Keep your eyes and ears open yo!

xmorethaninkx:

SURVIVAL

Straight Edge Youth crew hailing from Manchester in the UK. They haven’t been around for long, but expect big things from these young guns. Survival have a reputation for great live shows and love to play as many shows as they can. The band includes former members of Bays. 

http://www.facebook.com/SurvivalMHC

http://survivalmhc.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/SurvivalMHC

Hey Richy! 

Hey man, 
Thanks for agreeing to do the interview!

1. Control have played with some awesome bands in the past, Who was a personal favourite to play with?
Yeah, we’ve played some pretty cool shows with some pretty cool bands. I think my personal favourite show is any show that we’ve played Abolition. I’m big into the 90’s hardcore sound and ethics so they are right up my street. Totally sound lads too. Straight edge.

2. In my opinion I think the 2010 demo is a real solid demo, What was the reaction like when you first dropped it?
Cool, thanks! I think people liked it, we sold out of the tapes pretty quickly (thanks Lost Cause boys!) so I guess they did! At the time of the demo I played guitar in Control. We just made what we wanted to hear at a hardcore show. We just made something different to the down tuned, heavy riffs and hard attitudes that were apparent at the time, by making a stripped down hardcore punk band. I feel it’s still relevant today so we’ll keep doing what we do.

3. What is your opinion on the UKs Hardcore scene rite now?
I like what I like and don’t tend to support what I don’t like. There’s a lot of different styles that get over looked by the “bigger” band in the scene, and a lot of different promoters and other people involved within the scene who get over looked too. I think there’s so much more than what’s at face value at the “bigger” shows that everyone turns up to. You’ve got the New York style stuff which has been popular for a while now and play at the bigger venues, you’ve got the punk/crust/powerviolence/metal type stuff which is shoved out the way to smaller venues.
I support what I like and can relate to. In my opinion, people and their lyrics within the scene are waaaay too apolitical and apathetic and that’s what let’s it down for me. I don’t think every band has to sing about what they would like the world to be like (that would become as monotonous as the apathetic stuff, maybe!) but I think the thought needs to be there inside and outside of the music scene too. There just seems to be a cut off point at the amount of politics “allowed” in the scene, and in general, it stops at racism. Everyone agrees it’s wrong and that’s the only thing they seem to have an opinion on, if someone has more of an opinion and wants to talk about it they are “over opinionated” and “shoving it down your throat”. I’d love for someone to tell me at what point is the cut off point to have values and opinions… if there’s anything else such as sexism or homophobia or any similar forms of bigotry or discriminative brought up in lyrics or speeches at shows it’s shrugged off and made a joke of. It’s 2012, not 1950, how that is productive in a scene built by “alternative” people, I do not know. Overall, if it’s DIY hardcore/punk and the band has something good to say rather than the same repetitive riffs and apathetic lyrics, I’ll support it. There is most definitely some good bands about right now though.

4. You recently got back from your 1st Euro tour with GRACE, what was that like experiencing other scenes outside of the UK?
Yeah, it was totally amazing! It was basically thrown together totally DIY by Graham from Grace (along with other help, I guess, nice one), no booking agents, just through people, who knew people, who knew people, and all done in the last 2/3 weeks running up to leaving. We played at some cool places and met some cool people. I mean one night we were playing in a squat in Bruges, where Grace didn’t get to finish their set for the police shutting it down due to noise, to a massive stage in Terneuzen, Holland with a band with a rock star attitude. 
Over on the mainland it didn’t seem like they were prejudice with how different our bands sounded. If your band was DIY and legit, they liked it. I mean over here, if we toured together I think most people would have liked one band or the other, we were two totally different bands sound wise and a lot of people would be stoked on both our sets which was cool. Overall if I could do that sort of thing week in, week out, I’d be more than happy.

5. What is the craziest thing you have ever seen happen at a show?
This ones pretty hard… For such a highly aggressive/mad style of music there’s nothing that immediately sticks out as being crazy to me. I’ve been going to shows since 2006 and I think a lot of things at hardcore shows are “normal” now. People punching lights out, smashing glasses off walls, jumping off mad high shit etc. I would like to say I witnessed the Righteous Jams/Iron Age show in Durham in ‘06, but I wasn’t there. It was at Durham Rowing Club and ended in fireworks/bins/chairs being thrown about during Iron Age and then as far as I know the police or owners shut it down so Righteous Jams didn’t get to play. That was going to be my first hardcore show but I had no one to go with, I still have the flyer for it knocking about somewhere. There’s a video of it knocking about on YouTube, that would have been crazy!

