sk8edge

THE FACTION - The origins of Skate Punk part 3B

2010-08-21T14:27:00.005+08:00

The Faction was a punk rock band from San Jose, California who were closely linked to the underground skateboarding culture. The band played primarily during the years 1982 to 1985, although a different lineup recorded three songs and played two shows in 1989, and then another lineup played numerous shows and recorded 4 new songs in the early 21st century. Steve Caballero, one of skateboarding's brightest stars, played bass, and then guitar, in The Faction. Steve Caballero most likely attracted many young skateboarders' interest to the band. Caballero wasn't the only skater in the band. Singer Gavin O'Brien was a heavy local at Winchester Skatepark and was more than able to hold his own in any session: vert, street, banks, whatever. Adam "Bomb" Segal's trademark high top Vans in all the bright, cool colors of the day had ollie holes on both shoes-the dude was doing switch tricks before anyone. Keith Rendon (drummer #1), Ray Stevens, II (bass) and Craig Bosch (drummer #2) were all accomplished skaters; Craig even has a trick named after him: the Bosch (an invert to blunt on a curb, ledge, etc).

Catching onto the then-noteworthy idea of touring , the band gained notereity through repeated exposure in the skateboarding world, which helped on tour, and which helped create a national fanbase. Thrasher Magazine's MoFo compiled the first Skate rock tape, which featured several Faction songs, as well as songs by JFA and the Big Boys, the two other most established skate punk bands. Other bands included were Riot .303, Minus One, Los Olvidados, Skoundrelz, featuring Tony Alva, Anvil Chorus, Free Beer, featuring San Francisco's Tony and Tommy Guerrero, and others.

The Faction recorded two 7" records, an LP, an EP, and a posthumous EP, and contributed songs to a 7" compilation single, From The Valley Within. Their song Skate and Destroy was also featured in the first skateboarding video, Powell-Peralta's "Bones Brigade Video Show." Except for the Thrasher Skate Rock tapes and the posthumous "Epitaph" EP, which was released on Mystic Records, all the Faction's music was released on IM Records. This label was owned by guitarist Adam Segal, and financed by Arly. The band broke up in 1985, primarily due to evolutional differences. In 1989 they reformed with pro skateboarder Jeff Kendall on guitar instead of Adam Bomb. They played two shows, recorded "Accelerate" (used in the "Stoked: The Gator Story") and for whatever reason it didn't go any further.

In 1994, Mark Waters, of Goldenrod Records, approached the band with the idea to compile the Faction's musical history into one complete CD package. The resulting "Collection" gathered most of the band's studio recordings along with some live and radio recordings, along with Gavin's complete list of every show the band ever played, complete lyrics, and what most of the band called "their first good artwork". In 2001, the band started playing shows occasionally, with original guitarist Russ Wright on guitar. Between 2001 and 2005 the band played a handful of shows, including gigs in Dortmund and Munster Germany, Vancouver B.C., Aberdeen Scotland, Seattle (with X), San Diego and Anaheim with the Adolescents and Strung Out, Sacramento, and numerous San Jose and San Francisco shows.

The Faction's song 'Skate And Destroy" is featured in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 video game.

Releases

- Room 101 demo tape (1983)

- Yesterday is Gone 7" EP (IM Records, 1983) or HERE and HERE for other download option

- No Hidden Messages LP (IM Records, 1983) or HERE

- Corpse in Disguise 7" EP (IM Records, 1984) or HERE

- Dark Room 12" (IM Records, 1985)

- Epitaph 12" (Mystic Thrash, 1986)

- Collection 1982-1985 CD reissue (Goldenrod Records, 1996) or HERE / HERE / HERE / HERE and HERE

- Collection 2: Uncollectable CD reissue (AVD Records, 2001) Download Part 1 and Part 2

- Live San Francisco 1983

- Live New York City 1985

THE FACTION - The origins of Skate Punk part 3A

2010-08-21T14:07:00.004+08:00

If you skated in the mid 80's, chances are that you're familiar with these guys. From the Thrasher skate rock compilations, to the first Powell Peralta Bones Brigade Video Show, to the fact that their bassist/guitarist, Steve Caballero, is one of the most legendary and well respected skateboarders of all time.

