Lead Spirit

A couple of weeks ago a very good friend sent me a link to a Bandcamp page. I had actually seen the cover of the 7" he sent me the link to before on the website of a bistro I frequently buy from. Live picture plus band name always trigger my interest. It's not groundbreaking artwork, but 9/10 you know what to expect. I also really liked the purple lettering. I decided to listen to the 7" on Bandcamp, which is something I didn't use to do but with prices skyrocketing I have grown to be more cautious with what I buy.  I was hooked right away. Yeah, it is the umpteenth version of Youth Crew with a modern twist, but as long as it's done well - which it absolutely is here - I am onboard. Like I said, I dig the cover and I really like the insert as well. The only point of criticism is the color scheme of the labels. The maroon doesn't really work with the cover in my opinion. But hey, that's just me knit-picking. 

Of course I would have loved to get my hands on a colored copy, but with prices for a 7" already being in the double digits, I have to compromise and make do with whatever version I can get my hands on. 

 

1st Press on Black on From Within /200

Just Shut Up And Take My Money

So here we are again. Yet another Bane record. Give Blood is widely regarded as Bane‘s best LP and while it is an incredible record, it‘s not my favourite of theirs. But it‘s a very close second.  

This particular record on solid white vinyl, not to be confused with the opaque cream version I bought a couple of months ago. Overall I think the label did a much better job with the color choices for the repress of Give Blood compared to the It All Comes Down To This LP. The white, and for that matter also the opaque cream variant, look really good with the artwork. Just keep it simple and I‘m a happy record collector. 

2024 Repress on White on Equal vision /800

Found

Question: Can one ever have enough Walter Schreifels related records? Answer: No. Found was supposed to be the second Rival Schools album, but it never materialised that way because the label didn‘t hear a single. Well, that pretty much should tell you everything about major labels. Some of them songs were leaked or had been played live, but they weren‘t available on vinyl. That was until 2013, so only about 10 years after the songs were written. Fast forward another 12 years and I finally listened to these songs as well. 

In addition to Rival Schools original songs you also get a nice Buzzcocks cover to end the album. I really like the printed inner sleeve with the United By Fate artwork. That‘s a nice touch. 

3rd Press (2024 Repress) on Half Olive / Half Cream on Run For Cover /700

G.L.O.W.

I know that this isn‘t a huge platform, but if I can promote bands by friends, I will use that opportunity. G.L.O.W. are a new band of old(er) people from the area I live in and some of them I have known for 10+ years and also played with together in bands, so, yes, I‘m  biased very much, but who cares. 

G.L.O.W. play 80s style hardcore punk, with some wave influences. Since I‘ve known both people who are in charge of songwriting from their previous and current bands, I kinda can tell who wrote which song. 

I also went to see their second show a couple of weeks ago, which is where I picked up the demo. The show itself was a lot of fun and I really enjoy the demo. I'm really looking forward to hearing their new material. 

Clear Red Tape Self-Released by the Band /50

Your Life And Nothing Else

The first Faim LP, Hollow Hope, blew me away when I first listened to it back in 2020. All the more is the pity that I slept for almost two years on their follow up record, Your Life And Nothing Else. Great name, great art work, especially in combination with this particular vinyl color. The music is fast and ferocious, but then there are also post-hardcore influences. It‘s an interesting combination that works really well for me. This is not a record to listen every day, I have to be in the mood for music like this. But when I am, this really scratches an itch for me. 

1st Press on Solid Pink on Safe Inside /250

No Need To Hide

I‘m the kind of person who really likes surprises in real life. I also like surprises when it comes to music. However, sometimes I just want to get exactly what I expect. Take the cover of Jusitfy‘s Run and Hide 7“ for instance. It may not be groundbreaking and all that exciting, but you get exactly as advertised. Take the best parts of every wave of youth crew bands and you get the songs on this 7“. Some people might read this as a dig at the band, but I mean that as a compliment. Put on your Nikes and get moshing. 

1st Press on Black on Total Supply / Extinction Burst

A Life‘s Refrain

There‘s a million bands out there that I have no idea about, but one of the current bands that gets me really excited is Speedway from Sweden. That‘s what the folks at Revelation Records must have felt as well because it‘s still very rare that they sign European bands. I‘d been looking forward to the debut LP for a long time and the band delivers on A Life‘s Refrain. I could do without some of the leads on some songs, but that‘s me really nitpicking. This is just a great LP and so much fun to listen to. 

And from a collector‘s point of view, I’m happy to say that there are only five versions of the first press. The red or ‘ruby‘ color works really well with the artwork. Great job all around. 

1st Press on Translucent Ruby on Rev /300 (Retail Exclusive)