Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children MacNuggits

Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children MacNuggits started in 1995 in Pinole, Ca. The core of the band are members Corbett Redford (singer) and Dan Abbott (guitar). They play folk, folk punk, or satire rock depending on who you talk to. All you need to know is that they are funny, sometimes irreverent, and just flat out good. I've included their LP Carmelita Sings!: Visions Of A Rock Apocalypse put out in 2000 on their own label S.P.A.M. Records.

Bobby Joe has been busy recently putting out an EP titled Freaky Baby, an LP titled F, and recording videos for every song on F for a DVD companion to the record. They cuurently have a kickstarter page where they are trying to raise money to buy a reliable tour van. Check out the link HERE and help them out. If you can't donate please at least pass the link on to anyone you think might like these guys. Bleow you'll find their most recent video off the LP F.

Carmelita Sings!: Visions of a Rock Apocalypse

The Damage Done

The Damage Done was a hardcore band from California from 2001-2003. I did this interview with their singer Kyle in August of 2003 for a zine I was working on. Long story short none of the other bands got back to me with their interviews, and the 2 friends I tasked with reviews flaked on me as well, so I decided to not do the zine. The band ended up breaking shortly after that. After their last show Kyle and I were talking and decided to update the interview a bit and then submit it to Maximum Rock N Roll who ran the story in the March 2004 issue #250.

The Damage Done wasn't the best hardcore band, but they had substance. They walked the walk, and showed everyone what integrity is.

ST: Ok lets start from the first practice. Give me a little history about how the band started, and did yu think you'd make it this far?

KW: Well, The Damage Done really started in spring of 2001 in the small college town of San Luis Obispo, CA with me and Nick (our original guitarist) just wanting to start a band that could get out there, have some fun, and really have something to say. There was this kid Dave that was moving in next door to a friend of ours, and we started hanging out and found out he played bass, so we recruited him and this other guy Ryan to play drums. Things just never really came together with Ryan, and Dave had just started learning to play drums. So it quickly become Nick on guitar, Dave on drums, me singing, and we finally talked our friend Chris into playing bass (he'd played bass when he was a kid and stuff, but felt like he wasn't really capable of playing in a band and shit. He was wrong. He's done great.). Things started moving along nicely until summer hit... Nick went to Europe, I moved to the SF Bay Area for an internship. Everything was on hold... While I was working in the Bay Area, I was living with our friend James and his parents. He had played guitar a bit when he was younger and he started talking about possibly joining TDD as a second guitarist. When Nick came back from Europe and school picked up again, we started practicing and James fit right into the fold. That's when everything REALLY came together. We recorded a demo and played our first show in October of 2001
. We spent that whole winter writing for our next record, the 8 song "Never Wash Away" EP. We recorded that in May of 2002 and promptly went out on an coast tour for 10 days in June of 2002. We had a great time hanging out and seeing some new things, but the actual shows on the tour went pretty rough, and on the plane ride home from tour, Nick quit the band because his heart just wasn't in it anymore. ...I had just graduated college, so after we got home from tour, I went off to Europe for the summer. In Europe, I met up with a guy named Giampaolo Bilia, someone who I'd traded records with for years. We talked a bit about The Damage Done and we decided that he and his friend Dario would like to work together to put out something by TDD on the Italian label, Goodwill Records. Once I got home from Europe, I moved up to the SF Bay Area, creating a long distance sort of thing with this band (San Luis Obispo is 4 hours south of SF). We sorted everything out and figured out that we would do a 5 song 7" on Western Front Records, a 3 song split 7" with a band called DAY OF THE DEAD from Portugal on Goodwill Records in I

taly, and then release all 8 songs on a CDEP with Western Front. In the meantime, we had some lineup changes - we needed another guitarist, and after looking for a new one, we decided to move Dave from drums to guitar, and find a new drummer. We picked up my friend Justin, who I've known since elementary school, to play drums. He played in a great band called Conscientious Objector from Northern California that broke up way before their time. Anyways, there were countless delays with all of the records, and shit got kind of messed up. We played a record release show on November 23rd, 2002 for the Never Wash Away

7", then the split 7" came out in February, and the CD didn't come out until June of 2003. During all of this time, Justin and I (living in the bay area) were driving down to San Luis Obispo almost every other weekend to practice and/or play shows, and we pushed pretty hard at

that. I think that's when we really started to get a little burnt out and realize that this long distance thing was pretty hard on us. We managed to write 5 new songs during this period, and we were planning to write a full length and record it in the fall. But around May of 2003, we all sat down and had a talk and realized that with Dave and Chris going into their last year of college, and with James re-locating to the Bay Area, shit was going to be too difficult. We decided to call it quits, but keep it kind of quiet and just play Sink With Cali and Che Fests during the summer. In August, we went in with a friend and recorded those last 5 songs we wrote and released it as our final release "City Of Hope".... You asked me if we're proud of how far we've come? Fuck yeah I am, man. We started this band as a group of friends, 3 of which were learning their instruments as we fucking went along. Shit man, we didn't even know what we were doing. We had no ex-members-of hype, nothing like that at all. We just worked our asses off, and I think that last 5 song record we did is a really good hardcore record. The other records, they're pretty sub-par, pretty average hardcore... But I think the last record is something to be really proud of, especially since we just went in and recorded it for like $300 and in one day. We just wanted something for people to remember us by, to see how much we've grown, you know?

ST: Are you involved in anything else besides the Damage Done? bands/zines/whatever

KW: Yeah, me and my best friend, Zach Harlan, just started a label called RIVAL RECORDS. With this label, we want to try and give more of a voice to good bands out there that aren't hyped, don't have ex-members-of... Good bands that somehow get overlooked because they aren't what's "cool" or whatever. Of course I'm not saying we won't be putting things out that have ex-members and all that, but what I'm saying is that we are not doing this label to "get big" or make money or any stupid shit like that. We're doing this label because I think hardcore is moving more and more from its DIY roots and I feel like good kids are slipping through the cracks because they don't wear the right kind of running shoes or cargo shorts. You know what I mean? Anyways, our first three releases are available NOW! The first is a 5 song CDEP by PHYSICAL CHALLENGE (from Portland, Oregon), entitled "Some Still Care." The Damage Done played with them in Portland on our last trip to Seattle back in March, and they really blew me away. They're just good kids, playing good hardcore. Zach and I both agree that musically and vocally it's sort of Striking Distance meets Stay Gold. It's always hard to describe a band's sound real easily, but I think that most people could agree with that comparison. If anyone's interested in hearing a song, you can go to www.RivalRecords.NET (be careful, because RivalRecords.com is some defunct R&B label). The title track of the record is up there in MP3 format, along with ordering information. It's $6 postage paid ($5 at shows). Seriously, if anyone out here has a few extra bucks or a few extra seconds, at least check out the MP3 and give them a chance. They're a hard working band that deserves to be heard. Our other 2 releases - Rival #002 the debut 10 song CD from the SF Bay Area's TIME FOR LIVING. It looks and sounds really awesome... Mix the strength of NYHC style hardcore like Madball or Killing Time with the heart of modern bands like Modern Life Is War and you've got Time For Living. I'm so psyched on this band, both as an individuals and as a band, and it's great to get to work with them. Check them out at one of their local shows and

pick up their record. We also put out The Damage Done final recording entitled "City Of Hope". It's the 5 song CDEP I was talking about before. We also have a few new releases planned for this winter - watch out for a 7" by Seattle's Rosary + some more. So yeah, this stuff is keeping me pretty busy lately - check it out at www.RivalRecords.NET.

ST: What was your motivation to start the band, and what continues to motivate you?
KW: Ok, as for THE DAMAGE DONE... We started this band just as a tight group of friends that wanted to make some music together. As for me personally, I had a goal with this band to get out there and actually try to SAY SOMETHING. I feel like these days in hardcore it's OK to just try and be the hardest, or the fastest or the catchiest, and no one seems to give two shits about what's actually in the lyrics, as long as they sound good with the music. And there's a fine line there, and I've struggled with that because I want to fit a certain amount of content in the songs, but at the same time, the vocals have to fit everything else, just like the guitar has to fit the drums, etc etc. But anyways, I've realized all along that nearly EVERYTHING has been said in one form or another in the past, but I do feel like some things aren't said enough, and some things can be said differently. Maybe I can't say it better or even as well as someone else, but every person has their own experiences and should be able to add something to a topic without just re-hashing someone else's thought. And so far, I think this band has done a pretty good job of not being cookie-cutter in what we are about. We don't have one particular agenda, we don't have any cheesy slogans or anything like that, we're just a hardcore band that really doesn't give a shit about classifications or what clothes you should wear or anything like that. I guess what I'm trying to say is: we started this band to be a fucking hardcore punk band that has something to say, plain and simple. We didn't get together and go "ok, let's start a youth crew band", or "dude, we need to play THIS kind of music" or anything like that. Unfortunately, I think we sometimes get categorized into one genre of hardcore or another and because of that, kids don't give us the time of day, but I wouldn't say that we're just your typical ANY type of band... We're kind of all over the place... (which can be both good AND bad. haha.) As for what motivates me to keep moving on in this band, well.... This band is breaking up, and our last show is at 924 Gilman St on October 4th, but that has nothing to do with what does or doesn't motivate me. I'm still motivated by the energy, the sincerity, the passion, and the anger that is embodied by hardcore and most likely will be for a very very very long time. A lot of people try to say that it's time to throw in the towel, that things are fucked and hardcore is completely "lost" at this point, but when I see certain kids out there at shows that have that fucking "look in their eye" (and Dave, I know you know the look that i'm talking about), I know that this shit isn't dead. There's just certain people out there that won't let it die. People that see through all the shit, people frustrated as fuck with how the world is turning out, people who are just plain angry and/or depressed, and peope who want to make things fucking better. Those are the real deal hardcore punk kids,

those are the kids I surround myself with, those are the kids that motivate me, and THOSE are the kids that I look up to, no matter if they're 15 years old or 35 years old.

ST: How has being in the band affected you? good or bad.

KW: I think this band has taught me a lot about how things in hardcore really "work." It's taught me a lot of BAD things about how there are some really shitty people out there that play in some really good bands. It's taught me that there are a lot of bad things that happen behind the closed doors in hardcore, dealing with money, record labels, getting on certain shows, kissing ass, etc. But it's also taught me some really valuable things about what it takes to keep this thing moving, to be successful enough to put on shows, to do ban

ds, to do zines, what it takes to make these things EXIST. I don't mean "successful" as in "make money", please dont mis-understand. But once you've done a band, a label, a zine, whatever, for a few years, you start to figure out just how to do things cheaply and efficiently so that you can actually make things happen and keep things moving along. I mean, yeah, it's DIY, but you gotta know what you're doing or one of two things will happen: 1. you'll have this great band or zine out there, but NO ONE WILL KNOW ABOUT IT, or 2. you'll work your ass off putting all this positive energy into something and get burnt out because it just kind of sucked the life out of you. Basically, I've just learned a TON of things doing this band for about 2 and a half years now, and it's going to help me out a lot with doing Rival Records and putting shows and things like that.

