Sunday 30 July 2023

*** PODCAST #121 Jen Wiley (In Loving Memory) ***


     One of the more recent screamo bands to reunite was Iowa's IN LOVING MEMORY. They announced it about a year ago and just released their ridiculously good comeback EP 'A Gentler Sun'. I figured it was a great time to pick Jen's brain about all the stuff that happened 25 years ago, up to including filming a music video a few short weeks ago. Other things discussed in this podcast: reunion's a trip, not screaming for 20 years, The Suicide Machines to At The Drive In, chillin' with Steve Sneer, early days/Day Of Atonement, finding out your band was important/influential, playing with Converge, the first dissolution and the in-between time, the beginning of Examination Of The..., getting back together, lyrical insights, upcoming reunion shows, kids watching mom screaming her lungs out on the floor, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Bok Suna, Hopesfall, Onewaymirror, Shakespears Sister and The Spirit Of Versailles. Listen to podcast #121 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

IN LOVING MEMORY
Bandcamp
Linktr.ee
ZBR 'A Gentler Sun' cassette links


1 Yeah, That's Hardcore
THE SPIRIT OF VERSAILLES "The Line Between Us" (Jen)
ONEWAYMIRROR "Forever Fell Short" (Dave)

2 Des Moines Christian School
HOPESFALL "The Broken Heart of a Traitor" (Jen)

3 The Bubble
SHAKESPEARS SISTER "Stay" (Jen) [music video linked here]
BOK SUNA "you keep saying goodnight and not sleeping" (Dave)

4 I Love A Good Little Chug
~no music


~Dave

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Thursday 27 July 2023

*** DEAR DIARY, THIS IS FROM MY TEENAGE ANGST TO MY ADULT SELF exclusive song premiere ***

DEAR DIARY, THIS IS FROM MY TEENAGE ANGST TO MY ADULT SELF
"Josh Nichols"
exclusive song premiere
For fans of: United Nations, (early) SeeYouSpaceCowboy and Advocate

orders open Sunday July 30th, 2023 @9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST

     A few months back (maybe closer to a year) I reviewed the current discography for Chilean solo project DEAR DIARY, THIS IS FROM MY TEENAGE ANGST TO MY ADULT SELF during which time I actually was able to memorize the entire band name. I was super impressed with the staggering amount of fantastic output in such a short period of time.

     Is this the final DDTIFMTATMAS release? I'm not sure, but it might be, as project mastermind Fernando is putting the project on hiatus to focus on other endeavors such as Retratos de Heroína, and we're releasing the discography cassette this Sunday July 30th on Zegema Beach Records!!! Tears of sadness and joy. The cassette begins with the brand new EP 'A Harvest of My Own Ignorance', a 7-song whirlwind featuring guest vocals by none other than Sammy Gurule who also did the artwork.


(2023) DEAR DIARY, THIS IS FROM MY TEENAGE ANGST TO MY ADULT SELF "Josh Nichols" (from 'A Harvest of My Own Ignorance')

     A violent, sassy, chaotic, sprint (boy I'd love to see that in real life), "Josh Nichols" spits out the venomous SeeYouSpaceCowboy-esque whimpering before throttling the listener with abrasive and unrelenting emo-violence. They've got everything here: stop/starts, driving parts, multiple screaming, and a chuggy ending, all in a minute 27.
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Tuesday 25 July 2023

*** PODCAST #120 Scott (Venns, The Bunn, etc) ***


     Scott is a very artistic, creative, and passionate person. He's also cool as fuck. After getting hooked up by a Zegema Beach/Venns release, we've been chatting and decided to give the ole podcast a go. And it turned out great. A few podcast points: scene amalgamation, early bands: Gut + Killswitch + Karma + August + Arkata + Horselover, the Hardcore Hotline, Scott has seen almost every amazing screamo band from the 90s and it makes Dave audibly flabbergasted, screamo templates, tears for Van Johnson, hand claps rule, the Fashion Machine label, mirror movement disorder, Field of Screamo, making the Life In Vacuum music video, cookie-cutter screams vs. destroying voices, Yashira label-mate buzz, brain battling Foreigns, Venns as a live band maybe, Zegema Beach Records on the answering end, fuck paypal, the climate of tapes vs. vinyl, the dick move you shouldn't pull with tour posts, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Closure, Evil Ex, Four Hundred Years, Hylda, Mare, and Via Fondo. Listen to podcast #120 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

