I Have Dreams — Three Days 'Til Christmas

I'm not gonna lie, this is screamo. Normally I would never put this kind of thing up; I've always had this gut feeling that screamo is inherently a shit genre. But I guess this proves me wrong, I Have Dreams is… good. Really good. I think what usually puts me off is the overproduced bullshit that typically makes the rounds as screamo; the empty lyrics, stupid haircuts, the emphasis on being "brutal" and sexualized over having any meaningful content.

This is different. It still has the genre signatures, switching between dissonant hard parts and lighter distortionless singing. But this is a cheap recording probably done in someone's basement, the guitar work is intelligent, and the lyrics are actually pretty deep. Not in the weird Jesus-y way most other Florida bands try to be either. Plus it sounds like they're having fun (you know, in addition to the sadness…), and getting real into it. These are some emotionally charged jams, but definitely worth checking out. 'In Good Hands' is an absolute killer track too.

I Have Dreams — The Days 'Til Christmas EP

Track Listing:

1. Three Days 'Til Christmas
2. Countless Rooftops
3. In Good Hands
4. I Don't Imagine You And I Anymore
5. Thank You For Having The Courage To Help A Friend Change His Life For The Better

Lyrics:

From Last.fm: I Have Dreams was a screamo/emo band born from the ashes of a band called New Ethic, when their guitar player Daniel died in a car accident. New Ethic played their last show in August, 1998 with Daniel’s best friend Mike Hanson in his place, and it was about a month or two later that I Have Dreams started playing. The band consisted of Allen Compton and Mike Peters on vocals, Mike Hanson on guitar, Ben Seals on bass and Clayton Rychlick on drums. I Have Dreams were more than a band - in the words of Mike Peters: “It was an attempt to cope with the pain everyone was feeling after Daniel’s death.” I Have Dreams were together for roughly six months, and they broke up in the Spring (around April/May) of 1999.

Warbound — Shades Of Red Demo

Warbound are a solid new band from DC. This is their demo from only 2 months ago, it's hardcore that references the mid-80s really hard. Like, I'm hearing a lot of early youth crew, but also other stuff from that time when people still just really loved keeping it fast and hard. It's the essence of hardcore. And they cover NA.

Recording quality is a little lo-fi, but that actually works really well for this. It's nice and crunchy, and the vocals stand out on top nicely. I'm also digging how it's obviously only one guitar on here, it sounds real, you know?

Warbound — Shades Of Red Demo 2010

Track Listing:

1. Punching The Wall
2. You Don't Have A Rep Yet
3. Like Chains
4. Shades Of Red
5. What Will Remain?
6. Age Of Apocalypse
7. Unstoppable
8. Why Be Something You're Not (Negative Approach)

Warbound is a pretty new group from the DC area. Cool dudes, cool band, go check them out when they play!

http://www.myspace.com/warboundhc

Stay Gold — S/T

Stay Gold were a melodic hardcore band unlike any other. As in, they sound like no one else. It's hard to describe, but the music is some of the most thought-out and rounded this scene has ever produced, taking a lot of influence both from punk bands like Good Riddance and from hardcore like Turning Point. The vocals are really what sets this band apart though, it's almost a spoken-word delivery but with a lot of conviction. The lyrics are different too, they rely on vignettes and analysis, along with the more traditional personal narratives, hitting an emotional level you don't see to often. It's sort of like a collection of short stories, if that makes sense. Anyway, this band might not be for everyone, but it's nevertheless a compelling piece of hardcore history. One of my favorite bands, at least.

Stay Gold — Self-titled 7" (2001)

Track Listing:

1. Once I…
2. Remember Me
3. Black Eyes
4. TGIF
5. Just Say No

From Indecision Records: Eagle Barber (Drums/Vocals) and Chad Repp (Vocals) came up with an idea for a band during the summer of 1998 or 1999, who really knows? Anyways, at that time in Seattle, music was leaning toward the "metal" side of the equation and Chad and Eagle wanted to start a band that was reminiscent of their influences. Bands like Hot Water Music, 88 Fingers Louie, Turning Point and Bane could be considered there "core" influences but they also had much broader musical tastes, from Split Lip to Bad Brains.

