hear a little bit of Herätys influence in the riffs. Just a great hardcore record. I remember them getting some buzz this year amongst the true heads. I hope this band records something new in the not-so-distant future.
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The Hell: S/T 12” – These Cleveland boys teased a few tracks from this LP on a cassette back in 2022. Putting the “punk” back in hardcore punk. Direct, to the point, raging. Clean guitars pumping out riffs like a machine. Snarling, aloof vocals somewhere between Stiv Bators and Danny Spira. Tight, fast drumming. 10 songs in 12 minutes. What more do you want? I hear rumors that they’ve got something new geared up for 2024. Can’t wait.
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Deletär: S/T 12” – France’s finest, if you ask me. Deletär released a few records before this LP, but I think they really just nailed it on this round. From the moment you drop the needle, your face will melt immediately. Not unlike Pyr Kata Voulisi, Deletär definitely tips their hat to raging käng-style Swedish hardcore. The production on this LP is super dense and intense. Great guitar tone. And just one fist-pumping killer riff after another. Some of the guitar leads approach Skitkids territory. But for me, I like that Deletär have that heavier edge to their sound, but don’t quite cross into crust territory. They kinda remind of a band like Infernöh sort of. I saw Deletär at K-Town back in 2022, but I look forward to seeing this band live again soon. Also, there might be some cool news about this LP soon ;)
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Nuovo Testamento: Love Lines 12” – This might be a surprising choice against some of the other records on my list. But if I’m being honest with myself, I listened to this record a whole bunch this year. I don’t know anything about Italo-Disco, really. I know that’s what Nuovo Testamento is going for with the name and all. But when I listen to this record, I just think about 80s NRG and freestyle synth-pop like Stacey Q and Samantha Fox. Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. What I do know is that I’ll throw this record on when I’m in my kitchen and shake my tail feather while I’m cooking dinner. It rules.
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Tiikeri: Punk Rock Pamaus!!! 12” – Funny how a record with cartoon tigers and anarchy A’s inside of hearts made such an impact this year. The Finnish songsmiths were at it again this year with their first full-length. Maybe I live in a bubble, but a lot of people were super into this record this year, right? I’ll use the word I’ve used many times when I’ve described Tiikeri: INFECTIOUS. That’s the thing, it’s hard not to like it. When they make the cute battle cry of, “Okay, let’s punk!” You’re like, yeah I’m down. Saccharinely sweet poppy punk tunes about how “punk is love” and all that kinda stuff. A welcome positive distraction from the awful things happening in this world. Authentic late 70s Finnish KBD or Green Day? I’ll let you decide.
- The Massacred: Post-Mortem 7” – Wow, the only 7” on my list this year. I had to pick at least one. Funny enough, Public Acid played New Year’s Eve of 2022 in Toronto. Then, our next show on that trip on January 1st, 2023 was in Boston and it was the record release for The Massacred’s first 7”. So technically, this record just barely made it in time to qualify as a 2023 release. What a great way to kick off the year. This band rips. An almost militaristically tight approach to hardcore punk. The Massacred definitely have some UK82 influence going on with big, chanted sloganeering style vocals. But then, a friend mentioned to me that the riffing reminds him of Headcleaners. Now I can’t unhear it. Soooo, like a tough as nails, stompy version of Headcleaners? Sign me up. Awesome packaging on this record too. I remember Usman and I gushing over the hand-stamped dust sleeves.
-----Honorable Mentions-----
-Golpe: Assuefazione Quotidiana 7" – I almost feel guilty not including this 7” in my top 10! I love me some Golpe. Them sweet Italian boys. Part of the Sorry State family, this new 7” offering on Beach Impediment has some the band’s heaviest, stompiest songs yet.
-Yellowcake: Can You See The Future? 7” – This band came onto my radar this year out of nowhere. I think they’re making a big impression in general. Not For The Weak did a great job with this 7”, but I think seeing this band live is really what did it for me. So powerful. The drummer is insane.
-Bloodstains: Anti-Social 7” – Orange County, baby. I love that this band is bringing back that melodic side of early 80s California punk. The sleeves on these 7”s look great too. Thanks again for hooking me up with a copy, Cesar. Gimme more Agnew, people!
