Shoegazin' On a Sunday Afternoon (Sampler)

Age Of Quarantine, day # 424 - As I turn 40 this month, one day before Fiddlehead releases their newest effort to be more precise, I came up with a song collection of very recent stuff from the Post-hardcore/Shoegaze world scene.

Post-hardcore was always something I had a hard time enjoying and wondered if I got older that would change, like I witnessed my whole life: near 30's scene dudes going "soft" (aka loafer shoes, lattes and Bauhaus). Absolutely nothing wrong with that and even though it feels like a natural path to follow I couldn't see myself fitting that cliché... but, as you age, you learn to appreciate other forms of music.

The fact is this transition isn't new to anyone, blaming on Hüsker Dü or not, how many cool Post-whatever projects were born after Hardcore Punk bands? Besides all those 90's Revelation Records and Dischord bands it were groups like GYPSY and Westpoint that really got the ball rolling for me and planted the seed of "            " (fill the gap with either 80's Emo, Indie Rock, Grunge, Shoegaze, Power Pop, Post-punk,...) in my brain.

The following is a suggested soundtrack for those longing for a summer trip or for those blue moments because I feel post music is about both:

A-side  "fresh releases"

01. WORLD VIEW - What's There To Do (from What A Trip EP, 2019)

02. GLITTERER - Bodies (from Life Is Not A Lesson, 2021)

03. GUMM - Swallowed Whole (from Piece It Together, 2020)

04. PINWHEEL - Stone Heart (Single, 2020)

05. MAGIC GHRELIN - Magic Ensues (from Drye Eyes, 2020)

06. UTMOST - Big Dose (Single, 2021)

07. STAGES IN FAITH - Keep My Name Clean (Single, 2020)

08. FIDDLEHEAD - The Years (from Between The Richness, 2021)

09. SOUVENIRS - Ribbon (from Love For The Lack Of It, 2020) 

10. GLARE - Passing Dream (Single, 2021)

11. RAW PLASTIC - Car Parks and Recreation (from Waiting Till Summer EP, 2021)

12. DRUG CHURCH - Tawny (from Tawny EP, 2021)

13. SWEET SOUL - Some Nerve (from So Far No Further, 2021)

14. MOTHER - Dillydallying (from Dillydallying EP, 2021)

B-side  "mini tribute"

15. ONE STEP CLOSER - Broken (Turning Point)

16. WESTPOINT - Undead (Memorial Day)

17. SUNTITLE - As Your Ghost Takes Flight (Saves The Day)

18. ANXIOUS - Bled White (Elliott Smith)

19. MOONKISSER - Kid Candy (Seaweed)

20. SUNSTROKE - Under Your Influence (Dag Nasty)

21. GENERATION - By a Thread (Inside Out)

22. NARROW HEAD - Holy Snappers (Beastie Boys)

 

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Two (relatively) new labels that are rockin' the underground scene lately are New Morality Zine and Sunday Drive Records, pay them a visit to fill your urge for more quality melodic music.

Floorpunch's mosh guy art used in the cover was originally made for UTMOST, order their merch here.

FLOWERMOUTH - Urethane

Location: Perth, AUS

Release: Shaman Records, 2015

PLANET PERTH! At this point when you read/listen the words Perth + new band in the same phrase you don't hesitate, you go after, google it, hit the play button or somethin', the chances you will be banging your head are sky high! Strangely, everytime I met a person from there they always state it's a boring city. I doubt it, the beach is never dull, especially a punk one! 

FLOWERMOUTH came around 2013 and just dropped their 2nd EP last month. My buddy Bruno Pinga point it out to me and, as a trusted source he is plus that perth effect, I didn't waste time to check'em. Grunge has definitely infiltrated in todays hardcore punk world, sometimes disguised as 90's emo, sometimes shoegaze. The thing is, these dudes really do justice to this whole revival phenomenon as Urethane 7" is an instant classic! Felling ill? Grab your board and bomb the hills with Flowermouth.

PURCHASE: 7"/MERCH

DOWNLOAD [320kbps]

keepers of the froth

FADE - One With Serenity

Location: Birmingham / Leeds

Release: Neutral Words Records, 2014

2nd EP by FADE! FFO: Quicksand, The 90's, spooning.

(Almost) all bands featured on the Grunge Revival post have new stuff up, go check: SUPERCRUSH, SITINGLASS, NIBIRU and CLIENT.