After working on a few songs in their cramped Capital Hill apartment they recruited Ross Swanes (Guitar) and Chris Jahn (Guitar) and rounded out the line up with Chris' younger brother Matt Jahn on bass. Taking the name Stay Gold they practiced, played some shows, had some fun, recorded a demo, and had some more fun. Matt decided to go to Europe to play the bag pipes (not kidding), it's a bit more complex than that but he went traveling. Stay Gold liked having two Jahns in the band so they got Cam Jahn, the middle brother of the three to play bass.

From that point Stay Gold was pretty solid: Aram/Anchor records put Stay Gold’s s/t 7"/CDep, a few short west coast tours commenced…good times. Then Indecision signed the boys of gold to do a few records. So out came the 7”/CDep, "Caught up in the Moment", and the full length CD "Pills and Advice" with the vinyl of that record coming out on the European label Years From Now Records.

Now the details get fuzzy…more tours, and more chaos, Chris quit and moved to New York and Paul Betinson joined Stay Gold on guitar to do a U.S. tour. Stay Gold played what was to be their last show on August 18, 2002 at Hell’s Kitchen in Tacoma, Washington with Champion, Terror, and Allegiance.

Demagogue — Bad Blood EP

Figure I might as well put up more tunes from my first real band. This EP was six of Demagiggle's first songs, plus a SLF cover. It's a strange cross-section of punk, kind of crusty, a little bit hardcore, a definite late-70s influence. Keep in mind that we were all under 18 though, so it's a little weird. It was also recorded after Jake left but before Sam joined, so it's really heavy with the Patrick/Alethea influence, also very weird. This was recorded by Corey at the MRC, so it sounds pretty good, at least. It also has the hit single 'Motivation,' the first time I ever sang on a recording. SO POS. Actually it's all kind of silly looking back, but we had some fun times. Now it's just another piece of Charlottesville history, I guess.

You can also check out our unreleased LP if you're interested here.

Demagogue — Bad Blood EP 

Track Listing:

1. A King And His Crown
2. Motivation
3. Up The Subordinates
4. Tainted Water
5. Pedestal
6. Sleepless In Sedation
7. Alternative Ulster (Stiff Little Fingers)

Originally a small side project from M2S, Demagogue was built around Patrick and his then-girlfriend Alethea. Jake Phipps showed up to the first practice, but phased himself out and was eventually replaced by Sam Richardson, at which point we cranked up the rock. It wasn't very good. It was hardly punk, and contained far too many awkward screams and yelps. That being said, I got a lot better a bass during our 6-8 hour per week practice sessions, and we managed to create some interesting, if unusual songs. We spent like 30+ hours in the MRC's studio trying to record and mix an LP, which unfortunately never saw the light of day; however, I recently got my hands on a copy, and I have to say, we were on to something… too bad that that something was so strange and ephemeral that it serves as an example of our potential, rather than our actual quality.

www.myspace.com/upthesubordinates

Minor Twang — Seeing Red, White, And Blue

This is a joke, but it also sounds sweet. It's in the acorestic trend of a couple years back, taking the lyrics to hardcore songs and singing them over acoustic music. This particular one is "Seein' Red, White, and Blue" by "Minor Twang," a collection of Minor Threat tunes over country or western music. Pretty funny, but only because it's well done. Well worth a listen.

Minor Twang — Seeing Red, White, And Blue

Track Listing:

1. Straight Edge
2. Guilty Of Being White
3. I Don't Want To Hear It
4. Guilty Of Being White
5. Minor Threat

Dry Spell — Demo

Dry Spell's debut demo from a couple years back. If you're from the area and you've never heard them, either you don't know what the core is or you're living under a boulder. At the bottom of a mine shaft. These dudes rip, it's hardcore but it riffs a lot on mid-tempo rock'n'roll. Really awesome style with some growly vocals. This demo is a little crunchy but sounds fine, pretty good mix. Some killer tunes on here too, especially 'Pig Meat.'

