Great 82 style hardcore from this New York band. There are a lot of modern influences on this band’s demo including Cold Sweat, The Snobs, and other, hey, early 00 bands. I would like to hear more.

Our Side
Demo

Really raw, late eighties, influenced hardcore in the vein of Release, Youth Of Today, and Four Walls Falling. With a better recording, I sense this band could be pretty good. I want to hear more.

Pigsticker
Demo

I really like this demo. Pigsticker reminds me a cross between Circle Jerks and Necros with sloppy, raw, production values that sounds pretty authentic to the early eighties aesthetic. I’d really like to hear more from this band.

Critical Point
Demo

Wow, this band really wants to sound like the “88 in 96″ era Crucial Response bands. I am reminded here of Mainstrike and especially Eyeball. Heavy, straight forward, Straight Edge hardcore. This is pretty good.

The Icemen
The Iceman 7″

The fucking Icemen! One of the best of the second tier, second wave of NYHC bands has been active online in recent years. Double Cross interviewed a member, and their one, and one time Underdog, vocalist Carl has been around as well. These early demos see their sound beginning to come into place. I think their eps are the best document of the sound they were trying for, but this is a good start. Perhaps a nice discography could put together all of the pieces. The Icemen have a ton of songs that were only played live.

Gasmask Terror
Like Daggers 7″
Flower of Carnage Records

Burly Discharge style hardcore from this French band. It’s really that simple; this is just really good. A candidate for record of the year. They also have a new CD discography of their previous work out, but this is a great introduction to the band.

Iron Age
Saga Demos 7″
Cyclopean Records

I’m glad Iron Age are done, because at this point they have totally lost me. This is soulless heavy metal with lots of cheesy melodic parts. A formerly excellent band that has really fallen off on their last few releases.

Low Profile Threat
Product #2 LP
Deep Six Records

After years of scattered rumors and two compilation tracks that barely reach 45 seconds in length between them, Low Profile Threat have put together an LP that is pretty disappointing. The pedigree is extremely strong here with members of Infest, No Comment, and Lack of Interest. The music isn’t super far off from these bands, but while Infest and No Comment thrived in the briefness of their discography, Low Profile Threat’s songs tend to drag on for too long. The 15-30 second early compilation songs were so strong because they got straight to the point. While most of the songs on this album are good, they tend to go on for a chorus or two too many. It’s not that it is bad, it’s that I would rather put on Hacked To Chunks or Judge Me instead.

Stick Together
No More Games 7″
Back To Back Records

Not surprisingly since they have some ripoff shirts of these bands, but the next generation of Wilkes-Barre Straight Edge bands sees Stick Together heavily influenced by late eighties bands like Release, Four Walls Falling, and Turning Point. This band said some questionable shit on stage when I saw them, but this record is pretty good. I am looking forward to hearing more. Members of this band are in some big pop punk band too. Whatever.

Double Negative
Raw Energy 7″
Sorry State Records

Three more excellent songs of early Corrosion of Conformity meets early Corrosion of Conformity filtered through some noisy, almost “indie,” filters. I’ve always been surprised they dsidn’ty take off with the post hardcores and Serious Adults. Great stuff.

Negative Approach
7″ Reissue
Touch & Go Records

Best record ever.

Hoax
Self Titled 7″
Deranged Records

This heavily hyped band reminds me a bit of a mix between Impact Unit and maybe Die Kreuzen. Cold Sweat might be the most modern comparison, but not quite as unhinged as that band. This is good, but not as incredible as others say. Worth checking out, but I’m still bummed they don’t sound like Beyond.

No Tolerance
No Remorse, No Tolerance 7″
Youngblood Records

The best Straight Edge release in years by far. Combine the best of Confront, SSD, and Brotherhood for some monstrous hardcore with hard mosh parts. This genre is absolutely horrible these days, filled with either corny “hawd” bands or cheeseball positive bands. No Tolerance is pissed off and play great hardcore. Members of this band are also in Mind Eraser, The Rival Mob, Waste Management, and others.

Bastard
Controlled In The Frame 7″ Reissue
540 Records

In time for their reunion show last year comes this reissue of the first Bastard ep. I first heard Bastard when Devoid of Faith covered a song on this record circa 1999ish. Conveniently, there was a CD bootleg of their releases (including the massively mandatory Wind of Pain LP). I like Wind of Pain more, but this ep is great. For newcomers, think, seriously this time, Age of Quarrel era Cro-Mags. Seriously. Raging, slightly metallic, hardcore with thick, loud, production.

