Not Done and not sad!!

One of Hardcore's most underrated bands are back with a sign of life. Last time I saw the guys they were talking about callong it quits and from the long time of them being quiet I thought they did just that. But no! In today's update SAID AND DONE let us know that they decided to continue the band and are even in the process of recording a new Album! . LIC . is stoked and so should you be. Read all the details behind the link above.

If you're not familiar with the band but like NYHC in general and Later era Leeway, Underdog, The Icemen, True Blue or Headfirst in particular you might be wondering how you could not have taken notice of this band earlier after checking out these songs. Great music and even nicer dudes. How's that possible? Haha.

 

Absolution

Honestly never ranked too high on my list. At least musically. The individuals in that band have my biggest respect though. Well, actually I can only say that about Djinji and Gavin because I didn't come across interviews with or statements of any other band members so far.

It's a shame that I couldn't get into the music yet. Usually I am somehow used to dislike a band although they play great music because I don't like someone or everyone in the band. With ABSOLUTION it's the other way around. Only good interviews cannot change a sound I'm not into. I wish it could.

But recently I came across a sparkle of hope in this interview on the In Effect site. Seems the band wasn't too fond of how the 7" sounded and want to re-record it. Also they have some songs that were never recorded and those will be put out on an LP with some more re-recorded stuff. Maybe once this is out I can appreciate the band the way they deserve it. Can't wait for the release. Good things still happen.

 

Hearts still beat

The OUTSPOKEN Tour is getting closer. First dates have been confirmed via the MAD site. German dates only so far and on each they will be supported by Suffer Survive.

 

13.10. Dresden, tba w/ Suffer Survive

15.10. Saarbrücken, Garage w/ Suffer Survive

19.10. Weinheim, Cafe Central w/ Suffer Survive

03.11. Berlin, tba w/ Suffer Survive

 

I am well aware of the controversy concerning this tour. Mike Hartsfield and Travis Guichard being the only original members of the current line up while at least John Coyle's voice was integral to their sound. A lot of people think that this won't make for a memorable live experience. Also the fact of a bigger booking agency taking care of the tour doesn't help it either. I admit being concerned about what it will be like but still am looking forward to see them live.

I don't know about you but when I got into hardcore in the early 90s they were one of the best bands around. I loved them to bits and their music and lyrics mattered to me and shaped my idea of what hc is or should be more than any of its originators. Outspoken were my here and now. They represented the current state of affairs, dealing with things that I was trying to figure out myself.

And they never toured europe before so I never had the chance to see them live before they went on hiatus. The Discography is out for quite a while already so I don't think they come over to sell some more of those. Also there isn't really a buzz surrounding them that they could try to cash in on. From what I know Mike just feels like doing it. And I recall him stating that he thinks Outspoken had a lot more in store when they stopped and that he would like to pursue this feeling.

What more could you ask of a re-uniting band. I say go for it and hope to catch one or the other of their shows. At least this seems a lot more honest than the whole CASH REV 25 thing.

WxD again

Somehow it eluded me until now that WOLF X DOWN prior to their UK Tour (still one date needed) in September will be heading out with Demonwomb for a (south)east european Tour. Seems like they are working their asses off more than ever. Crucial band to support!

 

RAF

Just like the aforementioned Social Distortion RISE AND FALL also start their euro tour today. Go see them if you can! I hope you don't need to know that except for one all the dates will be with Converge to make you go.

08/03: Knokke-Heist, Belgium @ Leviathan Fest w/ Oathbreaker, Verse, Soul Control, Ritual
08/04: Hannover, Germany @ Chez Heinz w/ Converge, Oathbreaker, Birds In Row
08/05: Port, UK @ Hevy Festival w/ Converge, Descendents, Madball
08/06: Paris, France @ Le Glazart w/ Converge, Birds In Row, Toxic Holocaust
08/07: Geneva, Switzerland @ L'usine w/ Converge, Birds In Row, Toxic Holocaust
08/08: Munchen, Germany @ Feierwerk w/ Converge, Birds In Row, Toxic Holocaust
08/09: Wien, Austria @ Szene w/ Converge, Birds In Row, Darkest Hour
08/10: Jaromer, Czech Republic @ Brutal Assault Festival w/ Converge
08/11: Karlsuhe, Germany @ Stadtmitte w/ Converge, Birds In Row
08/12: Ieper, Belgium @ Ieper Fest w/ Converge, Bolt Thrower

 

VAX over the UK

My friends in WOLF X DOWN will be visiting the UK for a few dates in September and still need help with a show on their way home either in South England or anywhere in between the UK and their home base.

Sep. 11th - CinePalace - Kortrijk // Belgium
Sep. 12th - The Bull & The Gate - London
Sep. 13th - The Three Cranes - Sheffield
Sep. 14th - Arc Studios - Glasgow
Sep. 15th - The Croft - Bristol
Sep. 16th - somewhere southern UK or on our way back home. get in touch! wolfxdown@riseup.net

Still in another state of mind

Social Distortion! Oh yeah! After more than 30 years this band is still able to release great records and their last one Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes is no exception. I have to admit that at first I didn't think too much of that record but that was well after I order both versions of the LP. So I thought: "Great. Now I'll get two copies of a record that's no good." But once they arrived I had to give it another try because I've had bad experiences with good records on CD before and.... Lo and behold! This one was no different. I can't put my finger on what it is but once the needle hit the grooves I was sold. That record is so good. Of course in a different way from the last one but in its own category it's as good. If you don't believe me maybe try this new video of theirs or go buy the fucking LP. Everything else is bullshit. Well, except for demo tapes.



