Hometown: Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Myspace: www.myspace.com/astpai
BACKGROUND
No one would question the reach of punk rock. Since its inception the sound and spirit of youthful energy has spread like wildfire from one end of the globe to the other. From underground powder keg to mainstream chart toppers, whether you think punk is dead, one thing is for certain; its effect is wordwide.
That’s plainly apparent when viewed through the eyes of this young Austrian four-piece. did we say ‘Austrian’? Yes, Austrian.
From a country with a population about the size of New York City’s comes Astpai; a group of four young men heavily influenced by the spirit and ethos of the early American DIY punk and hardcore scene. With a work ethic that Austrians are know for, Astpai has been hard at work not only developing their own sound, but the scene around them. This band is not only a testimament to the reach and power of punk rock, but also it’s ability to unite and create something wholy new and with purpose.
Combining intelligent and thought provoking lyrics that range from social awareness to personal instrospection, Astpai fuse uptempo punk and hardcore with a catchiness that’s rarely seen in a band playing this style. They’ve often been compared to contemporaries From Ashes Rise, but with the pop-sensibilities of Kid Dynamite and None More Black. Going beyond that, the band shows a maturity unlike many young bands today and isn’t afraid to experiment with sounds outside the normal punk and hardcore ‘box’.
With the release of Corruption Concealed in Europe the band has toured heavily despite the band member's obligations to Civil Service (which is required by law in Austria) and full-time studies. With the release here in the States the band has already planned an East Coast and Midwest tour in April 2008 to support the spring release of Corruption Concealed, as well as new recordings that will see the light of day later this year in Europe; including a split release with the UK’s Attack! Vipers! This is only the tip of the iceberg, as Astpai has, through their own actions, shown that they’re going to be involved not only in the scene they’ve helped create back home, but the scene abroad, for a long time to come.
RELEASES
Corruption Concealed (Under Deceptive Slogans) - CD - 2008
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA USA
Website: www.givingchase.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/givingchase
BACKGROUND
Keith Morris, legendary front man for Black Flag and The Circle Jerks, once said, “If you’re starting a band and think that you’re going to make a lot of money, you’re fooling yourself. Maybe the machinery kicks in behind you and it turns into the golden brick road, but for most of us, we just had to go out and bust our asses.”
Few bands that have been around as long as Giving Chase would still be together if they’d gone through much of what this band has endured. Most fall by the wayside or move on to other projects. Not Giving Chase. Giving up has never been a part of this band’s work ethic. Perseverance is something this band has learned, sometimes the hard way.
Over the past eight years, singer and founding member Mike Woliansky, has been writing music that has attempted to make a connection with anyone who wanted to listen. Since the band’s inception, Woliansky has teamed up with guitarist Ryan Wilcox; and the two have seen their share of fairweather musicians come and go.
In the winter of 2003 the band set out to record Nothing Ever Changes. The seven song EP was a huge stepping stone that marked a progression in sound that had been developing since the addition of Brian Dougherty on bass and Matt Floravit on drums in 2002. Recorded at Clay Creek Studios with Nick Rotundo (None More Black, Boy Sets Fire, Paint It Black), Nothing Ever Changes finally captured the raw energy and intensity of the band’s live sets. Lyrically, the album touches on issues across the spectrum, but there is an underlying theme that ties all seven tracks—the realization that nothing will ever change, in your own life or in the world around you, unless you do something to change it.
July of 2003 saw the release of Nothing Ever Changes on Jump Start Records (A Wilhelm Scream, Belvedere). The initial reaction to the release was overly positive, garnering great reviews from Punknews.org, Punkrocks.net, and Pastepunk.com. With this the band set out on tour and was soon met again by the challenges that face a small, struggling band that’s living on the road.
Like many times before, Giving Chase again found themselves in search of a new drummer and guitar player (a second guitarist was added after the release of Nothing Ever Changes), as well as in a new city; the band relocated to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, in July of 2004.
Long time friends of the band, Carlin Brown and Jeremy Myers both found themselves without a band shortly after the demise of their previous project. Brown was enlisted shortly after the band’s relocation to Philadelphia. It was another eight months before Myers’ addition to the band would again solidify their lineup and rejuvenate the band.
In December of 2005 the band again found their way to Newark, Delaware to work with producer Nick Rotundo at Clay Creek. After 20 long days the band emerged with the follow up to 2003’s Nothing Ever Changes. The new songs are faster, more progressive, and show more dynamic songwriting ability then their previous efforts. Again, the band intends to forge ahead doing what they love and what they do best.
RELEASES
Nothing Ever Changes - CD - 2003
While Nero Played - 7" - 2006
A Cheap Print of a Masterpiece - CD - 2007
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA USA
Webiste: N/A
Myspace: www.myspace.com/jenaberlin
BACKGROUND
Although Jena Berlin named their sophomore full-length Quo Vadimus – Latin for “Where are we going?” – the Philadelphia quintet seems less concerned with the final destination than with the unpredictable, uncharted process of actually getting there. After all, it’s always been the lessons learned and the connections made during the journey that has validated this fiery post-hardcore band’s unshakeable core of DIY values. Regardless of all the trials and tribulations of being independent and punk in a landscape increasingly preoccupied with scene politics, commercialism and the glossy shell that surrounds it, Jena Berlin has persevered and Quo Vadimus is another impressive chapter in their compelling history.
