Year End Top Ten Lists

It's that time of year where all of us music nerds take a look back at the past twelve months and agonize over what records made our top ten list. This can be difficult for two reasons...for some the difficulty may lie in narrowing it down to just ten releases, but for others it could be simply thinking of ten things they liked that came out this year. Some lists may be in order, some may not. Some may have descriptions, some may not. Heck, some don't even have ten records. But here goes nothing....

Greg Polard (Zine guy / father of the year)

Fall Out Boy "Infinity On High" (Island/Def Jam) - What can I say? When this band first burst onto the scene I absolutely despised them, but in recent times I have to say I've become somewhat obsessed with this band, but especially this record. Fourteen extremely well crafted pop songs. Cameos from Jay-Z, Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory) and Ryan Ross (Panic! At The Disco). Solid drumming. Great lyrics. The soulfullness in Patrick Stump's voice blows me away every time. This is going to be tough to top. Nothing else on this list is in any particular order, but I can safely say that this is my #1 record of 2007.

Jay-Z "American Gangster" (Roc-A-Fella Records) - The rap record that everyone is talking about. You already know the story...Jay-Z saw an advance screening of "American Gangster" and it reminded him so much of his hustling days that he wrote a bunch of songs and put out a record that's so good it almost makes you forget what a bumout "Kingdom Come" was.

Bitter End "Climate Of Fear" (Malfunction / Deathwish Inc.) - I won't write much about this record, since I already review it below, but I will say that this is the best hardcore full length LP of 2007. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. I dare you to listen to the part in "Terrified Eyes" when singer Daniel Rosen says "pretend to be...fearlessssssahhhhhhh" and try not to get siked. You can't.

Blacklisted "Peace On Earth, War On Stage" (Deathwish Inc.) [tied with] Ceremony "Scared People" (Bridge 9) - Ok, so I cheated a bit, but since both of these 7"s combined total probably about twelve minutes, I figured I was allowed to do so. Plus, it's my zine, so I can do whatever I want, right? Anyhow, I think both of these records deserve to go together because they both come from already solid bands who are just now hitting their stride. Both of these bands will have full lengths out in 2008 and I'm positive that both of those records will be on this list next year.

Lifetime "Lifetime" (Fueled By Ramen / Decaydance) - A new Lifetime album in 2007? Get the fuck out of here! But it's true, and it's every bit as great as their last LP was that came out in 1997, if not better.

Type O Negative "Dead Again" (SPV Records) - Their first album after their contract with Roadrunner Records ran out. This thing absolutely rules. Some of the hardest songs they've had since the first LP, and really great lyrics too. Still waiting for them to put out a bad record.

Bayside "The Walking Wounded" (Victory Records) - It's an absolute shame that Bayside are lumped in with all of those shitty Victory Records screamo / emo / garbage bands because they are so much better than that. A triumphant record coming from a band that has gone through so much in the past year that it's incredible that they can still put out great music.

Coheed & Cambria "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 2: No World For Tomorrow" (Columbia Records) - Another band who went through a lot of stuff in the past year comes back as strong as ever with this final chapter in their crazy sci-fi saga. I think this album is a little more straight forward than 2005's "Vol. 1" and it makes it a more digestable listen for people who might not be fans of the band's other material.

Bruce Springsteen "Magic" (Columbia Records) - I don't know much about this guy, but I hear he has a fairly decent following in New Jersey? Hopefully he'll play a show at Middlesex soon because this guy is definitely one to watch out for.

Ringworm "The Venomous Grand Design (Victory) - Finally, a Ringworm record that we didn't have to wait half a decade for. This thing absolutely pummels you from start to finish, and I think it's a great way to finish off this list.


John Sharkey III (Clockcleaner)

Lamps "Lamps Lamps"
Homostupids "The Intern"
Psychedelic Horseshit "Magic Flowers Droned"
Blues Control "s/t"
Neil Young "Chrome Dreams II"
Circle Of Ouroborous "Shores"
Madball "Infiltrate The System"
Pink Reason "Cleaning The Mirror"
Teenage Panzer Korps "Harmful Emotions"
Daily Void "LP"


Jon Barthmus (The A-Sides)

Radiohead "In Rainbows"
Jens Lekman "Night Falls Over Kortedala"
The National "Boxer"
Animal Collective "Strawberry Jam"
Of Montreal "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?"
Panda Bear "Person Pitch"
Battles "Mirrored"
Feist "The Reminder"
The Arcade Fire "Neon Bible"
Dr. Dog "We All Belong"


Tru Pray (Malfunction Records)

Meltdown "Demolition"
Internal Affairs "Deadly Visions"
Bitter End "Climate Of Fear"
Pressure Beasts "EP"
Jay-Z "American Gangster"
Trash Talk / Reign Supreme new EP's
Soul Control "Involution"
Sex Vid
Shipwreck a.d. "Abyss"


Philip Leone (Deep Sleep clothing boutique)

Trapped Under Ice "Demo 7 inch"
The Mongoloids "Time Trials"
The White Stripes "Icky Thump"
Pulling Teeth "Martyr Immortal"
Ryan Adams "Easy Tiger"
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals "Follow The Lights"
Pissed Jeans "Hope For Men"
Wilco "Sky Blue Sky"
Interpol "Our Love To Admire"
Arctic Monkeys "Favorite Worst Nightmare"


