Strange Relations
Going Out EP
Tiny Engines (2016)
Admittedly, I’m a little leery of a press kit that features more band photos than songs. Then again, this is an EP, so it’s probably me yakking about something inconsequential anyway. They’re just attachments. It’s not like they sent me glossies. More is always better, right?Anyway, part of this record review might actually get to the record, which is a … Read more
Strangers
Holding
Action Man (2007)
Many Americans tend to take our music scene for granted, very rarely looking outside of our borders for new music. But if the last couple of years writing reviews has taught me anything, it's that there is a just as much music, if not more, deserving of recognition coming from areas outside the United States. Five-piece hardcore outfit Strangers may … Read more
Strangers
Night Minutes
Action Man (2009)
Night Minutes is the latest release from New Zealand's Strangers. The group made quite a splash with their 2007 debut, Holding., and the subsequent full-length, Weight. This six-song 7" release continues Strangers destructive and abrasive metallic assault, beginning with "Voyeur." It's fast and raw; the guitars are loud and the low end is extremely powerful. Fans of Jane Doe-era Converge … Read more
Strangers
Weight
Action Man (2007)
Earlier this year Strangers really grabbed my interest with their four-song EP, Holding. On that release, five individuals from New Zealand delivered a devastating aural assault. So here we are a couple of months down the road and Strangers have unleashed their debut full-length, Weight, upon the masses. The album begins with "Expositions," a two-minute number that picks up exactly … Read more
Strategies
Strategies EP
Independent (2022)
At only four songs, Strategies’ debut EP is a quick play. The project is led by Paul Lask (The Ghost, Tight Phantomz), who created and sent demos to his longtime contemporaries, Brian Moss (The Ghost, Hanalei, Great Apes), and Neil Hennessy (The Lawrence Arms). The EP is wandering and explorative, building off the thoughtful post-hardcore influenced emo of the aforementioned … Read more
Strawberry Runners
P-Sides Demos
Independent (2014)
Gloriously imperfect and scratchy, the P-Sides Demo by Denver, Colorado’s Strawberry Runners starts off with “Slip In.” Initially sounding like melodramatic ‘50s pop with a folky undercurrent and sauntering rhythm, the piece works towards a climax of triumphant guitar and jangly background noise. Singer Emi Knight provides a melodic focal point to the piece with her soaring vocal, while male … Read more
Street Eaters
Blood::Muscles::Bones
Nervous Intent (2014)
Bands are seemingly judged differently on their sophomore outings: where does it change, does it meet expectation, does it show growth, and the like. Well, writing about a band the second (or third) time is kind of the same thing. With Blood::Muscles::Bones, Street Eaters haven’t changed up their sound drastically or reworked their well-oiled machine. They’ve just written another bundle … Read more
Street Eaters
Rusty Eyes and Hydrocarbons
Plan-It-X\Bakery Outlet (2011)
There’s a level of familiarity in Street Eaters that I can’t put my finger on. That said, I’ll do my best to in reviewing their debut release, Rusty Eyes and Hydrocarbons. I discovered the band at Fest 10, and it didn’t take long for the two-piece bass-drum combo to pull me in. Devoid of guitar, they build melodies around John … Read more
Street Eaters
Self Titled
Cut the Cord That
Records (2012)
There are a few formats I almost go out of my way to avoid, namely cassettes and digital EPs. However, I’ll make an exception for certain bands and Street Eaters are one of those. Street Eaters released their debut full-length Rusty Eyes and Hydrocarbons in 2011 and it still grips me today. This self-titled digi-EP did see a 12” pressing … Read more
Street Eaters
Simple Distractions EP
Nervous Intent Records (2021)
The info surrounding this EP talks about how Street Eaters have changed. The band formed roughly a decade ago, so there’s always going to be evolution and whatnot -- and there is even a new shape to the band on Simple Distractions, as they’ve officially become a three-piece. Still, the first thing I hear on the opening title track is … Read more
Street Sects
End Position
Flenser (2016)
Austin, Texas duo achieve an unholy alliance of industrial music and punk rock in their debut album, End Position. In paper it feels that something like that would not work, and a failed attempt to produce something coherent would only end in hysterical laughter. Thankfully, this is far from the case here, and Leo Ashline and Shaun Ringsmuth unleash one … Read more
Street Sects
The Kicking Mule
Flenser (2018)
This deviant punk/industrial hybrid sprout onto the scene in 2014 with their EP Gentrification I: The Morning After the Night We Raped Death, introducing their aggressive, noisy and extravagant sound. However, it was their debut record End Position that saw them produce a succinct and complete offering presenting their full vision. Street Sects arrived with an intense and furious perspective, … Read more
Streetlight Manifesto
Keasbey Nights
Victory (2006)
In 1998, Catch 22's first, and defining album, Keasbey Nights was released by Victory Records. The release was a departure for the label, as they were known at the time for releasing mainly hardcore records. Earth Crisis, Integrity, Snapcase; these were bands Victory was known for releasing landmark records from. Catch 22 shifted the momentum of the label, as a … Read more
Streetwalkers
Vile Thoughts
Six Feet Under (2009)
It seems as though Six Feet Under is showing its punk roots. Not so surprisingly, so are some collected members of Ceremony. This short release works pretty well in relation to the Broken Patterns release I also reviewed. This takes a more classic hardcore punk route. Back in the mid '80s punk and hardcore got along mostly and the sound … Read more
Stressed Out / Rip it Up
Split
Independent (2009)
Self-released split 7"s are a rarity these days. This one features two bands from the state of New Jersey with both bands offering their take on straight edge hardcore. Stressed Out play fairly straightforward aggressive hardcore punk. It's got a definite vintage approach; though they do work in some thrash metal flair with solos. I think the band's strongest aspect … Read more
Striborg
Nefaria
Southern Lord (2007)
When all else is said and done, I like my metal like I like my coffee: black, bottomless, and smelling like the inside of a cave. It doesn't need to be fancy. No cream, no sugar no artificial flavors to make it more palatable. Sparse arrangements with sparser production that sounds like it was recorded amongst the smoldering remnants of … Read more
Strike Anywhere
Dead FM
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
The return of Strike Anywhere seems to be met with mixed emotions by a lot of people, and that's tough for me to understand. While I enjoyed their last proper effort, 2003's Exit English, I know it wasn't their strongest release, but I never expected to hear people claiming this band was past their prime. Past their prime? Already? Yes, … Read more
Strike Anywhere
Dead FM
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
By now, you probably know exactly what to expect with a Strike Anywhere record, and I mean that in the best possible sense. Unlike Pennywise, still churning out the same tired anthems against "society" and "the government", Strike Anywhere have managed to maintain a furious consistency throughout their surprisingly short career (only seven years), and Dead FM is a good … Read more
