WE'RE ONLY GONNA DIE

DIRTY FUCKING MONEY UGHH!

2008-08-07T14:36:00.007+10:00

So I'm pretty sure my print zine will never end up coming out, I just don't have the time or patience plus a bunch of bands I sent off questions to never bothered to answer them which I was bummed about and kinda made me lose interest. I guess I'll just concentrate on trying to update this at least semi-frequently and eventually post up the interviews which I did get back. I was going to have a compilation tape come with the zine as well so depending on if all the bands would still be keen, I may or may not still go ahead with that, but don't hold your breath.

Anyway, here's the first of the interviews, I did this way back in November last year the first time I intended on doing a zine, before the idea was shelved only to be resurrected several months ago only to be panned again. Who knows, maybe one day I'll start again, quit, start again, until the cycle finally spits out a result.

The band is Dirty Money from the UK, interviewee is the guitar player Rob.

1) First up, for the uninitiated, how would you describe Dirty Money?
Dirty Money is 3 guys from the North West of England, 1 Londoner and 1
Austrian playing hardcore punk influence by a lot of stuff, mainly NYHC.

2) When and how did you guys get started? Who is in the band and has
anyone been any previous bands?
Anthony Dearlove and Graham, started the band. Dearlove plays Bass,
Graham sings. They pretended they were in a band for a few months before
people started calling them up on it. At that point they got Seb in to
drum, and myself to play guitar. Then it was a real band. After a good
few months we recruited Chris (of Diction, Ninebar, Hellbent Diehard) to
play second guitar. That arrangement was always temporary, and we now
have Mark from Walk The Plank joining us. Just at the right time, since
Chris broke his hand during the Knuckledust set at Ninjagest this year.
Dearlove also plays in Frightener, Seb used to be in Austria's
AnchorsXUp and I (Rob) used to play in Nervous Wreck.

3) Just recently you released your first 7"/EP, 'No Escaping This' on
Dead and Gone, how did you hook up with them? Are you happy with the
final result? What has the response been like so far?
Dead And Gone has put out lots of good records. When we all went to see
the early Dead And Gone bands, times were good. I guess that label has
been a big part of UK hardcore for a while, and the bands associated
with it, like The Last Chance have done a lot for hardcore in the UK.
Ian got a copy of the demo and decided to give us a chance. It means a
lot, for me personally there is no better label in the UK. As for the
final result, we should maybe have mixed it a bit differently, but im
hoping it's a sign of better things to come. We have some ideas for the
next stuff we record. So far the response has been incredible, much more
than we had hoped for!

4) Dan Mills of Cold World fame did guest vocals on a track off your demo
in what could be seen as a masterstroke of genius marketing haha, how
did that come about? Did you guys know him beforehand or was it an idea
that you approached him with?
Graham and Dearlove met him on the first Cold World UK tour. On that
tour he met his future wife Hannah Jenkins. Hannah is a good friend of
all of us, and when we recorded the demo he happened to be hanging out
with her. We invited them along to recording and it was just a lot of
fun really. We had to write the lyrics for Dan to sing which took SO
long, but it was fun, and that's the main thing.

5) There are a lot of great bands in the UK that don't get nearly as much
coverage as their US counterparts, does it bum you out a little knowing
that a lot of people just dismiss the UK scene and are reluctant to
bother checking out anything that isn't right in front of their noses?
Good one. Yes it does bum me out. I think people in the UK back the
scene pretty well. People do get behind bands from overseas a bit more.
In some ways its understandable. You don't get chance to see some bands
very often, more people are inclined to travel from places to see them.
Sometimes that happens for bands I have absolutely no interest in, and
other times, bands with mind blowing records are totally overlooked, no
matter where they are from.

