BLACK & BLUE BOWL 2009

Yo, sorry for the long delay, but at least I did it. Once again, the Superbowl of Hardcore (now named the Black and Blue Ball) will be something that I will remember. I left Montreal around midnight on Wednesday night after one hour and half at the customs, with a girl puking in the bus. I got to NYC around 9-ish. I got a cab and went to my friend's house. After a good breakfast, a long ass nap and a tasty burrito, I went for drinks with my boy Aaron. I haven't had the chance to hang out with the man in nearly 3 years (always good to catch up with you, mang). He made me drink pickle juice after a shot of jameson. We went to the place he works for drinks, everyone was nice, music was good. Drinks were cheap. I had a really good time.

I was kinda hungover on Friday morning, me & K went shopping in Knicklebocker Ave, so many places to find ill shit. I found a nice jacket and some Tims for really cheap. I passed out pretty late and Hugo got there on Saturday morning. We chilled for a bit and left around noon. We went there early because I wanted to see Forfeit and Backtrack. I also wanted to score some Stigmata and Second To None shirts.

Forfeit were good and on point. It was my first time seeing them, I really enjoyed them. They opened up the show, so the room was almost empty. They played a short set with some new jams, can't wait to hear the new LP. Backtrack were next, some kids were really into them. They had a good presence on stage, they had a really groovy instrumental song. They only had tank tops, I was bummed out.

Son of Skam did a short set, but at the same time, really complete (if my memory is still in shape.) All the songs from their first EP and the song "New York, Bring It On." I watched a couple Discipline songs, those guys looks like bulldozers with arms, but they're not the kinda stuff I listen to. So I went for some fresh air (consider the fact that the only way that I can go outside was in a really small perimeter with 80 smokers,) but whatever the show was still worth it. Second To None were really tight & Joe None's stage banters were priceless. The crowd was starting to wake up a bit. Victimized, Takin' Every Krown, How Ya Like Me Now, and a few others. I skipped Walls Of Jericho for 2 hot dogs, one burger and a Red Stripes. TerrorZone did a good job, and the crowd was into it. They busted a mini Bulldoze set, opening up with a part of the Dmize intro, plus 'Beatdown," "Truth," and maybe "Bulldoze," but then again I'm not really sure. They had one of the best reactions from the crowd at that point.

Subzero were playing one of their last shows after 20 years of existence. A lot of people were there, waiting for only old stuff to be played. Nobody was disappointed. They opened with "Fuck MTV," and also did "Boxed In," "Mpr," "American Grateful, " plus probably 2 or 3 more, and they closed with "Lionhearted." They said that they will do another show and play all their compositions. After that, I was really pumped to see Stigmata for the first time. They put a sick show, with a bit of lack of participation from the crowd and not enough of stuff from "Hymns From An Unknown God." Their set list was something like this:
"No compromise," "Violence Within Violence," "Can't Bring Me Down," "Nothing But Enemies," "Losing Dices," "Life For A Life," and then ended it with "Burning Human."

I think Urban Waste were next, I was once again chilling "outside." I watched a couple of Murphy's Law songs, they did a good job as usual. Jimmy Gestapo is an amazing frontman, he was still pouring jager and smoking weed on stage. They covered "Straight Edge" by Minor Threat. I didn't watch Bold, they are really not my thing but they did a cover of "New York Crew" with Porcell on vocals. The place went berserk.

Killing time played classics after classics, and 3 new songs from their new LP, coming out this fall, I think. I know I will probably get some shit for not watching Indecision (and Earth Crisis,) but I was exhausted. Crown of Thornz were off the hook, they started their set with a Cranberries intro into the opening song off their LP, "Icepick," "Mental Masquerade," "Juggernaut," and 2 other songs. They also played 3 Skarhead songs.

I was tired and hungry, so we went back to K's place, ate some pizza and went to sleep. We hung out with our friends in BK on Sunday afternoon, and we got to the other show in BK. We ate in a good place on the 5th ave near Southpaw. We missed Pitfight and Skam Dust, and Bad Seed canceled. We caught Red Eye Devil, Homicidal, BillyClub Sandwich, and Denied. We were once again really sleepy so we made a stop to the corner store to buy an Old E. On our last day we went sneaker shopping and took the bus. Hugo had a hard time with his smoothie, but he made it home in one piece. I love NYC.

T

SCOTT VOGEL

I've done this interview with Scott around the end of 07 for Lifers zine 1 but we never put it online. Interview by Tremblay.

What's up Scott, how are you? How's the tour going so far?