Larry Epstein (Crumbler)

Lifetime "Lifetime"
Bruce Springsteen "Magic"
Blacklisted "Peace On Earth, War On Stage"
Dinosaur Jr "Beyond"
Clockcleaner "Babylon Rules"
The Unloveables "Heartsickle"
Invader "Raw Dog"
Cloak/Dagger "We Are"
Pissed Jeans "Hope For Men"
Superbad DVD


Lee McGinnis (Dude in every hardcore live shot from the mid/late 90s)

The Mongoloids "Time Trials" (I see big things for this band)
Tim Armstrong "A Poets Life" (My daughters favorite album this year)
The Porters "Anywhere But Home" (I love to listen to this album on night work, good Irish drinking music)
Bracewar "Juggernaut" (Short songs, but to the point)
Shipwreck a.d. "Abyss" (Sounds like Integrity, never a bad thing)
The Aggrolites "Reggae Hit LA" (Northern Soul at it's finest, amazing musicians)
108 "A New Beat From A Dead Heart" (Very progressive sound from these veterans, still heavy as fuck)
Bitter End "Climate Of Fear" (Some Texas kids doing classic New York hardcore right)
Down To Nothing "The Most" (Richmond VA's heavy hitters)
Lifetime "Lifetime" (It's fucking LIFETIME)


Matt Jimino (former Philadelphia / current New Hampshire resident)

The Cult "Born Into This"
Coheed & Cambria "No World For Tomorrow"
HIM "Venus Doom"
Ween "La Cucaracha"
Neurosis "Given To The Rising"
Smashing Pumpkins "Zeitgest"
69 Eyes "Angels"
Prince "Planet Earth"


Bob (Let Down)

Shipwreck a.d. "Abyss"
War Hungry "Return To Earth"
Bitter End "Climate Of Fear"
Justice "Escapades"
Blacklisted "Peace On Earth, War On Stage"
86 Mentality "Last Exit"
Rival Mob "Demo"
War Pigs "Demo"
New Lows "Demo"
Dead Black "Demo"


Mike Scondotto (Inhuman)

Watain "Sworn to the Dark" - Sweden's Watain are the future of Black Metal. I caught them live in May at BB Kings in NYC and I will never forget it. The smell of DEATH in the air, literally, as the band used real animal blood as part of their stage show. Standing towards the front I got the chills as I was reminded me of some 10+ years earlier seeing another Swedish band making their NYC debut, Dissection. Let's hope Watain’s future is much more positive.

Turnobegro "Retox" - Another winner from Hank and Co.I played this cd 10 times the day I got it and still throw it on. “I took my band way across the land, but too much ass can destroy a man.”

Danzig "The Lost Tracks" - Some of GD's best songs he ever wrote are on this 2 cd set, an absolute must have for fans. Fave tracks include "Cold Cold Rain","Crawl Across Your Killing Floor", "Pain is Like an Animal", "Bound By Blood".

Marduk "Rom 5:12" - Not sure how Sweden's Marduk made one of the best cd's of their career at some 15 years in the game, but they sure did. Looking forward to their return to the USA in 2008!

Type O Negative "Dead Again" - TON finally wrote some fast Carnivore-esque songs for the first time since 1990! They also wrote some of their best songs ever too on this one like "September Sun".

Mayhem "Ordo Ad Chao" - Creepy, disturbing, unpleasant = how I like my Mayhem to sound! Atilla’s voice and these riffs are the stuff nightmares are made of.

Wolves in the Throne Room "Two Hunters" - This cd blew me away on first listen. American Black Metal that sounds nothing like it's peers. WITTR remind me of LYCIA meets early ULVER.

Entombed "Serpent Saints" - Entombed's last 3 cds have all KILLED! Forgive their foray into "Rock" and get back into the Masters of Death! Tons of great riffs and mosh parts on this one.

Villians "Drenched in the Poison" - Awesome debut cd from the best band playing metal in NYC.Dirty, violent Black Metal. Buy this and see them live!

Immolation "Shadows in the Light" - An awesome cd from NY's DM legends. Possibly the best since their debut or best ever, no joke.



I would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit their lists to me. Here's to hoping that 2008 brings just as many great tunes to us all! Happy New Year and keep your eyes open for some new interviews to start off 2008 strong.

Record Reviews 12/03/07

Mother Of Mercy "No Eden" (Self released demo CDR)

This is the debut release from Doylestown, PA's Mother Of Mercy. When I first heard about this band, I was expecting an almost "horror punk" feel to the music, because of the Samhain reference. I was wrong. The band features Bob and Kyle, both from Let Down (see below review) but sounds a good deal different from Let Down. Since the bands share members, comparisons are going to be inevitable. MOM (best abbreviation for a band, possibly ever?) are a lot more mid tempo than Let Down. I would say that musically this demo would have fit perfectly on Victory Records roster, circa 1993. It's definitely heavy, but without being metal, and has some groove as well. Bob still sounds super pissed off, and his vocals compliment the music very well. I'm not sure how serious MOM can be, since Let Down seem to be a pretty active band these days, but I'm curious to see what they have in store.

