A brief introduction:
MAX WARD (a.k.a. Hiraxxx Maxxx a.k.a. the grandwizard of power violence) is one of the main columns behind the entire world hardcore/fastcore scene from early 90’s to today. Together with people like Chris Dodge from Slap A Ham records (r.i.p.), Jeff & Athena & all the rest of the staff from SixWeeks Records,
he contributed to develop the so called hc genre "powerviolence".
Playing in 10000 different acts (just to name a few: he played drums with SPAZZ, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?, CAPITALIST CASUALTIES, he used to sing for EVOLVED TO OBLITERATION and SCHOLASTIC DETH, and don’t forget he started playing drums with death grind maniacs PLUTOCRACY),
writing for different mags
(from Maximum Rock’n’Roll to Short, Fast & Loud!, including his personal demo ’zine called MOSH OF ASS, that after few issues started to be regularly printed inside S,F&L! mag)
and last, but absolutely not least, with his label
625 THRASHCORE.
The label has produced more than 200 records circa from 1993, initially focusing on bands from his area (the bay area in california) then expanding his vision thru all the world. Musically, it goes from straight fastcore punk, to death metal to grindcore.
I’ve always been in love with his label, and every time i was a bit chilled about what was going on in my town or more generically,in the whole italian scene it was enough listening to those bands from all the world and my outlook turned into positivity in a matter of minutes.
This is what i call the power of music!!!
I had the honour to met him in 2003, when he toured Europe with his old band WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? and at the time, since i was playing drums with Nervi, we played some shows together.
NOTE: at the end of this interview you will find my complete list of 625 records collected during the years, with notes about each record written by Max himself.
Also, i’ve written a list of the stuff i’m looking for!!!
If you want to get rid of some 625 older stuff, just send me a line and we’ll talk about that!
ENJOY!
1)OK, LET’S START FROM THE END:
WHEN FINALLY YOU’LL BE BACK IN CALIFORNIA?
OR ARE YOU GONNA STAY IN N.Y. FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
That is a good question. Although I’d like to get back
to California, and preferably northern California, the
nature of employment in academia is that you never
really know where you are going to end up. But before
I start worrying about the job market, I have at least
another 4-5 years before I finish my PhD......so yeah,
I will be between New York and Japan until then.
2)WHAT ABOUT 625 THRASHCORE:
- INTRODUCE US TO THE LABEL,
Started it in 92-93 to release some friends bands like
NO LESS, ETO, AGENTS OF SATAN, GODSTOMPER etc. Back
then there was this thriving scene and no one was
really releasing the stuff so I thought what the hell,
why not start a label. Before that I co-released a few
PLUTOCRACY records circa 1990 but it was under the
"625" name.
AND WHAT IS YOUR MAIN GOAL WITH IT?
I started with releasing small, unknown bands in my
area, and then I moved on to working with foreign
bands that were just starting out, or who were not
well known in the US or Europe. Since 2000 or so, Ive
tried to focus on scenes that the typical
Euro-American scene overlooks, places like Brazil, SE
ASIA, Eastern Europe, etc. There are a lot of great
bands in those areas (probably the best scenes in the
world) but due to socio-historical reasons often get
left out of what is "cool" or "fashionable" by the
zines and trend-setters of the Euro-American HC scene.
Recently however I’ve returned to my roots and have
decided to release mainly power-violence or grindcore
bands since that seems to be falling out fashion these
days - so the bands who are doing it are really true
to that style and, in my opinion, deserving of the
support.
3) TALK ABOUT MOSH OF ASS NOW. ARE YOU GOING BACK WRITING REVIEWS FOR IT?
Well in the mid-90s I was touring with bands and
getting so many demo tapes in the mail that I thought
I should start a demo review zine. So what I did was
started these small 1-page zines that I would send out
in the mail or hand out at shows. It was just to get
the bands demos more known so people could order them
or get in contact with these bands (remember - this is
before myspace and all that). Later, we decided to
print it in SHORT FAST AND LOUD so more people would
get to know it....but I recently quit doing it since I
dont get many demos these days. I gave over the
responsibilities to Tony and Mike who live out in
california. So they will continue with the column
which is rad.