Dry Spell — Demo

Track Listing:

1. World Of Shit
2. Road Rage
3. Pig Meat
4. Freak Acts

Dry Spell are a sick nasty band from Richmond. They have a raucous live set, they're a lot of fun. They have a couple seven inches out that you should pick up. Snuff Daddy even has a song about them. Don't miss out on this.

http://www.myspace.com/dryspellusa
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dry-Spell/258157774702

Raindance — Demo 2010

Raindance is a new band from Charlottesville, members of Werebear, Full Court Press, Gutter Strutter, that whole crew. Chappy once again fronts, this time with almost scarily negative lyrics and some insightful commentary on sexuality and relationships. Recording quality is solid if not groundbreaking, but the music is straightforward and well-played (Sam can put some good crunch on a guitar) and there's a good matchup between vocal content and musical style. It makes allusions to Richmond riffs, but also to newer West Coast bands like Trash Talk or Ceremony. Maybe I'm analyzing too much. Anyway, solid dudes, solid band. Check this out if you're into good music.

Raindance — Demo 2010

Track Listing:

1. Flaws
2. Broken Machine
3. Come Alive
4. I Know Your Type

Raindance started a year or so ago in Charlottesville, although half the band lives in Richmond now. They don't seem to be doing too much at the present, but hopefully they'll get it going again and play some more house shows.

http://www.myspace.com/raindanceva

Count Me Out — Few And Far Between

Happy Edge Day!

I figured this was as good a time as any to upload this classic 90's straightedge revival album. This is before their more brooding later albums, and has instead a really solid youth crew vibe. I'm reminded at times of Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, Side By Side, Uniform Choice, and it's obvious Champion spun this record on occasion as well. These guys are often also compared to Chain of Strength, and some of that's in here, but this is a little more straightforward (listen to the Permanent LP if you want to here a true reflection). Rather, this album is end to end positivity and gang vocals, and (as scenemates Time Flies would have said) highfives and stagedives. It's time for some crew mosh.

Count Me Out — Few And Far Between EP (1999)

Track Listing:

1. What We Built
2. How Much It Meant
3. Few And Far Between
4. On My Own
5. Past Mistakes
6. Not This Time

Count Me Out were a youth crew band from Richmond in the early 2000s. They released this EP and two full lengths on Indecision. Some really impressive work. Members have gone on to be in Cloak/Dagger, Strike Anywhere, Memorial, and other bands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Me_Out_(band)
http://indecisionrecords.com/bands/countmeout.html

Dead Beat — The Accuser

This demo reminds me a little of Swamp Thing, or maybe even Bracewar. Similar music, similar vocals… same Richmond, I guess. Really well recorded and well played music, interesting songwriting (so many dissonant chord progressions, tempo changes, some good crunchy chugs), the kind of violent, youthful lyrics you might expect. I can imagine some good breakdown mosh for these guys. Definitely worth checking out.

Dead Beat — The Accuser Demo 2010

Track Listing:

1. The Accuser
2. Bound At The Knees
3. Fists
4. Persecution
5. You Lose

Dead Beat are a new Richmond hardcore band, from the same scene as Tough Luck. It's cool that new people are stepping up and kicking out the jams. Real talk.

http://www.myspace.com/deadbeatsxe

Troops Of Tomorrow — TWWL

Troops are back with another taste of raucous Oi!-influenced hardcore. While their demo was a solid effort, this new single goes far beyond it. These three songs clock in at under five minutes — there's no filler involved. The vocals still growl their way through simple but powerful lyrics, but the music is a lot tighter and more varied. Really good production too. It's been a while since I've been this stoked on Oi, especially the opening riff to 'TWWL.' Turn this up real loud, and just try not to sing along with "the world won't listen!"

