Portrait Of Nothing
The Love Below / Homewrecker Split
Worms And Dirt
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thug x Life Interview 2012
Thug x Life Bandcamp
How did thug life start? and
who is in it so far?
The band started in April 2010. We knew each
other before (from shows etc.) and after talking about it for some time one
thing led to another, we started playing together and it all worked out well.
For me the funniest thing about it all is that it took me „only” ten years to
come across the right people who also wanted to start an old school band but I
managed to do it. So here you have a real proof that you should never abandon
your dreams. As for the people involved, we started with Wilk on vocals, Jerry
on bass, Rumcajs on drums and me on guitar, but after our original drummer
moved to London he got replaced by Kuba and we're playing with him now.
And one more thing, the name's THUG X
LIFE...always withe the „X” in the middle : )
Now that the 7'' droped whats next for
you guys?
At the begining of September our new song is
going to see the light of day. It's included on the „Very Cool, Very Core”
compilation by Ratel Records ( you can get it here www.ratelrecords.com).
Our EP "All eyez on you" will be re-released on xMore than inkx
Records on tape! We are very excited about that too.
We already have some new songs that we want
to record and then maybe put them out as a split with someone, but will see how
it goes.
Apart from that we're preparing ourselves
four a couple of shows outside Poland at the end of September. Pretty excited about
this as it will be our first time to ever play abroad so it should be fun. So
as you can see things are looking good.
How did you guys come up with the name
thugxlife?
Our vocalist Wilk came up with it during one
of our rehearsals. If you'd ask him now he would probably disagree, but we all
remember well that it was him. We had a vote and I was the only one against it.
So as you can presume I'm not the biggest fan of it, though I grew into liking
that name in a strange way through those 2 years, since one thing is sure...it
really stands out from the more „standard” ones that you can come across. And
when you take under consideration that we're all against though guy, macho
mentality, and try to speak about positive things, and how using your mind can
lead to positive changes in life, then it adds a little controversy to it all.
So I guess it's punk all right.
What bands influences you guys?
Ok here's the deal, I always wanted to say
this but no one except my girlfriend seems to believe me...I honestly believe
that when it comes to influences one of the biggest ones for me is JAWBREAKER!
It might sound strange at the beginning but it all makes perfect sense after
you get to know me. However, when it comes to more direct and contemporary (I
won't mention the 70's and 80's bands as it's too obvious that they do inspire
me) influences then it's just all about good bands: Carry On, Floorpunch,
Mindset, Get the most I could listen to those bands for hours and they always
get me pumped up. Although, I don't stick to one genre in particular, I'm into
ska as much as I'm into 90's hardore so the list could be endless I guess.
How did you guys start getting
into hardcore/punk and straight edge?
I can only speak for myself, and the answer
is really simple: skateboarding. Pretty trivial but still that's how it was.
Started skating when I was 14, grew up music-wise watching a lot of 90's skate
vids at that time, heard Minor Threat, Black Flag and Fugazi and I was hooked.
As for straight edge it happened quite simultaneously. I grew up with a bunch
of junkie friends who went from smoking pot to getting morphine injections in
their asses and eventually got in trouble with mafia guys because of drug
dealing. Such things get you thinking pretty quick and develop a certain way in
which you perceive the world. That's why even when I was younger I wasn't into
drugs, drinking etc. so after hearing about sxe I just embraced it since that
was already what I more or less believed in. Fifteen years later I still have a
huge smile every time that I x-up so I guess I've made the right choice. Guess
that with that sort of experience I do have some arguments when coming across
people who claim that I should keep my mouth shut just because I was never
drunk in my life and therefore don't know shit.
Hows the scene in poland?
It is very much alive and kicking. After a
little slow down at the beginning of the 00's (at least from my point of view)
it looks amazing right now. There's a lot of awesome new bands. One of the best
shows that I've been to the past few years where those played by polish bands.
I have a feeling that almost every month there's a new zine being made. New
records are being put out all the time some DIY and some by small record
labels. Kids at the shows don't have that “try and impress me” type of look in
their eyes that you sometimes can see elsewhere and instead just sing along and
mosh to the music that they like. But the best way to experience how's it like
here is just coming and checking it out for yourself.
