Pink Du$t

This Angel Dust "A.D." album has been the a hot topic on the internet this year. Some people love it and think it's the record of the year, and some people absolutely hate it. I have tried really hard to get into, but it is just not my thing. There are some songs on here I like (stepping stone, beat my brain, set me up), but over all it is way too poppy for me. It features the singer from Trapped Under Ice, but rarely sounds like TUI as they take a pop punk approach. If you know anything about this blog, you will see I have zero pop punk on it.

This was a split release between Reaper and React Records with /400 on white, /400 on clear, /1000 on black. This pink marble was limited to the band on tour and out of /150, being the hardest color to find. I was never interested in owning a copy of this album until I saw Reaper post a pink copy on their web store, so I figured why not.

Caught in a Crowd - The Fight

I've had really strange luck with any thing to do with Caught in a Crowd. Last time I ordered a CIAC record, it was pretty much a fiasco but I finally got what I wanted. This time around when I knew React! was releasing their ep, I figured I would have no problems...

So I order it the day it comes out, and it takes months and a bunch of unanswered emails to finally get here. Apparently my first package was lost in the mail. It's funny because I've never had an issue with React! until ordering this... so it made perfect sense that Caught in a Crowd would be involved. Luckily for me, they took the lost package on the chin and sent all my records over to me. 

Regarding the record itself, it is a beautiful lay out and an excellent recording. Brilliant straight edge hardcore played the way it should be... Fast and angry.

It was /130 on clear with black smoke, /220 on purple, /300 on white, /400 on black.

Right now I'm too lazy to look through my old pay pal logs, but I don't remember if the black smoke copy as on my original package order or if React! threw it in to make up for all the lost time. Either way, I'm happy to have it! Can someone confirm if this was in the original package deal?

War X Games

Yesterday I woke up to see that React! Records had left a nice shout out to my blog on facebook, which inspired me to post a React! record from my back log. Here is the limited white version out of /150 for the WarXGames "9 Trax/No Nightmare" ep. With 9 Songs on a 7" you can imagine that these songs are fast and short. One of the things that attracted me to buying this was that the band shares members with Mindset (I believe their singer is the bassist), and they have one of the coolest names in hardcore right now. This record definitely rips and is a strong record, but it comes and goes very fast. I opted to just buy the one limited press, but go check out Mike's page if you want to see a really impressive complete collection. And thanks again React! for the shout out!

Clearsight

I don't know what happened but now I can't seem to find any info on this band. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough? I believe this is a European band of some kind, and this was the most limited pressing on green smoke out of either /200 or /300. This is pure unadulterated Youth of Today worship and that is fine with me. Don't expect anything new or remotely original with this release, but it sounds great and is very well executed. Really digging the vocals on this. This green smoke goes PERFECT with the color scheme, loving the yellow labels too. 

Noose - The Moral Law

Over the last year, I have grown a huge soft spot for Noose. Militant Vegan Straight Edge and hard as nails. Why do opposites attract? These guys would probably hate me if they met me, because I will fuck up some meat and some alcohol. However, there are some things that we can agree on. I absolutely LOVE the lyrics to "Indefinite Detention". Myself and Noose can both agree on some things... This pink copy was the most limited and the proceeds went to some sort of charity. The pink looks great and is out of /150.

Green was the next most limited color out of /350, and not looking to shabby either. Great color scheme React. There was also a black press out of /500, but I'm assuming that React has a mystery press (as they always do) that they gave to the band. Time will tell what that is.

Vegan Straight Edge Skins. Oi!

MEGA MINDSET!

After record store day, Mindset put up their RSD version of Leave No Doubt limited out of /100 on their big cartel store. They announced it a few days before on facebook and set the specific time. I was at work that day, so I set an alarm and basically went on break to go sit by my phone for them to post it. They ended up posting it almost 20 minutes later, and I sat there for 20 minutes hitting "refresh" every 2 seconds on my phone. That was alot of work, but luckily I snagged one because these all sold out in just a few minutes. By the time I added it to my cart, paid for it, and then returned to the page to see if any were left they were already sold out. Couldn't have been more than 60 seconds.

Hand numbered #57 / 100. Cats rule.

