Gute Laune, Ungerecht Verteilt

I love hardcore and punk. Those are my two favorite genres and the vast majority of records I won can be classified as one or the other. Or both, depending on your definition. However, if we played the “Which record would you pick to listen to if you were stranded on a deserted island?“-game, I‘d probably pick the first album by German indie band Kettcar. I love the band‘s entire catalogue, but the first LP is still my favorite. A couple of months ago my wife told me that Kettcar were going to release a new record and go on tour to promote the album. One of the tour stops was only half an hour from where we live and since our son is now at an age where he loves spending a night or two at his grandma‘s, we bought tickets right away. Dinner and a concert will forever be our favorite kind of date night. 

Gute Laune, Ungerecht Verteilt (Good Mood, Spread Unjustly) was released online before the actual tour, but I didn‘t want to listen to the new songs before I got the vinyl. The concert itself was a lot of fun. They played a bunch of new songs, which went over pretty well because apparently I was the only one in the audience who hadn‘t listened to the new songs before, and all their greatest hits. 

The album is good, but I have to say it‘s not their best material and so far I haven‘t heard a real hit. I‘ve had this experience with other records by this band, so I‘m not too fussed. Even if the record doesn‘t click, I always have their back catalogue. I really like the artwork though. 

Limited Tour Edition on Yellow and Green on Grand Hotel Van Cleef

Echo Chamber

Arguably the hottest hardcore band from Germany on the arguably hottest label from Germany right now. Echo Chamber from Cologne, which is also where Down But Not Out Records is based, have received a lot of hype from the get go, and deservedly so. As a band from Europe, it's still very hard to make it to the US, and Echo Chamber have managed to play shows/festivals in the US as well as have a US based label release their music. All of the members have played in a myriad of bands before and listing the Echo Chamber family tree would take a loooooong time. 

The demo, which was released in 2022, was already received very, very well and my guess is that the band members spent the pandemic listening to a ton of NYHC and that was the impetus for the band itself. Or maybe it had been a long time plan to have a band in the band of Breakdown, The Icemen or early SOIA. Who knows. 

What I do know is that many people were looking forward to seeing the band release new music, me being one of said people. And what can I say, the band doesn't disappoint. The six songs on their s.t. 7" hit hard. If you have the opportunity, catch them live. Their shows are always wild and fun. 

1st Press on Sea Blue on Down But Not Out /???

Times Of Strife

It‘s funny how hardcore comes and goes in waves. Right now, the German hardcore scene is in a much better state than it used to be in a long time. There have always been a ton of German hardcore bands, but in pre-pandemic times, not that many bands managed to really pull me in. However, in the last two or three years that has definitely changed. One of those bands is Force Of Denial from Hanover. Look at the cover, look at the names, look at the pictures and you know exactly what you‘re going to get. If you like 90s influenced straight edge hardcore (with a modern twist), look no further. I was too slow for the colored version on matching yellow vinyl, but the black works for me as well. 

FOD had released a demo and promo before, both on tape. The classic hardcore move. Times Of Strife is their first vinyl release, and they damn made sure it is a great one. FOD are also so much fun to see live. Plenty of mosh, plenty of singalongs, plenty of everything a good hardcore show needs. If you have never listened to FOD yet, make sure you change that. 

1st Press on Black on Down But Not Out Records

How It Feels To Be Something On

Not too long after ordering Diary I felt the need to dive deeper into the Sunny Day Real Estate catalogue. I didn’t find any decently priced original pressings of How It Feels To Be Something On, so I settled for a repress. This is another really good record, but it’s not on par with Diary. The lyric sheet that comes with this record is amazing. Look at the huge foldout. 

20XX Repress on Black on Sub Pop Records

 

Sweet Caroline II

I got another record from the same seller I bought the CCME on Caroline Records. This copy is part of the 2nd press on Caroline Records, although it comes without the "Remix" sticker. But the matrix reads "Mix #2". Apparently the sound on the first mix wasn't that great. Maybe that should have been a hint for Porcell not to record at Chung King studios again with Judge later on, but then again record collectors worldwide would have one white whale less to chase, so it was probably a good move nonetheless. 

Since I don't have a first press copy on Caroline, I can't really speak to the poor quality of that press and can't compare it with this one either. At least for now. 

I'm really glad Revelation decided to return to this cover artwork after using different artwork for many years. However, the blue version on We Bite is still the best looking one. 

2nd Press on Black on Caroline Records (Matrix says "Mix #2")

Sweet Caroline I

Here’s adding to my officially non-existent, yet steadily growing Youth Of Today collection. This time I managed to find a first press of Can’t Close My Eyes on Caroline Records as you can see by the white labels used for this record. The pressing history of Youth Of Today releases is so interesting from a nerd’s perspective. So many different record labels, colors, designs of covers and labels as well as remixes of the songs. It’s this dream / nightmare scenario for collectors all at once. 

1st Press on Black (White Labels) on Caroline Records

This Is All We Ever Get

A couple of weeks ago I posted about the first Spaced LP. I‘d been reminded of Spaced‘s first LP because they had a new record up for pre-order, which I had been unaware of. The first LP was a real banger and I was really looking forward to the new LP. I wasn’t the only one apparently who liked the first LP, because Spaced landed on Revelation Records. Now, this may not carry as much weight as it used to, but it is a pretty big deal nonetheless. This Is All We Ever Get hasn‘t grabbed me the way Spaced Jams had to be honest. It‘s a good record, but so far I haven‘t found a hit yet. Maybe it‘ll grow on me. 

1st Press on Green on Revelation /1064

 

Some Boots

One more puzzle piece down of the Karate discography. Some Boots is yet another stage of the band’s evolution and makes sense in the context of their whole catalogue. I sort of regret not getting the colored version for this record, but with records being as pricey as they are right now, I opted for the cheaper version. I really like the cover of this record. Very simple, very minimalistic, very good. 

2023 Repress on Black on Numero Group Records