-Fairytale: Shooting Star 12” – Another record that probably should’ve made my Top 10. This LP is just insane. For bands doing the “d-beat” style or whatever, I always thought Fairytale were a unique, kinda spaced out, psychedelic take on the sound. Lulu’s vocals on that track “Possible to Grow,” so killer.
-Nukies: Can’t You Tell That This Is Hell 12” – Another ripper that I digested in tape format first. Nukies from Sweden play super riffy, almost rocked out hardcore that’s often stompier and groovier than it is ripping mangel style. Great stuff.
-Factory City Children: S/T 7” – Mateo from Warthog transforms into a demon and wreaks havoc on the streets of NY. Nasty, raw, blown out but catchy punk tunes recorded over a drum machine.
-People’s Temple: I’m With The... 7” – When a dude from Orange County infiltrates NY and brings that catchy style of hardcore from one coast to the other. There’s things I liked and kinda didn’t care for with this record, but the first track “Think For Me” really stands out.
-Destruct: Cries the Mocking Mother Nature 12” – Had to mention my Richmond homies. Seriously one of the deadliestly (is that word?) tight bands playing Japanese-inspired hardcore at the moment. Those tom rolls, dude. Makes the kids go nuts.
-Hez: Panamaniacs 12” – Even though I know we had stocked previous records by this band a few years back, John Scott actually turned me onto this record. Totally raging hardcore from Panama. Kinda raw but also atmospheric like Destino Final or bands of that style.
-Class: If You’ve Got Nothing 12” – Another band that, for me, appeared out of nowhere and all the sudden was super prolific with their releases. I never really checked them out until much later in the year. I heard such positive endorsements from people around me. I finally gave Class a shot and now I totally get it. I feel like the term “power pop” gets a bad rap. Class just writes great, jangly vintage sounding punk tunes. I really love the track “Behind The Ball” on this new LP.
-Chueko: Tools of Oppression 7” – I think I just talked about this 7” in the last newsletter, but it’s continued to grow on me. Great hardcore punk from Portland by members of Suck Lords, Alienator, etc.
-Secretors: Comparing Missile Size Vol.1 7” – Another release from later in the year. I feel like this EP is just a barrage of intense, heavy hardcore that definitely has a couple nods to Japanese punk classics. Great riffs on this record.
-Laughing Corpse: Demented Thoughts Posed As Dark Comedy cassette – New band out of DC. I think this tape is really cool. My homie Connor killing it on drums, as always. Funny enough, I detect a bit of COC and Double Negative influence in the songwriting. Totally Raleigh-biased over here, and of course I’m so here for it.
Certainly, there are several other records released in 2023 that I could talk about. But I tried to narrow it down to a few choice favorites, and I still feel like I wrote too much. I didn’t even mention REISSUES! That’d be a whole other verbose series of ramblings.
Alright, more generally speaking, here’s a “Top 10” list of my favorite and most eventful moments this year:
1. Sirkka gig weekend – I just remember this weekend being really fun. It was toward the end of April. Public Acid played in Norfolk on a Friday. Then on Saturday, Usman and I spent the whole day Saturday in Richmond. I remember hanging with a big group of friends, we got breakfast, went to a skatepark by the river, got margaritas, and it was just nice having the crew together. Then on Sunday, both Public Acid and Scarecrow played with Sirkka. Sirkka ripped so hard. That was a great gig. It was great seeing Sanja again after Scarecrow had met her in Germany on our European tour back in summer 2022.
2. Public Acid Thrasher gig – People who regularly read the newsletter might be aware that skateboarding was super important to me when I was younger. It was super cool to get invited by Thrasher Magazine to go to Minneapolis, watch some skateboarding, and then rip a gig with Electric Chair at the afterparty. A no brainer. We were hosted by Will from Desolate and it was awesome. I got to meet Tony Trujilo, one of my favorite skaters. We hung with the Electric Chair dudes and, you know, went and rode a giant wooden mechanical wiener at a sex shop. The usual stuff. Then after the gig, all of us in Public Acid and Electric Chair went to a swimming spot by a lakeshore at night with some Minneapolis locals.
