I went to a screamo-something show last week. Suis La Lune from Sweden and Pianos Become The Teeth from the US of A stopped by to play at the Eglantier in Antwerp-Berchem, so I went to take a look at what they would would do.
Apparently, they play music. Great.
The Black Heart Rebellion opened the show but due to circumstances I wasn't able to see them. Too bad, I heard they were pretty decent.
Suis La Lune was the first band to perform after my arrival at the venue. Soundscapes mixed with hardcore-screamo dredged in an bath of epos. Convincing performance, cool band. Held my attention for a while, then lost it again.
When Pianos Become The Teeth entered the, eh… floor, I got pretty excited. I'm not all that familiar with them, but I know a couple of songs and they are really good. The live show, well, was beyond my expectations. They really surprised me, grabbed my attention, got me feeling angry and sad and it seemed they played their hearts out. The passion was definitely there. Overwhelming performance, I got me some shivers from time to time. No shit. I need to get into this.
24-04-2011
Nick Van Waes tiene un pene pequeño
The weekend of the 22nd of April is a special weekend for everything punkrock and hardcore. And that might just be the things I'm really excited for.
You probably don't care about the hassle it took me to get there, the rising sun, the 3 stupid hardcore-hipsters at the bus stop or the posters I had to try to attach to the fences (which appeared far more difficult than expected).
I only went Saturday. I didn't care too much about Friday.
I did hear that Millencolin was good and they played pretty tight, so I'm bummed out I missed that. Further Seems Forever didn't get a lot of audience, Craig's Brother wasn't all what people maybe expected and they were tons of presumeably bad deathcore bands. That's what I heard.
Anyway, here's the report. I might tell some more in the upcoming zine edition (coming this summer hopefully).
I didn't get to see everything I wanted, mostly due to laziness and beer drinking at the campsite. Nevertheless, It was a wonderful day and I saw the essential.
The day started off with Dead To Me. They've been around quite a few times, and god damn I'm glad these guys were on the bill. It's a shame they had to open the festival, but it's cool they played. And how!? (Literally translated from: "En hoe!?") Great show. The guys were tight as fuck at 11 am, played with enthusiasm (at 11 am) and got a considerable audience together (at 11 am, that's right!). Some dancing, some singing, mostly waking up and enjoying a top class punk rock show, with a hint of ska/reggae every now and then. If I were them, i'd stick to punk rock.
A band that have always stuck to punk rock is Teenage Bottlerocket. Now my mind is blown, one of the best band in the world play at noon. Weird shit. Anyway, fun story: I had to pee right before the band started, so I'm at the pee booth, and I hear the drummer started Skate Or Die, so I fired every drop I had into the 'pissijn' at full speed and nearly shit myself doing so. Luckily nothing got dirty, I ran to the front, started dancing my ass off and crowdsurfed incidentally before the end of the song. Such a great band. The next 30 minuted they treated us with a setlist of awesome songs, some everyone knows, some less famous, but all equally good, fast, catchy (!!) and punk rock. It's weird to see them on such a big stage after their show in Nijlen a couple of years back. I think they're getting bigger than Kiss, one show at a time. They played a lot of awesome songs, including Todayo (last song), Lost In Space, Bloodbath At Burger King, Welcome To The Nuthouse and I Don't Wanna Go. I also noticed I need to do more sports. I had to rest for 2 songs after each circlepit. Fucked up, innit? I enjoyed the show anyway, awesome band!
Next up was a dance party for 2 (hundred) at 12h45. Streetlight Manifesto got the swing going in the tent. Asses were danced off, lyrics were sang along to and melodies were wooh-ed along to. Great party, talented musicians, and a safe mix of songs from their original albums. At the live show, their songs definitely sound longer than on cd, on the border of boring/less interesting. Their songs are incredible, but sometimes I thought they were playing the same thing for 10 minutes, which wasn't the case. Aight, I had a lot of fun, it was actually the first time I saw them and they made me happy.
I wanted to see Piebald, but I forgot or I didn't care all too much apparently (I really only know 1 CD, and not really through and through). The opportunity for beer arose, so that must have played a role as well. On a related note: Later that day the guys from Piebald were doing a signing session, and we were actually waiting for the Descendents who would follow them, but I decided to get Piebald's signatures as well. Because I didn't have something cool like a record of theirs, I asked them to sign the Alkaline Trio cd I had just bought in the merch market (From Here To Infirmary). Cool story, innit? Piebald was like "Yeah, this makes sense. What the heck!". Cool guys, now I'm starting to regret that I missed the show.
So let's move on to the second best show of the festival. That one was performed by Dear Landlord. There are a couple of reasons why their show was as good as it was. 1) They played the small podium/tent, so no barriers or gay distances; 2) They were given 40 minutes to play, which means they could and have played about every song they wrote/recorded up to now (excluding Crashing, Neighbours and maybe (not sure) Lost Cause); 3) On top of that, they played motherfucking Sleepless In St Paul (wow, seriously, that made me so happy) and Avoidance Learning (both songs originally by Rivethead); 4) Dear Landlord is the best band in the world; 5) Lots of mates partying along, always cool. So, in sum, awesome show, great atmosphere, best songs, best band, absolute love. I really really really love this band. That should cover it, I think? Hah.
Then I got to the Descendents signing session, saw some Goldfinger songs, got pretty bored and felt like drinking beer at the campsite. Guess what happened?
Due to sheer laziness I didn't check Dashboard Confessional, nor No Trigger, nor Boy Sets Fire, which wasn't the best decision I ever made but because of the band following them I wasn't all that bothered.
