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.
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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.
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