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Welcome to the first
online issue of this newsletter. It has already been published in the late
80's as a paperversion but I eventually decided to finally continue as an
online version. This will basically be stuff that keeps me busy. Also info
about shows, our local Groningen scene, Holland in general and ofcourse my
renewed interest in Japanese hardcorepunk!
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REVIEWS |
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05.09.03. Makiladoras, Fresnel (AUS), PCP, Man Made Filth, Anargeeks @
Rijzenburcht, Elst NL 06.09.03. PCP, Twisted
System (BEL), Zeroid (GER), Instinct Of Survival (GER), Dreschflegel (AUS)
@ Krustenhof, Stemwede GER 27.09.03. Boxed In
(UK), Accion Mutante (GER), Tunnel Vision, Bullshit Science, Intensity
(SWE), The Now-Denial (GER), The Last Mile, Driller Killer (SWE), Lomb,
Tragedy (USA), Cockroach, Mörser (GER), Betercore, Zootic (POR) @ Het
Podium, Hoogeveen NL
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Welcome to the
Japanese Hardcore Punk Corner. Every month I'll review a bunch of Japanese
releases here, old and new. Also there's room for trivia and stories so if
you have anything to share, contact me!
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 Bunker
@ Sterren In Het Bos, Groningen 23.08.81Let's start this section with my biggest blast from the past. Every year, since 1974 until 1983, there was a music festival in Groningen called "Sterren In Het Bos" ("Stars In The Forest") and was held in a citypark about 5 minutes from my home. Every sunday in August had a big fest in the middle of the park with tons of bands. They usually had 2 locations, one in a cupola that was part of the park, and another one on a self-made stage. As my parents were very musicfonded (my father played in numerous bands as a guitarist, one of them was SUBWAY), they always went to them and usually took me along. I've seen bands like THE VIBRATORS, SCREWDRIVER, FLYIN' SPIDERS in 1978, THE CURE (their first ever foreign concert), STIFF LITTLE FINGERS and NINA HAGEN in 1979 and DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS and THE SHIRTS in 1980. Too bad I can't remember anything of the bands coz I was simply too young and not much interested. It was way more exciting to observe all those people doing sometimes crazy stuff and smoking alot. It was one big event with sometimes 3500 people swarming around. Just years later I actually realized what I saw (but missed)... When I start secondary school in 1980, I am heavily into ska with THE SPECIALS as my absolute favorites. There are a bunch of striking students in higher classes calling themselves punks! And dressed the traditional way. Obviously I am intrigued by their appearance and start to check out the bands that are painted on the back of their jackets and their bags starting with THE DEAD KENNEDY'S, U.K.SUBS and THE CLASH. In july 1981 I buy my first punkrecord during an holiday in France: THE CLASH's "London Calling", mainly for the impressive sleeve! The last sunday in August 1981 I decide to go to the fest with another rudeboy instead of with my parents. It would become more or less a turningpoint in my life. When we hear there's also a punkband playing we head straight for the "stage", the music cupola in the middle of the park, where the band is already setting up their gear. We both sit on the right wall, in front of the band, and even more, in front of the crowd. We don't know the band called BUNKER at all. We really don't know what to expect. We are just some ignorant ska-kids checking out the scene. Well, in the meantime many punx are flocking to the stage. As soon as BUNKER starts playing, all hell breaks loose in front of the stage in the form of an impressive pogo-pit and we are sitting first-class! The band is making jokes and interacts alot with the crowd. It's all quite adventureous to say the least! And there I see most of the punks that are in my school as well! I can't remember much of BUNKER's sound or how they played but I was immensely impressed by the whole ambiance and occurrence. Next day I was punk too. |
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D.I. - "Team Good" 12" |
GRØN: Well, some days ago the new SHIKARI CD-EP finally came out on
THE LAST MILE did a great set last weekend at the 5th Trashfest in
Hoogeveen. Never saw them driven like that. They're working on a 7". You
can hear one of those songs on their 
So...this
year has been quite relaxing for me regarding tours and such. After a very
busy start of 2003, we bought a new tourvan in april. Unfortunately,
because of some fuckup, we didn't manage to get it rebuild as a campervan
like we did with our former one so now it's fit for 7 persons only. Our
old van (Cavia Express 1) was sold to MIHOEN who will do their first long
drive next week on a tour through France and Spain together with S.A.F.
Too bad OLHO DE GATO cancelled that one. Anyway, the only tour I did
organize (but was not able to come along with) was the COCKROACH
French/Spain tour in September but incredible enough, they canceled after
2 gigs... PCP did some short tours and SHIKARI manage to make 1 gig each
month due to family affairs and studytime. Right now I am preparing a
3-week tour for Japanese HC masters CRUDE. The December 2002 minitour was
a real blast so I can imagine they're dying to return. They're supposed to
come somewhere in 2004 and I'm thinking of covering Netherlands, Belgium,
France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. I hope this is going to
work coz the language was the biggest problem during their last tour. If
we combine their tour with SELFISH in february, obviously I won't have
this problem anymore but... basically I need a good translator that can
manage/organize as well and won't have any troubles with hardcorepunk &
drugs. Oh well, hopefully more details soon.
