I Found It

I'm playing hooky today, and the day wouldn't feel complete without doing something naughty, like doing a post when I'm too "sick" to work. This naughty little post also signals the end of a year and a half long search for Multi Facet's split 7" (with Sheephead, I found out...). When I posted the Zero Hour 7" two summers ago, a kind commenter mentioned this mysterious platter. I've since posted the band's other output, but it's time to bookend this mofo! Multi Facet were a mere blip of flatulence in the mid-nineties Bay Area hardcore "scene," but they were a loud and well placed one! Their approach was fairly straight forward, but accented with the playful of bass doodling and dark ambiance of Econochrist and the "post- Econochrist" bands in their neighborhood. And, with Jenean (Ojorojo) on vocals, this band could have been unstoppable; unfortunately the eight tracks posted on this site are all they released on vinyl. A belated RIP to an awesome band... enjoy the legacy (link below).

Sheephead, on the other side, played poppy punk like Crimpshrine or Fifteen, but with high fructose corn syrup added. It's catchy and fun, but they aren't much different than much of the pop hordes coming out of that time and place. Think of it as the Prozac to battle the depression Multi Facet will leave you with.

The split

Overwhelmed By Empathy

Here are four more doses of dark and crusty hardcore from the Bay Area. Multi Facet were a sadly short-lived band with Jenean from Ojorojo on vocals. The bass work is noticeably "Econochristian" as are some of the discordant, higher end guitar parts. If you enjoyed Ojorojo, you'll find this disc much to your liking as well. I've been informed that the band also released a split 7", but hell if I can find a copy anywhere. They did record two songs for the "Shit Gets Smashed" comp, which you can download here.

The well is drying up as far as bands like this go. If anyone knows of any other "unknown" bands of this sort, do comment. For fans of Zero Hour, Unhinged, Daymare, Schifosi, Jeniger, Lost World, Antischism, Initial State, etc...

download

Choking On What's Real

As some of you may know, dark crust-core with witchy female vocals is my kryptonite. I'm positively weak-kneed over that shit. Throw on some Zero Hour, Unhinged, Jeniger, Dearborn SS, or Initial State and I'm a docile zombie, ready to do your bidding (or that of the vocalist). Which brings me to today's overlooked and completely awesome band, OJOROJO. Those of you wise enough to have downloaded the "Shit Gets Smashed" comp a while back have read the prologue to this band's dark tale. The above description and comparisons pretty much tell the rest, but you should also know that members previously/currently play(ed) in Grimple, Econochrist, Talk is Poison, and Brainoil, and the incredible vocals-woman screamed for a similarly great band called Multi Facet (also on the "Shit Gets Smashed" comp... Post on their 7" coming soon). As far as this sub-sub genre of hardcore goes, OJOROJO deserve to be regarded as one of the best. The band only released one full length, "Can You Keep Your Sanity," (East Bay Menace Recs.) consisting of 14 scathing crust blasts. I think you'll like... (click on the song in the singingbox for a preview).

(Scroll down for download link)


As a bonus, in the folder below you'll also find OJOROJO's split with Wisconsin band, Inflicted. Unfortunately, OJO recorded these two tracks without Jenean on vocals, but they are still good and it's nice to hear these guys working out their sound. Inflicted were a great choice to share this split. They resemble the Bay Area bands OJO rose up around (El Dopa, etc.) and completely shred (perhaps better than OJO on this record)! If anyone has info about Inflicted, you know what to do...

Download these 2 records

It's Hittin' The Fan Now!

The Bay Area hardcore stuff I've been posting doesn't seem to be getting much download love. Maybe people out there don't realize how good it is! There's nothing like the "Shit Gets Smashed" comp. (East Bay Menace, 1995) to reveal that goodness! On this bastard you'll receive a veritable 40 oz. of dirty and/or crusty hardcore that evokes some serious punk rock inebriation, and which will leave you dizzy by the curbside, wretching your guts out by the end. If you love Grimple, Econochrist, and Filth... then I highly recommend this to you (even though those bands don't actually appear on this thing). I also recommend "SGS" if, like me, you're a sucker for female-fronted dark crust along the lines of Zero Hour, Unhinged, Jeniger, Children of Barren Wasteland, etc.

Synopsis (Band List)

Hot Rod Shopping Cart - Rock'n Roll hardcore. Pretty good... don't know what else they did.

Multi Facet - This band and OJOROJO (see below) shared the same singer. Both bands played awesome dark, crusty hardcore like the bands mentioned above. Some members also played in Grimple, Talk is Poison, El Dopa (1332), etc.

OJOROJO- see above

Mickey and the Big Mouths - Old school hardcore with hints of melody. Really good!

Loaded - Melodic hardcore not unlike early Grimple.

Squat - Very melodic female- fronted hardcore punk. "Misery" is a great song!

El Dopa (aka 1332) - Great dark and menacing hardcore. They had a name change and put out a 7" on Prank Recs and have an early discography CD available on Tee Pee Recs.

Strychnine - Rockin' Poison Idea-core. Two early recordings that would end up on "Dead Rats and Oakland Dogs."

Apeface - Great modern hardcore band. On these early tracks they sound like a mix a Filth and Econochrist. For a more emotive and "mature" Apeface, visit here.

Masterbaiter- Darker hardcore than their name would suggest. Good stuff, not unlike El Dopa, etc.

Smash Some Shit!

Back Cover