Void
Sessions 1981-1983 LP
Dischord Records

There have been some pretty stupid reviews of this online, so let me be brief. Void is one of the most unhinged, ugly, hardcore bands ever. This CD collections their demo recordings (which I greatly prefer to the split recording) from the Condensed Flesh demo, the Flex Your Head compilation, and other misc recordings. There is also a few live tracks. This is an essential reissue. I can’t believe I even have to say this or justify it. 2012 sucks. I hope their first demo and the unreleased LP eventually get proper reissues as well.

Omegas
Psycho Dives On Slam Skank Anthems Tape
Powered Records

This Canadian band reminds me of early Die Kreuzen or Necros with some NYHC mosh parts. I was really late to hearing this one, but it is great.

Technocracy
Diary of a Terrorist 12″
Guerrilla Records

Raging hardcore from Japan in the “early COC meets early COC” vein. Only two songs here, but they are long ones with lots of different parts that remain interesting despite their length. Definitly making the top records of the year list.

Give
I Am Love 7″
Triple B Records

Seriously ILL hardcore from DC in the vein of Swiz. I really like this, but it is kind of a bummer how they are doing so many seven inches instead of just one full length. That’s a lot of $5 records that could be a $12 LP.

Outlaw Order
Dragging Down The Enforcer LP
Seasons of Mist Records

Members of the mighty Eyehategod doing a side project…that sounds exactly like Eyehategod. This is really good and holds up next to EHG’s work.

Omegas
Blasts of Lunacy LP
Parts Unknown Records

If Die Kreuzen were from New York City, they would sound like this Canadian band. Ugly, brooding, NYHC that reminds me of Krakdown at some points, but also with darker hinges of Die Kreuzen and Bl’ast! as well. Easily one of the best records of the year.

Give
Boots of Faith 7″
Deranged Records

On this seven inch, Give are reaching some middle point between Rites of Spring and Swiz. Both songs are melodic like the Revolution Summer era bands, but heavy and fast like later eighties bands like Swiz and Ignition. Great stuff.

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Beyond-Seasons (New Breed)
Black Flag-I’ve Heard It Before (The Future Looks Bright)
Ignition-Rebuilding (Sinker)

Iron Age-Dispossessed (The Sleeping Eye)
Oi Polloi-Hands Off Nicaragua (Resist The Atomic Menace)
Waste Management-No Way Out (Waste Tape Demo)

War Cry-Hellish Slaughter (Not So Distant Future)
Trauma-No Hope No More (Demo)
Mind Eraser-Spear (The Prodigal Son Brings Death)

Devoid of Faith-Purpose: Lost (Purpose: Lost)
No Escape-Silenced (Rebuilding)
Anti Cimex-Desperate Hours (Victims of a Bomb Raid)

Attitude Adjustment-Destruction’s Eve (Pusmort Sampler)
5051-El Salvador (Our Blow Out)
World Burns To Death-Blood & Dishonor (Split With Disclose)

Dancing French Liberals of ’48-In A Past Life (Scream Clown Scream)

