Modern Life Is War - Self Titled 7"

MLIW, Midwest hardcore hero's. And probably the best band to ever come out of the state of Iowa (name a better one, I dare you).

 

If I were to have to pick a Top 10 7"s of all time... This might just make my number one slot, and this record only has 3 songs!  But how amazing are those songs.  This record was originally self released by the band, but was released by Joe at Lifeline Records (one of the nicest guys you will ever meet) after the record was out of its second press.  This record has 11 different pressings total, and will probably be in press for the rest of time (as it should be). Check out all the different pressings at Lifeline Records discography page.  There is no way that I'll ever own all of these records, I'm happy with just my one copy. 

1150 on White (3rd Press)

"We're not waiting for the dust to settle anymore. We're marching in, and we're kicking down the door".  Chills every time.  



Lights Out - Get Out (Posi Numbers Press)

Well, I might as well keep the Youngblood streak going with "Get Out".  I bought this record at Posi Numbers '04 having never heard Lights Out before, but was informed by a friend that they were good.  He was right.  I had a few opportunities to see Lights Out while they were a band, and they never disappointed. 

Mark Kromer, is there a cover that he's done that isn't cool?

Posi Numbers Cover

Stamped and hand numbered #120/170



Knockdown - Self Titled 7"

One of the things that I miss about living in Chicago is Wreckless Records.  Wreckless is like Chicago's version of Amoeba Records here in California (but about 90% smaller, and about 100% more organized).  I could always count on finding something good whenever I went record shopping there. And that's where I found this sweet jam at.

Knockdown lasted from 2000-2002 and released a demo and this 7".  Members went on to be in No Warning, Shark Attack, American Nightmare, and Violent Minds.  I love this record.  It's fast, angry, and short.  And how hard is that cover artwork?  Sad to say that I never got a chance to see this band.  I'm not sure that they ever toured or not. 

I'm not sure that pressing info on this.  I think it's the first press, I don't think there was ever a second press.  I looked on youngblood's website, but couldn't find it.. 

Desperate Measures - It's On Your Hands

Recently I've been re-reading my copy of "Town Of Hardcore Zineography" that I picked up a few years ago.  I've read most of it before, but the thing is a beast, it has an insane amount of stuff in it.  For those of you that don't know, Town Of Hardcore was a cut and paste zine out of Toronto that lasted from 2002-2005, and put out 11 issues in that time period.  By independent punk rock zine standards, that's amazing. 

For me, 2002-2005 was a time that I was most involved in hardcore, as far as going to shows and being psyched on new bands.  So naturally, when I read Town Of Hardcore, I get very nostalgic.  For that reason, I've decided to do a run of posts of some of my favorite records from that time period. 

The most fun I've ever had at a hardcore show was at a Desperate Measures show in Chicago in the summer of '04.  They played with Mental and a few other bands who I can't remember.  It's a shame how this band ended.  I've always wondered what became of Ryan (I think that's his name).  If he ever sang for another band, or if he just dropped out completely. 

(2nd Press) 450 on Black with fold over cover

Betrayed - Suffering EP

So this little gem ended up being my #1 record on my Top 10 Records of 2010.  That was quite the surprise too.  I mean I liked Betrayed, but I wasn't a super fan or anything.  That was, until I gave this record a spin.  After I enjoyed this record so much, I started listening to the first 7" and LP again.  It's funny how giving some records another try after not listening to them for along time, you find that you end up liking them a lot more than you remember. 

There was a noticeable progression in the song writing on this record.  This record defiantly had a more straight forward approach to it, and a slightly darker feel that their previous records.  It took awhile for the song "suffering" to grow on me, I still think its a weird song, but whatevs.  Wonder how that song goes over when they play it live. 

200 on Blue

400 on White

900 on Black

So all I'm missing on this one is the Record Release version out of 100, and the Test Press out of 12.  This is one record that I would really like to have ALL the versions of, and considering that I only have 2 to go... maybe I'll make it happen some day. 

Praise - Growing. Changing. Healing.

"Praise is not a religious band, Praise is a Straight Edge band".  I originally got this record last year in a React! Records pre-order package deal along with the Get The Most "Together" LP, and Damages 7".  I would probably say that this was my favorite record out of that group of releases.  This band features Andy Norton from Champion on vocals.  Lyrically this record is quite personal, and really struck a chord with me.  The song about his brother, Healing, gave me the chills the first time I sat down and listened to the record. 

I'm pretty sure Kevin Seconds did the artwork/layout for this record.

200 on Orange

(Second Press) 200 on Tan

I love see through vinyl. 

I'm still missing the Pink vinyl out of 100, 300 on Green, 400 on Black, Transition Color out of 55, and of course the Test Press (I don't even own a single test press) out of 24. 

Praise have another 7" entitled "2 Song EP" that I should be receiving in the mail any day now.  So hopefully I'll be able to post that up sometime in the next few weeks.  

