the Assistant - Both LPs, EP, and Splits

The Assistant were a hardcore punk band from New Jersey. They played loud, fast, heavy music with lots of screaming. They also played catchy and poppy songs with slightly off key singing. Songs with programming, keyboards, and samples- Yeah, that too. They could also jam for 5 minutes without saying a word. I try not to get to tied up in the genre(s) slapped on a band, outside of the broader things like Hardcore, Punk, Ska, Rock, Emo, Metal, etc.; I know that the Assistant was a Screamo band, but that just sounds so narrow, so I guess I will get caught up in it this one time, which is why I called them a Hardcore Punk band at the onset of this post. I think that does them the most justice, and at least for me, more fairly says what they were and the depth of what they meant to me.

The last song that the Assistant released, "I Have A Name", from the split with Takaru & This Ship Will Sink, states that the Assistant, as a band, was about standing up for what you believe in. To me, that speaks far more to what this band meant to me (and many others). They covered topics that encompass just about every aspect of human emotion, self-reflection, and dealing with life itself, as a whole. From self-abuse to the impacts of illicit drugs (and discussion of the lengths that governments have been willing to go to in order to test out new drugs on the poor and the resulting impacts), sexual abuse, consumer culture, the consequences of convenience, the com-modification of independent and thought provoking music sounds/scenes, and much more. All of it with thought and explanation - an insight into the words and thoughts that are just as heavy (if not more so) than the music they are playing. Multiple members singing and writing lyrics gives a little something extra, not that the band wouldn't have been great with just Leigh singing.

I will leave it at that- as i've said before here, some times less is more. The Assistant, for me, is a band that ranks up there with Battery, Hot Water Music, the Cable Car Theory, By The Grace of God, and other incredible bands that seemed to fuse themselves into the music they played, and shared words that were bits and pieces of themselves and of myself too. That's not said for a dramatic flair; this music of hardcore and punk ; through many bands and people; has indelibly made an impact on nearly every aspect of my life in some way.

Members have been in a laundry list of other bands, especially guitarist/vocalist, Tom. Check each and every one of them out.

Sadly, it seems, everything the band has done has gone out of print. So, in two downloads, you have the Self-Titled LP, In the Year of the Dawg Tour EP, We'll Make the Roads By Walking LP, the aforementioned 3-way Split, Split with Red Scarlet Letter, and a song that seems to come from an internet created Comp (an alternate version of the song "I Have A Name" from a comp called Screamo Room Presents...) ***In the Year of the Dawg actually features two tracks that ended up on the second lp, they are identical, but included for completions sake***

Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD: The Assistant "Self-Titled LP & In The Year of the Dawg"

DOWNLOAD: The Assistant "We'll Make the Roads LP, Splits, & Comp Track"

AD - Investing in Memories

AD were a hardcore band from California in the mid-2000's...






.... AD is once again a hardcore band from California, in 2012.




Without being limited to any one kind of hardcore or punk subset, AD draws out of its members a loud and abrasive sound that shows a wide range of sounds. Sometimes heavy, sometimes noisy, and almost always fast, AD delivers a compact 6 songs in just over 7 minutes; songs that do not sound rushed, simplified, or anything that a 19 year old with a bandana might call "thrash" or "crust".

There's a little bit of something for everyone in AD's sound, from the metal types to the punk kids, and all stops in between.Four friends getting back together and playing under the name AD, with plenty of experience in other Southern California bands, delivers on these 6 tracks. Here's to hoping for much more in 2012, and not another years long gap in new songs (wink wink, nudge nudge).

DOWNLOAD: AD - "Investing In Memories"

AD on Tumblr - it has links to their bandcamp (with the older Demonstration download) and their facebook, among other things

AD "Hymn":

City Rockers - A Tribute to the Clash

Here's a good and diverse (band wise and with the direction some of the covers take) compilation for your sunny and windy weekend.

I picked this CD up quite some time ago in a used bin at the local shop and its been worth every penny and then some. Many of you may have heard some of these tracks if you're a fan of the respective bands, but more than a few of these tracks have also slipped past recognition for far too long.

To say this track or that track are stand out tracks would almost literally take up the entire cd as each band either does a good traditional take on the song or adapts the song to their style and does it nicely. Whether it is the first track with Dave Smalley playing "Death or Glory" and channeling Billy Bragg with just his voice and guitar or Kid Dynamite's fairly traditional send up with hand claps and all- just with a snottier snarl to it (the same could be said for Saves the Day's cover of Clash City Rockers); the whole CD is strong throughout.