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1. 1.6 Band, Self Titled LP, USA, 1992
2. Acme, Self Titled 7″, Belgium, 1994
3. All Chrome, Flounders Flyers College & Canada LP, USA, 1999
4. Arms Reach, Self Titled 7″, Australia, 1998
5. Assuck, State To State 7″, USA, 1993
6. Aus-Rotten, Fuck Nazi Sympathy, USA, 1994
7. Bastard, Wind Of Pain LP, Japan, 1990
8. Bikini Kill, The Anti-Pleasure Dissertation 7″, USA, 1995
9. Born Against, Industrial Relations Department 7″, USA, 1990
10. Breakdown, Blacklisted LP, USA, 1997
11. Burn, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1990
12. By The Grace Of God, For The Love Of Indie Rock 7″, USA, 1996
13. Charles Bronson, Youth Attack LP, USA, 1997
14. Citizens Arrest, A Light In The Darkness 7″, USA, 1990
15. Chopping Block, Grizzly Fetish 7″, USA, 1991
16. Cop Out, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1993
17. Crossed Out, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1991
18. Crown Of Thornz, Train Yard Blues 12″, USA, 1995
19. Dead Nation, Face The Nation 7″, USA, 1998
20. Deadguy, Work Ethic 7″, USA, 1994
21. Death Side, Bet On The Possibility LP, Japan, 1991
22. Devoid Of Faith, Purpose: Lost 10″, USA, 1999
23. Disclose-Tragedy LP, Japan, 1994
24. Down But Not Out, Demo, USA, 1998
25. DropDead, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1992
26. Electric Wizard, Come My Fanatics LP, England, 1996
27. Endpoint, In A Time Of Hate LP, USA, 1990
28. Eyeball, More Days To Come LP, Germany, 1998
29. Eyehategod, In The Name Of Suffering LP, USA, 1992
30. Face Value, Coming Of Age 7″, USA, 1990
31. Fastbreak, Where It Lies 7″, USA, 1997
32. Fit For Abuse, Mindless Violence 7″, USA, 1995
33. Floor, Dove LP, USA, 1994
34. Floorpunch, Goal Line Stand Demo, USA, 1995
35. Four One One, This Isn’t Me LP, USA, 1991
36. Fu Manchu, The Action Is Go LP, USA, 1997
37. Full Speed Ahead, Demo, USA, 1998
38. Gauze, Kao O Aratte Denaoshite Koi LP, Japan, 1997
39. Get High, Demo, USA, 1996
40. Gordon Solie Mother Fuckers, Chairshot Politics 7″, USA, 1998
41. H-100′s, Distort Cleveland 7″, USA, 1995
42. Hatchetface, Volume Two LP, USA, 1995
43. Haywire, Private Hell LP, USA, 1990
44. Heroin, Paper Bag 7″, USA, 1992
45. His Hero Is Gone, Fifteen Counts Of Arson LP, USA, 1997
46. Huggy Bear, Don’t Die 7″, England, 1993
47. Human Remains, Using Sickness As A Hero CD, USA, 1996
48. The Icemen, Rest In Peace 7″, USA, 1991
49. In My Eyes, Demo, USA, 1997
50. Infest, Mankind 7″, USA, 1991
51. Inmates, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1995
52. Integrity, Humanity Is The Devil 10″, USA, 1996
53. Into Another, Ignaurus LP, USA, 1994
54. Jello Biafra With DOA, Last Screams Of The Missing Neighbors LP, USA/Canada, 1990
55. Judge, The Storm 7″, USA, 1991
56. Kiss It Goodbye, She Loves Me…She Loves Me Not LP, USA, 1997
57. Laughing Hyenas, Crawl 7″, USA, 1992
58. Leeway, Desperate Measures LP, USA, 1991
59. Los Crudos/Spitboy, Split LP, USA, 1994
60. Madball, Dropping Many Suckers 7″, USA, 1992
61. Mainstrike, Times Still Here 7″, Netherlands, 1995
62. Man Is The Bastard, Sum Of The Men 12″, USA, 1992
63. Man Lifting Banner, Ten Inches That Shock The World LP, Netherlands, 1992
64. Mouthpiece, What Was Said LP, USA, 1994
65. Mukilteo Fairies, Closet Check 7″, USA, 1993
66. Neanderthal, Fighting Music 7″, USA, 1990
67. Neurosis, The Word As Law LP, USA, 1990
68. No Comment, Downsided 7″, USA, 1992
69. No Escape, Demo, USA, 1990
70. Out Cold, Self Titled LP, USA, 1994
71. Paintbox, Screaming Shouting Crying LP, Japan, 1999
72. Poison Idea, Feel The Darkness LP, USA, 1990
73. Puncture Wound, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1999
74. Quicksand, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1990
75. Ringworm, Demo, USA, 1991
76. Ripping Corpse, Dreaming With The Dead LP, USA, 1991
77. Rollins Band, The End Of Silence LP, USA, 1992
78. Rorschach, Protestant LP, USA, 1992
79. Rupture, Righteous Fuck 7″, Australia, 1991
80. S.D.S., Scum System Kill 7″, Japan, 1996
81. S.O.D., Speak Swedish Or Die 7″, Sweden, 1990
82. Saint Vitus, Die Healing LP, USA, 1995
83. Septic Death, Theme From Ozobozo LP, USA, 1992
84. Skewbald/Grand Union, Self Titled 7″, USA, 1991
85. Sleater Kinney, Dig Me Out LP, USA, 1997
86. Sleep, Sleep’s Holy Mountain LP, USA, 1993
87. Spazz/Black Army Jacket, Split 7″, USA, 1997
88. Speak 714, The Scum Also Rises 7″, USA, 1999
89. Sportswear, It Runs Deep 7″, Norway, 1998
90. Supertouch, The Earth Is Flat LP, USA, 1990
91. Talk Is Poison, Straight To Hell 7″, USA, 1998
92. Team Dresch, Personal Best LP, USA, 1995
93. True Blue, Demo, Germany, 1998
94. Turning Point, It’s Always Darkest Before The Dawn LP, USA, 1991
95. Verbal Assault, On 12″, USA, 1990
96. Voorhees, Spilling Blood Without Reason LP, England, 1994
97. Warhead, Cry Of Truth LP, Japan, 1991
98. Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh! – The Record, Compilation 7″, International, 1991
99. Forever, Compilation 7″, USA, 1991
100. Rebuilding, Compilation 7″, USA, 1991

