Twin Cities Hardcore – Editorials

My next installment is Beyond’s No Longer At Ease LP. I remember
hearing about this band from older people I went to shows with. It was
the typical I know something you do not know scenario which always makes one want to seek it out immediately. They were this hidden gem
that was getting a lot of hype and that was something during this time
period.

Musically, Beyond was certainly at the head of the pack in 88-89, and
that’s saying something for this time in NYHC. Not surprisingly, many
of the members went on to “bigger” bands. Tom Capone (guitar) played
in Quicksand, Bold, and Handsome; Vic DiCara (bass) was in Inside Out, 108, and Burn; Alan Cage (drums) was also in Burn, Quicksand, Seaweed, and Kevin Egan (voc.) fronted the 1.6 Band.

In addition to an enormous amount of song ideas and rhythm changes, 
that get crammed into each of these songs there is a lot of youthful
energy on this record. The intro (Save Ourselves) is in my top three
ever and it leads into Vitality, which is one, the best songs on the
album. I was into the way the vocals were done because they were not
the typical style for that time period as well. They were pissed but
you can understand everything Kevin was trying to convey. I always
thought his lyrics were doing a little more than the usual stabbed in
the back and you let me down variety. It came down to some strong
personalities being in this band and I think that is why it worked so
well.

Also note, any band that has song named after the band is usually
awesome in my book (ie. Side By Side), and Beyond lives up to the challenge.

Overall this LP just doesn’t get the widespread recognition that it
deserves. I avoid labeling this record as “underrated”, because I
believe that the people who actually do know it give it proper
respect.

The demo, “Just Dew It” is also included at the end.

So if you don’t have this milestone of NYHC already, grab it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?jvgigzdyrgy

- Jim Grimes

I always loved the bands from Orange County, like Insted and Uniform Choice in the late 80′s, but No For An Answer was always my favorite. They seemed to be above the others during that time period. This week’s installment will be their LP A Thought Crusade. I was in a band that recorded one of their songs for a comp. That is how much I was into what they were doing. I also thought that Dan O’Mahoney’s delivery was pissed and his general presence was something that no one else had.

NFAA’s full-length was a huge step up from the band’s debut 7″, both musically and lyrically. A Thought Crusade was recorded at Spot Recordings 8/88 through 10/88 and was originally released on Hawker Records later that year. I think they brought a heavier sound to what was going on at the time and were digging deeper lyrically as well. They seemed to be very intent on separating themselves for what they were being lumped in with.

A Though Crusade LP line up:
Dan O’Mahoney – vocals
Gavin Oglesby – guitar
Sterling Wilson – bass
Chris Bratton – drums

After NFAA broke up, Dan formed 411, and later Speak 714. I don’t think he could capture the same feeling he had with these new bands and I never really gave them much attention.

Other members of the band have played in various bands, including Inside Out, Unity, Justice League and Ignite.

Here is part of an interview I lifted from Blogged and Quartered that explains a little of what was behind their intentions.

Dan O’Mahoney on No For An Answer:  NFAA was supposed to be mid paced and somewhat melodic like mid-model Government Issue or Stalag 13, Dag Nasty even… whoops!  When Youth off Today came through opening up for 7 Seconds (in ’86 I believe) everything changed. They were so aggressive, so bent on networking with everyone they met, knowing those guys made you immediately a part of something. I remember Ray getting my number from Billy Rubin (Half-Off) and calling me at home even though we’d never met simply because we shared so many friends. We talked for an hour and worked together and sometimes in opposition to each other but always as friends for many years to follow. In those early days the group identity had not yet become quite so codified. By ’87/’88 NFAA was making waves of its own and already starting to resist several facets of the youth crew movement. If you look at the lyrics to the A Thought Crusade record this resistance is pretty clear.

Here you go – enjoy!

http://www.mediafire.com/?tudkr4ozugy

- Jim Grimes

I’m going to start off this series with a couple of  albums I think everyone should hear and have some knowledge about. Warzone’s Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget the Streets and Open Your Eyes.

Having seen them live a number times in the late 80′s-90′s and watching them progress to the Victory years I just knew that they would become an iconic band and stay the course of time. They were a great live band, and some of their post-peak records were alright, but I never really cared about anything beyond their first two records and the 7 inch. But what continues to blow my mind to this day is just how rare that material is, especially if you prefer the CD format.

This particular download collects the band’s first two LP’s on one disc and was released in 1994 by the now defunct Another Planet Records (who also gave this 2-on-1 treatment to the almighty Cro-Mags and Leeway, among others). “Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget the Streets” originally hit the streets in 1987 on Fist Records; with the lineup of former Agnostic Front drummer and core Warzone member Raybeez on vocals, Paul and Crazy “Jay” Skin on guitars, John “Omen” on bass, and Luke Abbey from Gorilla Biscuits on drums. Even Walter from Gorilla Biscuits/Quicksand was in Warzone at one time. It was re-released by Caroline a year later, and they stayed with Caroline until 1990. Raybeez started the band again with Victory Records a few years later – where they remained until he died (long before his time) of pneumonia on September 11, 1997 (R.I.P.). “Open Your Eyes” came out a year later in 1988 and featured the same lineup, except that Eric “E.K.” Komst played drums.

As one should likely expect, even if you’ve never heard the band, this is 22 tracks and 52 minutes of classic New York hardcore on every level. From straight-up hardcore with basic power chords, moderately fast pacing, and shouted vocals; to subtle metal influences coming into the crunchier mid-paced runs and solo-ing. Every song is a keeper and the vibe shifts seamlessly from genuinely passionate, to angry and aggravated, to lighthearted and fun. The bass lines, the attitude, the diversity… it’s just great. And it really  kills me that it can be so hard to expose yourself to this material these days. There’s just no damn excuse. These songs are the blueprint of NYHC.

Like an idiot, I passed on buying this disc a few times when I was younger since it just wasn’t a priority, because I already owned the vinyl. Then it became too late, as this cd is just impossible to find for a reasonable price now. You are better off trying to buy the vinyl on Ebay. It’s a true crime that these classics aren’t readily available anymore, but I don’t even know what kind of red tape would be involved in remedying that situation. It is a shame because these should definitely live on for ages to come.

Here you go – enjoy!

http://www.mediafire.com/?j22mtwiimmy

- Jim Grimes