Lucky Old Sun

Lucky Old Sun basically picked up where Red 40 left off. There are a lot of movie samples from the outsiders and another movie sample which I don't know the name of. (perhaps someone out there knows). I listened to this demo a lot and I'm happy to finally put this up here so please check it out. Like a lot of stuff on here I did clean up the noise of the recording as this came off of a cassette.
I actually got a copy of this demo from a person I went to college with (thanks nick s RIP .) Lucky Old Sun was formed after Red 40 had broken up in 1996. Lucky Old Sun consisted of Ben Nichols Bass/Vocals,Blair Pearce Guitar, and Charles Levingston on drums. The band only released this demo and played only a hand full of shows before disbanding. When I moved to Memphis for school (and to live) Ben was playing bass for Pezz for awhile. After Ben's stint in Pezz, Lucero formed.
Lucky Old Sun--demo

Faust

Now on with the music. Tonight's treat is a band called Faust. I don't know a great deal about this band, but it does have Melanie (Kelly) Isaksen from Unemployed and Carcrash in it as well as Jason Sims. Really good stuff with female/male vocals. I am guessing this was recorded in the late 80s or 90s. I know this is sort of short, however if anyone in the band or associated with Faust has any additional information any will be helpful.

Faust--Demo

Antenna Documentary

Sorry for the lack of updates but things have been pretty busy. Chris McCoy has been working on the documentary on the Antenna Club in Memphis. The trailers for this film look amazing and I like a lot of people out there cannot wait to see the finished product. Chris has also been raising money for this film to come out in the fall. It is up to people like yourselves to help Chris out. I know many people like myself have waited for years for something like this to happen. A film like this needs your support because it is all about you guys out there. The reason I created this page is because there are a lot of forgotten chapters in music--especially that of Memphis. Right now (or at least at the time of this post) $5,303 has been raised, but the goal for this documentary is $6000.00. A minimum of five bucks will get you a pin, if you pledge twenty dollars or more you get a Sobering Consequences 7inch and if you can afford it 200 bucks gets you the complete Truant discography (those are records that have been out of print for 20 years and have come out of Uncle Roy's personal stash). The trailer and further details on the rewards can be viewed here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/435757221/antenna-documentary


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Recoil

Yeah it's been a busy week, but I thought I would post this band Recoil. They will be playing at the Antenna reunion this weekend so be sure to catch them and all the other bands that will be playing because most of them will be playing for the first and last time. Anyway a little history on Recoil: Recoil along with Raid came out of the Memphis Straight Edge scene and they released 2 demos--Salvation in 1991 and Second Season in 1992. The band played the Antenna club a lot between 1990 and 1993. There were also a few line-up changes. The original line up consisted of Graham Burks drums, David Bell bass, David Lawless guitar, John Horrell guitar, and Jesse Robertson on vocals. By the time Second Season was recorded the Memphis Straight edge scene started shifting into a more militant hard line scene, eventually dissolving (along with the hardline scene) as members of the band and the scene walked away from those beliefs. The second and final line up of Recoil consisted of: Graham and David, along with Blair Pearce guitar, Ben Brents guitar, and Alex Westphal vocals. At the Antenna reunion last year, the original line up reformed and have also added another member JB Horrell who played with the band in the early days before playing guitar. JB went on to play with the Noise Choir. I will be posting the second demo in the future. Enjoy this one in the mean time.

Recoil--Salvation

Substance

If you are going to pay homage to Little Rock punk you would have to include this band....Substance was actually from North Little Rock (Sherwood to be exact) the reason I mention this is because I actually grew up in NLR. I came across these guys through drummer Colin Brooks' brother Justin. He played this demo that I have posted tonight and it was a life changing experience. I had not had my radar set to the punk rock for very long and didn't even know that it even existed in Arkansas. The fact that there were local bands putting on their own shows, booking tours and releasing records (especially at 15-18) was amazing to me. I hung out with Justin a lot through skateboarding, went to many shows together. As I mentioned before Substance was actually my first punk rock show. I bought this demo from Colin for about 3 bucks and have had it ever since. This band formed out of the ashes of the Numbskulz and Step By Step. I used to watch these guys practice sometimes and play shows (all the guys had a lot of energy especially Shoban and Colin) and it was always amazing. The memories of walking in to the Brooks house and hearing Colin practicing is still fresh in my mind. Substance released a second demo which had this demo plus some new songs on it. I'm not sure why they put the first demo on with the new songs rather than releasing a second demo, I'm guessing it was a money thing. But this is the original demo with the train tracks on the cover.  After the first two demos Substance recorded some other stuff some of which hasn't been released (although there is a song on the towncraft movie soundtrack that was released). The band recorded a song for the 1992 towncraft compilation and a CD before breaking up in 1994. Members would later go on to be in The Big Cats, Red 40, and Daniel Zanes (Del Fuegos fame) and Friends. I have managed to clean up some of the noise (hiss and slight buzzing) from the tape, but keep in mind this was ripped from a tape that is 20 years old.

