"Withdrawal"
"Withdrawal" (mediafire)
Staying on the theme of Dawnbreed and labeling, it's finally Monochrome time. I'm almost certain the "indie-pop" tag has prevented many potential fans from checking this post-Dawnbreed band out. "Pop?" With that heavy drum production, stark bass and guitar interplay, and seven minute duration? I think there's a lot more going on here.
The Tafkata post sent me on a major Brainoil revival kick. Not that I ever stopped listening to them. Both bands are all about insane and at times intricate sludge riffage, and the Song Of The Week is fraught with some major doozies. I sometimes forget that "Naive In A Bliss" even has vocals. I feel more often that the guitar lines are doing all the screaming in this one, and what they have to say is pure rock poetry. The entire Brainoil 12" is essential listening, but this one gets the horns in the air this week.
It's time for a couple more demos, the first being from Sawchuk-- a young Michigan band that's going strong (with the next featured band, such is not the case...). Matt from the band noted that Sawchuk isn't typical of the bands FE usually features, and in a way he's right, but not completely. I can always appreciate bands that draw inspiration from hardcore's heyday, and this band certainly does so with the "crew" styled backing vocals and old-school-gritty midwest-meets-east-coast barrage. I can discern a small influence from the more modern straight edge bands of recent times, but its subtlety in the mix is certainly an asset to the final impression made (at least to this blogger's ears). The final impression would be that Sawchuk is a solid hardcore band, and regardless of the listless recording quality, the band's power and heart shine through each of their raging tunes. I was a little skeptical when I saw titles like "Rust Belt Pride" and "Stand And Fight," but exploring further I found the lyrics to be quite thoughtful and at times moving. I look forward to these guys getting a decent recording budget and steady line-up, 'cause their next release will probably be a killer!
Finally! I've been looking for the missing link to my little collection of In/Humanity splits forever, and now I at least have it digitally. This is all thanks to Mike (& wife), who's one of the coolest guys I've never met! If you know these bands already, the '90's screaming madness supplied by both will surely make your day. Shit, just the track title, "Dork Side Of The Farce" made mine. As a bonus, Mike threw in In/Humanity's long lost "Intolerable" 7"; you know, the one the band disowned. It's pretty hilarious to contrast this to their later work... night and day! You can still get the other In/Humanity splits here, and the Bonescratch 12" here (although I plan to re-rip that sucka soon).