Refused

So me and my buddy Joe (singer/songer writer) are waiting for like 12 hours outside this kid's house last night so he can finish dinner and take the band to his basement and let us check out his recording gear. We're in my car just bullshitting about this and that: walmart, minimum wage and the cost of living, why religion is dumb, etc. and we eventually start talking about the band.

I ask him about the lyrics for our most recent songs and whether or not he'd like to incorporate some of these ideas. He says he would, and in a way thats not to overbearing - like the band Refused. In retrospect I can't remember which album he told me to listen to, but Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent will do this post justice.

Rather be Dead rather perfectly explains what Joe was talking about. The song can really be addressing anything wrong with the world and still make you want do something about it. I've been wrapping torn bedsheets around broken table legs so when we hit the streets they'll see us at night. I'm only half joking.

WATCH THESE

Hey I found these while surfing around Youtube. Check them out, they're very informative.

N.Y. Harcore on Donahue

N.Y.H.C. Documentary (8 parts at least)

Comeback Kid

Here's another great band and one hellova catchy tune. What's dope about this song is that its so damn up beat and really motivating. Comeback Kid writes music that inspires - cut and dry. When I listen to anything off Wake the Dead, it's usually right before I have to something I dread doing in the first place, like doctor appointments and important school stuff.

The title track off this album is a personal favorite of mine and is definitely a great way to introduce you to the music. If you're not in a rowdy mood after listening, you may have a serious hearing disorder and should consider seeking medical treatment.

Most Precious Blood

Here's another CD my neighbor Justin burned for me. I had heard this group's previous album, Our Lady of Annihilation and loved it, but I was slow to come around to this more recent one: Merciless. It's just way better, but decide for yourselves.

Like a lot of hardcore, Most Precious Blood supports certain advantageous lifestlyes like not eating meat, animal rights, etc. I apprieciate that they don't include something about KFC or the milk industry in every song. Each has a focus to which we can all relate.

The song Shark Ethic is all about being afraid of shit then getting past it. I'd rather listen to a song about about that than an anti-burger song. I love burgers. I hate fear. A song about finding courage is way more entertaining (and helpful) than lyrics about not eating Mcdonalds.

Give up the Ghost

My neightbor Justin had showed this band a while ago. We agreed to exchange 3 CDs of music that we thought the other would like. I gave him all death metal, he gave me all hardcore. We're Down til We're Underground was one of those albums; the others I'll mention later.

Give Up the Ghost have this sporatic style that makes listening seem like a controlled demolition. At the beginning of the song when those drum fills seperate the "LOVE!" chants, I jump around my empty house like a player in the band. Usually I pretend my living room is the stage and my coffee table is a monitor I put my foot on to look cool. Hey, its not just because I want to, its because I know I should. You'll see what I mean when you hear it. Little parts like that change the song from sounding good to great in my opinion.

Like some other bands mentioned on the blog, this group is no longer together. They wrote some really good tunes that will last forever and the song American Love is one of them. Take a listen, let me know what you think.

Modern Life is War

Back when I joined the Hardcore band I play in now some 2 years ago, everyone in the group told me to start listening to Modern Life is War. My boy Styles P let me borrows his copies of M.L.I.W.'s three CDs, which included My Love. My Way. I saved them on the the C drive of my old computer but had to erase the memory after getting a virus; the event gave new meaning to the words 'dirty porn'.

Listening to them again is really refreshing. In retrospect I see this group as the biggest influence on our sound then and now. If you are up to date with the blog and have read along with the suggested songs, you will notice one unifying trait among them: music with a message. Often that message is incredibly positive (except for that Defeater song - WTF) and empowering, which is really what drew me into the music in the first place. In a time when we could all use a little encouragement, Modern Life is War is a band that answers the call.

I found one of my favorite songs of theirs on Youtube titled Late Bloomers. Enjoy.

Touché Amoré

I had seen this band live before hearing anything produced in a studio. Believe me when I tell you they are 100 times more powerful live than what will be coming through those puny computer speakers. To the Beat of a Dead Horse is Touché Amoré's first full length album and I strongly urge you to pick it up if you're like me and want to hear great new music. The band has got a rare, evocative energy that reminds you how music can be an experience like cinema. Get comfortable and listen to what's going on.

Now after listening to so many songs you begin to notice the patterns; patterns which ultimately define the genre. In hardcore, the most important element to the music is vocals. Nowhere else but in the song Honest Sleep can this be more true. Imagine you've just met up to a friend after they've had a really big argument. You're hearing their side of the story and can completely sympathize with them. Listen to all the suggest songs on Youtube.

Defeater

So last night at band practice the boys are showing me some fresh material. As usually we're there pretty late working out a part and last night there's one piece in the music I'm having trouble playing. As we rehearse I'm hear the phrase the "Defeater part" getting tossed around to describe the section. Since I'm now actively pursuing new music, I figured I'd better check them out; if not for my own pleasure, at least for the sake of the band.

So I hope on Youtube and begin my search, looking for the song with the most plays. I stumble upon Cowardice, then quickly look up the lyrics after accidentally playing the song. I wasn't ready for it. HOLY SHIt THIS IS DEPRESSING! It has to be the saddest song ever written, next to Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. That is one seriously sad song, but this one's worse. Immediately after hearing it your mood changes for the worse, but the song is really good. Go buy the album Travels then cry. You'll thank me later.

Gallows

I would often hear Gallows when getting picked up for band practice or on the way somewhere with my buddies. The album Grey Britain would be playing through someone's Ipod, and there is one song in particular I will always associate with cars or going places. After sitting down and actually listening to the song I realized why.

I Dread the Night is one of those songs you'd listen to before a nasty scrap. If I were a prize fighter, or real f-ing badass, I'd listen to this song every time before my brawls. Since I am neither I'll have to play it while going to the food store, or on the way to work, or at any dull point during the day.

The song is so loud and raw and angry sounding I clench my fists. Frank Carter sounds really pissed during the entire song, which is probably why now I'm so angry. The music never really mellows out. The entire time you think you're in a fight or are about to get punched. A high-octane listening experience.

Have Heart

So I ask my buddy (and bassist) Joe where to start. He tells me about the band Have Heart and the album Songs to Scream at the Sun. His exact words in the text message were "Sick album bro, u should check it out."

So I hop on YouTube, look up some lyrics (read along) and begin my education. I choose the song Bostons on a whim, and it's a great way to begin the blog .

The song has got a lot of energy in its melodies. The drums are fast and chaotic (which I'm already familiar with) and the guitars are aggressive and sharp, but not overpowering (just how I take my coffee). What undoubtedly makes the song powerful, and in my opinion different from other genres, are the vocals and lyrics. Patrick Flynn's singing style sounds so raw and angry and lends so much emotion to the other melodies that you can't help but get excited. The words are clearly a refection of personal experiences (which makes the song that much more intense) and though the content is difficult, the message is ultimately very positive. Compulsively, I found the rest of the album to be the same way.

I've been listening a lot of different types of music recently, but hearing Have Heart reminds me of a movie for some reason. The plot is not clear, but when the song starts its at the part in the movie where the good guy is winning. Its also all happening in slow-motion. It's the clearest thing that comes to mind.