6. What are Control’s plans for the future? Any new tunes coming our way?
I’m pretty stoked on the future. I wish we were recording and releasing stuff right now, but it’s taking a while to get round to it. The plans are to just keep writing songs that we want to hear at hardcore shows, sound wise and lyrics wise. We’re basically going to do a new release with the new line up, get it out there and play shows. New tune wise, they can be expected to be played live pretty soon I guess. We have ideas, they just need putting into action but we’re all busy with jobs/education and based in Durham/Middlesbrough and our bassist lives in Leeds so it’s hard to practice when we want to. Release wise, I’d say another couple of months or so, but it’ll be out soon enough. Get psyched, I am!


To close could you recommend us all a song?
Youth of Today - Youth of Today, I think that’s a fair shout. Sound wise and lyrics wise it sums up why I’m here. If you don’t know them, look them up.



Cheers for getting involved man!
All the best!

Now then man, 
Cheers for participating! 

1. Whats going on in the world of End Reign rite now? Any interesting plans for the upcoming future?

Whaddup, it’s the G baby.
There’s a lot going on in End Reign HQ at the moment. We’re recording for a tape soon featuring a few new songs which will be released on Martin’s small franchise, Church Of Fuck. We’re also writing for a full length, which is making really good progress at the moment. It’s getting a lot more metul. We’re doing a southern tour in July and a Scottish weekender at the end of July, so I expect to see you lovely people reading this at a show, I’ll sign your tote bag.
We’ll also be doing 10 days is Europeland, probably September time.

2. If you guys were going to put out another split, who would you want to do it with?

I would personally like to do a split 7” with my good friends in Testament.
But if that fails, I say Full of Hell. Everyone should check that band out.

3. What do you guys all enjoy listening to on the way to shows?

Hahaha, best question. If you we’re in the car with us on the way to shows you would be amazed. Our playlist consists of sing-along anthems such as Bed Of Roses by Bon Jovi, a fair bit of Killswitch Engage and a fair bit of Atreyu.
However, nothing is better than mine and Matt’s singalongs to Blink 182. Except maybes our joint band effort for “TO SEE YOU AGAIN” in My Curse - Killswitch.

4. Geoff you also play guitar in a bad called Hades, whats that like? 

It’s good shit. We’ve recently released a tape on Church of Fuck consisting of some recently written stuff and recordings before I joined the band. We’ve just written a new song that sounds like Neurosis. YAY
Hades - FFO clevo worship, Geoff Cairns and camouflage guitars.

5. Whats the craziest thing you have ever seen happen at a show?

JoeL knocking some kid out at the No Turning Back show in Royal Park Cellars and then fighting off 5 police officers…
Haha, nah, but seriously that show was crackers. The Ceremony show at Santiago’s was pretty insane too. More shows at that venue.

6. The rowing club in Durham used to host some crazy shows back in the day, what do you think happend?

Fireworks and Iron Age

To end, could you recommend a song?

The whole of Cursed - 3
and Entombed
and My Curse - Killswitch Engage

TO SEE YOU AGAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN



Cheers man, take it easy xo

HDHC have put on some crazy shows in the time its been around and the packhorse is one of my favourite venues! How did you find the packhorse?

What’s up dude, and thanks man. All of us in HDHC had been booking shows under other names prior to the crew name, but some of my favourites have been the HDHC shows for the atmosphere. But yeah, the Packhorse has been around forever man! It’s been one of the main supports of the crusty scene in Leeds for longer than I’ve been around, and I’d seen quite a mix of bands play there for various people before we ended up doing a show there. I think the first show I went to there was I Killed The Prom Queen and an old Leeds scene band called Arcane War Machine maybe 6 years ago now, but I actually can’t remember if it was there or at The Fenton. Maybe someone reading will remember?

2. The CORNERED and FRUSTRATION show on Boxing day at the Packhorse was an incredible show, were you worried about the turnout due to the day?

