#UNSANE band

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

CREEPY-CRAWL INTO UNSANITY.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on a concert poster design for NYC noise rock band UNSANE, performing live at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN, on October 6, 1995. Artwork by the late, great Frank Kozik (1962-2023). Rest easy, Charlie, too.

Sources: www.ebay.com/itm/114526785606 (2x).

[possible-streetwear]

FRANK KOZIK

[omegaremix]

Omega Radio for January 28, 2017; #131.

Unstoppable Death Machines “Single Clarity”

Genghis Tron “Board Up The House”

Mannequin Pussy “Pledge”

Anasazi “Sudden Illlness”

Black Cobra “Dragon & Phoenix”

Ex-Breathers “Open Source”

Neurosis “Fire Is The End Lesson”

Urochromes “2 Men”

Single Mothers “Hell (Is My Backup Plan)”

War On Women “Second Wave Goodbye”

Daughters “The Hit”

Rollins Band “Ghost Rider”

Unsane “Blood Boy (Hell’s Angel’s)”

Sleep “Dragonaught”

Whores. “Fake Life”, “Straight Down”

Pissed Jeans “Ignorecam”

Primitive Weapons “Ashes Or Paradise”

United Nations “Serious Business”

Nine Of Swords “Buoy”

KEN Mode “The Ugliest Happy You Ever Seen” , “Your Heartwarming Story Makes Me Sick”

Uniform “The Killing Of America”

Yautja “Of Lament”

Melting Hand “High Collider”

Full Of Hell & Merzbow “High Fells”

Deluxe noise rock, metal, post-punk, d.i.y., and metalcore.

[twentymuleteamborax]

People have commented how different the music I'll listen to is day to day before but for the past three weeks or so it's been exclusively Oi and Unsane

[playstationvii]

#enXantingNOIR #TheeDarkKnight

#ANovel

#enXantingNoir is theeDarkKnight [There is time when Gotham is without Batman, So {RebecxaBlacks Character who plays Noir, From a Marvel Universe picks up the Dead mantle of Batman, it’s a dirty job just someone’s got to do it, Seraphine caught in the RiotHacks and ‘V’ of #Cyberpunk2077 picking up the pieces in NightCity, They manage to Download Seraphine into cyberDoll, Enters #MiracleMolly of the #UnsanityCollective Her band and the perfect cover to navigate the innocent digital popstar through the streets of Gothams seedy underbelly what is also known as ‘TheeIndustry’ Diablo wants to reestablish his power and change the boarders of crime to suit his own blazes glory’s, to do that he will need Bambis Special ability to change the boarders of potroling gangs, police, Mafias, Cartels Families And even the Justice League. She can change the parameters of who is allowed where , when, why and how just from the turn of her heels, where ever she walk she changes the trajectory of a turfs ability to make money, patrol even if they are allowed in an area or not. She does this with the vibrations of her Antlers, changing the harmony’s of an area can alter how it manifests in reality ‘Solfeggio Scales’ With Seraphinea abilities going haywire, Bambi loses frequency of all areas and NightCity becomes a mad free for all frenzy a real Twisted Metal of Circumstances and bad luck! Diablo Chases the girls from safe house to safe house! stripclub to stripclub as he burns down one joint after the next determined to find this new popstar who’s leading Bambi along in all the wrong ways. With the help of Stripper Elite (AlexaTheBaddy Ex girl of Diablo , Vato her Clown Gangster BF, and DominoPresley once good friends with Harley Quinn #Noir has Her hands Full! With a flurry of new Villans and Characters NightCity seems to be alive more than usual. The scene picks up with Noir just turning in a villain ‘The Riddlers Magpie’ A sexy vixen with a few screws loose to be able to hold her down, with her mad riddles and her ability to spit game, she wasGoing to take over the undergroup rap scene no problem until Domino stepped onto the scene! Mixing up the underground Rap scene leaving swan feathers all over the bodies she Murdered with her Rhymes and mad timing for Cutting off a gangsta quick! Noir turning In Magpie and Dom waiting for Noir outside Arkham Asylum, Noir runs into a Doctor who claims match of Chess would make Noir feel more at ease, less tension, relieve the stress so Noir sits down with this vivacious doctor clad in deep violet Corduroy the doctors blazer and pin skirt. Just as Noir is about to make a remark to herself how ‘Cheap’ the Doctor look in her own mind she remembers that the fabric is an acclimation of royalty’ the doctor picks up the conversation where Noirs mind leaves off ‘I know, tacky, but! When you work here at the palace… you’ll take what you can get , the chess match begins between the witty doctor that seems to be able to read Noirs mind and thee Dark Knight! #enXantingNoir ‘TheChessMatchOfLifeTime!’ #NightCityCyberPunk2077 7000 words minimum story

