Wild Life — Speak

Wild Life is my most recent band. We set out to play some Rev Summer style tunes, but I don't know how well we hit that mark. What we did end up playing is (in my opinion) some cool, complex tunes that turned out to be a lot more contemplative and serious than what I usually play. I honestly don't know of any other bands to compare us to, except maybe the spirit of certain groups like Fugazi or later Turning Point. We never managed to find a singer, so me and Slagle, one of the guitarists, split vocal duties. Members of No Brainer, Slugz, The Volstead Agents, etc. I wrote most of the lyrics, so I've linked the song titles to what was on my mind when I was writing them. Check it out:

Wild Life — Speak Demo 2011

Track Listing:

1. Zeitgeist
2. Villa El Salvador
3. Speak
4. Monasukapanough

Wild Life is a new band from Charlottesville, Virginia. No shows played, and probably none ever will be. Thanks to Jake, Claire, Hannah, and Daniel for helping us out.

http://wild-life.bandcamp.com/

Moms — Demo 2011

Moms is a noisy, sometimes-fast band comprised of some dudes from Charlottesville (and now sort of Richmond), playing some noisy, angry hardcore. The first track reminds me of dissonant, Cali-style punk, similar to what Raindance or even Sucker Punch used to play in town. The rest of the demo moves on into more straightforward hardcore territory, with some thrashy, negative tunes good for the Cville Mosh (where you run back and forth in front of the band. It sounds lame, but you do it really fast!) They also hit some cool musical moments, like the intro to "Remorse Code," which sounds like Fugazi until it turns into Poison Idea. Good dudes, backed hard.

Moms — Demo 2011

Track Listing:

1. Anatomy
2. Lascivious
3. Tooth
4. Inwardly Crippled/Outwardly Stunted
5. Fuck
6. Remorse Code

Moms is a noise punk band from the mean streets of Chartown. Get wild.

http://moms.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/

The 40 Boys — Going Nowhere Fast

Saw this band play at Magnolia last week, and it reminded me of what a singularly Charlottesville experience these guys are. See, the 40 Boys are a couple old punk rock heads who got together to play some rocknroll, and do so par excellence. They've been playing shows as long as I've been going to them, and are often as not the best set of the night.

In case you missed it, these dudes are into drinking. Take a gander at the track titles real quick, I'll wait for you. Pretty much every song is about alcohol, with the occasional sidestep to talking about rocknroll. Cause for real, these guys know how to rock. Tony and Porter turn old musical themes into something new with every song, and considering they're a 2-piece they do so with only a small margin for error. Anyway, this is their full length, presented here for you in the Charlottesville tradition of being from a burned CD, so the sound is a little blown out at places. But whatever, these guys are supposed to sound like that. The epitome of party tunes, although they have a couple surprisingly sentimental tracks too (I'm a 40 Boy is always a crowd favorite). Some of the best Cville has to offer.

The 40 Boys — Going Nowhere Fast LP

Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. I Hope I Die From Rocknroll
3. Raise Your Beer
4. Never Too Drunk To Party
5. 40 Boy
6. Let's Get Fucked Up
7. Slut
8. Alcohol's My Woman
9. Rock n Roll Woman
10. I Got No Control
11. I'm A Drunk
12. Happiness In A Can
13. PBR
14. Just To Support My Habit
15. Sick Broke And Drunk
16. I Shot My Girlfriend

The 40 Boys are a rocking and rolling 2-piece from Charlottesville (the "40 Boys are 38 members short" joke never gets old). Members of Riot Act, Dead Beat, The Elderly, Bella Morte, etc. Always worth seeing live.

http://www.myspace.com/the40boys/

Malatese — Absurd Constructor

Malatese describe themselves variously as "nerve punk" and "trance punk," and I guess that's a good way to understand them. These tunes are weird, in a really good way. The music walks the fine line between adventurous punk and what I would term "hard indie," with a bit more shoe gazing than than your average DIY group and a fair bit more aggression than any other band with a similarly twee name. It's a psychological turn of tune, mixing various elements of oldschool punk, surf, and rock melodies, all overlaid by droning vocals that, while unusual, fit the music really well. This is pretty obviously a home recording, but considering it's the home of a music industry major, that's not really a strike against it. For me, this is some solid chilltimes music; to most people this would be more suited as a soundtrack for pogo. Either way, it's pretty cool.