That's right. Descendents entered the stage, and after I shoved two pizza baguettes into my stomach I decided to go dance and sing along in the front rows. I was so happy, so really really genuinely happy to see the Descendents, one of the first punk bands I and many with me got into as a teenagers. They started off with Descendents, then got into a whole bunch of songs, some of their best ones, some I didn't expect but was pleased to hear and some of their other best ones. Solid setlist, I didn't have one single problem with it. They made my day, week, year. It sounds cheesy but singing along to those songs really means something. It must be pretty cool to know you belong. I hope my day will come. I'm not a loser. Even I like food - food tastes good and thou shalt not partake of decaf. Wow. Really overwhelming.
But I did went to see NOFX, and I got what I expected. A lot of babbling, although it seemed alright and not too much this time. Good setlist, not unpredictable but neither predictable. They keep the show interesting, I must admit. Always fun to hear their songs, I should listen more NOFX. A lot of dancing, singing, partying, cool show! Theme from a NOFX album to finish, good idea!
So, a lot of other things happened, I met a lot of people, some cool, some less cool, kissed two girls by deceit, got rejected a couple more times, the sun was shining, I had tons of fun, smelled like shit today.
Hooray for punk rock!
"Do you know the Punk Rock?"
You probably don't care about the hassle it took me to get there, the rising sun, the 3 stupid hardcore-hipsters at the bus stop or the posters I had to try to attach to the fences (which appeared far more difficult than expected).
I only went Saturday. I didn't care too much about Friday.
I did hear that Millencolin was good and they played pretty tight, so I'm bummed out I missed that. Further Seems Forever didn't get a lot of audience, Craig's Brother wasn't all what people maybe expected and they were tons of presumeably bad deathcore bands. That's what I heard.
Anyway, here's the report. I might tell some more in the upcoming zine edition (coming this summer hopefully).
I didn't get to see everything I wanted, mostly due to laziness and beer drinking at the campsite. Nevertheless, It was a wonderful day and I saw the essential.
The day started off with Dead To Me. They've been around quite a few times, and god damn I'm glad these guys were on the bill. It's a shame they had to open the festival, but it's cool they played. And how!? (Literally translated from: "En hoe!?") Great show. The guys were tight as fuck at 11 am, played with enthusiasm (at 11 am) and got a considerable audience together (at 11 am, that's right!). Some dancing, some singing, mostly waking up and enjoying a top class punk rock show, with a hint of ska/reggae every now and then. If I were them, i'd stick to punk rock.
A band that have always stuck to punk rock is Teenage Bottlerocket. Now my mind is blown, one of the best band in the world play at noon. Weird shit. Anyway, fun story: I had to pee right before the band started, so I'm at the pee booth, and I hear the drummer started Skate Or Die, so I fired every drop I had into the 'pissijn' at full speed and nearly shit myself doing so. Luckily nothing got dirty, I ran to the front, started dancing my ass off and crowdsurfed incidentally before the end of the song. Such a great band. The next 30 minuted they treated us with a setlist of awesome songs, some everyone knows, some less famous, but all equally good, fast, catchy (!!) and punk rock. It's weird to see them on such a big stage after their show in Nijlen a couple of years back. I think they're getting bigger than Kiss, one show at a time. They played a lot of awesome songs, including Todayo (last song), Lost In Space, Bloodbath At Burger King, Welcome To The Nuthouse and I Don't Wanna Go. I also noticed I need to do more sports. I had to rest for 2 songs after each circlepit. Fucked up, innit? I enjoyed the show anyway, awesome band!
Next up was a dance party for 2 (hundred) at 12h45. Streetlight Manifesto got the swing going in the tent. Asses were danced off, lyrics were sang along to and melodies were wooh-ed along to. Great party, talented musicians, and a safe mix of songs from their original albums. At the live show, their songs definitely sound longer than on cd, on the border of boring/less interesting. Their songs are incredible, but sometimes I thought they were playing the same thing for 10 minutes, which wasn't the case. Aight, I had a lot of fun, it was actually the first time I saw them and they made me happy.
I wanted to see Piebald, but I forgot or I didn't care all too much apparently (I really only know 1 CD, and not really through and through). The opportunity for beer arose, so that must have played a role as well. On a related note: Later that day the guys from Piebald were doing a signing session, and we were actually waiting for the Descendents who would follow them, but I decided to get Piebald's signatures as well. Because I didn't have something cool like a record of theirs, I asked them to sign the Alkaline Trio cd I had just bought in the merch market (From Here To Infirmary). Cool story, innit? Piebald was like "Yeah, this makes sense. What the heck!". Cool guys, now I'm starting to regret that I missed the show.
So let's move on to the second best show of the festival. That one was performed by Dear Landlord. There are a couple of reasons why their show was as good as it was. 1) They played the small podium/tent, so no barriers or gay distances; 2) They were given 40 minutes to play, which means they could and have played about every song they wrote/recorded up to now (excluding Crashing, Neighbours and maybe (not sure) Lost Cause); 3) On top of that, they played motherfucking Sleepless In St Paul (wow, seriously, that made me so happy) and Avoidance Learning (both songs originally by Rivethead); 4) Dear Landlord is the best band in the world; 5) Lots of mates partying along, always cool. So, in sum, awesome show, great atmosphere, best songs, best band, absolute love. I really really really love this band. That should cover it, I think? Hah.
Then I got to the Descendents signing session, saw some Goldfinger songs, got pretty bored and felt like drinking beer at the campsite. Guess what happened?
Due to sheer laziness I didn't check Dashboard Confessional, nor No Trigger, nor Boy Sets Fire, which wasn't the best decision I ever made but because of the band following them I wasn't all that bothered.
That's right. Descendents entered the stage, and after I shoved two pizza baguettes into my stomach I decided to go dance and sing along in the front rows. I was so happy, so really really genuinely happy to see the Descendents, one of the first punk bands I and many with me got into as a teenagers. They started off with Descendents, then got into a whole bunch of songs, some of their best ones, some I didn't expect but was pleased to hear and some of their other best ones. Solid setlist, I didn't have one single problem with it. They made my day, week, year. It sounds cheesy but singing along to those songs really means something. It must be pretty cool to know you belong. I hope my day will come. I'm not a loser. Even I like food - food tastes good and thou shalt not partake of decaf. Wow. Really overwhelming.