The Faction are one of the greatest skate rock bands ever. To this day, their song "Skate and Destroy" remains a personal favorite. This video here kicks off with "Tongue Like A Battering Ram", one of the six bangers off the "Dark Room" 12". Killer song, killer band, makes me want to put down this laptop and go skate. Check above part 3B for download.

The Faction on myspace

The Faction on skatepunk

The Faction profile on Kill From the Heart

The Faction bio on Sweetslyrics

The Faction limited edition skateboard on Outlook Skateboards

THE LARGEST STREET GANG IN AMERICA

2010-08-16T15:10:00.000+08:00

The Largest Street Gang in America

BoilingFrogs | MySpace Video

BIG BOYS - The origins of Skate Punk part 2

2010-06-04T10:31:00.007+08:00

The Big Boys were formed in 1978 in Austin, Texas by three skaters: Tim Kerr (guitar), Chris Gates (bass), and Randy "Biscuit" Turner (vocals). They would go through a number of drummers before breaking up in 1984. In that time the Big Boys put out three full-lengths, a 12" EP, a split live LP with the Dicks, and the classic debut single Frat Cars. Every record is essential listening. Their sound (dubbed "neo-bopism" by producer Spot) was constantly evolving, combining odd elements of punk, funk, and pop to create diverse and totally unique music. They were also a key band in establishing "skate punk" as a genre and a community. They were also one of the first bands involved in the skatepunk scene, appearing in Thrasher skateboarding magazine and in Thrasher's videos, and had their own Big Boys skateboard. After a Bad Brains show in Austin that ended in controversy involving Biscuit (and later inspired the song "Pay to Come Along" by MDC), conflicts began to arise within the band, specifically between Biscuit and Chris. The Big Boys played their last show very unexpectedly. Biscuit and Chris never spoke to each other again.

The Big Boys toured the US a couple times and also set up shows in Austin for out of town punk bands. Along with the Dicks, they were the center of the Texas punk scene. Biscuit (like Dicks singer Gary Floyd) was fairly open about being queer and regularly appeared on stage in drag. Big Boys shows were orgies of theatrics: costumes, props, and audience participation were to be expected. For some home town shows a horn section would join in. Their anthems "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "We've Got Your Money" were notorious for getting the crowd onstage and singing even after the show ended with Biscuit ordering "Now y'all go start you own band!"

For me the Big Boys are the definition of the Do It Yourself (DIY) ethic, what punk rock should be. They didn't play by any rules, including the punk or hardcore rules, but not in that "anti-PC" way the Meatmen did, or in the pretentious "I hate the kids" attitude that Rollins and his ilk pushed. The Big Boys were defiant but also totally inclusive. The purpose behind their always changing music, stage presence, and instantly recognizable artwork was to inspire others to be creative. "I'm a punk and I don't care..." Biscuit sang in "Fun, Fun, Fun": "...Cockney Rejects are the world's greatest band. But I like Joy Division and Public Image too, even though it's not what I'm supposed to do."

Musically there are few bands that can touch the Big Boys. They could do snotty punk ("Frat Cars", "Identity Crisis"), singalong anthems ("Fun, Fun, Fun," "We're Not In It to Lose"), raging hardcore ("Gator Fuckin," "No Love," "Fight Back"), pure funk ("White Nigger," "What's the Word?'), or introspective melodic pop ("Which Way to Go," "Sound on Sound," "Influence") as well (and usually better) than the leading bands playing only those styles. Many ideas that were later hailed as revolutionary when copied by mainstream bands (most notably the Red Hot Chili Peppers) were done better and earlier by the Big Boys, who were punker, funkier, crazier, sexier, and more inspirational than the entire Rolling Stone/MTV/VH1 canon of prefab rock schtick put together. The individual Big Boys all continued to make music in various capacities after breaking up, many of these projects are documented in the liner notes of the posthumous Wreck Collection LP of outtakes and rarities. Nothing captures the unique energy and totally radical approach to music and art that make the Big Boys my favorite early punk band.

