Straight Truth + Hashtag Hardcore Fanzine (Weekly Seizure 8.18.13)

Greetings dawg-ers. I've gotta get a few rocks outta my backpack right away here, and while I fully admit to being a straight up mark for zines and all things HC zine related, I haven't had much time to sit and read this week. Never you mind why (it's for good reason though) but just know that it hasn't been for lack of good rags...just lack of time. So while I play aspiring journalist for a bit this week when I travel to L.A. I hope to get plenty of good readin' in. However, just to give an idea of what's been coming through my mail-slot this week, here's a lil mini post.

Dat burger

1) #Hardcore #2
After trying to track this thing down from Europe for about a month, I feel happy to have one in my hands...which segues right into why Grave Mistake Records is the best punk/HC mailorder company in "the business" right now. Prompt Emails, fast delivery...none better. This is a thick zine, with tons of Euro hardcore coverage, which was my main intention for picking it up. Should have it all devoured here in a day or two, but I'm going to call attention to the back print here, just because I love the inclusion of Think I Care's Mongrel (for obvious reasons...best core band of the 00's, etc etc) and also Bad Religion's Recipe for Hate because even though it had mainstream aspirations to ruffle a few punker feathers (and an Eddie Vedder cameo to boot) "Kerosene" and "Struck a Nerve" are great songs, and while it's no Suffer or No Control, it's a fine record. Will provide a full report soon.

I guess it struck a nerve

2) Tapes
You'll note that Big Contest one has been out for a while. I know. I got it months ago, but I still wanna write about it and never got around to it. Take notes of the others. They're comin on the blog...and a new zine?! Yep. September.

Intent + Wild Man Wild (The Weekly Seizure 8.11.13)

Hey y'all. Kinda backed up with my other job, haven't had much chance to delve into the zines, but I got  a few tapes to tide you over til next week. Happy huntin.

1) Intent - It's Time Practice Tape
Not SUPER new and it's already long since hit the blogosphere, but I didn't go to Destroy LA, so I had to get one from the bigcartel. Sounds amazing for a practice  tape dunnit? I like the idea of bands going off and doing that, just doing it on their own and saving it for posterity. Like the Youth of Today Some Records tape I've been listening to today. Anyway, "I.G. Stomp" is a mosher something proper, and mine came with a lil note. (P.S., if you get a chance, go see Give on tour with Ceremony and pick up one of the shirts I did!)

s/o to the Zubaz Nation

2) Wild Man Wild - Dimension Dude Demo
Again, not very new, but I just got one. I actually did the artwork for this 'un, based on a bunch of suggestions that Taylor gave me and it ended up being a blast to do. Note that the tape is Zubaz print and references the Zubaz nation. I got this wrapped up in a bunch of Kansas City Royals scores from the newspaper too. Honestly, it reminds me of RZL DZL and stuff like that in the riffage and the dudes just want to have a good time. Track down the emps on a blog somewhere. If you're interested in art for your dumb band, I'm always interested. dylandraws.blogspot.com and dylanjdraws.tumblr.com for work samples. 

Hired Goons + Constant Constraint Fanzine + Extreme Aggression Fanzine (The Weekly Seizure 8.4.13)

Hey folks. Still no logo...but I did go to an ultra soul-deadening employee BBQ for my work this week. Ugh. Here's what came across my desk this week.

Harmony in my head

1) Constant Constraint #1
Ned from Title Fight does this one, and while I don't really get down with that band, the zine is cool. Layout is a little bit blurry (too much indesign) but I'll forgive it for the good content. Good questions begat good answers, and my favorite bit was in the Freedom interview when they were asked about Take Offense copping the name 'United States of Mind' for their upcoming 7". Also enjoyed an interview with Nick Woj from Cold World and Zizzack from Intent.

United States of Mind

NO PRESENTS FER XMAS

2) Extreme Aggression #1
Next up is Extreme Aggression #1.  Billed as a "metal & hardcore fanzine" and sporting King Diamond's snarling mug on the cover. A little lighter on content, but packs a wallop in the design dept. Peep the Satan's Satyrs intie below..or the completely hand written (!) Intent interview! Per the instruction page on the front, this is based outta Houston, TX, but I got it from Coke Bust's merch table. Great reading. Seriously, Satan's Satyrs is one of my favorite current bands and deserve all the praise and hype they get.

WILD BEYOND BELIEF

HIRE POWER

3) Hired Goons - Demo Tape
Burly skin-inflected core from somewhere in Canada. I got the tape in the mail this week without a lyric sheet (haven't been made yet) but I'm reminded of an early Sheer Terror (especially on 'Bearer of Plagues') with a little more rock and/or roll in the gee-tar bits. "Intro/Hire Power" is a brain-banger (can't catch the exact rhyme, but somewhere 'thunder' is rhymed with 'numbered') and I back the ever-lovin shit out of a good Simpson's Reference. HIREDGOONS.BANDCAMP.COM

Assault USA + Neutral Accents Fanzine (The Weekly Seizure - 7.28.13)

I'm supposed to have a logo drawn up for these things, but I ended up just doodling all weekend, and then seeing that movie 20 Feet From Stardom (it's about backup singers) and so I didn't. Here's some of what I came across this week that made life's casserole just a titch sweeter:

Send you to yer maker

ASSAULT USA Demo Tape
Self-described Chicago Spin-kick metal. Think an unbearded Ringworm and maybe The Promise or 100 Demons with a little bit of burly guitar tom-foolery thrown in. Good ish. assaultusa.bandcamp.com Not sure if there are any tapes left over. Tough titty said the kitty when the milk turned dry.

