I, Joel, recently sent Daniel Rosen, vocalist for Bitter End, some questions by e-mail which mainly inquire about their new album coming out. Check it out.
Bitter End is:
Daniel - Vocals
Griff - Guitar
Jacob - Guitar
Jason - Bass
Ely - Drums
TftH: First off, just a little general info and band history for those who haven’t heard about you guys yet.
Daniel: Bitter End played our first show with Merauder in March of 2005. Soon afterwards we recorded a demo, then rerecorded all those songs for our Mind In Chains EP which has been out for a while now. We've done some touring with bands like Shipwreck, Palehorse, Blacklisted, Like It or Not, Think I Care, etc., and we just recently finished recording our Climate of Fear
LP.
TftH: What do all the band members do outside the band?
D: A couple of the dudes have kids, most of us go to school, most of us work, one of us loves kayaking.
TftH: What are the immediate plans for the band? What’s been going on?
D: Right now, we are on a 3 week tour with our friends in Shipwreck. After that we will be home for like 2 weeks; then on the road for 6 weeks with the Mongoloids. Parts of that tour will also be with War Hungry and Bracewar. Sometime in the middle of that tour we hope to have our new CDs. Our van has no air conditioner, and we are sweating a lot, but we have been having a good
time.
TftH: You guys are coming out with a new full length album titled Climate of Fear. What are the basic details?
D: Climate of Fear is our new LP, and whatever you expect it to sound like...it doesn't sound like that. Close friends who have heard it are saying it blows away our first EP, and I agree. The album will hopefully be out in time for Sound and Fury Fest on July 26th. The CD will be pressed by Malfunction Records, and the vinyl should be out on Six Feet Under Records.
TftH: You guys recorded with Craig Douglas at Origin Sound in Houston. How was that?
D: Craig Douglas is insane, but a real good dude. Overall, we had an awesome time recording the record. Griff now loves Otep because of Craig.
TftH: How do you think this new full length will compare to the previous 7”, Mind in Chains? Was there a certain direction you guys were trying to go with it?
D: Like I said, it's way more "mature" than the 7". We had some ideas of the direction we wanted to take with the band, but we ended up doing some things none of us really expected. There are a few 4 minute songs.
TftH: In the lyrics insert for the promo you guys have been selling, you have a bunch of clips of newscasts about recent tragedies and political events, and on the insert you have written “If you’re not scared...you should be”. What do you mean by that, and what should we be scared of?
D: If I live to die of old age, I will be surprised. The direction humanity is heading will bring our own demise, and you have to be blind to not see it.
TftH: Do you have strong feelings toward any current situations in our country?
D: Yes and no. To be honest, I am not super informed on the detailed specifics of political situations, but I've read and seen enough to send me into a somewhat paranoid state for an indefinite time period.
TftH: Are there any spiritual or political messages in the new album?
D: As far as politics go, the message is pretty basic: those in power are making some decisions that are sending the whole world into a "climate of fear." When people are scared, they tend to let leaders get away with odd things in the name of safety.
On the spiritual side of things, there is one song in specific about people who think drug use can cause some sort of expansion of consciousness. I think that is BULLSHIT. People can do what they want with their own time, but if you think drugs can bring some kind of inner peace you are truly mistaken.
TftH: Is there anything that you hope people will get out of this album, and do
you hope it will impact people in a certain way?
D: I want people to think. If this record makes people think, then I will be satisfied.
TftH: Are there any side projects or future projects for any of the band members?
D: Not at the moment.
TftH: Any thing else? Shout outs, awesome bands to look out for, band news, etc.?
D: Look out for the new LP. It's no Age of Quarrel, but some of you might dig it.
--------------------------
Thanks to Daniel for taking the time to answer my questions on tour. You check
their MySpace for tour dates, and be sure to see them and pick up their 3 song sampler, along with the Feed demo.
More interviews to come later...
Joel.
At the Bitter End
United Blood Fest 2007 went down this past weekend at Alley Katz in Richmond, VA. The Fest included such bands as: Blacklisted; Iron Age; Have Heart; Bitter End; Down To Nothing, Crime In Stereo; Mind Eraser; Cold World; Government Warning; and a slew of other great bands. Thanks to the people at I Wish I Was Cool, we bring you this video of, Texas hard-hitters, Bitter End's set:
You can find other live videos from the fest on Video Google. You can expect a Bitter End LP sometime this year.
TXHC MOSHES HARDEST!
wrdisbnd.
You can find other live videos from the fest on Video Google. You can expect a Bitter End LP sometime this year.