4) YOUR FAVORITE BANDS ON 625?
That’s a hard question.......I’ll choose the bands you
all probably have never heard of: KURBITS IR
(ultra-fast MOB 47 Swedish HC from the early 90s),
CORNERED (NYHC style with blast beats), the first LIE
EP (great high energy Japanese HC), etc.
Lately I have
been spinning the newest INSECT WARFARE LP - its
totally nuts.
5)SOME PEOPLE THINKS THAT SINCE WE’RE ALREADY IN THE 2ND OR 3RD WAVE OF POWERVIOLENCE, THE NEW SCHOOL IS WEAKER THAN THE OLD ONE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
Listen to HATRED SURGE, IRON LUNG or INSECT WARFARE
and tell me DIY grind or fastcore is dead. The shit is
so crazy live man.....its a lot better than a lot of
the 3rd rate power violence bands that existed in the
early 90s.
6)WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR LIFE BESIDES THE LABEL?
DOES IT INFLUENCE YOUR WORK WITH IT?
I spend about 10-12 hours a day studying, teaching or
just being in the library. Im in a PhD program now so
apart from my own research I have to teach classes,
prepare papers for conferences, etc.
6a) DO YOU LISTEN TO OTHER SHIT THAN POWERVIOLENCE/HARDCORE?
ARE YOU A NARROW MINDED HC KID OR...
I listen to a lot of death metal and jazz. I like
early 90s death metal and be-bop era jazz like Art
Blakey - although early 60’s Herbie Hancock rips as
well.
7) I KNOW YOU’RE STUDYING ORIENTAL CULTURE (CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG): HAS IT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR PASSION FOR JAPCORE?
No. Im trying to think through problems of fascism,
politics and temporality and there has been a lot of
thought on these issues in Japan in the 1920s and
1930s, so I decided to follow that question through
japanese social and intellectual history.
8) 625 HAD PRESSED MATERIAL FROM ITALIAN BANDS LIKE OHUZARU OR L’AMICO DI MARTUCCI, DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT TODAY’S FASTCORE/THRASH BANDS FROM OUR COUNTRY? BANDS LIKE CRUSHED UP, TURN BACK TIME,
BURST UP, ...
dude, what about LxExAxRxN and DEATH BEFORE WORK?
Yeah, Im down with it. Seriously, ever since I ordered
the old BCT tapes with bands like INDEGESTI I have
been a huge fan of Italian HC. The early NEGAZIONE has
got to be the best HC ever!
9)TALK US ABOUT YOUR PAST BANDS, ANY REUNION SOON?
AND WHAT ABOUT NEW PROJECTS?
ARE ACTUALLY PLAYIN’ IN ANY BAND?
No, nothing really. I did a project with some friends
called MINDLESS MUTANT, but that was just a project.
Since I dont have any time I dont think to play with
any bands these days.
10) WHAT ABOUT THE HC/THRASH SCENE IN N.Y.?
There is actually quite a bit of grind and good DIY
death metal stuff, and as for HC there are bands from
NJ like SPLITTING HEADACHE...but I’m so out of the loop
I have no idea whats going in nyc. I pretty much live
at the library.
11) YOUR LIFE CREDO?
If you’re going to do something, commit to it and
follow it through.
12) PLEASE TALK US ABOUT YOUR DRUM EQUIPMENT:
HOW THE FUCK CAN YOU GET THAT SPECIAL SNARE/BASS DRUM SOUND? IT’S THE SAME ON EVERY FUCKIN’ RECORDING!!!
That was a super deep brass marching snare with a
super thick head on it. As for the kick drum, I played
a Yamaha turbo tour set that had an extended kick drum
so it was extra punchy. The key to a good snare sound
is less snare band and tighten up that top head. The
best snare sound for me is Matt’s snare on the
CAPITALIST CASUALTIES side of the MITB/CC split LP.