6) How is the scene over there at the moment? A lot of great new bands
seem to be popping up, Dead Swans, Crosses, Self Destruct, Deal With It
and yourselves as well as many others. Are there any other bands we
should keep an ear out for?
Frightener, they are about to split up, but if you like metallic stuff
they are awesome. Totally underrated. Fastpoint are also worth checking
out. They have a new 7 inch. Catchy Skate Punk. Colds Ones from
Liverpool, Meatlocker, Hellbent Diehard's new record will blow EVERYONE
away, Ninebar are always worth checking out, Bases Loaded on bank roll
records, Reality from Brighton, oh! Abandon Ship are amazing. Cold Snap
are worth a SERIOUS listen, get the demo, and maybe check out Hellmouth
if you like Ringworm. I'm sure im missing loads of stuff out, but that's
a good start. Rhythm To The Madness from Belgium deserve a special
mention.

7) You guys are doing a split with Deal With It soon, when can we expect
to see that? Will it also be released on Dead and Gone?
Yes, probably out early next year! We are also doing a split with
Baltimore's Trapped Under Ice. Details on that are to be confirmed.
That's all we have lined up. The 7 inch is also coming out on Bowl Head
Inc in Japan for this coming december/early january hopefully.

8) If you could be in any other band who would it be and why?
I'd be in The Rolling Stones. Imagine hanging out with Keith Richards on
a nightly basis! Plus I like the songs.

9) Top 5 albums?
Hard one... Currently... But always changing...
1. Biohazard - Urban Discipline
2. Life Of Agony - River Runs Red
3. Leeway - Born To Expire
4. Crown Of Thornz - Mentally Vexed
5. Madball - Set It Off

10) Honestly, what do you think of the English cricket team, and do most
english folk think Kevin Pieterson is as much of a knob as we Aussies
do?
Dude, I don't think I know anyone who cares about cricket. Maybe a few
people do. I for sure have no idea who that guy is! I worked in India
once, and cricket was big there, I think it has a totally different
image outside of the UK, its not popular amoung the youngsters, so you
don't get much homegrown talent.

11) Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions, any further
comments/shout outs?
Crazy Neils from Straight A's, all the UK kids now living in Australia
that have messaged us, and A389 Records.

BYRON SEEESSHHHH

2008-07-19T11:42:00.005+10:00

So last week I went up to Brisbane and Byron Bay for the first time for the Blacklisted shows, shit was a good time.
Brisbane is a strange city, the kids could be even stranger but the show was good and if you were there chances are I stamped you.
Byron was great, weather was perfect, wasn't very busy and we had a full day to hang and see the sites. Snooky is a chick magnet. Show was fun, seeing the BL dudes try and bowl a tennis ball was a good laugh. Definitely could spend more time there and didn't wanna leave so soon.
Drive down to Sydney was cool, Blink marathon, Cheyno antics, prank calls, and people if you're ever in doubt about something being poisonous make sure you spit on it and rub it on your elbow first (youtube footage to come hopefully).
Sydney as a city still sucks, it doesn't even have good shopping in its favour anymore, too many once good shops are either shut or have nothing anymore. Hardcore was alright, couldn't really be bothered though, Sike will be better. Here's some snaps.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONDESCENDING WORLD OF STYMIE

2008-07-08T13:16:00.006+10:00

Texas punk band Stymie have uploaded their demo and debut 7" for download. The Sourpuss 7" has been one of my favourite records this year, it is total Screeching Weasel worship and it rules. Definitely worth checking out!

Sourpuss 7"
Demo

http://www.myspace.com/stymietx

I AM WEIGHING ME DOWN - BLACKLISTED INTERVIEW

2008-07-02T18:00:00.004+10:00

So originally I intended to have my zine done in time to take it on the Blacklisted tour, but that was always gonna be a stretch and it is still nowhere near completion due to a combination of laziness, busy-ness and slow responses from bands.

Anyway I did this short interview about the Australian tour with their drummer, Shawn.

1. Who are you and what is your role in Blacklisted?
My name is Shawn Foley and I play drums among other things in BL.

2. Are you looking forward to the tour? Has anyone in the band been to Australia before?
No one in BL has been to Australia before. I came close once back in 2003 when I was in the Navy, that was about it. We are very excited for the tour. Its been a long time in the making.

