Skull Crushing 101

My love affair with The Conversions persists long after their demise, leading me to pursue a copy of their split 7" with iron tenacity. So here it is: three of their best tracks on this very rare platter, recorded with the same rawness as their 7". The sound The Conversions explored was not unlike the blueprint of eighties punk being reworked by ambitious engineering students armed with protractors and slide rulers and hopped up on coffee and Pixie Sticks- smart and angular, while still retaining a hefty impact at the gut level. This band will be sorely missed, and I hope you'll go find a copy of each of their 12"s, and maybe download the 7" and comp. track I posted long ago. As for Witches With Dicks, they have a tough act they're following, but I still enjoy the Lookout! Records throwback sound, huge Crimpshrine fan that I am. More contemporay analogues may include The Sainte Catherines and The Monikers. Catchiness, energy, a sense of humor... good stuff, just don't get me started on their band name.

The Conversions/Witches With Dicks Split 7" (It's Not A Phase, Dad Records, 2005)

Indescribable Megahertz

15 years ago, Three Studies for a Crucifixion and Coleman recorded a groundbreaking split LP; Since then I have inextricably linked the two bands. As you already know or will find out, this isn't really fair--each being two very different entities. But then they shared a comp together too, and now for me, they are inseparable. This post is both bands' discographies as I know them. Any other comp tracks, EPs, or their demos would be much appreciated if you have any. First we have arguably the pinnacle of both band's recording careers, the LP. I used to think Three Studies strutted along the dam that keeps music from falling into chaos, but upon repeated revisits I'm convinced they crossed over and returned with news of how beautiful the union of the two could be. Or ugly, if that appeals to you more. You're welcome to dismiss it as chaos, but if you are so inclined, I urge you to give the band a few chances. The intensity of these tracks is undeniable, and I defy anyone to place these guys into any cozy category.

Maybe it was due to my infatuation with Three Studies that I at first regarded Coleman as a pretty cool band. My revisit to Coleman's world a few years ago was an epiphany: this band may have been one of best things to happen to the 1990s. The enthralling cacophony of the guitar and tantrum-esque vocals seem to anticipate a future Boston quartet, The Conversions, and on top of that, the drumming is incredible. The live feel of the recording adds to the raw, DIY feel, although the sound is a lot better than on the glorious EP below (not sure if the cover is rotated right).

In the other folder at the bottom of this post is a collection of both bands' additional tracks that I was able to dig up; once again, I'm not sure if it's a complete collection, but it's a pretty substantial start. Included is the Coleman 7" which, considering it's rawness, songwriting and hilarious sound samples, is one hell of an entertaining listen, if not one of the more perfect artifacts of nineties hardcore. Like most of the tracks, they reveal the condition of the vinyl they were ripped from (ie. in "much loved" shape). The other tracks were ripped from the Education Comp, the Amnesia Comp, and Three Studies for a Crucifixion's splits with Melt-Banana and Harriet The Spy.

The Split LP

The Comp Tracks, Coleman 7", and Three Studies split tracks

Enjoy, or don't. Man, I've been plagued with obstacles here at FE headquarters. I fixed the camera situation, but last night I broke my needle. Then this week's hectic schedule left me no room to breathe. Next week will hopefully be more productive-- I'll probably post CDs and a mega-links post of all the cool shit people have sent me to "review." Anyway thanks for your support, patience, etc...

Hello Disaster

What more needs to be said about Out Cold that I haven't noted already? OC are the most genuine, bitter, scabby-knuckled, wake up in a pool of urine, lipstick message on the mirror hardcore this country has to offer. They've been offering it since the late eighties, and their most recent LP, "Goodbye Cruel World" shows no sign of burnout or sellout. The fast tunes are raw and cutting; the mid-paced ones are fist-pumping and full of grit. Like all of OC's LPs, this one is my favorite as long as I'm not playing one of their others.

These rips are for Mikxxx at the always adventuresome 15 Counts of Arson blog, but it's also for you if you have this LP already, or if you don't have a turn table. I'd like to think this post will turn someone on to Out Cold and that person will go buy the LP, but very few blog visitors will probably do that. Just in case, here is a link to Mad At The World Records, where you can get a copy for cheap. The d/l link will be removed 2 days from the posting date.

"Goodbye Cruel World" by Out Cold (link has been removed)

6 Trax Hated True Sounds

Bless me readers, for I have sinned. It has been 5 months since my last Out Cold post. There's just something about the real deal that never gets tiresome, and Out Cold are just that (the real deal... not tiresome). OC rages, and doesn't give a rat's what you think about it. I like 'em; but they couldn't care less about that either. It's the straight, old school hardcore done right, and for this round they've snagged their Japanese counterparts, No Side, to fill the B side. My only complaint is that it's too short, but I don't think these bands could give two fucks.

Here.

Song Of The Week: "Preskool Dropouts" (The F.U.'s)

Every time a year comes to a close, I always get to thinking about the supposed contradiction between education and "punk." I'll be the first to say that the Ed. system is severely flawed, but I just wish the people and politicians alike would look at the bigger picture once in a while instead of just blaming teachers...