PURCHASE 7"

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THE NEW ENEMY - Evolve To Destroy EP

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release: DIY, 2014

In their 5th record, THE NEW ENEMY decided to go for another 7" but this time they spent more effort on production/mastering, and it did pay off! Melodic hardcore punk not unlike Shook Ones and The Degenerics. 

My favorite track is the first one 'Broken Wills' that shows grunge influences, a bit different from previous works. Also, that 88 Fingers Louie cover was dead on [one of the best fast melodic bands from late 90's in my opinion!].

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Limited 7" can be purchased in their bandcamp, small run of 200.

SPITTING EARTH - I

Location: Ottawa, Canada

Release: Street Survival, 2015

The canadian in SPITTING EARTH spent 3 years to come up with their debut album and I liked it a lot, but it won't be a 'love at first sight' for most hardcore listeners I'd guess.

 They developed a sound that can be tough to describe: Danzig-ish vocals with Smashing Pumkpins mellowness and Twitching Tongues aggressiveness? Hit the play button if you were slightest curious.

Released in 2014 digitally it will receIve a tape version pretty soon by german Street Survival Records.

PRE-ORDERS SOON

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PLANET 5: A Golden Bros Summertape

It's official, summertime has began in this part of the planet! The self-proclaimed gang GOLDEN BROS. has selected 5 ballads each as a celebration of the upcoming 5th anniversary of this damn blog and our trip to the shores: bikini state of mind.

Not the usual old school soundtrack here. It consists of 15+1 tunes to simmer down, stretch the legs and shotgun a can on your favorite chillzone™. That extra song goes as a tribute to the thuggiest of all thugs, the ladie's man dancer.

-----mene-----

1. THE SUPERVILLAINS - Careless Whisper

2. THE ZIGGENS - Paddle Out

3. STATE RADIO - Black Cab Motorcade

4. HOLLIE COOK - Postman

5. DR. RING-DING - My Sound Remix (feat. G-Clef Da Mad Komposa)

-----gonz-----

6. SHWAYZE - Buzzin'

7. SATANIC SURFERS - Nun

8. TEENAGE FANCLUB - Sometimes I Don't Need to Believe in Anything

9. SOULCHEF - Eyes Like Blue Skies (feat. Need Not Worry)

10. RATATAT - Loud Pipes

----big phil----

11. PENNYWISE - It's What You Do With It

12. WAVVES - King of the Beach

13. VIOLENT SOHO - Neighbour Neighbour

14. 311 - Amber (Live)

15. CIV - Haven't Been Myself in a While

bonus *BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY - Tha Crossroads*

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Credits: background image "space beach" by Bradius.net, '5' logo by Mr. TT, Sharivan appears courtesy of Toei Company, Ltd.

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remember, it's always summer somewhere
.

CLIENT. - Joy Is The Only Treat

Location: Hannover, Deutschland

Release: Street Survival/ Evil Greed, 2014

Artwork: Florian Schommer

Client. is here to present us with their brand new full-length that will definitly be the soundtrack for your next summer trip (alongside Turnstile's Non Stop Feeling), at least for us that live in the southern hemisphere, the rest will have to endure the winter.

The easiest way to review a band/record is to compare to others, which can trigger an instant positive or negative response. They fuse shoegaze, grunge and pop punk with plenty of talent. Hit the button and give it a go:

As it was already mentioned in the Grunge Revival article, since 2012 they recorded 1 demo and 2 EPs, Joy Is The Only Treat is their first LP which 1.000 were done for the first press (100 light pink/ 200 light blue/ 200 white/ 500 black). The dude behind the artwork is the singer of AYS, I've always appreciated his work and like where he is heading to.  

PURCHASE HERE (Blue or Black LP) OR HERE (White LP and Merch)

DOWNLOAD [320kbps]

facebook.com/Clientishere

HARDCORE NEWS 13 "The Grunge Revival"

Artwork: Butcher Billy

Mid 90's was all about grunge. Im far from being an expert in this genre, but it seems they're coming back stronger than ever, the flannel-heads!

Earlier this year I posted about SAID AND DONE'S latest record and also from THE BEAUTIFUL ONES, both embraced grunge influences, giving today's "hardcore audience" some needed diverseness.