Sitting there with your mouth full of beer. Your eyes are glazed, your face is red. Who's gonna pick you up and use you for tonight?Again, I skipped a band I initially wanted to see but because of not caring and so on I didn't see Saves The Day, nor H20 or The Used for nostalgic reasons.
And when you're on the streets with a needle in your arm, selling your body for another fix, who's gonna pick you up and take you home with them tonight?
Not me.
But I did went to see NOFX, and I got what I expected. A lot of babbling, although it seemed alright and not too much this time. Good setlist, not unpredictable but neither predictable. They keep the show interesting, I must admit. Always fun to hear their songs, I should listen more NOFX. A lot of dancing, singing, partying, cool show! Theme from a NOFX album to finish, good idea!
So, a lot of other things happened, I met a lot of people, some cool, some less cool, kissed two girls by deceit, got rejected a couple more times, the sun was shining, I had tons of fun, smelled like shit today.
Hooray for punk rock!
18-04-2011
Not so teenage anymore
Also recently, another one of the best contemporary pop punk bands around released a new EP. The world-class band Teenage Bottlerocket put out Mutilate Me, of which the title track already amazed me. Now let's check out the rest.
Fat Wreck Chords, 2011
1. Mutilate Me
2. Punk House Of Horror
3. Henchmen
Well, Mutilate Me definitely stands out as a classic TBR song. Incredibly catchy, it makes you sing along about some sado-masochistic fetish without getting you uncomfortable! That's the power of good music. The next songs seem b-sides rather than EP material. Not bad, but Punk House Of Horror is basicly a late Lillingtons song (maybe sped up a bit) and the tempo change in Henchmen rather weirds me out than to appeal. Sounds like an early Offspring song. (EDIT: Haha, just found it's actually a Bad Religion cover. Makes sense. I should have known that!) To be honest, I had greater expectations for this new material than were delivered.
Nevertheless, this is really really really really one of the coolest bands around, deserve all the attention they get, being on Fat, touring with NOFX and all that jazz! Also on European tour right motherfucking now, this Saturday at Groezrock, main stage, pretty early (12 o'clock-ish). Get this EP anyway along with the reissue of Another Way (great record, finally taken care of in a descent way) and their hit albums Total, Warning Device and They Came From the Shadows.
1. Mutilate Me
2. Punk House Of Horror
3. Henchmen
Well, Mutilate Me definitely stands out as a classic TBR song. Incredibly catchy, it makes you sing along about some sado-masochistic fetish without getting you uncomfortable! That's the power of good music. The next songs seem b-sides rather than EP material. Not bad, but Punk House Of Horror is basicly a late Lillingtons song (maybe sped up a bit) and the tempo change in Henchmen rather weirds me out than to appeal. Sounds like an early Offspring song. (EDIT: Haha, just found it's actually a Bad Religion cover. Makes sense. I should have known that!) To be honest, I had greater expectations for this new material than were delivered.
Nevertheless, this is really really really really one of the coolest bands around, deserve all the attention they get, being on Fat, touring with NOFX and all that jazz! Also on European tour right motherfucking now, this Saturday at Groezrock, main stage, pretty early (12 o'clock-ish). Get this EP anyway along with the reissue of Another Way (great record, finally taken care of in a descent way) and their hit albums Total, Warning Device and They Came From the Shadows.
Dear Dopamine
Two of my favourite contemporary pop punk bands have released a split 7". They go by the names The Dopamines and Dear Landlord.
Paper + Plastick, 2011
The Dopamines:
01. Douglas Bubbletrousers
02. Heads Up Dusters
Dear Landlord:
03. Neighbors
04. A Little Left
It seems that the Dopamines have actually taken a bit back from their last album. Still catchy, but less overwhelmingly powerful. Nevertheless they deliver 2 superpar songs that once again remind people that the Dopadudes aren't a Copyrights rip-off but a geniusly good band. Great compositions, only the vocals are less convincing.
Dear Landlord surprise on their side by lack of any intro - which actually isn't a surprise for anyone who still remembers Dream Homes. I'm really glad to finally hear soms new songs recorded, and I'm excited they sound equally as good as everything they've done before. Same themes, different hooks. I think I've heard A Little Left live before, but I'm not entirely sure. I remember a song starting 'slowly' and then booming into pure punk rock genius. Could be this one.
Anyway, Dear Landlord are on a European tour right now, they play Belgium at the Groezrock festival this Saturday. Be sure to check them out, they play really early but they're really good. Pick this up! (Along with their other records, if you haven't already.)
The Dopamines should definitely tour Europe as soon as possible and do like 7 shows in Belgium. Maybe 6, as I'd have to work on Saturdays.
The Dopamines:
01. Douglas Bubbletrousers
02. Heads Up Dusters
Dear Landlord:
03. Neighbors
04. A Little Left
It seems that the Dopamines have actually taken a bit back from their last album. Still catchy, but less overwhelmingly powerful. Nevertheless they deliver 2 superpar songs that once again remind people that the Dopadudes aren't a Copyrights rip-off but a geniusly good band. Great compositions, only the vocals are less convincing.
Dear Landlord surprise on their side by lack of any intro - which actually isn't a surprise for anyone who still remembers Dream Homes. I'm really glad to finally hear soms new songs recorded, and I'm excited they sound equally as good as everything they've done before. Same themes, different hooks. I think I've heard A Little Left live before, but I'm not entirely sure. I remember a song starting 'slowly' and then booming into pure punk rock genius. Could be this one.
Anyway, Dear Landlord are on a European tour right now, they play Belgium at the Groezrock festival this Saturday. Be sure to check them out, they play really early but they're really good. Pick this up! (Along with their other records, if you haven't already.)
The Dopamines should definitely tour Europe as soon as possible and do like 7 shows in Belgium. Maybe 6, as I'd have to work on Saturdays.