13) I’M VERY CURIOUS ABOUT THE BOMBS OF DEATH PROJECT:
WHY JUST 2 SONGS?
NEVER MET AGAIN THE DUDE FROM ASSUCK TO JAM WITH?
We actually did 4 songs, but the other two are more
D-beat style. Yeah, that was fun....just a one off jam
session long time ago when ASSUCK came through the bay
area.
14)IN MY OPINION, YOU SHOULD REFORM SPAZZ JUST TO MAKE A SECOND VERSION OF THE SPAZZ/HIRAX SPLIT 7" (NOW THAT EVEN THEM ARE REUNITED AND WELL...)
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER SPAZZ MEMBERS?
Dan is playing in FUNERAL SHOCK who are awesome! and
Chris has multiple project, such as BURN YOUR BRIDGES
and (recently) DESPISE YOU. Awesome!
As usual, thanks Pulce for your friendship over these
years! I will always have fond memories of playing in
Italy and getting to hang out with you.
Stay thrash!
Max
www.625thrash.com
OK, SO THE NEXT LIST IS ABOUT 625THRASH STUFF I’M REALLY LOOKING FOR, and as written before liner notes are by Max himself.
If you want to check the COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY by this label, go and check it on
www.625thrash.com6251. No Less/ ETO-Split EP
The very first 625 release. Although I put out releases before this (976/Plutocracy split EP, etc), this was the first release as a label. The whole idea behind this was to document the explosion of brutal hardcore from the local West Bay scene. This split took tracks from both the ETO and NO LESS demos. I only made about 700 (because I was low on cash) but I think the original purpose worked. People heard these bands, and some people liked em enough to ask em to do future projects.
6252. Morbid Life Society – Demo EP
This is an early example of a tradition I’m still trying to maintain…which is to release out of print, or over-looked hardcore. This specific case was to do a posthumous release from San Francisco’s MLS. I saw these guys open for VIO-LENCE and a ton of other thrash bands, and the funny thing was, they were too HC to fit in to the metal scene, and too metal to fit in the then-existing punk scene. This was their 2nd demo. I only did 300 of these, but I love it. Their first demo rules too, its more influenced by Bay Area thrash.
6256. Exhumed/ Pale Existence- Split EP
EXHUMED have been around for EVER. I used to see them at old death metal shows and was surprised when I heard those guys started a band. They’ve gone through a million line up changes, but their style hasn’t changed one bit: totally aggressive CARCASS style death metal. PALE EXISTENCE started playing in the mid-90s and put out a great demo that was a mix between Swedish death metal and black metal. I was extremely stoked to get these guys to do a record. 1000 Pressed, can’t remember if there’s color vinyl or not.
6258. Utter Bastard EP
Went into the studio and the engineer told us that he just recorded a band that sounded a lot like SPAZZ. Well, about 1 month later I get this self-released EP of some great fastcore from the Bay Area, from a band no one ever heard about. They mentioned they had no idea what they were doing, so I offered to buy there stock of vinyl, get some covers printed and put it out. Thus it happened. 1000 total, I believe there’s some red vinyl.
62511. Gorymelanoma/ Emetic- Split EP
My second attempt at putting out local death metal. EMETIC hail from the San Luis Obispo area but have been friends with the West Bay Coalition since day one. Their demo is so fucking great, but it was the only thing they ever recorded. They only had drums, guitar and vocals, and the recording they did was live in the studio. I thought it was brutal so we went ahead and used songs form that. GORYMELANOMA were this obscure South Bay band that had some demos but hardly ever played. They finally played and I asked em there if we could use some demo songs for a split. Thus it came to be. 1000.