Any plans on touring the U.S.?
Honestly we would love to do so, but without
getting much into politics, the U.S. policy towards polish people who want to
travel to the States is so fucked up that I doubt that it could be possible at
the moment. We'd have to get visas, which you don't necessary get after a
really humiliating visa interview in the embassy, which looks more like a cop
interrogation if you ask me. And even if you get a positive review and get one
it's still not uncommon to be denied entry after you land at an American
airport. You don't even have to be given a reason. So with all that I doubt
that we'll ever come to the US as a band. The funny fact is that I guess it
would be easier for us to play a gig somewhere in Cuba than for instance New
York.
What was your favorite show thugxlife
ever had?
We played a lot of great shows so far but
two stand out from the rest as far as I'm concerned. Our recent show at
Straight Edge fest in Warsaw was a blast, first time that that many people
actually sang and moshed to our songs. Simply if someone starts to move around
with your first chord and stops only after the last one, you know that it had
to be something special. What makes it even more special is the fact that it
was the first edge fest in our country since 1997 so it makes it even bigger
for us. The other show that's one of my favourite is the one we played in a sort of a garden shed, next to
our friend's house in Czestochowa. Literally no place to stand, people diving
of each other, I spent the whole set with my back leaning against our vocalist
so that we didn't all crash into drums and to top it all off a lot of our
friends also got to be there. Definitely a time we'll remember.
Bands you support?
Since the polish scene seems to be a little
underrated I'll mention only polish bands. Last Dayz, Government Flu, Outbound,
Iron To Gold, Calm The Fire, We are idols...these are definitely worth checking
out. Each one plays a different style of hc/punk so I guess everyone can be
satisfied with this pick. Although there are many more good bands over here, so
I encourage anyone to do some research on his own.
Last words?
Dare to dream. If you want to do something
than just do it and don't look back. If you're 30 and always wanted to
skateboard then just go for it since it's never too late to pursue your goals,
even the smallest ones. Starting your own band, making a zine, whatever else.
Anything that comes from your heart and is all about passion is always worth
doing!
Thanks a lot for the interview. Honestly
it's not a thing that you expect to get when you first start a band and every
time that someone supports us in anyway and is interested with what we do I
really appreciate it and feel truly amazed.
Skate straight!
Take xxx care.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Godstomper Interview 2012
paulbarfo@aol.com
What year did GS get together and how?
GS got together in 1991 . I was always kicked out or not welcomed to play in any local high school bands at the time because oh many reasons probably the main one was I wasn't trying to play what was considered cool at the time. I was into death metal and grindcore punk and everyone was covering Misfits and Metallica. So I told my brother Danny who was the drummer in a few local bands to start a two man bass drum grind band influenced by Napalm Death , Doom , and Ruins.
When did you guy have your first release and first show?
Our first release was the Cathy Ames split 7inch in 1996 . Our first show was at the Cupertino library if I remember it was a riot grrl show that we crashed around May of 1996.
That's awesome! whats been your favorite show that you guys played?
hard to say , we enjoy basement and house shows than venue gigs any day.
Background story on the Saturday morning powerviolence 7"?
Background story on SMPV. It was recorded in one day at House of Faith studios in Oakland. We got followed by the cops for couple of miles before we got to the studio . All the songs were recorded on one take and made up on the spot . It was our first studio recording which I was never really happy with ( we recorded in two seperate sound rooms so it was really hard to get the timing right). We had some strict guidelines to follow regarding the cover art for Slap a ham records ie. no dead bodies , really gory bad stuff etc.. so it was a real challenge to find something to use as artwork or even a name for the record. So one day I saw a photo of Puff n stuff ( old 70's British kids show) and decided that look really harmless , stupid and silly and a complete antithesis to all the really ultra violent power violence sleeve covers out there. And saw a old article about Saturday morning cartoon violence being really violent for kids so I just put power in between Saturday morning and violence and presto - a really dumb looking cover that isn't extreme looking but fits Slap a ham guidelines for art sleeves.
Can you tell us younger punks how it was in the 90's in terms of bands, networking, shows and fiesta grande?!