07-04-2011
Punk rock sauna
Show at the Rockcafé in Leuven. Yesterday. Thank God for the guys of Kickass records.
First up, From The Tracks from Sweden and Scotland! Quite the combination. Technical melodic punkrock. Fast. Groovy. Cool!
Second up was Belgian band Homer, and they were awesome. Not too technical, not too simple, great riffage and a cool party going on.
Headlining the night was Rebuke from Sweden. With the drummer from This Is A Standoff, who is insane. Damn! I was really impressed by these guys actually. Interesting skatepunk, cool to watch!
Yeah, not much to say other than "check it out!".
First up, From The Tracks from Sweden and Scotland! Quite the combination. Technical melodic punkrock. Fast. Groovy. Cool!
Second up was Belgian band Homer, and they were awesome. Not too technical, not too simple, great riffage and a cool party going on.
Headlining the night was Rebuke from Sweden. With the drummer from This Is A Standoff, who is insane. Damn! I was really impressed by these guys actually. Interesting skatepunk, cool to watch!
Yeah, not much to say other than "check it out!".
04-04-2011
The right phrase
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I did a short review in the magazine, which went something like this:
Their second album, 'Tomorrow's Just Another Day' is probably one of my favourite albums, and it should be one of yours too, but their debut is absolutely worth mentioning. For Science is in the same league as the Ergs! as far as I'm concerned, but around here in Europe, they get way less attention and exposure, which is a shame. Fast, melodic, original pop punk with 'acquired taste' vocals, I guess. Once you get used to it, you'll surely find it great. Mostly songs about movie stars and heartbreaks on this album. Less diverse than their sophomore album, but it gets the "repeat button seal of approval" alright. They split up.Oddly enough, the first record I got by For Science was their EP Way Out Of Control, but that never got much spins on the stereo. So today I decided to jam things up a bit and repeat the shit out of this EP.
1. Swan Song
2. Soledad
3. Just Pray
4. The Rides
5. Leaving New Brunswick
6. Swimming Around Fighting Frowns
7. Way Out Of Control
8. Salutations
It's pop punk. What did you expect? 8 songs, 13 minutes, no mucking about. For Science keeps things interesting with everything they released. A lot of experimenting going on on this EP, vocally especialy, and additionally some sound effects and some instrumental arrangements you wouldn't expect.
It starts off with some feedback and it kicks right into one hell of a catchy riff. Hard to not move. Singing starts. Incredibly hoarse but powerful on its own as well, definitely one of my favourite aspect about the band, but this is probably something personal. I think it transfers great emotion, which I can really dig in a band. Soledad is a good example. Also, as with every For Science record, Mikey Erg does some backing vocals. Why wouldn't he?
Track 3 slows the record down a bit but doesn't drag on, so it doesn't get boring in the least. The Rides takes you on a ride to For-Scienceville, a place full of superrapid drums, deeply mixed vocals, fast and groovy guitar/bass, some shouting and an occasional rhythmic variation. It goes in a similar fashion, each song hiding more secrets than you can imagine.
Overall, great EP in fact, similar to their other work but no copy, and it's refreshing on its own. It's way out of control, crazy and fun songwriting played by great artists with integrity for the music. Not really scientific, just amusing.
28-03-2011
We'll always have Sikome Beach.
Dear God. This weekend, guys. This last weekend. Who would've guessed that some of the coolest bands around would play in a shithole like Houthalen-Oost? Not me, but it was sure worth the trip to the far country of Limburg.
Of course I'm talking about Crossbone Fest 2011, put up by the awesome Lost Youth crew. Everything about it was awesome. As for the music, check it out:
Friday
…was a hardcore day. There were hardcore kids, hardcore bands and some punkers. There was moshing, slam-dancing and singalonging.
First up was Violent City, a fairly recent band, playing hardcore to my liking. Not too tough, but pissed off enough. Elements of late 80's hardcore and some new school influence, I think. Vibrant set, a cool Negative Approach cover and their singer wore a Natalia t-shirt. Releaseshow 29the of April in Tessenderloo!
The next band was Rebuild, from Houthalen/Getwood city. I had heard their demo and thought it was quite good. Their show was awesome. Lots of energy, great songs, a lot of new stuff. I danced a bit. Cool band, cool live performance, interesting to say the least. They also have a 7" coming out sometime soon, "I will Sing Like A Bird While I Fly Away From You", or something like that. I'm digging the title already, hopefully the new recordings are equally as good!
Cracks In The Wall play fast, pissed off, raging hardcore/punk. They didn't hit any cracks in any wall, but sure as hell tried their best. Not that into it, but if it's fast and hard and I've got a couple beers in my tummy I'll dance to it! Aight!
Citizens Patrol was basically the same thing, but different guys. I guess I danced a bit harder since I was a bit drunker by then. Cool band.
Sunpower ended the night with a cup of old school hardcore-punk similar to Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains and the likes. One of the best bands out of Belgium. Great for punkdancing, sing-alongs, hugging punx, bumping into people, pogo-pogo and shouting words to songs I don't know. Also great cover songs, as always. We're just a minor threat.
The afterparty was crazy. 'Nough said.
REBUILD
CRACKS IN THE WALL
CITIZENS PATROL
SUNPOWER
Pictures: Jeroen Put http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?id=1115863659&aid=2083348
Saturday
…fun was killed by Friday night. Not exactly, but that's how the song goes, isn't it? After a deep plunge in the depths of Hengelhoef swimming pool, the punx were refreshed for a whole afternoon/evening/night of punk rock fun!
At 4:30 pm, The Dutch Rudders took the wheel (haha, get it?). They play songs with velocity and melody, but primarily velocity. Not always as tight as it should be, but I like these guys, they play my, my, my, my kind of music. Songs about porn, girls, some other stuff and a Descendents cover which I sang along to. Bought a shirt 'cause I was there. And they're cool. Also included on page 4 of This Ain't Noise magazine, check it!