Get this if you like: Unbroken, Count Me Out, Let Down

For more info: www.myspace.com/motherofmercyhc





Let Down "Sacrifice Me" (Six Feet Under Records)

Mark my words, 2008 will be the year of Let Down. This record is awesome. Four songs of super fast, pissed off straight edge hardcore. It's awesome to me that there are still bands like this. This band has been around for about three years and I've seen them since the beginning and they just keep getting better everytime. Each record is a step up from the next as well. My only complaint about the entire thing is that it's TOO SHORT! It's over before you know it, but apparently they are working on a full length, which I think they will totally be able to pull off. This band needs to be seen live to be fully experienced, however.

Get this if you like: Panic, AN, Negative Approach

For more info: www.myspace.com/letxdown




Inhuman "Last Rites" (I Scream Records)

Inhuman has always been one of those bands whose name I would see on a flier for some crazy awesome CBGB show, yet I'd never actually seen or heard. I think this record is definitely going to change that. I went into this having no idea what to expect and came out extremely satisfied. According to their press bio that came with this record, they've been releasing music in one form or another since 1996. For those who can't count, that's eleven years! In hardcore time, that's extremely impressive. The bands New York roots definitely shine through on this recording...very heavy and lots of breakdowns and singalongs. The recording itself sounds awesome, courtesy of Dean Baltulonis (Madball, Sick Of It All, No Warning) and will be sure to win them new fans as well as please old ones. There is also a more "streetpunk" feel to the record at times, which definitely helps to spice things up. All in all, I would say this is a solid release by a band that's been at it a long time.

Get this if you like: Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, Madball

For more info: www.myspace.com/inhuman




Shipwreck a.d. "Abyss" (Deathwish Inc.)

I'll admit it, I kinda slept on this band. I had seen them a few times and thought that they were decent, but nothing that made me want to run out and buy any of their stuff. That has changed now that I have heard this full length. This band has truly come into their own. Following up last years 7" on Deathwish, comes "Abyss"...eleven songs of innovative, heavy hardcore. When I saw them at the aforementioned shows, I thought they just sounded like No Warning with guitar solos. I couldn't have been more off the mark. This record has a total mid 90's feel, and owes a thing or two to the Cleveland hardcore style. I haven't had a chance to look at the lyrics yet, but one of the things I notice is that all of the song titles are one word. Weird. Great record though.

Get this if you like: Ringworm, Integrity, 108

For more info: www.myspace.com/shipwreckmv




The Mongoloids "Time Trials" (Six Feet Under Records)

This is definitely a surprise. When I first heard the name "The Mongoloids" I assumed the band was going to be more of a "punk" sounding band, with joke songs. After seeing them about a year ago for the first time, I realised that I was completely off the mark. Coming off of a split EP that was released earlier this year, comes their full length debut "Time Trials". This record is loaded with singalongs, guest spots and breakdowns that will be sure to please any fan of heavy hardcore. The album is fourteen "real" songs and then a bunch of bonus tracks at the end. My only complaint about this record is that, even though there is not neccessarily any bad songs, I feel that it might have benefited from being an 11 or 12 song LP as opposed to 14. But that's just me. This is one of those bands that's awesome on record, but REALLY awesome live too. So get into it. Also, they rep the straight edge, which always gets a thumbs up in my book.

Get this if you like: Biohazard, Cro Mags, Sheer Terror

For more info: www.myspace.com/mongoloidsnj

COLD WORLD INTERVIEW

Cold World is:

Dan - vocals
Alex - guitar/vocals
Josh - guitar
Scace - bass
Nick - drums/lyrics



Cold World are definitely one of the most polarizing bands in the hardcore scene today. Since forming in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania almost four years ago, they have released a pair of 7"s (S/T and Ice Grillz) as well as a split 7" with War Hungry, an appearance on the Fucked Up Mix Tape Volume 2 and a song on the infamous "Generations: Hardcore" compilation on Revelation Records (http://www.revhq.com/). Currently, Cold World are in the midst of working on their debut full length album for Deathwish Inc. (http://www.deathwishinc.com/) but Nick and Alex took some time out to answer some questions for me.

Neon Knights Zine: In the summer of 2005 at Posi Numbers Fest in Wilkes Barre, it was announced that it was going to be the last Cold World show ever. What caused you to break up in the first place and what caused you guys to later rethink this and keep going?

Nick: It's weird to think that was two years ago already. There were alot of things that made us decide to quit doing Cold World. One aspect was that we were frustrated with some of the things going on in the scene at the time, and some of us just didn't want to be as involved anymore. We also all lived two hours away from each other, and it was straining. I'm sure there was other stuff, but those are the two things that I remember the most. We wanted to get back together because we just wanted to make more music! Making "Ice Grillz" (Lockin' Out Records 2005) was such an accomplishment, and we knew we could do it again on another level so we felt like we had to give it a try.

Alex: We were all kind of sick of each other. I quit the band actually, and really didn't wanna deal with the bullshit involved with being in a band at the time. I regretted the decision a few months later, and when the opportunity to play again came up we decided to give it a shot. I'm glad we did, cause I really felt like CW didn't hit our full potential when we broke up. I still don't think we have.