62515. No Less/ Potato Justice- Split EP
POTATO JUSTICE destroyed on their split EP with SHORT HATE TEMPER…..Bobby of PJ was talking about doing the split EP and I said I would help. It was actually rescued from Brian Paxton who was supposed to release it like 3 years before (Brian, the guy who ripped everyone off on the El Guapo comp). So we went ahead and did 1000, 500 on black, 500 on green.
62517. 324 EP
Man, am I proud to say I put their record out first. Although I think the printer did a shitty job on the cover, this record is probably the most brutal fucking grind to come out of Japan. 100% TERRORIZER inspired….I met the drummer in Chicago when his other band (the VOLUME DEALERS) played…he kicked me a rehearsal tape and I told em right then and there that I would do a record with em. A year later they kicked it down. I did 1000 total, 200 on gold. HG FACT later repressed it as a CD with 2 bonus tracks.
62523. KungFu Rick LP
The split Eps these guys kept on doing showed promise. Then they did a demo that just floored me, so we decided it was time to do an LP. I’m really proud of this LP…and when they came through and played, they dropped everybodies jaw. One of the best bands in the US today. Total of 1500, some color vinyl but I can’t remember how many.
62541. Crucial Section LP
These guys are the kings of the 80s inspired hardcore. They absolutely love Euro-80s thrash…and it shows. The record art, the production of the recording, and the song styles sound straight out of the 80s. The closest comparison would be RIPCORD or later UNSEEN TERROR. They already have material for new releases, so watch out. This is a band to keep your eyes on! One thing that will always win me over is when people are nice and energetic. These guys are both….they are more friends than a band on my label, as well as an inspiration to me.
62546. Breakfast – EP (THE FIRST ONE!!!)
Featureing ex-members of O.A.C (two Eps, one on Bacteria Sour), BREAKFAST take the same influences (80s skate thrash) but speed it up more. More hectic and aggressive than OAC, BREAKFAST will most definitely be one of the new bands to watch out for. Plus, I can’t help but love em for really skating. I saw them live in Tokyo and they ruled. Plus I got to skate with Yo the drummer here in SF. Things like that make a release satnd out because its a release thats based more on friendship than scenester or business shit. I hope to work with them again.
62569
Murderous Grind Comp CD
(I HAD THIS CD BUT SOME STUPID FUCKIN’ BASTARD STOLE MY BACKPACK AT A SHOW...WITH THIS AMAZING CD INSIDE)The idea for this comp began when I was writing BATHTUB SHITTER...they sent me an awesome sample of some of their newer songs, and I got to thinking about how I haven’t really done a grindcore release in a long time. So I wanted to do an international grindcore comp that featured specific areas...kinda like teaming up two areas and their representative grind bands. I tried to have a balance between mainly new bands, with a mix of a few better known bands....and before I knew it, I have over 60 minutes worth of material! All the bands kicked down some top notch songs...so Im super stoked on this. Only thing I would change was if it could fit on vinyl....but I will do that for the second version.
62572
Iron Lung - EP
Jon and Jenson have been friends for a long time....they have been so involved in bands, setting up shows, labels, just generally working their butts off that its hard not to see them all the time since they are doing so much. So when they joined forces to do KRILIZEC, which turned into IRON LUNG.....I could only expect the best. They play super fast hc that pulls no punches.....plus they do covers of APT. 213 and CROSSED OUT, so you know where they are coming from musically. Their live shows rule...and they have a ton of releases/tours planned, so check em out.
625112
SE Asia Thrash Detonation - Comp EP
Since I have been inundated with great hardcore from all over SE ASIA, it only is natural to do some sort of comp. We have DOMESTIK DOKTRIN (Indonesia), EDORA (Singapore), FEUD (Philippines), FASTGAME (Malaysia), SECRET 7 (Singapore) and MASS SEPERATION (Malaysia). Wait till you hear some of these bands....they kick serious international ass.