I will say that, of all the tracks here, my favorites are One King Down doing "London Calling" and playing it in its fairly intact original form, but as OKD (meaning as a metallic hardcore song), Demon Speed giving "Rock the Casbah" a psycho/rockabilly treatment (really, any treatment other than stripped out synth new wave punk of the original is probably a great treatment- NOTE: the live version Joe Strummer did with the Mescaleros is exceptional as it showcases the true strength of that song), and Lady Luck's introspective feeling "Lost in the Supermarket" shines with the soft female vocals. **I would say that I love the Dropkick Murphys cover of "Guns of Brixton", but the live track loses some of the energy and punch of the studio version they did which is included on their Singles Collection Volume One.

One King Down "London Calling":


The inclusion of some very good ska bands doing very good ska versions of songs is a huge plus for me, both as a fan of ska and a fan of the Clash. The Stubborn All-Stars do an almost ska-country version of "Lose This Skin" while Skinnerbox ends the CD with "Straight to Hell." As is always the case with these kinds of things, there are tracks any and all of us would have liked to hear which did not end up on the CD, but it is a good mix of some of the best known songs and songs that are a bit more secondary.

DOWNLOAD" V/A "City Rockers"

Lady Luck "Lost in the Supermarket":

Just A Few Reminders About the Blog...

108 @ the Showcase Theatre '07

Just a few things...


It's 2012 and the blog rolls on. Sometimes at a slower pace as parenthood and job searching do take up time, but this continues on and every effort will be made to keep a (somewhat) regular and consistent flow of posts coming your way.

I'm always interested in hearing from new bands and glad to post recordings. As you can see, I don't "just post music", there's some thought and history into it. Feel free to e-mail me links/zips/info. and what not. The more you send me, the better (info./picture/that kind of stuff).

The Blog E-Mail is: it.follows.blog@gmail.com

Connor- Punk & Proud

I'm working on doing another "Mix Tape", working within the framework of a Mix CD time (60-80 minutes). While I have plenty of tracks I can pull from things already posted and yet to be posted, if any of you other would like to be a part of it, feel free to email me. It's no guarantee that you will end up on it and I am far from the reach and awesomeness of something like Toxic Breed, but the first two mix tapes have had a good download rate and a lot of the bands on them saw a good jump in their downloads. FYI- Im not looking for anything special or exclusive, though if you want to send newer tracks, it only helps you more ;)

I love comments and now that Shoutbox has gone "pay only", I love the comments even more. So don't be shy... really.

I also enjoy mixing in old interviews, zines, ads, flyers, pictures, etc- so far, all of this stuff has been culled from my own collection. I am always open to others submissions- You can e-mail scans/pictures. You can also send things to me for scan, which I can return or keep- just email me.

I finally have a tape deck. Its a nice little guy (still looking to upgrade to a proper stereo model) and its brand new, so it has worked like a champ. More tapes should be showing up here (the Amendment 18 & Retribution demos are the first) and like with flyers/pictures, they can be sent to me and returned. Just get in touch via email and we can work something out.

Lastly, as always - thanks to everyone who downloads, shares, comments, links, and so on. These downloads are entirely up for everyone and fellow bloggers, feel free to use them- just a little link back would be appreciated. I've found some great bands in the last year just from visitors to the blog and I'd like to hear even more this year.

Again- the blog email is: it.follows.blog@gmail.com

Burn Your Life Down- new EP out on Glory Kid Ltd

Stanford Prison Experiment "Worst Case Scenario":

Dr. Bob's Nightmare - Demo 2011

Ugly Ass Street Punk is what their lastFM page says. It's pretty on the mark. Ugly, snarled vocals, fairly straight forward music, and lyrics to get fucked up to. If you are looking for some of that magic from your teenage years, or maybe you just found the remains of that last stash from high school.

It isn't necessarily my thing, but the potential for angry and pissed of "work sucks" kind of band is there and perhaps with some more time things will flesh out develop more. They're playing shows and looking to do more, so perhaps 2012 will hold more for this "local" band of sorts (singer Dan, is one of the first people I met even before really "being a punk" was something I comprehended) even though they are based out of San Clemente.