Neon Knights Zine: I've noticed that a lot of your lyrics deal with a rejection of religion/God. Am I reading too far into this?

Nick: No, that's definitely in our lyrics. However, I don't necessarily speak for the whole band (word to Scace's Jesus piece). It's just that when I get into lyric-writing mode it's somewhere I naturally go. I seem to write about being uncertain about your future, and it's just a chain reaction until I eventually get to questioning why I'm here. I don't wanna be on some "god suxxx" shit, but I definitely am not down with Christian hardcore bands and all that weird shit.

Alex: Thats Nick's thing, since he writes the lyrics. Scace has Jesus tattooed on his arm.

Neon Knights Zine: The LP is going to be called "Dedicated To The Babies Who Came FeetFirst". What is the significance behind this title?

Nick: It's a line in a Raekwon song that always struck me. When I write lyrics, I'll take a line here or there that always stood out to me and go somewhere else with it. To me, babies who came feet first means people who had to stand on their own feet since childhood and maybe had it a little rougher then the average kid. Either that or kids that always had the new Jordans in grade school and shit. You can take it a lot of different places and it's a cool name for an LP. It's not some played out "what we are", "all this is", "all we are", "what we mean" shit.

Alex: I was born with my feet backwards....but I dont think thats why it got that title but it should be.

Neon Knights Zine: Speaking of the LP, what was it like recording with Billy from Biohazard? You have to have at least one cool story.

Nick: I can't really speak on the outcome of the recordings yet because we've only got to the point of really rough mixes. I feel like we got a lot of the tempos wrong so I'm bummed about that. It was definitely cool to work with a dude who wrote music that really influenced you and hardcore as a whole. When I was a kid I had a blank tape with "Urban Discipline" on one side and "Chaos A.D." on the other. Then when "State of the World Address" came out, it was all I listened to. He was really surprised at how nerdy we are about hardcore. I don't think he's recorded a band as deep into it as us yet, because he would be surprised about everything we'd ask him about. I don't think Full Blown Chaos or whoever asked him if he knew Youth Defense League or if he ever saw Krakdown. So, there's the side of him being in NYC at that time and knowing all the skinhead dudes but there's also the rocker side. This dude has toured with Metallica, Slayer, etc etc. He has stories about any band you can think of, man. So we'll just be like "what about Dave Mustaine?", and he'll go "Alright... you wanna hear my Dave Mustaine story?" One cool story is wherever they recorded the first Danzig LP (I think the first one) (ed. note - If it is the first album, it was recorded at Chung King in NYC) the studio either moved or shut down and he was able to rummage through some stuff and find lyric sheets and DAT's from the session!

Alex: When I was tracking guitar at one point he stopped me and just looked down and goes, "Bro.. that's Biohazard" and I was like.. "uhhhh well... i mean.." and then he blessed me and told me it's cool and I could use whatever I wanted. There was also a part on the record where I couldn't figure out what to do to thicken it up, and he took the guitar and does this little diddy, and I said, "That's perfect!" and he says..."Yeah.. its Punishment" (from Biohazard's "Urban Discipline"). I said "Keep it." Nick was there and he said, "Well, if you only play one note instead of two, it will be harder." Billy said, "Harder than Punishment??" Alas, we kept it as two notes, cause not many things are harder than "Punishment". (ed. note - He's right)

Neon Knights Zine: I know you guys aren't necessarily a full time band, but from watching the "No Omega" DVD I notice you've been to Europe. It'sdefinitely a played out question, but what is different from touring in Europe as opposed to playing in the U.S.?

Nick: One of the best things about touring Europe is that they make you food at every show and there's back rooms for the bands a lot of times. The promoters treat you a little better. The thing that stands out about Europe to me is there's a clear division between two types of kids at shows there. There's the group who really know what's up with hardcore and act like kids do at shows in the States. They know English a little better (not that I care about that, it's just an observation), they know how to mosh and really know their hardcore.Then there's the other group who are like locals and they have their own mannerisms and mosh weird and shit like that. It also seems like the first group is always embarassed of the second group, and they know the difference too. It's a weird thing because although hardcore has been around in Europe almost as long as it's been around here, it's still always a little bit behind there. Not as a diss, because I love Europe and I love meeting kids there, I'm just sayin'.

Alex: In Europe kids are so amped on hardcore. They aren't jaded at age 18 and they don't think they know it all. They are still willing to drive to shows. If something isn't going the way they want it too, they don't sit on their ass and complain, they do something about it and change it. It's so different there. They feed you at every show, there are plenty of places to stay, every show is well promoted.. its basically an ideal world. Also.. TONS OF ZINES!!!! WE NEED MORE ZINES!!!!

Neon Knights Zine: This question is just for Nick. Obviously Cold World draws a lot of influence from genres outside of hardcore, mainly hip hop. Tell me a little bit about your history with hip hop as well as your experience with being a D.J.