Big Boys fansite

Big Boys on myspace

Big Boys profile on Kill From the Heart

Releases:

Frat Cars 7" EP (1980)

Where's my Towel / Industry Standard LP (Wasted Talent, 1981)

Fun Fun Fun 12" EP (Moment Records, 1982)

Lullabies Help the Brain Grow LP (Moment Records, 1983)

No Matter How Long the Line at the Cafeteria There is Always a Seat LP (Enigma Records, 1985)

Live at Raul's split LP (Rat Race, 1980)

Wreck Collection LP reissue (Unseen Hand, 1988)

The Skinny Elvis CD reissue (Touch & Go Records, 1993) or HERE for other option

The Fat Elvis CD (Touch & Go Records, 1993) or HERE and HERE from filestube

Live 1983-09-02 In D.C.

T.Y.T.L - LEGENDARY JAY ADAMS BAND

2010-06-01T10:43:00.003+08:00

Thirty Years Too Late (T.Y.T.L.) is exactly that, some old fucks who love punk rock. With over 30 years of loud, raw, so-called music fueling this new incarnation of hate and rage. Pure old school punk rock fronted by none other than one of skate boarding’s original innovators Jay Adams (Second Coming). Members includes Lang Sheppard (drums), Mark Alva from The Tubeblasters & ex-FTP (bass), and Dana Ong from Slaughter Shack on guitar

TYTL formed last year and did 2 shows recently. They play raw aggressive full of everything needed for all out punk rock mayhem!

Check them video!!! Jay Adam rulez!

VA - VISIONVILLE HARDCORE : REACHING OUT (1996)

2010-05-27T15:24:00.004+08:00

DIY ethics, Independent, established labels, etc. This is where it all begins.

Visionville is the most collectable yet contraversial hardcore compilation ever release in the Malaysian hardcore history. Released in 1996 by As It Is / Strange Culture Records; featured 5 bands from various states with different genre of hardcore style such as the KLHC pioneer Chronic Mass; Rap-Core jumpin madness of Projekt Ak (also from KL), and the Darkside hardcore (evil-core) from Another Side; my band, Disasterfunhouse from Ipoh, Perak brings you the old school / fast hardcore style with in your face lyrics and lastly but not least; Never Ending Threat (N.E.T) from Johor Bahru with energetic chaotic new school hardcore.

Ok i'm not going to bitching the whole story. Whats in the past stays in the past. All i'm gonna say is that we all had different ideas and opinion back then and decided to go our own path / way. We all have our own agendas and reasons. Some of the band have gone big or mainstream and yet some still remain independent or DIY. We are all still friends and keep in touch with each other. Nothing more to say except the involvement of Tang (Mr.T) in it. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoy listening to this memorable compilation. 14 years has past and now you can tell this story to your kids finally....

DOWNLOAD HERE

SLUG AND LETTUCE ONLINE

2010-05-27T00:44:00.003+08:00

Chris Boarts Larson of Slug and Lettuce fame has started up her long awaited website containing her punk and hardcore music photography. As it is new, there is only a small amount of her work, check back to it to see more!

http://www.slugandlettuce.net

JFA - The origins of Skate Punk part 1

2010-05-22T01:06:00.005+08:00

JFA (Jodie Foster's Army) is a hardcore punk band formed in 1981, with roots in Arizona and in Southern California skateboard culture. The original members include Brian Brannon (vocals), Don "Redondo" Pendleton (guitar), Michael Cornelius (bass), and Mike "Bam-Bam" Sversvold (drums). Alan Bishop of Sun City Girls also played bass for a while. The band was pivotal in the development of the skate punk and Skate Rock scenes. Over the years, the lineup has included many bass players and drummers but the core of Brannon and Pendleton has remained constant.

Click here for JFA MRR interview

JFA on myspace

JFA Official website

Download:

JFA - Blatant Localism EP (1981) / or rapishare1 /rapidshare2

JFA - Live @ Bob's Place-Contempo Hall,Los Angeles-CA 06-11-'82

JFA - Valley of the Yakes (1983)

JFA - Demo (1983) rapidshare

JFA - untitled LP (1984)

JFA - Mad garden 12" EP (1984) or click mediafire or rapishare for both 1984 release

JFA - My Movie Ep (1986)

JFA - Nowhere Blossoms LP (1988) or rapidshare / megaupload

JFA - We Know You Suck CD (reissue 2003) or mediafire2 / rapishare

JFA - Concrete Waves (??) or rapidshare

BOLD / CRIPPLED YOUTH: History and other stuff

2010-02-18T11:37:00.008+08:00

Since they were here weeks ago. I think some of you out there never heard of them or even care who there are. So here's goes...

