Thursday, December 24, 2009

ERIC'S TRIP



I personally heard Eric's Trip first when I was maybe 14 years old, so 1994. I had picked up the "Peter" EP on CD (actually the first CD I ever bought in my life)at Randy's Records. Randy's is a blog in itself for me. That was the record shop I hung out after school almost everyday from age 12-16 when I left Owen Sound. Anyway back to Eric's Trip. I had picked it up because they were named after a Sonic Youth song from my favorite album at the time "Daydream Nation". The "Peter" EP was a very good intro to the band seeing as it was and still is one of my favorite releases by this prolific band. I soon thereafter got the "Love Tara" cassette on SubPop records. Still to this day "Peter" and "Love Tara" are my two most listened to albums from the band.

Now about Eric's Trip; they are Canadian hailing from Halifax. They are an awesome fuzzed out and crucial indie band. They do have a strong influence from Sonic Youth but with their own thing. Their low-fi recordings really define their sound. They were definitely into doing home recordings and it shows more on some releases then others. But seriously all of their recordings have come out great even their self released cassettes. I have never lost interest in this band because honestly they are one of the most DIY bands that ever "made it" in the 90's indie/grudge scene. They always stayed true to their own sound and never conformed. This actually never ended up effected their progress as a band. I truly respect that so much.



Here is the Wiki write up on Eric's Trip:
Eric's Trip formed in 1990 when musicians Rick White and Chris Thompson of The Forest joined Julie Doiron and Ed Vaughan (who was later replaced by Mark Gaudet of Purple Knight). They took their name from a Sonic Youth song[1] and emulated the distorted guitar of Dinosaur Jr., the folk leanings of Neil Young, and the lo-fi aesthetic of Sebadoh. Rick White described their sound as "sappy melodic pop music on top of thick distortion." Gaudet's description was more succinct: "dreamy punk".

Eric's Trip achieved prominence as the first Canadian band to be signed to Seattle's flagship grunge label Sub Pop[2] in the early 1990s, the same label which rose to alternative rock immortality after releasing Nirvana's early work. Another two Atlantic Canadian bands, Jale and The Hardship Post, were signed to Sub Pop in subsequent years. The band had a minor hit in alternative circles with the single "Viewmaster", from 1994's Forever Again.

The band broke up in 1996, but reunited in 2001, and have played at the Sappy Records Festival in Sackville, New Brunswick starting in 2006, up to the most recent in 2009.[3][4] They also played a series of shows in 2007, including a show at the 2007 Halifax Pop Explosion.[5]

Here is the trailer for the Eric's Trip documentary.


Here are the links to download most if not all of their releases:

EP's (some were cassettes, some CDs and some 7" releases):
Caterpillars
Drowning
Float, Trapped in New York
Gordan Street
Julie and the Porthole to Dementia
Peter*
Songs About Chris
The Road South

LP's (some were cassettes, some vinyl and some CD releases):
Bootleg
The First Album
Forever Again
Long Days Ride Till Tomorrow
Love Tara*
Purple Blue
Warm Girl-Belong

*are the ones that have touched me the most, I think it is a nostalgic thing though. If you are interested in checking them out but don't wanna download everything, go with those you won't be disappointed.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

MARTYRDOD


A few years back I came across this band by chance. I was at a local record shop Soundcentral and I saw their album "In Extremis" and was drawn to it because of the artwork. It was minimal but evil looking, slightly reminiscent of Chris Norris of Combatwoundedveteran's artwork. I figured I would give it a listen. I was very pleasantly surprised at the instant hold it had on me. So heavy, so evil, so melodic, I loved it. I honestly feel that Martyrdod (who I later learned share a member of Skitsystem) are my favorite and a leader in their genre.

