Hardcore Personalities: Dave Haze (That's What's Up)

Dave Haze: "I don't care if it offends"

Dave Haze is the singer and most recognizable figure behind the infamous Detroit straight edge hardcore band, xTyrantx. This 7th Dagger recording outfit has raised more than a few eyebrows due to some militant edge viewpoints, as well as its violent sound and admittedly extreme looks. 

Let's face it: xTyrantx is not here for the happy PMA kids. However, Haze and xTyrantx help in representing hardcore as the most extreme and dangerous music subculture in the world!

Aside from xTyrantx, Haze also tattoos at Eternal Tattoos and is apparently a big fan of outlaw country.

Respect to the people who are still keeping hardcore extreme!

http://www.facebook.com/xTyrantxFTW

http://www.facebook.com/SEVENTHDAGGER

Harley Flanagan: the Cro Mags Legend Continues

The CRO MAGS have got to be one of the (if not THE) most legendary bands in hardcore. When we say "hardcore", we generally mean stuff that sounds like the CRO MAGS, no matter the diversions and trends that have emerged throughout the years. That's the sound that's always been, and that's the sound that's gonna continue to inspire kids to go hardcore and make their own music and bands, now and forever.

Throughout the yeats, a lot of energy has been spent on debating who the true leader of the CRO MAGS really is. Is it the legendary Harley Flanagan (bass/vocals) or is it the iconic Jon Joseph (vocals)? The truth is that, during various times in hardcore history the CRO-MAGS have been led by both members collectively, and have also been led by Harley and Jon independently, to the point that there have been two CRO MAGS at the same time. Fans and people in bands seem to part in to two directions with the legacy of this legend of a band still remaining out there for generaitons of kids to discover and enjoy again and again.

As hardcore fan I've never cared too much about this debate, cause to be honest I look up to both of these guys. Jon has the crazy Krishna holy vegan warrior thing going on, while Harley is the embodiment of hard as nails, bad ass hardcore attitude and a killer martial artist. And because we at TYS zine tend to take sides (unlike many other fence sitters), I will go  and say that judging from these guys' general precence in hardcore throughout the years, I have come to personally think Harley really  is the CRO MAGS. When I look at Harley, all I know is that this guy is for real, he's 100% hardcore and he doesn't claim the CRO MAGS' legacy for the money.

I will leave this here and take it to the music which as always, speaks best. Many people don't know that the CRO MAGS released two killer songs in 2010 with Harley on vocals (and on bass, of course). This last output is totally influenced by their early classic stuff, and especially by the thrashy Best Wishes album. Here is a track that, in case you've missed, you should definitely check out.

Another Old School Pic: Duane Peters

No matter what happens in this world, there will only be *one* Duane Peters. An old school skater and punk rocker extraordinaire, how can you not love this guy!? Still making music, still skating (instead of sitting with his slippers on reading the sports pages like so many other punk 'legends'). So crank up Back to the Laundromat and let it rip!

pic taken from http://10thingszine.blogspot.com/

Hardcore Personalities - Andy Roy

Now we all know from our experience that punk rock and bad behavior go hand in hand; we also know that skateboarding and bad behavior also go together very well. But there is nothing more troublesome than a true, OG punk rock skater. Andy Roy is a testament to that, an anti-hero who has proved times and times again that the altars of madness and recklessness are situated in those two little things we all love.

Every punk kid should know who Andy Roy is; every skater should have at least some respect for punk rock (unlike many newbies I know, heh!). These are just two cultures that evolved together. Check out the following random excerpts from an interview with Jay Adams for Juice Magazine:

ON GROWING UP

I grew up with punk rock and drinking and causing trouble and going on roadtrips. I was getting in fights and trying to get black eyes and getting my teeth knocked out.

ON CLEANING UP IN PRISON

There are more drugs in prison than there is on the streets, but it's a little bit more expensive, and I didn't want to hold myself like that. I was seeing people getting stabbed over it. It could get you in big trouble if you don't pay what you owe someone. I just didn't want to do that.

ON GETTING MARRIED

Jay Adams: That's the first time you've ever made your dad cry for joy, huh?

Andy Roy: [Laughs.] Yeah, that was the very first time.