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This is a new band for members of Champion and Trial that does not deviate too far from those bands. Energetic, slightly metallic, hardcore with way too much chugga chug and scratchy New Age Records, circa 1994, style vocals. The stop and go parts remind me of, of all bands, Sparkmarker. If you like Trial or Champion you will like this probably. I will pass on this one. This is the kind of stuff I thought bands like Devoid Of Faith and Floorpunch pushed to the side when they came along.

The promo sheet that comes with this is hilarious: among the ridiculous statements made on it include a note about selling one thousand demos “in a market that usually supports 1/10^th of that.” How are they doing in the males 18-49 demograph? Do soccer moms 35-50 enjoy it? I love the proclamation that Wait In Vain are “a return of hardcore that feels dangerous and potentially lethal to the status quo.” Yeah, sure it is. I can just hear the status quo trembling in fear. Maybe you will poll better with the “tween” market.

My favorite though is the comparisons to Burn and the Cro-Mags. Uh, no, not even close. 10/10 bands that are said to sound like either of those bands don’t.

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Playlist
Discharge-State Violence State Control
Limp Wrist-What’s Gone Wrong
Calvary-Order No. 270
Calvary-Time To Die

The Dayglo Abortions-Proud To Be A Canadian
The FU’s-Trendy Nazi Hypocrites
Vision-Suspect Device
Born Against-Resist Control
Direct Control-Bucktown Hardcore
Tragedy-Life

I Object-Intro/Like A Billboard
Skitsystem-Vald
Raining Bricks-Brains On Vacation
Black SS-Terror Of The Northeast
The Geeks-Still I Stay The Same

Dead Kennedys-Cesspool In Eden
Jello Biafra & The Melvins-Those Dumb Punk Kids Will Buy Anything
Big Boys-TV
Knockdown-Get Away
Fastbreak-Don’t Stop Trying

Bound-Die Like Them
Don’t No-Underground
Spazz-Rat Pack
Devoid Of Faith-Science Is Their Religion
Reagan Youth-Reagan Youth

Cop Out-Cursed Birth
Black SS-I Want Out
Inmates-Pipe Bomb
Frank Castle Gonna Break Your Neck!-Destroy The Hippie Culture
Googol Plex-No Medicine Can Cure Folly

The Stains-Quit The Human Race
Inferno-Ronald Reagan
None Of The Above-Propaganda Control

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Whenever a new issue of Hardware Fanzine came out, I would save up my money and order all the records Dave & Brett said were good.  This turned me on to a lot of cool bands when I was 14-16: Devoid Of Faith, Mainstrike, Heroin, and Rorschach are just a few of them. Voorhees was another one.  I remember the review made me want to hear this record immediately.  Once I got a hold of it I was pretty floored.  Voorhees played million miles an hour hardcore in the vein of Infest and Citizens Arrest with great production and NYHC heaviness.  I remember being really pissed I missed them during their tour in the summer of 1995 w/ 25 Ta Life and Hatebreed (No, really).  I did see them in 1999, and again in 2001 right before they broke up.

Voorhees have a lot of records. Most are excellent.  Check out their discography for more info.  The Smiling At Death CD collects most of their essential stuff.

Here is an mp3 of Pissed.

