Oh no! A band that has a ska/skacore elements to their music! Flee! Run! Save yourselves before you start actually having a good time(!) God forbid you should be distracted from being the miserable, cyncial indie tossbag that you strive to be 99% of the time! (This anti-anti-ska rant was brought to you by the number 14 and the letter ‘S’)

The Suicide Machines were a punk rock band that existed for an impressive 15 years, from 1991 to 2006 where they officially broke up, mid-tour whilst promoting their 6th album, ‘War Profiteering is Killing Us All.‘ Ironic much? Well, perhaps not. In fact, war profiteering had jack all to do with the band’s implosion. Disputes between band members wanting to take time out led to the group deciding not to carry on (mid tour) and The Suicide Machines were no more.

If you’re still reading this, you’ll probably want to know some more information on the band’s sound. They were known for their fast, aggressive punk rock sound, skacore leanings and controverial political messages (particularly on their last 2 albums.) Some would perhaps state that the band didn’t really bring anything new to the genre and I’d be inclined to agree; however what they did bring to the table was well accomplished, fast-paced, insistent punk rock that was deeply rooted in the skate as well as the political rock scene.

Like many bands, they evolved over the course of their 6 albums, going from a predomniant skate-punk/skacore-thrash on ‘Destruction By Definition‘ and ‘Battle Hymns‘ (which showed an even more aggressive side to the band; one which would appear later on their last album.)

Their 3rd album, a self-titled effort; was aimed towards the pop-punk loving market and contained an impressive cover of ‘I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.’ ‘Steal This Record‘ followed this, showcasing the band’s heavier side, mixed with the pop-sensibilities of the self-titled effort. It also featured the band covering the R.E.M. track ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’ -

(Keep It Fast fact: last time I DJed, I played this song at the start of my set and the soundman commended me on such an excellent choice of song, saying the production was wonderful and wanted to know who the cover was by. I felt proud.)

Their fifth album ‘A Match and Some Gasoline‘ saw a return to the skate punk/hardcore sound (and a somewhat love for the hated font that is, Comic Sans MS) and the beginning of their anti-Bush regime beliefs - ‘Your Silence‘ in particular, made a statement about how not voting, means you never have a voice and no real say - in effect, you as a person are dead to the political system and to your country and that saying ‘politics doesn’t concern me’ you are already sentencing yourself to death.

Their last album, ‘War Profiteering is Killing Us All’ is perhaps their most antagonistic record and strongly opposed to the Bush administration.

Where are they now?

Vocalist Jason Navarro and drummer Ryan Vandeberghe are both part of Left In Ruin.

Guitarist Dan Lukacinsky currently plays in Japanese band, The One Thought Moment (who don’t sound a million miles away from The Suicide Machines!) and also, Bayonetting The Wounded.

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Sounds

Click on the player below to hear ‘New Girl‘ one of their most well known songs, taken from the ‘Destruction By Definition‘ album. (Fans of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater will remember this!)

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Links

The Suicide Machines
Sideone Dummy Profile

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By Ross Macdonald

The first time I was introduced into the hardcore digital genre was Alec Empire’s “break into the mainstream” solo album Intelligence and Sacrifice. This album really rips into your ribs with its hard cannon thumps and screaming politically-driven lyrics.

The problem at the time was reading such material as Kerrang (yes we have all done it.) They would rather be interested in what colour hats he wears on a Thursday then delving into the focused yet dangerous mind that had became massive in the past with Atari Teenage Riot.

In the years that ATR were active (1992-2000) they fused anarchist, anti-fascist or anti-Nazi views with punk vocals and used break beat samples at a speed up to 1000 mph! On top of this they were surrounded by controversy in Germany due to the prevailing “no politics on the dance floor” attitude.

Some sources even say that they had to black tape all of their instruments down, as the clubs where they would play would get so hyped up that there would be mini riots within the place resulting in fights, flying monkeys and everybody in the crowd trying to take all of ATR gear! (Monkeys may be a lie.)

They really make any other band (see simple plan as a prime example) look like little soft kittens ready for a snooze.

Of course these are all words and what better way to really show what they were all about is a video made in May 1999.

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This outdoor show in Berlin resulted in the arrests of all of the band members for “inciting violence” after crowds, assembled for an anti-NATO protest, rioted with police (the charges were later dropped).

So next time you think about putting on your dusty copy of The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) *shudder* think about the true kings (and queens) of anger.

One gig that was a particularly important moment in my life as a music lover happened about 2 years ago. It was back in 2005 where San Diego’s Hot Snakes played their last UK show at Camden Underworld. It was an emotional time for all involved and possibly one of the finest live performances I’ve ever seen, despite vocalist/guitarist Rick Froberg being very drunk on Tequila and walking off at the end of ‘Luau‘. The band went on to play several shows in Australia, record a live-studio album at JJJ radio station and then split, never to return. Their demise was perhaps expected. Rumours of tension between band members littered internet forums and when the announcement came of the break up, it was accepted with a grim smile.