It was supposed to be on purple, but mine looks almost identical to my blue copy. They should have named it "barely purple". My guess is that these were meant to be blue copies but some of them got mixed a little different and came out different, so they decided to make a special cover for them.

I posted all my pre order copies of this album with a more in depth review when it came out which you can see here. However, back in March I was able to see Mindset live on their California tour at the Gilman and score a copy of Leave No Doubt on white /100. As far as I know, so far only one of these has made it to ebay so far and it went for a pretty penny. Since these all sold on tour and never made it online for sale, time will tell if this becomes one of the more elusive copies to find of this album (even more so than the RSD pressing that is). 

Then, in April I saw React! was selling left overs of their Euro tour press on Clear vinyl out of /300. I had to snag one of them as well. 

Literally about a week before I ordered their RSD copy on purple, I took a group picture of what I thought would be the end of my Leave No Doubt collection, which is all "regular" pressings (no test pressings, record releases, special covers, etc). This is nowhere near the behemoth collection that Mike has got going on, but I am pretty happy with mine. Now I feel bad about being too lazy to drag all these records out again to take a picture with the RSD purple copy, but whatever. 

Pressing info: There have been multiple versions of the pressing info released, but it goes something like this:

Purple (RSD Cover) = /100

White (Cali Tour Press) = /100

Blue Smoke (Pre Order) = /200 or /250. (React has said both numbers.)

Clear (Euro Tour Press) = /250 or /300. (React has said both numbers.)

Red Smoke (Pre Order) = /400

Black = /1000.

If someone from React would like to clarify once and for all the pressing numbers on this in the comments, please do so! :)

MINDSET - LEAVE NO DOUBT

I'm actually quite surprised I'm the first to post the much anticipated Leave No Doubt LP by Mindset. This was one of the most anticipated and hyped records of 2012, and I was all over it when the pre order dropped. These were the three colors available to us internet users. There is a bit of confusion as to what the actual pressing info is. 

React Records says: /750 black, /400 white and /250 blue smoke. As you can see, I ordered these from React and I do not have a white copy. 

Discogs Says: /1000 black, /400 red smoke, and /200 blue smoke. Clear version for their European tour /300,  /100 white and a hand numbered record release copy out of /80 (not sure which color that is on or what it looks like). 

So the question is, does anyone know the real info on these??? I'm confused!

I really like the live shot and the lay out for this record. Really top notch. 

The red smoke reminds me of the Rotting Out 2nd press except a bit lighter. 

This blue "smoke", or blue marble looks fantastic. Definitely the sharpest looking of the bunch.

Here's the album insert with the lyrics on the back.

A very cool big poster that came with my package deal. I was kind of forced into buying it because the 3 record deal came with either a poster, or a t shirt. Whatever. This will probably stay folded up next to the records on my shelves. As you know, this is a very good record and one of the best releases of 2012. Is it an instant classic like many claim it to be? I don't know, I guess time will tell. I am looking forward to seeing these guys in March, so maybe seeing them live will change my mind about this record being considered a classic. 

Under the Influence, Against the Grain

Shit dude, what a month. This is one of my lowest production months yet, but I've been preoccupied with other things. In wake of the CT Shooting and our Government's plan to ban all kinds of guns, I've been decimating what's little savings I had on guns and ammunition. So I haven't had much time to concentrate on records or this blog unfortunately. I did get all 3 colors of the Rival Mob LP before the green was sold out though :)

Now down to bizz... I really love this 7", but I can't stand the title track "Suffering". The song "Above the Influence, Against the Grain" is really incredible straight edge anthem. I mean, React! Records kind of uses it as their slogan on all their stickers, so that says alot.

I hope everyone has a good Christmas and stays safe out there. My birthday is in a couple days also so I'm definitely going to be Under the Influence and Against the Grain.

ON - Double Vision

Possibly the most boring band name ever ("On"?), here is a 2009 split release from Reaper and React on white vinyl out of /250. This thing has pretty interesting pressing info, and I have the first press that was available only through React! This is about what you would expect from two top tier labels, very good straight ahead hardcore. Excellent artwork and layout, excluding the Justin Bieber haircut on the front... C'MON MAN!!!