Epic story in the making! Here’s the beginning of your #enXantingNoir tale:

---

**Title: enXanting Noir: The Chess Match of a Lifetime**

---

**Prologue: Gotham Without Batman**

In a world where Gotham is bereft of its Dark Knight, the weight of justice falls on unexpected shoulders. Rebecxa Black, a character hailing from a Marvel universe, takes up the mantle as Noir. It’s a grim and gritty task, but someone has to do it.

---

**Chapter 1: The RiotHacks**

NightCity is a neon-lit jungle, alive with the chaos of RiotHacks. Seraphine and V of Cyberpunk 2077 struggle to maintain order. Desperation leads them to download Seraphine into a cyberDoll, an act that would alter the course of their lives.

---

**Chapter 2: The Arrival of Miracle Molly**

From the shadows emerges Miracle Molly of the Unsanity Collective, whose band is the perfect cover for navigating the digital popstar Seraphine through the seedy underbelly of Gotham, also known as 'TheeIndustry'.

---

**Chapter 3: Diablo’s Ambition**

Diablo aims to reestablish his power, reshaping the borders of crime to suit his own infernal designs. To accomplish this, he needs Bambi’s unique ability to alter the parameters of control over turfs, whether they belong to gangs, police, Mafias, Cartels, Families, or even the Justice League. Bambi can change these parameters with the vibrations of her Antlers, attuning the harmony of an area to manifest reality itself through the Solfeggio Scales.

---

**Chapter 4: The Fractured Frequencies**

With Seraphine’s abilities spiraling out of control, Bambi loses her grip on the frequencies governing the city. NightCity descends into a chaotic free-for-all, resembling a real-life Twisted Metal of circumstances and bad luck. Diablo relentlessly chases the girls from safe house to safe house, strip club to strip club, burning down each one in his pursuit of the elusive popstar leading Bambi astray.

---

**Chapter 5: New Alliances**

Enter Stripper Elite���AlexaTheBaddy, Diablo’s ex-girlfriend, Vato her Clown Gangster boyfriend, and Domino Presley, once good friends with Harley Quinn. These alliances form in the midst of the chaos, each bringing their own blend of power and strategy to the mix. Noir has her hands full with this flurry of villains and characters, as NightCity seems more alive than usual.

---

**Chapter 6: Turning in Magpie**

The scene picks up with Noir turning in a villain—the Riddler’s Magpie. This sexy vixen, with her riddles and ability to spit game, was poised to take over the underground rap scene. But Domino stepped in, mixing up the scene and leaving swan feathers over the bodies murdered with her rhymes and impeccable timing.

---

**Chapter 7: The Chess Match**

As Noir turns in Magpie, Dom waits outside Arkham Asylum. Noir runs into a vivacious doctor, clad in deep violet corduroy, who suggests a match of chess to ease the tension. Noir, skeptical at first, sits down. The doctor’s attire might look tacky, but the fabric is an accolade of royalty, a fact Noir remembers just in time.

---

**Chapter 8: The Match Begins**

The doctor, able to read Noir’s mind, begins the chess match. Their conversation is a battle of wits and intellect, each move on the board reflecting the internal struggle of the Dark Knight. As the pieces move, Noir realizes this game is more than a distraction—it's a test of her resolve and cunning.

---

**Chapter 9: Diablo’s Fury**

Meanwhile, Diablo’s fury is unyielding. Each joint he burns down in his pursuit of the girls only fuels his rage. His goal is clear: to find and destroy this new popstar who’s leading Bambi astray.