These songs are posted for sample purposes.  I post them so that people can be turned on to cool music and hopefully return the favor for someone else.  Each mp3 will be up for one week and then will be taken down. please support the bands and labels by buying these records and checking them out when they play your town.  DIY hardcore punk bands deserve your support as an alternative to Clear Channel/MTV/RIAA nonsense. 

If you are the artist or copyright holder for this song and would like it removed please email me and it will be removed in a timely manner.

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I remember Victory sending out a newsletter sometime in 1996, probably the summer, about their new releases.  The usual garbage like Snapcase and Earth Crisis had new releases, the One Life Crew controversy was covered, and there was an announcement about a new band called By The Grace Of God.  This band was supposed to have members of Endpoint and apparently had recently played their first show, playing three songs and a Judge cover.  At the time of course crap like Snapcase was huge, real hardcore bands like Devoid Of Faith and Floorpunch were starting to gain momentum, so hearing dudes from Endpoint were doing a band that covered Judge was a good thing.

I got the 7” shortly after.  I was pretty floored by it.  It sounded, by the time period’s standards, pretty “modern” but was still hardcore and a definite return to the older Endpoint style.  Throw in a cover of fucking Plastic Bomb on the CD and I knew this band was good.

I saw them live twice.  One at Manville Elks Lodge with the scab version of Deadguy & C.R.. The other time was of course at the infamous show in Yardley PA.  I actually missed the whole thing!  Our friends in the band Rad opened the show but then Saves The Day was playing so I walked down to the Wawa at the end of the street.  By the time I had come back everything had happened.  Whoops.

By The Grace Of God would go on to record another record for Victory and then one more record on a smaller label.  Members of this band have gone on to be in Black Cross, Good Riddance, and Elliot.

Here is an mp3 of Fissures.

These songs are posted for sample purposes.  I post them so that people can be turned on to cool music and hopefully return the favor for someone else.  Each mp3 will be up for one week and then will be taken down. please support the bands and labels by buying these records and checking them out when they play your town.  DIY hardcore punk bands deserve your support as an alternative to Clear Channel/MTV/RIAA nonsense. 

If you are the artist or copyright holder for this song and would like it removed please email me and it will be removed in a timely manner.

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Playlist
Leeway-Unexpected
Bad Brains-The Regulator

Get Real-Welcome To My World
Cockney Rejects-Fighting In The Streets
Black Flag-Account For What?
Void-War Hero

Agnostic Front-Hiding Inside
Beyond-Instrumental
Fu Manchu-Laserbl’ast!
Burn-Godhead

Husker Du-Makes No Sense At All
Flipper-Sex Bomb
Sheer Terror-Ashes, Ashes
Crossed Out-Practiced Hatred

Lion Of Judah-Trapped
Devoid Of Faith-Tear It Up
Bikini Kill-Strawberry Julius
The Clitboys-Gay’s OK

Fu Manchu-Nothing Done

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I remember I was dreading a family vacation my senior year of high school. A week with my extended family when all I wanted to do was be left alone and not have to be ridiculed for not eating meat and being “out of step” in general. Conveniently, a brown envelope showed up the day before we left with the new Hardware (#9) in it! I spent most of the vacation on the couch reading and rereading #9 repeatedly. Thanks guys for saving me for a hellish vacation. Thanks also for the inspiration to use Rusty Pipes for a class assignment about student life for a class junior year.

This interview also began two friendships that I hold very dear to my heart. Dave and Brett are two of my favorite people in general, but especially out of the hardcore scene. This interview is also going to be included in the Hardware Fanzine retrospective CD that will be out soon.

This interview is with David Koenig. If I remember correctly I was also going to do something with Brett, but I did not really know him that well yet so I never got to it.

1. Ok so how did Hardware start out?

Ok Hardware started in February of 1993 as an idea while sitting bored at Jon Hiltz’s at some boring show. Brett (my fellow editor) was bothering me to do another zine ever since I ended In Memory Of… a couple years before. It was a split second decision that fateful night, I said, “Let’s do it,” and made the announcement to a couple people. In the second week of June, at Rorschach’s last NY show we had the first issue ready, sixteen pages of offset paper stapled together the night before. While it had no band interviews, it pretty much was the framework for future issues that you might see today. The reason for doing Hardware was A. There really was not many good zines coming out at the time and B. Practically all the zines coming out were terrible. Luckily as bad as the first two issues were, people caught on to what we were doing. Oh and to people who do not already know,HARDWARE is the title to our favorite Septic Death song.