TXHC MOSHES HARDEST!
wrdisbnd.
Can You Feel This Energy?
Energy is amazing. Wow. No bullshit, I have not been this genuinely excited about a band in awhile. Energy released their debut EP, Punch the Clock, earlier in the year on Rock Vegas Records. Hailing from Boston, MA, Energy is not your typical hardcore punk band. More on the upbeat, melodic side than your usual dose of tough as nails, gritty hardcore, Energy utilizes a sound not unlike that of a younger AFI. Think All Hallow's EP/The Art of Drowning era AFI, with a bit more of a modern melodic hardcore sound, and you've got Energy. Hell, even their album cover is reminiscent of the covers of the 2 AFI albums I mentioned.
I enjoyed hearing a band's vocalist belt out more clear vocals, and the "whoooo-oooooo" sing-a-long style choruses sealed the deal. Most of the songs manage to be very energetic, I suppose living up to their namesake, even at varying lengths (Lost and Found at 0:37 & Bushwhacked at 2:04). The last track on the EP is a cover, and needless to say, I thought it would've been an AFI cover, but I was pleasantly surprised as I heard Energy dishing out their rendition of Everlong from the Foo Fighters.
I'm not sure why I slept on this band, but I do regret it as they have already toured in my area and I missed 'em, but I won't let that happen again.
Notable tracks: Streetlights & Bushwhacked
Energy's Punch the Clock CDEP
AFI's All Hallow's EP
AFI's The Art of Drowning
Not saying they're a complete AFI rip-off because they're not, but they do have their similarities. Maybe it's just me...
AFI's The Art of Drowning
I enjoyed hearing a band's vocalist belt out more clear vocals, and the "whoooo-oooooo" sing-a-long style choruses sealed the deal. Most of the songs manage to be very energetic, I suppose living up to their namesake, even at varying lengths (Lost and Found at 0:37 & Bushwhacked at 2:04). The last track on the EP is a cover, and needless to say, I thought it would've been an AFI cover, but I was pleasantly surprised as I heard Energy dishing out their rendition of Everlong from the Foo Fighters.
I'm not sure why I slept on this band, but I do regret it as they have already toured in my area and I missed 'em, but I won't let that happen again.
Notable tracks: Streetlights & Bushwhacked
We Are Walking Disease
Yo, Niko here.
"Progression" can mean a lot of things in music. In hardcore, most of the time it means turning nu-metal or making your sound softer and more marketable (often accompanied by a contract with Victory Records). In the case of Sacramento hardcore punk band Trash Talk, it's always meant serious improvement. From the first demo tape to the most recent release, Walking Disease, each release improves upon its predecessor. The longest Trash Talk album to date, Walking Disease is eleven songs of pure fucking rage. A quick look at their influences, including Negative Approach, Shark Attack, and Spazz, should give you a pretty good idea of what they sound like. It's loud, it's hard, and it's fucking fast. With only one track passing the 1:30 mark, each song is like a shotgun blast to the face, aural fucking assault. Lee's vocals and lyrics are also at the best they've ever been. Each word belted with genuine rage, each lyric penned by a desperate madman.
The live show is something to behold as well. Spencer (bass) and Lee seem to feed off each other as they destroy everything in range, including themselves. And you're all in luck, a full US tour is coming in May.
Walking Disease is available now from Rumble Records. While you're at it, pick up the Trash Talk/Steel Trap split from Spiderghost Pressgang, and the first 7" from Sell Our Souls Records. Their first full length drops sometime this year on Malfunction Records.
Losing sleep, wasting time
Killing myself til the day I die
I am what?
I am pure fucking evil
http://www.myspace.com/trashtalkfu
http://www.rumblerecords.net
http://www.spiderghost.net
http://www.selloursouls.com
http://www.malfunctionrecords.com
"Progression" can mean a lot of things in music. In hardcore, most of the time it means turning nu-metal or making your sound softer and more marketable (often accompanied by a contract with Victory Records). In the case of Sacramento hardcore punk band Trash Talk, it's always meant serious improvement. From the first demo tape to the most recent release, Walking Disease, each release improves upon its predecessor. The longest Trash Talk album to date, Walking Disease is eleven songs of pure fucking rage. A quick look at their influences, including Negative Approach, Shark Attack, and Spazz, should give you a pretty good idea of what they sound like. It's loud, it's hard, and it's fucking fast. With only one track passing the 1:30 mark, each song is like a shotgun blast to the face, aural fucking assault. Lee's vocals and lyrics are also at the best they've ever been. Each word belted with genuine rage, each lyric penned by a desperate madman.