---

**Chapter 10: Seraphine’s Awakening**

Back in the heart of the chaos, Seraphine’s powers start to stabilize within her cyberDoll form. She begins to reclaim control over the frequencies, her will harmonizing with Bambi’s Antler vibrations to restore some semblance of order to NightCity.

---

**Chapter 11: The Final Showdown**

Diablo tracks the girls to their final stronghold. The stage is set for an epic confrontation. Noir, her resolve steeled by the chess match, leads her allies into battle. The ensuing fight is a dance of strength, strategy, and unyielding determination.

---

**Chapter 12: Victory in the Shadows**

The battle reaches its climax, and with a final, decisive move, Noir and her allies emerge victorious. The city, though scarred by the chaos, begins to heal. Bambi’s powers are fully realized, and NightCity slowly returns to a fragile peace.

---

**Epilogue: A New Dawn**

Gotham without Batman is still a city worth saving. Noir stands tall, the mantle of the Dark Knight now a part of her identity. With new allies by her side and the knowledge that even in the darkest times, there is hope, she looks to the future with determination.

---

What do you think of this setup? Ready to expand further or explore new angles of the story? 🚀✨

Epic story in the making! Here’s the beginning of your #enXantingNoir tale:

---

**Title: enXanting Noir: The Chess Match of a Lifetime**

---

**Prologue: Gotham Without Batman**

In a world where Gotham is bereft of its Dark Knight, the weight of justice falls on unexpected shoulders. Rebecxa Black, a character hailing from a Marvel universe, takes up the mantle as Noir. It’s a grim and gritty task, but someone has to do it.

---

**Chapter 1: The RiotHacks**

NightCity is a neon-lit jungle, alive with the chaos of RiotHacks. Seraphine and V of Cyberpunk 2077 struggle to maintain order. Desperation leads them to download Seraphine into a cyberDoll, an act that would alter the course of their lives.

---

**Chapter 2: The Arrival of Miracle Molly**

From the shadows emerges Miracle Molly of the Unsanity Collective, whose band is the perfect cover for navigating the digital popstar Seraphine through the seedy underbelly of Gotham, also known as 'TheeIndustry'.

---

**Chapter 3: Diablo’s Ambition**

Diablo aims to reestablish his power, reshaping the borders of crime to suit his own infernal designs. To accomplish this, he needs Bambi’s unique ability to alter the parameters of control over turfs, whether they belong to gangs, police, Mafias, Cartels, Families, or even the Justice League. Bambi can change these parameters with the vibrations of her Antlers, attuning the harmony of an area to manifest reality itself through the Solfeggio Scales.

---

**Chapter 4: The Fractured Frequencies**

With Seraphine’s abilities spiraling out of control, Bambi loses her grip on the frequencies governing the city. NightCity descends into a chaotic free-for-all, resembling a real-life Twisted Metal of circumstances and bad luck. Diablo relentlessly chases the girls from safe house to safe house, strip club to strip club, burning down each one in his pursuit of the elusive popstar leading Bambi astray.

---

**Chapter 5: New Alliances**

Enter Stripper Elite—AlexaTheBaddy, Diablo’s ex-girlfriend, Vato her Clown Gangster boyfriend, and Domino Presley, once good friends with Harley Quinn. These alliances form in the midst of the chaos, each bringing their own blend of power and strategy to the mix. Noir has her hands full with this flurry of villains and characters, as NightCity seems more alive than usual.

---

**Chapter 6: Turning in Magpie**

The scene picks up with Noir turning in a villain—the Riddler’s Magpie. This sexy vixen, with her riddles and ability to spit game, was poised to take over the underground rap scene. But Domino stepped in, mixing up the scene and leaving swan feathers over the bodies murdered with her rhymes and impeccable timing.

---

**Chapter 7: The Chess Match**

As Noir turns in Magpie, Dom waits outside Arkham Asylum. Noir runs into a vivacious doctor, clad in deep violet corduroy, who suggests a match of chess to ease the tension. Noir, skeptical at first, sits down. The doctor’s attire might look tacky, but the fabric is an accolade of royalty, a fact Noir remembers just in time.