Troops of Tomorrow — TWWL Single

Track Listing:

1. The Edge
2. Dear John
3. TWWL

Troops of Tomorrow are an oldschool streetpunk band from Washington, DC. Check them out, they're starting to get big. So far they've put out a demo and this single, and hopefully more soon.

www.myspace.com/troopsoftomorrowdc

Snuff Daddy — Grindhouse Vol. 1

Snuff Daddy return with another full-length. It's the same kind of goofy rap, but better produced and with a great flow between songs. I might prefer the lyrics on Party Sharks (they give fewer fucks), but there's no doubt that this album is just better quality in general. Well-done sampling, so many pop-culture references (Aladdin, Lost, Twilight, Animorphs, etc.), really solid delivery – they put some serious time into this. Songs about girls, crews, Dry Spell, friends, fighting, it's all here. Wonder why it's called Grindhouse? They answer that too.

Snuff Daddy — Grindhouse Vol. 1

Track Listing:

1. Greet Death
2. Make It
3. Siren
4. Dry Daddy
5. Goin' In
6. Make Love
7. Middle Finger
8. Crew Ain't Shit
9. Feet Feel Good
10. Talk To 'Em
11. Party Dream
12. Goldfish

Snuff Daddy are a Virginia hip-hop group, with ties to RVA hardcore. Check it out.

www.myspace.com/snuffdaddyva

Billy Bragg — Joe Strummer Tribute

If you don't know who the Clash were, what are you doing on a punk rock blog? And if you don't know who Billy Bragg is, I'm disappointed with you. This is Billy playing a tribute set to Joe's life two months after he died in December 2002. He opens with some of his own songs and closes with a few of his favorite Clash tunes, interspersing the whole set with pithy anecdotes about Joe. This was also shortly before Tony Blair decided to roll into Iraq with America, so there's lots of talk of that as well (the altered lyrics to 'Great Leap Forward' are brilliant), and a general focus on politics in general. This was recorded with a hand-held mic, not a soundboard, but while it's relatively lo-fi the atmosphere of the crowd comes across great – there are plenty of singalongs and commentary on what Billy's saying. It's nice to hear a brilliant musician celebrating the life and works of another brilliant musician.

Billy Bragg — Joe Strummer Tribute (Feb. 22, 2003)

Track Listing:

1. A New England
2. World Turned Upside Down
3. Between The Wars
4. Like Soldiers Do
5. The Price Of Oil
6. Joe & Woody (That's My Fuckin' Telecaster)
7. All You Fascists
8. Power In A Union
9. Waiting For The Great Leap Forward/Lover's Town (Not Revisited!)/Safe European Home
10. Groovy Times
11. Pressure Drop
12. White Man In Hammersmith Palais
13. Police & Thieves
14. Garrageland

Billy Bragg is a musician and political activist who blends folk songs, punk rock, and concepts of political protest in a fantastic manner. Listening to him is like hearing Woody Guthrie and Joe Strummer singing a duet. He's coming to DC on sunday, maybe I'll see you there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bragg

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/

Lackey Die — S/T

Another classic from Charlottesville in the early 80s. My buddy Sam Richardson, of Got Myself Zine (and a shit ton of bands) fame, started a record label partially just to release this. Long story short, these dudes were all locals, and while they recorded twice (in 1984 and 1985) nothing ever got released — until now. These songs are all textbook examples of early hardcore: simple songs, high energy, a great mix of humor and anger. There's nothing too original about the music, but it's well written and so sincerely played that it's hard not to get into it. Big support to Sam for doing this, records like this should never be forgotten.