DOWNLOAD: Dr. Bob's Nightmare - "Demo"

Dr. Bob's Nightmare on Facebook

Retribution - Two Song Tape

Retribution were a hardcore punk band from Southern California in the late 90's. To the best of my recollection they were from Yorba Linda/Orange County and aside from this tape they had released a demo tape previously and recorded a song titled "Kicked in the Teeth for Friendship". With political songs (Pigs with Badges) and a t-shirt design that had lady liberty being arrested by riot cops (I still have mine in a box somewhere).

According to the letter I found with the tape, these two tracks were originally going to be on a 7inch. Sometime after this the band took a bit of a harder turn in their music (which started to show in the track "Kicked in the Teeth...") and eventually led the band to change names. Changing their name to Atreyu.

As Atreyu they went on to release a few albums, even signing with bigger labels like Tribunal and Victory. I honestly was not a fan of the change and never paid much attention to the band beyond this point, but it is an interesting thing to look back on and listen to.

ALSO- IF ANYONE has the Retribution demo (or any other Retribution songs), Id love to get my hands on it. I do now have a means of transferring tapes. Which is good because so many of them seem to be dying fast.

Another great Showcase show

The flier is probably the last time I saw Retribution, though I am almost certain I saw them right as they made the switch and am damn near positive that there is a flier somewhere with them opening for Total Chaos along with Titty Twisters, Pukes, and Stiffs and it saying "formerly Retribution" on it. And if we're talking "went on to..." status, Titty Twisters singer went on to do a few bands over the years including vocals/guitar for A Better Hope Foundation and vocals in a revived Outspoken. I think this was also the last time the Nerve Agents played down here before releasing "Days of the White Owl" and moving more towards that horror hardcore punk image.


DOWNLOAD: Retribution - "Retribution/Shallow World" Tape

No Mercy - Widespread Bloodshed - Love Runs Red

No Mercy were a thrash/crossover band mostly active in the mid-1980's. Hailing from Venice, California they shared members and compilation space with, you guessed it, Suicidal Tendencies.

It should be said that, Suicidal Tendencies is probably the band most responsible for the musical directions my life (and thus this blog) has taken since I began seeking out music on my own.

Originally featuring a different singer (with whom they recorded compilation tracks with), Mike Muir eventually joined when the original singer departed and they recorded this debut (and lone) full length which was released on Muir's Suicidal Records (which had also released the Welcome to Venice comp. which featured older No Mercy tracks).

The songs certainly show their age, in a good way, with heavy riffs that have just the right amount of crunch to give it what I consider that perfect 80's crossover sound of almost metallic punk/hardcore. This is the way Suicidal's "Join the Army" should have sounded - NOTE: I love Join the Army, but the record defanitely has a slower pace that almost frustrates me at times when I think of how those songs would have sounded if they had been more in line with the "Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit" EP's.

Speaking of the 'Controlled/Feel' EP's, the No Mercy album is the bridge in the gap from the stellar "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow..." lp and said ep's. By the time Suicidal Tendencies would release the double ep No Mercy had folded and No Mercy founder/guitarist, Mike Clark had joined ST. Suicidal began playing and recorded No Mercy tracks Waking the Dead, Controlled By Hatred, Master of No Mercy, and My Own Way of Life.

Enjoy a fairly underrated crossover classic. And should it motivate you, feel free to find Suicidal Tendencies' "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today" and "Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Deja Vu"; as well as Excel's "Split Image" & "Joke's On You". Nostalgic skater childhood in full effect.

DOWNLOAD: No Mercy - Widespread Bloodshed - Love Runs Red

We Gotta Know Podcast

We Gotta Know Podcast is a fairly new offering from Jason Kollins. Hailing from the frozen north of British Columbia, Jason offers up a nice selection of Punk & Hardcore (and whatever varying sub genre names you want to use) from bands you might expect like Cro-Mags, Black Flag, and Youth of Today to bands like Handsome and Brand New Unit. Add in a Seaweed track and you have all the great makings of a podcast, not to mention Jason's own commentary.

Jason has posted the track listing on the Podcast's blogspot & there's plenty of talk and link sharing on the facebook, so be sure to check out the links to both below.

While I'd always planned to share the Podcast in a post, I've also posted links to the download as Jason is currently working on a place to store the file (as mediafire knocked it down after awhile)- these will likely be temporary as well, but any port in the storm, right? Each link is to the entire podcast, so just pick one- no need to download both.


Download Link #1  |  Download Link #2

We Gotta Know Blogspot
We Gotta Know on Facebook

the Discipline Engine

The Discipline Engine were a punk band from San Bernardino, Ca. from 2001-2003. Playing a brand of heartfelt music that mixed influences that I've always felt is best summed up as saying- take the punk from Rancid's "And Out Come the Wolves" and mix it with Hot Water Music circa "No Division" and splash in a few doses of Sham 69.

The songs here cover a lot of topics from the funny to dealing with growing up, reflecting on birth, isolation, drug (ab)use by friends, and that gap that exists between the world we see and the world in our minds. The songs come from 3 recording sessions that made up 3 separate EP's. Recorded in Sept. 2002, June 2002, and Sept. 2003; in the short year that they recorded they played out quite often locally before succumbing to what so many bands are done in by- the end of high school (most of the band members graduated just shortly after the June 2002 session).

The Discipline Engine in back of the great Showcase Theatre

DE was a local band and one I was fortunate enough to see live many times and call friends. They played live shows that engaged you emotionally and made you equally have fun and think about things. Take the time, give it a listen... it doesn't sound specifically like any one of the above stated influences, and surely there are a hundred other influences they could all interject (and may well do so haha)- its moderately grown up punk rock- no grand political statements, just good music and songs about people and life in general.

Also included are a live intro and two live songs (live versions of Glory and I'll do it) recorded at the great Showcase Theatre sometime in 2002.

I've also started using DivShare so you can listen to a song (or two) from the downloads. Enjoy!


- the Discipline Engine - "Perfection Too"


DOWNLOAD: The Discipline Engine - "Give It A Name" (Discography)


More Info. after the jump

Black Kites/Convulsions - Split 12inch

From time to time its nice to spotlight other blogs, bands, labels, or just people in general who are doing something of value and trying to pay back into this music that we all have taken so much from.

Glory Kid Ltd. has been such a label for a very long time. With an ever increasing (and diversifying) catalog of quality releases the man behind it all, Andrew Gomez (Burn Your Life Down/Time For Change) has put himself into the things he has released- this new 12inch (split release with the equally great Adagio Records) is no exception.

While I can't say that the cover artwork does a whole lot for me, it definitely catches ones attention and it doesn't stop me from looking further at the record. The music contained within though is something to stop you dead, catching you flat on your feet and unprepared. Both bands have been honing their sound for some time now, and on this record, come screaming through.

The first 5(6) songs come from Black Kites- having heard previous records of theirs, they always struck me as good, but the kind of band I really had to be in a mood for. On this record their brand of chaotic and volatile hardcore noise comes through in a way that sets them apart from the masses of noisy and screamy. With opening track Sleep Easy/Tall Tales Low Lives, the band shows that they can get right down to things and play some heavy riffs with a start and stop that gives way to just the slightest moments of a groove- conjuring a moment or two of great 90's hardcore, before going right back into what they do best. Personally, I think "Own Monster" is my favorite Black Kites track on the record. As usual with them, it beats you against the wall repeatedly with the screaming and bashing (vocally and musically) before taking a bit of a pause in the middle and showing off some very well done spoken talky-scream vocals that sound just so damned good.

Convulsions take off with the next 6 songs, starting with a cover of Karate. What a surprising cover, that will hopefully expose a new batch of people to this long gone 90's/early 00's band. The band stays very true to the original, just with a hardcore sound as opposed to indie sound of the original. Really a great cover for being able to stay with the original, but have it sound very unique. The band continues forward with five new tracks that build off of their 2010 Glory Kid release, "the Reaper's Gift." Convulsions is a heavy sounding band, but one unafraid to set itself away from the pack of both the heavy and the fast. Showing equal parts of bands like Deadguy and 108, Convulsions will sing, whistle, and beat the living shit out of you, all the while showing that they draw just as much from hardcore as they do many other genres of heavy and fast music (as well as some good post-whatever-you-want-to-call-it). Scrimshaw is proving itself to be my favorite track thus far- its fast and heavy, to the point, but not without its bits of grooving musical destruction. The record ends just as strong as it started (maybe even stronger) with Convulsions' Inhabitants of 13 Mall Street; seeming to cram every bit of what they are capable of into 4 minutes of sonic documentation. The drum solo in the middle that gives way to some ugly fucking sounding, 90's grunge influenced hardcore (and we all know grunge was really just 90's punk).