ST: Are there any common themes to your lyrics?
KW: That's kind of a hard question. When we started this band, we definitely wanted to say something relevent, to have a fucking MESSAGE. ...But definitely NOT one particular message or "agenda" or any shit like that. What I mean is, even though every member of this band is straight edge, we didn't want to be a "straightedge" band, or be a band that is all about one particular topic you know? I just wanted to be able to write songs that were revelant to both punk rock and the world today, and have people be able to relate to some shit and hopefully make them think a lilttle. Writing lyrics is hard man, because everything's pretty much been said before. But what makes them unique is the personal experiences you bring to the table, to actually fucking say something that maybe someone hasn't heard before... Like I everyone else involved in punk rock (for the most part), I've had some fucked up shit happen in my life, that's why I'm part of this punk community. Some people haven't experienced the exact same things I have in the exact same why I have. Some people aren't as angry about a particular thing that I'm angry about, and maybe they SHOULD be... Maybe some people could read some lyrics and go "shit, i never really thought about it exactly in those terms." That's what makes personal experience and communication so important with lyrics. Take a topic that you care about, and fucking add something to it, don't just regergatate the "buzz word" hardcore topics. I know that's what separtes punk rock for me from other genres of music.. The intensity, the aggressiveness, the fact that it's thought-provoking. So anyways, I woudln't say I have one particular "theme" in my lyrics, besides the fact that this world is FUCKED and you can either sit around and feel overwhelmed and depressed about that, or you can keep your fucking chin up go out and try to make a positive impact on the people and things around you. The stuff I write about ranges from growing up in a broken home and trying to raise younger siblings on your own, to dealing with the loss of people you love to cancer, to being disheartened and angered by the rat-race and money grubbing world where everything is measaured by "net worth". Basically, I'd prefer to write about relevent social issues rather than write so many songs about "hardcore" related stuff. I have a few songs about the "scene" and shit like that (the song "STAND" for example), but I feel like I've used those one or two "scene" songs to get some shit of my chest and say some things that needed to be said, so i don't feel the need to continually write about it. Some people do that a lot, and do it well, so there's a place for that, certainly. But if we're in this little sub-culture where all we do is discuss "scene" issues, how are we really going to make any REAL sort of changes inside ourselves and those around us? Yeah, it's easy to say one person can't change the world. But fuck all that, every person "changes the world" each day by simply getting out of bed in the morning, or driving down the highway... So you can either choose to have the aggregate of all your changes make a change for the BETTER, or you can have those changes make a change for the WORSE. ...Your choice. Personally, I'd at least rather take the 50-100 people I interact with on a weekly basis and try to help make their lives better, you know? It just takes a little thought....

ST: It seems like record collecting is getting pretty crazy these days. Its not uncommon for people to own 5 of the same record because of different colors/covers. What are your thoughts on this.
KW: Honestly, my thoughts on this are sort of mixed: on one hand, who the fuck am I to tell someone how to spend their money, right? I mean, seriously, if a record is worth $100 to a kid because it's his favorite band EVER and that band got him through some tough times and there's just a lot of sentimental value involved, then who am I to tell him that record isn't worth $100? But by the same token, when people are buying records for $50 to $100 to try and gain some sort of bullshit status, that is just plain stupid and I doubt those kids will be around for long. As for owning 5 copies of one record - hey man, I'm a huge vinyl collector and I have 5 versions of LOTS of different records... But you know what? I really like those records and I don't brag about my stupid vinyl collection (honestly, how cheesy is it to brag about some nerdy shit like a slab of vinyl anyways?) I guess I kind of sum it up like this: a record is worth whatever the person paying for it says that it is. YOU should decide how much a record is worth to you. Don't let someone tell you "this is a $50 record", because if you don't think it is, then you shouldn't be buying it, right? And if you're buying a record for a shitload of money, you may want to ask yourself "well, a typical meal costs me like $5. If I pay $100 for this, that's 20 meals. Is this rrecord worth 20 meals to me?". If it is, then fucking buy it! If it's not, and you're just buying it because it's a "good deal" or because you think it'll make you look cool, then don't do it... Go spend your money on 20 brand new 7"s of great new bands, you know?

ST: You've recently announced that the Damage Done is breaking up. Do you guys have anything planned for the future or are things still up in the air?

KW: Our guitarist, James, is currently playing guitar in Lights Out. They're a great new band from the SF Bay Area that sound like Side By Side. Get into it. It's good stuff. Connor of the Lab Rats sings and he's a great front man. I love that dude, he's like my little brother. As for me, I'm doing Rival Records. Our other members don't have anything planned for the definite future, but I can tell you for sure that our other guitarist, Dave, is a great musician and will most definitely be doing new bands. They may or may not be hardcore bands, cuz the guy is just plain talented and can do whatever he wants, but there will be new bands, believe me. I told Chris he better sing in a band. That dude NEEDS to sing in a band, haha. And our drummer, Justin, I really hope he does another band, even if it's not a hardcore band, because he's a really solid drummer and it's shame for all that talent to go to waste.

ST: One thing I noticed about the Damage Done is that you did a split 7" with a band from Portugal. How did that come together?, and are you concious of the worldwide hardcore scene?
KW: Oops, I guess I kind of answered that before in the "history of the band" question. To elaborate a bit, Dario Adamic put out a record for Day Of The Dead on Goodwill Records a while back. Dario is good friends with Giampaolo Bilia, a guy I've known for years through record collecting. I met Paolo when I went to Italy, he showed me around Rome and shit, and we talked about The Damage Done's latest recording and how it didn't all quite have a home yet. Paolo and Dario decided they'd do a release on Goodwill with Dario's band, Day Of The Dead, and The Damage Done. I think it's awesome we got to put out a record in Europe, and I think it would have been really fucking awesome to be able to tour over there. It never happened, but I think we would have been able to do it successfully... As for the worldwide hardcore scene, I'd have to say that I wish I was a LOT more conscious of what's going on elsewhere. I try to keep up on things, but it's hard sometimes to know all the good shit that's out there. It sucks though, because U.S. kids are so stuck up about international hardcore, and won't give it a chance at all. The irony is, so many of the kids in Europe or so much more sincere and dont' take the shit they have for granted. You can tell that they REALLY love hardcore and will go way out of there way to make sure they stay involved. I mean, shit, I get mail order for The Damage Done stuff to random countries where it costs me like $18 to ship a Hoodie to them. They pay $25 + $18 for a hoodie from some small band from the west coast simply because they really like our music. That's a rare kind of kid that is becoming increasingly rare in the U.S. Shit, it's hard to get people to throw $4 in the mail for a 7" these days! So I really appreciate the support that both my band, and now my record label, has gotten from the international hardcore scene.