Yeah, we weren’t really certain how it was going to work out. We couldn’t work out if being so close to christmas was a positive thing or not, but it goes to show it’s never the shows you expect that are the most fun. Don’t always need some Avocado band from the states to get a good turn out and a fun show.

3. What would be your dream band to put a show for?
One of the only real perks of being a promoter in this scene is that you can genuinely book a lot of your favourite bands, and it’s purely the satisfaction from that which keeps bringing me back to it. The crew has already enabled me to book Incendiary, which was a big thing for me, but I reckon beyond that…I’d try book the hardest show I could: Earth Crisis, All Out War, Shattered Realm, Stout and lets say.. Kickback.

4. Name one of the best shows you have been to?
Recent ones that stand out have been the last Dirty Money show and Integrity after, because every band that day was crazy. Or hanging with the CCHC for the BWP ROAE release show, because I really like Newport and we have good friends in Wales (the house party after the show – Sav got a hernia). Going back further, I seem to remember some old venue in Nottingham where the roof fell in while someone was playing, that day was fun. In fact, my favourite is the show we organised in an abandoned warehouse!

5. Whats the craziest thing you have ever seen happen at a show?
Erm tough one. Maybe people moshing to Low Life by Last Witness with broken banisters with nails in them at Joes Well years back, or that Cold Snap set with added fireworks at the TDON 5 anniversary show. No wait. THE No Turning Back show at Royal Park Cellars. Lights were smashed, chairs and tables were thrown, chains were swung, people were injured. And it was fucking awesome. If you weren’t there you missed out.

6. What can we expect in the future from HDHC?
We’re probably the UK’s smallest crew in terms of numbers, haha. And we have a lot of stuff going on between us all with full time jobs, bands, and kids all in the mix, so our work rate kinda suffers sometimes! After the Integrity show (everyone should come to that by the way, On Thin Ice!), we have one more show booked and then we’re probably going to take a break again for a little bit to get on with ‘real’ life. We will be back after though, of that you can be certain. HDHC 8 is going to be wild anyway, keep your eyes peeled!

To end recommend us all a song!
Dr. Dre – Big Ego’s!


Cheers dude!

Hey Tom hows it going!

1. Survival at the moment, in my opinion, are one of the best display of uk hardcore at its best. Where does the main inspiration from the band come from?

Sayin lad, Im flattered you think that and Im glad that you’re into it! There was so much inspiration to start this band, I wanted to have fun and hit the road with my best mates, travel as far as the music would take us and visit new places, meet other like minded people from all over the world and most importantly, get the stuff I want to say off my chest. 

2. How is the split with SPEAK UP coming along?

This has actually been postponed for a while, we will probably end up doing the split later this year. The 2 tracks we had for it are online for free download and will be doing a small tape release for it pretty soon for anyone who likes to phsyically own music. We are currently writing a 7” that will be out this year. Outbreak is the release show!

3. Who was the funnest band to play with in either BAYS or SURVIVAL 

I’ve had fun in both bands! But I would have to say Survival has been more fun overall because people have been into since day one and all the shows have been sick. Nothing is more fun that seeing people go off to your band! If the crowd is getting mental the room just fiils out with energy and it just gives you the biggest buzz. During our set at Outbreak fest I thought I was fuckin dreaming. I remember being so shocked that I struggled to get the breath to sing the words when everyone rushed forwards to sing along. It was awesome!

4. What got you into the Hardcore scene and do you think it still stands today?

The main attraction for me was the pure raw feel of it and the honesty of the music. Before I got into hardcore you could catch me at metalcore shows bustin my moves out. Its through going to those shows that I was exposed to bands of a more hardcore nature. The show that made me think to myself “This is where I wanna be, this is what I wanna do” was the Down to Nothing and No Turning Back gig in manchester back in early 08. I remember standing at the back of the venue, well out of harms way and just being amazed by it all. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and you could feel the energy in the room. The entire vibe given off by the bands and crowd was just more real than anything I had seen before. I’ll always remember that show as the day I became a hardcore kid.

