Here is one of Flatspot's latest releases, "Paid in Full" by Milwaukee's CROSS ME. This is some very good metal influenced hardcore that draws some influence from New York acts like Madball. At first, I thought I was listening to the new Criminal Instinct record, because the Cross Me singer's voice has an uncanny resemblance to the Criminal Instinct singer's voice. They also remind me of Alpha & Omega. Don't expect anything new or mindblowing with this release, but this is definitely some good solid hardcore, and it's an easily enjoyable listen at that. I got the pre order package with "Yellow"/Black mix on /100, Clear on /250 and Black on /650.
Here is the backside of the "yellow" and black, which is clearly light green... looking sharp!
Came with a sweet poster. I wish I had won one of the Cross Me test presses with the Eric B and Rakim cover. If I see one pop up on the bay I'll probably be in the mix. For your enjoyment, check out the real Paid in Full below:
Recently Flatspot Records put up pre orders for a new Cold Stare release. Cold Stare is one of my favorite current bands, blending hard hitting brickwall Oi! with 80's hardcore similar to 86 Mentality and Slapshot. For me to get the limited blue color vinyl I believe I had to order the package with a t-shirt, which I hate and will never wear. This is an excellent release from Cold Stare, and what else would you expect from Chula Vista's Cold Stare? Unfortunately, this may be one of the lamest looking covers of the year. It's like they searched "the Circus" in google images and took the first one they saw.
On a side note, I was very hesitant to order this from Flatspot after my last year long battle with them to get a couple records. Luckily, this time they came through fast and without any issues. Maybe I can trust them again? I have been eyeing that Iron Mind LP for pre order.
Here are my copies of Backtrack's "The 08 Demo". This is an EXCELLENT demo, BUT it is probably the weakest stuff that Backtrack has put out yet. I have read before that some people think this is their best stuff. I definitely listen to this regularly because I love Backtrack, but I feel like they've grown with every release. From this to "Deal with the Devil", to finally "Darker Half" which is one of the best hardcore albums to come out in the last decade. This band keeps getting better and better and I hope they stick to their winning formula and keep growing. The clear orange is a first press out of /350 (with /50 being on pre order covers) and the black copy is a 2nd press out of /400.
My last "Labels behaving badly" post turned out to be a huge success. When I compared shady labels to local Bay Area news segment "People Behaving Badly" with Stanley Roberts, I was shocked to see Mr. Stanley Roberts himself stop by and leave a comment on my page! Well Stanley, I'm going to pay homage to you yet again by exposing another shady record label that's been fucking people over.
All the way back in April, yes over 6 months ago, I pre ordered the Extermination comp and a few other releases from Flatspot Records. Knowing it was a pre order, I knew I would have to wait a while for my order to come, no big deal. Time passes, and I see all over facebook that the comp is out and orders are shipping. Ok, cool, it should be coming any week now? A month or so goes by and nothing comes, so I decide to send them an email to see what's going on. I got a response in June "Yeah, I'll send it tomorrow" or something like that. A week or two goes by and nothing ever shows up, so I ask again what's up with it. No response. After over 10 emails over the course of 5 months, I finally begged the guy to just send me my records. This was after I even tried to deal with a refund through paypal, but surprise surprise; too much time had passed for a refund. What's a shame is this is an excellent compilation, and this record label has put out some great stuff, but this guy is shady as all hell.
The Flatspot guy did say he would throw in some free records to make up for the long ass wait. I was thinking well, maybe if he threw in a test press or something I could forget about writing this post. No such luck, it turns out he just threw in a couple of filler distro records he had lying around. I did also buy the Deal with It and New Morality Splits, as well as a black copy of the Backtrack 08 Demo. It's a shame that a label that is putting out such solid stuff is fucking it up for themselves by being so shady and on top of that straight lying to people in emails. My poor friend Jake at Screaming for Records is still dealing with them trying to get his order too, and he's been getting the same treatment. Apparently Flatspot gets more shipments "lost" in the mail then any other shipper in the history of the US Postal Service! Interesting! I will never order anything from Flatspot again, and I suggest that you don't either!
To make matters worse, just look at how this was shipped. Surprisingly none of my records were too damaged, but this has to be some of the worst packing I have ever seen, EVER. All of the records were in the jackets of course (ringwear city) and it was just two flimsy pieces of card board wrapped with tape. I'm amazed that all the records weren't destroyed. I'm sorry Jake, but if he ever does send your records, there won't be much left of them if they are sent all the way to the UK in this manner.
And now for your viewing pleasure, another fine episode of people behaving badly. LOL @ the guy running around on the freeway selling knock off jerseys.