The newest Glory Kid Sampler is available at the Glory Kid Ltd. Bandcamp, free download of course- it features 2 tracks from this release as well as tracks from other current and upcoming releases on the label (inc. another Convulsions track from their previous EP).

DOWNLOAD HERE
PURCHASE HERE

Previous Glory Kid Ltd. Sampler Posted HERE 
Other GKL related posts (inc. the one off band, Agosto Espias) HERE

The Offspring - Baghdad 7inch

A little 3-song EP (4 track, Im not counting the Blurb) from after the "Self-Titled" album and before the "Ignition" album, it has the original version of their cover of "Hey Joe", as well as an earlier version of "Get It Right" (later appeared on the Ignition lp) and an updated version of the song Tehran, titled "Baghdad", and a little instrumental song/sounds called "The Blurb."

The Offspring have long been a favorite band of mine- call it right place, right time with the release of their "Smash" album. However, it was the discovery of their back catalog soon after and more specifically their second lp, "Ignition" that hooked me. And one of my favorite songs, you guessed it, "Get It Right." I can't say that I have felt that way about anything the band has done for a very long time, with the hodgepodge of genre mashing and convolution that was "Americana" being my breaking point (Ixnay on the Hombre was a good record- hate me if you like).

All personal opinions, likes, & dislikes aside, a good little EP here from 1991, released on the legendary Nemesis Records. I had been after this one for awhile for both it being an Offspring record and it being on Nemesis (as I would like to get at least one of every release on Nemesis- don't get me started on the original version of their first lp & my unwillingness to pay supremely over-inflated prices for it). I picked this guy up for a very fair price at Amoeba in Northern California when up there for Rivalry Fest 4-5 years ago.

Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD: the Offspring - "Baghdad" 7inch EP

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)

Swindle - In The Red 7inch & Olivelawn - 4 is Greater than 2 / Cat's Farm 7inches

TIME TO KEEP SOME PROMISES... for those who requested Swindle & Olivelawn, here you go!!!!

Swindle has appeared here a few times on split 7inches (with the Finders and with Over My Dead Body), but this time they make an appearance all their own.

This 4-track 7inch comes from right around the time of their first album "Within These Walls" (1996). In the Red shows the band moving a little more towards the refined and snotty punk that would explode on their second lp "Better Off Dead" (1998). Still some what caught between young punk band with a funny and fuck you kind of attitude and the band that would emerge a little later and show that it could still be funny and even have that same snotty sound; but also hit its mark and write songs that a bit more of a developed sentiment. Yes, all while still remaining that loveable punk band with a penchant for some killer covers (seriously, the Skid Row and Violent Femmes covers are great).

DOWNLOAD: Swindle - In the Red 7inch

Shifting gears a bit, but staying in the realm of San Diego punk is one of the better early 90's punk bands (were there really that many at the time). Playing a bit of a loose and jangly sound that would become even more prevelant in the band that followed them (Fluf), O and the the crew cranked out some very fun punk to skate to.

The two 7inches found here, both released by Nemesis Records find the band both building to their debut lp and playing around with the sound a bit. 4 is Greater than 2 is pretty straight forward Olivelawn along with a great cover of the Love song "Signed DC", while Cat's Farm kind of has a little funkier sound that almost makes me think of some of the early 80's Seattle pre-grunge stuff (seriously, Cat's Meow could be a b-side to the Green River song "Swallow My Pride").

Both records make up a small offering of a good, if not slightly forgotten early 90's punk band. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD: Olivelawn - 2 7inches

Youth Avoiders - "Demo"

Few and far between are the bands that take you by total surprise, hitting you upside your head and knocking you to the ground with pure musical enjoyment.

Youth Avoiders from France are one such band.

Blending Hardcore and Punk into a very seamless sound that holds the passionate fury of early hardcore while having enough jangly guitars and attitude to make No Hope For the Kids & Autistic Youth feel a bit envious; Youth Avoiders come straight at you, hit you, and keep on rolling throughout the all too short 7 song, 14 minute offering.

Sometimes less is more, and after a near 3-month infatuation with this band, its still holding a firm place in my playlist (as is their split with the equally great Zombies Are Pissed!); so we'll cut right down to it-

Youth Avoiders take everything that distinguished a band like No Hope For the Kids from others just rehashing HC Punk worship (those melodic leads, furious guitars with that ever so clean sound instead of over driven distortion) and funnel it down through a near garage punk sound while including those nearly dueling vocals that some times shout, sometimes sing, to give them similarities to some of my personal favorite Autistic Youth songs (such as "You Can't Take It All Back" & "Find Me Here")- all the while doing it in a way that does not sound borrowed or emulated.

