Dischord US Vinilo y CD

Review: Needless to say, Fugazi were the kind of band whose first demo trounced most band's entire recording careers. Formed by four passionate musicians - from the ashes of Minor Threat, Embrace and Rites Of Spring - amidst a climate of idealistic fervour and youthful rage in Washington DC in the late '80s, this incendiary band took the energy and power of hardcore and broadened it out into a sound that was as expansive as it was incisive. This collection of ten songs, recorded incredibly at a point when the band had only played ten gigs, showcases an already unique and inspirational outfit creating a sound that would resonate around the hardcore scene of the world and way beyond.

Review: A work that surely needs little to no introduction, 'Repeater', was the seminal debut full-length from post-hardcore visionaries, Fugazi. From the demise of emo pioneers, Rites Of Spring, and hardcore punk godfathers, Minor Threat, came the enigmatic pairing of Guy Picciotto and Ian MacKaye, with the latter's burgeoning artistry left fully untethered to conjure a work transcendent of post-hardcore or alternative rock. Mapping out the blueprint for punk and alternative music throughout the nineties, even predating the likes of Nirvana's 'Nevermind', or Pearl Jam's 'Ten'; few projects have stood the test of time or been cited as such an integral influence by a dynamic range of artists from Rage Against The Machine to The Dillinger Escape Plan to American Football. Aggressive, expansive and highly critical of issues still plaguing our world today, from drug abuse to greed and privatisation, the ethos of, 'Repeater', (quietly referencing The Beatles' 'Revolver') has only swollen with time.

Review: Made up of seasoned veterans of the Washington D.C. scene, and fronted by Chris MacKaye (younger brother of Fugazi and Minor Threat mastermind, Ian, as well as the bowed head that adorns the latter's iconic album cover), Hammered Hulls are set to unveil their highly anticipated debut full-length, 'Careening'. Released through legendary MacKaye founded label, Dischord; the project is likely to be the final work recorded and mixed at famed studio, Inner Ear, which shut down at the end of last year. Engineered by studio owner Don Zientara, produced by Ian MacKaye, and sporting an overwhelming essay of praise from Rites Of Spring and Fugazi alumni, Guy Picciotto; it's hard to shake the sense of the punk stars aligning to offer a unique, timely project crafted by the hands that laid the integral foundations over four decades ago.

Review: The Messthetics is a new instrumental trio project formed of Fugazi rhythm section Brendan Canty and Joe Lally, and Washington DC based experimental guitarist Anthony Pirog. This self-titled debut was put together from live sessions recorded at Canty's rehearsal space throughout last year, with very little overdubbing. The coupling of exploratory jazz-based experimentation with the bristling post-punk sensibilities makes for a consistently interesting listen throughout. Lead single 'Serpent Tongue' highlights this musical duality, written in unusual time signatures but underpinned by fuzz-drenched power chords and relentless bassline. The first full-length featuring Canty and Lally since Fugazi's hiatus in 2002, 'The Messthetics' is an aspirational debut from this new venture, and a must-listen for any fans of the aforementioned band's off-kilter punk sound and Pirog's rich and textural guitar work.

Review: One of the most vital hardcore punk releases ever committed to record, the self-titled Minor Threat compilation took the band's first two EPs, the original self-titled and 'In My Eyes', released in June and December of 1981, respectively, and collated them into a visceral work that has only grown more essential with time. Before expanding his sonic palette and abilities with Fugazi, a younger, more disillusioned Ian MacKaye led a cathartic barrage of hyper-intense, exceptionally brief pieces that reimagined punk at its most direct and extreme values. With the iconic cover of younger, exhausted MacKaye brother Alec (now of Hammered Hulls, formerly Untouchables, The Faith), hunched over despondently, and recreated by everyone from the likes of Rancid to even Nike (yes, that Nike), it goes without saying that the name Minor Threat, the singular image, and even the inadvertent push of the straight edge message due to the track of the same moniker, are all integral, historic pieces of the hardcore punk blueprint and subsequent memorabilia.

Review: In January 1983, Minor Threat went into Inner Ear Studio for the first time as a five-piece (Brian Baker had moved from bass to second guitar and Steve Hansgen was now playing bass). They had six new songs that would end up being the centerpiece of what became the 'Out Of Step' 12" EP. The band had also decided to re-record the song 'Out Of Step' with some extra language to try to clarify the lyrics, as well as 'Cashing In', a tongue-in-cheek song about the DC punk scene which they had only played live once. After much debate, 'Cashing In' was added as a hidden track on the original vinyl release, though not listed on the cover or label. There was still blank tape on the reel, so they decided to record an instrumental with the working title, 'Addams Family' and then recorded new versions of 'In My Eyes' and 'Filler' to hear what they sounded like with two guitars. 'Addams Family' ended up being used as a coda to 'Cashing In', but the other two songs were never mixed and largely forgotten for over 35 years until the multitrack tapes were taken into the studio to be digitised in 2021. Surprised by the discovery, Ian and Don Zientara mixed the two songs along with the complete take of 'Addams Family'. These outtakes are now released on a 7" to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of 'Out Of Step'.

Review: Originally formed in Virginia before becoming rooted to the Washington D.C. scene, Dischord Records alumni Scream reformed in 2009 for a few small reunion shows before releasing the Complete Control Sessions EP in 2011; a live collection recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606, which then pushed the band to continue on a European tour. Reunions aside, there hasn't been a new release from the band in over 12 years, while it's been three solid decades since their last full-length Fumble. All of that is now finally set to change with the arrival of DC Special, the long-awaited, much anticipated sixth full-length from the hardcore pioneers. Recorded at the iconic Inner Ear Studio by Don Zientara and Ian Mackaye before its 2021 shuttering, and featuring a slew of guest contributions including the aforementioned Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, there's never been a more apt time to rediscover or take a first plunge into the cathartic realms of one of the most vital classic hardcore acts of a bygone era.

Review: While originating in Virginia before they would become staples of the Washington D.C. scene, Scream are another classic Dischord Records alumni, who after reforming in 2009 for a run of shows, dropped their 2011 Complete Control Sessions EP, featuring a live performance recorded at the iconic Studio 606 of Nirvana/Foo Fighters hero Dave Grohl. Highly reinvigorated, the band would then embark on an EU tour, but the lack of new a new full-length in the three long decades since the release of Fumble, had rumour and anticipation rife amongst the avid fanbase. With recording sessions taking place at Inner Ear Studio by Don Zientara and Ian Mackaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi) before it shut down in 2021, D.C Special delivers the long-awaited sixth full-length from one of the definitive OG hardcore acts and should offer both lifelong fans and newcomers to the scene either a nostalgic return to form, or a hardcore homework lesson of vital importance.