2. How did you meet Brett?

I meet Brett in the summer of 1988 at Cbgb’s while selling off some of my records. My memory does not serve me too well of all the details but I am sure he could tell you. Eventually we just started talking and became friends. Out of all the people from the Cbgb’s days, he is the only one I am still in contact with on a regular basis. At the time, he was the biggest Supertouch fan.

3. Supertouch is a favorite of mine too, any good stories about them?

As a band, not really, because I was not too much of a fan; I was friends with Marc Ryan though. I met him at Some Records in 1986 after I saw some girl selling her collection of MRR’s on Astor Place in NYC. A lot of people used to sell stuff on the street back then. He saw that I had the mags and we went back to check out what else there was. It ended up he got a pile of early Thrashers. Haven’t seen him in years though, keeping hearing his band is back together.

4. Yeah Supertouch is back. They were supposed to put out a new EP but I do not know what happened. What was Some Records like?

Man Some Records was probably one of the coolest record stores of all time. The guy that ran it, Duane, was much older than the rest of us but he always seemed like one of the gang. Some Records was originally just a booth at the flea market next to Tower Records. Then Duane’s girlfriend opened her store 99x and let him use the space adjoining to sell records. (Actually going back a little more 99x used to be 99x Music over by Bleeker Bob’s but she split, taking the clothing business with her.) It was also a hangout at any given time you could go there and there would be band members, scenesters, etc…Practically every NYHC record that came out between 1986 and 1988 was available there first. I used to be there every weekend getting first crack at every demo and record that came out. I remember when Lou and Pete (SOIA) came in with the first box of demos and I bought the first copy they sold. Honestly, a fucking book could have been written about this place, I cannot give this answer any justice. It was also the only store I know that you could go up and just graffiti the walls. Unbelievable. I was eventually known as “Duane’s brother” because we looked alike. Like I said, I have too many vivid memories of Some Records.

5. What were your favorite bands back then? How old were you when you got into hardcore?

I first started listening to HC in 1982 via a friend who introduced me to bands like The Dead Kennedy’s and DOA. It was that summer that I first heard WFMU (Pat Duncan’s radio show) and WKNJ and all that music that they were playing at the time. Before this, I was never serious about music, and then I was getting into new wave and punk. My first show was also my first “live” music experience, Black Flag at The Ritz December 13th 1984. I did not go to my first local show until a year later, which was at a local rec center. At the time I got into all the NJHC bands, Bedlam, AOD, Sand in the Face, Malignant Tumor etc…I started going to CBGB’s in January of 1986, blah, blah… you can read all about that in HW #9. So I liked HC/Punk since I was 14, but did not get serious about it until a couple of years later. By the time most people were getting out of hardcore I was just getting into it age wise. A late bloomer I guess…

6. What was CBGB’s like back then?

Hey, I thought this was about Hardware! (Just kidding…) Well, CBGB’s was just a small shit hole of a club that everybody went to, all the great bands played at and just happened to be “the place”. There are too many stories for me to go into here. I was there like every weekend from 86 to 89 though. Every time I go back or see the place, I get a serious déjà vu. Can’t say that I miss it though. Next question please.

7. Ok how do you go about getting interviews for Hardware?

That is pretty easy for us. If we want to interview a band, we just go and contact them. Certain bands we know exactly what to ask and others we just wing it. Lately, others have been doing the interviews, so it is a change of pace. I will tell you the toughest interview to get was Pushead. Took us the better part of a year for us and like three other people from around the country to convince him. That’s the interview I’m the proudest of. Another favorite interview of mine was Sick of it All, because I was sort of becoming friends with Lou again and it was a damn funny interview. Brett asked some
great questions! My advice to people doing zines- if you want to do an interview with a band just ask them. In most cases, they don’t bite. Also, ask good questions! Even goofy ones, bands get tired of the same old questions day in and day out. That’s why most interviews suck.

