Punk Retrospective
15Aug/12

El Dorko – The Crucifixion of Pussy Riot

Posted by ElDorkoPunkRetro

That's right...the folks at El Dorko are at it again...yeah, I'm old, so what? Jump on the bandwagon and grab your free download while it's still there...then go to Amnesty International to sign the petition for their release.

18Jul/11

Sucked Into The Blackhole

Posted by saturnword

Blackhole is a very interesting hardcore band from Missouri. One of the screaming voices of today's youth and heralding the DIY ethic of their forefathers, their 2011 release "Keep Out" is sure to satisfy veteran fans of the genre. To this band's credit though, they don't stick to straight hardcore in their songs; there are some interludes of thrash influenced breakdowns and bass solos. An example would be "Homospirituality" which is more metal than punk musically. The track starts out with this amazing clear rumbling bass that took me off-guard when I first heard it. That was the last thing that I expected from a hardcore band and the song is the longest on the demo to boot, coming in at three minutes and some change.

On the other hand though, there are some songs that are definitely straight hardcore like "Cornered" which is short, aggressive, simple, and straight to the point. Lyrically, it's a little hard to explain so I'll just post the lyrics for "Homospirituality" for you to get an idea of the kind of topics this five song demo covers.

Pray for yourself in these trying times. Pray to your sudafed, oxi's and prescription meds. Maybe they'll help you ease the pain inside. From being born into suppression, of spiritual impression. The callus building machine they call church. Full of generalizing terms, for generalizing people. Faith is no longer for the individual. Your religious conventions can't explain how I feel inside.

Sucking at the river of life, through this broken straw.
Just as the laws of the pharisees were created, so are these boxes they have instated. This relationship was never personal. When every step is forever planned I can't get out of this box you've put me in. Sit on the top with your chain, padlocked shut.

I won't be your fish to catch. Won't be your sheep to heard.
Keep your line and crook away from me, save your breath I don't need your words.

I am the product of your systematic spirituality, that failed troubleshoot flowchart. Take me off your rosters, I'm not coming back. You always claimed this was about compassion and understanding. This was really only about turning me into something you can understand. There are no words you can say to describe how I'm feeling. None of these conventions can place the state of my soul.

You can buy their stuff here.

[play-button:http://domesticgenocide.com/audio/Cornerd%20mix%20042611.mp3] Blackhole - Cornored Link source

[play-button:http://domesticgenocide.com/audio/HomoSpirituality%20mix%20042611.mp3] Blackhole - Homospirituality Link source

4Jul/11

Jungle Juice

Posted by saturnword

Fucking hardcore punk is alive and kicking. Spotlight is Jungle Juice, a band from Arkansas aka the middle of fucking nowhere, bringing hardcore with some of the most scum laden sleazy bass riffs that I’ve heard in awhile. For a perfect example, check out the fifth track, “Salvation” featuring CT from Rwake doing vocals on their upcoming album “Bastard Sessions.” Expect angst and anger lyrically with the perfect vocal style to express it raw and unfiltered. “Riverside Blues,” the last track, is where the vocals shine the most with the ferocity of a banshee in heat.

I live amongst the scavengers
who’d pick apart the bones of their brothers.
Mindless fucks
with no sense of value for a human life.
They’ll suck you in,
Pull you down, rip apart your ‘soul’.
Left with sense of being saved,
But deprived of your common sense.

This album is short, fleeting and powerful. Enjoy the ride when it’s finally let loose for all to behold.

[play-button:http://domesticgenocide.com/audio/03%2003%20One%20Hitter%20Quitter.mp3] Jungle Juice - One Hitter Quitter Link source

[play-button:http://domesticgenocide.com/audio/05%2005%20Salvation%20ft.%20CT%20of%20Rwake.mp3] Jungle Juice - Salvation ft. CT from Rwake Link source

26Feb/11

American Hardcore

Posted by ElDorkoPunkRetro

Today a friend of mine posted a link to an article from the Los Angeles Times entitled, Punk rock's creative and savage legacy at Subliminal Projects gallery, which talks about the photos and flyers, as well as the Raymond Pettibon & Winston Smith artwork, which will be on display at Subliminal Projects' Westside gallery through March 26th, 2011. More exciting still, for those near enough to attend, is a performance, tonight February 25, 2011, right now (well, over by now), by OFF!, the new Keith "Johnny" Morris vehicle that's got the hardcore kids all abuzz. Why am I talking about it, when I can't even go? Well, my friend suggested people rent the semi-recent (2007) film, American Hardcore - The History of Punk Rock 1980 - 1986, after they finished reading the article...and I was offended!