For more details on the clip go check out the SWNK post. They also have some Tickets to give away for their european Tour that starts today.

August 3rd - Blackpool, UK @ Rebellion Festival
August 6th - Århus, Denmark @ VoxHall
August 7th - Stockholm, Sweden @ Cirkus - SOLD OUT
August 8th - Stockholm, Sweden @ Cirkus
August 10th - Eschwege, Germany @ Open Flair Festival – SOLD OUT
August 11th - Püttlingen, Germany @ Rocco del Schlacko
August 12th - Rothenburg, Germany @ Taubertal Festival
August 14th - Hamburg, Germany @ Stadtpark
August 16th - Hasselt, Belgium @ Pukkelpop
August 17th - Luedinghausen, Germany @ Area 4
August 18th - Grosspoesna, Germany @ Highfield
August 19th - Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013 – WIN TICKETS ON SWNK
August 21st - Dublin, Ireland @ The Academy
August 22nd - Glasgow, Scotland @ The Garage
August 24th - Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
August 25th - Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
August 26th - Paris, France @ Rock En Seine
August 29th - Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex 457
August 31st - Wiesen, Austria @ Two Days a Week
September 1st - Konstanz, Germany @ Rock Am See
September 2nd - Bologna, Italy @ I-Day Festival

 

It's available!!!

The release date for DOWN AND OUTS' Forgotten Streets LP was July 23rd but if you've been anticipating this release as much as me you will already know it wasn't.

Today though both Yo Yo Records form Germany and All In Vinyl from the UK upped the pre-orders and you better be quick. It's limited to 300 copies.

Negative Punch

I was recently informed that NEGATIVE APPROACH are coming over for a european Tour in October of this year and they will be accompanied on all dates by the fabulous PUNCH. Nice package! There are no dates set yet but there are rumours of an Oct. 5th date kicking off the tour in Berlin. Stay tuned for updates.

The Queen of Rock-a-Billy is back

If only I had more money. I would buy each and every regular (not those crappy best of or golden hits repackagings) WANDA JACKSON record but unfortunately what little I have is tied up in all the hc and punk releases that are popping up left and right not even taking into account all the classics my collection still lacks.

Her 2003 Heart Trouble LP on Sympathy For The Record Industry is amazing and the latest output I listened to so far. The 2011 released The Party Ain't Over LP was on Third Man Records. Which as you might know was founded by Jack White. A guy I dislike very much. First of all because of this awfull band of his that everybody thinks is so cool while it's totally lame and boring which led to the general ungrounded hype around the dude. And secondly because I feel that he fucked up the 2004 release Van Lear Rose of the last still living Queen of Country. Of course Linda Gail Lewis is good and it was a pleasure to meet her on her Tour supporting the 2004 Boogie Woogie Country Gal release on Castle Records and Dolly Parton released some great records but they cannot hold a candle to either Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells or Loretta Lynn.

Although the CD release of Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose was on Interscope Records the Vinyl edition was on Third Man and Jack White mixed the recordings. I was so stoked on getting that release but listening to the CD was a total let down. That boy has no idea how to handle the recordings of a country legend. I think while going along he somehow aquired a bit of knowledge about how to mix his own music and this he applied to the latest Lynn output. It might be possible that I was distracted by the CD sound (when I first heard Earth Crisis' fantastic All Out War release on CD I didn't like it as well which later appeared to be a misconception due to the inferior medium) but I don't think that's the case although I feel an urge to give the LP version another try.

This experience had me disregard Wanda Jacksons 2011 LP The Party Ain't Over because as I already mentioned it's on Third Man. Which probanly means it was fucked up too. But brklnvgn tells us that there is hope. A new LP is in the pipeline and Sugar Hill Records is taking care of the release which seems to have a due date in October. It's supposed to have a back-basics approach that the producer for the Unfinished Business LP encouraged. Wanda being in favor of this might be saying that she was somehow not satisfied with her last record. Why else would you be changing Labels? Or is Third Man defunct? Didn't they just release some fancy stuff for Record Store Day? Whatever it is I'm siked for the new release.









And she has a few US Live Dates coming up over the next months plus one show in Berlin in Nov. Let's hope she adds some more. If not I might have to go on a little trip across the country.


08/10/12 Knucklehead's Saloon Kansas City, MO
08/11/12 Blueberry Hill St. Louis, MO
08/12/12 Hi-Tone Memphis, TN
08/17/12 Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ
08/18/12 Philadelphia Folk Festival Philadelphia, PA
08/31/12 Minnesota State Fair St. Paul, MN
09/01/12 Minnesota State Fair St. Paul, MN
09/02/12 Bumbershoot Festival Seattle, WA
09/12/12 The Square Room Knoxville, TN click here
09/16/12 WorkPlay Theater Birmingham, AL
09/28/12 Bartlesville Community Center Bartlesville, OK
10/12/12 Highline Ballroom NYC
11/9/12 Bassy Berlin, DE

In the rare case of someone not being familiar with her music here are some songs for you to stream.