8. How do you put together Hardware?

I know many people think that Hardware must be this majorly organized production. In reality, it’s done so haphazardly. I really can’t give you a definitive answer here because the way we do things changes with each issue. As you may already know, the majority of Hardware is done “cut and paste.” People are always asking how we get the backgrounds so “black,” simple black paper. I go to Pearl Art Supply every once in a while and pick up a ream of black paper and go to town. If we had real money to spend I’d like to put the paste ups on cardboard. Photos are always a major problem. Brett and I are always looking for people to help us scan them cheaply. This is why every time you look at an issue of Hardware the pictures either look good or like crap. That’s basically it.

9. What Happened With Pyre?

Well, Pyre was going to be my “Horror Sci-Fi” magazine separate from Hardware. Brett had nothing to do with it. The main reason I didn’t do it was because after investigation I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t get it distributed through the major “small press” channels. None of them (Fine Print etc) would carry Hardware and for them to take a proposed magazine they would want me to have a high cover price. Since they take 55% of the cover when distributing any magazine, $1.50 wouldn’t be worth their trouble. I didn’t want to charge a lot for the thing, so… Also, you know how hard it is getting people to contribute to a hardcore zine, multiply that by 100 for a Horror Sci-Fi one. People are lame in general, so I felt with all the factors it just wasn’t worth going through with it. I lost a lot of money on that venture and nothing came of it. Well, I shouldn’t say “nothing” because I did make some good friends because of it. Just to let people know, I like Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, Comic Books, etc… and I am just as critical of it as I am with music.

10. What are your favorite Sci-Fi Fantasy writers and Anime movies?

Hmm… I’m not that big on fiction. I tend to read a lot of non-fiction stuff, but Robert Bloch is great. I love Harlan Ellison as a personality because he is so outspoken. I have never read his stuff though. I love anime and my all time favorite is Project A-KO. I can watch it over and over. Though most people will call me a pervert, I really enjoy those graphic sex animes too…

11. Project A-KO is my favorite too! Which is your favorite?

Well, Project A-KO is the first movie…I have that on laser disc. I have every other sequel on tape.

12. What is the future for Hardware?

Not much really. The next issue #10 will be the last one. Brett and I have to move on in life. It should have (so far) interviews with Circle Storm and Rain on the Parade. There will be plenty to read in this one, I just can’t honestly say what. For those who are upset about our zine ending, well that’s your cue to get something started. Make an effort and show your hardware.

13. What bands do you listen to these days?

Hardcore wise, I just really listen to all my friends bands which I feel are doing something productive. They are (in no order):97a, Rain on the Parade, Floorpunch, Devoid of Faith, etc… I really only listen to older stuff and of course all of the other music genres I am into such as film soundtracks, fifties and sixties popular vocals (1560 AM is my favorite radio station), new wave, and some other bands.

14. How long have you know Ronnie Little?

Not really all that long, a couple of year’s maybe. We met through my doing the zine. I think he has a lot of good things to say and I really love his band. One thing I am sad about ending Hardware is that Ronnie can’t be a part of our thing anymore.

15. What do you think are the best interviews you did?

Absolutely the Pushead interview. That was a big deal to both Brett and I. We worked really hard to get that interview too, so the payoff was extremely worthwhile. Other favorites are Sick of it All (#7 Brett asked some great questions), Spitboy (#4 Brett got into a shouting match with Todd and Karin), and Brett likes the Ressurection one from #4. I think we really did get a good cross section of bands and don’t think we deserved the “only straight edge bands” tag. I really liked most of the interviews that appeared in our magazine.

16. Any you really didn’t like?

Well looking back I really wish we didn’t interview bands like Heroin and Antioch Arrow because both bands turned out to be such slackers. I really think the emo punk scene is the worst. These people need to get a fucking life.

17. Where do you see hardcore going?

Into the fucking shitter! It’s not all bad because there is still many good bands around, especially from our area so I really can’t complain. I don’t go to many shows anymore so I try to just catch my favorite bands. Hardcore/Punk has broken off into too many splinter genres and it’s too tedious to try and catch what all these bands are doing. I’d say 90% of all the so-called hardcore bands out there aren’t. Different strokes for different folks but my opinions right about hardcore. Those who don’t like it can go screw.

18. Closing comments?

Just that thanks to everybody who has supported Hardware during it’s existence. Many people place it in zine history with zines like Boiling Point, No Answers, XXX, and that’s pretty good company to be in. To everyone knock off the posing, acting cool, starting fights, dressing hip; just be yourself. Oh and do not EVER talk to the mainstream media. The outside world is never going to “get it.”

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