Why the hell would you rent American Hardcore when you can buy it new at Amazon for $8.49...with free shipping? It's a great piece of cultural history, seriously, and it really captures the spirit that existed among bands, and fans, in what mainstream America must have felt was a seemingly insignificant offshoot of punk rock. Time has proven that notion wrong, as leaders of many social movements have risen out of the iconoclastic fury that was American hardcore and the rest of us still feel the glowing embers of a deep, primal urge toward a less contrived, more thoughtful approach to politics, life, economics, education, etc., etc.

This was not a united scene for the most part. The divergent opinions that came through hardcore are as diverse and passionate as you can find anywhere, but there was always an underlying distrust of the authority figures who would try shutting down their shows, prosecute them on obscenity charges and who would never, ever invite them to the table to discuss a record deal. They knew they had to make it on their own and the world was not going to help them...so they did. The content of American Hardcore is nearly as powerful as the music, expressing that unique combination of ingenuity, innovation and contempt for the rules of our dominant systems.

You can feel the truth of what hardcore means in the interviews with its most well known proponents and performers. Yes, Keith is in it, so is Henry, and H.R., and yes, Ian...you know what I'm talking about. But that's not what it's really about, and I'm telling you, it's not an ego-fest, because all of those guys and gals from hardcore know it's about the music and standing up in your own life...so no, don't rent this film...buy it!

Eh, ok...I'll just toss in a few mp3 links for you (not necessarily in the documentary, but good, nonetheless):

[play-button:http://thedecibeltolls.com/mp3/Black%20Flag%20-%20The%20First%20Four%20Years%20-%2001%20-%20Nervous%20Breakdown.mp3] Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown Link source

[play-button:http://www.midwesternhousewives.com/silverunity/more/11%20Live%20Fast%20Die%20Young.mp3] Circle Jerks - Live Fast, Die Young Link source

[play-button:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16850984/Let%20Them%20Eat%20Jellybeans%20%281981%29/04%20Bad%20Brains%20-%20Pay%20To%20Cum.mp3] Bad Brains - Pay to Cum Link source

[play-button:http://www.minneapolisfuckingrocks.com/mp3/03%20Seeing%20Red.mp3] Minor Threat - Seeing Red Link source

and, just for good measure:

[play-button:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16850984/Let%20Them%20Eat%20Jellybeans%20%281981%29/08%20The%20Feederz%20-%20Jesus%20Entering%20From%20The%20Rear.mp3] Feederz - Jesus Link source

17Feb/11

Contropotere

Posted by PenelopeVintage

Formed in the mid 80s by a collective of anarchist squatters in Naples, Italy; Contropotere crafted their own unique version of dark, experimental hardcore. Their singer, Lucia, delivers some of the most gut wrenchingly heartfelt and POWERFUL female vocals known to punk rock amidst tribal beats and hauntingly beautiful piano.

I was first introduced to the band via their 1992 7” “Solo Selvaggi” and it remains my favorite. This four song masterpiece begins with the epic “Quello Che Hai” a song that begins softly, almost pleadingly then quickly exploding into fiery rage and ends with a brilliant version of the Italian folk song “Briganti”.

Contropotere are masters of playing with such ferocious passion that no translation is needed. This is what playing from the fucking heart sounds like...

[play-button:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16850984/Contropotere/Contropotere%20-%20Quello_che_hai.mp3] Contropotere - Quello Che Hai  Link source

[play-button:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16850984/Contropotere/Contropotere%20-%20zona%20luce.mp3] Contropotere - Zone Luce Link source

[play-button:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16850984/Contropotere/Contropotere%20-%2003%20-%20Naufraga.mp3] Contropotere - Naufraga Link source

[play-button:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16850984/Contropotere/Contropotere%20-%20Briganti.mp3] Contropotere - Briganti Link source

Contropotere on MySpace.

"Solo Selvaggi" is long out of print, but occasionally pops up on ebay. Their equally beautiful 1989 album "Nessuna Speranza" has been reissued on CD and vinyl and can be found on gemm.

Contropotere