3. Shomo Fest 2023 – I know the fest is called Something To Talk About. I call it Shomo Fest affectionately. Jim put together one hell of a fest. If it wasn’t already killer in 2022, he really upped the whole shebang this past year. It was my first time playing the First Unitarian Church in Philly, which has been doing punk and hardcore shows for a loooong time. And seeing Vaaska and Warthog was killer. The Saturday shows at Foto Club were a blast, too. The Wanted, Invertebrates and Mutant Strain killed.
4. Meat House Tour – Even though this run of dates we did was short, this was easily one of the funnest tours I’ve ever been on. Meat House went out and played some Midwest gigs with Mutant Strain, and it was great. Even more than I remember the gigs, I remember just laughing and hanging out. Rolling up to a White Castle, making Shrek Juice™ out of bright green soda and tequila and actin’ a fool for hours. I’ll never forget those cool local dudes we met at the liquor store who asked if we were on Spotify and then wanted to take a group picture with us, and then the one dude preceded to pull out his gun to pose with for the photo.
5. Scarecrow / Vidro Tour – The Swedes invaded! Vidro are the coolest. So stoked we got to tour together. Scarecrow and Vidro did 10 days in a van together up the east coast and dipped our toes into the Midwest a bit too. There were many highlights. Staying with Andy and Elise in Worcester ruled, where their house had horror movie ephemera in every corner and Andy showed us his many wares and special herbs grown on the property. Loved getting to hang with Trevor in Cleveland and I also got a sick tattoo from Lia. Also in Cleveland, we went to check out the Great Lake and there was trash and dead rats on the beach. Awesome. The Richmond show was great; it was fun hanging at Chubb’s after the gig and jamming Ramones records. Our last night in DC, we involuntarily spent 2 hours in a tiki bar and then went and danced at a goth club. I can’t wait to see Vendela, Lucas, Staffan, and Melody again soon. Perhaps back on their home turf sometime ;)
6. Hangin’ with Tozcos in a graveyard on my birthday – This was yet another Thrasher magazine event where they recruited punk bands to play. This time, it was Scarecrow that played, and it happened right in our backyard in Charlotte. We got to the skate park too late to see the skating, which I was bummed about. But the gig we played later was with Tozcos! The gig was on August 19th, so it was my birthday right when the clock struck midnight. We all got cases of beer and celebrated in the graveyard TSOL style – Well, actually NO, not like that.
7. Sorry State Anniversary weekend – This should be number 1 on the list. The coolest thing that’s happened in Raleigh in all the years I’ve lived here. 2 days of pure punk bliss, thanks to our Lord Commander Daniel. A lot of planning and work went into organizing our 10-Year Anniversary, and I’m so happy it went well. Thanks again to all the bands who came and played and all the people who helped out. I’ll never forget it.
8. Tampa – Generally speaking, I’ve never been the biggest fan of visiting Florida. But prior to actually arriving, Mike from Warthog/Heaven’s Gate picking me up at the airport and driving me into Ybor, I didn’t realize I’d never been to Tampa. I must admit, I had a pretty awesome time. Seeing mofos roll cigars fast as fuck in the windows of local shops and seeing wild chickens roaming around, it was a cool vibe. The gig Public Acid played was cool obviously, but moments like drinking Aperol Spritz at fancy hotel pool with palm trees while Chubb wore a cowboy hat—that and going to this huge, famous S&M goth club were the best moments in my mind.
9. Screaming Death – Me and Usman’s label, Bunker Punks Discs & Tapes, released a record I’m really proud of this year. It was a project that was in the works for a couple years: a 4-way split featuring our band Scarecrow, Destruct, Rat Cage, and Dissekerad. The final product came out amazing, and we’re really stoked on the positive response we’ve gotten from the release. Thanks everybody!
10. This year in record collecting – So last but not least, I managed to score some records this year. Pretty much all the records worth mentioning are of the miniature variety. Not so many full-size platters, but I crossed off some of my major bite-size wants. I always convince myself I didn’t go too too crazy. Whoops! The SOA was a huge one for me, of course. I’m also so stoked I was able to lock down an original Zmiv 7”. I didn’t know if I’d ever see one. The Damned Stretcher Case was a record that eluded me for years too; I guess they were given away at gigs in the late 70s? Wild. Thankful that Colin from Sit & Spin in Philly brought that down with him while being a vendor at the Sorry State anniversary. Hell yeah.