Something In The Water.

The title of this blog was inspired by conversations that I've had with people from Memphis and even people from other parts of the world that would describe the sounds of southern punk and hardcore. When ever I listen to a band like Copout, or His Hero Is Gone, that conversation comes up.

This blog is dedicated to all bands from Little Rock and Memphis (although all other bands from the south maybe discussed). In my humble opinion Little Rock and Memphis hardcore/punk bands have rarely been talked about or seen. If you are in one of the bands and have stories or pictures to add let me know. A lot of the music that is posted is out of print, but if you ever find it buy it. I do not make any money off of this, this is to turn people on to stuff that has never really gotten much recognition. If you are in one of the bands and have a problem with your stuff being up here let me know and I will remove it




Sunday, June 27, 2010

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

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

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



Thursday, June 17, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

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

Saturday, June 12, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

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

Sunday, June 6, 2010

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

Friday, June 4, 2010

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

Thursday, June 3, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

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