Nick: Hip-hop was the first music that I really got into. My mom got me a boombox and "Licensed To Ill" when I was really young and I just went from there. I would get these compilation tapes like Fresh Rap, KoolRap, Rap the Beat, Rapmasters, etc cause they were only 4 or 5 bucks. When you're that young it's hard to get your parents to buy you a 10 dollar tape. Anyways, it just stuck with me throughout life and became an obsession. DJing was something I always dreamed of doing since I was a kid. I was into drawing as a kid so I would draw my favorite rap groups but I didn't really know about where the music came from so I would draw Run DMC but they'd be playing guitars and drums. When I figured out the whole DJ/producing thing I thought they were just as cool as the rappers. Fast forward to puberty-era and Bobb Mac steals me a Numark mixer from a club at a show in Wilkes-Barre (Option's last show, they covered "Injustice System") and I went from there. I got better and better and eventually got into all kinds of music like drum n bass, uk garage, techno, house....any music that you can DJ. My friend Steve Bush (shout out to Bushy) hooked me up with some weeklies in Philly and I did that for a couple years. DJing is really cool because I would be making regular people have a good time. Yuppies, normie college students, hip-hop heads, etc. My job was to make them dance. I just kind of gave it up because DJing isn't what it used to be. For some reason, people have just as much respect for some chump sitting there with an iPod or laptop hitting "Play" as someone who can play a totally mixed, flawless four hour DJ set. This is crazy to me because it takes years of practice to be able to do that. So, I don't do it anymore. I still have my turntables and collect records,but I don't have to buy every Dirty South club banger that comes out so I just dig for rare hip-hop stuff that I like. I also really got into dubstep, but Philly seems to have zero interest in that, so I just play sets for myself in my room.

Neon Knights Zine: Alex, one thing I’ve noticed ever since I first saw you playing in bands was that you’re a really solid guitar player. How long have you been playing? Do you have any musical training?

Alex: I've been playing guitar since I was 12. I took lessons until I was out of high school, and was actually trained in jazz. I think that really influences my style. I learned hardcore songs on my own free time, but when I was going to lessons, I wanted to learn more about being a jazz guitarist, so I could get a different approach. I also watch Guns n' Roses and Metallica DVD's three or four times a week just to watch Hetfield and Slash play guitar. I'm not sure if that counts as training, but it definitely helps me a lot.

Neon Knights Zine: Nick, you are professional valet at a fancy hotel. Tell me some coolstuff that's happened because of that.

Nick: Man, there's so many stories. I'm sure everybody knows the Jim Jones story because of Ice Grillz, so I won't tell that one. (ed. note - see the liner notes for "No Omega" to read about this story if you don't know already) I met so many rappers besides him, though. Black Thought, Ghostface, Cassidy, FatJoe, Peedi Crakk, Giz from Audio Two, and more. A good story is that I really got into finding pictures in cars. I had a really good collection going on and I lent them to this dude for his online magazine years ago and never got them back. One pic I found was just a polaroid of a dude holding his boner. Some of the pics are so bizzarre that I can't even explain them. I wanna get them back and see if VICE wants to do something with them maybe. Also, one time I found this girl's portfolio of gagged and bound pics!

Neon Knights Zine: Alex, you also play guitar for War Hungry. How serious is that for you? How do you manage to divide up your time with both bands?

Alex: I only play with War Hungry if they need someone to play, but for the most part I don't play with them. Not because I don't like them, but because I want them to have their own identity rather than just Cold World's little brother band. I love that band, and I love the songs that Mook and I write. It's a totally different style than CW and it's a style I love. I feel like as far as guitar is concerned in that band, I have a lot more freedom to be creative with things like pedals and solos.

Neon Knights Zine: Alex, speaking of dividing up your time, you go to school for special education. What is that like?

Alex: It's cool. I went to college thinking I wanted to go into law school, but that's just not for me. I can't bring myself to be in an office all day long, and deal with people whose main goal is to do whatever it takes to make money. I love the field I'm in now. It's very fulfilling, which is great. At the end of the day my bank account might not be what some office guys is, but I know I go to sleep looking forward to the next day of work.

Neon Knights Zine: If you had to pick one Cold World song, to play for someone who has never heard you guys, what would it be and why?

Nick: Either "Gods and Earths" (from the War Hungry split 7" on Six Feet Under Records) or one of the new songs that we haven't played out yet. There's one song that I'm really proud of and I hope people recognize it. But I think "Gods and Earths" represents CW pretty well. I'm proud of the lyrics and it has a great mosh part, even though people never really mosh to it. I forget what NYHC band it is (I wanna say Outburst), but in some live set the dude goes "Nobody ever dances when we play this song, I don't know why. I really like that song", and I always wanna grab the mic and say that before we play it.

Alex: Probably "Low Places." (from the "Ice Grillz" record). It's got a little bit of everything, and it's got a mosh part that I love at the end. You yust kinda wanna bang your head to it. Plus, its a song that even if you don't like hardcore, you might be able to enjoy. Or maybe not.... I'd probably actually just play a song off the new Daughtry and say it was us.

Neon Knights Zine: You've been doing bands/going to shows for a long time. At what point did you realise that you were in this for the long haul?

