Posts Tagged ‘hardcore’

Punk Outlaw Records Signs Leading Punk Band From Serbia

// April 11th, 2012 // No Comments » // Photos

PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS SIGNS LEADING PUNK BAND FROM SERBIA 

- UPS! (Stand Against the System) Releases first CD “Evolution of the Transition” -

 Los Angeles, CA April, 11th, 2012 – Punk Outlaw® Records announced the signing of their first band outside of the Americas with UPS! Hailing from Petrovac na Mlavi, Serbia (the former Republic of Yugoslavia), UPS! is a Serbian abbreviation for “Ustani Protiv Sistema!” which translated means “Stand Against the System!”

No stranger to the atrocities of war during the last century, Petrovac na Mlavi can now boasts having the distinction of spawning the first Serbian punk band ever signed to a U.S. record label. UPS! began performing in 2006 when the band, impoverished but believing in their vision,  persevered and began by borrowing instruments to play covers and eventually originals. When they couldn’t find rehearsal space they practiced in a nearby sheep meadow creating a quiet a spectacle for the local sheep herders.

Their vision and hard work paid off. In 2009 UPS! won the qualification rounds of the GBOB Serbia Contest (a country wide battle of the bands). They then participated at the national finals in Belgrade, where they earned the distinction of being the only punk band to reach the finals. They later toured all over Eastern Europe and even Switzerland with other famous regional rock bands.

After five year of struggle and hard work, UPS! has released their debut album “Evolution Of the Transition”, an aggressive, edgy release that features 10 originals railing against corruption and mistrust of authority in a way that can only be described as both angry and authentic.

“We’re excited to have UPS! be our first band from the punk music hotbed of Eastern Europe” states Robert Rose, Founder of Punk Outlaw Records. “These guys have important things to say and our intention is to help them say it” Rose continued.

UPS! influences include Pennywise, Rancid, Bad Religion, NoFX and Bouncing Souls, as well as local bands Atheist Rap, D?a ili Bu, Goblini, etc. Their trademark sound is speed combined with melody and powerful vocals.

“Evolution of the Transition” is currently available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Music, CD Baby and other digital music sites. Samples of the music can be heard and official bio and photos can be viewed at www.upsband.com and www.punkoutlawrecords.com site. Current members of the band include Jovan Kostic (Mandow) – Vocal & Bass, Darko Stojanovic (Dare) – Drums, and Luka Glasnovic (Luka) – Rhythm Guitar.

ABOUT PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS:

Punk Outlaw Records is a digital record label and publishing company with a focus on distribution and promotion of socially conscious punk, ska, reggae, rockabilly, psychobilly and other forms of music from around the world. The label’s mission is to facilitate music’s ability to bring social awareness and change to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

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Agnostic Front & Mad Ball Interview

// November 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // Videos

Freddy (Madball) & Roger (Agnostic Front)

Good to see my old show “LatiNation” keeping punk on their radar screen. You’re smart, so you already know this, but most people don’t. Latin people do more than just listen to salsa, marengue and hip-hop.. yes, even in New York City.

Enjoy!

Peruvian Hardcore Battle…

// September 14th, 2011 // No Comments » // Photos, Videos

The Lima Punk Gang.. After the Showcase

While in Lima, Peru Punk Outlaw cameras were treated to a showcase by some from the Lima punk scene.

Kondenados

This time around featured a couple of punk/hardcore bands including “Kondenados” and the hardcore band “Epidemia” (Epidemic) which is fronted by a petite muchacha named Monica with powerful vocals.

Epidemia

The evening ended with a performance by Jesus from the famous punk band “Morbo”.

Jesus from "Morbo"

Take a listen and let me know what you think.

 

Hardcore Heavyweights Cro-Mags in NYC

// July 2nd, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Videos

NYC.. why did I leave? The questions I’ve been asking myself this week as I ran from one hectic appointment to the next in incredibly beautiful weather.  I can’t believe this was the place that just 9 months ago I was bitching about and so ready to get the hell out of.

But that’s what happens.

You take leave, you go away seeking something, not sure what and return a different person. And while the greedy douchebags and wall street fat cats are sadly still here living it up and spreading their particularly stealth brand of global death and destruction as much as ever, the average New Yorker seemed like some pretty cool people this time around.

This town really is full of good folks of all stripes, colors, ethnicity and whatever. It will always by home no matter where in the world I am.

Of course, and I know this better than anyone, it’s all about the energy you’re giving out.

The NYC Punk scene is not what it used to be, I think anyone will agree there. But there still is a vibrant scene and it’s still made up of good people doing their part to keep the scene alive.

Cro-Mags @ Bowery Ballroom - NYC

From street punk bands like The Casualties who’ve been holding it down for 20 years, to people like my buddy Mike at NYC Punk who keep out of touch dumb asses like me abreast of the latest local punks shows, thankfully, there will always be a punk scene in NYC.

It was Mike, who dutifully let me know about the legendary thrash and hardcore legends Cro-Mags playing at the Bowery Ballroom last night.

I had exchanged phone calls with John Joseph, the long running and current lead singer (check a couple of the Cro-Mags “Official” sites HERE and HERE and I’ll let YOU see if you can figure out their rather complicated  history) sometime last summer about being interviewed for Punktology.

At his request, I sent him an email with the information and never heard from him again. Not a problem. I don’t take that stuff personal. I’m sure, like me,  he’s a busy guy and I still hope to interview members (current or former) of the band someday.

But in the meantime, I was happy to be able to catch one of their shows on my much too brief trip back in to NYC and to be able to share just a small sample with you below.