3. Do you know much about Australia? Are there any things or places you are really excited to do and see?
I am just very excited to see everything. If I had to narrow it down, I would say that I'm really excited to see Sydney, cause in America thats all they show us on TV of Down Under is the operahouse. haha. I only know what I have been told by friends of mine that went there and they all have had rave reviews.

4. Have you heard many Australian bands? Have any favourites? Any you are really keen to see?
50 Lions, thats who we are doing the tour with. Oscar sent me some shirts and their CD a few months back. So naturally they are my favorite. Miles Away, I've heard them and No Apologies too. Other than that...I think thats it. Ohhh, I have to see what all the hype is about Parkway Drive, Its not my type of music at all, so I have to see why kids are so stoked on this band.

5. How do you think the shows will be? Do you have any expectations?
I think the shows will be fine. I'm just coming down with a clear head about it and not expecting too much or too little. I'm just lucky enough to be playing hardcore music for the people of Australia.

6. Who has the worst/most annoying habit on tour and what is it?
Bean our guitar player smokes, Our sometimes roadie Chucky is a spazz and always has to root thru shit and make a mess. Other than that the band as a whole is disgusting and we fart non-stop.

7. Best thing about touring?
Playing shows everynight. Getting to smash the hell outta my drums everynight on tour. Hanging out and doing dumb shit with your buds and running into crazy off the wall things, Mostly gas station insanity.

8. Worst thing about touring?
Long drives, Bad shows, Van trouble.

9. Do you know what Aussie Rules Football is and will you go to a game while you're here?
No, I have no idea what it is BUT I am a huge american football fan so YES the sports guy in me will say Yes! I will go. Take me!

10. Any closing comments?
Stand by...Blacklisted is coming! Shout outs to Graham at Resist Records for setting it up and bringing us, 50 Lions for doing the tour and you for the interview oh! and in advance...all the kids from Australia who come out to see us. Thank you. Goodbye.

MAD SOCIETY

2008-06-25T12:26:00.005+10:00

These pre-pubescent punks are more renowned for their age more so than their tunes. There's not a whole lot of info floating around on these guys, there are stories the band was actually put together by a babysitter, conflicting articles have the singer Steve Metz as being anywhere from 8 - 12 years old, most suggest 8 or 9 so we'll go with that and the rest of the band couldn't be much older. Based on the photos it looks as though they were styled by a native american fan of Adam and the Ants. Anyway this EP came out on Hit and Run Records back in 1981 and features 5 tracks of standard early eighties LA punk, nothing amazing but pretty cool considering their age. Darby and the Weirdos were fans which managed to get them many great shows with the likes of the Adolescents, Circle Jerks, Germs, Weirdos, Black Flag and X.

Mad Society - S/T

NOT WORTH SHIT

2008-06-19T16:12:00.004+10:00

First 7" from New York's Rest In Pieces, I don't think it is all that great, I mean it's not bad but it's nothing special either. Anyway some dudes wanted to hear it so here it is.

http://www.mediafire.com/?7vpmwdnmymb

Admittedly I had never heard the My Rage LP until today, the 7" did that little for me that I never bothered to check out anything else. I'm glad Dolan made the post (here) that sparked me to check it out cos it is a fucking ripper. Miles better than the EP.

http://www.mediafire.com/?6dnjntfbwgp

PS. The My Rage link is not my upload I found it at Sound And Fury.

I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES

2008-06-05T17:08:00.036+10:00

Wow I can't believe its practically been three months since I last bothered to update this thing.
Lately I have been listening to a shit load of old oi and a whole lot of old British punk, but for the time being I'll focus on the oi aspect of my recent listening habits.

Oi gets a bad wrap in the eyes of many, mainly the people who have no idea, they see shaved heads, combat boots and automatically think of all the negative stereotypes associated with skinheads. All the things Hollywood has taught them through various films and tv shows. Back in the 70's and 80's the media regularly accused bands of being involved with the National Front and other questionable politics which they staunchly refuted.
It's a shame that the actions of a few have tarnished the rest but that's the way this shitty world works.

