Review: Wasteoids - Demo 2011

Blank Stare Hardcore

Here are all the things I knew about this Wasteoids tape when I bought it:

1) Blank Stare put it out. Usually a good sign.

2) Jonah from Fucked Up recorded it.

3) Chris from Cursed has a vocal cameo.

As far as pedigree goes, that’s pretty solid.  It doesn’t say much about what the band actually sounds like though.

Fortunately, the tape manages mark out some fairly distinct territory. Wasteoids play solid street/oi! Influenced hardcore. The 4 songs here range from mid tempo and head nodding on “Moon People,” to full speed and balls out on “The Wasteoid Crew.” The whole thing manages to be catchy as all hell to boot.

I defy you to NOT scream “Fuck You! Give me a beer! I came to party!” during the last song. I just caught myself doing that, and I’m sitting in my apartment by myself.

So, here’s the thing, I got into hardcore through punk. As much love as I have for a great many metal based HC bands, I will ALWAYS get behind a band that keeps it simple, keeps it dirty and keeps it fun. This Wasteoids tape fits that description in spades.

Good shit.

Buy It! (I actually think it's sold out... so get that Owl Eyes 7"!)

Bandcamp (Free Download)

Review: Demolition - Demo 2012

Demo 2012

Blank Stare Hardcore

Track listing:

1. Intro//Here To Stay

2. Don't Need Your Help

3. Us Against You

4. United We Stand

“I won’t play your games. I don’t need your help.”

Hardcore can, at times, be guilty of letting itself get way too fancy.

It can be exciting to hear some band take shit in interesting, genre expanding directions. Once in a while, I like a “hardcore” record I can play for normal people without them looking at me like I just pissed on their couch. Most of the time though, I go to hardcore looking for fast, ugly aggression. That’s what it’s there for.

Which brings me to this demo tape by Ontario’s Demolition.

This thing delivers 4 tracks  (well… 4 and a half. There’s an intro) of straight up HC punk in just over 5 minutes.  It plows through its run time pretty quick, but changes it up enough that you can tell the songs apart. Generally, Demolition keep up the pace but have enough slow, stompy parts to get your head nodding. With the right crowd, I could see this being a lot of fun live.

Lyrics-wise, Demolition sticks to the hardcore standards. Generally revolving around not taking a bunch of shit off of anyone. It’s all delivered via a solid, if unremarkable vocalist whose name I don’t know because the tape doesn’t have credits.

I always have a hard time pegging influences for bands like this. It just reminds me of OLD hardcore records. Do you like old hardcore records? Specifically, old East Coast hardcore records. Fast, pissed… no metal or whatever the fuck else? Then this is up your alley.

It ain’t pretty. It ain’t slick. It’s 5 and change minutes of angry kids venting spleen.  If that shit was ever gonna get old, it would have by now.

Buy A Tape!

Bandcamp