Peep out the track "Generations" below:

Slow REACTshun

I have to be the last person to post these. I think my Mom already blogged about this shit before me. What can you do? React! Released these two records a while back, and I think I ordered them with that Mindset Collections pre order. First is Growing Stronger's "Toxic Fumes" on gold out of /200. This is a high quality release right here, real angry straight edge hardcore that is super similar to No Tolerance. If you like No Tolerance then check these guys out. The last track is easily my favorite, and the longest on the record coming in at a minute and a half. It's called "My Last Regret" and reminds me of Floorpunch with a fast first half and a nice sing along breakdown at the end, BRUTAL.

I picked up the Tranzmitors latest release on a whim, not really knowing shit about them. But damn I'm really glad I checked this out because now I love the Tranzmitors. That kind of poppy, catchy '77 garage punk and roll similar to the Real Kids. I guess they're from Vancouver, but they totally sing with  (fake?) British accents. Whatever, it adds to the flavor I say. They also remind me of one of my favorite all time bands, The Last Chordz (also with a "z"). This release is on clear blue out of /200, and worth checking out. If you plan on checking them out though, give them a listen first below because I think this is the kind of band you are either going to love or hate, and there is not much wiggle room in between. I love this shit, though.

Get the Most of the Post

So I've been making a real effort lately to jam out as many posts as I can. A few weeks ago I noticed I only had a couple posts for the whole month and I was basically at an all time low for the blog, so I realized I needed to step it up. Going through my back log photos there are a ton of records I never posted, so I'll start with these two Get the Most LP's.

Here is their self titled LP on a very nice purple marble out of /200.

Following suit with all the other React! releases, a whole bunch of stickers included.

And their "Together" LP on Blue vinyl out of /400. I don't have too much time to elaborate on this post because the Raiders and Steelers game just started and it's much more important that I watch that, since my Raiders are so good and everything (sarcasm). These are two quality releases of some good 'ol youth crew straight edge hardcore that is worth checking out.

Get the Most - Common Goals EP

For a quick post, check out these Get the Most 7"s that I got from my recent Crucial Response order. Here are the limited 2nd press copies of /296 on red and /206 on blue. These guys broke up not too long ago and that sucks, they were a solid youth crew hardcore band. I have a few of their LPs from React! Records that I'll try to post soon. That's it for now guys, I'm off to work!

Mindset Madness

One of the most hyped straight edge hardcore bands right now is Mindset. As far as youth crew goes, this is real good stuff. Here are my two copies of "Time and Pressure" and "Real Power" on black. These two are what make up their recent Collections LP. The anticipation is growing in a huge way for their next release "Leave No Doubt" that comes out later this year on React! I have been keeping my eye out for pre orders in hopes of maybe scoring a super limited pressing.

Both these 7"s are good straight ahead youth crew releases. If you don't have these you might as well just get the Collections LP and get it all on one release. Check out the video below for their new album and get pumped! I haven't seen these guys live yet but after watching this shit I can't wait until they come to the Bay Area again. 

Lagging on my posts, and I'm Not Sorry

If you thought by the post name I was citing some Black Sheep Squadron lyrics then you may be disappointed. Here is two recent pickups I got of Not Sorry's two seven inches. I hadn't really heard these Northwest ragers since recently, but holy SHIT are these guys slept on. Straight ahead youth crew hardcore. These are actually some of my favorite recent pick ups and I regret not checking these guys out sooner. I'm surprised these guys aren't getting the hype that bands like Mindset are getting. You got to love the sweet Wishing Well layout on the labels too.

Here is a second pressing of "Moving On" on Lifeline Records out of /400 on clear. The first pressing was /100 on white and /500 on red. There's also an alternate cover Euro press version of this on Salad Days Records.

Here is the "Our Choices" seven inch put out by React! The pressing info was /400 on black, /300 on yellow, and /200 on white. It apparently is out of press now on the React! webstore but Grave Mistake does have some copies left. It bums me out how so many good bands seem to fly right under my radar for so long, but with a million great new bands out there and only so much money to spend on records, you can't keep up with everything. Check out this live footage from Rainfest 2011, they sound absolutely brutal live: