Age of Quarantine, day # 45 - Part two of my humble tribute to Roland "BIGMA" Roller, like I said on part one a full profile/discography on him would be quite an effort as it is a tad extensive. This time around I bring the full-length by BIRDS X OF A FEATHER, comprised by some of the nicest long time scenesters from The Netherlands and then MAINSTRIKE, another band featuring Bigma on vocals from the late 90's revival Youth Crew era and one of my all-time fav european bands!
The Past, The Present LP was quite a record release 12 years ago (damn, already?) as it came with a huge book about the History of the Straight Edge in Europe up until that moment, it even got a South American edition (without the book). A good friend of mine brought the vinyl with the book to me directly from the hands of Robert Refuse in Berlin, so it holds a special place in my collection.
I found this interview that reveals everything behind this memorable album, the band's background and personal views by Jean-Paul (bass), Marc Hanou (guitar) and Lord Bigma (vocal).
xxx
Now rewind to 1994. MAINSTRIKE was one of those bands that had a big impact during my formative years, listening to their music when I was 17 back in the late 90's had the same importance as Youth Of Today and Inside Out to me. Reinforcing the "punk values" inside hardcore, not just the aesthetics and dance moves some posers rely on. It didn't take long for me to quit the meat and start questioning all kinds of consumption behavior back then. However they represented a way more toned-down political band when compared to Manliftingbanner, the group Bigma left to start Mainstrike.
They played their final show in 1999 at their pinnacle as a band but... for the surprise of many they reunited exactly 20 years later for the Sound Of Revolution and Can't Keep Us Down festivals!! For download I added the Commitment CD which is a compilation of both their EPs (94's Times Still Here + 99's Self Titled) plus songs from the DEMO sessions. Pay a visit to their newly created bandcamp to download all records for FREE!!
The Past, The Present LP was quite a record release 12 years ago (damn, already?) as it came with a huge book about the History of the Straight Edge in Europe up until that moment, it even got a South American edition (without the book). A good friend of mine brought the vinyl with the book to me directly from the hands of Robert Refuse in Berlin, so it holds a special place in my collection.
I found this interview that reveals everything behind this memorable album, the band's background and personal views by Jean-Paul (bass), Marc Hanou (guitar) and Lord Bigma (vocal).
xxx
Now rewind to 1994. MAINSTRIKE was one of those bands that had a big impact during my formative years, listening to their music when I was 17 back in the late 90's had the same importance as Youth Of Today and Inside Out to me. Reinforcing the "punk values" inside hardcore, not just the aesthetics and dance moves some posers rely on. It didn't take long for me to quit the meat and start questioning all kinds of consumption behavior back then. However they represented a way more toned-down political band when compared to Manliftingbanner, the group Bigma left to start Mainstrike.
DOWNLOAD these gems:
Birds Of A Feather - The Past, The Present (Refuse Records, 2008)
Mainstrike - Commitment (Crucial Response, 2002)
VA - What We Share 7" (Reflection Records, 1998)
Birds Of A Feather - The Past, The Present (Refuse Records, 2008)
Mainstrike - Commitment (Crucial Response, 2002)
VA - What We Share 7" (Reflection Records, 1998)
Credits: Record collection photo by Elmar. Be sure to check Mainstrike's new page and the merch available at Crucial Response!
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