August 15th: Punch, Loma Prieta, 10,000 Leagues, Get Rad, Noose @ Strangelight

Compared to my previous reviews, this will be quite show, considering I fucked up by not heading down right on time. Still though, my buddy and I managed to capture the chaos ensued at the Strangelight. Those there will probably agree that was one hell of a show, so I guess it wouldn't be wrong to say it was.

As I said, I messed up with the start time, considering the last two shows I've been too at the Strangelight usually begin an hour later and I didn't really feel like waiting around for an hour so I headed down and arrived at 8. In doing so, I missed out on seeing Noose and Get Rad. I guess I'll have to wait it out for another Noose show, sadly but I managed to snag me a copy of their 7 inch so it sort of makes up for it. Get Rad also falls into that category, minus any merch snagging. Walking into the Strangelight felt almost similar to entering the first gates of hell; a massive wave of heat was felt throughout the venue, mixed in with an aroma of man sweat. Considering that Noose and Get Rad played, it didn't bring much surprise but damn, they sure left a mark that night.

With Noose and Get Rad out of the picture, the first band we witnessed was 10,000 leagues, a quartet of Los Angeles natives. The band was pretty chaotic, no joke. Playing in the realm of Power Violence, 10,000 Leagues shredded through their set with no problems or hassle. They culled through their recent release and discography, before playing what I considered to be a highlight (a Spitboy cover). 10,000 Leagues are definitely a band to keep an eye on if you're interested in Power violence. Even more so, I was impressed how the band even trekked on during their set, considering how ridiculously fast they were the entire time. We saw each member afterwards literally drenched in sweat, as they paced around outside. Jesus Christ.

Loma Prieta was up afterwards, which by this time my buddy and I were near the back of the venue. I hadn't heard much of this band, so my curiosity was at a high level once they came on. The San Francisco band features members of Punch, Sailboats, Beau Navire, among others that give a better picture of what they might sound like. The band still played a pretty tight set with a good portion of the audience digging their tunes.

Last but certainly not least, Punch came on right after Loma Prieta and got the crowd started early. This was first time playing in Chicago, although they tried to make a show here happen (the ceremony tour from last year in particular, but dropped due to injury sustained by the vocalist), None the less, from the few ten seconds just starting into their set list, we were pushed immediately toward the front, catching a good sight of their vocalist just screaming her guts out into the mic. There was hardly a moment of the audience stopping the madness, even engaging in crowd surfing despite the limited amount of space and wide array of pipes coming off the basement ceiling. Still, Punch blazed through incorporating their own brand of hardcore, mixed in with power violence influences that would bring shivers down your spine. I was struck by how crazy the place got, even drenching myself with sweat in the process. Punch even pulled a new song in the mix, released on their recent EP, that got a great reception of the crowd, myself included. They certainly made an impression and I instantly felt glad I finally caught their live act. Fantastic!

Though I managed to miss the opening bands, the show didn't bring any disappointment what so ever. Much thanks to Joe of Lifeline Records for making this all possible. Posted below is the link to Deathwish Records, in case you wanted to purchase the new EP from Punch. I'll probably post up a review from The Men show at Waterworks last week so keep an eye out for that, along with future LP reviews from Razorxfade, Night Birds, and much more. Looks like one fantastic year in the world of punk, Cheers!

Deathwish Records

Pukeoid- Rabid EP

It's been a long while since I posted something, mainly due to laziness and outside factors. I did manage to catch some cool shit and find newer bands along the way, so it wasn't much of a big deal for me to really complain. Any who, much of my anticipation was directed more to this release, being impressed with their demo just last year.

Pukeoid's new EP Rabid manages to live up to it's name and hype, relinquishing their own brand of Midwest hardcore. What sets Pukeoid apart from most bands generally in the Midwest is that they display that vibe found from listening to earlier hardcore bands (To my ears, the Fix is the first to come to mind) yet able to recreate a sound all their own. From hearing the first track "Intro/Puke", one can instantly tell it's going to be a rager, bringing the Fix to mind once more from the pacing drum beat, straight forward aggressive guitar chords, and the rabid barking vocals. "Sex Wound" is a standout in my eyes, which has the band playing at a moderate pace, yet still delivering blows to the listener from it's driven bass lines and intense build up accompanied by a hypnotic guitar intro. Even during the chorus, Pukeoid is able to create more intensity with a rabid guitar onslaught of chugs that goes hand in hand with chants of Sex wound. "When I'm alone" is another favorite, where the band blitz through in less than a minute, probably less than that. In my opinion, it brings back that sound found more commonly from Formaldehyde Junkies. Overall, the Rabid EP shows Pukeoid's potential that will only grow more till their next release. These fellas will surely refresh your memory on how hardcore should really sound.