I'm good, Terror is good, tour is long but good... 5 more days and its over. I'm feeling a little old. I feel like I need to stop drinking.
Can you tell us how it was growing up in Buffalo? Any good or bad memories that you'd like to share?

I lived way out in no man's land with my mom and two sisters 'till like 6th grade. Those were care free days. No bills, no worries, just sports and causing trouble. We were pretty broke and shit but I didn't know or care as long as I was having fun. I moved in with my dad cause my mom moved to Houston and that's where real life started. In 8th grade I found Hardcore and weed and forgot about sports. Buffalo is pretty dirty, a working class type city. I had some good friends and some good times. I did a lot of dumb things I regret, dumb drugs, not taking my future seriously, mistreating people, and I had a lot of shit thrown my way too. I guess I'd also say what doesn't kill you makes you strong. A lot of snow, might taco, shitty jobs like washing dishes, driving a cab, telemarketing, shows all over. Buffalo, Erie, Syracuse, Clevo…

How did you get into hardcore music? How was the scene in Buffalo at that time? Best shows that you've seen there? Any fucked up things that you saw at shows that you can share with us?


My brother was into a lot of punk stuff. I wasn't into the look or attitude but I felt the aggression. I would go to some shows. I saw "Another State Of Mind" on Night Flight. Seeing Minor Threat playing in that basement, talking about their way of thinking, their shaved heads, and their live footage totally grabbed me. Next a friend gave me a tape with Don't Forget The Struggle on one side, Victim In Pain on the other, and that was it. I was addicted. Later I bought GB, No For An Answer, Side By Side and SOIA 7 inches in one day.

Fucking amazing day. My first show was DRI, and next week was 7 Seconds with Zero Tolerance. Buffalo at that time was amazing, man. We had it all… Raw Deal, Chain of Strength, Brotherhood, Eye For An Eye… man, I could go on forever. There was a great death metal scene also. I miss those days. I didn't know anyone or any band members or any bullshit. It was just the music and the vibe. Lots of crazy shit went on. Slapshot shows were militant sxe kids, Nazis, punks metal heads. You can image that… Shelter got beaten into the hospital by local thugs, Dwid slapped Darryl Snapcase… man, I love Hardcore.

Why did you move to the West Coast?

After traveling all over North America and beyond, coming back to Buffalo got depressing. I was in my late 20's, Buried Alive was dying. It was the time for change.

Top 5 bands out of Cali at the moment?

Best CA shit right now: Donnybrook, IA, Piece By Piece, Wings, Beer and Sports, and Violation.



Who was in Slugfest when you guys started the band? What were your influences back then? Did you guys always play Judge and SOIA covers? How was the reaction? Did you go on tour at some point? What have you guys released?How did Slugfest come to an end?

Slugfest started in like 1990, with me and my brother. We had a lot of members. The first drummer owned the River Rock Café, so our first show was with Judge. Dope!!!!! We put out a few demos and 7 inch. Later, after we broke up, we recorded some songs that never got recorded before and put out a CD. Reaper Records will most likely do a discography cause the CD is out of press and PK loves the band.We played Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, up in Canada, Detroit, Erie... that's about it. It was all just fun, always drunk and high while playing. No worries about big bands or big shows.We had a lot of energy then, and covered all sorts of bands: Alone In A Crowd, Turning Point... mad covers. We broke up 'cause Snapcase stole our drummer. Weak, man… Chokehold and Chris were always a part of Slugfest. They were good dudes.


What do you think about vogelisms.com ?

Not into it. I stay off myspace and all that shit. Half those things I never said.

Who formed Despair? Who was writing the music? How was the collaboration with Initial Records? How were Trustkill Records back then? What happened with the band after that Hatebreed tour?

Despair was the result of a bunch of Buffalo bands ending. All Hardcore kids started it. Band was fun, we got to play a lot and tour and go to Europe. Initial were great, for real. Trustkill was cool but in Europe, he told me I had to pay him for two tour shirts. Wack. I said no more records with you kid, but I guess I never learned my lesson. After the Hatebreed tour we went to Europe, came home and then bass player quit. We called it a day.

Born To Expire or Desperate Measures? What do you think about the later stuff? How was it to have Eddie in the studio? How was the Reunion at CB's?

Born To Expire. But both are great. I like a lot of the latter songs, but many I don't. Having Eddie record vocals was an honor. He's pretty intense, and strange. Good stories. His voice in unreal, so was the CB's reunion. I felt great that night, what a fucking awesome band, they smoke everyone. How do you get that recording in '86 or whatever? Fuck!!!!!