The live show is something to behold as well. Spencer (bass) and Lee seem to feed off each other as they destroy everything in range, including themselves. And you're all in luck, a full US tour is coming in May.
Walking Disease is available now from Rumble Records. While you're at it, pick up the Trash Talk/Steel Trap split from Spiderghost Pressgang, and the first 7" from Sell Our Souls Records. Their first full length drops sometime this year on Malfunction Records.
Losing sleep, wasting time
Killing myself til the day I die
I am what?
I am pure fucking evil
http://www.myspace.com/trashtalkfu
http://www.rumblerecords.net
http://www.spiderghost.net
http://www.selloursouls.com
http://www.malfunctionrecords.com
Judas Lives...
Greetings Earthling scum, Niko here.
The hardcore bands of today are for the most part lacking in two categories: talent, and influence from bands before the year 2000. Judas has both. Drawing influence from seminal powerviolence outfit Crossed Out, Cleveland metallic hardcore group Ringworm, and classic stoner rock bands Eyehategod and Electric Wizard, Judas uses blasting drum beats and vocals reminiscent of a barbarians battle cry. Oh, and did I mention the guitarist fucking rips? Sick riffs abound, the stoner rock influence shines through the most in the guitar, particularly in the final track, a 7 minute jam with no title. Interesting to note as well is the theme of the Crusades in the lyrics. Each side (Christians and Muslims) has a song from their viewpoint. The subject of hell and evil is also touched upon more than once.
Your chances of seeing this band anytime soon are probably pretty slim, unless you live in Southern California. Maybe if you all buy their record they'll have enough money to tour, and I can party hard with Sami, the best (brownest) dude in the world. The record drops in a few weeks on 16oh records.
Judas
16oh
I am here
From the depths of hell
City streets I dwell
Control this world I shall
Judas lives…
The hardcore bands of today are for the most part lacking in two categories: talent, and influence from bands before the year 2000. Judas has both. Drawing influence from seminal powerviolence outfit Crossed Out, Cleveland metallic hardcore group Ringworm, and classic stoner rock bands Eyehategod and Electric Wizard, Judas uses blasting drum beats and vocals reminiscent of a barbarians battle cry. Oh, and did I mention the guitarist fucking rips? Sick riffs abound, the stoner rock influence shines through the most in the guitar, particularly in the final track, a 7 minute jam with no title. Interesting to note as well is the theme of the Crusades in the lyrics. Each side (Christians and Muslims) has a song from their viewpoint. The subject of hell and evil is also touched upon more than once.
Your chances of seeing this band anytime soon are probably pretty slim, unless you live in Southern California. Maybe if you all buy their record they'll have enough money to tour, and I can party hard with Sami, the best (brownest) dude in the world. The record drops in a few weeks on 16oh records.
Judas
16oh
I am here
From the depths of hell
City streets I dwell
Control this world I shall
Judas lives…
I Want to Destroy! (Regulations Interview)
HOLY FUCK! Two whole months and not an update in sight. Well, here's a good one to ease your thrashing heart. It's an interview I did with Marcus of the Swedish hardcore-punk band, Regulations. You may have heard some of the members' older band, ExTxA. They've been rocking out across the globe for just over 4 years now, and if you haven't heard them yet, you're missing out on a whole lot.
-----------------
TftH: For those who are unaware of Regulations, give us a little insight into you guys and the band.
Marcus: We’re a hardcore punk band from a town in the north of Sweden, Umeå. Regulations was formed back in late 2002 because we wanted to play the music we love, and that’s hardcore punk. It was me (Marcus), Otto and Jens who formed the band tighter with Robert, and we’ve been the same members since then. It’s me on guitar, Otto on vocals, Jens on drums and Robert on bass-guitar. Our goal with Regulations is to do whatever we want and do that all the way. Since we started, we’ve recorded a couple of records: Regulations 7” on Putrid Filth; Destroy 7” on Busted Heads; Regulations LP/CD on Havoc/Ny Våg/K.N.P/Missing Link; Electric Guitar 12” on Havoc/Ny Våg/CMF. We’ve been out touring a bunch of times in Sweden, Europe, USA, Canada and Australia.
TftH: Word. Speaking of touring, I understand you just finished up the Australian tour. How was that, and how did it compare to other countries you dudes have played in?