CATHODE,
BARNHOUSE EFFECT, SEEIN'RED... It's a wall of noise. This is more pleasing
than their gig on Trashfest 3 in Hoogeveen some months ago. The songs are
much better played and the structures are clearer than before. Ofcourse
you can instantly hear where the influence comes from. Cross WOLFBRIGADE
with CATHARSIS or TRAGEDY and there you have it. They'll get vinyl out
sooner or later. KRUSH is good straightforward hardcore with two very
moving singers. Reminds me of DISRUPT. SKARNSPAGE is two guys with a
drummachine. They go wild in some touching way. Very funny to watch, not
quite funny to hear. Time to eat. It's a great idea the organization put
up a foodstand. I usually miss this at the Dutch fests. Besides the fact
that everybody becomes hungry at a certain point (especially during these
kind of marathons), it's also a good way to get some extra money in.
CATHODE is another wall of sound. Two guitars, and even heavier than
KRIEGSTANZ. I prefer the darker midtempo stuff to the quite sloppy fast
parts. I SHOT CYRUS with the drummer of RATOS DE PORAO. Hectic fast 80's
retro hardcore. Wouldn't imagine this was from Brasil. Nice to see Boka in
action again but I prefer RATOS anytime. PCP was an ok set I suppose. It
is the first time for many people to see us in the new line-up. It's
always good fun to play with this band. Since there is no lighting
present, we are swallowed by the dark. During REPROACH I am recovering in
our van outside, catching some air as well. DISCARGA I missed as well. For
the 2nd time that is. OLHO DE GATO is real good. Fast and hectic hardcore.
The Bloedbad song goes to me. Cool. SIKA is really really bad. It's one of
those bands that are so bad, that it is actually great... Very young and
enthusiastic band and giving it all. Damn, I watched their complete set.
Crazy. VISIONS OF WAR was like yesterday except now they finished the fest
instead of opening, and they had some of the crowd moving. MATKA TERESA
decided spontaneously they wanted to play as well, but the organizers (as
well as most of the crowd) were already too dead to agree. 
and atmosphere is set. Great! FRESNEL from Austria are real kind fellows
but their sound can't excite me much. Slow to midpaced doomrock with alot
of guitartinkling. I guess I am not the only one coz soon enough the place
is empty. PCP is next and chaos starts to arise. A bunch of people with
markers come in action and within time I see once familiar faces change
into strangers with mustaches, skindiseases, beards, crazy hairdos,
missing teeth... On one side I see an female Hitler fighting somekind of
pirate, an another side people piling up and doing crazy stuff. It's
completely surreal and very hard to concentrate on the drumming... What a
nite. MAN MADE FILTH didn't escape the markerwar either and their singer
had a nice reversed cross over his face. Musically it was kinda sloppy but
cool enough to keep the attention. ANARGEEKS, a very young band from
Alkmaar, are the definition of sloppyness. Wow! Reminded me abit of
R.A.P.T. from France. After ANARGEEKS some other band played as well but
ended abruptly when the aggregate broke down. The whole place was covered
in darkness. Fortunately the maglite is standard issue with me, so I had
no problem to get my stuff and get to the van to prepare for a good nite
rest coz tomorrow it's off to Stemwede for yet another fest. BUT. As soon
as I wanted to enter my bed, there comes a bunch of people with a djembee.
If I learned to hate something in the past years, it's people with
djembees and didgeridoos coming to punkfests "playing" their instruments
all night long. You can imagine, even with earplugs there was no credit
gained. However, the next morning is a treat. 75% of MAKILADORAS need to
take the train back home and some of them have obligations, familycall and
such... But the waterproof markers did quite a good job. Despair is maybe
a big word, but it was great fun to see them frantically scrubbing their
faces in our sidemirrors. A sight I won't forget that easy. PS. recordings
were made of all bands and they will probably put these out sooner or
later.
stuff but tends to get tedious after 20 minutes. TWISTED SYSTEM was a real
surprise. I know this band operated in the past as TRISTE but that was
hardrock with a strong ACDC feel. This is catchy crust'n'roll with some
fast parts, brief guitarwanking and heavy sound. With ex-HIATUS
guitarplayer, ex-HELLBOUND drummer and ex-UNHINGED singer. The crowd just
loves it! Then ZEROID. I didn't know they would play so this was a hellish
surprise. I always missed them when they played around and if there was
always one hc band I wanted to see, it was ZEROID. And to my great
surprise, this is their final gig... Consider me lucky. And I am more than
happy I witnessed this one, even if they themselves were very dissapointed
with it. They had alot of bad luck with the bassplayer who broke strings
twice. It broke the mood and continuality of the concert but still... it
was brutal nevertheless. Supertight, varied and powerful drumming,
numerous dark and ultracatchy melodies, opposed guitarlines and brief
wanking, diverse screaming.... damn, this is just perfect. And they play
my favorite song Present Perfect as well. So it's a very mixed feeling,
happy to have seen them, sad to know it is over for ever. Why do the best
bands always break up so quickly? I'm anxious to know any new projects.