Lackey Die — S/T 7" 

Track Listing:

1. Get Rich Plan
2. No Choice
3. Mercy Killing
4. You Better Run
5. Puberty
6. Fantasy Island
7. Nuclear Employment
8. Never Change

From Feel It Records: "Lackey Die was the first hardcore band from the small city of Charlottesville, Virginia. Starting out in 1982, they played furious, no-bullshit hardcore. During this time they recorded two studio sessions, one at Floodzone Studios (White Cross, Unseen Force) and another at the now-famous Inner Ear Studios (Minor Threat, Bad Brains, etc.) The band broke up in late 1985, leaving behind only some local fans and a couple mentions in MRR scene reports. 25 years later, the master tapes have been re-discovered and remastered for vinyl. You'll see why Lackey Die would fit in perfectly on an old Southern hardcore mixtape alongside bands like C.O.C., early HONOR ROLE, BEEF PEOPLE, LANDLORDS, NEON CHRIST, etc. This release is fully authorized and is limited to 500 copies w/ hand-screened sleeves."

http://feelitrecords.blogspot.com/

Tough Luck — Missing Pieces Demo

This demo brings me back to the early days of Swamp Thing, or maybe Step Above. Fast, hard, angry hardcore with respectable breakdowns. It has a definite Richmond sound too, in both the vocals and the songwriting. Good recording quality as well. The lyrics are solid and the music well-written and executed, although there's nothing too groundbreaking about either. Tight jams, good energy, and plenty of mosh opportunities (moshortunities?). I'm digging it.

Tough Luck — Missing Pieces Demo 2010

Track Listing:

1. Martyrs
2. Missing Pieces
3. Failure
4. Welded Shut
5. Push Comes To Shove
6. Lowlife
7. Bite Your Tongue

Tough Luck is a pretty new youth band from Richmond. They have two demos out, both solid. Looks like they're playing shows around the state (one's coming up in Cville on September 25). Go see them live.

http://www.myspace.com/toughluckhc

Avail — Each Other Demo 1988

It looks like this is an SHZ exclusive! I can't find any record of this online, but it's nevertheless definitely early Avail. If the 1988 is true, this would be one of the first things the band ever recorded, when they were still a bunch of kids based in Reston, Virginia, up near DC. It's likely that Tim Barry isn't even on this record, or if he is he's probably on drums. But the music is still that brilliant blend of roots rock'n'roll and impressive lyricism with all the energy of hardcore. It sounds like this is probably a rip off of a cassette, with a few stutters, but overall sound quality is pretty good. Most of the songs appear to be original and don't ever appear elsewhere, with the exceptions of "Bob's Crew," which resurfaces on Satiate (their first LP), and the music of "Who Agrees," which was reworked into "Armchair" on 4AM Friday almost a decade later. It also has "Hope," a weird acoustic song that also reappears on Satiate, but actually closes out the record really well. It's a solid early effort by an incredibly important Virginian band, even before they were in Richmond.

Avail — Each Other Demo 1988

Track Listing:

1. Bob's Crew
2. Aim To Reach
3. Who Agrees
4. One Half
5. Then And Now
6. Have They Won
7. 1 Divided By 2
8. Always
9. Make It Stop
10. Hope

Excerpted from Jade Tree Records: "What some may not realize about AVAIL is that, like most bands, they came from humble beginnings in suburban Reston, VA. They were just like any other kids rocking in their parents’ garage, but instead of ripping out covers or aping their heroes, AVAIL were defining their unique sound at a very early age. By the time Joe Banks (guitar), Tim Barry (vocals) and Beau Beau (cheerleader / uber-roadie) moved the band to Richmond in 1990, the group had already almost honed their effortless blend of the classic Southern rock and protest folk that was in their veins with the melodic skate punk that constantly filled their ears. The backdrop of everyday life in Richmond, though, proved to be the key ingredient in solidifying the band’s immediately recognizable sound. Barry’s tales of everyday struggle and triumph became inextricably tied to the life (and death) of his hometown, at once creating blue-collar anthems that are often not just highly personal, but also highly political. It’s this ability to seamlessly streamline both sonic and lyrical content (along with a relentless touring bug) that has truly made the songs of alienation, travel and anti-establishment triumph… legendary."