M: The Australian tour was really fun but not our best tour, show-wise. We toured with Straight Jacket Nation from Melbourne, and they were totally cool people. The feeling I got from playing in Australia is that people down there are really into fast and screamy hardcore, more thrash stuff than we play, but most shows where well attended. We got good reactions, and we sold a fair amount of merchandise. Compared to bigger cities in North America and Europe the scene is kinda small. I mean, in NYC, San Francisco, Toronto, Berlin or Copenhagen we played in front of way bigger crowds, but their hardcore punk scenes are way bigger. Even if Australia is a big country, there are only a few places to play. I mean, we feel kinda isolated up here in the north of Sweden, but it’s nothing compared to Australia. We can play like 10 shows in Sweden and drive down to Denmark or Germany in a couple of days. Australian bands can play like five or six towns, and then they have to fly for a couple of days to go anywhere. It’s crazy. Anyway, big thanks to Pete at Missing Link Records, Em, Dan, Al and Dave from Straight Jacket and, not to forget, the fantastic band, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, that we played a couple of shows with. Amazing stuff.
TftH: That sounds awesome. Out of the 4 records you guys have put out, which do you feel has truly portrayed what Regulations is all about based on its sound, attitude and overall outcome?
M: I think that all our records portray us, but in different ways. The first S/T 7” is really a good documentation of the first months of Regulations. Everything’s really basic and fast – the recording, the artwork, the songs and the lyrics. The Destroy EP is the record that I personally think turned out best out of everything we have recorded so far. It’s a great recording and great songs. On the S/T LP I think that we did the best music and lyrics so far. The only problem is that the recording’s a little bit lame, it didn’t turn out exactly as we wanted it - something’s missing. And on the Electric Guitar 12”, we tried to do something else. More rock n’ roll influences and other influences, and that’s probably something we’ll keep on doing; trying different stuff, that is. That doesn’t mean that our next record will sound more like Electric Guitar than the other records, though.
TftH: Well, it's cool that you don't really regret any of the albums. Shit's done for a reason. hah. Which of those do you think your fans have liked more, through conversation with them or their reactions at shows, etc.
M: It depends. On the record collector/hard core nerd kinda webpages/forms they always write about the first S/T 7" being the best one and that we're only doing worse and worse records after that one. But when we play live it mostly the songs from the S/T LP or the Electric Guitar 12" that people are singing along and dancing like manicas to. And for me that means more than what some bald four-eyed record collector nerd's wring on the Internet.
TftH: hahaha, fuck yeah. You played in ExTxA, too, correct? If so, why did you guys stop doing that band, and start with Regulations? If I'm not mistaken, the only difference, member-wise, is Robert.
M: Yes, that's correct. We quit ExTxA because we were sick of everything that band was, and we felt that we'd done everything we could with that band. Me, Otto and Jens wanted to do something else. We wanted a new start, so we started Regulations. We jammed for a while and then asked Robert to join us on bass. So with Regulations we've been trying to do eveything the way we want it to be done.
TftH: Well at least you're playing in the band and enjoying it, instead of continuing something you don't even want to do anymore. So when can we expect a new album, and what can we expect from that release?
M: That's true. The main reason we play with Regulations is because we fucking love playing this music together.
Anyway, I guess you can expect a new album in the future. Right now, we're working on some new stuff, and we have some songs that we recorded in Toronto, Canada. We're gonna do a couple of 7" EP's before we do another album, since it was a while since our last release. You can expext a mix of the usual straight ahead punk rock stuff with some more melodic and experimental influences, but it's still gonna sound like Regulations. We're just trying some new approaches to songwriting.
TftH: Awesome. I can't wait to hear what you guys put out in the future. When can we, over here in the US, expect to have you guys come on tour again?
M: We'll come later this year. Late summer or early fall, I think. Nothing's booked or anything, but we've been talking about it. Havoc is helping us again.
TftH: Sounds good. Well, it was good talking to you. I can't wait to hear what you dudes put out next, and hopefully I'll catch you guys while on tour over here.
http://www.myspace.com/regulationshc
http://www.havocrex.com/
http://www.nyvag.com/
Hope you enjoyed it. Keep on keepin' on.
Some reviews coming soon. I promise.
-----------------
TftH: For those who are unaware of Regulations, give us a little insight into you guys and the band.
Marcus: We’re a hardcore punk band from a town in the north of Sweden, Umeå. Regulations was formed back in late 2002 because we wanted to play the music we love, and that’s hardcore punk. It was me (Marcus), Otto and Jens who formed the band tighter with Robert, and we’ve been the same members since then. It’s me on guitar, Otto on vocals, Jens on drums and Robert on bass-guitar. Our goal with Regulations is to do whatever we want and do that all the way. Since we started, we’ve recorded a couple of records: Regulations 7” on Putrid Filth; Destroy 7” on Busted Heads; Regulations LP/CD on Havoc/Ny Våg/K.N.P/Missing Link; Electric Guitar 12” on Havoc/Ny Våg/CMF. We’ve been out touring a bunch of times in Sweden, Europe, USA, Canada and Australia.TftH: Word. Speaking of touring, I understand you just finished up the Australian tour. How was that, and how did it compare to other countries you dudes have played in?