"Preskool Dropouts" by The F.U.'s

Deformed Excrement

The crust bonanza continues with a nineties classic: The Deformed Conscience/Excrement Of War split LP. This thing is so crusty I had to scrape barnacles off of it before I could rip it for you! I feel like this has been posted elsewhere, but the bustling blogotropolis can only benefit from more rip-choices. DC played kinetic crust that sometimes bordered on grindcore, and was backed by a hyper-active drummer who knew how to spice things up. They have/had a discography double LP available from Unrest Records, and members went on to form another raging band called Hail Of Rage (discography also available from Unrest). Now, as far as I know, EOW's material is not as easy to find. Their take on the Doom/Hiatus style of UK raw-punk/crust is pretty damned scathing, although I miss "Cathode Ray Coma" which I foolishly sold long ago. The tracks on this split are pretty straight forward and this time feature Mags doing the vocal work by herself. Don't forget to stop by 7 Inch Crust and Am I Mean? to pick up a couple of EOW splits.

The LP

World Of Hurt

All four of the "Cry Now, Cry Later" comps have been compiled on CD, but with a line up and layout like this, I felt an urgent need to add volume one to the FE catalogue. The "Cry Now" collection is akin to the Deep Six "Reality" comps in that they gather as many kick-ass bands from every extremity of speed and heaviness that they can find. Installment #1 wasted no time in establishing Pessimer Record's superb ear for the sonic manifestations of violence, depression, and psychosis. This is the part of metal and hardcore history the documentarians will always try to keep secret. (I guess I'm supposed to warn people that Meat Shits' graphics are, well, graphic. So ask your mom's permission before you download and stuff).

The Troops:











The Comp

Hardcore For The Broken & Battered

It's been far too long since my last proper Out Cold post; perhaps these two deleted 7"s will atone for the gap. This post provides a beautifully abrasive sampling of the two periods that compose OC's long history. "Lost Cause" (Fudgeworthy Recs) features the original line up (with a different vocalist), and if it wasn't for the recording date on the back (1994), you'd think this was an eighties band you overlooked. The music, the recording, the hairstyles... total eighties! This is a good thing, but their later releases are awesome too...

"No Eye Contact" (Kangaroo Recs) is more along the lines of most of OC's releases. Sheehan had taken over on vocals, and the band had refined their relentless working-class-hero-hardcore sound. If you've heard any of their albums after the self-titled one (sometimes called "Web Of Lies"), then this EP will satisfy the Out Cold addiction you've developed from that experience. Each side comes from two different recording sessions in 1997 and 1998 respectively, and damn if all the tracks don't completely shred!

Both 7"s are Here

Gutter Songs For The Godless

I'm in a compilations-that-don't-blow kind of mood, so I've got a couple of good ones today. The bands mainly fall into the new old school category in case that's your thing. The connection between the two comps is the appearance of one of my faves, Out Cold, although both tracks posted here are NOT exclusives. The first, "Bands That Don't Give A Shit About Being God," was pretty limited, but still might be in print. I don't know, so check with the label. In addition to Out Cold, it showcases some of best Massachusetts has to offer, including another favorite, The Conversions. The rest of the bands kick ass as well, and range from old school hardcore, to poppy punk. All of 'em are good.

Tracks & Bands:

1. Out Cold- "Doomsday Guy"
2. Violent Nuns- "The CIA Is After Me"
3. Sgt. Slaughter- "Wildman"
4. Social Circkle"- Private World"
5. Witches With Dicks" - It's Not You, It's Me"
6. The Conversions- "Chosen Few"


Keep scrolling for D/L link

In the folder below you'll also find this impressive, slightly older comp put out by Kangaroo Records, "Songs From The Gutter." Once again there's an Out Cold track that appears on one of their albums, but it's one of my favorites, so you won't hear me complain. Other bands that may perk up your antennae would be Brother Inferior, Final Conflict, and Seein' Red. The other bands compliment the awesomeness nicely.

Tracks & Bands:

1. Brother Inferior- "Collective Conscience"

2. Out Cold- "No Solution"

3. Yawp!- Inhuman Attrocity"

4. Brezhnev- "District 72"

5. Final Conflict- "Abort"

6. Boils- "Anthem 4 This Generation"

7. Seein' Red- "Dream"

Both Comps Are Here

Metrication Time

Have you heard The Conversions' full length, "Prisoners' Inventions"? I mean have you? That LP stormed the gates of my world and performed a six month sit-in on my turn table. I've been looking around for the band's other releases and finally found myself a copy of their 7"; it certainly doesn't disappoint. We get a smaller, rougher dram of their frantic, retrofitted punk angst-- a strangely organic junction of raw, old school defiance, and self-conscious, angular modernity. Somewhere out there, these Bostonians must be capturing the imaginations of some disenfranchised musical junkies; but strangely enough, I haven't heard or read very much about the band. Then again, lately I've been living a somewhat ascetic lifestyle in my cave constructed of vinyl, cardboard sleeves, and tattered, twice-read books, so what do I know? Anyway, see what you think...