Lawn Mowing Sundays followed up, a local band. Not bad, but for most people not really interesting as they are not an exact Ramones copy. Sorry guys! I did enjoy some songs and their singer looks kinda like the Strike Anywhere guy.
After another hamburger, which were actually frikandellen/curryworsten, I was motherfucking blown away by The Bat Bites. Not that I expected anything bat (haha, get it? - okay sorry.), but apparently their songs on cd are just terribly produced. I've calculated that their live performance is about 25 times better than the CD version, with a margin of 7. Really powerful pop punk songs from Rotterdam punk rock city. Another plus to the live show: there's a girl! Yes! And she's fairly fair! And her full name is 2 animals. It doesn't really get any better. Fun band, lots of good songs, lots of new songs, lots of awesome, and a medley of among others the Queers, Green Day, the Beatles and the Rembrandts to finish off the set.
Luckily for the pop punk/punk rock fans they were just the beginning and set the tone alright. While the punx were drinking another beer, Deecracks took over the stage. Great band. Last time I saw them was at Monster Zero Mash 2009, When they just released the Beach 90 EP and played some Ramones and Weasel covers. Now they have a full cd out (since last year, actually), with an abundance of great songs, quite a few of which they played. Scrapy vocals go hand in hand with 3 well-chosen chords of some well-chosen major scale and become sing-alongable anthems such as Beach 90 and Monkey Boy. great set, fun to watch and a Ghoulies cover with Kepi himself. Kepi is one of the coolest people in the world.
And the -bam!- BURGER TIME. The Murderburgers started and they didn't stop until their set was over (haha, get it? - yeah, I'll stop)! Same formula as always, superfast playing, 2 short guys and a tall drummer, a ginger singing incomprehensibly and a lot of punkdancing going on. They played probably one of the best sets I've seen by them, now that I think about it. Maybe I'm wrong, how the hell would I remember? They should lose the "Scottish" gimmick and just talk English, though. (Joke!)
Saturday was actually the only day of the week with slightly off weather, but The Hotlines brought the summer back in da house (actually in the Bassment). I guess infectious is the right word here. I don't understand why they don't seem to play Take The Wheel, but their set was awesome. Cool old songs, cool new songs, something for everyone. A lot of hit songs, a lot of dancing. The Beach Boys would be proud. They speak (kinda) normal English, great relief!
Guess what happened after that? Guess what the fuck happened AFTER THAT? 'CAUSE I DON'T FUCKING KNOW! Seriously, The Priceduifkes tore it up. Literally, both my pants and my shirt got completely torn apart. These guys have more fans than they can handle, so they have to come up with something good every time. This time: movietheatre announcement cardboard boards. Great idea. I got into a tube-like one and fell down and a lot of people fell and was stuck but I really did my best just to give it a rest. People were dancing around like savages, moshing to their infamous Buzzcocks/Gorilla Biscuits-cover and going crazy to their re-performance of the infamous Ramones-medley, first introduced at the release show of She Spells Disaster. Not to mention their infamous original tunes and new songs got some crazy crowd response. Really excited for the new album! Weppa!
The Real Danger got a different crowd, but fuck me, what an awesome band. They played most of their best songs, an Undertones cover that I didn't recognize and they answered my prayers to play their cover of Guest List. I think I went apeshit when they started playing that. I'm pretty sure. Probably yelled something about Ben Weasel and punching girls, but just for fun 'cause Screeching Weasel is one of the best bands in the world (*was). The Real Danger is definitely one of the best bands in the Benelux. Good fun!
I watched The Zatopeks from a distance, as I was tired and had to regain energy. I'm not the biggest fan of the Zatopek boys, but they have quite a few cool songs and their live shows are always great great fun. A lot of energy in this band and an incredible sense to party. City Lights is one of my favourite songs, that's for sure (I don't need your eeeeeeeeyes!), and Mary Lou's always cool. Good show, but for me it was cooling down from previous bands and warming up for Chixdiggit!
What? Wait, what? WHAT? CHIXDIGGIT! PLAYED? WHAT THE MOTHERFUCKING FUCK? Oh yeah, they played. And they slayed. They killed it. They killed everything and then brought it back to life with some of the best overall musical tunes ever written. Super nice guys, alot of stage banter and applauding but I dug it (although I'm a dude). I must have clapped my hands about 10 000 times. Give a hand for Chixdiggit!, everybody! I don't think I have ever been as happy as I was there, on the first-slash-second-slash-third row, singing along with KJ Jansen (I'm super gay for KJ Jansen), air-guitaring with Mark from Chixdiggit!, air-bassing with Kepi Ghoulie, air-drumming with the drummer whose name I don't remember. But I remember you, the best friend of a girl I dated. Too bad they didn't remember how to play Going To The Peelers, but they played so many awesome songs that it just doesn't matter. Quit Your Job twice. A Ghoulies cover, maybe 2. I approximately sang along to every word. It was the best show I have ever ever ever seen. Well, I'm just still super excited, but definitely top 5 coolest moments in my life. I may not have been there in Schaffen, but now I can at least say I was there in Houthalen. All my friends will gasp in awe. (Actually, none of them will care 'cause they all listen to radio crap.)
I interviewed KJ afterwards, here's the result:
DEECRACKS
MURDERBURGERS
HOTLINES
PRICEDUIFKES
REAL DANGER
ZATOPEKS
CHIXDIGGIT!
I'M ON A PICTURE WITH KJ JANSEN:
Pictures: http://lupagraphica.be/
Of course I'm talking about Crossbone Fest 2011, put up by the awesome Lost Youth crew. Everything about it was awesome. As for the music, check it out:
Friday
…was a hardcore day. There were hardcore kids, hardcore bands and some punkers. There was moshing, slam-dancing and singalonging.