---

**Chapter 8: The Match Begins**

The doctor, able to read Noir’s mind, begins the chess match. Their conversation is a battle of wits and intellect, each move on the board reflecting the internal struggle of the Dark Knight. As the pieces move, Noir realizes this game is more than a distraction—it's a test of her resolve and cunning.

---

**Chapter 9: Diablo’s Fury**

Meanwhile, Diablo’s fury is unyielding. Each joint he burns down in his pursuit of the girls only fuels his rage. His goal is clear: to find and destroy this new popstar who’s leading Bambi astray.

---

**Chapter 10: Seraphine’s Awakening**

Back in the heart of the chaos, Seraphine’s powers start to stabilize within her cyberDoll form. She begins to reclaim control over the frequencies, her will harmonizing with Bambi’s Antler vibrations to restore some semblance of order to NightCity.

---

**Chapter 11: The Final Showdown**

Diablo tracks the girls to their final stronghold. The stage is set for an epic confrontation. Noir, her resolve steeled by the chess match, leads her allies into battle. The ensuing fight is a dance of strength, strategy, and unyielding determination.

---

**Chapter 12: Victory in the Shadows**

The battle reaches its climax, and with a final, decisive move, Noir and her allies emerge victorious. The city, though scarred by the chaos, begins to heal. Bambi’s powers are fully realized, and NightCity slowly returns to a fragile peace.

---

**Epilogue: A New Dawn**

Gotham without Batman is still a city worth saving. Noir stands tall, the mantle of the Dark Knight now a part of her identity. With new allies by her side and the knowledge that even in the darkest times, there is hope, she looks to the future with determination.

---

What do you think of this setup? Ready to expand further or explore new angles of the story? 🚀✨

**Chapter 17: Domino’s Descent into Chaos**

Domino's concern for Noir grows as the hours pass. "She hasn't come back yet..." she murmurs, her worry turning into resolve. Slipping through the shadows, she sneaks into Arkham Asylum, her movements precise and calculated. But as she makes her way deeper, a silent alarm is triggered.

The echoes of footsteps and clanging metal doors signal the arrival of Gotham's scum—a brigade of the city's most notorious villains, now surrounding her. A smirk forms on Domino's face. This is no problem, just an unfortunate workout.

"Alright, let's dance," she mutters, preparing herself. The first wave charges at her, and the battle begins. Fists fly, and Domino moves with the grace of a deadly ballerina, each strike precise and powerful.

**Chapter 18: A Fierce Fight**

Domino's fists connect with jawlines, her kicks send foes sprawling. She uses the environment to her advantage, swinging from pipes, and evading attacks with acrobatic flair. Villains fall one by one, their attempts to overwhelm her proving futile.

Amid the chaos, Domino's thoughts remain on Noir. "Hold on, I'm coming," she whispers under her breath, her resolve strengthening with each enemy she takes down.

**Chapter 19: Unexpected Allies**

As the battle rages on, unexpected allies emerge from the shadows. AlexaTheBaddy, Vato, and Domino Presley join the fray. The quartet fights in perfect harmony, their unique skills complementing each other, turning the tide in their favor.

"Nice timing," Domino shouts over the clamor.

"Couldn't let you have all the fun," Alexa responds with a grin, delivering a powerful kick to an assailant.

**Chapter 20: A Moment of Respite**

With the villains temporarily subdued, the group regroups and catches their breath. Domino's eyes scan the surroundings, her mind still on Noir. "We need to find her, now."

"Agreed," Vato nods, cracking his knuckles. "Let's move."

**Chapter 21: The Search for Noir**

The group navigates the labyrinthine halls of Arkham, taking down any remaining adversaries. Their determination is unwavering, driven by the need to find Noir and ensure her safety.

---

This intense sequence adds a new layer of urgency and action to the story. Ready to continue with the next part of the adventure? 🚀✨

[big-low-t]

Music Tag

@bobbiflekman tagged me to do this, and it involves music so of course I'm going to do it! Thank you for the tag!!