ST: What do you think of the scene. Both locally and as a whole. good or bad.
KW: Every scene has its highs and its lows. The SF Bay Area's best asset is its sense of family. Seriously man, a lot of the kids around here are really tight and I really dig that about this area. I think that we take care of each other and when I say that, I don't mean that in some cheesy hardcore "unity' sort of way. I really mean that if I was in some trouble, I think that there are dudes around here that would really be there for me, no matter what. Unfortunately, in the last 2 years things have started to segregate a lot, and that sucks because we just don't have a big enough scene to support like 6 different "sub-scenes". But as a whole, i think that the bay area does a VERY good job of shutting out the stupid "cool-guy" bullshit attitudes about what bands are cool to like and which band is the most hyped, and I think most kids genuinely like what they like and are vocal about that. I mean, I just feel like in other scenes around the country, there's more of a groupthink kind of mentality where you like a particular band because they're on a particular label and playing a particular kind of hardcore. And yes, we have that to an extent, but I think it's not nearly as bad as other places in the country

and I think that is a real asset to us. The only "bad" thing that I can say about our scene is kind of the flip side of what I just said. Because the kids here tend to just sort of close their eyes to what's hyped or what's cool out there, i think that sometimes the bay area doesn't have much of a "national hardcore" type outlook. And I think that hurts both our local bands, and the touring bands that come through here. I just think that the kids here sometimes overlook a lot of bands that are out here, and so when they come through, the shows are really small. And for local bands, the same thing happens - they dont' get out there and tour and make contacts around the country, and so they just play the same SF Bay Area shows for 2 or 3 years and finally break up, you know? But, I do think that the good definitely outweigh the bad and I'd rather have a more naive type of scene anyday than some jaded old fucks telling me what is cool and what isn't currently cool in hardcore.

ST: Do you have a favorite show you've played with the damage done? If so who played/where was the show.
KW: I have 2 favorite shows. They were about one month apart. One was November, 23rd, 2002 - our record release show for the Never

Wash Away 7". We played with all of our friends at Gilman - Embrace The End, Scissorhands, Allegiance, and For The Crown. It was an all local hardcore night at Gilman and over 300 people paid to get in. It was the first time I really felt at "home" somewhere because The Damage Done is from all over the state of California, but that night, I really realized that the Bay was our home. The vibe of the show couldn't have been better, and every band just had a great set and an all around good time. The second best show was in December of 2002 at SF State. It was a show I booked for Champion and Embrace Today when they were touring. I put my two favorite local bands on it - Allegiance and Time For Living. Again, it was the vibe that made the show so cool. There were really only like 100 kids there, but I don't know that I have ever felt that way about a show before. It was both friendly and kind of calm, but at the same time so sincere and pationate. Just like a big party with a good group of friends, you know? I just had a really good time. But honestly, I think that our last show on October 4th is going to top both of those. Again, all of our friends are playing. This time it's Lights Out, Allegiance, For The Crown (their last show too!), and Champion. I can't wait.

ST: Now that the band has come to an end, what is the most important thing you hope for people to get out of the damage done?
KW: For kids that are trying to start bands, I hope The Damage Done can help offer some encouragement. We were just a bunch of kids, who didn't really know what we were doing, and we got together and made some shit that was pretty special for a few hundred kids. ANYONE can start a band, do a label, do a zine - it just takes some sincerity, some honesty, and a TON of hard work. If you love what you're doing, and you're sincere, you'll probabyl come out on top. And for kids that pick up The Damage Done records in the upcoming years, or even those kids that picked up our records while we were around, I hope that some people out there can find some things to be comforting and/or thought-provoking. Sometimes just realizing that someone else out there has been through the same shit as you can be a real help. It makes you feel a little bit normal in a world where I'm feeling increasingly out of step with the rest of the world, you know? I hope that the lyrics put forth in The Damage Done songs will make people realize 2 things: 1. you don't have to always talk about the same old "hardcore" things in your songs, and 2. some of the best songs can be songs where you're talking about a familiar issue, but you're adding your own experiences to it and therefore making that topic more relevent.

ST: Any final comments? How can people get ahold of you?
KW: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HARDCORE PUNK SCENE. Ignore fashion, it's a non-factor. Don't categorize bands based on how they LOOK. Get into bands based on what they stand for, what you like about their music, not what they look like on stage. Go to all different kinds of shows, check out bands from ALLEGIANCE, LIGHTS OUT, CROSS THE LINE and TIME FOR LIVING, to bands like LIFE LONG TRAGEDY, ALL BETS OFF, and EMBRACE THE END, to bands like WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? (RIP), SCHOLASTIC DETH (RIP), THE LAB RATS (RIP). If you think that those bands aren't hardcore, that they're "just punk bands" or some stupid shit like that, you need to do some research and re-think what hardcore really is. Punk is hardcore and hardcore IS punk. period. People can get ahold of me at Kyle@RivalRecords.net. Check out www.RivalRecords.NET. Thanks so much for the interview Dave, you rule.

Since this interview Rival Records had some problems with the name, so they changed it to Rivalry Records. You can reach them at http://www.rivalryrecords.com

Kyle also wrote about the Damage Done on his blog including a bunch of pictures and videos of their first and last shows. You can see that at http://seekingthesimple.wordpress.com/vinyl/the-damage-done/

Judgment Night

The Great Clearing Off

The Great Clearing Off were a Philadelphia hardcore punk band from 1998-2005. This is an interview I did with them way back in 2003 that ran in Maximum Rock N Roll #252.