VENNS
Bandcamp
Official Website
ZBR 'Team Sports' 7" links

FOREIGNS
Bandcamp
Facebook

WTLNDS
Bandcamp
Facebook

THE BUNN
Official Website


1 Yer killin' me Scott, yer killin' me!!!
FOUR HUNDRED YEARS "Hoodwinked" (Scott)
CLOSURE "Time Off" (Dave)

2 Gorgeous was a Pre-cursor to A Mountain Far which was a Pre-cursor to New Friends
MARE "Anisette" (Scott)
HYLDA "Garden of Eyes" (Dave)

3 Meaningful Connections and the Ultimate Pursuit of Music
~no music

4 Trends and the Turning of Tables
EVIL EX "Mirrors" (Scott)
VIA FONDO "Rovaniemi" (Dave)


~Dave

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Sunday 23 July 2023

SHIBUYA

Band: SHIBUYA
Genres: Punk / Rock / Post-Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz
Related artists: ?.
Country: Valencia SPAIN
Years Active: 2018-present
For fans of: Joliette, Chalk Hands, Naïveté, Put Pùrana, Young Mountain, Hurricade, Boneflower, Viva Belgrado, Pembe, La Parade, Vibora, Descubriendo A Mr. Mime, Standstill, Vi Som Alskade Varandra Sa Mycket, and Altair.
Label(s): Shove Records / Saltamarges / Culpable Records / Through Love Records / Gato Encerrado Records / Pundonor Records / Hardcore For The Losers / Fireflies Fall / Floppy Dischi / Frontal distribución / Sounds Like Sunday Records

     Chalk up another win for European trading with my pals from Shove Records, Icorrupt Records, and Dingleberry Records. I think it was through a trade with the latter that I came across the Spanish band SHIBUYA and their 2022 'Apolo' 12"LP, got a few for the distro, and ultimately ended up keeping a personal copy.

     If you like the style of post-hardcore/screamo in the vein of Put Pùrana, Altair, and Viva Belgrado then I don't see why you wouldn't love this band. No chugs, no panic chords, no octaves - just post-hardcore/post-rock with a lotta playfulness and yelling/screaming overtop. There's a few music videos to check out but the standout track from me is "Respiro Al Pasar", which injects some killer lead guitar lines that break into Joliette's sound and swing the verse/chorus into goddamn this is so sick territory.

     The band's prior material is decent but was a road leading to this 2022 release, with their debut 'Inmensidad' and sophopmore effort 'Eliade' are worth your time after you've gotten into the band, but 'Apolo' is 100% the place to start. The early work doesn't deviate heavily from the later material, it just isn't as fleshed out, memorable, or cathartic. 'Directo -Eliade- Post-Confinamiento' was released during the pandemic and is four selected songs from their 2019 effort, and it's around here where I can hear the band morphing into the slightly heavier and more confident band that shows up on their 2022 album.

     I've definitely got my ears and eyes peeled for the band's next output, as the graphs show me that it'll be fucking awesome!

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DISCOGRAPHY

2018 - Inmensidad EP (stream/donate/download here)


2020 - Directo -Eliade- Post-Confinamiento (stream/donate/download here)

2022 - Apolo 12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2022) SHIBUYA - "Respiro Al Pasar" (from 'Apolo')

(2022) SHIBUYA - "Una Bestia Indomable" (from 'Apolo') official music video

(2022) SHIBUYA - "Ryoga" (from 'Apolo') official music video

(2020) SHIBUYA - "Lluvia y Seda" (from 'Directo -Eliade- Post-Confinamiento')

(2019) SHIBUYA - "Etéreo" (from 'Eliade')

(2018) SHIBUYA - "Antídoto" (from 'Inmensidad')
https://youtu.be/KyrgSUbA15k

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SHIBUYA additional links

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Monday 17 July 2023

*** PODCAST #119 Jeff (Jeromes Dream) ***


     It's JEROMES DREAM, do I really need to say anything else at this point? No, but I'll make it quick. Jeff is the vocalist/bassist for JD. JD fucking rules. Their new album is absolutely sensational. They kicked my ass at ZBR Fest. Things discussed in this podcast: the first thing you don't want to see in the morning, Pizza Hut/pop punk beginnings, The Daily Cafe influence, Kyle the Godfather of Jeromes Dream, Sioux Falls magic, water fights during a JD set, reuniting, keeping secrets from kids at school, getting laid off, "teacher most likely to sing in a screamo band", vocal changes, dealing with demons and forgiveness, the scene 20 years later, taking a noise-rock turn, Sean Leary the Machine, what's next for JD, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Blacklisters, Cassels, Garden Variety, Serotonin, Staynless, and Tipping Canoe. Listen to podcast #119 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