Where Emo Meets Straight Edge: Davey Havok (AFI)

LAST NIGHT I was watching a bunch of AFI videos, and was reminded what a unique combination of straightforward punk ethos and emo aesthetics their charismatic - yet weird looking - frontman, Davey Havok is. 

Undoubtedly, Davey has done lots for the hardcore punk scene through AFI's 3 first albums which were instrumental in forging that more melodic US hardcore sound (in a scene that was definitely more metal oriented). Moreover, they have contributed to and have influenced the whole skatepunk and popunk genres with their classic The Art of Drowning album (2000). Changing their musical direction and becoming more easy listening through the years is not such a huge surprise; after all, lots of bands do it as they grow up and mature musically. It is logical to want to evolve and attract bigger success through your music.

What is actually interesting to observe is that even though Davey and AFI have transformed into a fully fledged, corporate-value rock band, they have maintained their hardcore punk mentality and values since their inception in 1991. Davey himself has stuck with straight edge and veganism since the early days, and is not afraid to talk  against drug abuse and meat eating with every chance he gets.

Moreoever, Davey Havok has also largely influenced the modern punk scene in another way: he has carried the flag for the horror punk style that the Misfits created in the 80s (he even had an offer to become their singer in 2000). We could really say that with his ongoing output throughout the years, Davey has become the ambassador of horror punk and has really helped this genre develop further.

One could ask whether Davey uses punk to stay cool and get the punk kids on AFI's side, or if he actually uses his long lasting punk values to influence and corrode the shit-filled mainstream music industry. We think that the case is actually the latter, while I don't think Davey even cares as he keeps making awesome music spreading punk, horror, straight edge, romanticism, and moshing alike to the world.

Last but not least, if you just watch the following video, you'll get a picture of where exactly Davey & AFI stand: the perfect amalgam of hardcore, pop and goth!

Wise Words from Lou Dibella (Sub Zero)

A lot of hardcore fans know Lou Dibella as the singer of the pivotal NYHC band, Sub Zero. Their 1997 album Happiness Without Peace is an epic of 90s New York Hardcore and an essential record for every fan's collection. Lou also sang for Skarhead (in Kings at Crime) and various other hardcore rap and metal/hardcore acts. His distinct vocal style and dark, yet thoughtful and positive lyrics became a trademark which  reached its perfection with the classic song Lionhearted. In 2009 Lou finally disbanded Sub Zero, after a 20 year-long course in the worldwide underground hardcore scene, and a cult name that will be remembered forever. Lou is also known as the Cancer Killah, because he managed to beat a case of terminal cancer in the midst of his succesful career. The aforementioned Lionhearted song is Lou's report of his successful bout with death.

Just the other day, I was reading an interview of Lou with hardtimes.ca, which is very interesting and you should definetely check out if you're into the history of NYHC (and why not worldwide) Hardcore. I have pasted a small but also very cool and interesting excerpt of Lou explaining about PMA (positive mental attitude) in relation to his illness. Read, and remember...

"One of the most important things to remember in a situation like this is to always keep that (like the BAD BRAINS say), keep that PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). Because PMA is half the battle man. Your mind is a very powerful tool that is capable of so many unimaginable things. It most definitely has the power to heal all sorts of wounds, whether they be mental, physical or in my case and in the case of many little kids and old people, TERMINAL. Keep your head up. It will take you further. I've seen many come in and die in the hospital because of their attitudes towards the situation. I know it's hard, but it's that or your life. Ahh, I'm gonna die, I can't do this and what not.....that's bullshit man. If you think like that, then for sure you have NO chance. If you at least try to think positive, you will have 50% more of a chance to make it for sure. And for those that didn't make it, but went down trying....at least they went with integrity. I sing about this in our song LION HEARTED. Bless them all."

Hardcore Personalities - Jeremy 'Twitch' Stenberg

While subtitling an X Games motocross episode a few days ago, I came across this pretty crazy dude who is the feauture of today's hardcore personalities article. It is no other than Jeremy 'Twitch' Stenberg, the  notorious freestyle motocross rider whose crazy lifestyle and even crazier riding brings him to our attention. Some of you may wonder what a motocross rider has to do with hardcore, but for us 'hardcore' is not just about the music, but also the people. So what if Stenberg doesn't listen to hardcore? He as a personality is way more hardcore than most people in hardcore music dare to be.

