Saturday, November 23, 2019

Concrete Evidence Mother Fuckers

AZHC the realest. Concrete Evidence is the freshest installment of the Tucson chapter of this scene, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites. I first started talking with the band following the Desert Dweller recaps, and since then I’ve learned a bit about this band that just seems to be nothing short of genuine.

CE mix 90’s and new school hardcore. They have a slight rap/hip hop bounciness to the vocals, while also mixing in the hard hitting edginess of 90’s bands. The band in both the recording and live performances have solid chemistry and a tightness that could be compared to career and strictly professional musicians. The band was kind enough to do an interview with me as well.

What got you into hardcore?
Honestly I really can’t remember. I know when I was younger I was more into punk bands but never really had a connection with it. Wasn’t till I found more traditional hardcore bands that the lyrics started really hitting home for me. It was more relatable. So maybe it was the message that got me into it.

What bands have been the most influential in the writing process for the band?
For the demo I wanted to do a band like No Warning, Madball but with some Lockin Out tossed in the mix. I felt no one was really trying to touch that style of hardcore and it happens to be my favorite.

What message do you hope to convey with your lyrics?
The songs are just my take on things that have happened in my personal life. If CE actually has a message though, I would want people to take away that we’re a “real” band. Not only do we all love music but we all love and are excited about hardcore. CE will always be for Arizona hardcore. We’re not trying to ride on a gimmick or trying to be a “hard” band. We’re just hardcore kids from Arizona that will always put on for Arizona.

How has hardcore shaped you all as individuals and your view of the world?
I think hardcore can really be an eye opener for people who feel lost in the world. I know that’s what it did for me. You have both sides of a negative and positive outlook. For me, personally, it shaped me to see that the world is a harsh place. But so what? You’re either gonna let it crush you or you can push back. To quote the cro-mags “That's the life, the life I've lead. What can I do? Life's hard so, I gotta be hard too.”

What’s been the best part of being a Tucson band?
Three of us are from the Tucson Hardcore scene and two are from up here in Scottsdale/Salt River. I moved up here a couple of years ago for work. So the line up is kind of all over the place. But I think what’s very sick about Tucson Hardcore is the kids. Tucson lives and breathes hardcore. The kids are just excited to have bands come through. Weather it’s a big named band or a band that only has a demo out. The shows always have an energy small or big and the shows always set off. It’s cool to see that, instead of kids standing far away from the band with their arms folded. Also Tucson rides hard for their local bands which is fucking sick. Yeah technically we might have our foot in both doors having members in both Tucson and the Phoenix area but Tucson has welcomed us with open arms and it’s sick. Shout out Get A Grip, Crossfire, War Prison, Troubled. Also shout out the Phoenix bands in Construct, Penalty Box, Bloody Ways. All good AZHC.

What have you listened to, read, or watched lately that you believe deserves attention?
Damn that’s a good question when it comes to watched lately. I saw that movie “Blinded by the Light” it’s about a guy in England who finds Bruce Springsteen music and how it changes his outlook on life. It’s a really good movie. Feel like it kinda falls into the previous question about how music can shape you and your view of the world. Very good movie.

Awhile ago I bought X-Man Grand Design and Second Genesis. I think they look fucking beautiful. But more importantly I also want to give a shout out to my friend Sam Fishel. He does a zine called “Decided Advantage” I think he’s working on issue #2 now? He’s a good dude and doing some cool shit with his zine so everyone support that and pick up a copy.

As for listening I gotta go with War Prison from Tucson. That shit is HARD! Good dudes playing some sick ass hardcore straight out of Tucson. Check that shit out if you haven’t! 

You put out a demo earlier this year, what’s the next step? Is there some more music coming soon?
We’re in the talks of putting out a split with another band. Hopefully we record by December and have it out earlier next year. Hopefully play more shows as well.

What are the bands collective top 5 records that define what people that like your sound should check out.
No Warning - Ill Blood
Madball - Set It Off
Cro-Mags - Alpha and Omega
The Wrongside - Of the Grave
Crown of Thornz - Train Yard Blues

When it comes to Tucson bands and the overall mix of bands in AZHC I have to say, this is such a diverse area. Of all the bands I’ve been listening to this year, CE, War Prison, and several others have been the bands I loved listening to the most. Production value and overall sound exude fun and good times. I think the best part of CE specifically is the fact that the members are writing and playing music that they want to hear, this is something you hear from many other bands. But I think that this is the part that genuinely sets them apart, they are in this to have fun, show appreciation, and send out good times and fun shows in the process. It’s truly friends that love music getting together to play some great songs.

Support the Band:

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

What On Earth Can We Do - Abuse of Power Review

 Atlanta’s Abuse of Power has been one of the better melodic hardcore bands in recent memory. Their debut LP What on Earth Can We Do? was released on Triple-B earlier this year. It’s a strong record, but is it the best of the band’s catalog?