JEROMES DREAM
Bandcamp
Official Website
ZBR Fest 2023

1 Getting Spiritual w/Tipping Canoe
TIPPING CANOE "Wicker Man" (Jeff)
SEROTONIN "Alias" (Dave)

2 Immersion Addiction
GARDEN VARIETY "New Guitar Parts" (Jeff)
STAYNLESS "Old Salt" (Dave)

3 It's my lifeblood. It's the thing I was meant to do.
CASSELS "Charlie Goes Skiing" (Jeff) [official music video linked here]
BLACKLISTERS "Motivational Speaker" (Dave)

~Dave

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Sunday 16 July 2023

*** FLIRT exclusive song premiere ***

FLIRT
"Morsch"
exclusive song premiere
For fans of: Masada, Cady, Rha., Rutka Laskier, Envy and Pettersson


     Orbit Cinta Benjamin and Flirt met for the first time in Warsaw in July 2019 before hitting the road together for one week. After spending many hours in the same van, playing shows in four countries and evoking the spirit of early 2000 screamo from the dead the idea of a joint release formed. On the bank of a small Bavarian river the plan of a split LP was sealed. The covid 19 pandemic postponed the project for some time but now the record materializes with the generous support of Tomb Tree for a tape release in addition to Major Label, SM Musik, Bad Health Rec., ZilpZalp Rec. And Salto Mortales Rec. for the vinyl release, all of which goes down on August 21st, 2023.

     Today I'm happy to present the second of four tracks by FLIRT, a four- piece screamo punk band from Leipzig, Germany who recorded their songs by Jens Halbauer. They were mixed by Michele Zamboni and mastered by Will Killingsworth. The song is a pretty lengthy 5:21 considering their opener doesn't even crack three minutes, and takes it time to get its brood on, kinda Yage or Daitro in it's steady climb with gorgeous scenery. At 1:30 the songs really kicks in, putting multiple screamers on display over instrumentals that cut out at 2:38 to make way for the octave-beast known as screamo/emo-violence. By the end the band even throws in some clean vocals to balance out the screaming and it works out perfectly.

     Regarding the lyrics to "Morsch", here is what dø had to say about them: "morsch is about awareness regarding different aspects and levels in communications & friendships between me and people who surround me. How well do we know each other and what are you and I willing and/or able to share in terms of our most inner self?"

(2023) FLIRT "Morsch" (from 'OrbitCinta Benjamin' split)
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Sunday 9 July 2023

*** PODCAST #118 Excrucis ***


     EXCRUCIS has two members from bands that toured through Hamilton when I was still putting on shows there. Vocalist/lyricist Linda also played in Not For You (show review/videos linked here) and drummer Michael played in Nouveau (show review/videos linked here), Members have also spent time in myoldendaysgardenhome, Yail, Blush Scars, Pudding, Mandy, and recently released a truly fantastic and unique screamo/post-hardcore self-titled debut album on Tomb Tree. Find out why Dave Norman loves this band and so much more, including but not even close to limited to: unlocking the drumkit, experimental screamo, a Nouveau and "River House" tangent, EXCRUCIS formation + member changes + lyrical content + recording process, friends on Matador, weirdo music in Chicago, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Akira Yamaoka, Crying, Delia Derbyshire, The Pax Cecilia, Toupee, and Water From Your Eyes. Listen to podcast #118 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

EXCRUCIS
Bandcamp
Buy tapes

1 Experimental Screamo
AKIRA YAMAOKA "End of Small Sanctuary" (Michael)
DELIA DERBYSHIRE "Ziwuh Ziwuh OO-OO-OO" (Linda)

2 Channeling Anger Into Lyrics
CRYING "Bodega Run" (Dave)
WATER FROM YOUR EYES "Remember Not My Name" (Michael)

3 The Chicago Sound
TOUPEE "Glitter Roach" (Linda)
THE PAX CECILIA "The Machine" (live video / linked here) (Dave)

~Dave

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Thursday 6 July 2023

NIDARE

Band: NIDARE
Genres: Punk / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Post-Metal / Black Metal / Metallic Hardcore / Crust / Doom / Sludge
Related artists: ?.
Country: Berlin GERMANY
Years Active: 2019-present
For fans of: Amber, Hope Drone, rha., ['selvə], Telos, We Are Among Storms, Monuments Collapse, K/ollpase, Isis, Nic aka ██████, Downfall Of Gaia, Somn, and Aortes.
Label(s): Through Love Records