625127
Threatener - The Hammering EP
625142
domestik doktrin 3"MCD
THIS IS MY PERSONAL 625THRASH LIST, stuff that i bought over the years, but i have to admit it's not updated. I'll do it, someday...6254. Spazz/ Charles Bronson-Split EP
The main thing I like about doing records is working with people I love. Everyone in CHARLES BRONSON ruled (rules!), so this was more of a friendship project than anything else. I still think it’s the best CB stuff (the guitar tones rule on it), but I also think the Spazz stuff sucks so much ass that I wish we weren’t on it. I think it should have been a one sided EP personally. 450 with Yellow Cover (goat), 50 limited yellow covers with pit picture. 2nd press 1000, blue cover of Neil Blender.
6255. Agents of Satan - EP
One of the most brutal bands to come out of the West Bay. Rumors were bouncing around that there was this black-thrash band that was only bass/vocal/drums. I got the demo and was floored. I was so stoked to do their debut Ep, I think it was the best thing they did. They went on to do a bunch of stuff, all of its rules. 800 black vinyl, 200 red.
6257. El Guapo- Comp LP
This thing sucked. All these West Bay bands got asked to be on this comp, so SPAZZ decided to do it too. Then I offered to help out with the manufacturing since so many of my friends were involved. Needless to say, after about 1 year, Brian Paxton (the mastermind behind it) ripped all the bands off and failed miserbaly at getting the record out. Luckily for everyone, I knew the guy who had the master DAT, so I went and did a better copy of it. First press, 1200. Poorly mastered, black and white cover. Second Press, 2200, black and red cover, sounds awesome.
6259. Possessed to Skate- Comp LP/ Later Cd issue
This comp was my pride and joy. I love skating, I loved old THRASHERS with Puszone and MRR talking about skating. But those days were long gone, but I knew so many kids who fucking liked fastcore and skated. So what the fuck, I contacted bands that I knew were down, and put together this comp. I still think it’s the best comp I did. I compiled everything, and then PESSIMISER helped manufacture it. We did an initial 2000. Then a second press of 500, or maybe 1000. Then we did a CD version of 1000 with a final 500 vinyl repress. Here’s the catch though. PALATKA never wanted to be on a CD ever, and we did that repress with the permission of everyone but them (they were out of town at the time). SO here we did this comp and fucked up the ability of PALATKA to stay true to their ethics. I’m still bummed on that.
62510. Godstomper - EP
First two splits they did were awesome (with CATHY AMES, then MISANTHROPIST)…but the EP they did for me is still the best thing I think they did. The 4-track recording came out pretty heavy, so I was stoked. Another West Bay bass/drum/vocal unit. We did 1000 and there are 200 on red.
62512. Excruciating Terror- "Live at Gilman" EP
Anybody who doesn’t think ET is the best grind band nowadays can go fuck off. They are the only band that even comes close to the "From Enslavement" LP. Well, so I went to their show, asked if I could tape them, and low and behold, the tape came out sick as fuck. I talked to them about doing it and they were stoked! One of my favorite bands of all time. 1500 total, 200 on red.
62513. Entropy - EP
I was in touch with them for a long time, and they had been self-releasing these pro-cassettes, so me and Figure Four thought it was about time they did some vinyl. Apart from the worst cover art you ever saw, the music is brutal and raw grindcore/hardcore. 1500 total.
62514. Utter Bastard/ Deadbodieseverywhere- Split EP
Heard that it was planned and I had to jump in. DBE was fucking destroying live, and UTTER were refining their sound, so I was really stoked to be apart of it. 1000 total.
62516. No Comply/ Christmess- Split EP
The CHARLES BRONSON guys always had different projects going on, and CHRISTMESS was one of the best. It was Aaron (2nd guitarist of CB) on guitar and vocals, and Mike (CB guitarist) on drums and vocals They had a couple tapes which ruled. NO COMPLY were a crazy ass drum and bass combo of thrash. All Skate inspired….they fucking were great. They did a split later with EXHUMED that you should get. First press, 1000, some limited numbered covers. Repress of 500, new cover.