Bold is a late 1980s youth crew hardcore band from upstate New York, which along with bands like Youth Of Today and Side By Side were a part of the Youth Crew, and an influence in the late 80's straight edge hardcore scene. The band progressed to a more rock-oriented sound in its later years.

Crippled Youth at the Rathskeller in Boston, 1986

Originally called Crippled Youth, the band was formed in Katonah, New York by Matt Warnke (vocals), Tim Brooks (bass) and Drew Thomas (drums). After a couple of shows with Matt singing and playing guitar, they recruited John 'Zulu' Zuluaga on guitar, and Matt switched to just singing. They released a 7" EP entitled 'Join The Fight' on the California label New Beginning in 1986 before switching to the name Bold. It was under this name that they recorded the 11-song LP Speak Out. The record was supposed to be released on California's WishingWell Records, but was eventually released in 1988 on Revelation.

The band later recruited Tom Capone (Beyond/Shelter/Quicksand/etc.) on second guitar, and recorded a self-titled 5-song 7" in 1989, also on Revelation. The 7" is by many considered their best material, adding more melody to their straightforward hardcore sound. The 7" EP was re-issued on a 12" entitled 'Looking Back' in 1993, with 2 bonus tracks.

Bold reunited in 2005 with Warnke on vocals, Capone on guitar, Brooks on bass and Vinny Panza on drums. John Porcelly, who periodically played with the band in the 1980s, later joined on second guitar. To conincide with the reunion, Revelation released the retrospective CD The Search: 1985-1989, which contains the band's entire recorded output.

However, Warnke and Porcelly left in 2006, effectively breaking up the band. The bands' recordings from the period after back together, although allegedly completed, have yet to surface. A European tour with replacement members was planned for Summer 2007, but did not happen.

Download

Crippled Youth - Join the fight EP

Bold - Speak Out (1988)

Bold - Looking Back (1989)

Bold - The Search 1985 - 1989 discography (2005) (rapishare / mediafire1 / medaifire2)

Read more about BOLD here at DoubleCross webzine

BOLD, a show to be remembered!

2010-02-12T23:16:00.007+08:00

Yes they were here last week. My band shared the same stage with them and we are stoked about it. It's a pleasure and honor to have them here. Too bad i didn't get a long chat with Porcell and Matt. Guess they were so tired.

To be honest, i do have BOLD materials but they are not in my top 10 youth crew band. I never mentioned BOLD as my band influence either (if i'm not mistaken). I preferred Crippled Youth era than Bold. That's why i went crazy when they hit "positive scene song (as shown pic above). Anyway who cares, they are here and it's the moment that we have been waiting for almost 20 years. Besides, BOLD (formed in 1985) would be the oldest HC band from America ever played in Malaysia (last time was Fugazi; formed in 1986). The show was so good clean fun. It's like a reunion coz a lot of people in the early 90's HardCore scene turn up. It's rare to see old timers and new comers moshing, circle pit, stage dive together...and this was the show! A show to be remembered! Thanks a lot to Pali and Ein for the opportunities, all the bands that we play together that day, organizers, promoters, and labels that make this happen. See ya in the next pit!

OLD DEMOS, TAPES, CD'S TO MP3 SOON

2010-01-26T14:21:00.005+08:00

Sorry didn't update this for so long and just find out my blog was disabled for no reason.

Anyway, above is some of my old underground music stuff that i discovered few days ago in my toyogo box. There will be more stuff soon and will be share it here. Be patient ok.

