Sometimes the Internet can be a glorious thing, and we can all thank Al Gore for that... It is because of the glorious invention that I first became aware of this DC group that featured former Striking Distance frontman Dave Byrd, among other past and present players I the D.C. hardcore and punk scenes. And after hearing Set to Explode for the first time, I must say I was hooked.
The band's debut EP, which was released on both vinyl and CD format, rips off to a start with the track "Feel the Rage." We are treated to blistering fast hardcore/punk that draws influence from the early days of hardcore when Minor Threat and Bad Brains were THE bands. The EP continues down this path of sound with its high-velocity drumming and riffs while Byrd screams his lungs out. Though, Set to Explode does experiment a little with the track "Never Give In." While the other tracks are more akin to early hardcore, this one steers down the punk road. It definitely reminded me of a slower Rancid song, well without the Bay Area drawl in the vocals. This slight variation in style was just enough to mix things up so the songs didn't blur.
Lyrically, Byrd tackles quite a few social and political topics over the course of the six tracks. My favorite lines come from "Don't Fucking Care" as he shouts "Keeping watch on the latest trends / Your search for an identity never ends / Cheap smiles making everything feel right / Drug induced conformity every night!" This commentary on the vanity saturated hardcore scene is totally on point. Not to mention it makes for a raging tune to sing-along to.
With their debut EP, Set to Explode has launched themselves directly into the limelight of hardcore/punk. Whether you are an old school hardcore kid looking for something to help you reminisce of the glory days or a gutter punk lookin' to circle pit, Set to Explode is worth checking out.