My two favourites, Cockney Rejects and Sham 69 are also probably the biggest/most well known. Sham were around earlier and almost pre-date oi they were a huge influence on the bands that would follow them. They also had a big skinhead following which unfortunately included some of the sketchy kind resulting in violence at shows and the band even ceased playing live after white power skins rushed the stage. They released four albums before their first breakup, Tell Us The Truth, That's Life, The Adventures of the Hersham Boys and The Game. The first three are classics and are definitely essential listening, they contain some of the catchiest punk songs you'll ever hear and you'll find yourself singing along to them in your head long after the last listen. In 1987, seven years after their breakup they reformed and have released a steady stream of albums since then and continue to tour. They are playing here for the first time next month with Toe To Toe so someone should come with.

The Rejects came along in 1979, a few years after Sham formed, they were the band that gave the genre it's name with their song 'Oi Oi Oi' from the album Greatest Hits Vol.2. Their biggest hit was with 'The Greatest Cockney Ripoff' which was a parody of the Sham 69 song 'Hersham Boys'. Their lyrics often centered around street fights and football violence, and like Sham shows were marred with violence, the band was often involved be it defending themselves or the audience (the Geggus brothers both boxed at national level so the instigators probably came off second best). As with Sham these guys are still kicking along and their latest album only came out last year. Definately check out their Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2 albums, both chock full of ripper tunes.

I have crapped on enough so before I bore you too much i'll wrap it up with a few of the other essential oi bands i've been listening too lately.

The 4-Skins: Formed in '79, they broke up in 1984 after 2 albums ('The Good The Bad and The 4 Skins' and 'A Fistful Of..') and a live lp. One of the guitarists went on to join Skrewdriver. They reformed last year with two members of the Cockney Rejects and are recording a new album. Listen to 'The Wonderful World Of The 4 Skins' for a good overview. myspace page

Blitz: Blitz have been covered by numerous bands including Judge and Rancid, their first 3 7"s are ragers, start with them. All Out Attack (1981), Never Surrender (1982) and Warriors (1982). The guitarist was killed last year running on a freeway while drunk. myspace page

Cocksparrer: Originally Malcolm McLaren was to sign them alongside the Pistols in '76, they released a few singles then broke up in '80. They reformed in '82 after renewed interest and released the classic 'Shock Troops' album in '83, go get it now. Still playing live here and there, last album was released in 2007. myspace page

Angelic Upstarts: The Upstarts have released 12 albums since they formed in '77, they have gone through several lineup changes and still continue to this day. The first three albums are the best, check them out or get the Punk Singles Collection of theirs. myspace page

The Business: Their classic album is their debut from '83, 'Suburban Rebels'. Like most of these old bands they are still going and their last release 'Mean Girl' came out last year. myspace page

Last Resort: Originally only around for just over a year between '80 - '82, their album 'Way Of Life - Skinhead Anthems' is well worth checking out. They briefly reformed with a different lineup in '88 before breaking up again, then in 2000 another lineup emerged. The singer also sang for The 4-Skins in '84 before their first breakup. myspace page

Red Alert: Check out their first album 'We've Got The Power' that came out in '82. Unlike the other bands these guys have been together since '79 without any breakups, just plenty of lineup changes. myspace page

Finally i've been digging Hard Skin a lot lately as well, although it is not old oi it is a band made up of old punks/skins that almost parody oi but the songs are catchy as fuck and fun. They've been around a while and have released a split with Fucked Up (amazingly I think they own that split over FU) and a couple of albums and an EP. With songs like 'We Are The Wankers', 'All Cops Are Cunts' and 'Beer And Fags' its definitely not to be taken seriously.

I'VE STILL GOT YOU, ICE CREAM

2008-03-15T08:54:00.007+11:00

Any one in Melbourne who catches public transport will know MX, on Thursday's they have the music section and a column where a reader lists their favourite music etc..

Anyway, there always seems to be gn's in there who have the worst music taste and think they're awesome cos they have 100 cds and music is their life yada yada. So I sent my answers in just to try and see if they would put me in (basically I just wanted to see if they would print 'Pissed Jeans' haha), I didn't hear anything for a few months and figured my taste must have been too weird for them or something.