First up was Violent City, a fairly recent band, playing hardcore to my liking. Not too tough, but pissed off enough. Elements of late 80's hardcore and some new school influence, I think. Vibrant set, a cool Negative Approach cover and their singer wore a Natalia t-shirt. Releaseshow 29the of April in Tessenderloo!
The next band was Rebuild, from Houthalen/Getwood city. I had heard their demo and thought it was quite good. Their show was awesome. Lots of energy, great songs, a lot of new stuff. I danced a bit. Cool band, cool live performance, interesting to say the least. They also have a 7" coming out sometime soon, "I will Sing Like A Bird While I Fly Away From You", or something like that. I'm digging the title already, hopefully the new recordings are equally as good!
Cracks In The Wall play fast, pissed off, raging hardcore/punk. They didn't hit any cracks in any wall, but sure as hell tried their best. Not that into it, but if it's fast and hard and I've got a couple beers in my tummy I'll dance to it! Aight!
Citizens Patrol was basically the same thing, but different guys. I guess I danced a bit harder since I was a bit drunker by then. Cool band.
Sunpower ended the night with a cup of old school hardcore-punk similar to Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains and the likes. One of the best bands out of Belgium. Great for punkdancing, sing-alongs, hugging punx, bumping into people, pogo-pogo and shouting words to songs I don't know. Also great cover songs, as always. We're just a minor threat.
The afterparty was crazy. 'Nough said.
REBUILD
CRACKS IN THE WALL
CITIZENS PATROL
SUNPOWER
Pictures: Jeroen Put http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?id=1115863659&aid=2083348
Saturday
…fun was killed by Friday night. Not exactly, but that's how the song goes, isn't it? After a deep plunge in the depths of Hengelhoef swimming pool, the punx were refreshed for a whole afternoon/evening/night of punk rock fun!
At 4:30 pm, The Dutch Rudders took the wheel (haha, get it?). They play songs with velocity and melody, but primarily velocity. Not always as tight as it should be, but I like these guys, they play my, my, my, my kind of music. Songs about porn, girls, some other stuff and a Descendents cover which I sang along to. Bought a shirt 'cause I was there. And they're cool. Also included on page 4 of This Ain't Noise magazine, check it!
Lawn Mowing Sundays followed up, a local band. Not bad, but for most people not really interesting as they are not an exact Ramones copy. Sorry guys! I did enjoy some songs and their singer looks kinda like the Strike Anywhere guy.
After another hamburger, which were actually frikandellen/curryworsten, I was motherfucking blown away by The Bat Bites. Not that I expected anything bat (haha, get it? - okay sorry.), but apparently their songs on cd are just terribly produced. I've calculated that their live performance is about 25 times better than the CD version, with a margin of 7. Really powerful pop punk songs from Rotterdam punk rock city. Another plus to the live show: there's a girl! Yes! And she's fairly fair! And her full name is 2 animals. It doesn't really get any better. Fun band, lots of good songs, lots of new songs, lots of awesome, and a medley of among others the Queers, Green Day, the Beatles and the Rembrandts to finish off the set.
Luckily for the pop punk/punk rock fans they were just the beginning and set the tone alright. While the punx were drinking another beer, Deecracks took over the stage. Great band. Last time I saw them was at Monster Zero Mash 2009, When they just released the Beach 90 EP and played some Ramones and Weasel covers. Now they have a full cd out (since last year, actually), with an abundance of great songs, quite a few of which they played. Scrapy vocals go hand in hand with 3 well-chosen chords of some well-chosen major scale and become sing-alongable anthems such as Beach 90 and Monkey Boy. great set, fun to watch and a Ghoulies cover with Kepi himself. Kepi is one of the coolest people in the world.
And the -bam!- BURGER TIME. The Murderburgers started and they didn't stop until their set was over (haha, get it? - yeah, I'll stop)! Same formula as always, superfast playing, 2 short guys and a tall drummer, a ginger singing incomprehensibly and a lot of punkdancing going on. They played probably one of the best sets I've seen by them, now that I think about it. Maybe I'm wrong, how the hell would I remember? They should lose the "Scottish" gimmick and just talk English, though. (Joke!)
Saturday was actually the only day of the week with slightly off weather, but The Hotlines brought the summer back in da house (actually in the Bassment). I guess infectious is the right word here. I don't understand why they don't seem to play Take The Wheel, but their set was awesome. Cool old songs, cool new songs, something for everyone. A lot of hit songs, a lot of dancing. The Beach Boys would be proud. They speak (kinda) normal English, great relief!
Guess what happened after that? Guess what the fuck happened AFTER THAT? 'CAUSE I DON'T FUCKING KNOW! Seriously, The Priceduifkes tore it up. Literally, both my pants and my shirt got completely torn apart. These guys have more fans than they can handle, so they have to come up with something good every time. This time: movietheatre announcement cardboard boards. Great idea. I got into a tube-like one and fell down and a lot of people fell and was stuck but I really did my best just to give it a rest. People were dancing around like savages, moshing to their infamous Buzzcocks/Gorilla Biscuits-cover and going crazy to their re-performance of the infamous Ramones-medley, first introduced at the release show of She Spells Disaster. Not to mention their infamous original tunes and new songs got some crazy crowd response. Really excited for the new album! Weppa!
The Real Danger got a different crowd, but fuck me, what an awesome band. They played most of their best songs, an Undertones cover that I didn't recognize and they answered my prayers to play their cover of Guest List. I think I went apeshit when they started playing that. I'm pretty sure. Probably yelled something about Ben Weasel and punching girls, but just for fun 'cause Screeching Weasel is one of the best bands in the world (*was). The Real Danger is definitely one of the best bands in the Benelux. Good fun!