 

Cold Stare - Fight Back And Win

I picked up this record at this years Sound and Fury after listening to a few songs of theirs online.  I've only been able to give this record a few spins, but it's quickly becoming a favorite.  Cold Stare has members of Take Offence in the band, and have picked up where bands like 86 Mentality and Violent Minds have left off. 

Don't know if Cold Stare are a touring band or not, but I would love to see them.  I wish there were more hardcore bands doing this style of music.  I also don't know anything about the Life's A Rape record lable.  I'm not even sure if they are a record lable or just a record distro.  I attempted to find out some more info on the lable, but wasn't very successful. I couldn't find any pressing info on the record either, so if anyone knows..  

Black out of ???

Get The Most - Self Titled LP

Fun fact, this is my first post that isn't a 7" record!  So here is Get The Most's what I assume to be "last album" (their last show is to be at the React! Records Showcase), but truth be told, this isn't a new album at all.  This LP compiles both the Common Goals, Moment In Time, and Core Values 7"s, as well as an unreleased Insted cover.  This record came in my last React! Records mail order about 4 weeks ago after waiting for what seemed a life time...  But I can't complain, I've never been disappointed by a React! release so far. 

Ahhh the "Legitimate Bros".   I don't think I've heard a band that one of those dudes were in and it wasn't awesome.  I would like to see a chart detailing all of the bands that group of guys has been in. 

200 on Purple

300 on Maroon

I'm missing the Black Vinyl out of 500, and I'm guessing that there is another color that is going to be used at the React! Showcase that will be the most limited of the bunch.  

Rearranged - Self Titled 7"

So here is the reason for my short absence from writing.  This is going to be the only non record picture that I plan on posting here. 

Lola Marie Bandy (9 lbs, 22 inch long) Born Aug 18th @ 2:30 pm

OK, enough of the obligatory "Dad" pictures, on to records.  Rearranged have a very heavy Insted and Uniform Choice thing going on..leaning more towards Uniform Choice.  Dude's voice sounds a lot like Pat Dubar without sounding like a complete rip off.  The first time I listened to this record I figured it was going to be one of those records that just gets one spin and put away (another purchase strictly because it was released by REACT!) but after downloading the mp3s and giving it another shot, I found that I really enjoyed it.  I don't know to much about this band other that they are from Moscow and have released a demo, and a full length on Anger Battery Records. 

Ahh Jorts...

300 on Blue Vinyl

I dig how the color of the vinyl matches the color on the album cover..

This record is still up for pre-order on REACT!'s website, and hasn't been shipped out yet as far as I know.  I was able to pick this record up at REACT!'s merch table at Sound and Fury.  Lucky me, I didn't have to wait.  REACT! also pressed 200 on White and 500 on Black vinyl.  



Clearsight - Demo EP

So I'll admit that before ordering this record from REACT! I had never heard of or even listened to Clearsight.  I doubt that many had. Maybe I'm wrong, but the Ukraine isn't that first place that I would look towards for hardcore bands.  However, I do love me some Euro hardcore.  That being said, I a nig fan of REACT! Records and all that they put out.  So I took a chance on this record and figured even if I wasn't crazy about it, it would still go towards building my REACT! collection. 

Lucky for me this record rules.  The intro alone is worth buying this record for!  I was told that after REACT! released this, and maybe because it was well received, that the band decided to start playing again ( I guess they broke up soon after being approached by Aram to release an EP).  Don't know if it's true or not, but it would be rad if they did. 

200 on Blue Vinyl

Pretty..



Noose - It's Your Time EP

Noose are a relatively new vegan straight edge band from Chicago that are not afraid, or apologetic to let their vegan/straight edge flag fly.  This was originally released as a demo tape by the band, but received the vinyl treatment courtesy of REACT! Records.  Noose play a style of hardcore that is similar to early 80's Boston bands like SSD and DYS.  Nice to see a Chicago band getting some exposure. 

The record comes in 3 colors.  Red, Blue, and Black.  The red vinyl I got through REACT!'s pre-order, and the blue vinyl I picked up at their merch table at Sound and Fury.  The black vinyl I haven't gotten around to getting yet. 

200 on Red Vinyl

300 on Blue Vinyl

If you're interested more about what Noose are about, I would recommend reading the interview that Thinking Cap zine did with Bucky (lead singer).  It's very...informative.  Here's the link.  Thinking Cap Fan Zine



Focused X Minds - Stay Focused

I'm originally from the wonderful state of Illinois (I've been living in CA for the last 4 years), and while I was living there, most of the bands that would come out of the Wisconsin/Milwaukee area were metalcore bands.  So when I found out that Focused X Minds were from Milwaukee I was pleasantly surprised, I was also happy to see that a band from the Midwest was on a label like 6131 Records.  I won't go on a rant here about Midwest bands never getting any respect or being picked up by bigger labels on the coasts..that's not what this blog is about.  All I'm saying is that it's nice to see. 

Focused X Minds were another highlight for me at this years Sound and Fury.  The fact that they were wearing Sprechers Root beer shirts (my personal favorite root beer) was just the tits.  So here is the tour pressing of Stay Focused, no fancy cover, just hand numbered on good ol' black vinyl.