Creation And Destroy

Haven't been to a gig for almost a year. These days I do not enjoy going to gigs that much but this one seems to be an unmissable one. D Clone are touring Europe in october and it seems like I'll have to drive 300 km south to catch the only italian date...I just hope they won't fill the gig with countless useless boring opening bands or, even worse, they put them as headliner of a bloody endless festival!! Oh yeah, I was forgetting to mention that they will also release their first full lenght on Agipunk in september...

Your Freaks Now Too...

You might have noticed that this year I've almost posted only about old records. Maybe it has something to do with getting too old and perhaps too jaded to pay attention to all the new bands around, but I must admit that I'd rather spend my hard earned cash in old records, being them originals or represses, than invest on new lame bands that mean nothing to me. That being said, along with the few decent aussie bands around, japan seems to be the only place that still unleash new bands that I want to check out. To make a long story short, here's a bunch of new japanese shit worth your money: 

Let's start with Tsuyama's Massgrave "your freaks now too..." ep that Detonate Records just put out. Originally released a couple of years ago by Hardcore Survives on tape (lamest format ever), now it has been finally repressed (with a couple of bonus tracks) on a more proper format for such a brillant release. C'mon, you can't ask more to a japanese band than Sore Throat rip-off, a cheesy artwork with a rotten crucified corpse and broken engrish titles!! If you've enjoyed bands like Death Dust Extractor or Asocial Terror Fabrication, you'll love this!! Limited to 250 copies only, act fast of cry later. Last stuff released by Detonate was so ridiculosly limited that I've missed most of them, but thanx buddha this time I've been fast enough to secure a couple of its last outputs.

The other one I've got is the super elusive "Part II" of a series of three 7"s by Sendai weirdest noise punk band ever, Exit Hippies. Limited to 100 copies only. Too bad 'coz this is one of their best releases and more people deserve to listen to it. Pretty minimalistic layout, plain black labels and just the small piece of paper you see as a cover. No insert, no information at all. What you see in the picture above is exactly all you get. Musically, side A starts with a nice Flux Of Pink Indians cover followed by one of their typical unique noisecore excellent tune. No shitty sound this time like on their "Record and Fantasy". It's bloody noisy of course, but you can still enjoy the music. Side B has a long techno/electronic track. I don't know shit about electronic music and I hate techno but I've enjoyed this mix of repetitive drum beats and street noise samples. If you want to get rid of your copy of "Part I", please keep in mind that I'll happily pay a fair amount for it. 

Last but definitely not least, the bloody Damaging Noise "Instant Death Noise Attack" ep that Noise Punk Records outta UK put out a few months ago. I've used the adjective "bloody" 'cos I've had to order it twice since the first time I've tried it has been lost in the postal limbo. Thanx Visnù, this time it landed safely in my mailbox. If you're even remotely familiar with 80s' Kyushu noisecore bands, you should have already understood from band's name and the font on the labels that you should expect nothing but blatant Gai/Swankys rip off. So yeah, you got clean bass driven tunes, repetitive simple drumming, buzzsaw guitars and high pitched crazy vocals. Fans of this sub-genre will definitely appreciate Damaging Noise accuracy when it comes to reproducing Swankys style. Of course nothing new but if you're a fan of the aforementioned bands, you shouldn't give a damn fuck about innovations! While in the picture I've done it looks red, I assure you this is on wonderful transparent purple wax. Limited as well to 320 copies only.

No Al Sistema

It has been exactly 30 years since this ep was originally released. Straight forward to three decades later, the most sought after and definitely most iconic italian hardcore record ever has finally been bootleged. And it was about time if you consider that way less important records have been already repressed a long time ago! From now on, you won't have anymore to shell out 8oo bucks or more to own the almighty Wretched Indigesti split ep on vinyl. It's an almost perfect replica of the original: it has the three inserts and it comes with a simple white dust sleeve with both bands logo printed on it (in the original version they were stamped). The only consistent difference are the label colours: instead of black and white, they're red and white. Oh yeah, I was forgetting to mention that on both sides, for some unexplainable reason, tracks order has been totally altered which is quite annoying but, honestly, I can survive with it.  

Now you're all going to hate me but, as I've already said other times, Wretched is one of those bands that everyone but me seems to love. I've tried to get into them many times in different periods but it never worked. The music is just ok, good hardcore tunes but way far from having the same urgency and hysterical approach of bands like Underage or Upset Noise, just to mention a couple of names that start with "U". My main problem is Gianmario's voice. I can't stand it. I've always found it irritating. Add that I've always found their lyrics pretentious, melodramatic and too militant/dogmatic (like most italian bands of that era), et voilà: that's why I don't like Wretched. That being said, I think this is their best material and there are definitely way worse bands from the '80s that now are unexplainably revered as gods. Just think at the whole NYHC thing, with the notable exception of Urban Waste, Nihilistics and Antidote, ALL the rest is just utter crap.