OK, lets start from your first practice. Give me a little history about how the band started. What was your motivation behind it originally, and did you think you'd make it this far?
Josh: Denis and I have been together in bands since we were in high school. I met Tim on the old Philly Shreds email list, he was going to photocopy Soy Not Oi! in its entirety for me. A friendship blossomed, and we both agreed that we should start a band one day. This was, what, five or six years ago?
Tim: Yep, 1997 I believe, and we actually started playing in 1998 once we recruited Kevin Duble as our first drummer, who we got through the Shreds list somehow. At the time, we had a second vocalist, Allie, and a gent named Jon joined us on second guitar within the first few practices. We've had a few lineup changes, which included Allie leaving the band, Kevin leaving the band, the mighty Bill Law joining up and eventually leaving to go save the world in the courtroom, whereupon Jesse ended up on the skins. Then Jon left the band and Alex started playing with us over this past summer.
Alex: The guys gave me an ultimatum, which was: join or we will cut you - really deep.
Josh: Our early motivations were in essence what they are today, albeit in different forms. We wanted to be political, to cause changes in people's lives, and to make connections with people in general.
Tim: And to have fun, too. That's always been a big part of it. I don't want to be stodgy and boring.
Denis: With Josh and my histories with our previous bands, I honestly didn't think it would last that long.
Tim: I definitely had no idea we'd still be a band in 2003. It's awesome as hell. We also move at the speed of molasses though, so maybe it makes sense. And thats molasses on a cold day.
What do you mean by political? Like speaking out about social issues or what?
Josh: Yeah, I guess we started off trying to address topical political issues.
And that continues to be something that motivates you?
Josh: Yes. In different ways now, really. Six years is a long time, especially when you're starting off in your early years, so my ideas have changed a bit, but at the core they're still alligned with the things I felt back then. Boo ya!
Tim: I'd say that social, political, and personal issues motivate us. Our lyrics don't tend to be statistic-laden Aus Rotten-esque lyrics, but they aren't just about farting either. Though we don't shy away from the topic of farting, believe you me.
Are you guys involved in any other projects besides The Great Clearing Off?
Josh: The Great Clearing Off is currently it for me. I'm still in school, and I'm a horror fanatic, so I pursue those interests through various channels. I write a little, read a lot, and watch the shit out of horror movies. Oh, and I ride my bike.
Tim: I'm in another band called Hissy Fit that just started up recently. I live in a co-operative house in West Philly and to some extent we try to deal with how the neighborhood is being gentrified by having good relationships with our neighbors and paying attention to how we affect the neighborhood, going to community meetings, ect. Other than that, I'm in school and ride my bike too.
Alex: Aside from The Great Clearing Off I'm in high school, I read, work at a small movie theater that shows indie films so I see a lot of them. Also, I like to check out new music.
How would you describe the band to someone that has never heard you before?
Alex: Oh man, I have heard the words "heartfelt" "sincere" and "earnest" so much that you'd think our reviews were for the Shawshank Redemption.
Denis: Imagine if you started a hardcore band with a bunch of people that had different musical tastes but wanted everything to sound sincere and heartfelt.
Josh: Five guys who are trying in desperation to get something out of themselves however they can. It's cheesy, but it's how I've come to feel about the band over the years, especially now.
Tim: Hmm, a little Ratt, a little Boston, some Phil Collins. Oh, I mean -
Josh: The reason I've stayed as long as I have is because the rest of these guys mean it. I like to think that shows in what we do, but I'm too involved to be objective.
I've only seen you once, but I'd definitely say it shows
Alex: Any apprehension I had when I first joined was completely forgotten after the first few practices.
Jesse: We have a pretty unique sound, there are fast parts in our songs that can produce furious circle pitting, and heavy parts for the headbangers out there. We've got intensity in our music, but we also throw in good melodies.
Tim: We like to make ears bleed, but we're soft and cuddly too.
Josh: Granted, we don't hit the right notes, and we're always a little out of tune, but I'd like to think that when we're playing, everyone is giving their all. When we're done, I feel like I'm dying, emotionally, physically, and mentally. That also helps me not carry equipment, so I play it up for what it's worth.
Tim: I couldn't be in a band if I wasn't giving it my all, so yeah, you have a money back guarantee with that shit.
How did you get involved with the "Sea Of Steel" series?
Josh: Three of us - me, Tim, and Denis have lived with Mike Dailey from Ed Walters Records at various points of our lives, and he's always been someone who has showed us love.
Alex: I could always go for a daily dose of Mike Dailey
Josh: He told us one day that he was doing a bike themed series, and since we tend to like bikes a whole lot, he asked us to be a part of it.
Tim: And I guess we were a sensible choice, since we ride our bikes around the same city he does and get hit by the same cars.
Josh: For a while, we weren't sure who we were going to be on the split with, but when he told us it was going to be The Sound Of Failure, we flipped out. The Sound Of Failure are a really important band to us, and they're good friends of ours, too.
Tim: And they're a fucking steamroller, and they actually stay in tune when they play.
Jesse: I think it's such a great idea for a series of records. I was so psyched when I heard he wanted us to do it. And to be on a split with The Sound Of Failure only sweetens the deal.
Josh: They're a zombie-crushing devastator.
Alex: It was before my time, but it is one of my all-time favorite records, and came out during the height of my interest in the band.
The Philadelphia scene has been known to have its problems with the city shutting down venues. Do you think there's an area where they'd let some place in the future stay open?
Josh: Thats hard to say, really. The First Unitarian Church has been through a lot over the years, but its doors are still open. Will Philly ever have something like Gilman Street, though? I'm not sure. A big part of the Philly attitude is whats being done in bigger venues can also successfully be done in basements too.
Alex: I think it comes down to a common ground of respecting the places we play at. While some bands seem to understand, I've seen a lot of ridiculous unnecessary shit happen to get venues shut down. It's really a combination of a lot.
Tim: Well, the Unitarian Church has been having shows in it's basement for a while now due to Sean and R5 Productions. It's a fairly big venue, though, with fairly big shows. It would be nice to have a smaller venue run by a collective. I'm actually starting to take issue with basement shows a bit. I don't think we should have the attitude that our enjoyment is more important than the lives of those who live around the basement venues.
Josh: I agree with Tim. I get bummed out when I'm at a show on a Tuesday night and the kid who lives there says "The show was supposed to be done at 9, and it's 11 now, but shit, keep playing!"
Jesse: The only thing we can really rely on are basements. It seems that even if one basement venue can't do shows any more or if the kids move out, another house full of cool kids opens up their basement for shows.
I know a lot of people are critical of R5, but from my outside perspective, it seems like they're doing good things for the Philly music scene. What are your thoughts on that?
Tim: I'm not really sure why people are critical of R5. I'm totally glad we get to see rad indie hip-hop and rad bigger punk shows at an independent ,non ClearChannel venue. I'm not too into the indie stuff, but whatever, it's better that it's there than the TLA or the Electric Factory.
