On the strength of the Texas Scene Report that came out on this site a few weeks ago we follow up with Mike Mahoney’s take on the Massachusetts Hardcore Scene. Mike is the drummer for The Enemy Within who play their fair share of shows up in the Massachusetts area so I figured what a solid choice to do this. You will notice that this piece is void of the bigger names on the scene as Mike wanted to shed some more light on the bands that you may not know yet. Entire feature by: Mike Mahoney, Graphics by: Bas Spierings.
Gator King (Southbridge, MA)
Central Mass Hardcore with healthy doses of punk and thrash metal. They started off in late 2010, and have been playing regularly ever since. Released a demo in October 2011, and a full length demo entitled “Gator King I” in April 2012. They have several releases planned for 2013, plus a lengthy East Coast tour.
http://gatorking.bandcamp.com
Tenebrae (Boston, MA)
Some bands want to be in the Kool Aid, others are the Kool Aid. How can you not be the next big thing from Boston when your band is made up of members of bands like The Unseen, For the Worse, Only Living Witness, Blood for Blood & Slapshot. Oh and for a brief time they had a drummer who played in Sick of It All, Warzone, and Straw Dogs (just to name a few). Don’t let their pedigree fool you though. They don’t rest on who or what they were; they’ve come out swinging with a healthy dose of metal/hardcore reminiscent of bands like Cro-Mags and Wrecking Crew, probably some Motorhead in their too!
The Enemy Within
(Boston, MA)
Featuring veterans of numerous Boston-based bands including Beware, Blood for Blood, and Milo’s Syndicate. The Enemy Within’s sound takes inspiration from their punk and hardcore predecessors, from Sheer Terror and Leeway to Black Flag and The Cro Mags. Reminiscent of 90s-era hardcore mixed with punk and modern influences, The Enemy Within takes pride in high-energy, interactive live performances that stay true to the cathartic, chaotic roots of the genre.
FoxFires (Worcester, MA)
Hailing from Worcester these guys don’t fuck around. Take Black Flag, American Nightmare and Integrity mix it all up and outcomes FoxFires. This is a band that can hang with the tough guys, punks and emo kids. Best thing to come out of central MA in a long time.
PanzerBastard (Boston, MA)
What you like Venom, Motorhead, and Discharge!?! Then this is the band for you. Their sound, attitude and passion are unmatched. While some bands pretend to be the most aggressive thing going, others just plug in and blow your head off. Enjoy your dome while it lasts, PB is coming for it and they don’t give a fuck.
FOR THE WORSE (Boston, MA)
Headed up by one of Boston’s most notorious skinheads (and pro wrestler) Mike McCarthy, FTW are a sight to be seen. The music, while classified as punk/hardcore, is almost secondary to the stage show McCarthy puts on. Come prepared to have an experience unlike any other.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/For-the-Worse/121187884635838
Boston Strangler (Boston, MA)
There is lots of hype around this band, and rightfully so, as these guys are reminiscent of a no-frills early 90s hardcore outfit. Songs are fast, short and deliver. Pure youthful aggression served up in healthy straight edge doses.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Boston-Strangler/347972068560749
BEFORE I HAD WINGS
These guys fancy themselves as “heavy” hardcore with “bitter jams” for a bitter world. Upon further listen, I would say their jams, while quite tasty, are more metal than hardcore. While not quite on par with bands like All Out War or Merauder (the true pioneers of metalcore), there is an undeniable nod to bands of yore that would beat you with breakdowns and then not be afraid to take things even slower. Great listen for those days when you want to stomp out your enemies.
Photo by: Marc Macleod
MISFORTUNE
It seems to me, and what do I know, that the more you get away from a major metropolitan city like Boston or NY, the more your sound becomes metal and less hardcore. Misfortune hail from Western MA and have a very metal sound with some of the most crushing breakdowns this side of the Berkshires. But don’t just think of them as metal, as their fast parts can hang with those that prefer a more classic sound.
DEALBREAKER
Dealbreaker hail from the Merrimack Valley scene, which is a healthy breeding ground for MA hardcore bands. Musically, at times, they remind me of Terror or other modern day hardcore bands that have an overall tight metal groove based sound. But, for me, it’s the vocals that really set this band apart from the typical hardcore formula. I can’t help but be taken back to the late 80s/early 90s where singers were still finding their niche. This singer is not afraid to take chances with how he flows over the music and for that I think it makes this bands sound unique. Worth looking into for sure.