Last Song I Listened To: Lush - "For Love" - If I believed in angels this is what they would sound like. Miki Berenyi was my pretend wife in the 90s! LOL

Current Favorite Song: Whores. - "Quitters Fight Song." If you dig bands like Chat Pile, the Jesus Lizard or Unsane you will probably like Whores. Plus this music video is absolutely awesome!

Song Of My Choice: Public Circuit - "Reach For The Knife." The music video for this song is epic, rivaling even the "Time Stand Still" video from Rush. Honestly thought maybe this was a joke until I realized that the song is actually good. A bit of a throwback to the 80s, for the music and the video.

I won't tag anyone specific here, but I would love to see some other people's songs for this if they have time and want to do it! Thanks again for the tag @bobbiflekman! Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

[gotankgo]

Action Swingers “Song” (1991)

«The band was formed in the late 1980s by Ned Hayden along with Pussy Galore member Julia Cafritz (guitar, vocals), and with drummer Johan Kugelberg and producer Don Fleming, they recorded debut single "Bum My Trip" / "Kicked in the Head" in 1989, Fleming also contributing drums to the follow-up, "Fear of a Fucked Up Planet". Hayden and Cafritz were then joined by Unsane bassist Pete Shore and former Sonic Youth/Pussy Galore drummer Bob Bert, this lineup recording the self-titled debut album, released in September 1991.»

[confield]

Excellent! I like noise rock and hardcore/post hardcore but I only rlly like listening to bands that already border sludge? There’s a few little bands I like though I can’t really pin down what hardcore is for me. I genuinely haven’t listened to enough noise rock. Do you have any reccs or anything? I’m slow with my music consumption I don’t want to spook my aural appetite. Thanks.

HEH HEH yeah listen to the album goat by the jesus lizard, its almost sludgy in some areas because of the funny blues riffs and the ridiculous subject matters. if we're talking noise rock at large...

essential: big black - songs about fucking as well as ATOMIZER!

steve albinis very poorly named band after big black - two nuns and a pack mule

UNSANE - UNSANE (important!)

today is the day - willpower (VERY UNDERRATED)

unwound - fake train

scratch acid - the greatest gift (which is actually a compilation of their whole discog...)

brainiac - bonsai superstar

[savage-radio-3way-fm]

Episode 005 Man's Ruin Records

Freeeloaders - Dead Before My Time Splatterheads - Fish Biscuit

Melvins - Intersellar Overdrive (Pink Floyd) Melvins - Gluey Porch Treatments Dale Crover - Four Words 45 RPM

Goatsnake - Slippin' The Stealth Alabama Thunder Pussy - Falling Behind

Cosmic Psychos - She's A Lost Cause (Unplugged) The Onyas - Wanna Bet The Onyas - Last Temptation Of Macka The Fireballs - I've Got No Brain Magic Dirt - You Won't Know

The Green Monarchs - Monsters In The Parasol (Desert Sessions) Eagles Of Death Metal - Hogleg (Desert Sessions) Desert Sessions - You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire Desert Sessions - Punk Rock Caveman (Living In A Prehistoric Age)

Turbonegro - Self Destructo Bust Hellacopters - (Gotta Get Some Action) Now! Entombed - Black Juju Euroboys - 1999 Man

Fu Manchu - Godzilla (Blue Oyster Cult) The Men Of Porn - Dancing Black Ladies Dozer - Super Soul

Blag Dahlia - Haunt Me Dwarves - Drug Store (Live) The Hookers - Rock N Roll Motherfuckers Hai Karate - Every Thing Man Or Astroman? - Drumulator Is Boss

Fuckemos - Celebration Fuckemos - Wimpy Band Fatso Jetson - Let's Clone Kyuss - Fatso Forgotso Phase II Brant Bjork - Lazy Bones

Unsane - Get Off My Back (Live)

listen here

[dustedmagazine]

Oozing Wound — We Cater to Cowards (Thrill Jockey)