5. What is the craziest thing you have ever witnessed at a show?

This might not be the most insane thing I’ve seen at a show but its always the first that comes to mind! A few years ago Harms way and gallows ended up on the same lineup in Manchester. If I remember it was just after gallows had blown up and everyone wanted to see them. The venue was rammed with middle aged couples, photographers, 12 year old moshers and shit like that. Harms way came on the stage and the singer was like “Yo we are Gallows, everybody move forward” I laughed and didnt think anyone would fall for it. But then to my disbelief the entire crowd shifted forward! Shows how much the gallows fans knew about the band doesnt it. The band kicked in and I’ve never seen anything like it. It was just a giant mess! fights broke out because people didnt know what was going on. 30+ couples getting mashed up in the pit. Haha It was so funny and really surreal. Over time my imagination may have dramatised the entire thing but thats what I know it as. Some crazy shit!

6. What does Straight Edge mean to you?

Claiming edge was the best decision I’ve ever made. Before I was edge I used to drink excessively, take any drugs without knowing what they were and just generally get fucked up alot. I think I used the shit that was happening within my family as an excuse or to convince myself it was alright abusing alcohol and substances. During the month prior to me claiming I was getting into alot of fights and taking them too far because I was not in control of my actions. The reality of it hit me when I came across an article about someone my own age, who hit a man whilst out on the booze and killed him. Probably over the most trivial reason but it landed the kid in jail for a really long sentence, life ruined for nothing. Also during this period I found out that one of the main reasons my parents got divorced was due to an alcohol related incident. I just didnt want anything to do with it from then on, I wanted to distance myself from my previous lifestyle as much as possible and straight edge was the way I did it. If anyone is reading this and on the fence about claiming straight edge, I say just go for it. Even if you break edge (lol) but you can look back and say it had a positive impact on your life, then its purpose was a worthy one. Dont do it for cool points, dont do it to impress someone, dont do it because you had a bad hangover last week. Do it because you need to and if you are anything like me you’ll never look back



If you could, recommend us all a song to get down to! 

Chairlift - Amanaemonesia


Thanks a lot for your time, see you soon dude!

Whats up! Im really stoked on being able to interview you man, lets get started:

1. How is Forsaken coming along and whats the reaction been like? 

Forsaken is fun, we haven’t really been around for more than a few months properly but it’s been cool so far and a lot of good shit has happened for us and we’ve got some awesome shows coming up so yeah, that’s exciting. We started the band just so we could write a demo for a laugh and never planned on really playing much but the reaction has been gucci as fuck so yeah. We’re recording in a few weeks for a split and for a 7”, we’ve got our demo tape coming out on Purgatory real soon too. I’d say our new stuff is definitely the best we’ve written, it’s far more consistent and we’re all really in to it whilst the demo was just a mix up of different styles and all that shit.

2. What do you think of the UK’s hardcore scene rite now?

I personally believe that the UK scene is really strong right now, there’s been times in past years when there’s been barely any shows and even fewer bands but now the UK is turning out cool stuff all the time. You’ve got all styles being covered, there’s more young kids at shows now than 20+ dudes which is still weird to see and there’s never really a dull moment for hardcore over here right now. I think there’s a few negative things about it such as how many fucking great bands there are right now who don’t get put on shows as they aren’t considered capable of pulling in a crowd and that’s straight up bullshit as if you ain’t about taking a risk then you may as well get out of the ‘promoting’ game. I wish a lot of the younger kids would get off the internet a bit more too and stop buying in to fucking retards influencing them in to buying the latest ugly streetwear shit as though it’s a requirement to look a certain way, just be yourself and dress however you want, fuck paying £30 for some ugly shirt, spend that money on putting out a zine or putting on a show instead.

3. What is one of the most memorable shows you have ever played in either Wardogs or Forsaken (Can be Bad or Good)

Forsaken have only played a handful of shows so far but i’d say for that band it would probably have to be both house shows we’ve played as hilarious stuff happened at both. As for Wardogs, definitely ‘the show’ in royal park cellars in Leeds with Deal With It and Teeth, if you weren’t there then you’ll never know how good it actually was. If not that then probably some squat we played in Europe. 