At this point you should have been asking to yourselves "so why did you buy it, you douchebag?". Good point, sir. For the Indigesti side, of course! I was introduced to classic italian hardcore around mid 90s', when Cripple Bastards used to cover quite often "Mass Media". To this day, Indigesti is still my favourite band from that era and no doubt the material contained here is their best stuff ever. These six brief tunes are indeed the best explanation ever of the wild and frantic sound that became the trademark of the hardcore/punk unleashed from this bloody boot-shaped penisula. Also, lyrically, I've always found them more sincere and genuine than that band on the other side...plus Rudy vocals are simply insane! I guess that not being from a city like Milano helped, too. I've always found bands from small and isolated cities way more interesting than the ones from big, fancy and trendy places...

ZYANOSE interview 2006

I was supposed to write something about a bunch of south american records that I got last month but it's too hot and wet for spending too much time in front of my pc, I've been too busy/lazy, add your favourite lame excuse for not posting too much lately. So I've opted for a quick post. A scan of the Zyanose interview that was originally featured in Warning 'zine vol. IV that came out sometimes around 2006/07. Insane noise raid!

Mas Alla Del No Futuro

This time I'll talk about a dvd. More specifically, a nice documentary about the rise of the Medellin punk scene titled "Mas Alla Del No Futuro". Assembled by José Posada, a guy who used to play in bands like IxRxAx and Dexkoncierto, names that should mean something to you if you're even only vaguely into south american hardcore.

The documentary itself is not that long so you modern dumb punx with a low attention span cannot complain at all. It lasts indeed only 40 minutes and it hasn't been shot and edited that well. It's all about interviews with people who were there back in the day and they were all interviewed in dark spots or outdoor by night. Nonetheless, this is absolutely a must see if you know what I mean.

While most of us were living our oh, so rebellious years in the comfort and safety of a western country, some guys in Colombia were facing death every day. Medellin, between '88 and '92, was in the middle of an extremely violent drug war between the Pablo Escobar's drug cartel and illegal paramilitar army hired by the government. Becaming a sicario (hitman) was an easy choice to make good money for teens who lived in hopeless slums. Here José show us that a bunch of pissed off, scared and bored kids decided to use their anger and energy in a smarter way, starting their own punk/hardcore scene out of literaly nothing to survive the hopeless and extremely violent environment that surrounded them. After hearing what these guys (well, the ones who survived) had gone through, you'll immediately stop idealizing all the boring bullshit about how punk was dangerous back in the '80s in USA, Japan or Europe. Just check the trailer to get an idea:

While being mainly focused on interviews, there are a lot of great live footages from the incredible bands that sprouted from this extremely poor city. After seeing it, you'll beg for the entire BSN, Crimen Impune or Imagen live sets. Indeed, even if the balance between interviews and live footage is quite equilibrated, my only real complain about this dvd is that the clips are definitely not enough, I want more!!!!!

You can still get a copy for quite cheap directly from the director's blog. Definitely not a rip-off, but please keep in mind that he's quite slow when it comes to shipping (my copy took 9 months to be sent out!!). Anyway, I know at least 4 people who ordered it directly from him and, sooner or later, everyone got his copy in the end. Absolutely worth the waiting, in my opinion....

Muerte En America

My last score has been a copy of Mexico's Xenofobia discography lp that came out last year on Bam Bam Records outta Mexico. Limited to 300 copies only, I missed it when it came out. I didn't want to order it directly from the label since the combination of mexican and italian posts scared the shit out of me. I wasn't fast enough with the few euro distros who got copies and then it seemed like I couldn't find a copy anywhere else. Luckily Feral Ward had a stock copy around recently and I've been the lucky fella who scored it.  

Pretty solid band that only self-released a 7" titled "Muerte En America" in 1987 followed by their one and only full lenght "Presionados" (self-released by the band again) two years later before disappearing into obscurity. Here are collected all their 18 tracks: some of the finest central/south american hardcore if you want to know my opinion. Raw, straight to the point, noisy, brutal and aggressive music dressed with political lirycs in the classic latino hardcore style. Within Masacre 68 and Atoxxxico, Xenofobia are one of the best band that ever came out of "america's backyard". Desperation and anger prefectly translated into music.

As you can see, cover has the EP artwork in front and the LP's one on the backcover. Comes with no insert at all which is kinda disappointing since I know nothing about this band. Would love to know a bit of their history and even read the lyrics!! Anyway, essential discography if you don't want to get crazy and loose lots of money for the originals. If you happen to own an extra copy of Sedition "Extintos" lp repress also issued by Bam Bam Records, get in touch!

DISCARGA interview 2003

 10 years ago 625 put out the first full lenght of these incredible Larm fueled band out of Brazil. Needless to say that after the very first listen, I had immediately decided to interview them. Originally featured in PM#2.

Perro: Your band’s name sounds very similar to Discharge. Is it a tribute to them? What does it mean exactly?

Daniel:  Well, I can say that we borrowed the name from them because we like them a lot.

