New Post at the Usundthem site

Just posted new reviews at the usundthem site:
http://usundthem.blogspot.com

Fanzine update stuff

Alright, I've changed the name of Taste Maker fanzine to Us & Them, or Us Und Them. All depending... So, for a while, this site will stay up to inform the few followers of what's up, and direct them all over to the new site, which is here:
http://usundthem.blogspot.com/

I just posted three photos of NASA Space Universe. Working on getting some reviews up there in the next week or so as well.

IRRITONES White Wires video

I was beginning to wonder about the Irritones lately. When could we expect something new from them? Then recently, this landed in my email. Hell yeah!!! 

BLOOD BUDDIES at 5676 York Blvd

The other night, after the Street Eaters set, a local band called Blood Buddies played. At first I thought people were saying the Blood Brothers were playing. My immediate reaction was, Yuck, who still wants to listen to screamo shit in this day and age? Fortunately, it was Blood Buddies and not Blood Brothers. As Blood Buddies are a far better band, or actually duo. Featuring members of Swallowing Swords, and Touch Me Satan, their sound is definitely hard rock that goes over into punk territory. I thought they were pretty good, and they have a three song demo I'm listening to quite a bit these days. For more information go here.
And now, here's some photos...

STREET EATERS at 5676 York Blvd

The name Street Eaters had worked its way into my mind a while back. No idea how it got there. Then sometime later I heard a song from them on a Maximum Rocknroll podcast and became hooked. So, when I found out they were playing here in town, I jumped at the chance to see them. And it was better than I had expected. Tuneful punk/post punk type stuff delivered by two people who fill the room with their sound. Not to mention they have a great stage presence. They have a new LP out on Bakery Outlet called "Rusty Eyes and Hydrocarbons" that I recommend picking up.
 Here's but a few photos from the show...

ROUGH KIDS at The Spot!!!!

As promised yesterday, here's photos of the Rough Kids at the Spot. I hear they're playing with the Night Birds later this summer. For now, you can get more information here.

TRENCH ROT at The Spot 1.20.12

Finally was able to get out to a great show this past Friday. After catching NASA Space Universe at Pehrspace a week before I had to see them again. However, due to bad directions from Google Maps, I ended up missing them by a couple minutes by the time I found the secret location of The Spot.
However, all was not lost. Trench Rot, Stressors (Bay Area), and Rough Kids were also on the bill. Which made for a great night.
Below are three shots of Trench Rot. I'll post the Rough Kids as soon as possible.

Trench Rot have a EP out now, and I was told are recording for an LP now. Check them out here. 

Reviews: NEIGHBORHOOD BRATS, SOKEA PISTE, NEO CONS, EXECUTIONER, etc

Catching up on the reviews. I still have a few more to go. Doing this while working on the second issue, and few other ongoing projects, so time is being juggled. 

In a couple days, or so, I'll post a something or other about a giveaway with ordering copies of the first issue of Tastemaker. 

EXECUTIONER - s/t EP

Every time I listen to this, and it's on a frequent basis, I wonder why this took nearly 30 years to come out on vinyl. Recorded in 1982, this San Jose outfit definitely had the chops to make an impact. Seriously. If you like bands like Social Unrest, early Corrosion Of Conformity, and Christ On Parade, then you will want this. A little bit of metal mixed into their hardcore punk sound to give them more character. The music ranges from fast to mid tempo, but never a blinding tuneless rage. The kind of songs that stay with you after the record is over. "Hellbound" is a burner that switches from fast to near slow, holding on to your attention until the record glides across the matrix. Then there's "Flatlands", which is a mid tempo deal that lurks and winds, followed by the closer "Marked To Die", that gets thrashy, and has all the traits of classic hardcore. I highly recommend getting this record. A definite keeper. (Patac, patacrecords.com) 