Then just before I left for Thailand I got an email wanting a pic and if any answers needed updating and that it would be in the paper in a couple of weeks, when I was in Thailand so I wouldn't even be able to pick up a copy myself.

I saw it when we got home, it was pretty funny but they edited/cut out some songs including Pissed Jeans, Jesus Lizard and probably some others that could be considered offensive to some uptight pc fruits so I was a little bummed about that.

THIS IS FOR THE REJECTS - Black SS Interview

2008-02-28T09:35:00.000+11:00

Black SS (or Black Sheep Squadron) are four straight edge dudes from Syracuse NY, they play fast, angry hardcore in the vein of Negative Approach, Negative FX and other negative stuff. They have also covered 'We're Only Gonna Die' before so it is fitting that they get the first run on this thing. This is an interview with bass player Dan I did back in October.

First up, for those who are unfamiliar give us a brief rundown of who is in the band and how, when and why Black SS came about?

BSS started out of the ashes of another syracuse band called AWOL, which had the same singer (Chuck) and guitarist (Mike Tommyrot). When they broke up those dudes wanted to keep making music, so they enlisted me (Dan) and a drummer we were friends with. Eventually he was replaced by Steve who also plays drums in I Object. Black SS is a straight edge hardcore band from (at this very moment) cold ass Syracuse, NY.

Why the name Black Sheep Squadron?

Chuck came up with the name. It has to do more with the Minor Threat record cover, but the Black Sheep is one of his favorite rap groups. Plus Black SS is pretty hard sounding ha.

Do you think with a name like Black SS, that some people may jump to negative conclusions as to what the band is about? Are people suprised to find that you are a bunch of straight edge dudes and not beer swilling white power louts?

We get asked that a lot but its never been an issue, ever. Mostly just in interviews. Maybe people are too afraid to ask in person haha.

The last thing you released (to my knowledge anyway...) was the split with How We Are (who have since broken up), how did that come about? I know they are also from New York, were they friends of yours?

I was in a band called Hit The Lights with John from HWA and Chuck's been friends with them forever. They were from Rochester which is only a little over an hour from Syracuse, so we were all pals anyways. I'm not sure who came up with the idea for the split, but it turned out pretty cool.

Are there any upcoming releases or tours planned? What's the band up to at the moment? Do you enjoy the touring aspect of being in a band or do you often find it is sometimes a bit of a chore?

Touring is not really an option at the moment, I just had my second child and Mike's getting ready for one next month. So we have that going on. The few tours we did were fun, but it doesn't really bother us to just play once in a while. We are starting to write new songs now for an upcoming 7" on REAPER RECORDS, also they are going to be putting out a cd with all of our stuff on it including all the old demos, splits, 7", and the Foreign Object LP.

How did you first find your way into the hardcore/punk scene? What was the initial attraction to it and what is it that keeps you involved and motivated to still be a part of it?

I personally got into hardcore when this preppy girl in high school gave me her brothers records back in 1993. She knew i was a skateboarder and liked punk stuff...from there eventually found the scene in Syracuse, which was huge back then, and been a part ever since. I try to still be involved as much as possible and make sure things are still being done right because it really helped shape me as a person and kept me on the right track, so hopefully it'll continue to have that effect on the younger kids that are coming to shows.

Being from Syracuse, were you around in the heyday of Earth Crisis and the burgeoning Syracuse straight edge scene? What was it like back then? Any crazy tales you care to share?

Yup I was there. Back then it was insane. Awesome zines, a show was guaranteed every other Sunday, and you always felt welcome. EC was on mtv and shit talking about straightedge, and in other parts of the country were taking ALOT of shit for it. But they stuck to their guns. Pretty awesome. Those dudes are still around, go to some shows, and still straightedge. The only story that really pops in my head is the big new years day show 1995, that band Grade from Canada was on stage talking shit about something Karl EC supposedly said about the dude from Chokehold. Something about his dreadlocks or something, i cant really remember...but either way it wasn't true, so EC showed up and I think there was some verbal altercation and it was left at that. Grade came back to Syracuse a few years after and, well their singer got introduced to the term "talking shit"...literally, haha. Another thing I remember is someone bringing a blow up doll into the pit during a show and the drummer from EC gave a long speech on woman being treated like objects...gotta love the mid 90s. haha. I'm sure there are way better stories but i didn't live in Syracuse back then so really wasn't around them all the time.