ReVilers (Boston, MA)
Oi, Punk or Street RnR…all of these would fit who the ReVilers are. These guys continue the tradition of great American Oi bands from this area, a la Stars & Stripes and The Bruisers. These are songs you want to hear when you go to the pub with your boys after quitting time. I reckon you will be hearing more from them as they are fresh off a stint opening for the Dropkick Murphys.
SWINGBACK (Quincy, MA)
It’s 2013 and yes, some people are still holding onto their straight edge beliefs. From Quincy, which one would not think of as a “dry” town, comes Swingback. This youthful bunch released a demo this year which is chocked full of straight edge antidotes like “All we want is to live a clean sober life; It's the straight edge that helps us get by”. Short, fast bursts of sober living coming at you here.
Anti-Venom (Boston, MA)
When hardcore and metal first mixed together, I’m not sure if this is what they had in mind. This band is raw (feral at times) and downright angry. At times, they remind me of Negative Approach and other times they get sludgy and slow like Converge. Vocals are harsh and guitars are tuned down. If you are into the modern day spin on hardcore, this band is for you.
CHEECH (Boston, MA)
Cheech has been around close to 20 years, gulp. The year was 1996 when this band formed, but according to their site, their first release was in 2003. Either way you slice it; these guys have been at it for a long time. They have a new CD that is dropping, any day, entitled “Beast from the East”. Cheech blends HC/Metal/Thrash elements with the best of them. One can easily hear influences such as Blood For Blood, Merauder, and SOD in their music, as well as a host of other NYHC styled bands. Always a crowd favorite whatever show they happen to be on.
MIDWAY CAFE
Boston (Jamaica Plain, MA)
Once known as the club on the other side of town, The Midway Cafe is now one of the consistent venues to catch an All Ages
Punk/HC show. Weekend matinees have become a mainstay at this Jamaica Plain venue thanks to the likes of Lenny Lashley (Darkbuster/Street Dogs), Slimedog (Thrash-n-Bang), CrazyJay Genoa (Red Line
Rebels) and many more. The club, once a whole in the wall, has renovated in the last couple of years, giving the space more room for bands and patrons to interact without being right on top of
each other. However, the club is still as primitive as it gets which is its charm. There are no attitudes, no security, no contracts, or just plain BS like so many of the clubs in Cambridge
have turned into. Shows usually range from FREE to $10 and start around 3pm and end at 8pm.
Presidents Rock Club (Quincy, MA)
Quincy, besides their Presidents, was best known for such sayings as "Yah Dood" or "Fucking Khed, Guy"...But besides the stereotypical townie chatter, Quincy has always had a presence in the Boston Punk scene. Before Presidents started doing shows venues such as Club 58, The Beachcomber and DeeDees Lounge would host regular shows. Most, if not all, of the punk/hardcore shows are booked by Colin Campbell (Colin of Arabia). Recently bands such as Slapshot, Stars & Stripes, CJ Ramone, and Murphys Law have taken to the stage in Quincy. Besides music they also have a shit ton of beer and food on the menu.
Anchors Up - (Haverhill, MA)
Without a doubt, Anchors Up is the #1 underground spot in Mass. From the unique layout, to the DIY atmosphere, there is no better place to play or see a show. All shows here are All Ages and run by the kids for the kids. Bands such as Killing Time, Agnostic Front, Stigma, Slapshot, Terror and Cro-Mags all have played Anchors Up numerous times. Haverhill is about 45-60 minutes north of Boston and has numerous shows each week. It’s not only a usual spot for touring hardcore bands but they also rent out their venue to locals who want to put on their own shows. Definitely put it on your bucket list to catch a show here.
Armageddon Record Shop - Cambridge, MA (Harvard Square)
The Basics:
They have a very serious focus on vinyl, be it LP, 10", 7", etc. They also stock CD's, cassettes, videos, magazines (both current and back issues), t-shirts, and a few books.
Genres and Styles:
Genres they carry include, but are not limited to the following: Hardcore, Punk, Industrial, Noise, Metal, Indie Rock, Local, Experimental, Classic Rock*, Prog Rock*, Blues*, Jazz*, Dub*, 80's*, Soundtracks*, Comedy*, and other odds and ends. Their focus as a whole is on modern independent music, be it quiet or noisy, and vinyl of all genres. (Located in the old Taang Store)
RANDOM:
Photography:
Return to the Pit: http://www.returntothepit.com
Booking:
Robin Goodhue/Ammonia Booking: https://www.facebook.com/ammoniabooking
Record Labels:
Patac Records: http://www.patacrecords.com
Tattoos:
Empire Tattoos Boston: http://www.empiretattooinc.com/somerville-ma-empire-tattoo.html
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