http://www.myspace.com/availrva
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avail

Police & Thieves — The Blizzard Sessions

Four brand new tracks from DC's own. As the name suggests, these were recorded roundabouts of the 'snowmageddon' at the beginning of 2010 in an attempt to put out a new 12". The band wasn't really happy with how the tunes came out sounding, and is actually recording again at Inner Ear to get it right. But they decided to release a couple tracks from the first session anyway, to demonstrate their style and get people stoked on the new record that should be coming out on Youngblood in a few months. And while these songs could use a little mastering and fine-tuning, they nevertheless came out sounding damn good. The songwriting is still hard and melodic, reminding me a little of Staygold or Horror Show at times, and while different from their earlier efforts still is solidly rooted in classic DC jams. Lyrics continue the same trend of personal stories and discontent, with solid delivery by Carlos and a good timing relationship to the music. The guitar gets nice and crunchy too. All told, I'm excited to hear the full length.

Police & Thieves — The Blizzard Sessions Demo '10

Track Listing:

1. Thieves Intro
2. All Saints
3. Suburban Life Decay
4. Race To The End

Police & Thieves hail from the hallowed grounds of Washington DC, the intellectual inheritors to a musical tradition decades old. Basically, they sound awesome, mixing energy and passion with impressive songwriting and effort. They are, of course, named after the Junior Murvin song, although most people are probably more familiar with the cover the Clash released on their debut album. They've been around for almost 5 years now, and are in the process of branding a new album. Go see them live.

Get merch and find show dates at http://www.myspace.com/policethieves, or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Police-Thieves/22668852750

Still Here Zine Update 08/17/10

Good news, I'm back with reliable internet and free time, so new tunes should be coming up pretty often. Got lots more Charlottesville jams, new and old, plus more from Richmond, DC, and farther afield. I'm also planning to start doing reviews again, and maybe some other shit, like upcoming shows or interviews, make this more like a real zine. Anyway, stay tuned.

In other news, the Werebear demo is now available for download!

Down To Nothing — Demo 2002

This was one of the first things Down To Nothing ever recorded, when they were just getting started. It's almost a decade later, but this demo still holds its own with the rest of their releases. The recording quality is pretty solid, and the music and vocals are classic DTN — with the exception of being a little more metalcore. But the unbridled rage and hard breakdowns are still there, and the straight edge vibe is pervasive to say the least. The song 'Burn' was rerecorded on 'Splitting Headache,' and 'I Hope It's Worth It,' the secret song on 'Save It For The Birds' is on here too. Pretty good stuff.

Down To Nothing — Demo 2002

Track Listing:

1. Keep Your Head Up
2. Burn
3. Life Of The Party
4. Used Up
5. Contaminated
6. Stand Down
7. I Hope It's Worth It

What can I say about DTN that isn't common knowledge? This is the biggest band from Richtown, Va since Count Me Out or 4 Walls Falling, and with good reason. I'm not about writing anything too personal on a band like this, but I'll leave it with saying their live shows are consistently some of the funnest and most intense I've ever seen — and I've seen them a lot.

www.myspace.com/downtonothing

Go It Alone — Hollywood North Demo

This demo is sweet. The guitar is crunchy and sound quality isn't quite perfect, but the energy and passion Go It Alone was known for is definitely there. They recorded this demo before they ever even played a show — in fact they didn't play together as a band for over a year after recording this. But they knew what they were doing, and as with a lot of Pacific Northwest bands there's a kind of desperation in the sound that makes it really urgent and angsty. Must be the rain. Anyway, despite the rough conditions when it was recorded, this demo is sweet, with well-written songs and classic lyrics. Some of these tunes appeared later on Vancouver Gold and The Only Blood Between Us with the song structure virtually untouched. I guess they got it right the first time.