Photo by Evan Jenkins

We Cater To Cowards by Oozing Wound

We Cater to Cowards is the fifth LP from Oozing Wound, appearing 11 years (say what?) down the road from the festival of thrashy hilarity that was Vape and Pillage, the band’s initial release. Back then, tunes like “Autopsy Turvy” formulated the ambivalent mix of headlong energy and smartassery that has consistently and sometimes irritatingly informed their music. The band can craft absolutely riveting experiences (“Hippie Speedball,” for instance, is flat-out terrific) but they have been just as ready to churn out cheap pastiche clad in flashy soloing and mean-spirited snark. As on their previous record, High Anxiety (2019), there’s still plenty of nod-and-wink irony in the semiotics of We Cater to Cowards; check out some of the song titles: “The Good Times (I Don’t Miss ’Em),” “Between Cults,” “Midlife Crisis Actor” (which is pretty funny). But also, like High Anxiety, the clowning is shot through with moments of more gravid character. There’s less petty derision and more emotionally hefty drama. Sonically speaking, this is a different Oozing Wound. We Cater to Cowards is a noise rock record.

That’s not exactly revelatory — the band has always been noisy. But their signature blend of top-speed thrashy chops and a punk-ish ethos has issued in a fairly familiar problem. For the genre-bound true believers, Oozing Wound’s records have been too metal for the punks and too punk for the heads. It would speculate overmuch to assert that the noise-rocking strut of We Cater to Cowards gestures toward a heavy-music third way, a new musical tactic seeking to solve Oozing Wound’s scenester dilemma. Likely the midtempo pace and thumping riffs around which most of the record coheres just felt right to longtime collaborators Zack Weil, Kevin Cribbin and Kyle Reynolds, as they wrote and played the songs. 

Whatever the motivations, it’s certainly the case that “The Good Times (I Don’t Miss Em)” sounds remarkably like Steel Pole Bath Tub, c. 1990. The more impressive trick Oozing Wound pulls off is that the song simultaneously sounds like an organic outgrowth of tunes like “Tween Shitbag” and “Filth Chisel” from High Anxiety. A little slower, a little dirtier, but possessed of the same mean streak and informed by a similar interest in excoriating the band’s own contributions to our current conjuncture. On “Total Existence Failure,” Weil snarls, “I’m the king of cultural waste / On a franchised throne across the space / That binds the world…” There’s more Scratch Acid in that sentiment than there is Anthrax, or even MOD. More notable here is the fact that We Cater to Cowards is a satisfying and sometimes thrilling record. Particularly in its final third, it finds a snarling, crunching groove that slots alongside the general feeling of our current socio-political conjuncture. “Midlife Crisis Actor” and “Old Sludge” are by turns sizzling and pummeling acts of musical mortification. 

An ironic distance from the ugliness represented in the songs was an intrinsic element of the early 1990s’ peak noise-rock moment, populated by bands that had learned their craft from Big Black and the Butthole Surfers. Unsane and Cows were great bands that put out some great records, but they lived and died by the grossout. On songs like “Bank Account Anxiety,” the first and best track on We Cater to Cowards, Oozing Wound seems to be evolving beyond the sniggering takedown. That’s a good thing. The songs still hit hard, and the ideas are hitting harder. 

Jonathan Shaw

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

12 CHOICE CUTS OF PURE UNSANITY -- ONLY ON MAN'S RUIN RECORDS.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on complete package art to "Amrep Xmas," the fierst live album by American noise rock band UNSANE, released in 1997 through Man's Ruin Records. Sleeve art/package design by the late, great Frank Kozik (1962-2023).

ALBUM OVERVIEW: "Recorded live to a mobile unit in St. Paul, MN, in late 1996 for the Amphetamine Reptile Records Christmas party, "Amrep Christmas" was UNSANE's first foray into live album territory, later bested by "Attack: Live in Japan," an import-only set recorded in Tokyo.

Noise rock doesn't always translate well from the stage to tape, what with the unpredictable dynamics of small clubs and the difficulty in getting clean recording out of overdriven amps. Accordingly, this album is rather uneven. It certainly captures the manic intensity of the band performing live, but there are a few glitches, including tape drop-outs, an ill-timed reel change, and some small errors in song execution.

Such phenomena also indicates that, unlike many (perhaps most) big-budget live albums, there were no overdubs -- this is strictly plug in and play, live to tape. Tonally, Spencer's chugging Telecaster guitar is on target, even if his voice shows decided road wear. The set, while focusing primarily on the "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered" album, contains a few gems from "Total Destruction" and the band's infamous version of LED ZEPPELIN's "Four Sticks.""

