It Follows Mixtape # 2 : Drink Coffee and Destroy

Time for another Mixtape for the blog. I had planned a mini-one in honor of all the Carmageddon nonsense last month, but it got delayed. Next time.

This time around the mixtape is expanded a little more, again with the criteria of having stuff either released or to be released on the blog. The last one clocked in at just under and hour, this one clocks in closer to the 75 minute mark. Again constructed with an actual mix to it. Some build up, give way to a few moments of solace and then right back to it. Hope you all enjoy it- feel free to comment and throw things out there.

The Tracklist:

By the Grace of God - No School
Close Call - Slip Away
Reinforce - You Said
Drop it! - Counting Sheep (Wasting Time)
New Direction - I'm Bad With Names
The Cable Car Theory - Caffeine Battle Cry
Death By Stereo - Would You Like to be My Neighbor?
the Discipline Engine - Perfection Too
Notice 415 - Figments of Time
In the Grey - Province Town
Collision - Never Again
Written Off - Questions
Rain on the Parade - Respect (live)
Rancid - Can't Forgive (Embrace cover)
HFL - Nuclear Waste
Time for Change -III
the Assistant - I Don't Believe
the Shroud - the 8 Fathers of Salt Lake
Black Spirals - Still Sick
the Miracle Mile - 3 O'Clock at the Flag Pole, Be There
Blackspot - Drop
Agosto Espias - South Paw
Hot Cross - Solanka (live)
Moldar - Letting Things Go (to pieces)
Automatic - Not the Same
Skyline Awake - Seeking Solace
Voice of Reason - the Way Things Were
Bladecrasher - Do it for Yourself (demo)
Move Forward - the Only Constant
Let it Go - Interlude
Let it Go - Tear Down Your Idols
Straight Faced - Who Am I To Say
Where Eagles Dare - One Room Sanctuary

33 Tracks 74 Miniutes

DOWNLOAD: It Follows Mixtape # 2

(First Mixtape is HERE)

By The Grace of God/ The Cause - Split 7inch

This split 7inch sees By the Grace of God in their later stages (this track would appear on the Initial Records re-release of their "Three Steps..." ep which included that ep plus assorted comp/split songs) with a song that starts of with a piano and spoken intro before the song kicks in with a mid-paced beat and those signature BTGOG era Rob Pennington vocals. A bit longer on the BTGOG side of things, this track shows another side of the band as they are able to continue a somewhat crawling pace throughout the song with momentary bursts of noise.

The Cause, from San Diego, bring a bit of a faster and more straight forward attack with their two tracks. A little punch and heavy riff or two thrown in with vocals that go from spoken to screamed in the same sentence are their formula. My first exposure to this band was their split with fellow San Diego-ians, American Tragedy, a very good CD if you can track it down. (If you can, post it. My burned copy has suffered through the years). The second track from the Cause shows off more of their heavy and even somewhat noisy side. Stop and go music that gives way to a pounding beat before again falling apart into a frantic guitar and vocal combo.

All in all, a very worthy little 3 song record. This can't be posted without giving a big shout to Big Brian from TFC/Xibalba because he had actually bought this at a show and I convinced him to sell it to me instead, on the condition that I make him a copy. Well, its been awhile, but here's your copy (haha).

DOWNLOAD: By the Grace of God / the Cause - Split 7inch 

Automatic - "Self Titled" 7inch

Automatic were a band from Louisville, Kentucky that played a brand of speedy hardcore infused with melody, slightly sung/screamed vocals, and big back-ups before the whole of hardcore music were doing the same thing.

With a sound that could easily conjure images of Mouthpiece or Dag Nasty, this 4 song ep is assembled perfectly with songs that top off at the 2+ minute mark as they deliver a reminder that not everything in the 90's was either chugga chugga or straight up revival/youth crew.

While "Monument" stands out as my favorite track here, third track "Not the Same" has a very strong Dag Nasty vibe, especially with the vocals and the melodic sound that sacrifices none of the speed and precision of hardcore.

This was released on Capsule Records and was later followed up with a second ep on Indecision Records (which apparently included this ep and another track. I own the vinyl, but not the CD). I get the vibe that the band always took a second seat to members other bands and unfortunately never did a ton more than the few songs out there. Either way, a damn good ep with something to appeal to everyone.

EDIT/UPDATE: Automatic has been back together and writing/practicing. Potential LP in the future. Keep up with the band here: https://www.facebook.com/automaticky

DOWNLOAD: Automatic - "Self-titled" 7inch

V/A - Return of the X-Men Comp. 7inch x 2

There was no comp. post this past Thursday, for which I apologize. So, to mix things up a little we'll do a comp. on Saturday and make it a double 7inch comp. at that.

8 bands of varying mid/late 90's hardcore, most of which are from Europe. In fact, the only US band is By the Grace of God, who offer up a non-lp version of "Beneath the Blue" (later compiled on the Initial Records version of "Three Steps to A Better Democracy").

While I had heard of almost all of the bands on this record, BTGOG, Vitamin X, OIL, Mainstrike, & Spawn put forward the best tracks (in my opinion). Mostly, fast hardcore of many variations, Spawn checks in with the heavy, nearly 5 minute track here.

The download includes the scans for the whole layout, which explain nicely a bit more of the history behind this record and the fest that it is associated with. Good read while listening to these songs. The layout also has little sections for each band, which, if you know me and you follow this blog- that is one of the things i love most about comps, especially 7inch comps. I'm not sure how many of these tracks were exclusive to this release and remain so today, but the Mainstrike song is a live recording.

DOWNLOAD: Return of the X-Men Comp.

Extent Fanzine Pictures: 108, By the Grace of God, & Ignite

In the mid/late 90's John LaCroix (Ten yard Fight) ran a great zine from Boston named Extent. I've only seen the last two copies, having picked one up at Dr. Strange Records when it had come out & then having been quite fortunate enough to have a copy sent to me by John when writing him about back issues. Both issues came with great interviews, lots of pictures, good articles, & 2 very diverse sampler cd's.

The Redemption 87 post found HERE also includes scans of their interview from the same issue of Extent that these pictures came from. 

It goes without saying that I love 108, By the Grace of God still remain as one of my absolute favorite bands, ever, period; and Ignite were one of my favorite bands to see live circa Call On My Brothers/Past Our Means.

(Click the picture to see it larger)