While there isn't a bad track here, the songs "Joy" & "Acid Feedback" get the most attention at the moment. The "breakdown" or temp change near the end of Acid Feedback is simply fucking incredible. Simple, but with a real punch. Enjoy!

The demo is currently available on vinyl as well as their newish split 7inch with Zombies Are Pissed!

For more info and some other equally good French/European bands, check out their website:

Youth Avoiders Website

DOWNLOAD: Youth Avoiders - "Demo 2010"

I also did a short interview with singer Chris, who I had contacted after first being blown away by the band; who was more than friendly and helpful with running copies of their stuff.... Thanks again, Chris!

1. How did Youth Avoiders come together?

Youth Avoiders started in October 2009 with Bastien, who played in a band called Youssouf Today and moved to Paris to train to be a male nurse, Christoph who's German and moved to Paris to study politics, he used to play in a band called Drop The Bomb, and finally Marlon and I used to play in a band called Toad Flanders until we quit in 2008 when I moved to Liverpool, UK for a year. When I came back home in 2009, I met Bastien and Christoph at 2 different gigs in a week time or so. As we were all looking for a band, we decided to book a rehearsal studio and we started from the guitar riffs Christoph had composed at home.

2. What does the band name mean?

Well, our band name hasn't got a really defined meaning. The fact that we had a few songs in a short time after our first practice, and that we had to play our first show one month later rushed us in the search of a band name. In the beginning we didn't really know where to go with our music and lyrics, we just did it influenced by old school bands, so we had to pick a name which sounds both punk and "old school". We like the idea that this name could have different meanings. To us, it means like we are the youth, punk rock is the youth, and we are surrounded by youth avoiders who don't care about underground culture, who don't want to understand nor face it.

3. What have you done as a band so far (recording/shows) and what do you hope to do in the future?

So far we've recorded a 7-track demo at Max's home studio (he also plays with us at some shows on 2nd guitar and he plays in 2 bands called Haute Couture and Black Spirals) which has been released on cassette, and a year later, after it was sold out from the band and from most of the labels, we decided to give it a second life on 7" vinyl. Recently, we also recorded 3 songs that have been released on a split 7" with our friends Zombies Are Pissed! From Caen, Normandy.
We played about 30 gigs, mostly in the Paris area, but also in the UK and in other areas in France. We are playing a festival in Germany in June; we're excited about that and eager to play there.

4. At this time, what are things like in the Paris/French Punk and Hardcore scenes?

I think the punk/hardcore scene is alright in France, we've got good bands and quite a lot of foreign bands touring in Europe. The scene is probably not as big as it is in Germany for example, we've got less venues which allow punk/hardcore bands to play, and less people going to the shows, but we are doing our best to "keep the scene alive", and we're having fun.

5. Is it easy or hard to go to other countries such as Italy, Espana, England, Belgium, and other surrounding countries? I ask, because it is something a little different for us here in the US where the country is so big and travel from state to state is fairly simple most of the time.

It depends on how good and "popular" your band is (even if some really good bands remain unknown), but I think yeah, it's quite easy to tour in Europe as there are no more identity controls at frontiers for European countries who signed Schengen Agreement. You can easily drive from one country to another. You need contacts, people motivated to put up a gig for you and then give your best when playing live. In my opinion that's the best about DIY touring and playing in a band: meet new friends, visit places you've never been to and have fun.

6. Any smaller or new bands from France/Europe people should listen to? Any good zines?

It's hard to answer exhaustively to this question. We've got a list of bands mostly from France on our website that everybody should check (http://youthavoiders.free.fr/linkseng.htm), and, in the case you've been through all these links and you still want more, send me an e-mail (bbqchicken AT hotmail DOT fr). The euro bands that we're listening to at the moment are Eagulls (UK), a lot of bands from the Nordic Area like U.X. Vileheads, Herätys, Terrible Feelings, etc. From Germany there is Dean Dirg, Press Gang, Idle Hands and finally from France there is: Police Truck and Zombies Are Pissed! From France.
Some really good upcoming bands from France at the moment:
- Sport from Lyon, they play a mix of American Football and Latterman-like emo punk
- There is also Cycle To from Paris who are also in this kind of music style
- Haute Couture, with Seve from Autistic Youth (Portland, USA) on drums, Max (who also plays with Black Spirals and us on 2nd guitar), Hervé (who used to play with Miles Away), and Julien (No Guts No Glory). They play early Poison Idea-like hardcore punk.