Perro: Can you tell us a brief history of the band?

Daniel: We started in 1998, as a crust band but we were too well-behaving guys to be a real crust band. At first we were 4 (douglas, nino, paulo and me), then some others came and left us so now we're just 3 (junior, nino and me). We played some shows, recorded some tracks for some compilations and then we recorded a demo tape that Max from 625 Recs got. He liked it very much and he decided to release something. Douglas recorded some stuff with us until 2001. Junior replaced him and is with us from then on.

Perro: Your sound is not the tipical brazilian one but it seems more influenced by bands from holland like Larm or Man Lifting Banner. Do you agree? How would you describe it to the uninitiated?

Daniel: Yes, we listen to them very much. They sound really good and have good lyrics. I dont think we're sounding like them nowadays though... we're more brazilian now. It is like a stone breaker, a chainsaw and a tractor in an angry screaming 12 year old kid.

Perro: From what I've read, Brazil should be a place with lots of problems and violence expecially in the big cities. Since you live there, can you give us a dectailed description of how’s the brazilian society?

Daniel: I can say we're approximately 170 millions people, 40 millions unlettered people, high unemployment, endless corruption, drug dealing, etc... 8 years ago, the government promised a whole social reform, but the only result they obtained was to enrich banks and so on. But even with all these problems you can come here and have some fun.

Perro: Brazilian police is very famous for being one of the most brutal around. Have you ever had any problems with the cops?

Daniel: Yes. We are used to saying they beat up first and ask what's going on later. Police, as usual.

Perro: Since portuguese is a bit similar to italian I think I've understood that your lyrics are very political and totally anti globalization. Did you go at the Porto Alegre meetings? Do you see it as a positive thing? Is brazilian hc scene involved with the anti globalization demonstrations and movements like Sem Terra?

Daniel: We think it is very important to have these manifestations around the world. We haven’t been to the meeting in Porto Alegre but many guys from the hardcore scene went there to see what was going on and they reported what they heard there at the shows. Many of these kids are involved with the Landless Workers Movement, the Homeless Movement, Independent Media, groups against ALCA etc etc...

Perro: What’s the arguments of the lyrics of  your track called “America”? Is it against USA foreign politics in all South America?

Daniel: It is about how America has been colonized, I mean, the destruction of indigenous people, environment and it is about USA the "guardian" of America. It is basically against all what has been imposed to us during these 500 years.

Perro: How’s the situation for the indigenous tribes who live in the Amazon forest?

Daniel: The indigenous tribes are totally miserable. Their land is ripped off by prospectors, miners, lumbermen, cattle farmers who cause conflicts and riots. Besides the prejudice the indigenous people suffer in the big cities I can tell you that 2 homeless indigenous guys were burned while they were sleeping in the streets, by rich kids who just wanted to have some fun. What a shame.

Perro: There’s a Discarga song titled “Norman Bates Song”. Are you fans of Psycho? What are some others cool movies you can suggest us, expecially from Brazil?

Daniel: Yeah, sure we like this kind of movie and this song is actually because friends used to call me Norman Bates, bullshit. There are excellent films being done here in Brasil at the moment, like CIDADE DE DEUS, O INVASOR, CARANDIRU, ABRIL DESPEDEÇADO, etc. Films that show our reality.

Perro: Why you did a collections of all your previous material as debut full lenght? Wasn’t it better to do it with all new tracks? How has been the responses since now? Are you satisfied with the way it is?

Daniel: It is because cds are more popular here than vynil and tapes, so we decided to get everything we had and release it on a cd. It didn’t come out the way we expected but we're glad with it anyway. Many people from the 3rd world are always trying to get in touch with us. People from Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, Phillipines, Malasya, etc.. We're proud of that. It doesn’t matter the language you use in your songs or where you're from but what you have to say.

Perro: Brazil is the only state from South America with a big scene that is well known also overseas. Any cool grind/hc bands from other South American states you can suggest us apart Migra Violenta and Dios Hastio?

Daniel: I  think the brasilian scene is well known because of our early 80's punk explosion. Good bands from other countries in South America are Vieja Escuela, Fun People and Nueva Etica from Argentina, Entrefuego and Asunto from Chile, Dar A Cada Uno Lo Que Es Suyo from Bolivia and there are many many more.

Perro: Do we have any chances to see Discarga live in Europe? Your best/worst gigs? How’s Discarga on stage?

Daniel: Yeah, we're planning some shows in Europe this year, stay tuned. We played many good and bad shows so it is kinda hard to say...playing is always good. I can't describe how we are on stage but I can say the drummer is mad, the bass player jumps a lot and I am kinda shy.

Perro: Projects for the future?

Daniel: Record more stuff and play many shows... i don’t know.. future is unpredictable.

Perro: Conclude as you like. 

Daniel: We would like to thank Raffa for the support and the interview. I hope this will make people  more involved with things that happen in the less developed countries. Scenes around the world are growing and very interesting.