Martyrdod are the definition of blackened crust but the magnitude of their melodies, I would say are almost unheard of in this genre. They released their first LP the "Self Titled" in 2003 and it is has a slightly more black metal feeling at least in the vocals but still maintains a serious amount of crustiness. Then came a split 7" the "We Walk the Line" EP with Sunday Morning Einsteins in 2004. Honestly not their best recordings but still awesome. This was followed by the "In Extremis" LP which is what got me into them is tough as nails, balls to the walls crust that is just so god damn catchy. Does that even make sense? The most recently released was the "Sekt" LP, which was in this past year. I just heard this for the first time the other day and I must say I am impressed but it is not my favorite of their releases. However I am expecting it to grown on me.

Their recordings are pretty much all consistently excellent and powerful as fuck! So seriously, if you are into melodic crust and black metal this band is a must check out. You can find the links just below to all of three of their full lengths LPs and the two songs from the split EP.

Link to "Self Titled" LP
Link to "We Walk in Line" EP split
Link to "In Extremis" LP
Link to "Sekt" LP

Monday, December 21, 2009

LOST IN BAZAAR


What can I say, I had never heard of this band before tonight and I was just fucking floored with how amazing they are and the potential they have. I feel like as they progress as a band they are only going to become that much more amazing. I found them on the RahRahRah Punk Pock blog and downloaded it to take a chance and what a smart move!!! I have since tried to research them and everything I find says the same thing; Lost In Bazaar is a 3 piece from Istanbul, Turkey. That is it. No info anywhere. If anyone has more info I would love to hear from you.

They do however have two releases so far, their "Self Titled" CDR from 2008 and "Here we are Dropping our Anchors in Fertile Ground" CDR from 2009 both put out by Pati Patu Prima. Both of which I have put links to at the bottom of this blog entry. They do seem to have a bunch of split cassettes and a split 12" coming out in the near future.

If you are into the 00' style screamo/emoviolence, you know the stuff that has been coming out of Europe (I again hate to name drop but think first word starts with an L, second word starts with a Q). I will just say, they have all these epic melodies and still manage to hold true to the spazzy and chaotic nature of the genre. I know you know what I am talking about.

Anyways enjoy,
here are the links to their two releases and their myspace.

Link to "Self Titled"
Link to "Here we are Dropping our Anchors in Fertile Ground"

myspace.com/lostinbazaar

Saturday, December 19, 2009

PALATKA


I am going to say right off the bat that next to Sonic Youth, Palatka has had the largest impact/effect on me musically out of the 1000's of bands I have heard over the years. Their awesomeness stemmed from their ability to mix chaos and melody. This with their thought provoking lyrics, what more could you want from a band.

The first time I had ever heard of Palatka was when the Tet Offensive (from ON)played in Owen Sound with my friends band High Ranking Officials. I would have to say this was 1997? Anyways, this kid Ryan from Tet Offensive had a distro in which I was perusing and had barely any knowledge of the bands he had in this distro. So, I asked the big question "Do you have anything you would suggest?" He was like, "What are you into?" To which I replied, "I like stuff that is fast and screamy." He then suggested the Palatka/Asshole Parade 12" and the Kill the Man Who Question 7". I thought them and took them back to our apartment in Orangeville. I put on the Palatka side of the split and was shocked at how crazy and chaotic, yet melodic they were. I had never heard anything like this before. It took a few listens and I was hooked. This is literally were I found my love for screamo and emoviolence.

Since then I have gotten my hands on everything they had released other then the Hope Spring Eternal split cassette ( I can only hope to find it one day). They have also managed to stand the test of time and will always be a band that touches my heart and I can enjoy every time they are on. I even have a tattoo of the artwork from the Palatka/End of the Century Party 7" on my forearm.

I have put links at bottom of this blog to download nearly everything that Palatka had released except that damned elusive split cassette... I wonder if it truly exists?



The story of Palatka:
Palatka started in November/December 1994. Mike (guitar) & Kurt (vocals) lived in a house known as the Mega-Rock-Arena. Jason (bass) was a friend of Mike's from their hometown. Mark (drums) was introduced to the three of them through Jason's roommate. At the time of their inception they all had the same beliefs of a self-sustaining DIY music scene. They would set up house shows, play on floors and book their own tours. Later Ryan & Will from Hope Spring Eternal moved to Gainseville. From there, Ryan joined Palatka as a second guitarist.

