Episode 227: March 2024
Killer episode this week on the pod. Check it out here, here, or here and check out the playlist here or here.
We kicked it off by answering two burning questions that the listeners had for me:
Are you making fun of 25 Ta Life with the trivia?
Does 25 Ta Life suck??
The answer, of course, is yes and no. Rick’s voice was over the top but it was an essential part of the band. I love that shit. Hardcore isn’t for everyone - it should be ugly. Was his voice any more ridiculous than Jello, HR, Darby, or Sakevi? I see you shaking your head but it’s totally subjective.
He addressed his vocal style on the NYHC Documentary when the dude asked “what do you say when people say they can’t understand what you’re saying?” He replied, “Then you shouldn’t even listen to the music anyway. That’s what [the lyric sheet] is for. This music is not for everybody because not everyone can understand. Not everyone will understand.” Hell yea.
Keepin It Real and Strength Through Unity are BANGER records that hold up against any of the heavy mosh music of today. Those recordings and songs are untouchable.
As a service to the listeners and readers, I present you…
And yeah, yea…I’ll post the pic:
Onto the new stuff…
Some recent things I recommend checking out: Bloodstains, Blind Solution, Collateral, Jade Dust, Ceramik.
Split System Vol. 2 LP, Legless Records (AUS), Goner Records (US), Drunken Sailor Records (Europe)
Split System returned with their 2nd LP and it’s straight up my favorite shit going right now. To me it’s Radio Birdman meets ‘81 OC meets Marked Men. Their Vol 1. LP was one of my favorite records of 2022, then they scared me last year when they put out a pretty mid 2-song 7” that lacked any of the guitar hooks or big melodies that I love from the band. But they closed out 2023 by releasing one of their best songs “Alone Again,” which included the best vocal performance frontman, Jackson, had laid down yet - an epic rebound.
I thought there was no way that the 2nd LP would touch the first one but goddamn, it smashes it. No skippers, so the baseline is strong but there are some giant tentpole tracks on here too. “Dave” is a song where the pre-chorus is so good it could’ve been the chorus, but they gave us one anyway AND bless us with a nice low-note guitar lead. It sets up “Alone Again” which sits perfectly in the 3-slot.
Side B is bookended by what may end up being my two favorite songs of the year. Dropping the needle on “The Blues” gives me the same excitement and satisfaction as dropping it on “Suburban Home” or “Doublewhiskeycokenoice” and the final track, “Underground” is everything I want in a punk song: flawless, raging, tuneful perfection. New Wave of Aussie Single Coil on top!
Night Fever Dead End LP, Svart Records
“The Killing Floor” and “Lone Wolf” were two of the most unique and awesome hardcore singles of last year. Now Night Fever graces us with a full length that we weren’t sure if we were ready for. This is some straight pedal to the metal shit. I’m not exactly sure what it is sometimes, but they definitely can’t ever be accused of chasing a trend or a sound.
Before I had described this as Zoli singing for 1987 RKL, but the more I listen to this thing I think there’s some Burning Spirits in here too. Whatever the fuck is going on, it makes me want to rip my shirt on, toss on some faux-leather gloves, and be a wildman like this dude:
In case you missed my subtle link above, check out my interview with frontman, Salomon, here.
The Chisel What A Fucking Nightmare LP, Pure Noise Records
Like Split System, The Chisel returned this year to attempt an often-failed task in punk: make a 2nd LP that doesn’t suck. Unlike Split System, they didn’t have a 7” slump in between records, they wrote one of the greatest punk songs ever. Listen mate, What A Fucking Nightmare is killer too. I’ve heard some people knock the production as being overproduced, but I’m not into The Chisel to hear a rehash of Today’s Generation. I’m into The Chisel for those big sentimental songs delivered by Cal, a singer with a generational punk voice, and on this album he belts out the street crooners better than ever.
On Retaliation, it was the title track along with “Not The Only One,” “Tooth and Nail,” and “What Was Mine.” This time around, they nearly double the senti’s with “Living For Myself,” “Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” “Those Days,” “What Do You Mean”, and “Cuts Like A Knife,” along with “Cry Your Eyes Out” and “What I See” - two of the best songs from 2021 and 2022, respectively. So shut the fuck up, eat your Weetabix and enjoy the record, ya spotted dick.
Dynamite BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF! EP Quality Control/Northern Unrest Records
No gimmicks, no use, we have nothing left to prove
Seen it all before, know the fucking score
In every drop of blood, I will bleed hardcore.
Hell yea.
Dynamite released a new EP titled BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF! to follow up their demo from 2023. Dan compared it to the early 2000’s Lockin’ Out Records stuff and enjoyed it immensely. I enjoyed it as well. The singer has a killer voice and the drummer has legitimate style, but the constant guest vocals are a bit much for me and makes it hard to settle into the record. I can appreciate the fact that it’s basically dudes from the New Wave of British Hardcore, now veterans of the scene, showing they’re still here and they can still lay it down. But remember words from tha God:
Finnish Hardcore Starter Kit Playlist (Youtube)
I was joined by Daniel from Sorry State Records and Scarecrow who gave the listeners (and me) an education with a Finnish Hardcore starter kit. No longer just for the troo punx, now everyone can be hip to this stuff. Daniel did a noble job of digging through tons of songs to make this banger of an early 80’s raw hardcore playlist. My sole contribution was adding the Terveet Kädet track “Sota” because it has the most awesome, abrupt fade out I’ve ever heard in the history of music. Shoutout Finland for its remarkable output of classic hardcore punk in the early ‘80s.
Pick up Lama, Terveet Kädet, and Rattus at Sorry State and don’t be a poser.
Speaking of Terveet Kädet, here is the story of their 1985 US tour in three MRR clippings:
Some other Finnish clippings:
Fred Hammer joined me to talk about the new issue of It’s Alive Fanzine. Get it here.
Most people who listen to 185 Miles South are probably hip to the original Nardcore bands and that slew of records that stretched from Agression Don’t Be Mistaken (1983) to RKL Rock N Roll Nightmare (1987). If you’re not, check this out. The OG shit is sick, no doubt, but Nardcore never died.
So I asked Fred to give me his top 10 post 1987 Nardcore records. They’re listed above in no particular order and you can peep some of the songs in the playlist.
The word legend gets thrown around way too much these days so there should probably be a different echelon made for Big Frank Harrison. I saw Frank discussing a couple of Discharge shows in the comments on a social media platform, so I asked him if he’d break down all the times that Discharge played Los Angeles. He was down and the segment was awesome. If you want more Big Frank, get in those archives cuz he was on 185 Miles South episode 81!
Here are the five LA area Discharge shows from the 1980s:
10/2/1982 Florentine Gardens w/Misfits, Crucifix, 45 Grave, The Lewd
10/8/1982 Santa Monica Civic w/Circle Jerks, Bad Brains, Bad Religion
12/17/1983 Perkins Palace w/Suicidal Tendencies, Battalion of Saints
12/19/1983 Olympic Auditorium w/Social Distortion, MDC
9/6/1986 Fender's Ballroom w/Cryptic Slaughter, Dr. Know, Final Conflict
Flyers were taken from the awesome Metallipromo page.
Remember back when we were talking about how awesome two 25 Ta Life records were? I love all sides of this big beautiful beast.
- ZN
Awesome post (and episode). A great write up/discussion of various points on the punk/HC spectrum from different times and places. New Chisel rules and Night Fever kick ass!
Fuck yeah Hammer putting the first AT as #1. Only OWC show I ever went to was AT & Out Cold in 02. Kings.