Substance--1990 Demo

Distemper

I have waited for a long time to post this, but it has been well worth the wait. I will admit that Distemper had not been on my radar but I really wish had been before, but thanks to Roy it has been made possible. This band has also has Mike Schiffer from Metro Waste. Distemper came together in 1985 but actually recorded and played shows in 1986. Mike McCarthy (Guitar/Vocals) has written up a really  comprehensive bio on the band that you should also check out. There is also a picture gallery.  I believe they will also be playing the upcoming Antenna reunion so be sure to check that out. In the meantime here is the demo.

More on Distemper:

http://www.guerrillamonster.com/music/distemper/2-Distory/distory-read-more.html
http://www.guerrillamonster.com/music/distemper/index.html


Distemper--Destory Memphis

Trusty--Name To Depend On

Yeah it's been awhile since I have updated the blog. I thought I would kick off the update with a little treat from one of Little Rock's greatest--Trusty. A little history for those who may not know....Trusty formed in late 1988 the original line consisted of: James Brady, Bobby Matthews, Paul Bowling and Bircho. Trusty was/is the band that everyone looked too, their sound was melodic but still hard and fast. Trusty managed to stick around Little Rock before moving to D.C. The band released a full length on Truant Records out of Memphis (that will be posted in the future) and 2 more 7 inches on Desoto records, then on Dischord. The band experience different line-up changes and eventually broke up in 1998.  Members went on to other bands, but Trusty eventually reformed with the new line-up and play a few shows once a year. The band has also released some new material on Max Recordings. I didn't get to see Trusty until a year after they left Little Rock for D.C. but they always managed to come back and when they did it was always a great thing. This 7 inch came out on Soma records in 1989, I actually found this gem at Shangri-La in Memphis. I cleaned up the audio a little bit and raised some of the levels.

Trusty--A Name To Depend On

Raid

Raid was Memphis' straight-edge/hardline band. Formed from the ashes of One Way  these guys were at the forefront of the hard line vegan life style. The band recorded a demo in 1989 that came out on Hardline records (Vegan Reich's label). The music as well as their beliefs were uncompromising and they were never afraid to show it. The band like the rest of that scene dissolved after moving away from the hardline stance. The recording of this record was originally released as Above The Law on Hardline Records in 1994. Victory re-released the record as Hands Off The Animals in 1995. Please feel free to share stories or corrections (if there are any).

Raid--Hands Off The Animals

Metro Waste

The godfathers of Memphis hardcore/punk, originally known as No Name,  Metro Waste had a lot of great songs about serial killers, neo-hippies and acid trips at FRED'S.  This band was around in the mid 80s and faded away around the early 90s (I believe). Metro Waste had a lot of different line-ups and a lot of unreleased recorded material (which I will post more of in the future). Hedgecreep usually cover's "Raw Sewage" anytime they play and I had heard that Angerhead  sung the song. The band will also be in the upcoming documentary about the famous Antenna Club as well so be on the look out for that. This demo has 4 songs on it...not real clear on the line-up, but this does have Angerhead singing. This was recorded (according to Uncle Roy) around 86 or 87. For those of you who have never heard Metro Waste you are in for a treat. For those of you who have I know you will enjoy reliving those times.

1. Skullcrusher
2. Gacy's Theme
3. Psycho Squad
4. Time Traveller

 Metro Waste

Class Of 84

Formed in 1994 Class Of 84 released one 7 inch (that I know of). Always a great band live a lot of energy and volume. I saw them a few times at 808 State St, The Riverfront Belvedere and the Rice St House--Little Rock's first punk rock house (sadly no longer there). Members of this band would go on to play in The Body and The Divine Hook Up (to name a few).








Class Of 84--7 inch

Chino Horde--LP

I saw Chino Horde play quite a bit and they were always great live. If you were lucky enough to see them then you know how good they were. The 7inches and full length they released still holds up with time. Members of this band would go on to play in Thumbnail, Green Day, Monsula and The Big Cats to just name a few. There will be more old stuff posted from the file 13 label so look out for that.






Chino Horde--LP

Sobering Consequences--1st 7inch

I want to start this post off by thanking Uncle Roy for sending me the first 7 inch. Sobering Consequences will be playing the second Antenna Reunion show. So you should all go check that out. A bit of information about this first 7 inch that Roy has shared with me: 500 copies were pressed, 479 with the blue cover and 21 with the gold/yellow cover.  This was done to sell the 21 copies for the band to get the money to print the 500 covers. Also another note about the first 7 inch. The actual release of the 7 inch when it was mastered was accidentally sped up. When Roy had noticed the error no one else seemed to have cared too much about the mistake and it was left alone. The version you are about to hear is at the correct speed, and it is slightly lower in pitch but still awesome.  