Go It Alone — Hollywood North Demo

Track Listing:

1. Picking Up The Pieces
2. Close At Hand
3. Reflection
4. Turn It Off
5. Water Finds Its Own Level
6. Go It Alone

Go It Alone was a hardcore band from Vancouver, BC, circa 2002-2007. They released this demo, a  few 7"s and splits, and 2 LPs. There is a photography book commemorating their existence and final show.

http://www.myspace.com/goitalonehc

Sinking Ships — Demo 2004

Sinking Ships may very well hold the title of Most Depressing Melodic Hardcore Band. Lyrically, it's a far cry from Champion — the singers of both bands are brothers, but there seems to be little in common besides the Core. But along with the really sad lyrics are complex music and lots of energy, and something redemptive in the sound. Anyway, this is their first release from way back in 2004, from before they were really doing much. But it's sweet, good enough that they rereleased 6 of the tracks on the Meridian EP and only edited the vocals a little. These are probably my favorite songs by them, mostly for the unique songwriting and powerful delivery.

Sinking Ships — Demo 2004

Track Listing:

1. Int(Chi)Ro
2. Roads Leading Midwest
3. Memorial
4. All Paths Of Glory
5. The Limit
6. Angels Live In My Town
7. Kiss The Sharks

Sinking Ships were a melodic hardcore band from Seattle circa 2004-2008. They released a bunch of demos and splits, the Meridian EP, and the Disconnecting LP on legendary Revelation Records.

http://www.myspace.com/sinkingships

Legit — In Defeat

Legit's other demo. West coast melodic hardcore at its finest, fast and hard and really inventive. Dude has one of the harshest voices I've heard outside of like powerviolence or death metal. The music goes into rare territory for hardcore, hitting 3/4 time and counterposed guitars, and getting a little philosophical with the lyrics. This is really solid stuff.

Legit — In Defeat Demo

Track Listing:

1. Painted Red
2. State Of Mind
3. The Ocho
4. In Defeat

Legit were a melodic hardcore band from Seattle, Washington a couple years back. It doesn't seem like they ever did much, but they did put out two most excellent demos. Members of Go It Alone and Shook Ones. Backed extra hard.

www.myspace.com/legitimatebros

Bane — Live at Rotunda

If you're at all like me, you've been aware of Bane for years and years. They're one of the longest-operating hardcore bands probably ever. And whatever your opinion of the music you have to admit that they put a lot into it. Anyway, I was just thinking of the first time I heard 'Count Me Out' or 'Can We Start Again,' and how powerful and sincere those songs were. And then I discovered that I actually had this live set of Bane's, so I thought I'd share it. Sound quality is alright, for a live hardcore show. But if you have ever heard these songs or seen them live, you know how impressive all of this really is.

Bane — Live at Rotunda 5/27/01

Track Listing:

1. I Once Was Blind
2. Count Me Out
3. Snakes Among Us
4. What Makes Us Strong
5. Can We Start Again

This is Bane. This is hardcore.

You can see a video of the set here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htczOphmuJg

http://www.myspace.com/banecentral

The Landlords — Our Favorite Songs!

The Landlords return with this 7"! After their impressive LP, The Landlords faded somewhat and focused on other projects (like the Happy Flowers), but they did manage to release this in 1987. It's all covers, presumably each band member picked their favorite song and recorded it. But the quality is good, and the songs are all very interesting.  For some reason the tracks on the vinyl and the cover aren't in the same order, but I'm going with what was on the 7". Anyway, these are all cool tunes by a really awesome band. Go listen.

The Landlords — Our Favorite Songs! EP

Track Listing:

1. The Night Chicago Died (Paper Lace)
2. Suzanne (Leonard Cohen)
3. Lies (The Knickerbockers... see comments)
4. He's Waiting (The Sonics)

Around the same time as Minor Threat was getting things going in DC, the Landlords were playing to the sleepy hippie town of Charlottesville. Somehow there was actually a reasonably scene in 'Ch-ville' in the early 80's, played mostly by UVA kids and a few townies. The Landlords were sweet, and put out an awesome, if unknown LP, and this 7".

http://www.myspace.com/landlordsva

Honor Role — 1982 EP

This is the first recording by Richmond's Honor Role. It was originally from a split tape with Graven Image, but has since been remastered into its present condition. It sounds sweet, kind of somewhere between The Landlords and Bad Brains with both raucous 80s speed and irony. Shin Kick even covered I'm A Nerd like every show we ever played ever. This is important, check it out.

