Plant — Friendship. Love. Truth.

Plant's debut demo, a type of arty stoner metal or hardcore rock that's fast and raw and intricate. Members of Swamp Thing and Snuff Daddy. It's complex enough to come out as really high intensity, with a wall of sound made by everything being a little blown out, but still sounds approachable and simple on a superficial level. Real talk, listen to these dudes.

Plant — Friendship. Love. Truth. (2011)

Track Listing:

1. Without A Heart
2. Spilling Sand
3. Alone, Alone
4. Yeshi Dhonden

Plant is a real time band, just getting started.

http://plantnyc.bandcamp.com/

Permanent — Demo

Permanent were a brilliant band based out of Richmond for a few years in the middle of the last decade. This was their demo from shortly after they formed in 2004, a couple songs of which they carried on to the Sleeping EP. These tunes are all powerful, well-constructed melodic hardcore in the vein of, well, themselves. No one else sounds quite like Permanent ever did. They even have an instrumental closing track, something that can either round out or break a record. Also on this album is an attempt at For All Time's "300 Miles," one of the greatest songs ever to come out of Charlottesville, which unfortunately isn't done justice here. Permanent was never meant to be a metalcore band, I guess. But when they're playing their own style, it's perfect. Nothing else is like this.

Permanent  — Demo (2004)

Track Listing:

1. Square One
2. Devils And Bad Luck
3. 300 Miles (For All Time)
4. Waiting For Rain
5. Days Late
6. Untitled

Permanent originally formed in Richmond with a combination of members of Charlottesville's For All Time and Blacksburg's Hold Me Back. They put out a demo, this EP, a split with Resonance, and Sink|Swim, a masterpiece of melodic hardcore. I can't stress enough the depth of this band. They broke up a few years back, and I'm still bummed I only ever saw them a few times. Still hoping for a reunion.

www.myspace.com/permanent

The Haverchucks — The Haverchucks 7"

The Haverchucks' new-ish self-titled EP. It's more hard-driving pop-punk, sort of akin to the Ramones if they were more into occasional solo riffs and not dressing like a cartoon. This EP is definitely harder than the demo, faster paced and a little more irate. I'm not into it quite as much (it's not really as groundbreaking and fresh-sounding), but it's still pretty solid, taking a little more influence from some 90s bands. "Work's For Suckers" is an anthemic account of, well, not working a shitty job (the anthropologist within me wants to write about Resistance Communities and Urban Maronage, but I'm holding back). Between these dudes and Hold Tight! I'd say RVA is in a pretty good spot for the future of pop-punk.

The Haverchucks — The Haverchucks 7" (2011)

Track Listing:

1. Ugly
2. Not Impressed
3. I Won't Try
4. Work's For Suckers
5. You Suck

The Haverchucks are a pop-punk band from Richmond, Virginia. They have out a demo and this EP.
http://thehaverchucks.limitedpressing.com/products/10312

http://www.facebook.com/thehaverchucks

Hold Tight! — To The Kittens!

Hold Tight! debuted with two EPs a couple years ago, Brother Bear and this one, To The Kittens! Want your pop-punk with fun and energy, but also a touch of personalism and some harsh-times sentimentality? Then this is for you. To The Kittens! is a darker album, especially on the highly personal diss track "Charm City," and the acoustic version of "Cornered." A little more Jawbreaker than Lifetime, you could say. They might not have the most original sound, but Hold Tight! does a damn good job of taking the framework of pop-punk and making it something entirely worth listening to.

Hold Tight! — To The Kittens! EP

Track Listing:

1. That's No Moon
2. 18 Degrees
3. Charm City
4. Moo Point
5. Cornered
6. This Whole Place Is Slitherin'

Hold Tight! are dudes from Richmond playing fast, sincere pop-punk. Get into it.

http://holdtightva.tumblr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/holdtightva
http://holdtight.bandcamp.com/

Four Walls Falling — Demo '87

4 Walls Falling put out this demo before anything else, way back in 1987. For those who don't know, they were one of the most energetic and politically and environmentally conscious bands ever to come out of Richmond, hitting a national audience by the early 90s. All of these tunes (except the last, untitled one) reappeared on the Culture Shock LP a year later, which is in my opinion their best release. But by Culture Shock the songs were in a different form with altered song structures, so it's kind of cool to hear them in this more stripped down style. As far as I can tell these tracks were ripped off an old cassette, so the sound's a little shaky, but alright overall. I'm digging this demo, especially as it compares to Culture Shock.

Four Walls Falling — Demo 1987

Track Listing:

1. Greed
2. I Witness
3. Search
4. Price Of Silence
5. Filled
6. Untitled

From Last.fm: "Four Walls Falling was an American political hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia from members of Unseen Force and Pledge Allegiance. Known as one of the greatest hardcore bands from the Richmond scene, the band had major success in the hardcore community, recording four 7-inches & an EP. They played their first show with 7 Seconds and Justice League in 1987 and toured the United States in 1992. The band broke up while touring Europe in the summer of 1995. They continued playing many times after including a reunion show at St. Andrews in College Park, Maryland."

