Lost Rockers: the new film from the makers of American Hardcore

Interesting news, everyone! If you liked the awesomeness of the documentary American Hardcore, you should know that its makers are preparing their follow-up film, Lost Rockers. 

History

In 2006, writer Steven Blush and director Paul Rachman joined forces to made a documentary about hardcore in America back in the 80s. It is, in my opinion, one of the best and most thoroughly researched documentaries on hardcore music and culture, with interviews and show clips from bands like Bad Brains, Cro-Mags, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Minor Threat and countless others. It focuses on the 80-86 period, which really is the period where it all begun and hardcore came into shape. For some incomprehensible reason, the film received quite a bit of criticism from the punk 'media' of the day, but you shouldn't let that bother you at all and definitely check the film out if you already haven't. It offers a lot of insight into this snowballing scene, and of course you get to see your heroes and inspirers tell it like it is!

The 2010 Comeback

So what's new, is that the aforementioned filmmakers have teamed up again, but with a totally different theme this time around:  Lost Rockers. This new film (which as we speak is in its first steps) deals with the darker side of fame. It goes into the lives and minds of people who had the potential, but never quite  made it in the music world. Does it sound familiar? I think that in a way, most of us can identify with a 'lost rocker' of some sort, because we feel like we have something worthwhile to create and gain recognition for, but somehow it never seems to happen..? Well, maybe this film can explain us why! And on a more positive note, Lost Rockers seems like a fascinating documentary because as music lovers, we always want to learn more and more about musicians and how they approach their art form, their lives etc. It doesn't matter so much if they're famous, because fame and quality obviously don't go hand in hand!

You can visit the following website for news and updates on the making of this film: www.lostrockers.com

Rise and Fall - Live Show Review (21 Feb 2010)

What an awesome show last night! Rise and Fall came out a lot harder than I expected, and turned their dark post hardcore into a proper full-energy hardcore show! I think this happens with many other bands as well, and it is good proof that bands keep the hardcore in their approach, even if they depart from its classic musical structures and evolve their sound. Like it's been said before, sometimes hardcore is more about the approach and less about the specific music style (as long as it's good, of course!) 

Moreover, the supporting bands kicked some ass too. Props go to Ruined Families, I Want You Dead and Endsight. One of the highlights were I Want You Dead's free promo demo CD (which rules and will be reviewed here soon) and awesome stickers. Also, I found quite a lot of good shit at the merch stalls,  and  as always at reasonable prices too! But the biggest highlight was honestly the good vibes of the people in the place.When you go home on a Sunday night after a fucking good show where you kicked it with your friends and bought awesome music, it gets kinda hard not to get psyched about the state of Hardcore in 2010!

Here are some pics from the show (thanks goes to Jim Hoppa):

Rise and Fall

Endsight

I Want You Dead

Rise and Fall - Live 21st Feb 2010!

If you were thinking that it is about time for a good hardcore live show, well, here is your chance: Belgium's own Rise And Fall! Preceeding a spring time filled with hardcore shows (i.e. Shai Hulud, Madbal & Terror, Vitamin X, H2O...), this could be considered a bit of a training for what's about to follow. 

Rise & Fall is a band I've kind of watched since their first album, impressed as I was by their fucked up metallic hardcore a la Integrity. What's different these days is that the band has established its own sound, still owing a lot to Clevo-core, but surely off on their own track. It's just the bleak, post heavy  hardcore that you expect to find on a label like Deathwish. Europe but especially Belgium has a lineage of awesome hardcore bands that push the limits of their sound, so Rise & Fall should be a definite check for any musically progressing hardcore fan.

What's more is that a bunch of good Greek bands are supporting that very same live.  Starting from backwards: Endsight (ex-For What Is Worth & Volume 69) will set things up for Rise & Fall with their metallic riffage meets Tragedy approach. Before them, I Want You Dead from Patra will kick some ass (missed them last time so really looking forward to see them), and rookie hardcore punks Ruined Families will open the show around 21:00 (doors open at 20:30).

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And if all of the above is not enough for you, there will also be an  after-show party, right next door (Roi Mat club) for your convenience. I believe the djs there will rock in the expected hardcore-metal-punk way, that can follow a live show like this. The entrance is free. Awesomeness!

For more info on the concert contact  the organizers, World's Appreciated Kitsch here: www.wakhc.blogspot.com

Selfish Pigs by Andy Reily

Andy Riley is a British cartoonist who did the famously sick, black-humored Bunny Suicides. His latest book Selfish Pigs, is a perfect cartoon book for any punk with a sense of humor! Riley depicts everyday situations where the heroes are pigs which are being, well, pigs and are incredibly annoying for everyone else. Riley bases his one-page stories on things that are incredibly familiar to most of us and, to an extent, represents realistically our wonderful society! Guess there are a lot of selfish pigs out there, and I  for one, can't say  I'm not one (ask my closest friends and family)! His book is available through all the main record shops in Athens, so it's easy to find, and it's a definite choice to have on your coffee table for your friends to check out.

Check Andy Riley at: http://www.misterandyriley.com

Published by http://www.hodder.co.uk

Grind Madness At The BBC

Wow! It's been a while since I listened to some REAL grindcore! This 3CD set which is more than worth its money as it is a real piece of extreme underground music history. It basically documents the first wave of UK grindcore, with bands like Napalm Death, Heresy, Extreme Noise Terror and Carcass. What makes this compilation necessary for all extreme music fans is that it icludes a whole session from each band, recorded for John Peel's famous BBC sessions. So it's definitely set apart from chaotic grind compilations that are are usually hard to follow.

The reason I put this up here is that I decided the upcoming Take Your Shot issue will have an extensive piece on these bands and the UK grind scene based on this comp. These bands definitely formed a scene and a new music style that sounds unbearable to most people, even some 20-something years later! The fact that pretty much all of these bands' members not only left their mark on music but went on their separate paths to create more ground-braking and mind-challenging music just proves it!