Monday, December 27, 2010

Have Heart - 10.17.09

We have all heard them before. So many inane, boring stories people tell seem to end, "I guess you just had to be there."
Well this is one case that yeah, I really wish I had been there. Watch and listen to this and you will too.

Bridge Nine recorded and filmed Have Heart's final show last year on Edge Day 2009 in Massachusetts at Club Lido and released this document of that show. Six cameras and a soundboard audio recording captures all the action. Oh, and there is action!

The biggest pre-order package included the most limited color vinyl, cd/dvd, two posters and a sticker. The advertised rarest vinyl color was red.


I got clear.

For the pre-order packages it turns out there were three colors available. Green, clear, and red.
People have been writing on the B9 and VC message boards trying to figure out how and when these three color were divided out. The B9 discography page hasn't updated the numbers yet, so it is still kind of a mystery. I would just be happy to have one of the three as these sold out REALLY fast.

The next color available first on its own, and later with the package deal once the limited colors were gone, was white.

The last color available was blue. This was the assumed largest number pressed as it was the last still available. As it turns out, it is also sold out now too.

I realize this is a vinyl collecting site, but this package is lost without the DVD. Pat Flynn writes in the liner notes of the album many reasons why the audio turned out as it did, and how the spirit of hardcore is the live show, mistakes and all - but to me everything is explained once you watch the video.

SHIT - GOES - OFF.

That anything was recorded after seeing the chaos of that show is a miracle.


I can't say it enough. I wish I was there.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Sacrifice/Propagandhi split 7"

This record has to win the award for the biggest surprise of 2010 for me. I just didn't see it coming, I had no idea it was even being contemplated, and it has floored me with how absolutely amazing it is.

For a little background, I will just go through a short checklist of things I have loved in my 40+ years on this planet.

1. Rush. Rush's "Moving Pictures" album came out during my formative junior high school years when one decides how they will mold and identify themselves as it relates to popular culture. Let's just say that my decision to attach myself with Rush, hard rock and metal wasn't the best for making time with the ladies, but at least I accumulated a wealth of 3/4 length shirts for years to come.

2. Thrash metal. I made the big move from traditional hard rock and metal to thrash in 1985-86 and the Canadian band Sacrifice was along for the ride. Due to Canadian content rules for broadcasting, we would get the Sacrifice video for "Re-Animation" in regular rotation on the Much Music Power Hour. "Forward to Termination" rules. It got reissued. Go track it down. You have no excuses.

3. Propagandhi. Personally, I think the most consistent "punk" band alive. The spotlight may have waned on them after the Fat Wreck Chords split, but Propagandhi has kept rolling on. Their albums keep getting better and better and I can safely say I have enjoyed everything they have ever done. Supporting Caste is ridiculously good.

4. Corrosion of Conformity. From "Eye For An Eye" to "Technocracy", this band was in the upper echelon of the entire 80's Crossover movement. Period.

So, when I see a listing for a split 7" between Propagandhi (covering COC's Technocracy) and Sacrifice (covering Rush's Anthem), I nearly had a heart attack. I tracked it down online and bought it immediately.
Released on the Winnipeg based label War on Music, there were 1000 pressed total, all on black vinyl.

The record comes in a beautiful 7" gatefold cover with the cover artwork by Todd, the bass player in Propagandhi. Talent all over the place!
The artwork is a take on the original covers of the albums the songs come from, Technocracy and Fly By Night.

The record was just released on December 10 and as of today 10 days later, this sucker is sold out.
Oh and if there was any question, yeah - it's really good.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Misfits - Plan 9 singles

Quietly I have been able to (kind of) finish off a Misfits 7" collection I started about six months ago. I posted earlier about some of my Misfits 7" finds here, here and here.

Well, I picked up a couple more records along the way and finally finished it off last week with the arrival of "Bullet" on red vinyl in the mail.

It's amazing what being patient will do. There have been a couple Bullet seven inches on ebay with outrageous "Buy It Now" prices that an impulsive person (ie. me) may jump at just to have them. Luckily, I was able to score one for way under half the amount by sacrificing a lyric sheet that may or may not have come with it in the first place.

That's the thing. If you are willing to forgo a Fiend Club flyer or lyric sheet you can seriously save a LOT of money and end up with a near mint condition record. Not a bad trade off.

Here's the rundown:

Bullet - 2nd press. Plan 9 Records.
Red vinyl out of 2000 pressed. Most of the second press did not come with a lyric sheet. Those that did may have been photocopies.

Horror Business. Plan 9 Records.
Yellow vinyl out of 2000. One pressing.

Comes with insert card describing the recording at a haunted house. Yeah, ok.


Night Of The Living Dead. Plan 9 Records.Black vinyl out of 2000. One pressing.

Insert was a Fiend Club ad. Mine is missing. I guess someone actually used it. That's cool!

3 Hits From Hell. Plan 9 Records.
Black vinyl, grey labels out of 3000 pressed. 6000+ over four pressings. Seems high. With that many I should see them everywhere.

Insert is a different style Fiend Club ad. Mine is a definite photocopy.


Halloween. Plan 9 Records.
Black vinyl out of 5000.

Insert included.

Evilive. Plan 9 Records.
Black vinyl, yellow labels out of 800 pressed. Yellow labels were part of the Fiend Club edition with different cover and hand numbered on the back. A second press of 1000 were done with different cover and orange labels.

Comes with insert.


I know you are thinking, "Dude, you are missing one. Maybe two. One of them kind of a big deal at that."
I know.
The thing is, I just don't want it.