62518. Kurbits I.R. EP
Their first Ep floored me. There had always been a questioned I asked: why the hell did Scando-bands not play their style faster. There was PROTES BENGT, but no one really played Dis core at 1000mph. Well, that was until the first KURBITS IR EP. Everyone is now stoked on KRIGSHOT, but KIR did it years before em, yet their EP never really got around. I asked if they wanted to do an EP and it came through. The cover art is a little over-bearing, but man, 17 songs of 1000mph Swedish thrash. They are awesome. 1000 total, all on black I believe.
62519. Avulsion – "The Crimson Foliage Hit" CD
These guys always impressed me. They were technical, but brutal as well. When SPAZZ played with them in Buffalo I asked them if they wanted to do a CD. It took awhile to get everything together, but it finally happened. The CD contains an LP length of new material, plus the two old splits. Everything they ever did up to that point. Fans of ASSUCK and DISCORDANCE AXIS will love these guys. 1200 made.
62520. Short Hate Temper/ Society of Friends – Split Ep
I was so happy to be asked to help with this split project. SOCIETY OF FRIENDS are amazing. One of the only US bands that keeps me inspired about hardcore. SHT is known for their ferocious fastcore, so the combo was deadly. I can’t remember how many we ended up doing, I think maybe 1200….but it took forever. There were communication problems etc, so it was delayed. If you can find it, get it. It’s a perfectly matched split.
62522. They Live-Ep
I had a tpae of these guys forever. Total INFEST / CROSSED OUT madness. I thought they were alittle formula, but was surprised that more labels didn’t want to put something out by them. I started to talk to them, and I finally decided to do somethin with them. This Ep is friggin awesome, they retained enough of the fast INFEST style, but they developed their own approach. Total press, 1000.
62524. Deadbodieseverywhere-LP
A split release with Satan’s Pimp, this highlights DBE’s insane grind style. Crazy time changes, loose grooves, and Jason’s brutal vocals…..one of the craziest bands from the Bay Area. We did 1000 I believe, and like a dumb-ass I only kept 1 for my self. This sold out instantaneously, and has been repressed on CD by Death Vomit records (Jason’s label, sub of Necrpolis).
62525. Cornered ep
I got this demo from a young band from Florida…they mentioned that they really liked SPAZZ etc, and once I played it I was totally surprised. It was complete NYHC / Youth Crew HC, but with blast beats! The drumming is so fucking good in the band…This is the only band I’ve heard from that genre that have the energy and speed that comes with punk/hc. This was their debut ep……1000 total. Can’t remember if there were 200 on gold or not.
62526. WxHxN? Ep
After we got turned down by some labels, I said fuck it and why not do it myself. Little did I know that we would sell 2700 of these fuckers. The first press was 1000, black and red labels, white covers, 200 on red. Second press (1000) was yellow cover, 100 colored vinyl. 3rd press was all black vinyl, white covers, white and red labels.
62527. Bandana Thrash Flexi compilation
This turned out to be one of my favorite records that I have ever put out. I absolutely love the 3 Japanese bands…and since it came out, I’ve really tried to help em all out in other ways. I got new records from LIE and CRUCIAL SECTION, and have been talking to FLASH GORDON about possibly re-issuing material or something. WxHxN is on it as well. I did 2000 and they sold out in seconds.
62528. Majestic Four ep
This actually took a lot longer to do than it appears in the sequence of my release list. This band kicked my ass with their demo, and then their split with SMOL (on MCR) and their comp tracks killed as well. I asked them to do a record, but they broke up before they got a chance to write new stuff. So I said fuck it, what do you think of putting out the demo? This demo is recorded so brutal, I think all demos should be like it. Its really rough….I fucking love it. 1000 pressed, no colored vinyl.