The guys at Axe to Grind Podcast nailed down Abuse of Power’s sound when premiering the album’s best track, “May 1st”. To paraphrase, AOP borrows heavily from late 80’s/early 90’s melodic hardcore in the vein of Turning Point and Four Walls Falling – straight edge bands with fast, trotting beats, who separated themselves from youth crew by injecting Revolution Summer style melodies. The band’s first EP, 2017’s When Then Becomes Now, was a truly formidable introduction. What on Earth… is a big step forward in a lot of ways.

Producer CJ Ridings knocked What on Earth out of the park. The drums are the obvious production highlight -- they’re mixed perfectly and sound super full. The guitar tones are pleasant. Ridings really nailed the Turning Point “melodic hardcore” sound, with an even cleaner modern sheen. I believe this album puts Abuse of Power in the conversation with tone monsters Fury and Ecostrike for ‘best guitar tone of the genre’ consideration.

What on Earth… also marks a shift in the band’s songwriting formula. Every one of the songs on the EP was built around a big, catchy riff. The new material relies more on dynamics than melody. There’s lots of open space. The parts stop and start seamlessly. The drumming builds and swells behind walls of guitar feedback, before unleashing in full gallop mode. These galloping bursts are where you can really hear AOP’s improvements in musicianship. The band has sped up, with the guitarists adding an extra 32nd note to their palm-muted assaults. The rhythm section is locked in and super tight. The trademark riffing isn’t totally gone. It’s just more complementary, adding to the melody instead of being the basis for entire songs. I guess it would be hard to translate their old songwriting approach to a 10-song full length and have every riff bang like the riffs on the EP.

AOP’s new approach seems, on the one hand, more mature and artistic. On the other hand, it’s lost some of the fun elements that made the EP so great. The dance parts are few and far between, and there certainly aren’t any blatant singalong moments in the vein of the EP’s title track. I believe the EP will – rightly or wrongly – be remembered as the classic material. Dancing and singalongs are what draw hardcore kids to hardcore. Does that make the EP better? Not necessarily. It’s up to the listener to decide if they prefer catchy bursts of unrefined youthful energy or a slicker, streamlined, artistic outpouring.

Regardless, What on Earth… is a great record. Anyone who appreciates speed, melody, or great production will find something to hang their hat on.

Written by Vince Guglielmi Nov. 13, 2019

Support the Band:
Bandcamp: https://abuseofpower.bandcamp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aopfanclub?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aopfanclub/?hl=en

Friday, November 8, 2019

Life throws its punches

Recently I had the chance to meet Jon from Slowbleed following a performance in Tucson. What a great experience that was, learning about him, his music, and his involvement with the 805. It was a humbling experience and a fun conversation as well. I reached out a little later to follow up on what we talked about in Tucson and ask some other questions.

How long has Slowbleed been a band?

“Logan (Guitar) and I wrote the first Slowbleed demo in mid 2016 and did nothing with it until about a year later. I lived out of the states for some time, and it just wasn’t a possibility to be a band.”

When writing and going through the creative process do you find it difficult to come up with material?

Not at all, I really love writing and it comes rather quickly. Living with Logan, at the moment, and hearing him riff everyday keeps things fresh and moving fast.

What message do you hope listeners gain out of your music?

This last year I thought I had lost everything. Some of the people closest to me were taken from me in a terrible accident, and I struggled a lot. I made mistakes, I found moments of weakness and moments of strength. I sing for people who wake up and face the world without the people they love and need the most. On their strongest days or their weakest days.

What got you into hardcore and punk music?

I have, for as long as I can recall, been drawn in by distortion and rough-around-the-edges imagery. I can’t remember a time in my life I didn’t love old metal music videos.Anything I could get my hands on from Punk, Grunge and Nu Metal on TV, to getting Death Metal CD’s from older friends. It wasn’t until the Alpine theater in my pre/early teens that I discovered hardcore.

What influences would you list as your sound for Slowbleed?

Funny enough we grew up in a very small agricultural community and kinda had to grab on to any heavy music available to us. I specifically remember trading around death metal CD’s in my pre-teens, and it wasn’t until about age 12 that friends and I discovered Oxnard hardcore bands at skatepark shows in Ventura. Logan has always been one that can play At The Gates riffs and Ozzy. He was my one friend at school rocking Carcass and Sepultura. The riffing has always been heavily technical for a hardcore band. The goal has always been to make hardcore with metal chops and metal with hardcore intensity.

In your most recent release, the lyrics seem to be personal, visceral, and full of emotion. Can you describe the process in writing songs like ‘In the night…’ or ‘Never Been Worse’?