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Hot Snakes started life as a side project for lead guitarist John Reis during his time off from his most popular and long serving group, Rocket From The Crypt. Around this time, Reis set up the Swami Records label. The initial Hot Snakes recordings came from Reis working on tracks with former Delta 72 drummer, Jason Kourkounis. He then contacted former Drive Like Jehu band-mate, Rick Froberg as vocalist and the first Hot Snakes album was born in the form of 2000’s “Automatic Midnight‘ a stripped down, volatile and extremely abrasive punk rock record.

Gar Wood joined the band as the permanent bassist for touring duties and recorded on the band’s follow up album, “Suicide Invoice‘ in 2002. Their second album was a more experimental and “cleaner’ affair - utilising organs, more melody and darker lyrics. In 2004, Hot Snakes released their final studio album, “Audit in Progress‘ to critical acclaim. This album would feature Mario Rubalcaba on drums in place of the departed Jason K. It was possibly the band’s biggest and noisiest album, and won the “best punk album‘ award at the San Diego Music Awards. A music video was made for the opening track, “Braintrust.‘

They went on to record one of the last ever John Peel “Peel Sessions’ Eps, which featured 2 tracks from “Automatic Midnight‘ and “Audit In Progress‘ respectively.

After an amazing UK tour (well, the few dates they played!) The band announced it would split and after recording the “Thunder Down Under‘ for JJJ radio. They also contributed cover of the Government Issue song, “Time To Escape‘ to the Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland computer game.

The band are highly regarded in Indie music circles, somewhat down to the imposing figures of vocalist Rick Froberg and John Reis, both who served time in the legendry Drive Like Jehu. At the end of many of their live sets, Hot Snakes would play both “Bullet Train to Vegas‘ and the 9 minute epic of “Luau‘, both which appeared on “Yank Crime‘ an album that any aspiring guitarist should own.

The impact Hot Snakes had on punk music was a revelation. It was a wake up call to show that not everything had to be the same formulaic rehash of the same three chords. It challenged the listener with its gritty and layered sound, snarling vocals and chilling atmospherics. They were a raucous, rollercoaster ride of a band that kept strictly to the staunch DIY approach of many other Independent labels and acts at the time.

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Where are they now?

Rick Froberg - is continuing his work as an artist and illustrator (Rick worked on all the artwork for the Hot Snakes albums and for many Swami Records releases.)

John Reis - after disbanding Rocket From The Crypt and The Sultans, John worked on Swami Records for a bit before announcing he’d started a new band called Speedo, featuring ex-members of Hot Snakes (see news item).

Gar Wood - part of John’s new project, Speedo. He will take on guitar duties.

Mario Rubalcaba - current drummer for indie-rockers, The Black Heart Procession.

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Releases

Automatic Midnight (2000)
Suicide Invoice (2002)
Audit In Progress (2004)
Peel Sessions (2005)
Thunder Down Under (2006)

Video

Click below to experience the only official Hot Snakes video for the song, ‘Braintrust‘. Enjoy!

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Links

Hot Snakes
Swami Records
Rocket From The Crypt
Drive Like Jehu

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By Ross Macdonald (with thanks from Hot Snakes wikipedia page!)

It is always such a shame to see such talent go to waste. It sickens me. Why some bands are allowed to continue polluting the airwaves with their tedious bile, whilst the greats of this world bow out without so much as a “give a shit’ from anyone, is beyond me. This brings me to Give Up The Ghost.

Formerly known as American Nightmare, the band formed in 1999 and released a self-titled 7” on the hardcore label, Bridge 9 Records, followed by their second release “The Sun Isn’t Getting Any Brighter.’

Their big break (if you could call it that) was leaving Bridge 9, and spreading their wings to greener pastures in the form of Equal Vision records; well known for it’s unique hardcore/punk and experimental roster of bands. They released their debut “Background Music’ in 2002 (it was later re-released in 2003 under Burning Heart records.)
Around this time, the band faced problems over their name with another band from Philadelphia. After losing the legal battle, the band were temporarily renamed “American Nothing’ before settling for the moniker, Give Up The Ghost.

In 2003 they returned to the studio to record their last album, “We’re Down Til We’re Underground’ (also on Equal Vision). In 2004, they Bridge 9 Records released “Year One’ which featured tracks from the first 7” releases and older recordings of tracks that appear on their debut.

Give Up The Ghost disbanded in 2004. A cancelled European tour a day before the split threw up warning signs indicating the bands perilous future.