Malatese — Absurd Constructor EP

Track Listing:

1. Paradise
2. World Panic
3. Mother Night
4. Shadow Figures

Malatese is a punk band from Harrisonburg, Va., deep in the cool little JMU music scene there. Word on the campus is they're named after an intriguing book collection. They have several upcoming shows, of particular note is:
4/14: @ Magnolia House, Charlottesville VA w/ Bunnybrains
4/25: @ The Galaxy Hut, Arlington VA w/ Buck Gooter

http://malatese.bandcamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/malatese
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Malatese/134837331193

The Elderly — Old Time Quality Virginia Drunk Ass Punk Rock

I figure it's time to get back to my Charlottesville roots. The Elderly were another first-half-of-the-decade local punk band, sort of the same time period as Riot Act or Barracks Road. For a lot of people, The Elderly were the best band from that era, and with good reason. Their sound is self-described as "Angry Samoans getting butt-fucked by Iggy Pop while shooting dope with Johnny Thunders," and that's actually closer to the truth than you might expect. The Elderly play punk rock, with an emphasis on the rock — these dudes can really jam out. This album is something approaching a discography, although it might be missing a recording or two. Sound's great, music's great, a cover of the Dead Milkmen to boot — this is a cool piece of history.

The Elderly — Old Time Quality Virginia Drunk Ass Punk Rock

Track Listing:

1. Beer
2. Dangerous Erection
3. Get The Fuck Off My Lawn
4. Got Me Good
5. High School Mentality
6. Let's Go
7. Liar
8. National Drinking Day
9. Never Liked You
10. Spitballs
11. The Thing That Only Eats Hippies (Dead Milkmen)
12. We Are The Elderly
13. High School Mentality (live)
14. Liar (live)

Bio: "The Elderly is an old school punk rock (with some roll in there) band from Virginia. We formed in late 1999 after the demise of our band Guilty By Association. Many member changes later, the current line-up is as follows: "Scary" Larry Houchens (drums, b/vox) and Josh "Old Man" Mustin (guitar, lead vox). We are influenced by old punk, 50's rock and country, metal, girl groups, some new punk and garage too, you name it. We are known mostly for our fun attitude and very high-energy shows that leave you wanting more."

http://www.myspace.com/theelderlypunks

Daniel rocking out up in the front — last show at the Tokyo Rose

Avail — Reaching Out

Avail's other demo from before they moved to Richmond. More cool upbeat tunes from back when they were all young, and Tim Barry on drums. Apparently there was a thriving little scene in Reston in the late 80s, although Avail is the only one that made it out of there. Anyway, to a lot of people this is where Avail first became known, and is actually a favorite album. I can see why; it isn't exactly the Avail that was touring the country a few years later, but it's still an incredibly innovative band, doing things no one else ever did. Now, this was only released on tape, and the rip is a little grainy, but that's sort of the point of a good demo, isn't it? These are some killer tunes, catchy without being poppy. Also, considering the date, this was right at the forefront of post-hardcore. Not to rave too much, but this is one hell of a band.

Avail — Reaching Out Demo 1989

Track Listing:

1. Blue Smokes
2. Self Inflicted
3. Regulation '89
4. Take The Time
5. Keeping Up
6. No Fixed Address
7. Done Lost
8. Shine
9. Back To The Start
10. Look At Me
11. Observations

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

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

M.N.P. — Mindecision Demo '85

Surprisingly good 80s hardcore from right nearby in ol' Virginy. Apparently Roanoke actually had a thriving little scene back in the day, and these dudes (M.N.P. – what that stands for I don't know) were one of the better bands. Vaguely reminiscent of the Landlords, but that has more to do with the style of punk at the time and recording style than anything else. But it's fast tunes, snotty vocals, political lyrics, and played by highschool kids. All pretty impressive. More of a full-length than a demo really, and the song structure on some of these is really tight. You need this if you care about southern hardcore at all.

M.N.P. — Mindecision Demo (1985)

Track Listing:

1. Aftermath
2. Assassination
3. Bloody Slaughter
4. Danse Macabre
5. Ending Faster
6. First Impressions
7. Hand In Action
8. Mindecision
9. No Return
10. Silent Screams
11. Sorrow
12. What's War For

From The Roanoke Times: "Мир was a South Roanoke-based foursome of politically conscious high school kids possessed of a rare degree of musicianship for a Roanoke punk band in those days. They were perhaps Roanoke's first touring punkers, playing shows in Richmond and Raleigh. They disbanded in 1985 when three members left for college, and one for prep school."

The band doesn't really have a website, but someone from The Roanoke Times made this interesting site about the punk scene there in the 1980s. Pretty cool stuff. Check it out here: http://www.roanoke.com/extra/punk/mnp.html

Pussywillow — Let Freedom Ring Demo

Pussywillow are a recent band from Harrisonburg, Virginia. This demo opens with a weird monologue on the merits of pussy (go figure), and then rolls into 4 punk rock tunes. The music is pretty interesting, hitting some solid minor chord progressions and controlled dissonance. The vocals on the first tune are in mono, but get more usual, if growlier, after that. Some interesting stuff if you're into western VA bands.

Pussywillow — Let Freedom Ring Demo (2010)

Track Listing:

1. Ten Commandments
2. Mirrored
3. Bell
4. Let Freedom Ring

Pussywillow are a punk rock band from Harrisonburg. It's cool that there's still music coming out of that town since The Frontline (anyone remember them?) and Savage Land.

www.pussywillow.bandcamp.com

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/

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

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