Like I mentioned previously, I had some major loss, and I wrote that record mostly about my struggles with missing my girlfriend Raegan at the time. I was low and needed that record to keep my head up. I hope one day those lyrics help someone else out.

Are there any other releases hitting the airwaves, or any tours?

I can tell you now, there are several Slowbleed releases laying dormant until later this year and early next year. We also do a week with Piece Of Mind on the West-Coast next week.

What has been the most and least enjoyable parts of touring?

I’m lucky to play in a band with my best friends and tour is an absolute blast being stuck in a van with my fucking brothers. That being said, all of us are very busy folks at home and work far above full time. For me stepping away from work for a week or more leads to me having to play catch up on the road.

What have you read, watched, or listened to recently that you feel people need to be aware of?

805 hardcore forever. If you aren’t aware of all the sick releases coming out of this area you better educate yourself. Dead Heat, Omega Point, Minus, Downpresser and The Warriors all have new or unreleased records you can’t miss.


Speaking of music to help people get through a difficult time, the EP by this band is exactly that. Never Been Worse evokes pain, loss, and seeking hope in better times. This interview, and listening to this, couldn’t have come at a better time. I, myself, have been going through some difficulty and hearing this has brought about a feeling of connection. The release helped me further realize loss, difficulty, and tough times are occurrences that everyone goes through. This puts into words the many emotions I’ve felt over the last few weeks. With that being said, I couldn’t offer this enough for people to listen to.

Support this band!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SlowbleedCA

Bandcamp: https://slowbleedca.bandcamp.com/

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Desert Dweller Day 2 Recap

This is Part 2 of the Desert Dweller recap. The first day was fun and full of great hardcore, moshing, and a lot of dancing. Day 2 was much of the same, it was also stacked with a good amount of heavy-hitters as well. The fest, again, took place at the Global Justice Center in Tucson, Arizona. It was booked and put together by Matt.

I have nothing but great things to say about this festival. It was just so packed with energy and genuinely good fun. The bands all performed great, and it was such a diverse showing of bands; it was something everyone could enjoy.
The bill for day 2 is as follows:

War Prison
Construct
Crossfire
By All Means
Jinx
Initiate
Regional Justice Center
Gulch
Hands of God
Vamachara
King Nine

From start to finish it was simply a good time. Each band showed up and gave all they had. Some were heavy, some were fast, some were hardcore adjacent, but were still holding down the same energy. But all were there for one thing, to celebrate hardcore and celebrate music and art.

War Prison played first, unfortunately I missed it. But if the band brought even an ounce of energy that is easily heard on their most recent release, then there should have been no stopping them. It’s a solid mix of heavy early 2000s hardcore and traditional twists. I can’t express enough how much this band is deserving of attention.

Construct played next, this band is a mix of melodic and traditional such as Quicksand, Title Fight, Gorilla Biscuits, Dag Nasty, Mouthpiece, and Better Than A Thousand. The set was thoroughly enjoyable and brought the youthful spirit of hardcore to the forefront of the fest. Sound and quality were strong as well. The band was well in sync and the volumes w
ere well-balanced. This is definitely a band worth checking out.

Initiate played a little later in the evening. This band is proof that hardcore is open for all, it simply takes an outpouring of heart and effort. I have had nothing but respect for th
is band, and that was further solidified after having the chance to see them live.

Gulch, this band is absolute chaos incarnate. The crowd was fully invested with dancers and moshers. The bands emotion, presence, and performance were visceral, physical, and very much resonated with me and it seems as if it did the same with everyone else. The bands balance and volume were completely perfect, with no sense of confusion, though there was an insane amount of chaos onstage and off. Overall, it was a highlight performance for me.

King Nine headlined. It was a total NY take over. What can I say about this band, other than it was a powerhouse of NYHC. It seemed clear that the crowd was invested in having a good time, as well as let loose in feeling the music. This band is quickly gaining traction, and having had the chance to see them in a setting such as this was a unique and enjoyable experience. The amount of people dancing, jumping around, singing along, and really letting loose was a clear showing of the power music has. The band’s sound was perfect and the entire set was purely good.

Overall, I absolutely love my experience with seeing Desert Dweller. I am grateful for the chance it gave me to meet so many new people.

Support all of these bands!
War Prison: https://warprison.bandcamp.com/releases
Construct: https://constructphx.bandcamp.com/
Crossfire: https://crossfireaz.bandcamp.com/
By All Means: https://bam253.bandcamp.com/
Jinx: https://jinxed.bandcamp.com/
Initiate: https://initiatehc.bandcamp.com/
Regional Justice Center: https://regionaljusticecenter.bandcamp.com/
Gulch: https://gulchca.bandcamp.com/
Hands of God: https://handsovgod.bandcamp.com/
Vamachara: https://vamacharahc.bandcamp.com/
King Nine: https://kingnine.bandcamp.com/