In the 90's you had to travel to the city to find a underground punk record store that sold grind or powerviolence records or even a MRR to find ad's to order the records from since the net was still in its infancy , only few people had computers much less internet access. We had Book your own fucking life which was the annual book released by MRR to help bands , record labels , zines etc.. establish a network and it really created a community of friends to help each other. Getting shows in Knights of Columbus halls, library basements , bowling alleys etc. was easy but then the kids fucked it up .People ask me from watching the old powerviolence band videos on youtube why no one moshed or pitted, well you have to understand the underground DIY punk scene in the 90's was really PC. It was frowned upon to slam dance , mosh , say certain words , drink , do drugs , etc... Fiesta grande was fun , imagine a fest that by a label that specializes in a form of hardcore that is fast , noisy and aggressive and all the bands on the label or not traveled from everywhere to play . It was a festive atmosphere and Fiesta grande really symbolized a era of DIY hardcore that had nothing to do with tough guy shit.
On the inside of Saturday morning powerviolence 7" it said you wanted to piss off people that hated the term powerviolence.what happened there?
Nothing really. No one cared.
How did you get asked to work with Chris and slap a ham? how was it like?
Well Chris Dodge contacted us about doing the ep. I sent him a The Barfos demo tape about 1995 to see if he liked to put out a noisecore anti shit record which never happended . But he heard either the Cathy Ames or Misanthropist or 625 prod. 7inch and liked what he heard so he offered us a record release which I was very honored and happy to receive because I never thought we'd ever be on Slap a ham because I dunno , I thought we weren't Slap a ham sounding enough to be on the label but still I wasn't sure to do it . Ya I was hesistant at first because we wanted to do zero studio recordings since all the early stuff was just raw DIY recorded in my bedroom and was comfortable that way but Max Ward nudged me a bit saying that we should accept this paid studio time and 20 percent cut offer from Chris so we did.
Whats GS working on now?
right now we are writing new songs , just being aware , supporting touring bands just helping our friends out. We have shit load of splits to release but you know things occur in life that we have no control over and those occurances become priorities so you just take one thing at a time.
How did the radio battle / split with in disgust come about?
Well I used to be a staff member at KFJC 89.7 fm radio at my Ala mater Foothill college and I brought it up to In Disgust that we should do a live mic on air just for fun and brought it up to the Station programmer and it was cool . It wasn't really a radio battle we just call it versus because it sounds like a battle but we just thought it be a fun live mic to do and from there Jose wanted to release the recording as a split. Its not really a split its more a live radio show transfered to vinyl.
Do you see any differences in the hc/punk scene from the 90s to now?
Well ya the differences are now kids are more receptive to heavy sounding music than in the 90's when the scene was mixed yet very fragmented and narrow minded because of cliques and scene politics plus the soft pop emo stuff crowd attitude was very popular so that crept into the DIY heavy extreme scene as well which did affect the crowds attitude because they realized the other stepping stone to success in their musical careers was mixing soft stuff with extreme stuff , the bookers and labels decision to release or book certain bands due to popularity , money, which in hindsight did affect the attitude of what punk was being defined at the time . Its still very clique now but it seems kids have been more open to new sounds or even bringing back band sounds that are obscure but thats on a DIY level . Its always changing , progressing or regressing. I mean you have the social networking on the internet which has changed how the punk scene is as well when before it was all word of mouth and the kids looked high and low for info on bands , shows and records.
Any los angeles shows in the future?
Not really sure at this moment. We are skeptical about playing L.A. since last year when that hillside house show in East LA. was crashed early by the pigs.That was the third show to not happen for us in L.A. so we are burnt on getting fucked over by promoters who don't have their shit together or rip bands off.