At one point, Kurt stayed in Europe to study abroad. Palatka continued to play shows but changed their name to Ex-Best Friends. Once Kust moved back to the states, Palatka reformed. All the songs on the End of Irony LP are Ex-Best Friends songs.

Discography:

Splits:
- w/ Hope Spring Eternal - Cassette (Self Released)
- w/ The End of the Century Party - 7" (Self Released)
- w/ Asshole Parade - LP - (Coalition/Jason & Kurt)

Album:
- The End of Irony - LP (No Idea)

Comps:
- Bleeeaaaauuuurrrggg A Music War - 7" (Slap A Ham)
- Vida - Life Benefit for Project Vida - 7" (Lengua Armada)
- Fragile Records comp - 7" (Anima)
- Destroy New Granada - LP (Sound Virus)
- Possessed to Skate - LP (625 Thrash/Pessimer)
- Southeast Hardcore, Fuck Yeah!!! - 7" (Jason & Kurt)
- Mandatory Marathon - 7" (Amendment)
- A Product of Six Cents - 7" (Six Cents)
- In Words of One Syllable - LP (Catch Phraze)
- No Idea 100: Redefiling Music - LP - (No Idea)

This is a video of Palatka playing a 2 minute and 16 second set.


Here are the links to download mostly everything that this amazing band had released:

Link to Palatka/End of the Century Party 7"
Link to Palatka/Asshole Parade LP
Link to Palatka - The End of Irony LP
Link to all 14 songs that Palatka released on comps.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

BARRIER


















So I recently saw Barrier at the Squalor House with Preying Hands, After the Fall and Year Zero. Barrier were the highlight of my night and not just because they are my buddies. It is tough to say too because I had never heard of After the Fall and they were so awesome! Anyways I decided to tag along with the Barrier fellas to Ottawa where they were to be playing the following night with From the Depths (Ex Catharis), The Vanishing Act (who fuckin' rule) and again After the Fall. The show was equally amazing (even with being bitten by a former member of Catharis)and Barrier ripped just as hard as they had the previous night. I honestly have seen them play so many shows over the last few years and they just keep stepping it up.
I have put out their demo cassette and seen most of their other bands active and inactive but seriously Barrier always will hold a special place in my heart. They mix classic 90's pop punk with the awesomeness of the 90's emo/screamo. I could seriously name drop a bunch right now because my brain is shooting them out but I feel it would never do them justice.

You can check out some of their other active and inactive band:
Vile Intent, Buried Inside, Whiskey Trench, Barn Burner, Black Ships, Thunder Bay, Snakemaster, Pals, Chairs, Cicata and I know there must be more but... I am drawing a blank.

Here are Barrier's website and their Myspace.
Also here is a link to download Barrier's newest album "What to make of a diminished thing"

FALL OF EFRAFA



I came across this band because I was at the Punk Rawk Record Swap hosted by JTA at L'Esco this fall. Some kid had Owsla in his distro and tried to get me to trade for something I had but to be honest I had not heard of them and I was not in the mood to try something new that day. So a good couple of months passed and I went to Varning Fest at Katacombes. This night another dude had the Owsla LP and Inle 2xLP in his distro. At this point I had them recommended to me by a couple of friends and I had a good feeling about this and went for it! Not even realizing that the band's whole concept was based on one of my favorite novels ever written "Watership Down" by Richard Adams. This really just sweetened the deal for me. When I got home and I listened to these LPs I was floored at the shear power and strength of their songs, very emotive. These albums became instant classics for me. I seriously fell in love.

Here is a video from a show they did in NJ on their US tour last year. It is just a part of a song but it is really awesome.


I am going to put up a direct quote from the Fall of Efrafa's website so you can better understand their whole concept.