     I always check out Through Love Records' releases as we've had a strong connection through our labels' history, co-releasing Via Fondo, Eight Feet Under, Sore Eyelids, Trachimbrod, etc. so when I hit the play button for NIDARE's 'Von Wegen' I was a bit surprised by the post-hardcore/post-metal/doom/sludge emanating from my speakers, but in the best possible way. NIDARE rules and the vinyl for their new release is stellar to boot. Need more of a reason? Ostraca is touring with them in Europe. Nuff said.


     I went back and checked the band's 2019's 'Demo' which houses an "Intro", demo of "Von Wegen" (titled "II") on demo, and another exclusive jam titled...you guessed it, "I". It extends from the short, spooky "Intro" directly into Amber territory, utilizing slow but beautiful post-rock builds but never moves into vocal territory as I would have hoped, giving it a bit of late-era Pelican or Omega Massif-light vibe. That heavy shit is saved for "II" which appears on 'Von Wegen' so I'd say just skip the 'Demo'.

     'Von Wegen' is 40 minutes of post-hardcore/post-metal/atmospheric black metal/doomy bliss, no two-ways about it. Their driving, seething songs are pretty unrelenting in nature and rarely give you any breathing room despite the audio onslaught. The rapid drumming, destructive screams, dissonant guitar, and occasional quick breakdown can all be heard in the first minute or two of both opener "Sintflut" and title track "Von Wegen". The band does give you a chance to catch your breath, but the mesmerizing quality of the transition leaves the listener open and unguarded for the unforgiving behemoths that follow.

     Seriously this album rules. So much so that I bought a copy and tagged four additional ones along to go in the Zegema Beach Records distro. Snag a copy from us or definitely from Through Love if you're outside of North America. Catch the band on tour in July if you're able!

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DISCOGRAPHY

2019 - Demo digital EP (stream/listen/download here)

2022 - Von Wegen cd/12"LP (stream/listen/download here) [buy from ZBR USA / ZBR CAN / TLR EUR]

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(2022) NIDARE - live 'Sunsetter Sessions #22'

(2022) NIDARE - "Sintflut" (from 'Von Wegen')

(2022) NIDARE - "Von Wegen" (from 'Von Wegen')

(2022) NIDARE - "Unwesen" (from 'Von Wegen')

(2019) NIDARE - 'Demo' full stream
https://youtu.be/kQVl235AnF0

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NIDARE additional links

Bandcamp
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Saturday 1 July 2023

*** PODCAST #117 Jesse Lough (The Monarch, No Data) ***


     In 2022 I did a podcast with Mares Of Thrace, in said podcast Trez showed me The Monarch who happened to be on the island that I live on...yet I hadn't heard of them. I jammed. I loved. I saw them play. More love. So I invited Jesse Lough (vocals/guitar/founding member) over to my place for a chat. Straight up, it was nice having someone in the same room as me again. So if you haven't checked out the band yet you should probably do that first. I recommend "Committed To Burning" which is just fucking perfect. Be on the lookout for a full LP in the near future! Things discussed in the podcast: free studio time (w/caveat), Linkin' Park and drop-tuning, the correct pronunciation of post-metal, shifting lyrical content and religion, upcoming material, Mares Of Thrace vs. Bass Players, Gifts From Enola discography reveal, bands they'd love to play, Russian Circles discussion, fave releases of 2023, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Black Sheep Wall, Braveyoung, Gifts From Enola, and Monuments Collapse. Listen to podcast #117 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

THE MONARCH
Bandcamp
Facebook

NO DATA
Bandcamp


1 'Hybrid Theory' Dominated the World
BLACK SHEEP WALL "Modest Machine" (Jesse)

2 Are you shitting my balls?
MONUMENTS COLLAPSE "Starvation" (Dave)

3 It's shaped how I write stuff.
BRAVEYOUNG an excerpt from "The Days That Sat in Front of Everything" (Jesse)
GIFTS FROM ENOLA "The Vision of Ruby Turpin" (Dave)


~Dave

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full set live video
https://youtu.be/YK6pgr1B27U

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