When Jena Berlin formed nearly four years ago, their mission was simple: music should be openly shared with the masses – an exchange of ideas, if you will - and together we can build something based on friendship and camaraderie…not cut-throat competition or the superficial musical hierarchy that follows. If it sounds like something vaguely socialist, that’s because it is: Jena and Berlin are the two cities in Germany where Karl Marx attended college. The name is a reminder that art – and even living and surviving on your art – should be about substance and meaning; not about surface appearance or hype. Doing so makes for a stagnant, gridlocked scene, severing the lines of communication and thus making it impossible to foster a proactive community of likeminded music supporters.
Thankfully, Quo Vadimus is anything but stagnant. Beside subject matter which traverses everything from social change to personal evolution, there’s a volatile storm brewing beneath the album’s eleven angular songs. It’s a relentless whirlwind of dynamic, dueling guitars. It’s an unstoppable hurricane-force rhythm section…the backbone which bends and twists, but never breaks. It’s Jon Loudon’s erupting, exploding and always heart-stopping vocals, singing an earnest narrative by which it’s impossible not to be captivated. It’s all of this, plus an intangible feeling of cohesion between members, as if each part of the song could not exist or thrive without the others. Symbiotic relationships like this not only allow Jena Berlin to feed off one another but to grow and develop within themselves as well.
Jena Berlin have always cited bands like Boy Sets Fire, At The Drive-in and Texas Is The Reason as a touchstone for their sound: impetuous, youthful and with a fire in the gut, but open to revolutionary ideas and the notion that change can be positive. Their 2005 debut Passion Waits as the Program Keeps Going captured a hungry, enthusiastic band igniting a spark that would find them lighting stages ablaze across the U.S. While they were borrowing equally from Dischord and Midwestern scenes of the early 90’s, the band was also injecting a new-school punk sound and hardcore aesthetic into their music and live performances.
Let’s not forget though, it’s all about the journey: the victories and defeats of being on the road for six months a year, not to mention cultivating new friendships which propel Jena Berlin forward while simultaneously providing the insight to reflect on that time. Although the band remains as incendiary and urgent as ever, Quo Vadimus benefits from maturation and a sense of purpose that only experience can bring. Jena Berlin still might not know where exactly they’ll end up, they’re happy to hang on tight for one hell of a ride.
RELEASES
Quo Vadimus - CD 2007
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA USA
Website: N/A
Myspace: www.myspace.com/lightenuphardcore
BACKGROUND
Not simply a throwback to early '80s hardcore, Lighten Up! play fast and pissed of hardcore in a time when hardcore bands call Slayer more of an influence than Minor Threat or Bad Brains. Calling Philadelphia home, this young four-piece has released a demo, two 7"s, and will be recording for their debut long player in the summer of 2008!
Hometown: Toms River, NJ USA
Website: www.onewinchoice.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/onewinchoice
BACKGROUND
The idealism of punk rock is rarely wasted on the youth who are increasingly drawn to it. Somewhere along the line that idealism is usually replaced with the forced march toward adulthood. But for others, their passionate convictions lead them to the squatting life of long late night drives and sleeping on hardwood floors. Somewhere along the line the idealism that’s often lost by many was never a second thought to this New Jersey five-piece. For the five gentlemen of One Win Choice, writing “meaningful songs and playing them as often and for as many people as possible,” says singer Dan Kloza, is what drove them to start playing melodic and urgent punk rock in the first place. Whoever said being young and idealist was dangerous obviously had this band in mind.
In 2002, the five members of One Win Choice; Dan – vocals, Jon – drums, Ryan – bass, Jusin – guitar, and Jack – guitar, set out to play a genuine combination of punk and hardcore infused with a powerful message. Staying true to the DIY ethos, the band has worked tirelessly over the past four years playing shows, printing their own t-shirts, promoting their own hometown shows, and supporting the scene that has inspired them since day one. In a time where bands are virtually created over night by over hyped labels and website driven promotions, understanding the need and respect for the DIY ethos is certainly something that sets this band apart from most of their peers.
Musically and lyrically drawing influences from The Boss as much as Bad Religion, the band is quick to cite “ideas from authors and filmmakers such as Zinn, Orwell, Loewen, Yeates, Achebe, Black, Moore, and Gerima” as huge contributors to their sound and progression. Dan adds, “We strive to write songs that will help to spark personal interest and action in the social and political climate of our communities and the world we live in…a soundtrack to dance to as well as inspire.”
Setting out on their first extended tour this past June, the band has their sights set on recording their debut full-length this coming winter. This follows the release of several self recorded demos, an CD EP and split LP/CD release in 2005 that have garnered the band a lot of attention outside of the confines of their hometown of Toms River, New Jersey.
Whether it’s the idealism of punk rock that brought the members of One Win Choice together or the fun the band has in the company of friends sweating and singing along in a small cramp basement, it’s certain that this band won’t be walking the forced march to adulthood anytime soon. More than likely they’ll continue to blaze their own path bringing their positive message and creating urgent music for years to come.
RELEASES
Never Suspend Disbelief - CD - 2007