"FALL OF EFRAFA is a band based around a reimagining of the mythological and political overtones in the book "watership down" by Richard Adams, focusing our efforts in forwarding atheist/animal rights ideologies. we write very long epic, heavy, melancholic post hardcore, taking influence from post rock, post metal, ambient black metal, hardcore etc.
We are currently working on the final chapter of a trilogy of records known as "THE WARREN OF SNARES" - which began with our first record OWSLA, (meaning warrior or defender) which set the narrative of an unnamed society in the final throws of a war against mankind. A society that still clings to the dwindling beliefs of its elders, yet struggles to break free of stagnating ideology.
ELIL (meaning enemy, or predator)was our second full length and dealt with these beliefs, and the oppressive reign of religious indoctrination. In this chapter, the society finally overthrows the rule of their god, Frith.
The final chapter, which we are currently writing, is called INLE (meaning both death, and the name of a deific character within the societies beliefs) This is the final recording effort of Fall of efrafa, and also the end of the trilogy. It will deal with hope, in the face of death.
The trilogy is cyclical, with Owsla being the first, and last chapter. Although the music we play has changed and progressed since our inception, we try to keep a cohesive sound and story, that follows the narrative. Inlé, the final record will be released late august 2009.
As a band we encourage people to talk more openly about animal rights and strive for a future in which humanity ceases to be dependent on the exploitation and slaughter of non human animals. It is easy to label this as preaching or arrogance, but communication is how we learn. Debating such issues only helps us become more aware of our actions, be that for political and social change or an end to religious oppression.
All the members of Fall Of Efrafa are vegan and atheist. Although we are open to discussion, we hope that those who listen to our music appreciate that these values are as important to us as the music itself. Please read the lyrics and explanations."

Sadly and to my dismay I learned that Fall of Efrafa played their final show on Saturday 5th December 2009 at the Westhill Community Hall in Brighton, UK.


Here is the link to the Fall of Efrafa website so you can learn more about them and what they wanted from this band/concept/project.


Here are the links to all three of the LPs from this trilogy of serious awesome proportions.

Part I - Owsla
Part II - Inle
Part III - Elil

Thursday, December 3, 2009

LOSE YOUR FXXKIN' SHIT! Video footage.

So I contacted my old roommate Nick because when making this blog I had a flash that he had recorded us live and had footage on his computer still. It is not the best quality of sound or picture and it is in 5 parts but seriously, it is pretty fxxkin' awesome!! Cud ends up getting a garbage can over his head, Hans is recovering from a gnarly bike crash, and don't forget seriously sweet stomping! Man they love to torture Cud.

So here it is a Lose Your Fxxkin' Shit! live set on June 28th 2008 at the LBH when is was in its prime (by prime I mean not getting busted by the cops every single show).





Friday, November 27, 2009

THUNDER BAY at the last Chez Defonce house show.

This was a video from the last show ever at Chez Defonce (AKA my old house). This the THUNDER BAY set was just given to me by Marc the shark in close to its entirety. I had only seen little bits and pieces as seen in the other post. Here finally is the the rest of that video. This show was so awesome and memorable. Everyone there was had such an awesome time and you will see this throughout this video. So many warm, friendly and familiar faces. It really made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end while watching this. Thanks to everyone who made that place a wonderful space to have awesome shows and sweet parties!
Also I must say it is pretty funny to see me drunk. That in itself is a weird reality for me. Well enough of the rambling on, enjoy the video.
xxx

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Starting this blog with some of my old bands. HAWKES, THUNDER BAY , LOSE YOUR FXXKIN' SHIT!, A QUIET NIGHT & SCREAM BABY, SCREAM!

HAWKES












We were a three piece with L.G. on guitar & backing vocals, J.P. on bass & backing vocals and myself Greg on Drums & lead vocals. I will never ever forget this band and the fun we had. It was truly special.

Here are some reviews due to the fact that I am not willing to review my own band.