Josh: Yeah, Sean has really gone to bat for the whole independent music scene around these parts. I'm not into everything he does, but I'm glad he's still here and still doing it.
Alex: As much as it could be looked at as a necessary evil, it's because of R5 that the gap between really small shows and semi big indie shows is being bridged. And for good or for not so good, it has created a focal point for local shows.
Tim: It's vital that we keep indie music independent. That there are non-commercial venues that don't only book bands for big bucks. I really like the current trend of bigger indie labels making better networks and signing more diverse bands. That can coexist with smaller labels and smaller bands, so it's all good. I love what Jade Tree and Dischord are doing, even though I'm not praticularly into all the bands on their labels.
Josh: It helps get the point across that the independent music scene isn't just some springboard , it's real, and it's important to the people involved.
Alex: Yeah, it really makes you feel like you're a vital member of something and not just another face in the crowd whose band plays once in a while.
Lets get back to the band. How has being in The Great Clearing Off affected you? What have you learned from the experience?
Josh: It's held me together. I've been through a lot of crazy things over the past four or five years, and having the band here has served as an outlet. Since I tend to write most of the words, it also makes me analyze the things I'm thinking and feeling and saying; it tests me. The band challenges me to do better, to be better, and most importantly the band keeps me in touch with the rest of the people involved. It's a lot of fun in that respect, but it gives me a sense of purpose. It's also helped me connect with people because of something that we've collectively done, and that important to me.
Alex: It has affected me immensely for the better. This band from the very beginning has challenged the way I've looked at everything. From the issues brought up in the songs to the intense emotion bought into all of the members. The Great Clearing Off is truly, as I see it, something that lives in us all, and I'm so grateful that I can be a part of that.
Tim: That's a big one. This band has affected me on so many levels. It's a major outlet for my emotion, frustration, passion, anger. In that way, it has probably made me more sane and balanced. It's also a great tool of expression. We get to write music, which is really fun and challenging, and put words to it. That's fun as hell and fulfilling. The first time we play a song in my basement and it works out perfectly, I get this amazing chill down my spine. It's also a great networking thing. You meet a million people by setting up shows, setting up tours, being out there all the time. I've met a bunch of my friends that way, which can be good and bad, because it kinda limits whom you're meeting on a regular basis. But I've met so many amazing amazing people through the band that I can't say I dislike that aspect of it.
Denis: It's my only real creative output, plus I've met so many amazing people that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise.
Jesse: I've always wanted to be in a band that doesn't just play music, but that also instills hope in listeners. I was a listener for three years before I joined and the music inspired me, and they gave me a chance to be a part of that.
Josh: It gives me reason to be social, otherwise I'd stay in my room and listen to Assuck and keep reading I Am Legend.
Alex: I'm really glad this band came at the time it did, because otherwise I would have never seen and done the things that are happening right now which are important to me.
What do you think of the scene in Philly and also as a whole? What do you think can be changed for the better?
Tim: Oh, that's easy. Philly still shreds!
Josh: Fuckin' A! Philly has always been a great place.
Alex: I have to say I love Philadelphia so much and it has become such a huge part of who I am even though I live 20 outside of it. But there are things that really bother me, like some levels of pretension. There are people with superiority complexes that have grown inadvertently through the punk community, but regardless I am glad everythinggoes on.
Denis: I wish that more people saw being involved in punk rock a long-term thing and not just a hobby.
Jesse: There definitely needs to be more dancing!
Tim: Seriously, my favorite bands are mostly Philly bands: 2.5 Children Inc, (early) Ink & Dagger, Dissucks, ect. There's always stuff to change, I guess. You always want there to be less fights, less dumbasses, more fun and less egos, but overall,the scene around here is pretty rad. I wish it was a little less splintered, but what can you do. As far as the scene at large, I want to see a continuation of a serious independent network. I believe that in order to live in the world we want to live in, we need to create alternate institutions which work according to our values. So we can just kick ClearChannel in the ass and relegate them to the dustbin, and all their bands to the 99 cent bin, because art and excessive profits shouldn't overlap.
Josh: I want more considerate punks. Is that an oxymoron? It's the people here that keep Philly going. As a result, sometimes it's up, sometimes it's down. I mean without all this I have no idea where I'd be right now. If it weren't for Stalag 13, I doubt this band would have happened, and I would probably be living in the Midwest and listening to danzig in a darkened room while lifting weights.
Alex: Everything that comes out of Philadelphia make me proud and just all around satisfied when we are out of town and staying at someone's house and I tell them I'm from Philly.
Tim: Philly is a great town with a great attitude. Cynical as fuck but somehow positive, too.
Alex: Indeed
Josh: I'd just like to reiterate, Philly Shreds.
Alex: There is nothing quite like our town.
Tim: Yeah, thats the gist of it.
Do you have any future plans? Tours? Releases? Anything?
Josh: We are currently plotting a U.S. tour next summer, and we've also just begun talking about writing our first full-length.
Tim: We're also talking about making more t-shirts one day. Like I said - fuckin' molasses. We had shirts once. For real - once. Then we lost half of them somewhere.
Alex: Well we had umbrellas and a sombrero at one point, but those sold out too.
Josh: I'm getting old, but I still see a few years left for The Great Clearing Off. I blame Alex for that, really. He has to join the band and be so goddamned enthusiastic about everything, and well, it's infectious.
Tim: Yeah, we're gonna take this shit to the next level. A million faces , I tell you. And rock them all. It may take half a million shows, but fuck it. I'm in it for the long run!
OK, well I'm out of questions, but this is your interview. What do you want to say to the world?
Josh: I would just like to give a shout out to everyone who has been in the band at some point or another: Kevin, Allie, Bill Law, and Jon.
Denis: We'd like to thank Philly and urge people to check out Ed Walters Records and Cheap Art Records and listen to Sound Of Failure, Fighting Dogs, Underrage, R.A.M.B.O., Global Chaos, and Erik Petersen.
Tim: We're open for dialogue. We'd love it if you came to see us play or talked to us or some crazy shit like that. You can shoot potatoes at our assses.
Josh: And I'd also like for people to use their friggin' head. Think for themselves, understand that their actions have reactions, and to take responsibility for said actions. Also, if people want to write to us about anything, we're here.
Tim: I'll second that, Josh. It's cool to do what you want, but make sure you aren't fucking people over, cos that's some bullshit. I'd love it if everyone would use that as a guiding principle. But also make sure you dance and have fun and be goofy and whatever you do, don't fucking grow up and be boring. Grow up like Utah Phillips.
Josh: I'd like for people to know that it's OK not to dance, if that's your steez. Keep one foot in the gutter and one fist in the gold.
Alex: Also, don't be afraid to love or be loved. Our time is really fucking short in this world and to live everything is all we have. "You will ride straight to perfect laughter, it's the only good fight there is" - Bukowski

