Monday, May 31, 2010

Use Your Head

It took me many years to finally check out the first Motorhead album. Back when I was living and breathing nothing but Metal back in the 80's, my collection started with the band's second album, Overkill. That one along with the following two, Bomber and Ace Of Spades, are pure perfection...but really, there isn't such a thing as a bad Motorhead album. While the first album showcases the band's rough and raw beginnings, it is the foundation on which those classic albums will be built upon, and it certainly should not be overlooked.

Back On Black re-issues always look amazing. The few that I've picked up over the last couple of years have always left me impressed with how solid the packaging is. Colored vinyl. Gatefold cover. Quality.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Three For One Trade

A few weeks back, I had posted about the Record Store Day pressing for the Sick Of It All 7 inch. Over a couple of months leading up to Record Store Day, Marcus had mentioned that he had a few records that he was setting aside, and was planning on sending me. When he requested that I pick him up a copy of the new Sick Of It All pressing, I didn't hesitate to help him out. I've never really traded records before, but this one just kind of fell into place.


I've never been a huge fan of Iron Age. When Constant Struggle was released in 2006, the hardcore community seemed to lose their shit over the band. I know that you can't really compare the two, and it was unfair of me to do so, but all I could think was that it wasn't anywhere as good as Far From Breaking. The metal influenced hardcore thing doesn't typically sit well with me. I love metal, and I love hardcore, but mixing the two tends to leave me unimpressed. Marcus went on and on about how good the new album, The Sleeping Eye, was. When he ended up with an extra copy, I finally gave in and told him that I would take it off his hands.

It has taken me a few years, but I'm finally catching on to the Iron Age hype. This album is pretty sick. The riffs are amazing, and the entire thing is heavy as fuck. You win Marcus. This is a great album.


I dig the stark black and white image for this UK pressing. The whole packaging on this is really well done. Hand numbered out of 100.

The other record that Marcus had set aside for me was the red vinyl pressing of the Billingsgate LP. He had picked this up from someone that was selling their collection, and I'm thankful that he grabbed this one for me. I'm a big fan of Billingsgate, yet I did not own their No Apologies LP on vinyl. This oversight has now been corrected.


Solid looking piece of red vinyl. I have no idea on any of the Nemesis pressing info, so I don't know how many of these exist.

The final piece of vinyl was the Time Flies 7 inch. I recently posted about the Misfits rip off cover that the band did for this record. Marcus mentioned that he had an extra copy of the Captain Harlock cover, and asked if I wanted it. Right on.

Very cool acetate cover with green vinyl. 100 pressed.


Monday, May 24, 2010

When It Rains, It Pours

Sure I've got other records that I've received prior to these latest Rain On The Parade 7 inches, but I figured that I'd keep things rolling with this band. Once again, credit goes to Marcus for the tip on this eBay auction. The seller had a bunch of records that I had my eye on...they ended late at night so I threw a bunch of maximum bids on a handful, and in addition to 5 other wins, I added two more ROTP records to the collection.
First press on blue colored vinyl for mailorder. Hand numbered out of 200.

100 pressed on white vinyl.

I'm a nerd over pressing variations. While the first press includes the lyrics on a separate insert, the second press has the lyrics on the inside of the record sleeve.

First press with the blue cover, and red for the second press.

My War also used different photos on the back cover, and a slightly altered layout between pressings.

I love pictures of record collections. While my Rain On The Parade collection is far from complete, this is what I have so far.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Positive Peer Pressure

At the end of April, I received a message from Marcus. He knew that I was interested in expanding my Rain On The Parade record collection, and there was a record release pressing of the second 7 inch, Full Speed Ahead, on eBay. Plus, it looked like it might go for cheap. I had already spent way too much money on records, and I had just dropped $180 on Record Store Day, so I was really not looking to throw any more cash at records for the month. Still, there was one day left on the auction and the bidding was still at only 99 cents. I figured that I'd try to see if I could pick it up for a steal.

The day of the auction, Marcus and I had traded a few more emails about this record. I told him that I threw a $20.00 max bid on it, but that I was going to be stuck in meetings at work when the auction closed. I really didn't have the $20 to spend, but I figured that I'd be outbid anyway. I got back to my desk after the meeting and found that I had the winning bid...$8.50. Right on.

The record release pressing for Full Speed Ahead was pressed on green marble colored vinyl, and limited to 97...which I think is very cool since it was released in '97. The inside sleeve also has the date of the record release show, and is hand numbered.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Cruel Heart

One of my favorite bands currently on the Bridge Nine roster would have to be Cruel Hand. They have a new album coming out this summer, and I can only hope that it brings the same level of heaviness as their second album Prying Eyes. Picked up my second copy of this album recently. Purple and grey swirl colored vinyl. Limited to 1,300.


Songs To Scream At The Sun is not my favorite Have Heart album, but there is no denying how strong some of these songs are. Seriously, Pave Paradise, is just an amazing song about life on the road as a touring band. Lots of emotion and passion is wrapped up in these songs, and that alone earns my respect. Classic band. Picked up the newest pressing on clear blue vinyl. Limited to 1,000.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Classic Reissues From Bridge Nine

There isn't too much that Bridge Nine releases lately that really interests me. Sure they still have some cool bands like Cruel Hand on their roster, and they are going to be putting out the new Foundation record which I'm interested in, but for the most part I could care less. Reissues on the other hand...Bridge Nine handle these with perfection. While some people didn't care for the repackaging of their Agnostic Front releases, it was still great to see these classics made available again on vinyl. Their latest reissue is the Underdog 7 inch, and it looks amazing. This 7 inch is the precursor to the Underdog discography that will be released soon. I've never really thought too much about picking up the original Underdog 7 inch on New Beginnings Records, but after picking up the reissues on red and gold vinyl, I really want one.

Another classic that was reissued on Bridge Nine a while back was the Project X 7 inch. Since I don't have an original Schism press, I was glad to pick up the initial black vinyl issue from Bridge Nine. I guess that B9 decided to issue a second press on clear vinyl, so I grabbed a copy.

It is Project X, so a pressing on CLEAR vinyl only made sense. Straight Edge Revenge.

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Roam Alone

A few months back, when I won a Thought Crusade record on eBay, the seller threw in a bonus 7 inch from a band called Roam Alone. I'd never heard of them, but hey, throw a free record my way, and I'll check it out. For some reason, this band reminds me of Foundation. Maybe it is the guy on the cover with the flannel shirt, which brings to mind the Hang Your Head record, or maybe it is because both bands are from Georgia, or it could have something to do with their shared sound of early 90's hardcore. Drawing influences from Undertow and Unbroken, Roam Alone manage this style well, and capture my attention with this 7 inch.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Under Great White Stripes

I'm a big fan of The White Stripes, and I thought that their last album, Icky Thump, was the best thing they had done since Elephant. My wife and I don't get out to concerts together anymore...apparently she no longer has the desire to drive 2 hours to hardcore shows and watch me pretend that I'm not an old man as I stagedive onto kids half my age...but when The White Stripes came through Maine, back in 2007 (holy shit, has it really been three years?!?!), the two of us hooked up with Rob and Heidi and headed to the show. Jack and Meg White were just amazing, and played a truly great show. This live album, captured during their string of shows across Canada from that same 2007 tour, is kind of a disappointment. Sure there are some killer songs on here, including one of my favorites, 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues, and the alternate version of Ball and Biscuit is kind of cool, but as a whole, this live performance doesn't give me the same level of excitement like Under Blackpool Lights did. Still this is a well packaged double album, and is a nice reminder of that concert in Portland.