Their drummer is already playing for BUTCH MEIER, an excellent country &
western band that does covers of classic hardcore/punksongs. Their debut
7" "Moustache Means Respect" is an instant classic! I passed INSTINCT OF
SURVIVAL coz it was already around 4 am, saw them several times before and
most important, I need some sleep. The next morning we get a very nice
collective breakfast in the garden. Some people are still drunk, some roll
over in dogshit, some try to leave but still walk or fall around after
hours.. On the german border we get stopped by the bordercops. We are ok
but the spanish car that is with us has some problems. One of them forgot
his passport in Stemwede but fortunately enough he can continue. Still he
needs his passport back so we telephone to Stemwede. Then we hear that
they just got a message that someone tragically died that night on the
road to the farm. They are all mourning coz it was a good friend of the
house. A very dramatic ending of an exciting weekend. 
friends
from Saint-Etienne.... stalking Tragedy for 3 gigs. Freaks! Outside it was
crowded with punx, inside even more. I think around 300 people were there.
Exceptional for Amsterdam standards. Ofcourse also the obligatory punx
that try to get in for free. The doorpeople had some real hard times
stopping them. When asking why they try to force themselves in without
paying, they reply it is always worth a try... Sin Dios explains us they
feel confused with so many spanish punks around them. They can't gossip
anymore without anyone understanding them. And once inside the scarce
lighted concertroom , I step into a deep hole filled with rainwater. The
rest of the nite I spent with one leg dripping wet. There's definitely
alot of work to be done in this squat. We missed the first 2 bands and
entered while ZOOTIC plays. They're pretty good, but I see too many
familiar faces to keep the attention so after a couple songs I start
wandering around. HYSTERIA is next and they sound pretty good. I'm busy
with the Sin Dios merch and more friends I haven't seen for a while. SIN
DIOS is next and I'm looking forward to it but to find out it's one of
their worst gigs I've ever witnessed... Nevertheless the crowd goes nuts.
TRAGEDY was real good, musically real good. All people was enthousiast as
hell but somehow there was this huge wall in between the band and the
crowd. I always like it when there's at least some interaction between
band and people. It gives a band identity. Oh well. It was already around
2 a.m. and INNER TERRESTIALS was preparing to start. I'm not a fan of this
kind of music but honestly, this was the best band of the nite. Totally
tight and exciting, played with much dedication and effort. Ofcourse
around 3 a.m the aggregate broke down and there was 30 min of nothingness.
When they picked up again around 3.30 we decided it was time to do some
shitwork for our friends. Transporting the equipment and people of
withoutgod. It was around 6 a.m. we finally hit the sack. 
downstairs but this time the sound upstairs is quite good, not to say:
excellent! At least the stagesound is coz I am mostly standing on or next
to the stage. I know from past gigs that the P.A. here usually fucks up
shit radically. Trashfest 4 with Tear It Up and What Happens Next had
ridiculously bad sound. Oh well, during BOXED IN the band upstairs set up
their equipment and starts playing right after the other band finishes.
Great and necessary system. ACCION MUTANTE from Germany didn't have a big
crowd but they enjoy themselves pretty much. One of the guitarplayers have
a carpet of paper laying in front of him. After close inspection it
appears to be all songs written out in "guitarlanguage". Musicwise they
sound exactly the same as when we saw them in September 1998 in Giessen
Germany when touring with Sin Dios. Unfortunately... Back down it is
TUNNEL VISION, a new band from Holland. It is rather bad with a drummer
that can't hold a single note. The definition of sloppyness. So I escape
to do some socializing. After 25 minutes BULLSHIT SCIENCE is preparing to
play. Preparing, coz constantly some bandmember's missing. They get the
schedule fucked for at least 15 minutes. Punkrock! Always good fun on
stage. Two singers (one new PCP member) with amusing speeches. Catchy
punkrockcrust with a very tight Maynard on drums (ex-MUSHROOM ATTACK/FLEAS
AND LICE). Downstairs INTENSITY starts their much intense set. Great over
the top hardcoretrash. Alot of power and conviction. Definitely one of the
best bands of the nite. THE NOW-DENIAL. I don't know what to expect.