The Conversions 7"

Pride From The Depths: Orchid & Pig Destroyer

I'm a little under-motivated and hung over, but I said this would be a week of splits so, damn it, I'm seeing it through to the end! I'll make this quick since both Orchid and Pig Destroyer don't require too much of a jaw-wagging intro, and these tracks can be purchased in CD from here and here. I believe this was the first vinyl output by either of these bands; you get three tracks from the Massachusetts chaos hustlers, and eight from the mighty post-Enemy Soil/Anal Cunt grind machine from when one Scott Evans was still on drums. "Scans" and such are included.

And, whether this is a significant day for you or just another square on the calendar... happy New Year to you anyway!

The Split

Fruit Salad Youth

Busy, busy. This week seems never-ending, and this daylight savings shit isn't helping! I've got a four-day weekend coming up, so hopefully I can set aside some time to rip some good stuff for next week. Meantime, here's a split 7" of some more Terminal Youth ripping it up with fellow Mass-holes, Fruit Salad. A few of you out there apparently dug the rip-roaring Terminal Youth 12", and on this platter you get more of the same speedy goodness (minus a significant amount of fidelity in the recording). Among other things, the lyrics deal with the patriotic hoopla surrounding the "War On Terror" ("Don't Step In The Nationalism") and the undeniable suckiness of marketing sensation, AFI ("SOA Not AFI"). As before, these gents ain't fuckin' around!

Fruit Salad don't appear to be the next "queercore" darlings as their name might suggest, but rather the next band in a growing line of grinders with decidedly anti-macho names. Cool by me! There's also a surprising humorlessness in the lyrics, which deal with their staunch support for direct action as well as their life-long devotion to being punks. The shoddy production works well with their gritty punk/grind, except for maybe the drums (sounds like he's banging on some kind of atonal vibraphone instead of a snare). Unlike Terminal Youth, Fruit Salad are still a band and have just released a 7" on Teenage Disco Bloodbath. Support 'em if you've got the cash.

listen here

I'll have a pic here of the lyrics as soon as I have time to take pictures in actual daylight.

Pushing The Shred Meter To Eleven

The reasons why you should want to download this Terminal Youth 12": 1) You like fast as hell hardcore. 2) You like your fast as hell hardcore played tight as fuck. 3) Bands like Shank, Tear It Up, Under Pressure, Infest, Hellnation, The Neighbors, Capitalist Casualties and Voorhees stiffen certain parts of your anatomy.

The reasons why you might not download this 12": You've never heard of Terminal Youth. 2) Their name strikes you as kind of generic.

You decide. But I have to say, if there was a measuring device for pure shredness, this twelver would register pretty friggin' high.

Get it HERE (320 kbps... I think only around 500 were pressed by To Live A Lie, De Rok, and Give Praise Records).

Jesus Hates Out Cold

I've already sung my praises for the integrity of Massachutsetts hardcore mainstays, Out Cold, so I'll make this brief. In their 20 years, these guys have been consistent as heck in releasing record after badass record of old school, Negative Approach/Negative FX-influenced hardcore with very little recognition (considering the quality and quantity). Every time I let myself "absorb" one of their releases, it becomes my favorite; this time it's "Warped Sense Of Right And Wrong" (Kangaroo Records, 1997. I think it's out of print, but you may find a straggler here). It has great riffs, tight playing, varied and angry vocal ejaculations, and even decent production. The only thing not awesome about this record is the cover design (but maybe you already noticed that). As a bonus, we get to hear vocalist, Sheehan, yell "retard" repeatedly in his "Masshole" accent! I'm not usually one to pass judgment on people, but if you can't respect Out Cold, you may very well be a poser.



Listen

Out Cold

Out Cold is a band anyone can respect. For about 17+ years now, these Massachusetts old schoolers have ripped assholes anew on album after album. Rather than rehashing early eighties American hardcore, Out Cold blend the more menacing specimens of that era (ie. Negative Approach) with a dose of the futility, desperation, and irony that marks our current one (... and perhaps a bit of Death Side style hardcore spread on top? Maybe it's just my ears....). Don't sample Out Cold songs expecting to hear the latest ultra-brutal-mathy-progressive-crusty-blackened-tech-thrash. In fact, it seems these punks pride themselves on an ethic of complete "bullshitlessness": they have spent their years of live and studio time shunning trends and simply playing the music they love.

Despite a fair amount of touring, and consistently great reviews, Out Cold have only managed to blip a few times on the recognition radar. Arguably, their recent albums are their best material, so now is a great time to track them down while they are not impossible to find. Below are some samples from their last two full lengths. Give 'em a try if you're not already hooked.

from "Goodbye Cruel World" (Mad at the World Records/Acme Records)

"Total Human Monster"

"Body Number 9"

"Hello Disaster"

from "Will Attack if Provoked" (Deranged Records/Acme Records)

"Hidden Agenda"

"Suicide Watch"