If you are an English-speaking fanzine amateur, I would suggest you read Just Say Yo! made by Nabil, he just released a new one, it's well made and very interesting, check it out:http://justsayyo.wordpress.com/
We've got loads of other fanzines in France but almost all in French, simply because we're not very good at writing in English :)

7. Any last words, comments?

Thank you very much for your interest, it's always good to know people sharing the same passion and showing interest in what you do, even if they're living on a different continent. It really means something to us. Thanks again and keep up the good job you're doing with this blog !

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.

CD, Tape, DVD, Zine Trading

Go It Alone - Tithemi: Redlands, Ca 2005

Something that I enjoyed in the past was tape trading. I heard a lot of bands, punk, hardcore and otherwise this way. I'm currently without a tape deck and to be honest, many people today probably wouldn't bother with the process to make one.

However, after a good run of coming across some bands that really excited me (Youth Avoiders, Zombies Are Pissed, and Black Spirals; among others), and some Zines I really dug (Just Say Yo! from France being my favorite because it arrived today and kicks ass), it got me in a mood for at least putting out there to swap CD's with people who are interested.

Local bands, new, old, whatever- you can get a vibe for what I like, and if you're here, I can take a stab in the dark at what you like. Yes, everything is so fucking easy to access, consume, and process. And there are things I like about that- I can get blown away by a band like Youth Avoiders that way. But there is still something much more to be said for getting a record or even CD of unknown music, a Zine filled with things to read, and so on. I remember the guy who ran Slug & Lettuce had a nice trade list going on where the first person sent stuff to the next person who signed up on the list and so on. Whatever you wanted to send, as long as actual music was involved. That was a cool idea.

Anyhow, Putting it out there- you can email me and I will gladly trade addresses. All are welcome, Out of State, Out of Country, everything. You can even send what you're most interested in. However, it needs to be actual mailed things, whatever they may be. No set standards other than music or music related.

it.follows.blog@gmail.com

PS- if you're looking at this 6 months or a year after this has been posted and the blog is still active, then the offer still stands. So send away!

IE Vegan Pt. 2: Viva La Vegan Grocery Store

Buccaneer (3 Musketeer) & RazDillo (Zinger)

I will be the very first to say that I: #1 enjoy sweets, junk food, and most things fried and that #2 I went vegan for the animals and how I feel about the killing of animals, factory farming, and the dairy industry.
That being said, I still strive to eat better. However, after  7 years of veganism and 6 years of vegetarianism before that, I will be the first to admit to his own ruts, comforts, and concessions. In those 13 years I have developed a love for Ginger ( a nice, but acquired taste for a treat that can have more than just a snack advantage) and staples such as Kale/Seaweed snacks. Ive always been a very big fruit person, and I love most vegetable, even if I prefer some of them to have pepper and salt on them.


In the pursuit of both the conscious vegan and the snacking vegan I draw your

attention to Viva La Vegan Grocery in Rancho, California. While the Inland Empire has 3 Clarks Nutrition Locations that carry a ton of veggie/vegan options and a wealth of organic produce as well as Oasis/La Sierra Market which is all veggie/vegan, "Viva" as it is often referred to, is ALL VEGAN.

Viva La Vegan came to be late in 2010 through the hard work of quite a few people. It is the first all vegan store in the Inland Empire and just so happens to be situated rather close to two all vegan restaurant, Bright Star Thai Vegan (Thai food along with some american standards like fries, chicken nuggets, and a chicken burger), and the formerly Veggie Era, now a Loving Hut. It also must be noted that it is a mere 2 blocks from record nerd outpost, Dr. Strange Records. Viva continues to grow into it's space, which is connected to a Discount Store that is owned and operated under the same management.

As Viva has grown in its short life, it has gone from a few racks of things to more and more racks of food, clothing, toiletries, shoes, produce, freezers, cosmetics, and more. It continues to expand, with discount racks usually 3 racks full (no doubt a benefit to its parent association with a Discount Store), and look for more ways to reach into the local community as well as the vegan/veggie community. They have also taken to having monthly potlucks and other events which allow it be almost a gathering place as well as a store.

