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.