HAPPY EID FITR 2009

2009-09-19T02:59:00.003+08:00

Wishing a Happy Eid Fitr to all my families, friends, skateboarders,

hc punks and Muslims all over the world - from Adlan and family

Beastie Boys: A Bunch Of Hardcore Kids In Disguise

2009-08-07T23:36:00.004+08:00

With the recent announcement that MCA from the Beastie Boys has been diagnosed with a very treatable form of cancer, I thought it would be a good time to revisit these hip/hop hardcore kids.

"What? Hardcore kids? Yes all, when they're not fighting for their right to party, and not suffering from mass amounts of insomnia before they just so happen to reach their destination of one of the 5 boroughs (particularly Brooklyn), the Beastie Boys are stage diving, hardcore mofos. They used to be one of my band influenced. I do recall DNA, Sarawak punk rock outfit covered Egg Raid on Mojo in Penang show back in 1995/96.

Well nough saying, just check out the montage of videos I found of some of their live performances.

Beastie Boys - Screaming At A Wall (Minor Threat Cover)

Beastie Boys - Holy Snappers

1995 Hardcore Set (Covers Circle Jerks -Red Tape on 2nd Song)

1983 Cable TV

1983 Set

DISASTER FUNHOUSE @ Benefit show, 1st Aug 09

2009-07-30T04:10:00.004+08:00

Finally the flyer turn up in my email 2 hours ago. The things that people have been asking me for weeks "Boy where's the flyers?" So, I'm not lying now am I? Hope everyone can come and support the benefit show "Raise fund for Mat Nor" live in Noisy Gudang, Ampang on 1st August 2009. See you there OG hardcore old schooler! This is a GO!

V/A - A Circle of Friends (1993)

2009-07-26T01:58:00.004+08:00

One of the most best, memorable, collectible and unforgettable compilation in Malaysia Underground Scene history. Released by independent label, Sonic Asylum Records in 1993 which consist of 10 local bands from indie, punk, grunge, alternative; such as Subculture, A.R.T, Flop Poppy, Spiral Kinetik Circus and more. This is where it all begins... All thanks to Joe Kidd. Anyway, there was a planned on the 2nd compilation. Joe Kid told me about it in one of the show at Picaddily, Damansara back in 1995 / 96 when he's still running AGE Records at the time. Too bad it didn't work as planned. Ok , enjoy guys and gals.

VA - A Circle of Friends (1993)

Track list

1. Soulwound - Rats

2. Subculture - G6T 3 (Subculture on myspace)

3. A.R.T - Stop The Madness

4. Flop Poppy - Flop Poppies (Flop Poppy on myspace)

5. Spiral Kinetik Circus - Iris (Spiral Kinetik Circus on myspace)

6. Deflowered - Daffoddils - She's Drowning

7. Society - Hologarvst

8. Commoner - Commoners

9. Bone - Bone

10. Sludge - They're Sludge

Gorilla Biscuits: Rarities 1987-1990

2009-07-25T03:14:00.008+08:00

(Via Blogged & Quartered)

Let's begin with NYHC legendary Gorilla Biscuit as starter. Here's a collection of 35 Gorilla Biscuits rarities (demos, unreleased rehearsals, and live tracks), and 6 compilation tracks. I cleaned up all the demos and rehearsals as best as possible by removing all tape hiss and adjusting the levels. This is easily the most time i've ever spent on any collection on this blog, and the end result sounds great. These are all excellent GB recordings that needed to be revised for a long time. Thanks to Mark Anthony, Adam Tanner and especially David Michaels (hope you don't mind me stealing the cover design). Enjoy.

Gorilla Biscuits Rarities and Comp Tracks

First up is the band's original demo from 1987. There's not much info on these recordings besides the fact that the band used the cheapest tapes possible (without cases) from a dollar store, and did a quick cut and past photocopy job for the covers, just to get their music out as rapidly as they could. These still stand as my all-time favorite Gorilla Biscuits recordings. I love the rough, raw sound on this stuff, and the demo version of Big Mouth was never topped in my opinion. I do like the band's s/t 7" (Revelation Records 1988), but when i want to hear these songs i always go for the demo versions. More than likely it's because i heard the demo first, and it just struck a chord with me. The '87 demo was bootlegged in 1991 onto 7" vinyl, and later appeared on the Walter Sings the Hits CD (bootlegged in Germany sometime in the '90s), along with Start Today demo (with Walter on vocals), the Moondog 7", and various live recordings. To say the CD had awful sound quality would be a huge understatement, as most of it is barely listenable.