The Misfits first seven inch was "She : Cough/Cool" released on Blank Records. There were only 500 pressed and the thing is worth thousands of dollars now. It has also been bootlegged so damn much, it's just disheartening to start trying to find a legit copy online.

I was doing some research getting ready to track one down, and it hit me - I don't want it. I would take it if someone handed it to me, but I am not willing to spend any money on it. Plus I think the record is weak. Danzig tickling the ivories. The payoff just isn't there for the cost.

Oh yeah, some people call "Who Killed Marilyn?" a Misfits single, but I still think of it as a Danzig solo record. The first of many. Oh yeah, go pick up "Deth Red Sabaoth". It is a true return to form...and that form is the DEVIL!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Floorpunch - Fast Times At The Jersey Shore

Before Snookie, Paulie D and The Situation reared their ugly orange heads, the only time I had heard of the Jersey Shore was in the title of one the greatest albums ever recorded; Floorpunch's "Fast Times At The Jersey Shore".

Fast Times was released in 1998 as Floorpunch was continuing to be part of the straight edge hardcore revival along with other bands like In My Eyes, Fastbreak and Ten Yard Fight.
The album was Floorpunch's last original release and their only full length. Every song is a killer, well except "Let It Ride". I always felt they could have left that one off the end.
The lyrics are heavy on personal, posi themes about friendship, the core and living straight. You also get the obligatory songs about being stabbed in the back, betrayal, breaking edge and how you used to be my friend. Youth crew 101!

The record was released on Equal Vision Records who were famous for a large single pressing with limited color variants, and absolutely no chance of a repress. You want it on black, no sweat. Color? That is a different story.

98 pressed on white vinyl.

300 pressed on green.

1600 pressed on black. That number is not 100% confirmed, but it makes sense with the total press run at close to 2000.


Black and white, two sided, glossy insert as well.


To say this record was influential is an understatement. No less than three high profile bands took their names from song titles from this record. Guess which three and you win a prize.
Not really. But you will get your name in the comments.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Past Present : Breaking Out The Classics compilation

I thought I had a pretty good idea of what the new Revelation compilation, "Past Present" was going to be about.
Just from the title, I expected new, young hardcore bands covering the classic songs from the early Revelation catalog that influenced and inspired them to form bands themselves. Maybe they would have a take on a song you have heard a million times that will make you fall in love with hardcore all over again.

Well, kind of. I thought that was what this was going to be until I saw the track listing.

Sick of It All covering Warzone. Weren't they around at the same time? Then Sick Of It All is getting covered themselves by Walter Schreifels who himself was in Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, etc. You also get Bold covering Supertouch and then Bold getting covered by Ambitions.
Further down you have a metal band covering a current metalcore band too. (Ignite The Will covering Shai Hulud).

Let's just call it an awesome covers compilation and leave it at that.

As far as the vinyl goes, there are two colors available in the first press. The limited color option is yellow out of 335.


There is also a black vinyl pressing out of 749. I LOVE when labels like Rev give us the one limited color option. It reminds me of the old days! I think both are still available at RevHq.

The full color glossy insert is pretty cool as you get a whole column and a half of Ray Cappo waxing poetically about hardcore. Ever since I saw the "Edge" documentary, I could listen to or read Ray stuff all day. The dude has charisma.
Oh yeah, there are other contributions there as well.

There are a tonne of songs on this album, I'm pretty sure you can find something you like. Oh and it is a benefit comp too, so that's cool.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Integrity - Organized Crime Halloween Package


It's not news that Organized Crime Records out of Chicago re-released two classic Integrity records this year, the In Contrast Of Sin 7" and the Those Who Fear Tomorrow lp.
By all counts, the reissue has been a great success as there was obviously a demand for the old stuff that had been out of print for years. Organized Crime are now on their second press and there are no signs this is stopping any time soon.

Myself, I have been hesitant in jumping at the reissues mainly because I already had original copies of both records and I was afraid that this new reissue would be over the top difficult to collect with massive amounts of special covers, colors and variants.
Well, I was right on that count. Test press, rejected tests, release show press, special artist sleeves, pre-order color, and on and on and on.

I hesitated on the pre-order, time passed, limited stuff was long gone and I moved on to the next record. There is always a next record. Or twenty.

So, I even surprised myself when I saw the super limited secret pre-order for an Integrity Halloween package on October 30 and decided to order it. The listing was intriguing. 75 sets total. Items that would only be available exclusively in this package, and a shirt. You couldn't see anything, you didn't know what it was, so you just had to jump at it.

Well a couple weeks later and this is what shows up at my door.


That is a good start. I always appreciate good mailer art!

So the mystery set ended up being glow in the dark color versions of the two records. Not bad. Oh, and a t-shirt. It's pretty good to. I would take a picture, but I am wearing it.

First up, Those Who Fear Tomorrow.

The gatefold art and packaging is top notch. An extra added touch is a stamped dust sleeve for the Halloween set.


Next up, In Contrast of Sin.

Once again, excellent attention to detail with a double sided cover and great inserts.

Also a stamped dust sleeve for the record.

I am glad I have this as the reissue is very well done and the music is great. This is their best stuff outside of Humanity Is The Devil 10" on Victory, oh and maybe System Overload and Seasons In The Size Of Days, but it is great nonetheless. Thankfully, I have no great desire to try to back track and "complete" the rest. This is good enough.

If you are looking for more on this release, check out Marcus' blog. He loves the Integrity collecting!