Nick: Right from the beginning, man. Hardcore is something where you can take your destiny in your own hands (No Bishop-from-Juice-O). In real life, if you weren't dealt the best hand it's really hard to be what you wanna be, but in hardcore if you wanna be that guy on stage, you can. That's something that I realized very early on and it connected with me. I never really thought that deep into it, though. I'm not one of those dudes who is proud of being into hardcore for ten or more years. I'm sort of ashamed of it haha. Believe me, if I could trade it in for being successful in life I would do it in a second. I'm not down with people judging kids for getting less involved with hardcore. Especially when there's these bands wearing makeup and Bif Naked and all this other shit. If you say that it's as cool as it used to be, you're straight up lying. Same thing with Straight-edge. I've been edge for a long time and I'm not going to change ("TRU tattooed across my stom-ach"), but I can see why kids nowadays think it's a joke. Now there's gonna be a TV show about straight-edge made by nu-metal Jada Smith?! Fuckouttahere with that shit. Straight-edge, to me, is dead.

Alex: Honestly, I never really thought about it. I never understood why people would just drop out. It's just a part of my life thats been there for a long time. It's given me a chance to see the world, fall in love, make some of the best friends I could've ever asked for, see some of the coolest bands in the world up close, and learn a lot about myself. After being involved pretty heavily for ten years, you kind of just know that this is a huge part of your life. I'm not saying I'm going to be going to every show until I'm dead, but I will have the friends I met and the love for the music until I kick the bucket.

Neon Knights Zine: If Cold World ended tomorrow, would you say you've accomplished all you set out to do as a band or would their be some "unfinished business"?

Nick: There's definitely unfinished business (shout out to Parrish Smith). We still haven't made the record that I really want to make. Maybe I'm shooting too high and I'm too much of a perfectionist, but I don't feel like any producer/engineer we worked with really saw what we're trying to do, captured it and took it to the next level. Don't get me wrong, I like playing shows and travelling and all that, but I'm a music nerd. I'm in a band to make records. That's what I love and that's something that I feel like I care about way more than the rest of the band. I really wish someone would put some money behind us so we can make a crazy record. I know that it's hard because music doesn't generate as much money as it used to, so I'm not blaming any labels or whatever, I'm just saying. We worked with Don Fury and Billy G.,and it was great to be part of that history but now I feel like we need to work with someone who will help us acheive what we want on record.

Alex: If Cold World doesn't play Japan and Australia, I will consider this unfinished business. I want to tour like a motherfucker. I'm not sure how everyone else feels about this, but I'm too young to pass this opportunity up. Fuck work!

Neon Knights Zine: Any last words/comments?

Nick: Thanks for the interview. It's definitely one of the best ones I've done. Everybody keep their eyes peeled for "Dedicated To Babies Who Came Feet First". Shout-outs to the Wilkes-Barre posse, Blacklisted, LOJ, Justice, Rise and Fall, all our friends in Belgium, The Lockin Out crew, Mental crew, Jude Pharrel, Sami Reiss, Craig Mack & Living Hell, Kitzel and Rene (True Blue Army in effect), and the rest of the Cold World crew. Peace is not the word to play.

Alex: Live and let die.

Thanks to Cold World for taking the time to do this interview. While waiting to get your hands on their LP to be released next year, if you haven't already pick up "NO OMEGA" on 1917 Records (http://www.1917records.com/) since it contains almost every CW song there is to date. Also, the pictures and the logo were taken from the Deathwish Inc. site.

Under Appreciated Record Volume #1

Scream "Still Screaming" (Dischord Records)

When people think of Scream, usually the first thing that comes to mind is "Dave Grohl's band before Nirvana". While this is true, it's ironic that the best stuff Scream did was prior to Dave joining the band, a fact which I'm sure he could attest to. "Still Screaming" is a landmark album for a couple of reasons. Probably the biggest was that it was the first full length album that Dischord released. Another is the fact that, despite being a hardcore/punk band, these guys could actually play. The guitar work on this record is awesome, turning from fast, straight up hardcore beats, to dub, to mid tempo rock and back again. Another huge plus to this record is vocalist Pete Stahl. I think he's one of the most underrated hardcore singers of all time. The guy could sound super pissed off and still carry a tune, almost like if you took Kevin Seconds and H.R. and threw them in a blender. Actually, the music on this LP definitely has a 7 Seconds/Bad Brains kinda feel to it, so it all makes sense. While Scream managed to put out some good stuff after this, nothing was as solid as this album. It's still in print and if you get it on CD you get their second LP "This Side Up" on there as a bonus.

Get this if you like: Bad Brains, 7 Seconds, Minor Threat

For more info: www.dischord.com

****thanks to CC for pointing out that I had the wrong cover up. Thats what I get for only having stuff on CD/mp3. DOH!

Print Reviews

Start Today #6

"Print is dead." This is the response that Egon Spangler gives in the first Ghostbusters film when asked what books he's currently reading. One could say that has kind of rang true in the hardcore scene. It seems like before, I used to go to a show and come home with three or four different fanzines to read while I lay on my bed listening to new music I purchased at a distro. Times have definitely changed, but I can safely say that Jeff is keeping the print fanzine alive with this new issue. Start Today zine is one of two of the reasons that I wanted to start this zine (the other reason is reviewed below...keep reading). One thing I really admire about Jeff is his complete honesty. Even if I wasn't friends with him, I'd feel like I was after reading his zine. His columns are really interesting and really let you get inside of his head, without coming across as preachy. And then there's the interviews. Champion, 108 and Gorilla Biscuits in one issue? C'mon! The Champion interview especially is a really good read, since I believe it is their "last" interview and it's definitely very comprehensive. I also got a few laughs during the GB interview. If that's not enough, there's a ton of record reviews, and throughout the whole zine there are pictures galore of bands ranging the spectrum from Rancid to The First Step. I really hope this isn't Jeff's last issue, because hardcore needs more fanzines like this.