The Great Clearing Off (includes their 7", their side of the Sound Of Failure split, & In Flight From The Terror Behind)
Buy Sound Of Failure split
Buy In Flight From The Terror Behind

Grace Alley - Black

Grace Alley - Black

Grace Alley is a hardcore punk band from San Francisco. I got this tape at one of their shows last year and have nearly worn it out since. I can hear influences that span a wide range. From metallic parts to punk and even British Oi. The members of this band are all experienced doing time in fairly popular bands from the area, and it shows. They were really tight live, and recorded its even better. Grace Alley also has a 7" and split 7" with Skin Like Iron, as well as another demo tape. All of which are worth checking out. I believe you can only get this tape at their live shows, but you can find their other releases HERE.

Grace Alley - Black

Reagan Songs

Scattered Productions Presents: Reagan Songs

So today would mark the 100th birthday of America's 40th President, Ronald Reagan. To commemorate the occasion I've made a mix of songs simply titled Reagan Songs.

Joey "Shithead" Keithley of D.O.A. once asked the audience at a concert "Who was the person who did more for punk rock in the '80s than anyone else? And I ain't talking about Jello Biafra or John Lydon." He pauses for a moment then answers "...it was Ronald Reagan! Everyone got into punk because of him." I missed most of the "Reagan Bands" as some people call them, but some of the older kids in the scene filled me in on the influence The Gipper had on punk. Steven Blush, author of the book American Hardcore had this to say about him: “'Reagan' became the galvanizing force of Hardcore – an emeny of the arts, minorities, women, gays, liberals, the homeless, the working man, the inner city, et cetera. All ‘outsiders’ could agree they hated him.”

In 1982 M.D.C. got involved with the Rock Against Reagan Tour and continued that through 1984. Sponsored by the Yippies, they took the Dead Kennedys, Dicks, Crucifix, DRI and others around the country expousing the evils of capitalism, multinational corporations, meat-eating, and of course Reagan himself. The tour came to a head in Dallas Tx, during the 1984 Republican National Convention. Dallas, the city where JFK was assassinated, and who was the headliner? Dead Kennedys, who would play only blocks away from where JFK was shot. There is good article about this show at the Dallas Observer website.

In 1985, Reagan visited a German military cemetery in Bitburg to lay a wreath with West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. It was determined that the cemetery held the graves of 49 members of the Waffen-SS. Reagan issued a statement that called the Nazi soldiers buried in that cemetery as themselves "victims," a designation which ignited a stir over whether Reagan had equated the SS men to Holocaust victims.
This became the inspiration for the Ramones song Bonzo Goes To Bitburg, which was later renamed My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down. Singer Joey Ramone explained that Reagan "sort of shit on everybody." Interviewed in 1986, he said "We had watched Reagan going to visit the SS cemetery on TV and were disgusted. We're all good Americans, but Reagan's thing was like forgive and forget. How can you forget six million people being gassed and roasted?"

In 1986 Reagan was responsible for (among other things) the Lybia bombing, the Immigration Reform And Control Act, & the Iran Contra Affair. All of which were highly publicized, and heated topics. On June 12, 1987 Reagan gave his "Tear Down This Wall" speech. By 1988 Reagan, and soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev were well on their way to ending the Cold War. Then on Jan 20th 1989 former Vice President, George HW Bush was sworn in, succeeding Reagan. On November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall finally fell, marking one of the last milestones associated with Reagan.

In August 1994, at the age of 83, Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, an incurable neurological disorder which destroys brain cells and ultimately causes death. In November he informed the nation through a handwritten letter, writing in part: "I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease... At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done... I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you". As the years went on, the disease slowly destroyed Reagan's mental capacity. Reagan died at his home in Bel Air, California on the afternoon of June 5, 2004.

Scattered Productions Presents: Reagan Songs

Excruciating Terror

Excruciating Terror were one of those bands that alot of people considered a grind band, but I always saw as powerviolence due to the bands I saw them with. Looking back, they're totally grind, but lets put labels aside and get down to the bottom line... they pretty much ruled.

They formed in 1988 including guitarist Dino Cazeres who later joined Fear Factory, Brujeria, & Nailbomb (among others). Excruciating Terror was Cazares' first band. They released the Vision Of Terror Demo in 1991, and then released the Legacy Of Hate EP on Torched Records later on in 1991. After hearing about them playing a bunch around Southern California, I finally got a chance to see them during the summer of 1995 with Dystopia and Wellington.

In 1996 Pessimiser & Theologian coreleased their first LP Expression Of Pain. Shortly after that came out I saw them again at 924 Gilman with Man Is The Bastard, No Less, Agents Of Satan, & Noothgrush. A recording of their set at that show was made into a 7" called Live At Gilman, and released in 1997 by 625 Productions. Also in ealry 1997 Pessimiser & Theologian coreleased the Excruciating Terror / Agathocles spilt 7". Pessimer was busy this year, and put out yet another LP for them in 1997 called Divided We Fall.

In 1998 then Gilman booker, Jake (from The Evil Eye) booked one of the funnier shows I saw that year with Excruciating Terror, Hoods, Benumb, Bad Acid Trip, and a sorely out of place Atom & His Package. Jake claims its one of the best show he ever set up, and while I'm in no position to judge such things, I can say that it was memorable and I did have fun. Excruciating Terror were also included on some comps along the way. Cry Now Cry Later #2 & 3 (Pessimer), Fiesta Comes Alive LP & Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh - A Music War 7" (then later the bootlegged Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh - The CD) (Slap A Ham), Reality 7" & Reality #2 LP (Deep SIx) all of which I'll be putting up on this blog sooner or later minus Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh - The CD because FUCK BOOTLEGGERS.


Members have gone on to other bands Bloody Phoenix, Endless Demise

"I've been hearing about the rumors going around that we are going to reunite etc. Just want to put an end to the rumors right here, right now. ET is dead, there will be no reunion, no reformation. Ghost" Jerry Flores 9-13-07

Philly Squatter Movie

Check out this documentary about squatting in Philadelphia, filmed by James Fattu.



Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

(I used to) Sleep at Gilman

Sleeep - Live at 924 Gilman Oct 17th 1992

A live recording from the legendary punk club 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, Ca.