Their new 7 inch is still up for grabs via Not Normal and through the band's blogspot, provided below as well as various distros scattered all over the internet. If still not convinced, head over to Harry's Rex for a link. It's one of my more favorable blogs still around, so kudos out to him. Do yourself some justice and buy the actual record if impressed. It would all be worth it.

Pukeoid Blogspot

Not Normal Webstore

The Ropes 7 Inch

The Ropes 7 inch
Self released
2011

1. Your End
2. Valium Cocoon
3. Collisious End
4. All Things will Come Undone
5. Heads will Roll
6. Low End Highs


It's been a long while since I posted something, due to school and other shit going on so I figured I'd make it worthwhile. Considering that last I've been able to head too was the Ropes show at Waterworks, it only made sense to only spread awareness about their now sold out release. I was lucky enough to obtain myself a copy at the show and not going to the ordeals of spending a shitload of cash just so I can hear it but so it goes.

Never heard of the Ropes? It's basically Chicago Hardcore legends the Repos but with newer material, picking up where they left off on their last original LP Hearts and Heads Explode. Raw, aggressive, menacing, blitzkrieg hardcore containing probably the best barking, rabid vocals found from vocalist Aaron Aspinwall. Short, fast and to the point, The Ropes bulldoze through each song on this release."Your End" opens up side A in the best way possible, building up slowly before engaging in attack mode. "Heads will Roll" will be punk staple in later years, just exemplifying their strengths, with a devastating guitar onslaught that's just grab you by the throat.

Considering it's sold out from both the group and Video Disease, I'd probably contact some of the distros available from the band's blogspot, provided below. In the mean time, Narrow Mind managed to upload the 7 inch for all to hear, rejoice, and/or complain. Credit goes to those fellas. I'm stoked on seeing these guys live again, along with School Jerks and Culo in two weeks. Till next time, Cheers!

May 30th, 2001
Treasure Town
2016 South Kedzie Chicago
7pm, $7
Omegas
School Jerks
The Ropes
Culo
Bald Pig
Risk

Narrow Mind

the Ropes

New Neighbors

4/16/2011

Raw Nerve in-store
Reckless Records
3126 N Broadway Ave Chicago, IL
1pm, Free.




Then, later on.






4/16/2011

Raw Nerve
Salvation
The Ropes
Hoax
Risk

7pm, All Ages
Water Works, $7

I'm almost sure that this show will likely be packed so I'd would probably get there as early as possible. Once they fill up, you'll be turned away.

Leather- Sterile EP

Leather
Sterile EP
Jade Tree
2011


1. No Motivation
2. Zek
3. Relapse
4. Novitiate

Probably one of the more recent releases I've came across that startled, but excited me. I remember Leather fondly, seeing them at the Nazi Dust show in August. They're were one of two bands (the other being Culo) that made more of an impression that night, playing with a fury unmatched by the rest of the lineup that evening. I even purchased their Anchorite 7 inch and was floored once more, hearing in my opinion some of the best, jaw-dropping hardcore in recent memory. So, it surprised me that Leather was at it again with a new release, and from what I'm hearing, it's two damn good to miss out on.

I was surprised to see these guys release Sterile on Jade Tree, but it does make sense, considering how fantastic these guys are live, but also on record. Sterile, compared to Anchorite has a different sound production, emphasizing the Cro-Mags vibe more noticeable, not that it was hard before. Agran's vocal mirror John Joesph's, adding more a dark, howling approach. It's spine chilling almost, especially when hearing a track like "Zek"; the sheer aggression just being poured from all around. Agran's delivers at new heights, incorporating a bit of melody here and there, while retraining his hard, sinister approach on the mic. The rest of the band hasn't lost their touch either; playing more clean-cut organized hardcore than their contemporaries. "Relapse" is a perfect example; playing Straight to the bone hardcore, not having to go outside the realms of being unpredictable to make a bold statement. Then again, Leather still manages to bring the unexpected, avoiding the unnecessary bullshit acquired.

Pre-orders are being taken up now via Jade Tree, shipped around April 19th. The Anchorite 7 inch is also being released through the same webstore in limited quantities. Album comes with free download through the pre-order, so really no excuse to miss out.