100% Tasteless

Neutral Accents Fanzine #4.5 (Austin Special)
One of the better zines currently in circulation. Throw Mobby on the cover and I'm on board. I've always liked the film reviews in this zine (Grim Cinema) and though a few people have complained about the sparse layout, I've always been into it because these zines are chock fulla readin', and I like it laid out all big n' bright. Of Course the Rival Mob interview delivers, with Brendan even getting into skateboarding. I asked him this once, about why he didn't skate anymore (long story) but the question never got answered. Big ups to NXA for digging the real dirt. I won't do it justice here, but this zine is A no. 1 and if you're not hip, then you're probably not reading this anyway. You're laminating a tour lanyard with a picture of a cat wearing Nikes on it. Go barrel roll into oncoming traffic, ya putz.

"I actually hate skateboarders who aren't on my computer or TV screen, so I take zero influence from it. If one of these talented little sexy boy pieces of shit EVER cut me the slightest bit of lip, I would smash their kneecaps into dust."
-Brendan Radigan 

WALL O' TEXT

Belief Fanzine #10
Got this one through a friend who went to Destroy LA, and while I can't hang with the main bands covered (Stretch Arm Strong and Bane) I really love the layout. This thing is from 2000 and what impresses me is the sheer volume of content. Lotsa stuff in a wall o' text format. Next issue was supposed to have inties with Dropkick Murphys and Carry On but I'm not sure it ever came out. Oh, also whoever made this must not like Ten Yard Fight very much. See the picture below. Brings to mind the excellent TYF vs In My Eyes discussions I've been having with internet friends lately.

Guess he's an IME fan?

Hammer and the Nails + Mandatory Moshing Fanzine + Fight 'Em All Fanzine (The Weekly Seizure 7.21.13)

Hey folks,
here's a new recurring column we're gonna start here at Drug Dogs HQ called the "Weekly Seizure." Get it? Like "seizure?" as in "seized at customs?" Cuz I'm a "drug dog?" Oh whatever. Essentially, it's comprised of me reviewing 3-5 items I come across that week, and then discussing their merits. Unfortunately for you guys, everything I came across was stuff I liked, so none of that insalubrious trash talking you've all come to love/hate.

1)  Hammer and the Nails - Rome is Burning B/W
Billed as "knuckle dragging reality rock" from Boston on the RRD website means I'm already on board. Couple that with the fact that I'm already a hopeless fanboy for this band and I'm sold. "Rome is Burning" is a new track and the B-side is a re-recorded version of "Product of this Modern Age." Comes with the typical RRD stamps and letters and decals...a worthwhile addition to your garbage record collection. Even more thrilling was the fact that I got this in an extremely timely manner, so things have definitely picked up in the RRD mail order camp. Good news for all. You can still get them at the RRD site.

Enjoy the Oi

 

2) Fight 'Em All #1
This is a zine done by one of the guys in Disapproval. Boasts the tagline "No posers, dick riders or trend hoppers allowed" which is pure poetry to these ears. Interviews are short, but substantial. I was especially stoked on the Cop Gestapo one, mostly because I just heard from Jesse that they'd be putting out a record on RRD in the future. Cool showcasing of some bands I'd never heard of like Altercado Espiritual and Poder Absoluto, along with Sick People and a good Spine/Sorry Excuse bit with TTD's most famous, Antonio. My favorite bit was the Disapproval tour journal because it was honest and funny and hit a lot of my home town spots and didn't try to be some dorky "a time we'll remember" scout camp diary. Also, Blind x Justice (the good one from Indiana who had to change their name) gets mentioned, that that's rad. I got my copy through a friend at Destroy LA. I'm not sure how you'll get one. Much love to the Crossed Out photo on the back.

3) Mandatory Moshing #2
I got this from Evan the Mosher when I ordered an A$$AULT USA tape. This zine is incredible and is literally all about moshing. The writing is negative. There's an interview with Bald Pig. I'm not gonna slobber over this any more. Here's some quotes to give you an idea. I have no idea how to buy one, but you should seek it out.
"I couldn't Care Less, I live in the Mosh World"
"You can join me in mosh world, or you can go back to juggling two balls with one hand on the sidelines like the fruitcake you are."

"I tried interviewing Bald Pig after Mosh World was born. It didn't work out because they are all morons."

"Just know that Bald Pig is the story of 6 friends who promised to meet each other in this very spot 1 year after prom."

"What I want people to take from my band is that it's OK to hurt yourself in the name of hardcore. It's fine to be apolitical, it's fine to want to die. It's OK to get hurt. I'm specifically influenced by Spit my Last Breath, Meat Puppets II and that No Justice last show video." -Adam Bald Pig

"Moshing, hurting people and yourself in a frenzy brought on by punk songs is the purest and realest way to be involved in hardcore. It doesn't matter how many organizations you support or how many vegan tattoos you have." -Adam Bald Pig

"The only way it could've been better was if someone died. I am not kidding. I really wish someone died and all the junkies at Treasure Town would've gotten evicted sooner. But instead the NATO summit martyred them. Regardless, we created something new and amazing that day." -Pit Tales

Just to get away