Pyramid Scheme Magazine's review:

There are a few times in life where you discover music that immediately overwhelms you with a personal connection and satisfaction. Hawkes is that band, from Montreal, is a 3 piece, and plays something of a post-hardcore, Shotmaker derivative, although have very much established their own sound and personality. Check them out but be warned that you may end up listening to "Clairity Has Failed" and "Fleeting Memories" 20 times over!
Pyramid Scheme Magazine

Max from Mon Oeil Records (a little message he sent us):

man i love your songs so much... i am about to leave my apartment, i’m enjoying the last minutes, less than an hour... i’m listening to Hawkes and seeing everything i missed last week. geez, i still can’t believe how much you guys’ music touch me, this’ll be the soundtrack to the end of an important part of my life, also the beginning of a new start... it’s so hard for me right now, your music is a relief, it brings good, it brings understanding, it brings people together. it’s so nice to see all these people in the videos clapping and chanting all together.
max

There are a few other reviews but they are in french and I am having trouble tracking them down.

Here is a video:



Here is the link to the demo released by Mon Oeil and Where's that Deerhead + 2 unreleased songs from the same recording session.

www.myspace.com/3hawkes



THUNDER BAY



This was a good one. In this band you had Taylor (from Black Ships, Barn Burner and Barrier) on drums, Marc on guitar (from Black Ships and Barn Burner), Phil on guitar (from Selfmademan), LG on third guitar (from The Broken Sound, Hawkes and Jinga Fly), Wood on bass (from Saint Catherines and Le Bois De Franc) and myself on vocals. This band was so fxxkin' loud it was awesome!!!! Very heavy and epic, kinda like the heavier screamo from Germany and Quebec mixed with a crusty sound like you know all the numerous names attached to this tag. We never recorded and that was a total bummer but there are couple of videos I will be posting.
We have recently jammed again and pulled together some of the old songs and are planning on writing new material. This time we will hopefully be recording and archiving this awesomeness. We also plan on playing shows in 2010. We never recorded and that was a total bummer but there are couple of videos I will be posting.

www.myspace.com/thunderbayquebec

Here are the vids:





LOSE YOUR FXXKIN' SHIT!


Lose Your Fxxkin' Shit! was a half crazed thrash punk band started by Tommy on bass (from Die Hard 2), Hans on guitar (from Barrier, Die Hard 2, Prevenge, Vile Intent, etc) and myself on drums. Then we had our off the wall friend Cud (from At Worst (formally know as When I Fall) and Start Today) join to do vocals. We didn't play many shows at all but it was a total blast. This shit was sooo fxxkin' fast and unstoppable.

Here is a link to some practice recordings and two live sets.

www.myspace.com/loseyourfxxkinshit


A QUIET NIGHT... FOR A KIDNAPPING

This was a short lived but awesome screamo band (well at least I think so) that I was doing vocals in 4 years ago with Brian on guitar (from Scream baby, scream!, Brian Seeger, other assorted noise projects and now in "Etchings" with me), Adam on bass (from Oh No No! records), and Arch on drums (from Expectorated Sequence, Royume des Mort and Greg Cocaine). We played with A Day in Black and White, Cobra Noir, Navies, Beaumont Hamel amongst others. We recorded a demo released by Oh No No and Where's that Deerhead, which I am going to put up the link for. There is no photos or videos, it is kind of a drag.
Here is the link to the the only four songs that survived digitally from our 6 song demo.

www.myspace.com/aquietnight


SCREAM BABY, SCREAM!


Scream Baby, Scream! was sooooo much fun! We actually did it for a few years. SBS was Brian as mentioned above was in A Quiet Night and I and we did almost everything as a two piece. On occasion we would ask people to join us for recordings or shows. I think we had about 14 different friends join us for incarnations. We probably played at least 40 shows which included opening for The Locust, The Blood Brothers, Light the Fuse and Run, Off Minor, Life Detecting Coffins, Van Johnson and so many others. We played a very manic sonic noise. It had elements of emoviolence, screamo, post, indie and punk rock all covered in a think layer of feedback. We managed to destroy 4 guitars, one of which was a bass, a full drum kit, 36 plus patch cords and endless cymbals. It was nuts, we would always wear homemade masks, we would never put our name on flyers and posters, and would never accept money. It was just too much fun, such good times.
I will at some point put a link to some of our recordings.