The venue was packed and it was a tattoo convention of NYC born and bred punks. You could tell the band was beloved by the hometown crowd and John Joseph’s patter with the crowd was on cue. He got a message across (it’s the food not the pharmaceuticals that can save us) along with some humor “you need to watch some soul train clips before you come back up here with that stuff” to one rhythmically challenged stage diver (maybe the guy in the video?).

NYHC is a genre unto itself, with bands like Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law, Madball and of course the Cro-Mags doing the heavy lifting to get it where it is today, which is, I assure you from my travels abroad, very international and still growing.

It’s not my particular cup of tea all the time, but I had a good time last night mixing it up with my punk and hard core brothers and sisters without a douchebag in sight.

Enjoy this clip of the Cro-Mags playing a song called “Street Justice”.

Next stop my other U.S. punk stomping ground, Los Angeles!

 

 

Suicidal Tendancies and Cro-Mags Concert Pics

// November 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Photos

So I’m moving from NYC to the Los Angeles, but not before spending a few months in Latin America traveling and covering the punk scene for Punktology and working on a few other projects and in general, living out of a backpack.

It might not surprise you to hear that moving sucks! Hell, you’ve probably had experience doing it, and if so you know that it means your life consist of boxes, appointments with the Salvation Army pick up dudes, getting quotes from moving companies, trying to predict everything you’ll need for the next 3 months, meeting with your banker to change your address (by far the worst part, meeting with bankers), etc.

It also means you don’t have time to do the things you normally would do, like hit the “Suicidal Tendencies” and Cro-Mags concert at Terminal 5 in NYC last Sunday night.

I’ve always wanted to check out ST and get a feel for these west coast hardcore/thrash pioneers’ vibe live.  I’ve also spoken to Hare Krishna devotee and Cro-Mags lead singer John Joseph about being interviewed for Punktology (hey John, still waiting on that call back!) and while I don’t dig the general layout of Terminal 5, the venue does have a decent sound system and several vantage points to take in a show, and most importantly it’s located in NYC, so I can just walk my ass on over from the East side to the West side and walah! I’m in the thick of hardcore heaven.

But as I said, I’m in moving hell, so instead of taking in the show I had to settle for a little play by play and photos from my good buddy Mike from NYC Punk, who is a big Cro-Mags fan from way back. Mike took these photos and forwarded them to me so I thought I’d post them for you. Thanks Mike.

Looks like the perfect blend of East Coast mixed with West Coast hardcore/thrash/metal. Wish I had been there.

Music Video from Medellin’s “Alkoholemia”

// September 8th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Videos

If you like hardcore punk you might just like this band from Medellin. Check out this new music video from my friends down in Medellin, Colombia, “Alkoholemia”

Crazy Punk Dancing With Latin Hardcore Band Renkore

// August 27th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Photos, Videos

Here is some video of Colombian hardcore band Renkore at last weekend’s punk show in Medellin. Check out the dancing I referred to in my last post that seems to incorporate some martial art moves, maybe even capoeira? Is there a name for this anyone?

Sorry for the delay on these videos, I have lots more including some from the Puerto Rican hardcore bands and will try to get them up a bit more consistently now that I’m somewhat getting caught up from being away.

Next stop for Punk Outlaw?! The exotic land of Tennessee!

Video of Fertil Miseria @ Rock Al Parque

// July 7th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Videos

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA: July 7th, 2010

Fertil Miseria

I promised you video from our coverage of Rock Al Parque in Bogota, and here goes our first clip. This clip features the very popular punk/hardcore band from Medellin, “Fertil Miseria” performing on July 4th at the big 3 day festival.

Fertil Miseria was just my 2nd interview when filming the documentary “Punktology” on location at their store, “Rock and Roll Tienda” (Rock and Roll Store) which, as the name suggests, sells punk and rock inspired clothing and merchandise.

Viky from Fertil Miseria

At that interview, there was very little English spoken (my friend Jorge from Colombian punk provided some rough translation), and my Spanish was even worse then than it is now, so I didn’t really know what to think of this wild group of friendly and outgoing characters, much less the full content of their interview.

Hardcore/Punk with a violin

Since that interview I’ve witnessed Viky (vocals) jump on stage to play with their friends, the legendary Medellin punk band I.R.A., when I.R.A.  opened for The Casualties last December and the Medellin crowd went absolutely wild. The love was palpable.

The Rock Al Parque performance was my first time witnessing the entire band playing a gig live and it was cool to watch the festival fans respond. Viky worked the crowd well and while I’m not sure what she said exactly (yes, my Spanish still pretty much sucks), I do know they went wild whenever she frequently shouted “Puta” (Whore)!

Fertil Miseria Press Conference

I won’t be able to upload the High Def video until I get back to NYC, so this flipcam video will have to do until I can edit something nice, but I hope you enjoy nonetheless.

Some Sick Music From Medellin with Infeccion Sikosis

// April 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Videos

Waiting for the Los Suziox rehearsal in Medellin, I was able sit in on the last song from Medellin Punk Metal band “Infeccion Sikosis”, and was able to tape this wicked song.  It was actually cold outside and the rehearsal studio was crazy hot, so the camera kept fogging up, so the video in the beginning is a little foggy and since I was standing in the middle of them, it took a minute to figure out where the singing was coming from.

But the solos are pretty amazing. I’m not a big metal fan but I do like these guys’ sound and it’s good to hear the variety of music that is alive and well on the punk and rock scenes in other countries.

If you get  a chance, check out their page on MYSPACE to sample more of their music and check the video of their rehearsal below. Enjoy!

Casualties Kicking It in NYC!

// November 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Videos

Casualties Kicking ass in NYC at 11/19/09…

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