Show Pics - Phobia, Weekend Nachos, Wasteoid*, Hominoid

*Wasteoid was shot in 120mm color film click HERE to see

Wasteoid - 120mm Color - 11/29/09 @ Ghosthouse

Show Pics - Touche Amore, Former Thieves, Theese Needles, Cerulean City - 11/28/09 @ Ghost House

Photozine update: Cover layout

It's been snowing like crazy out here in Nebraska, and I have been working hard trying to create a cover for the photozine. Through some trial and error, and a few headaches, I've decided to simplify the cover layout and adopt a design as seen on the legendary hardcore compilation album This Is Boston Not L.A.. The layout I have so far is rough, but I felt that you the reader needed to see my progression so far.

Tomorrow I plan to work on the back cover and I should have it done fairly easily. There will be more updates as they happen. Until then be sure to vote on what local hardcore band makes the cover the zine HERE.

That's it for now. Comments welcome.

-Keith

Crucial Changes announcement... photozine!

Sometime early this year I decided that if I stuck with the blog and kept up with taking show photos I would make a zine of some sort at the end of the year. Throughout the year, I had the idea still on my mind and I decided that I wanted to make a photozine highlighting the local bands as well as all the interviews from the blog plus maybe a surprise here and there. I am happy to announce that there WILL indeed be a Crucial Changes photozine printed early 2010. The CCHQ has recently acquired a high output duplex laser printer during my time away from the internet last week allowing me to do the printing in-house. So far I have started the initial stages in creating the zine layout and plan to have most of it done by years end. Expect to see more updates on the project as they happen.

CCHQ needs your help in deciding the local Nebraska hardcore band makes the cover of the zine. I have set up a poll on the Nebraska DIY message board for everyone to vote. To vote, click HERE.

That is it for now. There is still a month left of the year to get in some great shows, as well as the regular CC content. Peace.

-Keith

Give Thanks

In 1984, Articles of Faith would go into the studio to record their seminal debut lp Give Thanks on Reflex Records. With Bob Mould from Husker Du at the helm of production duties, Articles Of Faith would expand on their Midwest meets DC sound to create one of the most unique hardcore lp's of the early 80's. Articles Of Faith formed in 1981 in Chicago releasing the excellent What We Want Is Free 7" in '82, followed by the Wait 7" the following year. The band would really up the ante by releasing a complex lp with songwriting that sounds years beyond what other hardcore bands were creating during the time. Give Thanks opens with the self titled track that is just straight up mind blowing. The dense dual leads throughout the record really create a unique listening experience without sacrificing the bands hardcore roots. Vocalist Vic Bondi's lyrics divulges cynically often articulated with anger an emotion without being preachy. As mentioned before, Bob Mould would twist the knobs on this record and he does a great job in capturing such bold song writing efforts with a great production. I can't recommend this album enough. Seminal Chicago hardcore. Articles would release another lp the following year before disbanding in 1985.

Download Give Thanks HERE


AoF Give Thanks promo video.

Show Review - Outbreak, Soul Control, Opus Noir, Nightwatch - 11/15/09 @ Knickerbockers

I intended this show to be like any other that I have attended and shoot the bands. Instead I learned a hard lesson... check your gear before you leave for the show. By the time I got to the venue the first local band Nightwatch was in mid-set. I quickly tried to get my camera set up to shoot but I couldn't get it to power up. By the time I changed out 3 different sets of batteries I came to find out that taking any show photos was out of the question. By the time I was putting all my gear back into my pack Nightwatch was finishing up their set. Nightwatch are form Omaha, Nebraska and they play a slightly down tuned, harder edged style of hardcore. I think they are pretty good at the style especially for being a young band. But guys... a Reign Supreme cover? I hope with time these guys can find a more original style, but at least they play pretty tight live and they sounded pretty good on Knickerbockers sound stage. I spent the rest of the show up front at the stage and watched the second band play, also from Omaha. Opus Noir play a heavy modern d-beat inspired brand of hardcore and featured their new singer Austin. This was probably the 3rd time I've seen these guys and they get tighter every show. Opus Noir is a band that greatly benefits from playing on a loud sound stage, and they played a near flawless set. Although there wasn't much movement from the crowd, everyone seemed to enjoy their performance. Soul Control from Providence, RI played next and they were the main reason why I wanted to go to the show. After seeing Soul Control at Ghost House just a month before, I was really excited to see them again but playing on the big stage of Knickerbockers. These guys don't disappoint. The band played through what I felt was a fairly short set rocking their heavy groove, post-hardcore styled brand of hardcore played tightly while their vocalist was giving a high energy performance. I really wish I had a working camera for them, but it was fun to watch from up front for a change and hang out with some friends while the bands played. Outbreak played last, and were obviously the crowd favorite for the evening. They played some new songs off the new lp, but when the well known early songs were played, a lot of crowd participation would break out with bursts of sing a longs and plenty of side to side mosh. Outbreak always seems to have a revolving door of members, but the current lineup sure does have an energetic stage presence. Lots of moving about and jumping around throughout that would have made awesome photos. The whole night seemed to go by really fast, and before I knew it the show was over. Overall, it was a pretty good show. All the bands played really well, the turnout wasn't bad and a lot of new faces were in the crowd. Plus, everyone seemed to have a good time. It was pretty fun for me to hang out up front as well. This show happened during the time I spent away from the internet, so it felt really rewarding to just hang out in a fun person to person kind of way. I also learned a valuable lesson: always check your gear before hand. Lesson learned.