Criminal Instinct

A few months back I caught Backtrack, Alpha & Omega and a few other bands in San Francisco. Criminal Instinct from Atlanta, GA is a band that I had never heard of before and they were the openers at the show. Unfortunately, I walked in during their last 2 songs so I didn't get to see their whole set. From the couple songs I did see, I was impressed enough to buy their demo. I am glad I did because it is really good. The vocals are right up my alley, really gruff vocals that remind me of 86 Mentality and Cold Stare. You can download all of their stuff for free from their bandcamp, so there is no reason not to check them out.

It's a Violent Situation

Here is a release from Southern California's straight edge up and comers Violent Situation. Back to Back put this out recently, and this is the clear offering out of /125. This is a very solid demo and can hang with most of the straight edge heavy hitters that are out right now. The music is solid as hell and the vocals are tight, and this band is sure to blow right the fuck up soon. I like that this release has a bit more of a tough guy edge than most the straight edge stuff that has been coming out for the past few years. Fitting for fans of Floorpunch blended with newer styles like Face Reality and No Tolerance. Look out for these dudes. 

On a side note, how many "Violent" bands is this now? Let's see... Violent Future, Violent Reaction, Violent Minds, Violent End, and now Violent Situation. If I am missing any, please let me know in the comments!

Minus S/T

I was really looking forward to Minus' debut LP on Triple B. Sharing members with Downpresser, one of my favorites right now, I figured this shit would be real nice. I saw Minus live once and I was a bit tipsy, but I do recall liking them alot. This release has been a little disappointing for me. The music on it is really heavy and brutal, but as I've said before releases for me live and die with the vocals. I can usually tell right away if I'm really going to like a release. While Downpresser has unique vocals that stick out, Minus just kind of blends in with any other hardcore band and has a hard time separating itself from the pack. It's a shame because the music is so great on this. I still enjoy this record, but it probably won't be on regular rotation for me. On a side note, this cover has to be going for lamest cover of the year. I believe this was pressed on solid red vinyl out of /300, but I can't confirm.

Youth Avoiders

What a pleasant surprise France's Youth Avoiders is. Deranged Records has hit another home run with this blistering punk release. The Youth Avoiders are very similar to some of the other "different" type bands on Deranged like Bloody Gears and Neon Piss, and that is a good thing. Let me just start off by saying that this album is really incredible. It is a very unique musical experience and really a breath of fresh air for me. I highly advise everyone to go download this for free and if you like it then buy it. The band has put all of their releases (including this LP) up for FREE DOWNLOAD on their bandcamp, so what excuse do you have to not check it out? If this isn't in all sorts of top 10 lists this year, I will be shocked. Don't sleep on this record!!!

Check out the track "Long Chains" above.

OG Simpson

A few months back I picked up this 7" for 25 cents because the cover was so awesome. I really had no idea what the fuck it was, or even for sure what the band name was. But I mean, C'mon, it was recorded at "The Salty Bean" for christ sakes, so it was pretty obvious this was going to be a fun way to spend a quarter. Apparently the Moistboyz were an intentionally offensive side project of some band called Ween, that I've never heard of. Also from my internet observations, it appears that the Moistboyz still plays today and has a cult following, and likes to let everyone know that they will "never retire".

The music itself it kind of strange rock/old school punk similar to Iggy and the Stooges mixed with the Murder City Devils. This song by all accounts seems to be coming to the defense of OJ Simpson (I think? It's all quite bizarre). Either way, this is really cool and interesting and actually a catchy song. Check these guys playing this shit live in 1995. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more Moistboyz. 

And fast forward to 2010... It seems like these guys like to get fucked up.

White Violence

Recently my buddy Jake over at Screaming for Records hooked me up with a SWEET care package all the way from England (Leeds United Rules, OK). More of the goodies will be posted in time. In it was the most limited press of one of the dark horses in the running for Album of the Year. This is the European press by Carry the Weight Records on white out of /100. Back in may I posted my blue copy on Grave Mistake, and as you can see there are some slight differences from pressing to pressing. 

Amazingly, both this copy on /100 and even the limited blue vinyl on Grave Mistake are both still available. Why are people still so deep asleep on this record???

Death Threat / Rude Awakening

Above is the lasted offering from Triple B, the highly anticipated Death Threat and Rude Awakening split. This was the most limited color on red and black swirl out of /300, which is now sold out. They also have black /500 and clear red /700. Unfortunately, I am really disappointed with this release. I was really looking forward to some new Death Threat recordings because it has been a while, but these songs just seem flat and forced. DT's singer sounds really bored. I actually enjoy the Rude Awakening tracks on this alot more and I've never been a huge Rude Awakening fan. This release is no doubt Rude Awakening's best stuff they have made so far though, and they are sounding pretty fuckin' good I must say. On a plus note, I don't know what it is about the simple cover and lay out but I really love the cover art and layout for this release. 

Focused Minds - The Fact Remains

Here is Focused Minds' debut LP "The Fact Remains" on 6131 Records. This thing has been on some stupid heavy rotation for me for the last few weeks. I have always thought Focused Minds was criminally slept on, and this release absolutely proves that. The picture for the cover was taken in Santa Cruz, CA. I was at that show and it was the one and only time I've ever seen them. And no, I'm not in the picture. I'll let the youngsters do all that crazy stuff, I like to kick it in the back with the other old folks haha. Above is the rarest press on white out of /100.

The green pressing out of /300 is by far the better looking of the pressings. They also had a black pressing out of /600. The back cover reminds me of the Iron Boots "Easy Green" ep. If you're a straight edger and your not bumping this then you're all fucked up. This LP really does rule.

What's up with the dude with the sticker butt cheeks? 

So, this is my first post in over a month. That is by far my longest drought ever for posting. I apologize for the delay everyone, sometimes shit happens in life and records have to take a back seat. I'll try to keep this shit up more. I just took over a hundred pictures of back logged records so that should hold me over for a while. Stay tuned goons.