With DAYLIGHT's Jar (now Superheaven) and GYPSY's Giant Despair high acceptance its no wonder new bands are emerging from all over sharing similar influences and are surprising in how good they sound from scratch, mainly because most of them are already involved with other (hardcore punk) projects, as in GYPSY. Tittle Fight and Basement also plays big part on this revival but for me their emo influences stands out more.  

Upon some research and advice from friends I selected new groups somehow linked with the hardcore punk community coming from different regions to try to convince you (and myself) that we are facing a legit revival.

 From Birmingham/Leeds, UK comes FADE. Featuring members from SHARPNEL and VIOLENT REACTION, recently they signed with Speedowax to release their 2013 Demo on 7" format. Pre-order here. Debut EP is in progress through Neutral Words Records.


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Wilkes-Barre's crew new project KILLJOY nailed it big time, perfect 4 song demo. Singer used to play guitar for UNITED YOUTH and some of the other dudes play in LIFE OF REILLY.


(no artwork)
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German CLIENT. in activity since 2012 has 2 records out and an upcoming debut full-length Joy Is The Only Treat, split release between Street Survival and Evil Greed. For now enjoy 2013's EP i am well.
(they also share members with ANGST).


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From the dudes who brought us 50 LIONS and WORD UP! arises Byron Bay's new favorites PILOTS. Their Debut EP released last month was recorded/mixed by Nick Didia ((Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine), so it means they took this project most seriously. Over the top production aiming to take over not only Australia but the entire planet with their soothing beach rock grunge style.


DOWNLOAD [128kbps - for promotion use only]


 Canadian rockstars SUPERCRUSH was assembled to go big, headed by Mark Palm (GO IT ALONE, KEEP IT CLEAR, BLACK BREATH) together in a second partnership with Aaron O'Neil (ON and FOR THE CROWN), first one was in DEVOTION. Supercrush's debut single 7" released last december is already in the 2nd press! Another 2-song single 7" is planned for later this year.

DOWNLOAD (link by SUDS DENIM)


Still in north america, newcomers DREAM RITUAL (ex-Wish) from Missouri, closed a deal with 6131 Records and it sounds very promising. Pre-orders for their debut 6 song 12" EP is just around the corner.

  DOWNLOAD (2-SONG-PROMO)


Representing south america, Curitiba's SITINGLASS recorded 4 songs last year, sounding as grunge as you can get. Share members with UNDER BAD EYES that recently did an euro tour.


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Irish NIBIRU's latest works evolved towards that grunge trend but without losing its heaviness from previous recordings. New 7" Big Soul is on pre-order at the ever great Carry The Weight Records. As for now check 2013's EP Oxygen Eater:

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THE BEAUTIFUL ONES - Flowers Are Forever

Location: Arizona, US

Release: 6131 Records, 2014

Bad ass cassingle by these arizona dudes with an emo band name that sounds nothing like it, heavy mid-tempo "grungecore" damn well done.

These 2 songs are their best work to date, on a loop for days. As of january their started this new "flower are forever" campaing. Not your usual hardcore aesthetic, which is good for a change.

They are writing a full-length supposedly to come out this year, so this single came out as a teaser, cant wait! Most likely to be this year's top 5.

As I checked out, the tape came out in 4 different crazed colors (that goes along with 4 different artworks) through Defiance Youth, a total of 325 were made. The company responsible for these mesmerizing custom tapes is EYETOOTH COLLECTIVE, hat's off!!

DOWNLOAD [320kbps]

facebook.com/beautifuloneshc

salute to my buddies: phil, gonz and pingua.

SAID AND DONE - Better Days

Location: Noord-Brabant, Nederlands

Release: Straight & Alert / Cobra / White Russian, 2014

5th installment by dutch SAID AND DONE, completing 8 years of existence and 4 since the last record "Weight of the World". From a 80's NYHC/Metal influenced hardcore to Grunge(?) they return in their 2nd full-length Better Days. Always a tough call for a band to shift styles and embrace other influences in the song writing, but this comes as no surprise as it happened before with Justice, for example, and worked just fine (after a few listenings).

Despite someone feel about overturns like this, Better Days is very addicting and will please fans of Supertouch, Gypsy, Daylight and those 90's indie/grunge bands everyone used to listen. The highlight for me here is the musicianship level and recording process (done in their rehearsal space!), oustanding. (For another measure) I was listening the other day to STP's Purple at the beach, this fits right in! 

First press consist of: 100 red, 100 white, 300 black.
PURCHASE LP/CD

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