4. What is the craziest thing you have ever seen happen at a show?

There’s way too many ‘crazy’ things I’ve seen at shows to pinpoint one, I’m fortunate that I got in to hardcore quite young so i’ve seen a lot of mad situations occur but some of the CCHC shows were insane and so were shows like Floorpunch, that final Dirty Money show line up and past cool shows like Cold World with Rhythm To The Madness etc. I guess the craziest stuff kinda gets forgotten as it becomes a regular thing within hardcore.

5. Ive not asked this question before but whenever someone does it always causes up quite a stir. What is your opinion on “crowd killing” at shows?

I remember reading the whole debate about that online before and found it really hilarious. I can’t really get my head around how kids can listen to hardcore, especially some of the more current bands like that completely shit band ‘Warhound’ and create an attitude as if they’ve grown up in some harsh environment then cry about people moshing a bit harder than most at shows. I think they all need to realise what sort of music and scene they’re interested in and just stop moaning about stupid shit. If someone purposely hits you at a show then hit them the fuck back, don’t wait to go home and tell the world about it on your fashion blog, no one gives a shit. I’m not cool with people purposely targeting kids at shows but it happens, get over it and realise that you’re part of a music scene that depends upon aggression to function. 

6. What is your opinion on Straight Edge and people who “Break Edge”

I’m probably not the best person to ask about this but here goes. I think it’s awesome if someone wants to abstain from drinking and all that shit, it’s definitely a positive thing but i’m not in to the ego it can cause either. I know a lot of people who claim that are really chill about it and don’t give a shit about what other people choose to do, wether it be drinking or getting high and that’s cool as they have no right at all to form a negative opinion on someone who isn’t causing any harm to anyone but themselves. I also know certain people who claim edge that act like their gods gift to mankind and that’s bullshit, especially considering it’s always the people who are like that who put barely any energy in to doing anything for the good of the scene. If you want to be straight edge then that’s awesome, throw yourself a party but if you wanna get fucked then that’s cool too, live your own life for yourself. As for breaking edge, who really cares? Do what you’ve gotta do and be happy.

To end the interview could you recommend a song for us to get down to?

Just listen to Leeway, that is all you need!

Thanks for you time man, really happy to of been able to do this!

Everyone loves free jams!

Check out these from some awesome bands:

THINK TWICE: http://thinktwicenotts.bandcamp.com/

SPEAK UP: http://speakup.bandcamp.com/

SURVIVAL: http://survivalmhc.bandcamp.com/ 

FERAL YOUTH: http://feralyouthcrew.bandcamp.com/

BANG BROS: http://bangbros.bandcamp.com/

Check that shit and mosh in your room.

Hey thanks for taking the time to do this!

1. I recently asked Robbie this question but what do you think of the Scottish scene rite now and how does it compare to say last year this time?

The vibes up here are sick as fuck. We got so many good bands popping up left right and centre it’s awesome. The Scottish scene has always been awesome with the likes of broken oath and divide and everyone’s favourite by my hands. Now we got a cracking influx with war charge, trial and error, D.T.P, burn the sunset, northbound,set astray, frontlinepay the price and make the effort  and offender. The Scottish scenes growing more kids are getting into it. The shows are getting busier at everyone. 

2. How is the split with Badlands coming along?

The split is coming on awesome we got a few last adjustments to do on our side and then it’s all good to go. The bandland tracks are heavy as fuck. It will be getting released on tape form this time through the lads in thanks for nothing records and pinky swear records. Make sure you check those labels out and don’t sleep on some solid bands.

3. What is the best show you feel you have ever attended?

Best show? Thats tough man. Different types of shows get me going for different reasons. Our release show was awesome back in February was quality as it was a lot of fun we had loads of mates there and it was just a massive party. The “hell in the well” show was awesome as it was the first time we had played Leeds. It was a big step for us to take on a show with such big bands. The fact everyone was diggin’ it was awesome to see. 

4. What got you into hardcore and do you still think it will attract kids these days?

You know it’s funny cos I wasn’t really into hardcore untill a few months before the band started. I was still into shit like new found glory/set your goals and shit like that. It wasn’t untill I met the guys in the band and they introduced me to hardcore. It was after the introduction to the likes of stout/blood for blood/knuckle dust and nasty that I realised that this shit was the real deal and opened my eyes to this scene. I think for me hardcore gave me an outlet for me to go ape shit at a gig for that few hours or half hour if im playing. It also brings a lot of people closer and I think if it stays like that then it will, that being said. If people continue to worry more about how much nikes the guys wearing beside him cost rather than strike up a conversation about the bands playing then the scene will just become full of beefs and trouble. But that’s said hardcore lived before us and it will be around after us.