NEIGHBORHOOD BRATS - We Own The Night 7" single

As much as I think their five song deal from a while back was pretty good, this single is better. There's more of a drive in these two songs (the flip being a faithful cover of VKTMS  controversial "100% White Girl"). The way the guitar kicks off with a snarled surf riff in "We Own The Night", and how the drums build tension as the bass fills everything in and brings it all down low to the ground with a crawling and winding pace. A lot of tension throughout to keep you on edge, while the beat is catchy and pulls you in for the ride before kicking your ass out at the very last second. Their cover of the VKTMS, as mentioned at the top,  is pretty faithful to the original, although I believe these folks put a little more fire into the song. I know, I know, it's sacrilege to say a new band does something better than an old band, but these things have been known to happen. Here's physical proof. (Abscess, abscesstrax.com)

NEO CONS - Hardcore Elite 7" single

Hmmmm.... I want more than two songs from these guys!! Yes, I know this is a single. I'm just saying these guys are one of those bands where two songs are not enough. The title track takes aim at old dudes who hang around punk too long and complain instead of doing anything of note. And here I thought it was about smarmy little shits and their elitist cliques. The flip is a Jezus and the Gospelfuckers cover of "Kill The Police", which is pretty damn good. Love the drums on this one. So, can we expect more in the near future? (Abscess, abscesstrax.com)

RAINBOW PERSON - Trade. Labour. Vocation EP

Not a band to easily pigeonhole. Are they hardcore? Noise? Experimental? Who fucking knows? But this is pretty good no matter how you opt to chop and dissect it. If you like 80s hardcore when things started to slow down, and also like bands like Brainbombs, Flipper, and No Trend, then you would very likely find this record to your liking. One moment the music is heading fast and loose down the track, then they slow it down to a pace akin to late summer afternoons in blistering heat - near lethargic, yet there's a real intention and desire to move forward. Very all over the place, which creates a live feel. Chaotic, and subdued here and there.  I find the second side most interesting. It's a slow and methodic burner. Guitars shimmer like a mirage in the distance, vocals are half mumbled, while the bass keeps moving ever forward.  (Margin Mouth, 5676 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042, marginmouth.com)

ROUGH KIDS - Into The 00s 7"

These guys remind me a lot of Red Dons, only less polished. Which I like! The songs are tuneful, and instantly memorable. There's a nervous, yet cool, energy in the delivery. I really like the song "So Sophisticated". It's hyper, and possesses a few layers. There's the jumpy beat, then the guitars add a few things that counter it, giving you more to grab on. Not to mention the vocal delivery, and how they cut up some of the words. Then it's over in a blink. The title track is pretty good as well, and one I can imagine people singing along to at live shows. I have to hunt down more stuff from these guys. I have the split they did with the Irritones, but the material on here is much better. (marginmouth.com)

SOKEA PISTE - Oire EP

Whoa!!! This is f'n great!! Members of Manifesto Jukebox and Kyklooppien Sukupuutto make up this band, and if you're familiar with either band, then the expectations may run high.  The music has an incredible drive to it. A little bit post punk, with some goth touches. Sort of like Appendix (who the vocalist sounds a lot like). They create tension with plodding parts that switch to a noisy somewhat quicker pace. "Imbesillie Jättiläinen" has a dark air about it The bass lumbers over everything, while the guitar bleeds and slashes, and the vocals sound agonized and distracted. But, my favorite song of the three is definitely Älä Ajattele Kuolemaa", which follows the opene, "Kollektiiveninen Paniikki", which is a great songs as well. But "Älä..." is a great follow up, that switches to a slightly down mood, where the bass comes more forward, creating a feeling of despair that is undeniable. (Peterwalkee, peterwalkeerecords.com)

Issue #2 progress

Cranking away at issue #2. Hoping to have it out around the first of February. Interviews are with Cülo, UX Vileheads, Nomos, Big Crux, and Matt Plezier. Then there's a massive photo tour diary of the first Oath European tour from the year 2000. I know, over eleven years ago. But hey, good things sometimes take time. Consider it a look back at a gone by era in hardcore punk. Then there's the columns. Stay tuned...