Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Super Hi-5 - 9.21.99

Asscard Records

9.21.99 was a vinyl only 10" on Asscard Records from Germany and was only available for a short time in the US. Years ago, after the Creep Store closed, I used to stop by the Creep house to pick up records. I happened to stop by one afternoon and Arik had just gotten this box in from Germany, and I immediately snagged one, despite only being able to use my dad's record player. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite Super Hi-5 records, and I'm glad to finally have a decent rip of it. 10 songs, many of which went on to be on their final release Songs for Working, as well as a Leatherface cover. This was a nice step of them. Arik's voice was getting better and better with each release, and Sid still sounded gruff and husky. The musicianship was a step up, and hugely dynamic and this release even experimented with new instrumentation. The use of a Fender Rhodes electric piano added a bit of extra melody that wasn't really on earlier releases. Listen and enjoy. Thanks to Dave Jannes for the rip of this.

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Alison Ranger - s/t demo

I figured in an attempt to liven things up, I'll start uploading older albums that I loved and that still hold up now. The first is the demo from Alison Ranger. Alison Ranger was a screamy emo band from West Chester, PA. I saw this band a handful of times, and they never disappointed live. This is their first demo, which they put out themselves in a decent looking packaging, which I've since lost. They used to have really fun shows at the bassists house and brought in screamo bands from all over the country, as well as some awesome locals. Not to mention they would take a lot of the door money and go buy pizza for everyone! Sick. But I digress. Six songs of screamo with keyboards used fairly tastefully and a drummer who seemed to be playing a fill constantly. They also had a full length titled Formula Imperative on Creep Records, which I'll up if there's interest. In the meantime, check this record out.

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Saturday, May 3, 2008

Interview - Braindead

Braindead is a hardcore band from Philly that should be way bigger than they are. Unfortunately, things never really seem to work out for them. They've had lineup changes and problems with the rhythm section almost steadily in the last few years. Still, their demo 7" on Braindrain, and their split with Blackbirds were both great. Their debut full length will be out this summer, and it's great. It seems that they've finally found the sound they were going towards, and in doing so have recorded a really strong first full length. It'll be out soon, and I'll have a review up in the next few weeks. Below is an interview with Steve (vocals) and Eric (guitar), two of the original members of Braindead, and great dudes.

1. Ok, you have friends in from out of town. What five places in Philly do you take them?
Steve: Well, if it was up to Eric, they would end up at his house playing Halo and nothing else.
As for me: 1- I guess a classic cheese steak. I mean, why not, and for the vegans there are other places we could go. 2- Since I'm a big art nerd and I like free shit, I would take someone to the art museum. If you got a student ID. I just think it's a sweet place to go. 3- Monday night Dudes Night at the Khyber. 4- Pretzel factory. 5- Art making Machine Studios. It's rad place cool gallery, and awesome studio spaces. Movie Nights every Wednesday night.
Eric: If I had any friends from out of town, they'd probably stay with Stevie because I'm from Jersey and I never leave my house unless it's to play Halo at Chris'.

2. Favorite venue in Philadelphia to play? Favorite to see a show?
Steve: Church is fun to play, and as far as favorites to see a show, I'd say Disgraceland and the Church, no doubt.
Eric: Hands down, the First Unitarian Church. Just something about that place, no matter who it is or how many kids, it's always full of energy.

3. Favorite all-time show(s) you've seen in Philly?
Steve: Recently, I would say Formaldehyde Junkies at Disgraceland.
Eric: Converge in Funrama's basement, American Nightmare and Count Me out at the Killtime, Saves and Day and NFG at the Church. The list could go on and on.

4. Top current Philadelphia area bands?
Steve: Lighten Up, Let Down, Paint it Black, BlackListed, UNIVOX
Eric: Blacklisted, Paint it Black and Let Down without a doubt

5. Top all-time Philadelphia area bands?
Steve: Shit, Knives Out is one of my favs.
Eric: Damage II or anything Mike Drelling got kicked out of - LOLz.

6. What records are you loving right now? (Not just Philly bands)
Steve: Death Spell Omega - Fas-Ite, Maledecti, in ignem, Wolves in the Throne Room - Two Hunters, Superdrag - Regretfully Yours, Quicksand - Manic Compression, Cursed III, Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear.
Eric: Title Fight - Kingston, Title Fight - Kingston, Title Fight - Kingston

7.
Best food in Philly. Which is your top spot for each?
Steve: Pizza - Key Pizza in Fishtown
Burrito/Mexican - Call me crazy, but I still love the Qdoba Chicken Queso
Cheesesteak (vegan counts) - Pats
Chinese - Vegetarian Kingdom, and Master Wok on Temple's Campus
Other- Burgers at Standard Tap.
Eric: Pizza? Whatever you're buyin' me.
Burrito/Mexican? I don't know
Cheesesteak (vegan counts)? Who wants a vegan cheesesteak? No thanks.
Chinese? I'M KOREAN
Other? Wawa. Duh

8. Closing up, what do you guys have planned for the near future? Shows/records/tours/etc?
Steve: New record out in June, tour with Ruiner this summer for 5 weeks and just trying to start playing out as much as possible. Have a bunch of stuff lined up before tour. Also, keeping consistent band members. If anything has slowed us down its the lack of a steady lineup. Me and Eric are the only people in this band that have been with it since its inception.
Eric: Hopefully we can hook up an Xbox so we can play Halo on tour, that is unless we kill each other first. Can't wait for This Is Hardcore 08.


Cloak/Dagger / Affirmative Action Jackson - 4.25.08

Deep Sleep
8PM

Despite being a kinda shitty, rainy night, I met up with some friends for pizza beforehand, and then headed over to Deep Sleep for my second Cloak/Dagger show in four days. Deep Sleep has had some pretty killer shows, and this would be my second time seeing AAJ there. This was my first show in the basement there, and it's a pretty solid show space.

There was a bit of a delay in the 7:30 start time, but that was for the better as it allowed for a lot of pretty awesome people to show up. Heather got there a bit late after a final, and I got to see some friends that I haven't seen as much as I'd like to lately. So, as much as I didn't really feel like waiting around on a Monday night, it ended up being a fun time.

Philly's favorite thrashy hardcore/joke band played first, and killed it. The last time I saw them was at the Fest, and it actually their last show. They made mention of it being their last show, and that they haven't even practiced since then. Andy and Josh attempted that afternoon, but gave up quickly, deeming it worthless. They must have been right, because they slayed it. The set was short and quick, but filled with the typical AAJ between song banter. Multiple references were made to Josh's cell phone set list, as well as mocking the "individualized street wear" sold at Deep Sleep, and emails chastising their Nikes. Always hilarious, and tight as usual. They played a lot of the songs they've been playing for years, and ended with two songs from the Sound of Failure split, which they are still selling, as well as Toshi t-shirts. Swish.

Since the bands were sharing cabs, after drums were set up, Cloak/Dagger started pretty quickly. They came out raging with a pretty similar set to Friday night in Doylestown, but they actually seemed even more energetic. Jason was bouncing all over the place with the mic on the stand, and about halfway through took it off. The set was going great, but came to a fairly abrupt halt when Colin's amp or guitar started causing all kinds of problems. Luckily, while trying to solve all of this, Mike from The Loved Ones entertained everyone with jokes. Interesting to say the least. After switching guitars, amps, and cords, The Daggers finally got going again and launched into two more songs...until the snare drum gave way and they called it quits. I'm glad I got to see them for again so quickly, as their sets keep getting better and more energetic. They also had the new 7" with them, but unfortunately they're still waiting on the LP version of We Are. Hopefully they'll be around again soon and they'll have it with them.