This 7 inch was recorded at a studio called "The Attic" which was on Madison Ave in Memphis a couple blocks from the Antenna in Dec 1987.


Vocals - Uncle Roy
Bass - Brad Long
Guitar - Chris Backey
Guitar - Aaron Broughton
Drums - Danny Timko

Song order:
1. Judgement Day
2. Lost In Time
3. The Song
4. Lai Lai

Band formed January 1986, played 1st show Mar 23 1986 at VFW Hall in Memphis with Distemper (their 1st show as well), Backlash, Isolation, 

Brad Long would later go on to play Bass in Trusty. Enjoy!

 Sobering Consequences--1st 7inch

Koma Toast

I didn't get to hear this band until years later but I had heard about them when I was younger. This band also had members of Cop Out and Pezz as well as some other Memphis locals which will be posted in the future.

Koma Toast--Demo

Unemployed

I don't know a great deal about this band, however the Unemployed has Melanie Kelly (?) on vocals who would later go on to be in Car Crash. This demo is really good pretty much the same vocal style (kind of reminiscent of The Gits or Desdirata). If anyone from Memphis has any more info on this band please share it.


Unemployed--Demo

Fishwagon

My first punk rock show was in 91 or 92 It was at the River Front Amphitheater. For those who have either never been through Little Rock or didn't live here back in the 80s or 90s--there was really nothing going on downtown. Under the blue tent at River Front Park I saw this band play with a band from Chicago called 8 bark. Other locals such as Substance, Second Thought (who would be one of Little Rock's only sXe band-- Entrance). That was a life changing show. For years I didn't have this demo until a good friend of mine made it for me. Fishwagon had certain members of Hatful Day and (I believe future Chalk members).

 Fishwagon--Demo

Cop Out

It's Friday and I thought it would be fitting to put the Cop Out 7 inch on here. More well known Memphis band that has had many line ups, has spawned bands such as: His Hero Is Gone, Deathreat, Tragedy, Talk Is Poison, Severed Head Of State to name a few. Not much else I can say about this band that hasn't already been said so I will let the record speak for itself.


Cop Out--7 inch

Sobering Consequences--Like It Or Lump It

 Can't really talk about Memphis punk/hardcore with out talking about Sobering Consequences. This is actually the second 7inch (I believe from these guys) a pretty well known band from Memphis. These guys were around in the mid-late 80s and in the early 90s. Great 7 inch I found this 7inch in Last Chance records years ago. When I listen to this 7inch it makes me wish I had a time machine. Oh yeah if any one in Memphis happens to have a copy of the first 7inch or has it on their computer leave a comment and I will post the first 7inch as well.

Sobering Consequences--Like It Or Lump It

5-0

Another great band that I saw a lot. This band (in my opinion) kind of sounds like the darker side of Jawbreaker mixed with a bit of Fuel (I have heard this described that way)...but you should be the judge of that. This band also had certain members of Chino Horde and would also spawn bands like the Big Cats and The Reds.

5-0--Fall Through

Hatful Day

One of the first few bands of the File 13 catalog. I got this 7inch at a show in the early 90s, the band was broken up for a couple of years when I got this 7inch. This band would spawn the likes of Fishwagon, Chalk, Chino Horde just to name a few. So enjoy this one.

Hatful Day 7inch

Car Crash-7 inch

I got this 7inch at Memphis Comics and Records. That store is no longer there sadly but I used to live near that store and would find all kinds of records like this. Anyway, I didn't know much about this band when I got this 7inch. When I moved to Memphis a few years later I found out the singer of this band was in a band called the Unemployed (that will be another post soon to come). Vocals kind of remind me of the Gits at times. This is a 7inch I still play to this day.

Car Crash 7 inch

Taintskins

I saw these guys play with Trusty in 92 at Vino's. It was a great show and for a long time I tried finding this 7inch record and finally did. Some of the members of this band would play in Adios Gringo.

Taintskins 7 inch

Horla

I couldn't find any better way to start out a first blog, than the Horla demo tape. Horla was around in the early-mid nineties and they manage to record just this demo tape. I do not have any further information about this band. The drummer would go on to play in  bands like The Uninvited and Issen.There is a pretty strong Rudimentary Peni influence here. Nonetheless this demo is great and I'm pretty sure most of those who lived in Memphis remembers this band. Sadly Horla was already broken up by the time I had moved to Memphis, but I was lucky enough to get a free cassette demo of this.




Horla-Demo