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

http://www.myspace.com/fourwallsfalling

The Haverchucks — Demo

Damn catchy pop-punk out of Richmond that just got started recently. Sounds sort of like the Ramones, but with layers of so many other pop-punk and punk rock bands that it's hard to point to any one influence. It's mostly simple song structures and harmonies, and comes out sounding like one of the least ego-driven bands I've heard in a while – these dudes are playing just because it's fun and sounds fucking sweet. The demo is previewable on the Death To False Hope website below (in case I somehow haven't convinced you), and sounds really good. Or just download it, you won't regret it.

The Haverchucks — Demo (2010)

Track Listing:

1. Jimmy's Song
2. Allison Don't Love Me Anymore
3. Work It Out
4. All My Time With You
5. My Own Way

The Haverchucks are a new pop-punk band from Richmond, with a couple of shows coming up. Get into it.

http://www.deathtofalsehoperecords.com/downloads/dtfh072.html

http://www.facebook.com/thehaverchucks

Cloak/Dagger — Demo

Cloak/Dagger, one of the most unique bands ever to come out of Richmond, got their start with this demo a couple years back. Originally a side project (members are/were in Count Me Out and Striking Distance), the band blew up pretty quickly, and with good reason. They play refreshingly different tunes, sounding like no one else but still being nothing but hardcore. Intense lyrics meet inventive riffs, in a hard way. The recording has a slight crunch, as any good demo should, and actually most of these songs are sped up and rerecorded on the We Are LP from a few years later. But they're still worthwhile tunes, and this demo is a good place to start from if you've never heard them/gotten into them. They also have a Mexican thing going on, I've seen the singer play in a knit poncho. Whatever, they're still fucking sweet.

Cloak Dagger — Demo (2006)

Track Listing:

1. Sewing Circles
2. Set The Alarm
3. Last Call
4. Violent Times
5. New Year's Resolution
6. Untitled

Cloak/Dagger play a rehash of 80s hardcore themes and stylings, but in a completely different way from other bands. The single-guitar drive, rock'n'roll delivery, and dissonant chord progressions are all instantly recognizable. They have out 2 LPs, several 7"s, and this demo. Get into them, or stay short your whole life.

http://www.myspace.com/wearecloakdagger
http://www.facebook.com/cloakdagger

Hold Tight! — Brother Bear EP

Hold Tight! are a somewhat recent pop-punk band from Richmond. This is one of their first EPs, solid jams along the lines of a more straight-forward Lifetime. You can tell these dudes came up listening to hardcore rather than just Green Day, which is nice. Good production quality, lots of energy and sincerity, fun song structure. What more could you want?

Hold Tight! — Brother Bear EP (2008)

Track Listing:

1. Ready 2 Go
2. Save The Clocktower
3. Hey Peter
4. My Favorite Songs
5. Sledding Gear
6. Brother Bear

Hold Tight! are dudes from Richmond playing fast, sincere pop-punk. Get into it.

http://holdtightva.tumblr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/holdtightva
http://holdtight.bandcamp.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Crooked Teeth — Demo

Crooked Teeth are a really new band from Richmond, with members of Total Wreck and No Way Out. It's pretty straight-forward hardcore punk jams, but with lots of energy and passion, plus a girl singer sprinting through the lines. Sounds sweet. Go check them out, they're playing shows in the area pretty often.

Crooked Teeth — Demo 2010

Track Listing:

1. Synapse
2. Poison
3. Crooked Teeth
4. Duke Nukem 64
5. Yellow
6. Double Monster

Female-fronted hardcore punk from Richmond. Sick grooves. No actual transvestites.

www.myspace.com/crookedteethrva

Snuff Daddy — Party Sharks

The debut LP by Snuff Daddy. This isn't hardcore, or even punk. It's actually party-driven hip-hop by some dudes from Richmond and the Beach. Not my typical fare, I know. But the beats are sick, there's lots of energy, and it features Alex Kaps, aka Lil Lex, aka Young Creep, a really nice World War dude I met in Guatemala five or six years ago. The lyrics are pretty ridiculous for the most part, but they bring up Richmond hardcore a couple times, and have some witty things to say, plus a Warzone-referencing intro bit. I'm not all that into hip-hop, so I can't really compare it to anything, but it's fun, it's catchy, it's "dope." Check it out.

Snuff Daddy — Party Sharks LP

Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Pom Poms
3. Frat Boys
4. Fight Me
5. Click Go Hard
6. Buku Money
7. iPhone
8. 2 Up 2 Down
9. Do You
10. Silly Jeans
11. Sugar Walls
12. Handlebars
13. Punk Music

Richmond hip-hop. Ya heard?

www.myspace.com/snuffdaddyva

The Social Dropouts — Horrors Of Reality EP

Streetpunk Uploads Part 6

A 4 song EP by the Social Dropouts, with a very different lineup from on the Danger EP. Max from Vomit Up Blood is now handling vocal duties (and he's probably the most entertaining frontman I've ever seen). The way I heard it, everyone was very, very drunk when these tracks were laid down, and so things are a little rough. But that just makes it even more punk rock, and the jams are still very solid. Good music, good dudes. Download this.

The Social Dropouts — Horrors Of Reality EP 

Track Listing:

1. Mass Identity
2. Drink And Destroy
3. Bloodstained Doves
4. Horrors Of Reality

The Social Dropouts have been the biggest punk band in Richmond for years. They've played innumerable shows, released a couple EPs, gone on tour, and generally rocked out really hard. Apparently they're breaking up soon, which I'm pretty bummed about.

http://www.myspace.com/thesocialdropouts