M: The Australian tour was really fun but not our best tour, show-wise. We toured with Straight Jacket Nation from Melbourne, and they were totally cool people. The feeling I got from playing in Australia is that people down there are really into fast and screamy hardcore, more thrash stuff than we play, but most shows where well attended. We got good reactions, and we sold a fair amount of merchandise. Compared to bigger cities in North America and Europe the scene is kinda small. I mean, in NYC, San Francisco, Toronto, Berlin or Copenhagen we played in front of way bigger crowds, but their hardcore punk scenes are way bigger. Even if Australia is a big country, there are only a few places to play. I mean, we feel kinda isolated up here in the north of Sweden, but it’s nothing compared to Australia. We can play like 10 shows in Sweden and drive down to Denmark or Germany in a couple of days. Australian bands can play like five or six towns, and then they have to fly for a couple of days to go anywhere. It’s crazy. Anyway, big thanks to Pete at Missing Link Records, Em, Dan, Al and Dave from Straight Jacket and, not to forget, the fantastic band, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, that we played a couple of shows with. Amazing stuff.TftH: That sounds awesome. Out of the 4 records you guys have put out, which do you feel has truly portrayed what Regulations is all about based on its sound, attitude and overall outcome?
M: I think that all our records portray us, but in different ways. The first S/T 7” is really a good documentation of the first months of Regulations. Everything’s really basic and fast – the recording, the artwork, the songs and the lyrics. The Destroy EP is the record that I personally think turned out best out of everything we have recorded so far. It’s a great recording and great songs. On the S/T LP I think that we did the best music and lyrics so far. The only problem is that the recording’s a little bit lame, it didn’t turn out exactly as we wanted it - something’s missing. And on the Electric Guitar 12”, we tried to do something else. More rock n’ roll influences and other influences, and that’s probably something we’ll keep on doing; trying different stuff, that is. That doesn’t mean that our next record will sound more like Electric Guitar than the other records, though.TftH: Well, it's cool that you don't really regret any of the albums. Shit's done for a reason. hah. Which of those do you think your fans have liked more, through conversation with them or their reactions at shows, etc.
M: It depends. On the record collector/hard core nerd kinda webpages/forms they always write about the first S/T 7" being the best one and that we're only doing worse and worse records after that one. But when we play live it mostly the songs from the S/T LP or the Electric Guitar 12" that people are singing along and dancing like manicas to. And for me that means more than what some bald four-eyed record collector nerd's wring on the Internet.TftH: hahaha, fuck yeah. You played in ExTxA, too, correct? If so, why did you guys stop doing that band, and start with Regulations? If I'm not mistaken, the only difference, member-wise, is Robert.
M: Yes, that's correct. We quit ExTxA because we were sick of everything that band was, and we felt that we'd done everything we could with that band. Me, Otto and Jens wanted to do something else. We wanted a new start, so we started Regulations. We jammed for a while and then asked Robert to join us on bass. So with Regulations we've been trying to do eveything the way we want it to be done.TftH: Well at least you're playing in the band and enjoying it, instead of continuing something you don't even want to do anymore. So when can we expect a new album, and what can we expect from that release?
M: That's true. The main reason we play with Regulations is because we fucking love playing this music together.
Anyway, I guess you can expect a new album in the future. Right now, we're working on some new stuff, and we have some songs that we recorded in Toronto, Canada. We're gonna do a couple of 7" EP's before we do another album, since it was a while since our last release. You can expext a mix of the usual straight ahead punk rock stuff with some more melodic and experimental influences, but it's still gonna sound like Regulations. We're just trying some new approaches to songwriting.TftH: Awesome. I can't wait to hear what you guys put out in the future. When can we, over here in the US, expect to have you guys come on tour again?
M: We'll come later this year. Late summer or early fall, I think. Nothing's booked or anything, but we've been talking about it. Havoc is helping us again.
TftH: Sounds good. Well, it was good talking to you. I can't wait to hear what you dudes put out next, and hopefully I'll catch you guys while on tour over here.
http://www.myspace.com/regulationshc
http://www.havocrex.com/
http://www.nyvag.com/
Hope you enjoyed it. Keep on keepin' on.
Some reviews coming soon. I promise.
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