Monday, December 30, 2013

Hardcore in 2013

Here is a list of what I've spent most of this year listening to. If I were you I would check out every single one of these bands.


LPs:
Hounds of Hate - Self Titled
When the No Redemption 7" came out on Katorga I instantly fell in love and needed more. This LP is without a doubt the most played album off this entire list and I can't express how excited I am to see these guys next year.
Download

Sectarian Violence - Upward Hostility 
Sectarian Violence features the lead singer of Coke Bust, but unlike Coke Bust these guys play a very much more straight forward style of hardcore. Upward Hostility is everything that anyone could ever ask for in a hardcore album, 10 songs of pure terror that make you want to slam every moment of everyday.
Download

Youth Avoiders - Self Titled
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first listened to these guys back in October, but I'm extremely happy with what I found. The Youth Avoiders LP is without a doubt one of the best surprises of 2013.
Download

Violent Reaction - City Streets
It took me a while to listen to Violent Reaction, but when I finally did they secured a spot as one of my favorite current bands. Fast hardcore with gang chants that just reminds me of 86 Mentality, where could you possibly go wrong?
Download

Vigilante - Quality of Life
Quality of Life is definitely the most underrated release of 2013. This record just screams 80s New York Hardcore, from Agnostic Front and Warzone to Cro-Mags and Killing Time. If you don't believe me then you need to give Quality of Life a listen.
Download


7"s:

Back to Back - Flesh and Bone
Flesh and Bone may be one of the toughest records I've heard all year and nothing really compares. In a strange way these guys remind me a lot of Dry Rot, not musically, but just the eeriness of the album as a whole. I have high hopes to see Back to Back tour in 2014.
Download

Demolition - World Gone Mad
This record was another nice surprise for me this year as I had never heard of Demolition, but when I listened to World Gone Mad all I could think about was New York hardcore in all its glory.
Download

Hard Stripes - Self Titled
I've been in love with Hard Stripes ever since their demo came out last year (plus their name is just amazing). So I got way too excited when I heard they had a record on the way, check it out.
Download

The Flex - Scum on the Run
Gritty hardcore, just the way I like it. The Flex do not disappoint with their new 7", just as fast and ruthless as ever. "Scum on the fucking run!" 
Download

Freedom - Pay the Price
If you've already listened to the Freedom demo then you know what to expect from this record, but except ten times heavier and meaner.
Download

Spine / The Repos - Split
This was the only split I really listened to that came out this year, but Spine and The Repos on the same record instantly made this the best split of 2013.
Download


Demos:

Chain Rank - The Grip Demo 2013
Chain Rank is a brand new hardcore band from Boston that delivers a fast- paced slam til you fucking die kinda sound. I'm not sure who's in this new project, but after listening to the demo I would be surprised if it didn't share members of World War 4, No Tolerance, The Rival Mob, etc... 
Download

Hired Goons - Demo 2013 Pt 2
Hired Goons released their first demo earlier this year and I've been looking out for their stuff ever since. But I already posted both these demos so if you haven't listened to em yet you're still fucking up.
Download

Intent - All or Nothing Demo
I've seen these guys play their older demos a couple times now, but this new tape definitely takes the cake. Check them out if you haven't already.
Download

Social Damage - Demo II
Indianapolis hardcore is on the rise in 2014 with bands like Social Damage. This tape is short, but it offers 3 relentless tracks that will make you wish your band had divebombs that sick.
Download

Public Suicide - Demo 2013
Public Suicide is a new band from Washington D.C. that to me sounds like a small mix of everything. The vocals are rough, the songs are fast as all hell, and the breakdowns are worth stomping to. The demos only 4 minutes, but its a 4 minutes well spent.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Leather Daddy - Demo Tape


My friend told me about this band a while ago, but I never got around to listening to the demo til the other day and damn do I regret waiting. Leather Daddy is an all girl band from Boston that plays straight up hardcore punk. Definitely something that shouldn't be overlooked, check it out :

Leather Daddy - Demo Tape
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Cracks
Vomit Pack
Get Out
In My Skin

Bandcamp
Download

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Public Suicide - Demo 2013


Check out Public Suicide from DC, this short and fast demo has got me hooked. 

Public Suicide - Demo 2013
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Intro
Fraudulent Appearances
Alone
Identity Crisis
Broken Promises

Bandcamp
Download
Buy

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Pain Strikes - Demo 2013


Pain Strikes is a hardcore band from Reading Pennsylvania that plays a similar style of music to that of Champion, and The First Step. Heavy youth crew that stays true to its roots and isn't afraid to get in your face, I'm all about it. I hope these guys decide to tour someday because I would love to see them play, but until then I'll definitely keep and eye out for their future releases.