Honor Role — 1982 EP

Track Listing:

1. Livin' In The 60s
2. Bowling For Bibles
3. War
4. Southern Lifestyle
5. I'm A Nerd
6. Uptown
7. Infanticide
8. Profit Prophets
9. Cap & Gown

Honor Role were a surprisingly influential band from Richmond in the 1980s. They started off as pretty straight-forward hardcore of the day, but over the years turned into one of the first post-hardcore bands and hung out with Fugazi a lot. Their sound has changed hardcore in many ways, both their frantic early efforts, and their artier later work.

Still Here Zine Update 04/13/10

Yo so I hope people are still digging what I'm putting up here. It seems like there's been a pretty good response to most things. I hope you're liking it, and if you have any comments or complaints leave a comment or email me.

In other news, I fixed the For All Time recordings so they are now of a downloadable size. If you're from Charlottesville, especially, you should make sure you have that. Actually everyone should, it's sort of the first draft of Permanent but harder and a little bit late-90s metalcore-y. Now that I'm thinking about it, if you want to know what Charlottesville's been all about, make sure you check out at least The Landlords, For All Time, Vomit Up Blood, like Shin Kick or Full Court Press, and now Total Wreck, those are some of the most important Cville bands at a glance. Or just click the Charlottesville tag over on the right. Do it, you won't regret it.

Total Wreck — Self Titled EP

This is really exciting. It's the brand new Total Wreck 7", out now on Absent records. Musically it's not a far cry from their demo, but their sound has been somehow refined, distilled into something even more ferocious and raw. All the songs are short, fast, and really really energetic, only breaking the thrash for an occasional solo by Patrick. Sound quality is very good and the tunes are hot, but don't just download this and be an armchair snob: go see them live, and pick up a copy before you find yourself sniped on ebay for it.

Total Wreck — Total Wreck 7" EP

Track Listing:

1. Repetition
2. R.S.C.
3. Contact
4. Total Wreck
5. I'm Losing
6. Asleep

From the ashes of Shin Kick arose a new, faster, louder, more depressing thrash band. Total Wreck are the only really active punk band in Charlottesville at the moment (though that looks like it's about to change), and are just about to go on a second east coast tour with Crooked Teeth. Get off your lazy ass and go mosh, this might not last forever.

www.myspace.com/totalwreckva

Down To Nothing — Hem Hem

Happy April 1st!

Yes, it is actually Down To Nothing. They recorded a couple hundred, but really only sold them at one show.

No, I don't know why they thought recording this was a good idea. It is hilarious though!

Down To Nothing — Hem Hem 7"

Track Listing:

1. Park My Car
2. Wildcard
3. His Not His
4. Crucifixion Of The Bunghole
5. Voicemail
6. I Wanna See You Again
7. Yah Yah

www.myspace.com/downtonothing

Broken Bodies — Demo Tape

Broken Bodies has been around for a little while, but has in recent years undergone some lineup changes and to some extent started anew. Their current sound is a little like Verse or something, at least in the vocals and the sense that it's a little on the experimental/modern end of the core. It's cool though, with good delivery and production, and lots of tempo changes (and you know I'm all about some tempo changes). Lyrics seem intelligent and thought out, and it's generally a cohesive sound.  See what you think:

Broken Bodies — Demo Tape (2010)

Track Listing:

1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV

Broken Bodies are a DC hardcore band. They were known as Control for a while, but are now back to Broken Bodies. Go see them live.

http://www.myspace.com/controldchc
http://brokenbodies.tumblr.com/