From research on the World Wide Web, there seems to be a strong divide between fans regarding the 2 full lengths the band released. Whilst “Background Music’ has a more overall raw and feral feel to modern hardcore, “Were Down Til We’re Underground’ showed a degree of experimentation in the bands sound and style. Basically, it wasn’t a “Background Music 2′ but a progression in hardcore punk music. The atmospheric tracks that bookend the album are one example; sounding more like a prog-bands demo-session. Even Wes Eisold’s vocals are clearer; crisper, sharp and to the point. This isn’t a dismissal of “Background Music’ which to this day, is a challenging and brutal hardcore record.

Wes Eisold (vocalist) matched a chaotic frenzy of aggression in his frontman duties with his heartfelt and brooding lyrics. His words were some of the darkest, honest and cutting of any hardcore band I’ve heard; something that he’s gone on to challenge and even out-do in his new projects as a song writer. If only we could hear what he was saying half the time, the message would hit home much clearer. Thank god for linear notes, eh?

FAST FACTS

Personnel (Final “Classic’ Line Up)

Wes Eisold - screaming, singing, lyrics, frontman of the decade.
Tim Cossar - an axe.
Brian Masek - another axe.
Josh Holden - four strings
Alex Garcia Rivera - hitting some canvas with sticks.

Disc

American Nightmare 7″ (2000) - Bridge 9 Records
The Sun Isn’t Getting Any Brighter 7″ (2001) - Bridge 9 Records
Background Music CD/LP (2002) - Equal Vision Records
We’re Down Til We’re Underground CD/LP (2003) - Equal Vision Records
Year One CD/LP - Bridge 9 Records

Online

Give Up The Myspace
Burning Heart Profile
Where are they now?

Wes sings/screams till blood vessels burst for the band Some Girls and XO Skeletons.
Tim plays guitar in punk rock and rollers, BARS and hardcore terrors, The Hope Conspiracy.
Former drummer Colin Kimble, now plays in Renee Heartfelt.
Josh Holden plays bass in Head Automatica.

Sounds

‘I.C. You Are Feeling Drake’ taken from the album, ‘Background Music’

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Contemporaries

Modern Life Is War
Some Girls
The Suicide File
Comeback Kid
City of Boston

You can buy Give Up The Ghost’s music from Amazon.

By Ross Macdonald

When you think about University a few things come to mind: staying in bed until the afternoon eating a boiled egg and soliders, whilst sipping your tea and watching bargain hunt; to drinking your body weight in cheap ‘monkey juice’ and having a sweet smoke until you are sick.

But one thing that does seem to drift over peoples heads are all the pretentious bands that appeared. Maybe it was just because it was the grand year of 2002, but there was a smell in the air and it wasn’t from the local pipes going off again.

From the locals trying to wring out a few dry Stereophonics covers to The UK subs still playing; something had to be done… Then it happened to the good people of Hull!

Johhn Quiz and the Electro Funk Compendium appeared from the high floors of the university campus. As drunken lyrics were written, the team started to gather a small fan base with there song about being obsessed with cakes and finding out who ‘Mike’ was. They knew that they could show Hull what they were about!

‘Battenburg! Muffin, Muffin!’ seemed to be good chants in the campus but they needed to hit the big town with some new tunes.

The team decided to move into a house together and started to kick up a music storm!

Johhn Quiz and the Electro Funk Compendium consisted of:
* Steve shouting his little heart out
* Mark with his funky blues and upbeat riffs
* Jason getting his wicked way on the bass
* Al bashing the drums like a robot

The group only played three times to the general public, but each time the support became stronger, the crowds bigger and the enthusiasm more manic. However, there was one particular fan who just couldn’t get enough. For the purpose of his identity we will call him Graham.

During this time the band warmed to a very hairy gentleman named Shane. This fuzzy muse would spend his time sitting around in his boxer shorts and dribbling over cats having “fun” with themselves.

Some people would be sickened by this, but Johhn Quiz knew it would have to be sung about.

The Johhn Quiz would alsodress up for their shows, a highlight being for their halloween special. (Scare-tastic!)

Their sound ranged from upbeat ska/blues to amusing but slightly deranged lyrics that would put smiles on the fans faces, especially Shane’s, although there were a few threats that he would throw down some punches if they kept singing about him.

Some of the lyics incuded:
“Hey Shane! Leave those cats alone”
“No one wants to see your log”
“Its just the children that you scare…. And wear some fucking pants!”

Keep it fast have managed to find a mp3 of one of their highlights named “Potter” Enjoy!

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If you like this tune then check out these areas in which their music was used for… Or their rants:
* skeletors bakery
* skeletors bakery 2
* The LADS “inner shane”
* The Lads XMAS
* Jimmy Milk

* Just to let you know that Johhn Quiz is the correct spelling for the band (extra h is for handsome!). So if you went to Hull and mentioned the famous John Quiz they may just beat you down with shopping bags. *