5. Our resident question: What is the craziest thing you have ever seen happen at a show?

Craziest? Shit, During our release show in february. I had ate some food about 5 minutes before stage time. About 5/10 minutes into the set I just started spewing my guts out on the stage. It was nasty, I had to keep playing while hurling chunks it was fucked up. There is a video of it kicking about somewhere I think. Other than that watching bwp playing in our drummers practice room was off the wall. We fit 82 people in a room legally only meant for 12 max and had a gig. It was quality. If you where there, you’ll know. If you didn’t go, You fuckin’ missed out. 

6. If yo were stuck on a desert island with one person who would it be and why?

Now there are two answers to this one. Logically you would want someone like bear grylls. Cos that cat knows his shit about surviving desserts. But if I wasn’t thinking about saving my ass if say. That lad from an idiot abroad, or nicky minaj because there would be fuck all to look at and if your gonna take anyone take someone with an ass like minaj. 

To end the interview recommend us all a song! 
Monster squad by kids like us. 

Check out thanks for nothing records and pinky swear records.


take it easy man! xo

1. What is your opinion on the UKHC scene rite now
UKHC is fucking amazing, kids really get into bands and I was stoked to get some support over there too at Outbreak back in September. There’s a lot of cool bands over there too that get the support they deserve. I’m stoked to play the UK every time.

2. What would be your dream tour lineup to play on with CORNERED 
Oh shit.. As I’m typing this I’m driving home from our tour with backtrack which was fucking amazing. We had John from Backtrack filling in on drums and he killed it. My favourite tour lineup would be me, Franke and Rudie our original guitarists, Jasper our current bass player is the funniest dude I know and drummer wise I wouldn’t know. So many people have filled in for us who I love, the dudes from New Morality, Ironclad , DWI and fucking Frustration!. I hope I got the question right, maybe you meant which bands we love to tour with.. Those are Take Offense, Downpresser, New Morality, Deal With It, Ironclad, Backtrack and Frustration for sure. 

3. What was the reaction like to your FUCK OFF 7” release
Ive only read one review so far im afraid havent seen any coverage in zines or whatsoever. Thats cool though. We sold shitloads of them and people seem to be into it. Some people have to get used to the vocals a lot but thats cool I guess. We’re developing as a band like any other band and I think it sounds amazing. We’re writing on new stuff as we speak for an LP and a split to be out later on this year

4. What is the craziest thing you have ever seen at a show?
The craziest thing Ive ever seen, damn. A lot of things are crazy to me in retrospect, the first times I went abrtoad to the UK with my first band and I saw kids doing like the rowiing boat or the human pyramid that was definately crazy to me haha. Nowadays I think its crazy to see 13 yr old kids moshing wearing chain of strength shirts, i think its awesome though. Naked dudes in the pit, pitbeef, strippers in between bands, Ive seen a lot of crazy shit… 

5. At Outbreak 2 you covered a song, what was it?

We played a cock sparrer song called take em all. It fucking rules and we played it the entire tour and the least response we got was at the UK shows. There are still kids comiong up to me at shows apologizing for their scene not knowing cock sparrer which I think is funny. Hopefully kids went and checked them out after, thats what I want to achieve playing stuff like that, if one out of the 100 hipster supreme hat wearing kids get into cock sparrer after hearing us cover one of their songs my goal’s achieved and I put someone onto some great music.

To end the interview we ask everyone to recommend a song, what will yours be?
Holy shit. This is a tough one. But right now I’d have to go for Across the Sea by Weezer. Its been one of my favourite songs/bands for ages but this song keeps on giving me chills every time I hear it. But to please the hckids readin this I could recommend too deep until now buy chain of strength, some quality ‘88 youthcrew which I fucking love. I feel most kids dont really pay attention to any of this stuff anymore and prefer to listen to bands from the 00’s like no warning or champion. So there. Go check out some older bands if you have some time left, theres always good stuff left to discover.

Thanks man! see you soon!

http://www.facebook.com/cornered13