The Northen NY State scene doesn't get as much coverage as it once did back in those days, how is it today? Are there any up and coming bands we should keep an eye out for?

There are a lot of good bands. I think maybe it has to do with bands not touring. Another Breath and Attitude are from here and they tour quite a bit. We just had what we call ASSAULT CITY FEST which is all Syracuse bands. If you search for that on Youtube there is a bunch of videos from it. My favorite locals right now are FORFEIT and EARTHQUAKE (who actually just broke up).

Best show you have played (be it with Black SS or a previous band), and favourite show you have attended?

Favorite show BSS has played would have to be this crazy house show in Syracuse. It was kinda last minute and it was the last show they were having. There was a shitload of kids and it was hot as fuck. The place was just going insane. So awesome.
Outside of Syracuse I really enjoyed This Is For You fest last year in Daytona Beach Florida. It was also pretty crazy, even though a bad stage dive by Crucial Kyle from Chicago ended our set a tad early haha.

If you could be in any other band who would it be and why?

Man, thats a toughee. I guess Youth Of Today because they were having a tough time touring around being a sxe band at the time and they really helped change the scene. It'd be cool to be a part of that.

Top 5 albums?

In no particular order...
The Way It Is comp.
Straight Ahead LP
Youth Of Today - Break Down The Walls
Hatebreed - Satisfaction...
BAD BRAINS - any and all

Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions, are there any final thoughts, shoutouts, rants...?

Thanks for the interview and I hope your zine comes out cool. Support reaper records (reaperhardcore.com) and buy a HIT THE LIGHTS 7" (band i used to sing in) haha! Take care.

Black SS Discography
	Self Titled 7"
	Black SS/Raining Bricks Split 7"
	Foreign Object CD/LP
	Black SS/How We Are Split 7"

For more check out www.myspace.com/blackss (pics stolen from there)

PESSIMISTIC LINES

2008-02-26T14:31:00.000+11:00

...that's what I wanted to call this blog, but it was taken so this is the next best thing. They are both great songs so what does it matter.

Anyway, I am on a huge BR kick, and 90's punk in general. I've been working away to all the classics I grew up on and all the songs that got me into punk/hardcore for the last couple of weeks, rediscovering how amazing many albums/bands were and wondering why it has been so long since I have listened to many of them.

Belting out the early Fat and Punk-O-Rama comps bring back memories of a time before the internet boom where they were a great source of finding new bands, that and checking out thank you lists in CD's you already had. Nowadays it's as simple as clicking on someones 'top 8' and being able to instantly hear your new favourite band. Which is cool and all, but sometimes I long for the simpler days, when things weren't so accessible, when finding new music was a journey (one that only the people who were really into the music would bother taking), when seeing a kid in a cool band shirt was so rare you would give the nod of approval, or the 'sweet shirt man' and both parties would walk off slightly stoked.

Enough reminiscing, the reason I started this blog was because the zine I was gonna write ain't gonna happen. I'm too lazy and don't have the time, plus some bands never bothered to answer the questions *coughgoldkids/mindpiececough* and others broke up before answering them ala Gorilla Angreb and The Vicious.

So I took the easy (online) way out and I can ramble on (like above) while I'm at work. So, all the stuff I was gonna put in my zine I will now post on here in bits and pieces and in the meantime crap on about whatever (music, nba, shoes etc..) and if I bother doing any new interviews i'll chuck them up too.

The stuff to look forward to is interviews with Black SS, Dirty Money, Blacklisted and some old interviews with Michael Jordan and PMD I found which are good reads. Maybe some reviews, label profiles and retrospectives on some old punk/hc bands if I can be bothered.

Tell your friends to read me.