Skip to content
What’s up Sorry Staters?
You got your leather chaps ready? I know you coffin-dwelling freaks are waiting with bated breath for that new Zorn record. You can pair your leather wears with a fresh new Koro shirt on its way to you now. So yeah, we’re back after skipping the newsletter last week. As always, we’re slammed busy over here at Sorry State HQ and also, Scarecrow went to go gig in Richmond with our homies in Destruct for their LP release gig. Jah bless our buddy Kestrel for helping out lately. I’m still feeling wiped out. I’m hoping this weekend I get to recuperate just a little bit. I’m tryna see that Cocaine Bear flick. Any of you seen that movie yet? Is it any good? Sounds insane.
Anyway, let’s talk about stuff I’ve been listening to:
It’s funny, the other day I found that we had a Dr. Strange compilation reissue of Symbol Six that we’re selling brand new for $8. 8 BUCKS? I was spinning that a bunch in the store and I was like fuck it, I’ll buy this. I’ve been on an 80s SoCal punk kick for a while anyway. And recently, I’ve been jamming this new SoCal’s Parishioners tape. Y’all heard this band yet? We had the band’s previous tape also, which I think I only listened to briefly. But for whatever reason, this new one called The Big Blast… From SoCal! really gripped my attention. Honestly, the tape is pretty lo-fi, which might just be a rough sounding home dub. But actually, that almost kinda adds to the experience because it sounds OLD. These dudes totally nail that oldschool, early 80s, slightly melodic Orange County hardcore sound. But not unlike Symbol Six or Shattered Faith or bands of that ilk from Southern California, SoCal’s Parishioners totally sound like a band that could’ve been on Posh Boy in like 1981. Cool riffs and ripping guitar playing, Soto-esque walking basslines… but really, this band just writes catchy as fuck songs. Also, the lyrics are great. The singer nails that aloof, snotty, sorta irreverent vocal delivery. The first song “I Don’t Know” is killer, but it also cracks me up. The chorus goes something like, “I don’t know what’s going anywhere. Indonesia? Italy? I don’t care!” Homie doesn’t give a fuck, it’s so awesome. I’m pretty sure the lyrics not only mention skateboarding, but like multiple instances across the 5 tracks on this tape. Also, the way the band members are credited, Dagger on vocals, Mr. Flames on guitar, The Kid on bass… They’re like a gang. So rad.
We’ve still got a good stack of copies of this tape. If my endorsement makes people pay a little more notice to this band, then I’ll be stoked. I really think these dudes are killing it. Makes me wanna put on Thrashin’. Members of SoCal’s Parishioners are here to remind you that “breakin’ is a memory.” Haha.
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for ya this week. As always, thanks for reading.
‘Til next week,
-Jeff