62529. Charles bronson double CD discography
Well, I have a love hate relationship with these guys. I loved the band from the get-go, love all the members (past and present) but man, this thing was a nightmare. Not only did I have an outstanding check for the entire 625 cash-pot sit at the plant for 4 months, but they did not agree that we needed to do more. When you have 5 different people involved in one project, it can be a nightmare. First press, 2500. Second press 3000. The final will and testament of one of the best US bands of the 90s. I was proud to be able to help em with it, and this was the best way for them to go out……
62535. Barbaric Thrash Detonation comp Cd and Ep
This was a project in constant progress for 2 years. Julio from Open Wound Records started this, and always asked if I wanted in. I finally agreed to help out, and after a medical emergency, Julio dropped out. I finished the comp (compiling the rest of the material, about 60%) and decided to do a weird format: a CD and EP combined in a 7" booklet. A total of 41 bands, all thrash, from all over the world. 2200 pressed.
62536. Fall Silent EP
I’ve been trying to work with these guys since day one. I saw them way back when in San Francisco and got their demo.I immediately fell in love. I followed them through their progression, and was fucking stoked that after 4-5 years, they asked me to do something. This EP is rawer and faster than all their previous material, while still retaining their technical metal riffage. The cover art is unusual, the music destroys. As of writing this, we got 1000 black vinyl, 500 green vinyl.
62538. Kungfu Rick / Curtainrail - Split EP
Finally out (after 1.5 years in the making!)CURTAINRAIL asked to do a split with some bands in the US. I brought the idea up to the KFR guys and they were stoked. I think both bands will compliment each other well….both are super fast, raw and include crazy time changes. 1300 total pressed, 300 on gold.
62539. Point of Few EP
A good Dutch band that has overtones of fellow-Dutch thrashers SEEIN RED. I actually met some of them when they visited for a Fiesta Grande, and I enjoyed talking with the members.Really catchy and powerful, with enough speed to carry it through. They have multiple vinyl releases out, yet this release will be their first US release. I think they already have a ton of releases planned for the future.
62540. Gordon Solie Motherfuckers - "Power Bomb Anthems Vol. 1" 10"Lp
When CAPITALIST CASUALTIES toured the States, we played with them in a small Vets Hall in Ohio, and I was blown away. They were just starting out, but I offered them a LP right then and there. The Lp is a lot more tight than their EP, but it continues their style of mixing raging
62545. Cornered – "This Time" CD
They sent me their new recording, and the new songs completely destroy the old stuff. Faster, more hardcore, heavier…..They had some plans to tour in Fall of 2000, so we thought we should get this going quick. As I said in the description for their debut EP, CORNERED mix really heavy NYHC style with super fast grindcore beats. I love both styles, but always hated the mediocrity of typical, generic NYHC. CORNERED are the only band that have spiced up that style with the speed and energy of fastcore.
62547 Youth Enrage – LP
The US release of their debut EP and CD on vinyl format. I thought the whole modern-fastcore thing was dead until I heard this. Power-violence that is so extreme, it is one of the only bands that can drop my jaw still. Crazy time changes, 2 vocalists going out of control, hyper-drumming…..I could not let this release go without the US kids hearing it as well. Seeing them in Sapporo was amazing.
62548 Protes Bengt – Discography LP
After I heard LARM, I was on the look out for all the fast bands….and if you were from around then, you can remember how damn difficult it was. Most bands only got to demo stages, but a few obscure bands got some vinyl output. PROTES BENGT was one of them. They were a side band of MOB 47 and FILTHY CHRISTIANS and they crammed a whopping 32 songs on one EP. When I got it I thought I was in heaven. They did a 14 songs demo after that which was even faster, yet it never got around. When I tracked Per down, he said he was fully into re-releasing all that stuff……thus I get to release one of my favorite bands growing up.
62550 What Happens Next – Stand Fast Tour 2000 EP
A 4 song EP pressed to sell on our Japan Tour (9-10 / 2000). It features 3 new ones as well as a DEATHSIDE cover (my favorite band in the whole world). We did 500 limited for Japan (covers) and 1500 were available to distros. We wanted it somewhat limited, but not too limited for collector scum to horde. Will be available on a 2nd collection CD down the road.