Any other projects you guys are in?
well I was doing Plague hoarder which was a experimental folk doom noise band with Phil who was in Tolteca extra and that ended pretty quickly with only a demo cd and two shows. Theres songs on youtube . Then there was Failed Species AKA MAD AS HELL AKA DOG with James of Human waste and Dos Amigos which is on hiatus after one show and one crude demo recording. Danny's too busy for musical projects right now
Current and past bands you support?
we support ACXDC , In Disgust , Uzi suicide , Hostile takeover , Bizarre X, Scaphe, Burning Monk, Lie Still , The Misanthropists , Uttered Bastard , Cathy Ames , Magrudergrind , Sete star sept , Wake the machines , Your enemy , Thousands will die , Noothgrush , Calm ,Brain oil , Daybreak , Spazz , Agents of Satan , Slobber , Sockeye, He who corrupts, Tersunjung 13 , Vile intent , Iron lung , Dhoom , Blue sabbath Black cheer , I'm just trying to remember names off the top of my head.
I think that's it Paul, thank you. last words?
Thanks Alex . Ya man support DIY punk thrash , friends before profits , keeping it real with all the homies all over the globe , they all know who they are.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Focusedxminds Interview 2012
Hows everything with you guys?
Good, just very chill. We've been home from tour for a few weeks now, except our drummer, who is out doing merch for Oblivion. Just been back to working full time and enjoying being home.
That stay focused EP was sick any other releases in the works?
Thanks! We just released a three way split with two other Midwest bands Out of Time and Another Mistake called "Scene of the Crime" on 6131 Records. As for future releases, we are currently working on a full length that will be coming out on 6131 Records as well. Hoping to finish it in the coming weeks and record this fall.
What do you guys think of the southern California scene?
We absolutely love it. Some of our wildest, best shows have been in Southern California. Great weather, awesome friends, sick bands, it's one of the best places in the world.
Can we expect you guys in L.A. / California any time soon besides sound
and fury in a couple of weeks?
Honestly, not sure. As of right now we have zero tour plans. Due to our rough financial situation, we kinda have to lay low for a while and work towards a new van and stuff. I know we'll be around there whenever we record our LP this fall, since we'll be doing it with someone in that area. So hopefully then!
Has it been difficult being a vegetarian/straight edge band?
Well we've never been a 100% vegan or vegetarian band. At certain points we all have been, and we have an old song addressing John's views on animal cruelty. However, our current bass player is neither, and that's fine. It was never a big part of the band, just a big part of a few of our individual views. But as far as touring and stuff, it's way easier than people think. It's not hard to eat cheap and vegan. I resort to lots of PB&J's, nuts, and all sorts of veggie burritos.
Any great vegetarian vegan places in Milwaukee ?
There's a lot actually, which is awesome, because most people would never think of a place in Wisconsin being vegan friendly. The place I work, Comet Cafe, serves a bunch of vegan stuff like veg meat loaf, vegan gyros, etc. There's an amazing place called the Riverwest Co-Op Cafe which is by my house. Lots of great Indian and Thai food. And the famous shithole Chinese place Chop Stix for when you're wanting some amazing, heart killing tofu.
Pros and cons in hardcore?
I'll try to keep this simple.
PROS: Community, friendship, passion, intensity, traveling, pitting. I have friends nationwide because of this music, and I get to chance to travel and see places I wouldn't get to otherwise, and that's amazing.
CONS: The unfortunately large number of people that forget about the things I listed above. Too many people focused on acting hard, their cliques (wasn't that shit supposed to stop in highschool?), and their internet personas. The lack of real people, and the lack of bands that have anything real to say is disheartening. Then I hear bands like Rotting Out, Mindset, or Expire, all very lyrically different, yet all saying very real things, and I remember hardcore is still in a very good place.
Bands you support?
Expire, Bent Life, Another Mistake, Out of Time, Black Ice, No Regrets, Smashed In, Written Off...Midwest Blood.
Elsewhere: Rotting Out, The Beautiful Ones, Wreck, Oblivion, Power, Sleepwalkers, Ivy league, Naysayer, Break Away, Tough Luck.
Any last words?
Support your scene, support the bands you love, and id you don't like something or wish things were better, change them. Over the last two years I have been doing my part to help our scene grow through booking my own shows, or helping my friend Anthony that has taken over most booking here. Slowly but surely, more bands have been coming through, more kids have been showing up, and our scene has grown.
Start a band, book shows, make a zine, do something, anything besides complain on the internet.
Aside from that, educate yourself, explore your world, and above all things, DO YOU.
Thanks for the interview!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
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