1. From Beyond (1:06)
2. Evil Gypsy (6:55)
3. Dragonaut (5:19)
4. The Druid (5:07)
5. Sonic Titan (9:20)
6. The Suffering (5:39)
7. Nain's Baptism (3:03)
Total Playing Time: 36:29

Sleep - Live at 924 Gilman Oct 17th 1992

Also a little bonus video of Sleep live at All Tomorrow's Parties Fest.

Fracture

Fracture - Discography

Before Atom met the Package he was in Fracture. Some of you might recognize that name as the last track on Atom & His Package's "A Society of People Named Elihu". The song in question in "No Way DNA". In that album, Atom makes it known that an LP is ready for anyone that wants to put it out. No Idea Records answered that call, and what you get is 20 tracks of geeky pop punk.

Fracture - Discography

Not For Our Feet

Bone Awl - Not For Our Feet

This is Bone Awl's 9th release, and my favorite of them all. LoFi black metal with subtle oi influences. Bone Awl will be on a U.S. tour from May 22nd - July 10th. Along with them will be Volahn, and Ashdautas. Should be a good show.

Bone Awl - Not For Our Feet

Is This Real?

Wipers - Is This Real?
Kurt Cobain once said, “If it weren’t for the Wipers, there wouldn’t have been grunge.” Lead by Greg Sage (northwest punk icon), Wipers mixed dark and spooky lyrics with fast-paced guitars and great bass hooks. Is This Real? was released in 1979, & is a punk classic. Regarded as one of the top 10 punk records ever. Need I say more?

Wipers - Is This Real?

Ten Years Later

Ten Years Later Compilation

1. Model American- Last Breath 2. Trial- This Is Not A Trend 3. Afi- Charles Atlas 4. Collateral Damage- Rise And Fall 5. Bouncing Souls- Born To Lose 6. Ignite- Epidemic 7. Edgewise- Angel Free 8. Maximum Penalty- Burning Bed 9. Powerhouse- Nothing Sacred 10. Down By Law- Going Underground 11. Daltonic- Rock Star 12. Ensign- Mpsr 13. Second Coming- Told You So 14. 7 Seconds- Wildest Ride

15. The Struggle Bunnies- Inside Of Me 16. Pressure Point- Strength Through Oi! 17. Intent To Injure- Sea 18. Downer- Cut 19. Mouthpiece- Cinder 20. Redemption 87- Tied Down 21. Swingin Utters- Almost Brave 22. Triggerman- Choker 23. Hoods- False Identity 24. Brand New Unit- All For Nothing 25. Rancid- My Life 26. Rely- Materialistic 27. 454 Big Block- Repentance 28. Strain- Torn Away

Ten Years Later Compilation

Hiding Under White

Tyrannicide - Hiding Under White
I found this Demo at 924 Gilman Street back in 1989 and it floored me. I had never heard anything like that before that point. Awesome DIY thrash metal in the vein of Exodus, Sacrilege B.C., and even Possesed. Nate Wilson over at True Punk & Metal posted this demo a year ago. Go see what he has to say about it, because it is much more elloquent than I put it. haha.

Tyrranicide - Hiding Under White

Powerhouse

Powerhouse - No Regrets
Powerhouse were the heart and soul of the Bay Area hardcore scene throughout the 90's. Thats all you really need to know.
Powerhouse - No Regrets

Mixtape #2

Mixtape #2
01. Weezer - Jamie
02. Dinosaur Jr - Freak Scene
03. Joy Division - Dead Souls
04. Isis - In Fiction
05. Black Sabbath - Snowblind
06. Mastodon - Blood And Thunder
07. Baroness - O'Appalachia
08. Melvins - Civilized Worm
09. Akimbo - Great White Bull
10. Annihilation Time - The Worm
11. Angel Witch - Angel Witch
12. Mighty Sphincter - Exterminator
13. Code Of Honor - Attempted Control
14. Hard Skin - We Are The Wankers
15. NOFX - I'm Telling Tim
16. Shotwell - Ghacked
17. Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device
18. Husker Du - Broken Home, Broken Heart
19. Masshysteri - Tvivel
20. Grandaddy - Summer Here Kids

Mixtape #2

Case Of Emergency

Case Of Emergency - S/T 7", Final 7", & Live At 924 Gilman

Case Of Emergency was a hardcore punk band from the San Francisco Bay Area. This is the bulk of their recorded output, missing only comp tracks.

Case Of Emergency

Mixtape #1

Mixtape #1
01. Nirvana - Paper Cuts - Outcesticide
02. Misfits - Astro Zombies - Box Set Disc #1
03. Bone Awl - Almost Dead Man - Almost Dead Man
04. Minutemen - Sell Or Be Sold - What Makes A Man Start Fires
05. Jawbreaker - Lawn - Unfun
06. Earth - Divine And Bright - Sunn Amps And Smashed Guitars
07. Hickey - Revolution $19.95 - Various States Of Disrepair
08. Melvins - Rocket Reducer #62 - Lizzy CD Single
09. Sleep - Wall Of Yawn - Volume One
10. Failure - Saturday Saviour - Fantastic Planet
11. Sir Lord Baltimore - Ain't Got Hung On You - Kingdom Come
12. The Smiths - Death Of A Disco Dancer - Strangeways Here We Come
13. Young Widows - The Heat Is Here - Old Wounds
14. Weakling - Cut Their Grains And Place Fire Therein - Dead As Dreams
15. Invasion - Bastardos - Invasion LP
16. Beck - Sweet Sunshine - Mellow Gold
17. Fracture - No Way DNA - Fracture LP
18. Mudhoney - The Money Will Roll Right In - Let It Slide CD Single
19. Lurker Of Chalice - Spectre As Valkerie Is - Lurker Of Chalice
20. Jesu - Conqueror - Conqueror

Mixtape #1

Ruined

Kobenhavn I Ruiner Compilation :: Kick N Punch Records

This is one of the better punk comps from recent years. It came out in 2003 and quickly sold out. Full of then new bands, the lineup features some heavy hitters from recent years. Amdi Petersens Arme, Gorilla Angreb, Young Wasteners, No Hope For The Kids, Abest + 7 others.

Kobenhavn I Ruiner