62551 Spazz - Sweatin’ II - Deported Live Dwarf CD
This contains the 1st (and long out of print) Dwarf Jester Rising LP from 1994, the tracks from the split CD with SUBVERSION (only 500 pressed) and an entire live radio show from 1999. 34 studio tracks and a full live set..a full 70 minutes! Way too much SPAZZ, even for the diehard. The reason why we decided to collect this stuff was not only were their rumors about people booting the Dwarf Lp, but we finally called it quits in December 2000. So what better time to start offering the final will and testament of Spazz. Chris will do a 3rd "Sweatin" series which will collect all the splits and comp tracks from the Toast Split onwards (96 forwards-I think)so watch for that.
62552 Society Of Friends - LP
When Spazz played with these guys in Austin I was floored. Their brand of hardcore is relentless while still being original, and their front man August is psycho live. While they have put out countless EPs and Splits, it was about time these maniacs had a full length. I can’t really compare them to anybody, but man, do they pack a punch. Imagine speed picking mixed with some MITB style riffings, add straight forward fast HC, and you got SOF.
62553 Plutocracy - Dankstahz CD
This CD collects the long out of print "Dankstahz" Lp, the split Ep with Discordance Axis, a radio show from 1992, the 1990 "Progress" demo and some extra tracks as well. This was originally released on Convoy back in 1994, but since we reformed in 1998, we wanted to have this stuff available again. The main reason why we reformed was because of Big Boy aka Dan Hogan passing away. We met him in high school, when he was playing in 976 (who became our brother band along with Immortal Fate). Since we were having bassist problems, Dan was more than willing to join and he took part in our last couple of projects. Thus this CD and our reformation is in memory of his passing.
62554
v.a. barbaric thrash vol II ep
So I was putting together Volume II of the Bandana Thrash comp, and it was right in the midst of when all that shit was hyped. The term was being thrown around like it was a "real" form of music (which its not), and some bands quit doing powerviolence and started doing ’bandana thrash’ (whatever that means). So, basically, I wanted the bands on this to speak for themselves. The Bandana Thrash FLexi is awesome, and those bands were really harking back to the mid-80s thrash scenes, but it wasn’t a fasion statement, it was out of admiration....and it was also when it was fun, not fashionable. So, anyways, this comp was compiled over a 2 year period. There were some bands that couldnt do it that I asked, and these were the bands that said yes. The bands on this are: DISCARGA (Brazil), ESPERANZA (SoCal), JELLYROLL ROCKHEADS (Japan), LIMPWRIST (US) and LIFES HALT (SoCal). ESPERANZA were the last band to be asked, and they jumped right in the studio and kicked down (what I think to be is...) their best song. Every song on this comp rules..and thats a first for me. Most of the time a band does not come through and gives you some throw away songs....but not this comp. Not only was I surprised that these bands said yes to do the comp, but that it works so well. Plus I stand behind all the bands 100% as people as well. 2500 pressed, 300 on gold, rest black.
62555. Face of Change - 2xEP
had been writing Mitch the bassist for awhile, and we grew to know each other pretty well. But it wasn't until WxHxN went to Sapporo that it really dawned on me how awesome Mitch and FOC was. Sapporo is like the Mid-West of Japan. Isolated, but pumping out awesome bands. Mitch and FOC had been playing in US-style HC bands since 1985...His first band was called FREAKS who play a killer blend of SoCal HC and skate-rock. Then FOC started in 1988, and their first thing was this 1990 demo. The recording is rough, there's tape wrinkles on the vinyl, and the music is formula, but taken in the context of what the Japanese HC scene was like in 1988-1990....FOC was going against the tide and playing what they liked. And they havent stopped since. That's what really inspired me, they just do the style of HC they like...and have been for 13 years. Originally, I had envisioned doing the cover like the UC Demo 2xEPs, but we decided against that since its been done many times before. We also decided against doing a CD of this since we both think vinyl is a lot cooler. 1200 pressed, 200 on red, 1000 black.