Viva La Vegan has astonishingly fair and even cheap prices, in part due to its resources, but more so, due to the stores willingness to work with distributors and try to provide the best to their customers. From working with companies like Baby Cakes and local Pizza shop Cheezy Pizza to provide their products in the store, to simply keeping prices to a bare minimum, the customer is truly the winner here.

Make sure you check it out if you're in the area or from the area; and if you know a veggie or vegan in the area or coming to the area, let them know. The store is still very new and the support means the world.

Viva La Vegan - Facebook
9456 Roberds St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
Phone : (909) 941-4495
Store Hours: Mon - Sun:10:00 am-7:00 pm

Backside - 3 Song 7inch

Another great record from one of my favorite local punk bands (Corona, California). Backside played what I guess would be best described as New School Skate Punk; somewhere between earlier Millencollin & Nofx, but with a much more consistently speedy pace that showed some of the old school hardcore roots they drew from.

This record was released before the release of their second LP "Disconnected, Misdirected" which was posted on the blog earlier HERE. It features 3 songs that would later appear, re-recorded, on the full length. 3 songs of speedy punk that is ever-so-slightly tinged by old school hardcore and has just a little melody thrown in with vocals that are almost spoken or shouted in a slightly snotty tone than they are screamed.

Backside cannot be mentioned without mentioning the legendary Showcase Theatre also located in Corona, Ca. Not only did Backside play there monthly for many years, but this 7 inch was acquired for free at a record release there, and I just have to say, a great fucking time was had & a Minor Threat cover was simply icing on the cake.

The show where said 7 inch was acquired. 

DOWNLOAD: Backside - 3 Song 7inch

Sign Language 3x 7inch Compilation

Happy Record Store Day- go out to your local shops and check out the sales, appreciate the mom & pops, and of course, get the Record Day record pressings! Then you can come back here and download, this stuff will still be here.

So, this gem was one of those 'Hey, check out what just came in' items when I walked in to Dr. Strange Records about a year ago. I had NO clue that it existed and among the many reasons to own such a treat, it has a 411 song that appears no where else. Funny as it is (and it always seems to be this way when I'm on a mission at Doc) I was actually there to pick up a copy of the Suburban Voice comp. that had another exclusive 411 song on it.
411 aside, this Allied Records comp. includes a bunch of early/mid-90's hardcore/punk bands that got quite a bit of recognition- Jawbox, Econochrist, Seein' Red, Christ On A Crutch, & Sawhorse are among the 12 tracks found here (four per 7inch). You could easily think this came out on Ebullition.

On top of all the good bands & tracks is the packaging- a box taped together on one side so that it flips open.  Inside, three separate records each with a tweaked Stop sign to read: STOP WAR, STOP SEXISM, STOP RACISM. The songs along with other pictures reflect each record's themes, while the booklet inside has one of my favorite things about comp. 7inches- Band pages. Each band has one done differently by each respective band. Spread throughout are also writings and explanations about the records and their assembly. Lastly, the comp comes with postcards of each record, and theyre not just some photocopied nonsense, rather, they have the covers on one side and info. on the back including Allied Records info.

Great comp, Great packaging, and I picked it up for under $15. Win, Win, Win.


DOWNLOAD: V/A - Sign Language Compilation

HAPPY RECORD STORE DAY!!!

Coalesce | The Get Up Kids - "Split"

A fun split from these two diversely different bands. Each band takes a song from the other and essentially re-imagine it, adapting it to their style. Coalesce with "I'm Giving Up On This One" (originally "Second Place"), the Get Up Kids "Burned Bridges" (originally "Harvester of Maturity").

In case you've lived in a cave (and under a rock in that cave), the Get Up Kids play a catchy blend of emo with a poppy punk slant that still pays credit to hardcore. Fun music.
Coalesce play odd hardcore that draws on a lot of influences from metal and odd time signatures. With a vocalist who sounds very different from almost anyone, they can plow right through you only to stop suddenly and lurch forward before just completely destroying your whole existence. A bit dramatic? Perhaps. But Coalesce is very, very different. They would share a member with the Get Up Kids for a long time (as well as all of the Casket Lottery, two of which still play in the band).

DOWNLOAD: Coalesce / The Get Up Kids "Split"