Jade Tree

Leather

Truman & His Trophy- Bottom George Pizza Planet

Truman & His Trophy
Bottom George Pizza Planet
Cassette Deck Media
2011

1. Bottom George
2. Fruit Fight
3. The Virgin Harry
4. Jake Babe
5. Jake Hibernates
6. Eternal Nose
7. West
8. Everything is Weird
9. Slam Dunk
10. Spicy Water
11. Arm
12. Galaxy Quest
13. Journey To Pizza Planet



Not gonna lie, what grabbed my attention about this album was the cover shot, being both a lover of all things pizza and creativity. In fact, I started to get a sudden urge for pizza just after seeing this cover. None the less, after giving this album a spin, I started to appreciate the sheer catchy-ness of a majority of the songs found on here. Truman & His Trophy are pretty exciting and wonderful to hear, unraveling this sheer attitude of fun and pure energy track after track. It reminded me little bit of Bomb the Music Industry! upon the first list but after a couple more spins, I started to see the originality found on this album and put them in a list of their own.

"Jake Babe" is their more standout track, being that is the first single coming off this album but it makes sense why. Opening with an intro that would remind listeners of the minutemen (at least for me it did) from it's explosive guitar riff, the group just goes all out on this potential classic. The harmonies of the vocals during the chorus make it quite hard to whistle or sing along with the band. Another great track that just counterparts the single is "Jake Hibernates". It starts off a little more slower compared to the "Jake Babe" but that doesn't hurt the album or group, but rather showcases that the band is willing to mix up a variety of influences and changes with their sound.

From there, "Eternal Nose" comes into play and still works along that same vibe found on "Jake Hibernates", sounding a like a mixture between Pink Floyd and Wolfmother, that all the while continuously builds up before going into a massive attack of pop punk goodness. "West" is another favorite of mine, that sounds like a masterpiece to my ears. I'm instantly reminded to the post hardcore greats Fugazi, from the sudden change of the guitar riffs and vocals that unfolds from beginning to end. I'm also more fond of the how strong and powerful the drums and synthesizer are displayed on the track; the drummer going into this mesmerizing tribal beat, being complimented with the synthesizer manically going in and out.

Bottom George Pizza Planet shows this Chicago band at it's finest. I can't really recall a band that puts as much variety and influences into their sound, in regards of course to the current crop of bands appearing here and there. One thing is certain, I'm anticipating more materials from this band that will continue to knock me off my ass with more up-beat tracks. It's like the old saying goes, "Never Judge a book by it's cover". With that in mind, it would be right to say for fellow outsiders to instead of dismissing this band, try giving this a spin and you too will be raving about the fabulous sounds of Truman and His Trophy.

As of now, the album should be available for purchase on Cassette Deck Media. If you have to be in the Chicago area this weekend reading this post, I'd would advise you to head over to Pancho's to witness Truman and His Trophy in person, along with Pisces at the Animal Fair and Heart Shaped Hate. In honor of the release, the band is having a Pizza themed show on only the most suitable place in the world; Chicago. It's all ages and plus there's Pizza! Now, who doesn't love Pizza.

Cassette Deck Media


March 26th, 2011
Bottom George Pizza Planet Release Show:
Truman & His Trophy
Pisces at the Animal Fair
Heart Shaped Hate
7pm, All Ages

Pancho's
2200 N. California Avenue
Chicago, IL

Culo- Toxic Vision EP

Culo
Toxic Vision
Derranged Records
2011

1. Brain Cavity
2. Wasted on Wine
3. Neighborhood Watch
4. Death Culture
5. Toxic Vision


I've been anticipating another release from these hardcore boys from Elgin, and boy did it not disappoint me at all. Never being the stranger to Hardcore, Culo are one of the few bands in today's scene that still manage to keep things fresh while sticking to their guns or having to alienate outsiders over ridiculous reasons (I'd go into it but now is not the time or place). Culo let it all lose (figuratively and literally) on this fine slab of in-your face, "I don't give any kind of a fuck" mantra of Midwest hardcore. Combining the infectious sounds of Discharge and the Ramones, adding a Jerry Kids' style vibe, Culo pick up where they left off with Military Trend EP. One of the finest tracks found on this 7 inch is obviously the self titled track, clocking in at a minute and a half. It displays Culo as their finest; a ravaging, wild, and more brutally intent on describing death in their own interpretation. "Wasted on Wine" is another personal favorite, showcasing their style of a short, blasting, and "Faster than thou" approach. If somehow this name hasn't appeared in your usual radar of hardcore, then I suggest you check this band out. I guarantee you'll be surgically attached to this record once it's over.

The link below to buy Toxic Vision (or Military Trend if you haven't heard it either) via Derranged Records. the blog Mind disease has the download link to the album, if that's really what's important to you. I'm also posting Cowabunga's record store, considering they were selling copies of their demo My Brain is turning upside down, which is another must have in their category. Copies are near out, so yea...


Derranged Records

Cowabunga Records

Culo Myspace