Not Done With You

Triple B recently moved their warehouse, and to avoid having to inventory and move some stock, they decided to throw in some free records with each order. I know that this was an opportunity for the label to unload some stuff that no one cares about anymore, but I was just hoping to not get some hot garbage and possibly receive something interesting. As expected, I didn't care about most of it, but I was happy to find the Stick Together album included when my order arrived.

While I remember enjoying this 12 inch when it was released six years ago, it didn't stick with me and I haven't really listened to it since then. Thankfully Triple B sent me this second pressing on brown/orange vinyl as a reminder because I'm getting a charge out of listening to it today.

I honestly didn't even know that Triple B did a second pressing of this record, and I guess in hindsight they probably didn't need to do one. Oh well, it at least put the band back on my radar and reminded me how great they were.

Sticky Bros.

This year I haven't been too tuned into what's going on in the Hardcore scene, and as I've been trapped in an 80's Metal playlist, I haven't been very excited to check out new releases. It the rare case, where a Hardcore release catches my attention, I typically just settle for one copy, and pass on throwing money at every available pressing. With Stick Together, all that went out the window.

I was a big fan of the first two Stick Together 7 inches, and was really looking forward to the band's first full length. Only in Hardcore could you call a 19 minute record an LP...any other genre and it would be considered an EP.

Man, this thing does not disappoint. I'm not a huge fan of the layout for the front cover, but I love that the band stuck a nice big X on there. Straight edge in your face!

I love the nod to Sick Of It All with the photo layout on the insert. Classic Blood, Sweat and No Tears look.

Clear vinyl was limited to 200, with 500 pressed on blue, and 800 on black.

No More Second Chances

Without a doubt, I've been in a Metal mood lately. Doom, Thrash, Rock...old shit...new shit...it has consumed me, and it is all I've been listening to. I've made no time for Hardcore recently. I still loved it. I just wasn't interested in listening to it. Today that all changed.

I have a rule with this blog...I've got to listen to the vinyl before I write up my post. Regardless of my Metal mood, I dropped the needle to my new Stick Together LP and started to brainstorm on what I would write about. As soon as the record starts playing, I'm reminded why I love this style of music so much. The power, the energy, the lyrics, no bullshit...Straight Edge Hardcore is the real deal. Suddenly, all that Metal that I'd been obsessing about was pushed aside as I queued up bands like Turning Point, Unbroken, True Colors, and even some G.B.H.. Oh man, I have missed this stuff, and didn't even realize it. Welcome back.

There isn't really anything new with No More Second Chances from Triple B. Okay, so there is a Cold World cover, but this is basically just both of the Stick Together 7 inches combined to the LP format. Solid.

300 on green vinyl, and 700 on black.

This Is Stick Together Hardcore

I was feeling pretty good about my Stick Together collection. I thought that I was only missing the Cali tour press for No More Games. To remedy this, my paypal account and I started started searching eBay for anyone that might be interested in joining our three way.

Much to my surprise, I stumbled upon a copy of Surviving the Times with an In My Blood cover. Whoa. What is this? I'd never heard of this before. Of course In My Blood Records were the ones to release the Floorpunch demo, along with the band's first 7 inch...truly a landmark record label from 1995/1996. With that in mind, and not really knowing anything about this cover, I placed a bid with a mission to win it.

After I'd received the record, I discovered that this was a special cover for the This Is Hardcore fest. Hand numbered and limited to 100. Very cool.

Sticking Together

This will be one of the best records released this year. Fact.

Stick Together released one of my favorite records last year with No More Games, and they are back doing what they do best in 2012 with their follow up, Surviving The Times. Straight Edge Hardcore played with conviction and passion. Drugs Suck.

Control Records handled the Euro press for this record. Each Control release is extremely limited, and of the highest quality. Their pressing of Surviving The Times is no different. As a bonus, the Contol pressing arrived on my doorstep about three weeks before the US pressing that Triple B did. Control Records can not be beat!

100 pressed on colored vinyl for pre-orders.

300 pressed on black vinyl.

Lyrics and photos posted on the inside of the bi-fold cover.

I love all the differences between the US and Euro pressings. Triple B opted for a different photo on the cover, and went with red instead of blue lettering.

Somehow I missed the announcement that pre-orders were up at the Triple B store, and I ended up placing my order a week or two late. It was no surprise that I missed out on the limited red vinyl. Fuck. 406 pressed on clear vinyl with grey swirl. Man, this vinyl looks good.

Different font, a full color photo for the back, plus the B-side labels are different for the Triple B pressing. 924 pressed on black.

The final difference is that the Triple B pressing uses a tri-fold cover with, of course, a different layout. Control or Triple B...it doesn't matter...they both look great.

Gotta Stick Together

Back in February, there was some general confusion in regards to the Stick Together pre-orders. from Back To Back Records. Like most people that ordered all three colors with the pre-order, I received two copies of white vinyl, and one on black. The label had shipped most of the orders and then noticed an unopened box of orange vinyl. At the time, it was assumed that orange was the more limited color with only 100 pressed. When it was announced that the white vinyl was actually the limited color, and the pressing info was 100 on white, 300 on orange, and 600 on black...suddenly the label fuck up didn't seem so bad for those that received two copies of white. It did however leave me in the position of having to hit up ebay for that elusive orange vinyl.

After watching a few auctions for the orange vinyl come and go, and I was able to gauge how much they were going for, I finally decided to pounce. Solid record. Just one of the bands keeping Straight Edge Hardcore fresh in 2011.

It feels good to finally have this collection complete. Next mission is to get the Disengage 7 inch from Back To Back on blue.