I had the privelege of doing a quick interview over MSN with Michael, the vocalist of Bad Choice. I was not aware that these guys broke up so when he brought it up, I was upset!
Good news though, He hopes to start a band up soon! I'm excited to see the mosh he brings to stage with another group!

Here's the interview!
More to come!

michael
hey james whats up mate
JamesXmorgan
nothing dude, just trying to handle some drunk hooligans.
michael
hehe
JamesXmorgan
whats up on your part?
michael
just scanning some shit
JamesXmorgan
right on!
michael
listening to the watchmen
michael
you ever hear that 90s winnipeg band
JamesXmorgan
I can't say I haven't, but I feel like I should get on it!
michael
hehe theyre not great
michael
its more of a trip back in time for me
michael
seein their vids on the much music countdown
JamesXmorgan
dated! haha
michael
very
michael
cant really find any good vids of em on utube
michael
ill have a look
JamesXmorgan
hahaha
michael
heres some random shit ive scanned
michael
http://s359.photobucket.com/albums/oo40/mtm/
JamesXmorgan
do you have time to answer a few questions right now, or is now not a good time!
michael
ya sure np
JamesXmorgan
wicked!
JamesXmorgan
First off I guess, how did Bad choice come about?
michael
did you hear that we disbanded?
JamesXmorgan
I have not!
JamesXmorgan
This is shitty news to me!
michael
hehe ya
michael
a bit of communication breakdown
JamesXmorgan
when did this happen?
michael
the night before the have heart show
michael
literally right after practice
JamesXmorgan
oh man! I thought I was going to be able to catch you guys again!
michael
nah, i didnt want it all to continue after two of the guys wanted to step back
michael
really doubt well do a last show too
JamesXmorgan
oh man, thats a bummer!
michael ya i was pretty mad
JamesXmorgan
Will i still be able to see your unreal mosh at the shows?
michael
hehe of course
michael
ill prolly get another band goin sometime
JamesXmorgan
Good! the best mosh in Toronto!
michael
;)
JamesXmorgan
What's your reaction to eating glass' breakup?
michael
well anytime theres a break up of sorts, its too bad i guess. but maybe it was their time. i am pretty positive those guys will do other things
michael
theyre pretty involved in various levels
michael
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jIgB-52A1E
michael
this is not the original video...but this was one of their hits
JamesXmorgan
Do you think you'll get together with any of those guys for a band?
michael
i never say never, but ive never really hung with em much. lopez and spencer are cool guys.
JamesXmorgan
for sure!
michael
im not really too sure what their musical interests are
JamesXmorgan
what are your musical interests right now?
michael
i used to be all over the place...having pretty unlimited access to music online. but i still mostly listen to my nyhc demos, some oi, and dischord stuff
michael
i got back into buying records online through ebay, and people on livewire, so i listen more to the hardcopy than the digital files.
JamesXmorgan
Probably best! I think you appreciate it more when its in hardcopy!
michael
i didnt have access to my record player for a long while, so since ive moved into the manor of the middle east, i actually spend time listening to stuff
michael
i hardly listen to my ipod
JamesXmorgan
What upcoming shows are you excited for in Toronto?
michael
most of em. im not familiar with all the bands rolling through. put im gonna try to make it to them. i wanna get those have heart tapes to people. i wanna record some more live sets. at the last HH show, it was cool meeting some young kids, that were genuinely excited to acquire/learn what the music was about
michael
theres a really cool show coming up that i am really anticipating, and that show features Crucifist (dan lilkers new band), slaughter strike ( T.O.D.M.) and the mad man.
michael
the fucked up weekend at the end of october will no doubt be huge too.
JamesXmorgan
yeah for sure dude! Its going to be wicked!
JamesXmorgan
Well I'm off dude, I have to go settle down some rowdy teenagers! Thanks for everything dude!
michael
np james, hit me up next time, and well expand a bit if you want for the interview stuff.

Interviews to Come!

No I did not fall off the face of the earth! I've been at a summer camp for the past 9 weeks and no internet has made it hard to keep interviews on the go!

There are 2 currently in the process of being completed and Stuck in the City has been working hard getting some amazing shows on the go!

Forfeit Record Release on October Third is going to be insane!
Soul Control, The Endless Blockade, Haggatha, Titan – September 18th @ Siesta Nouveaux

Before all of these, which is a super sad story is the final Eating Glass show! This makes me super pissed, not because of their music, but because they are breaking up! These guys bring so much to the table, energy, pissed off vocals and the hardest bridges I have ever stomped to. I am going to miss their live performances, which means you should all go to their final show!

Eating Glass (last show!), Mother of Mercy, Creatures, Fortune Teller, PlanetxDanger – September 25th @ Siesta Nouveaux

Not to mention the amazing bands that are playing with them!

SHOOK ONES IN FINALLY COMING TO TORONTO!
Shook Ones, Title Fight, We are the Union, Junior Battles – November 7th @ The Poor Alex Theatre

So excited for this show! Considering I have had The Unquotable A.M.H on repeat for the past month!

It looks like this Fall is going to be unreal so props to the Guys at stuck in the City and any other promoters that are going to put a show on this year, or even next year!

Straight edge.

i have never been so proud to be edge! Never in the 4 and a half years I have been Straight edge.
Although many believe it is the worst choice t ever make, it is by far the smartest decision I have ever made.
I think since Have Heart is breaking up, I realized the impact they have had on me and my lifestyle, which is an extremely strong force.
I work with two huge jocks, who believe that the music I listen to is considered "emo" since I have to listen to fucking Tim McGraw and Taylor swift on my fucking lunch break. Nice dudes, but fuck everything you think.

Today is the day, I realized the impact and results of going straight edge in full effect.
Life is just wicked right now.
Solid friends.
Solid Family.
And a super Solid Girlfriend.

Although I have only one friend in Burlington who I would actually consider a true friend, (You know who you are, and you can relate to this post), I can fully beleive that I have many friends in Toronto and Barrie and many other places who have influence my life choices and smaller decisions. To everyone who has ever made contact with me, I thank you. I'm sure you have touched me in a positive manner.

New interviews are coming up!

Stay Tuned for some solid information and news!

Best night in a while

Tonight, I went and saw a show that will be in my memory for a long amount of time.

BANE
forfeit
End of a year
Cruel Hand
Hazardous Waste.

Amazing, just amazing.

Haz Was opened the show, and put on an a solid performance!
They are a an upbeat punk/thrash/Hardcore style and do it extremely well. Jon's guitar cut out during one song because of a sketchy patch cord, but the song continued and the band trekked on. Its a good thing to see a band not be nervous when something goes wrong, but play through it. Jon put down his guitar and began stage diving to the song and stomping right in front of the stage. Impressed with his sense of humor and calm personality. A really good local band, and I am looking forward to what these guys write next!

Next was Forfeit, and despite being a bit late, and keeping everyone on their toes, they showed and put on a show for sure. Extremely heavy guitars, and heartfelt pissed off lyrics made this set legendary. They played 3 new songs off their new EP and they sounds good, almost heavier than Visions, if that is possible. Kids moved for sure, and i experienced a blow to the head that left me with a bruised temple.

End of a Year played third, and although their style is totally different, I enjoyed them. I first heard them off the Sound and Fury sampler a year ago, and listened to the single when I needed something softer to keep me sane. Right off the bat, the lead singer said, "I can guarantee you there will not be any mosh". Which I think shocked a large portion of the crowd. The singer was full of energy and the guitars were totally in synch the whole set. Digged these guys a lot. Get into them.

Cruel Hand loaded up next. These guys remind me of a more technical version of meltdown, which is a totally positive. Super heavy and really tightly wounded rhythms. I had a low blood sugar so I really didn't move, and I kept my eyes on the band the whole set. They pack a lot of energy into their songs, and you can tell that when they play live. They had a lot of stop and starts on the dime which I think got me intrigued with their set. Good band, really nice guys as well.

Last but, definitely not fucking least was BANE. I saw them in October on a huge tour with Comeback kid and Misery Signals. It didn't really feel right when they were on the big stage (The opera House). As soon as they stepped on the small wooden stage at the Reverb, you could immediately tell they were more comfortable. They played an amazing set, with stuff off of almost every CD (GIve blood, the Note...ETC). Such a well rounded set. And in Bane style, the songs were played flawlessly. The best part about this set was Aaron giving his thoughts on hardcore and why he still plays music. Everything he said was heartfelt and sincere and you could tell he was passionate about hardcore, and giving kids a good show. Everything was interrupted by an ignorant girl who decided to tell him to shut up, and Aaron responded, "I won't shut up, you shut the fuck up". He received a well deserve applause for that. And even after he pointed the girl out and continued to tell her that she's following orders from her mother. Kids got so into this set, and as always with any BANE show there were loads of stage dives. Nothing negative to say about this band, members, or set. Nothing.

On top of the show being amazing, I got to see a whole bunch of old friends that I have not seen in a really long time. These people will always have a place in my heart and are still there for me, even after such a long time.

I handed out my zine, and got some solid constructive criticism and positive feedback!

holy fuck

I've been working on a zine for about a month now and I can honestly say this is the most work I have ever put into something besides homework or something in school.
I've had the chance to talk to some really rad people and learn a whole lot about the music scene and even myself. I'm super excited to put this out and hopefully people will like it.

Thanks to Eric and chris from Braindead, TomDom from forfeit and bob and everyone from letxdown.

Thanks for giving me the time.

Go to a show and I will put it out.

STOKED!

INterview with Eric and Chris of Braindead

I had the privilege to do the biggest interview I have done so far with a band that got me into melodic hardcore a couple years ago. Braindead, a band trying to mix up the formula for a hardcore band are a hard working bunch of guys out to make music and do what they love. They have gone through numerous lineup changes over the past three and a half years but never fail to pull through. So here is the interview with both Chris and Eric.

So who are you and what do you do?

Eric: My name is Eric and I play guitar and wear glasses

Chris: My name is Chris Lynch, and i just recently moved from playing guitar to vocals

How long have you been involved in Braindead for?

Eric: I started Braindead with my friend Joe (now in Reign Supreme) about a year or so before we actually played our first show, so I've been here since day 1

Chris: I joined Braindead on guitar shortly after they released their first Demo 7", so that was around late 2006 i believe.

What got you into the music that you write and the hardcore scene?

Eric: I got into punk rock back when I was in middle school and that eventually lead to hardcore and metal. I started going to local punk shows when I was 13 or so, and soon started going to hardcore shows in the area and then in Philadelphia shortly after. I've always felt a connection to the music and to mostly everyone involved in the scene. I did a zine and started booking shows in South Jersey and Philly, I played in some bands and always went to shows. Hardcore was pretty much my life for the majority of my teenage years. I would not be the person I am today without the hardcore scene.

Chris: Well i was first introduced into the hardcore scene by my friend scotto when i was just turning 14, he took me to a lot of shows in Philadelphia and Baltimore and the surrounding areas, so that was around 2000, i got to see a lot of awesome bands like count me out, damage, American nightmare, carry on, the ragmen, figure four, etc. so i guess you could say a lot of those bands have been a major influence on me and had got me into writing the music i do in one way or another.

Where do you get your inspiration for lyrics? When I listen to No Consequences and your demo, I can tell that there was a lot of thought used to write the lyrics.

Eric: Chris and I have recently taken over the writing of our lyrics since he has moved over to vocals. We draw inspiration from our past and present lives, just the things we deal with in life, both positive and negative.

Chris: At the time that the No Consequences ' lyrics were written we had our old singer still present. but as we are writing new songs and now that i have taken over as vocalist, i can tell you that i get my inspiration for my lyrics from all of the things that i should have done with the time i have had so far, or personal things that have to do with my family. As with all melodic hardcore bands, they always talk about regret, and all the choices they have made or didn't make in life, or where they have come from, so i guess you could say my lyrics are no different. i just know that if your a singer you should write about things know, not what you think people want to hear or relate to, because people are going to like your band or not like it, so might as well do it right.

I thought I heard Bob from Let Down on "an exercise for bad taste". How did that come along and what the thought behind the decision to have him on the record?

Eric: We toured with Let Down in 07 and we love those dudes. We asked Bob if he wanted to do a spot on our record. That was pretty much it haha

Chris: Yes that is Bob Wilson from letxdown (straightxedge). We asked him to be on the record awhile ago after going on tour with letxdown in the winter of 07', we became pretty good friends with all of them so we thought it was a good decision to have him on there, along with our other friends who did guest spots including Mike Riley, and LordXDom from pulling teeth, and John Louden from Jena Berin.

Do you think you have changed as a band, musically, since your first release?

Eric: We've gone through multiple line up changes in the last 3 years of being a band. Chris is mistaken because I wrote pretty much the whole demo haha. People have come and gone that have been involved in the writing process, but things really didn't start to take shape (in the direction I always wanted to go) until Chris joined the band. We aren't trying to reinvent the hardcore wheel, but we are feel that we are doing something a little different.

Chris: Yes, there is no doubt that we have. before i joined the band Justin our old bassist and Joe our old drummer wrote most of the songs on the demo and on our split. but once i started writing new material for the full length i started to incorporate more of the melodic tones, just because i think everyone at that point thought it would be a good idea to go in that direction. grant it i feel like we picked a medium that is much harder to pull off then your standard fast paced pissed off hardcore band, but i think what we have going will pay off in time.

What keeps the band going strong and doing what you guys are doing?

Eric: We love hardcore and writing and playing music. We've persevered over the years with line up changes and other set backs, but we are still a band, and I feel that now we are at our best in every aspect of the band. I

Chris: I think what really keeps all of us going is just our love for playing/going to shows and writing the music that we do, plain and simple. it's been hard at time with numerous, and i mean numerous line up changes over the past 3 1/2 years, but we all agree we want to do this more then anything right now.

Where do you see Braindead in the future?

Eric: We are planning on touring for most of 09, as well as writing a new record. It seems that every time we play there are more and more kids that know our songs and kids from places where we've never been that want us to come out. Hopefully we can get the chance to tour outside of the country. I just want to keep having fun and doing what I love.

Chris: I see us touring over seas, and releasing at least a few more LP's. this year we are definitely focusing on touring the US a lot more, now that some of our schedules have cleared up more, and once we get someone to release our record in Europe we hope to get over there if not later this year, then early next year.
Any Shoutouts?

Eric: Joe Hardcore. Without him, we would not be a band still. He took a chance on us and put us on This is Hardcore back in 06 and things just took off from there. The support he (and Philadelphia) has shown has over the years has been tremendous and we cannot thank him him enough. I'd also like to give a big shout out to everyone in the city of Baltimore. Baltimore is pretty much our second home and have done so much for us. Nick and Russ out in LA, Ashley and Justin in Tuscon, John Kapp out in Regina SK, Mike from Until Your Heart Stops, everyone from Michigan, we hope to see you all again this year. Oh, and Brian Cavanaugh's dad.

Chris: I would like to thank Joe Hardcore for giving us his undying support whether it be help us with contacts or getting us on great shows in philly, he has always been behind us since day one. and also like to thank Steve Smeal from Ruiner and Burn Bridges Records (www.burnbridges.net) for releasing our records as well as everyone in Ruiner for helping us out so much over the past few years, that also goes for everyone in Pulling Teeth, and our good friends in Blackbirds; Justin Steenbergh, his g/f Julia, Jesse Gongora (mi hermano), Brenden Schieman (bung, fuck you dale), Brandon Demarco and every band or any person who has helped us out in any way, thank you.

Forfeit Interview

I got the chance to interview Tomdom, the bassist from forfeit (basically my favorite band). I never realized how young he was and was completely surprised by his age. Anyways heres the interview.

So lets get down to brass tax. Who are you and what do you do?

I'm tomdom and I play bass In Forfeit from Syracuse, new York.


How did you get involved in hardcore and the music scene?
I met our drummer, Ben Shaw, in 7th grade in ecology and he was all decked out in gear and I went to go see what's up. From there he took me to my first show and we've been in bands ever since.


What are your biggest influences when writing and playing in Forfeit?
My biggest influences when writing in Forfeit is definitely Life Of Agony, Metallica, Pantera and Entombed. Honestly, One of the biggest influences besides music is anger and frustration. I usually lock myself in my room and write in my journal and pull out my guitar and just write.


What is your opinion on the direction of where hardcore is going presently?
I'm only 19 so I can't be one of those people who say hardcore is better or worse than it was ten years ago but I am very excited for hardcore. I like a lot of the current bands out now.


Where was the best show you have ever played? where did kids go off is what
I'm really asking?

That is a tough question. One of the best shows definitely has to be either our record release show at the Westcott Community Center or the Have Heart show we played at the Westcott; there is a video of it on the Internet.


Where do you see the band going in the future?

Well We are almost done writing our first lp that will be released on Reaper Records in late Spring and have plans of touring from May until late August. From there I can only see us wanting to play more and touring more- hopefully touring the rest of the world.


Shoutouts to Patrick Kitzel and Reaper Records, Paulyedge, The Brotherhood, Forfeit Crew, Foundation, Unholy, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice, Outbreak and The Mongoloids

I wish I could find a fucking excuse.

I have been into swamp thing for a long time now, but sice the release of In Shame, I have now officially been addicted to their music. THis album features a more personal set of lyrics, involving pieces of shit, motherfuckers, the bastard they call God and leeches. It hits at a personal level too, If i am feeling like shit, and its because of the people around me, i just pop this bad boy on and prepare for the worst.

In comparison to the youth is sick, this album, i find is definitely faster and more angry. The guitars are definitely heavy as shit, but more fine tuned. I mean, the rhythm seems perfected on all of the songs and there seems to the perfect harmony between both guitars.

I purely enjoy the drums on this record, not too fast, not too slow, but that perfect speed. They definitely power through the guitars, which is a good thing, because on some other albums, not swamp thing's i have a hrd time hearing the drums over every other instrument.

Listen to every song on this album, it is unreal.

Burn it to the Ground!

Crossbearer have been around for awhile, whether you've noticed them or not. The truth of the matter is that Crossbearer are amazing in every way and form. Heavy guitar parts filled with melodic harmonies, aggravated vocals powered by powerful lyrics and fast hard drums.

Transgressor, their newest release is an example of their growth and overall development over the past years. It boasts the previously described characteristics but with a tightened finish.

What blows my mind, and my ear drums are the melodic breaks in the songs that always make me turn the vlume up in my headphones or my speakers. They are just so good, and always capture their talent within about thirty seconds.

Check out Transgressor, Honesty & Hersey, and their first demo, they are wicked.

www.myspace.com/crossbearermusic

Alpha & Omega

Leave me speechless. Absolutely amazing. Sounds a bit like blacklisted but heavier and more pissed off. I've listened to Devil's Bed about 5 times in the past 3 hours and can't believe that I am not sick of it yet.

The guitars are extremely heavy and the recording did not draw away from the roots, like other records I have listened to. Where the recording makes the music less heavy than it actually is.

The vocals are what keep me in to this record. His voice is so heavy and booming that it could break through any Guitar riff or drum beat with force.

Just a wicked record to listen to.