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What’s up Sorry Staters?
Sorry I didn’t have anything to say last week. I know y’all missed me. Maybe not haha. Honestly, I feel like I don’t have much to say this week either. I don’t know why, exactly. Brain feels fried. Energy is low. Motivation is waning. Emotions are up n’ down. Wish I could be more tuned in, focused, passionate, and feel hyped on stuff to talk about. In a moment of feeling stuck in the non-stoked gutter, I finally listened to a bunch of hardcore 7”s for the first time in a while the other night. I was like, “Oh thank gawd YEP, I still looooove this shit!!” Haven’t felt super fired up lately. Maybe that’s on me. But alas I won’t say any more on that. TMI, I know. I’m just gonna freestyle some thoughts:
New Rat Cage is out. A record I’ve felt genuine anticipation about. And big surprise, the lads delivered. While perhaps Swedish käng punk was the primary influence behind the initial several Rat Cage records, these days, I think Bry’s songwriting is a beast all its own. Feels more signature and unique to me as time goes on. Even the way the first song kicks off with the groovy intro, only to break into a sort of spoken declaration before kicking in… it feels powerful. Makes the listener pay attention. Dare I say, “anthemic”? The last song “Not Asking For Much” is about as close to NWOBHM as you might ever expect Rat Cage to get. It’s giving a bunch of lads with pints of lager at the pub, pumping their fist, and shouting along to chorus in unison. It’s great.
Let’s see, what else? That Hävittäjät on Active-8 was a pleasant surprise. As the label’s description says, I feel like I’ve been seeing this band’s name for the last decade or so. Raw, grimy, disgusting sounding Finnish style hardcore by way of Australia. For not actually being from Finland, if you’re into Yleiset Syyt and other more recent ripping ass bands in that style, this is probably up your alley. Somehow, this band’s execution feels more ramshackle, but in the best way possible. I mean that as a total compliment. Unhinged and ripping.
We’ve got the new tape from Raw Heads in stock! This band is comprised of members who you might recognize amongst Sorry State’s family tree, including a few dudes from The Hell and Woodstock 99, as well as Keith from Meat House and White Stains on vocals. Keith released this tape on his relatively new label called Poison Vision. On his site, he sells his own releases, along with (if I do say so myself) a refined selection of distro titles from the finest current punk & hardcore bands. Then also, like bootleg horror movie t-shirts, all kindsa cool shit. I really love the whole vibe Keith is cultivating. Totally fits with his art style and taste. Blood-soaked demon—Giallo knife slashing—backslash grind in a pool on an extra wide skateboard shredding—15 bandanas on your boots—as many studded cuffs as you can fit—Mad Marc Rude—slam low creepy crawl style like the dude in Another State of Mind—kinda vibe. It’s cool as shit. Right up my alley. The Raw Heads tape only has 3 songs on it. 2 rippers sandwiching an instrumental slammer. But apparently it’s a promo, so maybe there’s an LP on the horizon. The songs sound killer, great riffs, some sorta rocked out parts, but not in a metallic way at all. Raw, go-for-the-throat 80s style hardcore. Keith’s vocals sound as demented and snarling as ever. Public Acid played with Raw Heads in Cleveland, and they opened with “Superficial Love” by TSOL. It was killer.
Few more things. Very excited about the new Kohti Tuhoa. What I’ve heard so far sounds rad. Pagan lute-playing imagery and all. Also, checked out a few tracks from the upcoming records on General Speech. Really looking forward to the new Early Grave LP. 15-song hardcore LP? Damn, not quite as many as Die Kreuzen, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen band be so bold as to put that many tracks on a full length. I salute them. So yeah, some cool stuff to look forward to on the horizon.
Like I said, very unfocused this round. Would love to hear some thoughts from people on new punk and hardcore stuff coming out. Also, would love to be turned onto some new stuff I haven’t heard yet. Preferably some new ripping hardcore recorded by punks under 30. Tell me wassup!
As always, thanks for reading.
‘Til next week,
-Jeff