The Anti-Matter Anthology by Norman Brannon

I remember Phil giving me a trashbag full of old zines years ago and in it there were a couple issues of Anti-Matter. I knew these would be the first ones I'd dig into since I was already a huge fan of Texas Is The Reason, as well as the Anti-Matter Compilation (I mean seriously, that Quicksand song on there is so good it's rediculous, this needs to be back in print). I immediately fell in love. The way Norm writes is just so cool to me. You can tell it is completely genuine and honest, and just like with Start Today, you really feel like you know Norm as a person just by reading what he writes. His interviews were very original and didn't just ask the same old questions. This was where the seed was planted for me to eventually do this zine. When I first heard that Anti-Matter was going to be released in book form, I was so excited. I think I first heard that rumor back in the late 1990s, and periodically rumors would surface again and then quickly be extinguished. When it finally became a reality and I saw that a website was made (www.myspace.com/antimatterbook) I was ecstatic. Upon finally recieving the book in the mail on Wednesday, can I say that it lived up to my expectations? Honestly, no. I thought the book was going to be a collection of issues #3, #4, #5 and #6, cover to cover with all interviews, reviews and columns in tact. All the book is is most of the interviews from the zine, no reviews, no fancy stuff. It's also missing a couple interviews, I'm pretty sure. I remember reading that Lifetime interview that is quoted in the back and thinking that was a good read. Is it in the book? No. And the column where he'd give a certain "scene" person a blank tape with five songs on it and ask them to review it...cool I thought. Is that in the book? No. Granted, the interviews that ARE in there are still great. The highlight interviews for me were Porcell, Mike Judge, and Jawbox. I won't give away any details of these for those who haven't read them, but definitely check these interviews out. I guess what I can say is that Revelation Records to me, are the MASTERS of dropping the ball. Look at their track record: Chain Of Strength "The One Thing That Still Holds True" (worst remix ever), those Youth Of Today reissues with the awful photoshopped layouts, the Gorilla Biscuits "Start Today" reissue that was supposed to be "jam packed" with liner notes and a DVD....and who can forget the other book they put out "All Ages: Reflections On Straight Edge." It was hard to mess this book up. You take the zines and scan the pages or whatever it takes, and arrange them in a numerical sequence from front to back. It doesn't sound that difficult to me, but apparently it is. Is the book worth the $13.00 from http://www.revhq.com/ ? Yeah. But you're probably better off using that money to look around on eBay for copies of the original zine.

A Blast From The Past

As I was killing some time on the computer this morning I stumbled upon a pretty cool website (http://www.hardcoreshowflyers.com/). Anyway, while looking at tons of cool Misfits / Black Flag fliers, I found one for a show I actually attended. What boggled my mind more than the fact that I happened to be there, was the fact that upon looking at the date on the flier, I realised that it's been almost ten years to the day since this show...so I figured I'd reflect.




