Back to Back Records interview

I've never been to Wilkes-Barre, PA but it seems like a hardcore utopia. A short list of bands that have formed in the relatively small city over the last decade include Title Fight, Cold World, Dead End Path, Bad Seed, Stick Together...I could go on and on. Back to Back Records has only put out a handful of releases but they're representing Wilkes-Barre and the rest of the state in a big way (and soon to be taking on the worldwide scene). Instead of a band interview, I thought it'd be cool to get the perspective of the guys who aren't on tour every night but working just as hard to support hardcore. The interview is with Neil, who is one half of Back to Back Records.

Punch interview

I first heard Punch when they toured in support of Ceremony last year. Unfortunately, some tour complications occurred and they couldn't make it to the Tampa date of the tour. A couple months later, I wandered into a house show in downtown Gainesville and to my surprise, Punch was raging to a sweaty crowd packed into a living room like sardines. An incredible set ensued. Maximum Rock N Roll described their music as something along the lines of "powerviolence youth crew" which I think sums it up really well. Blasts beats, 1000 mph riffs and tons of feedback but also those octave runs and chugging parts that bands like Judge or Youth of Today made famous. Screeching, screaming female vocals run the show and make for a very chaotic experience. They just got signed to Deathwish so keep an eye on this band.

Bust It Interview

Bust It! plays aggressive, chaotic, 80's influenced, not-quite-youth-crew-but-sorta (and definitely minus the positive attitude) style hardcore. In other words, it's fast as fuck but still coherent and immediately gives me visions of show spaces erupting. They've been together for a few years now and are currently on a big ol' tour of the country. Florida kids, check em out at a free show in Orlando. This interview is with Coy, who plays guitar.

Magrudergrind interview

Magrudgergrind is the soundtrack to the apocalypse. Through a few full lengths, two EP's and a billion split records with bands like Shitstorm and Godstomper, these guys have pretty much declared themselves as the seminal grind band of the decade. They've got a new EP out called Crusher, check that out and come out to see em at The Fest in October. This interview is with Avi, who sings/ self-mutilates his vocal chords for the band.

Twitching Tongues interview

Twitching Tongues are the bitter break-up and heart break band of decade. While they definitely fit under the umbrella of hardcore, their music sounds like no other band going. They play heavy as fuck yet melodic hardcore that they compare to Type O Negative. Sounds like Stone Temple Pilots to me but who's counting. They're embarking on a pretty extensive tour very soon with fellow Californians Soul Search, Expire and Minus, so check em out if they're in your town. This interview is with Colin, who sings in the band. And damn, that boy can sing.

United Youth

United Youth is from Wilkes-Barre PA (home to Cold World, Dead End Path, Bad Seed, and tons more), which gives them enough cred for me to check em out. Even though the average age of the band is around 18, they sound old school as hell and even if the band doesn't go on to huge things, I've got a feeling the kids in United Youth will be around for a long time. They're playing United Blood this week so I talked to their bassist, Tyler.

Soul Search interview

photo is by flickr user birddog14.

With so much shit coming out of places like Richmond, New York and Texas, let's not forget the kickass bands coming from the West Coast. Soul Search is a California band that plays heavy New York style hardcore. They've got a demo out now that has been blowing up over the past year and they're playing United Blood in April so keep your eyes on this band. This interview is with their drummer, Dorian.