You've done a lot of shows with just the Six Month Face 7" under your belt. Did you release it on your own? Did you go on tour at some point or were you just playing weekends? How was the reaction to Buried Alive when the lp came out? How was it, dealing with Victory Records? You released a split with Reach The Sky, how did you guys get the idea for the artwork? Best/Worst shows? Why did you release the Last Rites CD after you broke up? Why did you guys break up?

Buried Alive was pretty strong right away. We got shows easy, we were older and could travel. I said no to being in the band like 5 times, but finally joined. The drummer quit Despair a year before so I didn't want to do it, and yes, he quit Buried Alive a month after the lp dropped. I wanted to kill him. Dudes that quit Hardcore for girls suck. We toured a lot, weekends always. RTS and All Out War were our super friends to play with. Tony was crazy but I respect his insanity and work ethic. We also had a lot of bad shows, but Hellfest was always amazing. Chicago was good too.


The split artwork was RTS's idea. It's a real truck company, so they just took photos. Dave Mandel rules.Last Rites is a joke. It was demo songs that were never supposed to come out. Look at that layout Victory threw together. The recordings were a joke. There are a few cool songs from the first demo session, and the second one was at the end of the band. The songs were getting weak. The band told me to stop talking about Hardcore 'cause they didn't care. They loved Nothingface. Those songs sucked. I did the lyrics a day before cause my heart was not in it. I quit.
Are you still vegetarian?

No.

What's good/bad in Hardcore right now?

Good:

Bitter End
Iron Age
Will to Live
Mind Piece
Madball
AF
Shattered Realm
Meltdown
DBD
Bracewar

lots more…
traveling the world, making real music, overseas scenes…

Bad:

Downloading and not getting a lyric sheet or layout, Hardcore bands that don't even know what Hardcore is… close minded kids that follow trends…

What's good with Terror? What's coming up? Can you tell us about the line up changes that you've had with the band through the years? What have you guys released so far? How's working with Trustkill right now? What do you think about the shows here in Canada, especially in Quebec ''Stage Dive'' city? Best tour that you've done so far? How's Europe & Autralia treating Terror? How were the shows with Necro? How did you guys get Jedi Mind Tricks to sing on the new ep?

Holy shit, that's like 100000 questions…

Terror is good. We just put out the new EP. TK wouldn't let us before, so as soon as we fulfilled the contract, we did it. We just demo'd 4 new songs to send to labels. New record will not be on TK.We had the same dudes for like 3 years… Carl quit cause we are insane and he's normal, Frank quit to do Hatebreed… all is good though. I'm happy both are well. Terror is stronger then ever. Martin and Buske rule. We're doing the Earth Crisis reunion in March. First, though, is Japan, Korea and a new album recording in Feb, and then April is Europe with Ignite, so that my life 'till May. Fuck!!!!! It never ends.


Canada is always good to us, Calgary was the best show on this tour. We love Quebec… fucking love it. Best tour was Europe. SOIA, Madball, Terror, Comeback Kid, Walls of Jericho, The Distance… we are lucky to be able to travel all over the world and get love. Australia is the best. The Necro show was cool but a mess for us. We flew to London, got there late, played earlier than we thought. It was a rushed mess.Slaine from Boston was with Ill Bill, he ripped.Vinnie is my friend, he loves Terror. Hit us up to remix one of their songs 2 years ago. We chill whenever we can. He sounds so dope on the ep. We might do a band. He's a drunk madman with a smart head on his shoulders, I love that dude.Looks like that is the last question about all my dumb bands, thank god


Top 5 NYHC bands? Why?

Madball, Warzone, Leeway, Merauder and Judge, all for the lyrics, music, style, live shows, attitude, and their energy.
I want to mention AF and Alone In A Crowd also.

Favorite Bands in the US & Europe right now?

USA

Bitter End
Iron Age
The Draft
Down to Nothing

Europe

Born From Pain
No Turning Back
Rise and Fall

There are great bands in Australia and all over the world, I fucking love it

Stigmata: Hymns For The Unkown God era or Do Unto Others era? Why?

All their shit rules. What a great band, so underrated. My fav is the 7 inch with Mike Ski artwork on Victory. Buddy is a great guy, I miss him.


Best Gang Starr album? Why? What do you think about Guru's solo project? Favorite Mobb Deep songs? East coast or West coast? Best era?

Hard To Earn. I love it all. I love the owners. Premo called my phone the other day, it was amazing. They have the greatest vibe man, lyrics, beats, cuts…Not into the new Guru shit much, it's not the same, though I respect his effort. Got to move on. And I'm glad he quit drinking, that's hard to do. Mobb Deep, that new Prodigy solo record is great. Need to get the Havoc one. I love the g unit album, they rip. I'm putting them on after I get threw the longest interview I ever typed. I like both coasts and in between. TI is not the king of the south, Scarface is.
I don't like Outcast, Slaine is dope, Obie Trice is dope, DITC is dope, AG is dope… I gave up on Mos Def and Talib and all that happy weak shit. As a friend of mine once put it, I don't want to listen to hip hop songs about granola bars…

What's the Craziest thing that you've done because of your bad temper?

Aw man, lots… bad things, not good. I started meeting with a Buddhist monk to learn to mediate and find a better way to get through this fucked up world. That started two years ago and has really helped. I would have lost this band and a lot our friends if I didn't change. I'm still a fucking mess though…


Favorite Metal band?

Slayer

Any shout-outs or last words?

Rest in piece SOB.. you were a cool cat.

http://www.myspace.com/terror

T.U.I.

http://www.myspace.com/underdaice

MERCY FOR NONE COMPILATION

I'm pretty sure some of the old heads will remember how good the comps were, back in the day. You know, like the New Breed tape, NYHC: The Way It Is, and East Coast Assault. The younger ones like me have in mind the first few Victory styles. I don't remember the last time I heard one where all bands on it were good and all the tracks were unreleased. I got nothing but love for Reaper since day one, it's one of the most respected and hard working label at the moment. The bands are all kinda "new," and it's a good thing, because it give them a little more exposure. The intro is done by the infamous, criminal-minded Krs One of Boogie Down Production, FRESH! The first band that appears on is the new Richmond VA sensation Naysayer. The second song is by one of the hardest bands going on right now, Bad Seed. The third spot is taken by a new band from California called Absolute Madness. If you're into Anthrax and Municipal Waste, you should check them out. After that, we got Unforgiven from Connecticut, and this is probably my favorite song by them to date. Fast and Heavy. Second to last is Brick from Baltimore who got that Clevo sound, without sounding too cliche. The last one is by another band from Cali: Alpha & Omega. Good fucking way to end it. The artwork is really dope, every band is good. Support Hardcore in '09. Support Reaper Records.

http://www.myspace.com/badseedpa
http://www.myspace.com/absolutehardcore
http://www.myspace.com/alphaandomegahc
http://www.myspace.com/brickmd
http://www.myspace.com/unforgiven860
http://www.myspace.com/naysayerichmond
http://www.reaper-records.com

LIFERS LIFE MAY 09

What's good? I hope everyone is feeling great. We (Plus Minus) played a split set with our boys in True North Strong (Montreal's hardest) last weekend with Madball, Wisdom In Chains, and Cruel Hand. It was really dope. We had a blast. We were supposed to record a demo at the end of April but it didn't happen. We'll try to do it this summer, so you guys can destroy your bedroom (and probably your whole house) to it. We also played a show in Chateaugay in a basement it was kinda funny and awkward at the same time.



You can peep the video of Wisdom In Chains & Cruel Hand live( in HD) at our
Vimeo Channel . Every video interview or live set that will be filmed by our boy Vincent C. will be up on this site, so be sure to add it to your bookmarks. Cruel Hand interview coming soon. You should peep the Hard Times interview with Richie Krutch. Ismean stories are always gold.


Wisdom in Chains / Boxcutter Interview HARDTIMES.CA



We got our second batch of shirts, with a bigger print. They are 15$ plus shipping, just email us and we'll work something out. We'll try to have long sleeves for the fall, and maybe hoodies. Who knows?

Lifers Issue 2, like we said before, it's coming slowly but surely. We'll have it for This Is Hardcore for sure. We still got a few of issue 1, I know there's 5 to 10 going in France in the next weeks, and 6 that will be on the Ruckus merch table in the next few weeks. We'll bring like 30ish to NYC for the Superbowl and the after day show, so if you need one, email us asap.



Hugo put out his first ''mixtape" named Blunted Beats Vol. 1.
21 unmastered beats including 2 remixes. Let him know what you think.
http://www.zshare.net/download/59984972df9aae9c/

For our French peoples up here in Quebec, we're working on maybe having a radio show on the air of CISM, more details coming in the next few months.


Props to SFJ, Ruckus, Killer Ape, Becky Mize, DJ North Face, Vincent Cantin, Danny Brooklyn, Final Word, Carolina and Knightbus. LIFERS CREW PLUS MINUS CREW .




T