I watched The Zatopeks from a distance, as I was tired and had to regain energy. I'm not the biggest fan of the Zatopek boys, but they have quite a few cool songs and their live shows are always great great fun. A lot of energy in this band and an incredible sense to party. City Lights is one of my favourite songs, that's for sure (I don't need your eeeeeeeeyes!), and Mary Lou's always cool. Good show, but for me it was cooling down from previous bands and warming up for Chixdiggit!
What? Wait, what? WHAT? CHIXDIGGIT! PLAYED? WHAT THE MOTHERFUCKING FUCK? Oh yeah, they played. And they slayed. They killed it. They killed everything and then brought it back to life with some of the best overall musical tunes ever written. Super nice guys, alot of stage banter and applauding but I dug it (although I'm a dude). I must have clapped my hands about 10 000 times. Give a hand for Chixdiggit!, everybody! I don't think I have ever been as happy as I was there, on the first-slash-second-slash-third row, singing along with KJ Jansen (I'm super gay for KJ Jansen), air-guitaring with Mark from Chixdiggit!, air-bassing with Kepi Ghoulie, air-drumming with the drummer whose name I don't remember. But I remember you, the best friend of a girl I dated. Too bad they didn't remember how to play Going To The Peelers, but they played so many awesome songs that it just doesn't matter. Quit Your Job twice. A Ghoulies cover, maybe 2. I approximately sang along to every word. It was the best show I have ever ever ever seen. Well, I'm just still super excited, but definitely top 5 coolest moments in my life. I may not have been there in Schaffen, but now I can at least say I was there in Houthalen. All my friends will gasp in awe. (Actually, none of them will care 'cause they all listen to radio crap.)
I interviewed KJ afterwards, here's the result:
Q: How does it feel to be in the best band in the world?BAT BITES
A: (flattered laughing) Ohh, get outta here!
DEECRACKS
MURDERBURGERS
HOTLINES
PRICEDUIFKES
REAL DANGER
ZATOPEKS
CHIXDIGGIT!
I'M ON A PICTURE WITH KJ JANSEN:
21-03-2011
ZINE IS DONE
This Ain't Noise punk rock fan zine #1 is done!
It's being pressed right about now, and it will be in store tomorrow! (Then I will get it from the (copy-)store and distribute them myself, obviously!)
They are 50 eurocents a piece for an A5 20-pages black-and-white zine with my writings! Isn't that spectacular!
Includes interviews with Mixtapes and Direct Hit!, reviews, random stuff and a downloadable mixtape/-zipfile! Also lousy lay-out and inexperience! Also hopefully no typing errors!
Get siked!
You can get one from me, in Leuven in the week or Kalmthout in the weekend.
Or I can mail them to you.
Or you could hit me up at one of these shows:
25th & 26th of March at Crossbonefest, Houthalen
6th of April in Rockcafé, Leuven
19th of April in Eglantier, Berchem
23th of April at Groezrock, Meerhout
…
It's being pressed right about now, and it will be in store tomorrow! (Then I will get it from the (copy-)store and distribute them myself, obviously!)
They are 50 eurocents a piece for an A5 20-pages black-and-white zine with my writings! Isn't that spectacular!
Includes interviews with Mixtapes and Direct Hit!, reviews, random stuff and a downloadable mixtape/-zipfile! Also lousy lay-out and inexperience! Also hopefully no typing errors!
Get siked!
You can get one from me, in Leuven in the week or Kalmthout in the weekend.
Or I can mail them to you.
Or you could hit me up at one of these shows:
25th & 26th of March at Crossbonefest, Houthalen
6th of April in Rockcafé, Leuven
19th of April in Eglantier, Berchem
23th of April at Groezrock, Meerhout
…
15-03-2011
Hardcore Sundae
Last Sunday, 3 bands from over the waters came to Gent, to play at the Frontline. Cool. I didn't know them too much.
Basement opened the evening. Or they ended the afternoon rather, they played at 5 pm. I was getting kinda into their music, but their set seemed really short. I guess that's a good thing. Cool band, they'll release a full length later this year! Something like melodic hardcore, or hardcore-ish punkrock. They didn't always play as tight, but the show was alright and I got to know another band, which is always a pleasure.
Daylight I had heard (of) before. They were awesome. Really good. Great music, played well, good musicians. Their music is of the same kind as Basement's, I think. They have 2 great EPs out which you should check out. A lot of emotion and passion in their music, I dig that. It came over to the audience, but not really succesfully. The atmosphere for the whole night was kinda "yeaaahhh…". But this band deserves a bit more. Definitely.
Hostage Calm played last. A lot of people left. I guess they weren't great, but they got me head-nodding. Punk rock. They had some good songs, they also had some less good ones. That happens, doesn't it?
I had a fun time, as always.
Basement opened the evening. Or they ended the afternoon rather, they played at 5 pm. I was getting kinda into their music, but their set seemed really short. I guess that's a good thing. Cool band, they'll release a full length later this year! Something like melodic hardcore, or hardcore-ish punkrock. They didn't always play as tight, but the show was alright and I got to know another band, which is always a pleasure.
Daylight I had heard (of) before. They were awesome. Really good. Great music, played well, good musicians. Their music is of the same kind as Basement's, I think. They have 2 great EPs out which you should check out. A lot of emotion and passion in their music, I dig that. It came over to the audience, but not really succesfully. The atmosphere for the whole night was kinda "yeaaahhh…". But this band deserves a bit more. Definitely.
Hostage Calm played last. A lot of people left. I guess they weren't great, but they got me head-nodding. Punk rock. They had some good songs, they also had some less good ones. That happens, doesn't it?
I had a fun time, as always.
11-03-2011
Say, sorry, hay
I've been neglecting my blog. I think the First Blogmandent is: Thou shalt not neglect thy blog.
Guess I failed.
I've been busy with creating a printed zine associated with This Ain't Noise. It's called This Ain't Noise zine #1. I'm pretty sure there will be a #2. God knows when.
So, let's just talk about some records I received today.