"Good riddance, don't come back"

Pain Strikes - Demo 2013
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Your Words
Foundations
Eraser Marks
Good Riddance
No Time Left

Bandcamp
Download

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Black Gust - Psychedelic Maelstrom 7"


Black Gust is a hardcore punk band from Zagreb City that plays a similar style of hardcore to Bad Antics, Dogends, Zero Boys and RKL (which had me from the beginning, Vicious Circle and Keep Laughing are two of my all time favorite albums). The Psychedelic Maelstrom 7" is the 7th release on Doomtown Records and immediately hits hard with Trapped in Static full with catchy guitar riffs and backup vocals. If you've ever been interested in the bands I mentioned above definitely check out this record.

Black Gust - Psychedelic Maelstrom 7"
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Trapped in Static
Tired Out
Thrashin'
Psychedelic Maelstrom
Reinventing Lexicon Devil
Self-Destructive Tendencies


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Demolition - World Gone Mad EP


Saw these guys at Not Dead Yet Fest in Toronto and they blew my expectations out of the water. It's bands like this that keep that classic 80's style of hardcore alive. Every song on this record just reminds me of Agnostic Front and Breakdown and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

"It's us against you!"

Demolition - World Gone Mad EP
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Nowhere to Hide
Us Against You
World Gone Mad
Big Jon's Mosh
United We Stand
Fend For Yourself

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Hired Goons - Demo 2013 PT II


Yo, Hired Goons have a new tape that hits even harder than the first. Demo Pt. II has a good mix of fast paced "Fuck you" riffs and breakdowns/parts that will make you stomp around your room in a fit of rage. The song Crushed especially leaves an impression with its killer leads and more melodic approach that stands out from the rest of the tape. Don't miss out on this, I'm extremely excited to see whats next from these guys.

Hired Goons - Demo Pt II
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Vigilante Song
Crypto
Crushed
Way Of Life
Life In A Hole

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Nuclear Spring - Selftitled 7"



Nuclear Spring is definitely a band that has gone under my radar for far too long, but I've recently accumulated their entire discography and these early punk sounding tunes have been burned into my head. This latest release off of Doomtown Records reminds me of early proto-punk such as Wire and later 80's artists such as Gray Matter mixed into a single release. But don't let this put you off if you aren't into a more mellow/slower style of punk because these catchy songs don't intend to bore. The most refreshing part about Nuclear Spring selftitled is the dual male/female vocals switching off after every other verse or chorus.

"I wish I'd never been born"

Nuclear Spring - Selftitled 7"
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Run Me Up The Flagpole
Far Away
Berlin Nigh Life
Lost Decade


Buy it here:  
Doomtown Records : 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Submissions


I'm always willing to post new and upcoming bands so if you want to be featured on Stage Diver don't be afraid to email me.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Catholic Guilt / Inu Split LP


Two killer European bands come together to release an insane all go, no stop split LP armed with D-beats, sick solos, and some piercing guitar tones. 

Catholic Guilt, from Austria, plays a good mix of fast paced 80's hardcore punk with some slower tunes that keep the audience slamming. This side of the split reminds me a lot of A Global Threat and Amdi Petersens Arme. This is the bands first vinyl release, but it looks like they have a 7" called Futile Attempts on the way which I'll definitely keep an eye out for.

Inu, from Spain, has a more punk/d-beat style that comes chock full of pogo-your-heart-out parts and group chants. When I listened to the song Cobardes for the first time all I could think about was Peligro Social. The band also seems to have a heavy Japanese influence, like at practice they just sat around and thought about becoming the next Gauze. I'm down with that.

Catholic Guilt's Side
Warfare
Distance
No Cure
Degraded 
-
Black Bile

Inu's Side
Directo al infierno
Cobardes
Japanese Title
R.R.
Yuki Onna

Check it out : 


Sunday, October 20, 2013

Battery - Until The End 1996


One of the most influential albums I've ever listened to from the most emotional hardcore band of their time. These guys don't mess around, no vague or hidden meanings in their songs, just straight to the point hardcore. Includes a cover of 7 Second's Young 'Til I Die and 3 songs from Let The Past Go EP (which I'll probably upload at some point).



Assumptions - Wounds


"Take me away to salvation."

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Justice League Discography 1983 - 1988


Justice League was one of the first west coast straight edge bands that I know of. The members went on to form Chain of Strength after Justice League broke up.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Youth Avoiders - Self Titled


I haven't heard anything like this in a while. The new Youth Avoiders album reminds me of Scream meets 7 Seconds, but plays way fucking faster than both those bands. Its got a good mix of melodic parts as well, definitely worth listening to.

Meth X Breath Demo


Meth X Breath is a new straight edge band from San Diego, this demo is solid and reminds me a lot of bands from the early 2000's. Check it out.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Ugly Parts - Taste


New Brunswick hardcore punk that plays ugly fast riffs. Seriously one of the most charismatic bands I've ever seen. They got a new LP on the way, but til then check out their last record., it doesn't disappoint.

Cold Stare EP


These guys from San Diego/Chula Vista just played One Voice Fest with Cro-Mags last weekend and killed it. The slow death really knows how to make good hardcore. 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

New Deal - Rites of Passage


These dudes just called it quits, but they left us with some killer recordings. I'm just bummed I missed their last show out in Davis.



