Capitalist Casualties/Lack of Interest Split

50th post, exciting! Well, sort of. Up next is a white knuckled split EP from two powerviolence favorites, Capitalist Casualties and Lack of Interest. Seven songs worth of roaring music, continuing in the fashion which we've come to love and know from these two. This is released by Six Weeks Records, included with the latest issue of Short, Fast and Loud, which is an absolute must have. I picked this up at their show in Philly, which came with reversed labels, limited to 100. Some sort of limited tour press to excite collectors like myself.

Blasting off at jet fueled speeds, Capitalist Casualties begin their portion of the split with painfully fast drumming, raging guitars, and Shawn's ever so familiar vocals. The first track, "Tontine" is probably my favorite, sounding almost as if they haven't missed a beat from their last recordings. "Copper Green" is almost uncomfortably slow at points, which seems to drone on a bit with repetitious riffs. The final song, "Indelible Marks" teases you, pretending to be another lumbering track, but furiously explodes into another 90 second hardcore burst. There's plenty of politically motivated lyrics, but what else would we expect from these hardcore lifers?

Lack of Interest play an abrasive, jerking form of music, topped off with incredibly gruff vocals which resemble a pitbull's bark. Each song is around 30 seconds long, wasting no time whatsoever as each one abruptly cuts out just as swiftly as it began, threatening to give you whiplash before their side is finished. Songs about war, society and other semi-"run of the mill" topics are covered in their lyrics, but that's really nothing new. "Immoral" is my choice pick, with an especially viscous breakdown riff during the last 10 seconds.

As if you needed another reason to pick this up, the 23rd issue of Short, Fast and Loud is worth the $7 alone. Interviews, reviews, top ten lists, columns, pictures, and nearly anything else you can think of is included. Obviously this isn't as memorable or powerful as Subdivisions in Ruin but it's better than most efforts from older bands who release albums after 20 years or so in existence. Seriously, BUY THIS.

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Buy from Six Weeks Records
Buy from Tank Crimes
Capitalist Casualties MySpace
Lack of Interest MySpace

Capitalist Casualties/Verbal Abuse @ Kung Fu Necktie 5/21

So when I first heard about this tour I nearly fell out of my chair. Yes, really. This band brings me back to high school, when I really started delving deep into punk, crust, and all sorts of heavier music. I remember blasting Disassemble Line at obnoxious volumes, while struggling to decode the vocals and somehow manage to keep up while reading the lyrics. Absolutely essential, classic aggressive west coast music. One of the older powerviolence bands that even the most pretentious fans of the genre won't argue over.

Kung Fu Necktie is a pretty decent spot, small and tight, but enough room to hang out, along with a full bar. Lots of dudes with dreads and patched up clothes, swilling Pabst, Schlitz, or some other cheapo motor oil type beer. The lovely aroma of old beer mixing with dude sweat really opens the nostrils. You get the picture. The sound system is quality too, so my ears were effectively shred before the night's end by the thundering, relentless sound of the Capitalist Casualties.
 
I was slightly apprehensive about the show, especially since reunion tours with bands comprised of 40-year-old members can sometimes be inconsistent. The west coast four piece silenced the naysayers with a blistering set, packed with classics and 30 second ragers. Before each song, the bass player would inaudibly say the song title, immediately followed by deafening powerviolence fury. Easily an absolutely stellar performance by a band I never had the privilege of experiencing when I was younger.

Ah, Verbal Abuse. San Francisco hardcore punk from the 80's which has somehow managed to reform and continually play shows over the past few years. These guys definitely looked like they'd seen better days, but the sound they created was still fairly impressive. Although not without some mistakes and hiccups, they put together a nice set, but definitely not as tight as CC.

Philadelphia has attracted some pretty amazing shows this spring and summer seasons, and this was certainly no exception. I left weary, buzzed, and elated after seeing an iconic group I never expected to experience, and even more satisfied by their well honed manic, grinding sound. I also snagged their new split 7" which came with the newest issue of Short, Fast, and Loud; a highly worthwhile read. Check it. Maybe a rip coming soon?

Capitalist Casualties
Verbal Abuse
Kung Fu Necktie