Firstly, I ordered these records at Kiss Of Death Records distro (which you can find here). It's a great label (featuring bands as Banner Pilot and O Pioneers!!!) and they offer great distributed records for great prices. Be sure to check that out.
One of the CDs I ordered was The Knockdown's "Test/Retest", part of the KOD catalogue. The Knockdown doesn't exist anymore (I think), and only released this album and a split, but they hit the right note with this one. I had forgotten about the record up until the exams of January when I started exploring my iTunes collection. I stumbled upon this again and immediately I was hooked again. Awesome album for fans of Polar Bear Club, Hot Water Music and the likes. Melodic hardcore punkrock, or something like that.
Also, now I finally now the exact lyrics to Graduation Day:
Also from the catalogue, I purchased Witches With Dicks' "Manual". I've heard about them because of their bandname -of course. Hoarse-voiced dudes singing their way through short, loud pop punk/punk rock songs like Off With Their Heads or Rivethead. Melodies where needed, backings where needed, no nonsense.
Great album, definitely a strongly-advised-to-have!
Another one I got was For Science's "Revenge For Hire". I am absolutely in love with their album "Tomorrow's Just Another Day", so I'm pretty excited to have this. I guess it will grow on me up to the same level as "Tomorrow…". The opening track is fantastic, the rest just follows that. The vocals are quite peculiar but I love them. Check it if you're into pop punk, the snotty one but not the generic one (i.e. if you like the Ergs!).
The 4th disc I found in my package was I Hate Myself's "10 Songs". Classic screamo album on No Idea Records. The cd version ironically enough has 11 songs. That's just 1 more song that will tear your soul away. Incredibly emotionally, in fact, musically and vocally/lyrically. Pretty excited to blast it through a stereo, because I don't think a computer mp3 does any justice to the sound intended. Especially punkrock/hardcore/screamo sounds better in better quality through better quality speakers.
I also got the Dangerous Intersections IV 7" (including great bands as Like Bats, Rumsprnger and Barrakuda McMurder, plus the to me unknown Strait A's!) and the Barrakuda McMurder "Slow Crawl" 7", an EP I have listened to a lot in the last months of last year.
Finally I bought Officer Jones And His Patrol Car Problems "Memorial". There's a kinda fun story behind that. Officer Jones AHPCP were a Belgian hardcore band a couple of years ago. Mostly, I bought the record because it was priced at 2 dollars. But, I actually had owned a copy of that record before. I bought it at a show at the Genet Records distro I think. At one point I kinda stopped listening to it so I put it up for sale and I sold it (that was at a Alkaline Trio show in January 2009).
So, seeing it for sale for so few money, I gave it another shot. I'll blast this on my record player assoon as possible.
Okay, pretty lame story, I know.
Guess I failed.
I've been busy with creating a printed zine associated with This Ain't Noise. It's called This Ain't Noise zine #1. I'm pretty sure there will be a #2. God knows when.
So, let's just talk about some records I received today.
Firstly, I ordered these records at Kiss Of Death Records distro (which you can find here). It's a great label (featuring bands as Banner Pilot and O Pioneers!!!) and they offer great distributed records for great prices. Be sure to check that out.
One of the CDs I ordered was The Knockdown's "Test/Retest", part of the KOD catalogue. The Knockdown doesn't exist anymore (I think), and only released this album and a split, but they hit the right note with this one. I had forgotten about the record up until the exams of January when I started exploring my iTunes collection. I stumbled upon this again and immediately I was hooked again. Awesome album for fans of Polar Bear Club, Hot Water Music and the likes. Melodic hardcore punkrock, or something like that.
Also, now I finally now the exact lyrics to Graduation Day:
There were some rules I made before my 18th birthday.(This was my first interpretation. I needed those 2 words.)
The first rule is when I fall in love, it will be forever.
And the second rule I made is that I'd marry the right girl.
And the third rule that I made is that I'd die a rich man.
And the fourth and final rule I made is that I'd stop being afraid to live.
Also from the catalogue, I purchased Witches With Dicks' "Manual". I've heard about them because of their bandname -of course. Hoarse-voiced dudes singing their way through short, loud pop punk/punk rock songs like Off With Their Heads or Rivethead. Melodies where needed, backings where needed, no nonsense.
Great album, definitely a strongly-advised-to-have!
Another one I got was For Science's "Revenge For Hire". I am absolutely in love with their album "Tomorrow's Just Another Day", so I'm pretty excited to have this. I guess it will grow on me up to the same level as "Tomorrow…". The opening track is fantastic, the rest just follows that. The vocals are quite peculiar but I love them. Check it if you're into pop punk, the snotty one but not the generic one (i.e. if you like the Ergs!).
The 4th disc I found in my package was I Hate Myself's "10 Songs". Classic screamo album on No Idea Records. The cd version ironically enough has 11 songs. That's just 1 more song that will tear your soul away. Incredibly emotionally, in fact, musically and vocally/lyrically. Pretty excited to blast it through a stereo, because I don't think a computer mp3 does any justice to the sound intended. Especially punkrock/hardcore/screamo sounds better in better quality through better quality speakers.
I also got the Dangerous Intersections IV 7" (including great bands as Like Bats, Rumsprnger and Barrakuda McMurder, plus the to me unknown Strait A's!) and the Barrakuda McMurder "Slow Crawl" 7", an EP I have listened to a lot in the last months of last year.
Finally I bought Officer Jones And His Patrol Car Problems "Memorial". There's a kinda fun story behind that. Officer Jones AHPCP were a Belgian hardcore band a couple of years ago. Mostly, I bought the record because it was priced at 2 dollars. But, I actually had owned a copy of that record before. I bought it at a show at the Genet Records distro I think. At one point I kinda stopped listening to it so I put it up for sale and I sold it (that was at a Alkaline Trio show in January 2009).
So, seeing it for sale for so few money, I gave it another shot. I'll blast this on my record player assoon as possible.
Okay, pretty lame story, I know.
Abonneren op:
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