Strike Fast Demo 2013


Dudes from Swellbow play fucking loud, fast, and angry hardcore while Liam breaks mics and  jumps on stupid kids that aren't punk enough to slam. No, but seriously one of the best bands in SoCal right now and if you haven't seen em yet then you're fucking up. 





Thick Skin - Split 7"



Saw these guys in D.C. while I was there and they were rad. Check out their split with Headwind and try to catch em out on tour.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

8/10/2013

Just got back from a 30 day trip around the U.S. and saw a crazy amount of cool hardcore/punk bands. I'm gonna slowly go through this huge list I typed up on my phone and upload them.

Also updated the Semper Eadem post. You can now buy their tape on the Hired Goons bigcartel.

Oh yeah and another awesome fest just got announced in California, check it out:



Monday, June 3, 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Intent - No Rules Demo


Members of Free Spirit, Rival Mob, and Mob Mentality. They'll be playing a couple of California dates in July, including Destroy L.A. fest with Infest and Chain of Strength. 

Destroy LA
Gilman July 14th

Alone in a Crowd


Alone in a Crowd was formed after Side By Side broke up, they only released one self titled 7" during the life of Alone in a Crowd. Later down the line it was re released on CD with added live tracks.  Classic New York Hardcore.



Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Stop and Think - Both Demos



One of the best and shortest lived bands I've ever listened to. This is a must have.

Download

Without Words and Get Lost

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Unit Pride - Then & Now


My brother introduced me to this band when I was first getting into hardcore and it blew my mind that these guys grew up in San Ramon, California (a 5 minute drive from where we lived). Ever since then they've been one of the most influential bands in my life as well as one of their later projects, The Nerve Agents.
They didn't have the longest run compared to the bands they played with, but check them out anyway. 

'Then and Now' 7" 
'Holding On Strong' Demo
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Friday, May 24, 2013

Battery - We Won't Fall EP (1993)


I've been pretty lazy with uploading music lately. I'll try to get back on track with newer releases/older stuff I find on my old hard drive. In the meantime here's a record from one of my favorite hardcore bands ever.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Semper Eadem - Demo


Members of 86 Mentality play hardcore that sounds just like 86 Mentality. 
Alright, I'm down.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Hired Goons - Demo


Hired Goons from Canada. For fans of Iron Cross, Violent Future and 86 Mentality.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Notable Pre-orders // Updates


  • Noose - The Moral Law LP (A Collection of songs from previous Noose records) 
  • Clarity - Unstoppable (Pre-orders up soon, songs up to stream)

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Indian Taker - Split with Shortcuts


Saw Indian Taker a while back in San Francisco right before their tour with Casket. Something happened with their drummer before the show so the lineup was a little different than usual with the singer playing drums and singing at the top of his lungs. I'm pretty sure most of them are from Modesto, but from the sounds of it they have members all over the bay now. 



One By One - Demo 2012



Detroit Straight Edge. Reminds me of Straight Ahead and Brotherhood, sounds like it could have come out of the 80's. Excited to see what these guys do next.

Grin - Demo Two Thousand Thirteen


Wilkes-Barre / Baltimore Hardcore

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Another Mistake - Lies For Lust // Scene of the Crime Split


Aggressive Louisville hardcore. Haven't been listening to this for too long, but I'm really into what I've heard so far. They've got some demos I still wanna check out, but most importantly their Scene of the Crime split (Out of Time and Focused Minds) and debut 7" is where its at. Check it out.



New Deal - Demo 2012

I see these guys play all the time in Sacramento and the Bay. Super tough and tight straight edge hardcore that isn't afraid to Stick Out! They've got a demo from last year and a 7" called Rites of Passage on the way which I got to pick up on tape when I saw em play with Mindset. Not sure if they're planning on touring anytime soon, but if you see them playing near you definitely go check them out. 


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Big Contest Tape


4 Song tape by Big Contest on sale now over at Intent's Big Cartel, featuring members of Intent, Free Spirit and Disengage

Buy (Sold Out)

Friday, April 5, 2013

Impulse - Chula Violence


Some of the guys from Sleep Walk playing crazy fast hardcore power violence from Chula Vista. Short songs with tough breakdowns and group chants. Chula Violence! These guys just put this 7" out and are playing in the bay next week, I haven't been more excited for a band in a while! Definitely check em out, this record is a must have for fans of Coke Bust, Infest, or Punch. This world around keeps on getting scary, but I've got some help. I've got sanctuary!


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Big Contest - 2013 Demo



Featuring members of Stick Together, Title Fight, Step Forward, Disengage, Free Spirit etc. (Members of cool Boston bands make cool hardcore)

Monday, April 1, 2013

Monday, March 25, 2013

Flex


2012 Cover
 90's sounding Hardcore from L.A. Reminds me a lot of In My Eyes and Champion, really good stuff especially the new split with Vices. 

Split with Vices
You can get both of these releases on vinyl over at Record Dust's big cartel: