Walk into a Boston hardcore show and ask a random kid if they like the Dedication, and there is a 95% chance they will do one of the following:
A. Call you a faggot.
B. Say, "You like that make up wearing band of faggots?"
C. Turn around to their group of friends and say "Hey guys, did you hear this kid? He asked me if I liked the Dedication" while him and the rest of his friends laugh at you and call you a faggot.
What's the Dedication have to do with Sex Positions you ask? Well, actually, a lot. Not only did they share the same label, but Sex Positions at one time, was 3/4 of the original Dedication members. The Dedication released a demo, a 7"/CDEP and then broke up way before their time.
Almost two years ago now (wow, that seems like a long time) I saw Sex Position's second show. Being a HUGE fan of the Dedication record (seriously, I love it) I was pretty excited to see this band. They put on a great performance, but of course, no one was really into it. I bought their demo, and it sounded to me a lot like the Dedication, but a little faster and a little more experimental.
Fast forward another year. I saw them open for Boy Sets Fire in Rhode Island, and it was terrible. They played literally the same exact set, but threw a bunch of weird guitar and techno effects in. It really ruined their music for me and I figured everything there on out was going to be terrible.
First off let me describe the sound of both bands, for you readers who haven't heard either. I would say the Dedication sounds most like American Nightmare, but you would never confuse the two. Rick Purisi's vocals are frantic and insanely depressed sounding, much like Wes' of AN, yet the music is sloppier (for lack of a better word) and a little slower. Rich pushes out each word in short breathes that make it seem as if he thinks that all of his problems are going to dissapear if he just pushes his vocal chords a little harder. Take 3% mid 90's screamo bands, 60% American Nightmare, and well, 37% originality, and you will have the Dedication.
Sex Positions are a little different. Take the recipe mentioned about, and add a little bit of the Refused's Shape of Punk to Come in there. I was not looking forward to the techno aspects added into it, but I honestly think it was done pretty well. it sounded horrible live the last time I saw them, I won't deny it, but on record it really adds a good atmosphere to it, and most importantly it fits really well.
If you're a fan of hardcore, and good music in general, pick this record up. If you're a closed minded hardcore kid who thinks that anything with out two stepping parts and breakdowns isn't good, then don't even bother, this isn't for you.