Jeremy Stenberg was born in 1981 in San Diego, California, and has been riding since the age of 2. He's won various competitions, but what mostly stands out is the whole mentality behind this player, who goes all out with his 'win or lose' attitude on life. He's the kind of person who when he knows he's going to lose or come second in a race, throws all his cards on the table and does everything to impress the crowd with crazy tricks and of the hook behavior inside the terrain.  He's had  some severe injuries (like breaking both legs doing a backside flip and spending time on a wheelchair), but he always comes back stronger. This is the kind of stuff that I find inspiring as a musician in a hardcore band and a long time fan of hardcore music.

Stenberg is also a long-time member of the equally notorious Metal Mulisha team. He does everything he can to uphold the in your face, don't care attitude that these guys represent through FMX (freestyle motocross). What I really like about kids like Stenberg is that even though they have a background of rockstar behavior that is all eccentric and everything, they are ussually really hard-working dudes who eveolve day by day and really care for what they do. Maybe they really are extreme sports bad boys and whatever, but you can bet that these dudes (or at least the ones who leave a memorable impression) have a really strong driving force in them and are always out there looking for #1.

What I'm getting at is that many people out there have the impression that most of these riders, skaters etc are usually just lazy kids who get rich for doing nothing. That's so wrong! From what we see with people like Jeremy 'Twitch' Stenberg, the truth is that they are out there putting their ass on the line, always showing mad love for their sport, which after all is so goddamn dangerous! I wish people in HC bands were like that and had that type of commitment. All respect to Twitch and riders of his ilk, the true hardcore personalities!

"If you get hurt, you get hurt. You can't be thinking about it."

Hardcore Personalities: Dan Smith - The 'Unknown Tattooer'

In the world of hardcore, there are often personalities who don't exactly fit in with the traditional norms. We often see people who have come from the hardcore scene and have taken that ethos and transformed it into something else. I am talking business owners, filmmakers, tattoo artists, whatever; the examples are pretty much countless. Dan Smith is such a personality and this is why we feature him here on our blog.

Dan Smith is a UK born, New Zealand raised, US residing tattooist and musician. Admittedly, he is a man of many talents who has succeeded in many different aspects and in a way is a role model for many who follow in his path (choosing alternative and/or unconventional ways to earn one's living). As a tattooist, Dan Smith is following a pretty much traditional style of old school designs, but with trademark precision and detail. In many of his designs, one can see the shared influence and similarities that hardcore and tattoos have always had in their aesthetics. The straight edge aspect also comes up quite frequently in his work, as Dan Smith is a very proud X man! Here is some awesome work of his:

Dan Smith's music side is a totally different story from what you might expect. He sings for The Dear & Departed, a band which does not necessarily have much to do at all with hardcore. But it's really not that important, as the band plays a very nice mix of new wave punk, like AFI meets the Cure meets the Damned (or something). It is the kind of music which is perfect to chill out to after an intense hardcore show or when you're just not in the mood for hardcore. Definitely music with a unique sound, to put on as a background while you do stuff, like draw, make a zine or a flyer! In any case, The Dear & Departed already have a loyal following, and have played with bands like Sick Of It All, the aforementioned AFI and Avenged Sevenfold.

There is more to check from Mr Dan Smith for those who are interested. He has participated in Peta's 'Ink, not Mink' campaign (hooray!), has designed stuff for famous companies like Macbeth, and has participated in the world-famous reality TV show 'L.A. Ink'. All this is just to show that proper 'hardcore personalities' are not just bald guys who act hard. The way I see it, they are creative people from all walks of life who are out there doing stuff, working hard and making a good name for themselves. It's all about what you put in,  not the posturing. 

Hardcore Personalities - Bobby Blood

Hey everybody!

Today we're doing another 'hardcore personalities' feature, and it is truly our honor to present Bobby Blood. This dude is one of the biggest but also more active hardcore personalities of our times, so it's definitely cool to have him on this blog.

Anyways, Bobby Blood has not only drummed for Merauder; he is not only the founder and guitarist of the great old school HC band Cold Existence. he is not only a prominent vegan straightedge figure,  and a spokesperson for PETA (going against the 'thug' mentality that dominates heavy hardcore); he is also a rising filmmaker of short films (mainly horror) and documentaries. A multi-talented personality to say the least, this is Bobby Blood!

A bit of an all-around musician, Bobby has drummed in many well-known bands in hardcore and metal, from the aforementioned Merauder to First Blood, Six Feet Under, Crematorium and North Side Kings.When he's nopt busy touring with those bands, he writes riffs for the heavy old school outfit Cold Existence. These guys keep the true NYHC spirit alive, with  lyrics about respect and life in the streets to match their heavy sounds. Here's a taste if you don't believe, the video for the song Fueled By Hate.

I mentioned above that Cold Existence and Bobby Blood are kind of 'street-smart'. In many cases people sneer at the possibility of a musician (let alone a filmmaker) being related to outlaw activities. However, Bobby Blood is one of those rare true examples. He seems to be one of those people whose life-experiences have to show of both good and bad. From earning medals in the U.S. army ,to serving time in prison for weapons and assaulting police officers charges, to propagating animal rights and proudly wearing the Xs, Bobby Blood has done it all.

Bobby Blood's personality has shone the most through the great music he's written and performed. At the end of the day, people are always better off when expressing themselves through something genuine and positive such as music; it is great to see that hardcore music has been that driving force behind people like Bobby Blood and the rest of the hardcore personalities we try to document on this blog. 

http://www.myspace.com/bobbyblood

Ray Cappo circa 2010 (part 1)

So last time we revisited Better Than A Thousand and talked a little bit about Ray Cappo- the influential singer and a huge personality of the worldwide hardcore scene. Since his presence in hardcore in the early 80s, he's been an ambassador of straight edge, vegeterianism and spirituality in the hardcore punk community. In the 80s, he ruled the sXe hardcore scene with Youth Of Today, while in the 90s he formed Shelter who became huge and toured the world many times spreading the Krishna message.

Ray with Youth of Today in the 80s

So within the documenting of important hardcore personalities I am trying to do in this new section, Ray Cappo seemed like the first and perhaps the most interesting choice. In this first part about Ray Cappo, we'll see what he's doing nowadays, because Shelter's last album in 2006 ('Eternal') is his last output in the hardcore scene.

Cappo has always been a restless kind of guy, it seems. After Youth Of Today, he went as a monk to India and then formed Shelter. But that was an on-off thing to, as he lived in Costa Rica for a while and ran a surf camp,  practiced jiu-jitsu, opened Equal Vision and Revelation records (and then sold them) etc etc. A lot of fans have blamed him for that, but I think that the people who keep it fresh, and never stop evolving and changing, are to be admired.

An upside down version of Ray Cappo!

So this hardcore icon follows a totally different track these days. He is living in New York as a family man and a yoga instructor, health nutritionist and organizes trips to India for Krishna devotees. OK, so I know this might strike people who are more familiar with the scum-bag type hardcore personality, but I think that we definitely need a positive hardcore inspiration -not just fat guys with tattoos- and even if these people are not active in hardcore anymore (who knows where you will be in 10 or 20 years?), they still have put a lot into it and should get respect.

Next time, we will review Ray's career in hardcore during the 80s and 90s with YOT and Shelter respectively, and a focus on the Krishnacore movement. Lots of interesting stories to be told there--stay tuned and keep it positive!

The music, the message #2

First of all let's just say sorry for the inertia of the last couple of weeks, and let us make it absolutely clear that there will be an outburst of activity with this site in the next few days. It's just that we've been bust as fuck with our personal commitments (unfortunately in this game, you gotta make some dough of you want to publish a good zine); but also, we've placed more weight on organizing the actual print zine, and there's so much energy going in to that, so in turn sometimes other things are placed on the backseat for a week or so.

BUT we do have a new section to add in this blog, it's called "Hardcore Personalities" and basically it will be about major figures in the Hardcore scene, people that have influenced Hardcore in a big way and most of us know about already, but with a little bit of extra research and maybe some unknown facts about them. Obviously it will not be about what kind of shampoo Ray Cappo uses or that kind of crap, because for TYS it's all about two simple things: the music and the message so that's what we focus on!

So keep checking back y'all, and keep rocking the good music!

Super old school image taken from brooklybodega.com!