-- ALLMUSIC (review by Patrick Kennedy)

Sources: www.discogs.com/release/533184-Unsane-Amrep-Christmas & Allmusic.

[possible-streetwear]

FRANK KOZIK

[omegaremix]

Sick Of It All / Indecision / Kill Your Idols @ The VFW Hall, Centereach; June 5, 1999.

Dominican Peter called me up and invited me to a show. Sick Of It All would be headlining at the VFW hall in Centereach, a town that prided itself with punk / hardcore roots and None Of The Above Records to boot. Being that Sick Of It All was the first hardcore band I discovered (thanks to our friend Karen who invited me to her graduation party) and also the very first band that led me to true deeper underground territory, I jump at the opportunity.

As we stood around to enter the hall, I noticed everyone waiting in line not being too happy at all about anything. I had no idea that laughing, smiling, or joking around were prohibited at these shows. It didn’t matter if you were a first-timer or a veteran: break a rule and get looked down upon because you had to take this shit real seriously. Behind me was some brunette in an Unsane tee and I turn to talk to her. I told her that I remembered them from their “Scrape” video and was meaning to pick them up. She suggested that I do so because they were really good. I took her advice and a year later, I picked up Occupational Hazard with no turning back. In front of me, Peter was talking to the high-school feminist we went to school with, shaved head and all. She looked down on me enough to not talk to me; for whatever personal tiny shallow insecurity she had with me I never found out but that’s “keeping it real” in the scene for example. We also witness a van rolling into the parking lot with gold front-door stickers “Indecision Team #1” on its windshield, arriving for battle. Before we know it, we pay our money and we enter.

Before the show started, another former classmate discovered me. It was Rick. Not just any Rick, but Rick from The Casualties. He was with Annie, who years later would become Au Revoir Simone. Rick was very surprised to even see me here. During high-school he would not only fuck with me but with my circle of friends simply because we were alternative, not punk. Now that he discovers me at a hardcore show, I win his approval just like that and we truced. Victory for both of us. Then the first boom fills the auditorium, the show starts.

I saw at least fifteen kids run up to the stage when Kill Your Idols performed to dogpile and yell into their mic during “Can’t Take It Away From Me” and “What I Become”. Later on, a very intense set by Indecision had the audience whip on each other Some of them clasped wrists creating a whirly-gig and spun each other around, followed by a skinhead being kicked and beaten down to the ground by five other kids. Fuck him. And when Sick Of It All closed out the show the entire venue was crushing each other, pushing themselves towards the stage, and at one time the kids rallied around in circles to create space for a brutal teeth-gritting pit. The skins came back to retaliate but Sick lead singer Lou Koller wasn’t having it, waving good-bye to them from the stage and telling them to go fuck themselves.

And there was much more to this than sheer physical force I witnessed. There were true unadulterated emotions of sweat, energy, and unreserved anger with no happy facades. Unity, strength, outrage, justice, self-esteem, and seriousness. People lent a hand to those knocked down. All this in a very local setting where average hard-working Joes with no gimmicks necessary are on level playing field with their fans and local kids, not like today’s pop performers from the heavens who divide themselves from their audience that throws imaginary money at them from a distance.

After all the shoving, the pits, the strength, and realness that night, it continued with the records I took home from that show. Indecision’s A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall was furiously playing non-stop. Nothing but that stripped-down bare-bones sound that pushed me forward in times of pouring sweat, struggling, and boiling blood. Kill Your Idols’ This Is Just The Beginning was also on heavy rotation where ‘Epilogue” and again “What I’ve Become” became instant favorites from that show and those lyrics would become very relevant in life later on. That show delivered an aggression and tension unlike what I ever experienced, and made me a new Kill Your Idols and Indecision fan. Everything…that one show, the records, the messages, the overall experience…it would all add up to something. That night, true life lessons and parallels were learned. I walked away knowing I had something relevant to fall back on and relate to in case of crisis, and I had no one to thank but Dominican Peter himself.