I remember the morning leading up to this show like it was yesterday, which is pretty crazy considering the date. It was December 20th, and I definitely had that pre Christmas excitement coursing through my veins. I was a junior in High School and it was 1997 - the year of the so-called "Youth Crew Revival" and I was loving every bit of it, so the fact that a mere 40 minutes from my house I was able to go and see Rain On The Parade, Rad (who were not listed on the flier) and Hands Tied...well that just made this time of year even better. I was working on the weekends at this really fancy restaurant called the William Penn Inn, down in the bakery (I would later become a busboy) packaging cookies into tins. The day went so slow and when my dad finally picked me up later that afternoon (yeah, I was not driving at this point, you didn't misread that) I remember hopping in the car with the biggest smile on my face. Got home and dressed and waited for Phil to pick me up. We got there just as RAD were about to play, which was a good thing. I always loved this band. They had a demo tape and a 7" that came out on Broken Glass Records that you should definitely hunt down if you get the chance. They were really sloppy I remember, but still fun. I wonder what happened to those guys? Anyway, up next were Saves The Day. I remember hearing a lot about this band, but I wanted to wait until after they played before getting their demo. I heard they had just signed to Equal Vision and had a guy from Hands Tied in the band, so I should've probably just assumed then that I'd be a fan, but still...I waited and watched their set. They really impressed me...it was a few months after I saw the last Lifetime show and I needed something to fill the void and they delivered. Of course, due to my stupidity, they were completely sold out of demos by the time their set was over. Don't you hate that? After finding out that they were out of demos, I still knew I needed to buy SOMETHING. It was almost like Phil read my mind because he turned to me and said "let's go look at some records." No sooner had he said that then I saw a giant crowd of people, and a guy nursing a black eye. I look around and see Porter from Floorpunch being held back by what seemed like 50 dudes. The guy cowering in the corner was Duncan Bawlow, of By The Grace Of God. Apparently Floorpunch were on their way to another show that they were playing but made a pitstop in Yardley to confront Duncan. Duncan had said some things in a zine and it got back to them. For more info on this, check out the song "The Answer" from Floorpunch's awesome (and only) full length on Equal Vision Records called "Fast Times At The Jersey Shore". But back to the show itself....I think Rain On The Parade were up next, and this is where I began to get really excited. I had seen them once before I heard them, in the summer of 1996 at the Southhampton Youth Center, but they didn't really leave an impression on me then. I had just gotten their "Full Speed Ahead" E.P. a few months back and almost wore out the grooves listening to that thing. It was just what I was looking for from a hardcore band. To me I feel that they were definitely one of the most overlooked bands of that era. They took the stage and I remember kids went nuts. Hands Tied then took the stage, and I have to say I was a bit dissapointed. This was after Sean and Pat were no longer in the band, so I think the lineup was Geoff TDT on drums, Espen on guitar and Matt Smith on bass. I could be mistaken though, if anyone knows I'm curious. I mean, the songs still sounded cool but I remember it just wasn't what I expected, especially after seeing ROTP's set. It just seemed like no one was really into it besides Tim. Again, it was ten years ago so I could be a bit foggy. After that, Upfront played, who I wasn't a fan of then and am still not now, so I do not remember much. By The Grace Of God went on last. Honestly, I know it's not "cool" to say this, especially after what happened earlier that evening, but By The Grace Of God were a really great band. The two times I saw them (this being the first) were definitely good times. They played with a lot of intensity and seemed really into what they were doing. Apparently after that incident Duncan "retired" from hardcore. Kind of lame if you ask me, but whatever. The show was great regardless and I feel this was the first of a good strand of two years where at least once a month I was seeing all of these great bands. Hopefully I can find some more fliers.

Record Reviews

War Hungry "Return To Earth" (1917 Records)

So here it is, the brand new 7" from Wilkes Barre's own War Hungry. This is their first official release on 1917 Records and does not dissapoint. Since I don't mess with vinyl anymore (I know, crucify me) I can't say I have ever really heard too much of War Hungry recorded apart from their "War Is In" demo that I recieved in early 2005. Even then you could tell this band had promise and they have only gotten better with time. This record has three songs, and my only complaint is that the record is over before you know it. The first song "Spoken Through The Serpent" is almost 5 minutes long, which might be a little too long for the average hardcore kid but I found myself enjoying it through and through. There's definitely some really interesting guitar work on the record as well. Speaking of guitar, as an added bonus Cold World's own Alex Russin plays on this 7". This band definitely does the whole "groove" oriented, heavy NYHC style thing very well, so make sure you check them out when they come to your town.

Get this if you like: Sheer Terror, Life Of Agony, Cold World

For more info: www.myspace.com/whwb

(On the 1917 website (http://www.1917records.com/) you can purchase a copy of the 7" for $5.00 and immediately get a link to download the mp3s, as well as an mp3 of their entire set from Sound And Fury fest this past summer. You can also purchase just the mp3s only for $3.00)



Bitter End "Climate Of Fear" (Malfunction / Deathwish Inc)

This is the debut LP from Bitter End out of Texas. I have heard so much about this band and was eager to see if they lived up to the hype. After an impressive set at the Floorpunch reunion this past month, as well as repeated spins of this record, I am going to have to say they do. "Climate Of Fear" is heavy, pissed off, and raw. Everything that a good hardcore record should be. Lyrically they deal with real world issues, as evidenced by the LP title and the samples that are all over the intro track. I think one thing that makes this record stand out amongst the crop of bands that play this style is the singers voice. I think it has a unique quality to it that makes Bitter End stand on their own. There are definitely some straight up "metal" moments on this album as well, further adding to the crossover feel. A solid record for sure.

Get this if you like: Cro-Mags, Leeway, Breakdown

For more info: www.myspace.com/bitterend



World Collapse "Deutschland, Deutschland! Into The Night" (Reaper Records)

World Collapse features former members of True Blue, but I can't say they sound too much like their former band. This record is definitely an aquired taste, and I wouldn't recommend it for someone looking to get a straight up hardcore fix. Anyone who knows my taste however, knows that I like a lot of stuff, so this record is definitely very pleasing to the ears. Musically it's pretty all over the place; metallic hardcore at some points and straight up new wave at others, but somehow it works. I really admire this band for setting out and doing their own thing in a scene where sometimes doing your own thing can be as good as a gunshot to the foot. I would like to see these guys live.

Get this if you like: Bad Brains, Depeche Mode, HIM

For more info: www.myspace.com/worldcollapse



Terror "Rhythm Amongst The Chaos" (Reaper Records)

Do I really need to write a review for Terror? This record is awesome because....well, because Terror are awesome. With four new songs and one cover (Breakdown "Kickback" featuring Jedi Mind Tricks), this record may not be treading any new ground, but it doesn't need to. If you like Terror, you already own this on every color vinyl possible. If you don't like Terror....you really should.

Get this if you like: Terror, Terror, Terror

For more info: www.myspace.com/terror