Missed them several times. Know them already personal but musically it's a
blank. So after the first song I am nailed to the ground. Amazed. And the
sound is so good. Very dynamic and energetic, both musically as
physically. DAMN! Together with ZEROID, probably the best liveband this
year. After the set I go to see locals THE LAST MILE, but I'm still shaken
from the NOW-DENIAL set. THE LAST MILE sure is good and Daan/dr is
devilish. However they are very lowtuned with 2 guitars and most defition
is blown to oblivion. The melodies drown in the rumble. Too bad. DRILLER
KILLER upstairs. Now, I love their records. I heard controversial stories
about them when they toured Spain and Portugal so for me this is one of
those "grey area" bands. Usually these bands use the DIY structures to
make money and flirt with the mainstream. After two songs I am shocked. So
many strong emotions in one nite. HELL! Anyway, there is absolutely
no
power or conviction. And during the fast d-beat parts, it looks as if the
drummer is close to collapse. Kinda painful to watch. They behave like the
headliners of the fest, sunglasses ready and noses up. After 40 minutes
they are still playing in front of an empty hall... Everybody escapes
downstairs to see LOMB set up their equipment. A much more exciting scene
than this failure. LOMB starts when DRILLER KILLER is finishing their 50
min set. Sloppy as hell but with burning warmth they fly through their
oldschool set. Heard some cool covers and before you know, it's done.
TRAGEDY gets the crowd moving. Obviously most people came to see this band
coz the hall is filled. They play a great show, with even some movement.
I'm not much into the newer stuff but this is quality playing. Very very
good! COCKROACH starts but I decide to pass this one. Instead I encounter
some action in the street where 3 copcars with nasty dogs arrived.
Appearantly some car was wrecked and they came to check. Nothing serious.
MÖRSER. What can I say? The masters of mayhem. Nothing to do with punk but
a guarantee for full frontal slaughter. I love them. Even with one less
singer and guitarplayer, they still manage to c r u s h . Yeah, give me
MÖRSER anytime. After the gig I try to get my hands on their Scum
comicbook cd release. I haven't had any luck tracking this one down so
I'll give it several tries with the band but they're too disorganized to
help me. Or should I say drunk...? hehe. BETERCORE changed line up. New
drummer, new (female) singer, new sound. It has become a show-piece.
Musically it's become complete unstructured chaos. Pounding into
obscurity. Their singers go completely nuts. Great spectacle including
masterblowjob! I should be putting those pictures online sooner or later.
ZOOTIC upstairs was a bit too much. We left quite early. Around 2 am. I
heard the afterparty was real swell. But then again, I have been
traumatized by disco in the 80's. One of my reasons to become punk was
because of disco. It can be confusing to see todays punks dancing on 80's
disco. But I guess that's another story. 
TRAGEDY/FROM
ASHES RISE influence in the newer songs while the old stuff still comes
close to CATHARSIS and the likes. Good gig and an hilarious drumseat
supported by an ashtray!! I'll check the Shogun Records distro that Phil &
Elodie took with them and I was mucho impressed. Probably the best
selection I have seen since ages. And almost all new releases from more
obscure/hard-to-get labels such as Bloodsucker, H.G.Fact... The people
from the Platformtheater start to complain about visitors bringing their
own drinks. Prices at the bar are quite expensive so obviously people
bring their own, as always. But now that there's not so many people, the
empty bottles and a quiet bar attract attention. SUBMERGE starts pretty
sloppy. I dunno how to describe exactly but it they sound like jazzmetal.
Crazy timing and pacing turning into heavy mosh. After 15 minutes I get
more into it and it seems they do as well. But still, it's quite
inaccessible music.
it's 2003. I hardly get excited about any punkbands except for some
outstanding liveperformances by the likes of ZINC (Spain), ZEROID
(Germany), FROM ASHES RISE (USA), CRUDE (Japan), or THE NOW-DENIAL
(Germany). Call it jaded, but truth is, time has changed radically
musicwise as well as politically/socially within our networks. With the
arrival of internet, it's been so much easier to make tours and do
stuff/communication in general. Holland is flooded by touring bands. Alot
of them existing no longer than 1 year without any experience and often
without a release. I've seen too many playing on "rehearsing-level". It's
just too much. Overkill... I know, punkrock! Everybody can do it, that's
the charm of our scene as well but I pass. So where do I want to go with
this incoherent rambling? To the new breed of Japanese hardcorebands
ofcourse! Just recently I have discovered so many good new bands, it's
just incredible! So this section is dedicated to the past and present
state of Japanese hardcorepunk! Thanx to Ichiro, Within, Shoko, Kenji.
A.I.
VARIOUS - "
GARLIC BOYS
ROCKY & THE
SWEDEN
V/A -
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V/A -
"
V/A - "