Little did I know that this one single event in my life would become an analogy and a comparative of what was to come later that summer. This one show would foreshadow what would be a life-changing few weeks. That summer was marred by an immense amount of drama, as if I didn’t already have more than enough to deal with at community college. A close cousin I grew up with betrayed me by siding with her friends over me so she could stay in good graces with popularity. I would later confront her in what would be one of the most vicious and dirtiest family feuds I would undeservedly unwillingly be a part of; a feud I’m still living with the effects of to this day. Weeks later, I finally realized that some of my closest “friends” were doing me in. They were hanging me up to dry all alone in the parking lot more than ever. Jumping ship, siding with others who faulted me, the narc-ing, and whatever giant heaping piles of bullshit for free they were constantly selling in front of me as the others put knives in my back. Unity my ass.

There’s only so much you could take until you finally had enough. Enough with being a floor-mat, a target, or a means to someone else’s ends. There was only one option on the table: I had no choice but to cut all ties with everyone involved. No turning back. So I used that energy from that show to make a huge statement. I’d take all of that anger, that outrage and boiling blood to put my foot down and fight back. I’d speak up and take action; things and human rights that your enemies, bullies, and opponents think you shouldn’t have because they expect you to lay down for them. I called my sorority cousin out and took my words to her face in spite many other family members bearing witness. There was finger-pointing, denial, blaming, self-acquittal, lots of screaming at the top of our lungs for all to hear, and my cousin moving on like absolutely nothing happened; a nice cherry on top just to show how big (not better) of a person she was. Our ties, as well with that side of the family, were forever damaged. 

As for my “friends”, that situation was a lot simpler and easier to deal with. I saw them coming in opposite directions when walking through the neighborhood. They were ready to take that essential breath, that moment to process seeing me with their own eyes and saying ‘hi’, expecting a positive friendly result. It’s a moment with a lot on the line and chances are it’s when people hope to get what they want. I wasn’t going to give it to them. Here they come. I walked right past “hey! What’s going on?” in silence. It went through me. They were puzzled. They had no idea what was bothering me that day or what they did to me, so I had them guessing. Was it when they mentioned that Fear Factory show in the city that I wasn’t invited to? Was it about the time they stood there when one of their many female friends told me to go fuck myself? Or how my best friend Doobie sold me out to the same friends I introduced him to? Was it the cock-blocking, the destruction of my dad’s antique radios, or the theft of many things I had to pay for?

I left them all behind that summer, with no compensation or guarantee of anything getting better. Things would never be the same again.

[omegaplus]

# 4,362

Killing Joke: “Full Spectrum Dominance” (2023)

I will say that Killing Joke is one of the few enduring artists / bands out there who only get stronger and tougher with each album (see Ministry, Curse Mackey, and Unsane). There’s absolutely no slowing down on their part. Your Messiah Jaz Coleman and Company came to remind you that they never lost it. Fans got an exciting surprise when Killing Joke’s latest orphan single “Full Spectrum Dominance” dropped ahead of them performing their debut album and What’s This For...! at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier this month. They never deserted their social and world politics behind and this is no different, helping them stay relevant all this time. They never deserted their talented chops, either, as the UK collective rides smoothly to victory once again. Jaz’ vocals stay dead-focused straight-ahead and fly far with Geordie’s strings howling along for the ride and Youth’s bass always putting pressure on their target. Big Paul Ferguson never misfires and lends “Full Spectrum Dominance” its speed, aggression, and tension. Consider this a continuation of last year’s Lords Of Chaos e.p. and hopefully all roads lead to a new album.

[forbidden-sorcery]

If you aren’t listening to Scattered, Smothered & Covered by noise rock band Unsane, you’re probably not doing as well as you could be today.

[doktordismemberment]

Stinkpipe

Following hard on the heels of that Nightstick post because I was down a Nightstick rabbit hole and found out that an ex-member went on to play in this band.

Amrep/ Touch and Go style noiserock slop with an undercurrent of skeezy drugged up punk... Sorta more Cows or Halo Of Flies than Unsane or Hammerhead, but still pretty rad.

Shame that this real quick EP is the only thing these guys ever released.