Five from the Great White North
This week behind the dreaded paywall we talked the Canadian punk documentary Wheat City Hardcore. I dunno if any of the bands in it actually needed to be documented but here are five killer Canadian punk releases worth your time to check out.
1. THE VILETONES - SCREAMING FIST 7” (1977)
The Viletones got a bit sleazier and carved out a sound more of their own on their 2nd 7”, but their debut EP is just three straight up great songs of classic, Ramones-styled punk. The title track and “Rebel” are both full on wrist-burners that bring the heat. They surround “Possibilities,” a song that pulls a bit more from the Johnny Thunders style NY sound and gives the singer a chance to strut his stuff. Fabulous ‘77 punk.
2. THE NEOS - HASSIBAH GETS THE MARTIAN BRAIN SQUEEZE 7” (1982)
The 2nd 7” from Victoria B.C.’s The Neos, Hassibah Gets the Martian Brain Squeeze, was recorded just a week after the recording for the first one, End All Discrimination. With 14 songs in under 13 minutes, it’s a great representation of the first wave of hardcore. Speed-wise, they’re neck and neck with those Jerry’s Kids and Gang Green songs from the same year on the This is Boston, Not LA comp which gives them an argument for being the fastest band on the planet at the time. What makes them a touch different is the slightly more lo-fi recording, along with a vocal delivery that sometimes drifts into an almost Italian hardcore styled madness. Crucial. This got repressed on Rat Cage in ‘83.
3. DOWN SYNDROME S/T 7” (1984)
From the band name, you think Down Syndrome would sound more like The Neos or something more aggro, but they address their name choice in the liner notes:
"We are not called DOWN SYNDROME because of a man named Down who founded the genetic disorder, if that were the case, we would be called DOWN'S SYNDROME. Rather, the meaning of our name is derived from the direct definitions of the words in reference to humanity's condition."
Profound.
Musically, they sound more like Articles of Faith mixed with a bit of New Wind era 7 Seconds. Their songs are well crafted and are pushing a bit outside of the boundaries of what we would consider first wave hardcore, while still having one foot firmly planted in it. Really the only song that might be considered generic would be the last one on the record. My question would be: was it tossed on the end as an afterthought cuz it was an earlier song or did they want to make a stamp that they are firmly an aggressive hardcore band?
In a pretty cool move, they printed all the money spent associated with putting out this record. From the costs, you can tell they went to a pretty legit studio and you can hear it in the recording quality. Spending over $1,000 on the recording of a hardcore 7” in 1984 at the very least shows that they cared about their craft. Killer.
4. CAREER SUICIDE S/T LP (2003)
There’s only one Canadian LP on the Mt. Rushmore of Mid 2000s Roots Hardcore LPs and that’s the first LP from Career Suicide. On this slab, they rip through 20 originals and a Chronic Sick cover in about 20 minutes, delivering an unhinged yet laser focused slurry of ’80s styled hardcore. The foot not only has the pedal to the metal, there’s an unfortunate wad of Big League Chew stuck to the bottom of it. You’re fucked, but least you have a good soundtrack to your Thelma and Louise ass ending.
5. PUNITIVE DAMAGE - DEMO TAPE (2019)
I swear I’m not trying to be a hipster here and trust me, I take the whole ride with Puni D all the way through their most recent 12” that they put out in 2024. There’s just something about a perfect hardcore demo that’s untouchable in its own way. It’s exciting not only to hear a new band, but to get in early and witness how they progress throughout their musical journey. The demo represents the possibilities before a firm reputation or trajectory has been carved out.
Punitive Damage came out swinging with a perfect song, “Nothing.” Snare hits into a fast part before it moves up a step halfway through the verse. Then the drums cut out for a vocal hook over a single guitar (We’re nothing like you / we’re nothing like you / we’re nothing like you / we’ll never by like you!). Everything comes back in on that perfect uptempo-midtempo pace that’s more concerned with keeping the energy up than creating a predictable mosh. It breaks fast at the very end and we’re out. Hardcore perfection.
The other two songs that they squeeze out in under 90 seconds combined are great too. “No Compromise” shows more of a pounding rhythmic attack that one might associate with the 2nd SS Decontrol record and “Enough” is a midtempo banger. LFG!
Paid members: the Wheat City Hardcore watchalong is below.
Patreons: it’s available for you in the Patreon portal.