Next up we have some great sounding unreleased studio rehearsals. These tracks were pulled from an 11 song session (where they did more than one take of some of the songs). I took the one best recording of each song, both performance and quality wise, and wound up with 6 excellent tracks, including an unreleased instrumental (song is a killer), a few re-worked earlier songs, and an instrumental version of Cats and Dogs. If you've never heard these rehearsals, you're in for a real treat.

After that it's the entire Start Today demo with Walter Schreifels replacing Civ on vocals. I cleaned this one up as best as possible, but it's still a bit rough around the edges. Especially the first track, which breaks apart at the beginning and later on in the song (it's like this on every version of these recordings i've heard), but it starts to get better after that. The sound quality varies from track to track, but this is the best version you'll ever hear of this demo, and it's great stuff. I actually like this demo just as much as the released Start Today LP. Walter's kid-like vocals give the recordings a kind of pop-punk vibe in a way, and it fits the music perfectly. Both versions kick ass. There's also a demo of the album with Civ on vocals (with different lyrics to certain songs) which is also worth hunting down.

For the various live tracks, i just stuck with unreleased songs and cover songs. The first track, Distance, later became a Moondog song, as did The Man With No Money (later named Are You Really Down?). The Western has never been released, or recorded in a studio as far as i know. Don't Tread on Me is originally by Cro-Mags, Fed Up is originally by Judge, Friends Like You is originally by Sick of it All, Should I Stay or Should I Go is originally by The Clash, and We're All Gonna Die is originally by Bad Religion. Six Times Around and The Chance are supposedly covers as well, but i've never heard them before. These live tracks were taken from the Puzzle of 38 Pieces bootleg CD, released on Deny Everything Records.

Ending the collection are a 4 compilation tracks, all taken from pretty well known records. So no further explanation needed there, and 2 bonus tracks from the CD re-issue of the band's first 7" on Revelation. There is absolutely no info on these 2 tracks, so i'm assuming they're demos or outtakes.

original lineup

vocals - Anthony "Civ" Civocelli

guitar - Walter Schreifels

bass - Arthur Smilios

drums - Luke Abbey

Luke was later replaced by Sammy Siegler (who had been in the band in the early days)

later Alex Brown (Side by Side, Project X) came aboard for 2nd guitar

Ray Porcelly (Youth of Today) and Mark Hayworth also joined in later incantations of the band

After Gorilla Biscuits, Anthony went on to form the major label rock band CIV.

Walter had also been a member of Warzone, Youth of Today and Project X. After Gorilla Biscuits he went on to form Moondog, Quicksand and Rival Schools.

Arthur played bass for Token Entry and Underdog for a while. After Gorilla Biscuits, he joined CIV with Civ.

Luke also played in Warzone and Judge.

Sammy would eventually go on to play drums for CIV.

Gorilla Biscuit on myspace

Walter Schreifels

Gorilla Biscuits fanpage

INTRODUCTION

2009-07-24T19:25:00.002+08:00

Ok finally i have decided to do some blogging here. Check out the previous post below. It was posted 3 years ago and from there you can tell that i'm pretty much busy all these years and now still.

My intro, i go by Boy Ipoh. Some friends called me Boy Cina, Boy Disaster. I'm 31 and a father of 2. Been skateboarding since i was like 10 (sometime around 88-89)and at the same time was into Glam rock, heavy metal, and thrash metal stuff (ok i think this is enuff for starting).

I have decided to do a blog regarding things that i like, which is skateboarding and hardcore punk related. Will concentrate more on the early stuff coz i think a lot of new generation kids lack of background knowledge in the underground scene. So here goes. Wait for my next post.

Thank you

Boy Ipoh

New but old?

2006-08-05T03:00:00.000+08:00

Assalamualaikum and hi everyone,

This is my blog and wish you all welcome and thanxxx for dropping by. Blog is not something new to me. I have registered an account since last 2 0r 3 years ago. Never had the time for blogging. I mainly post comments on others bloggers site. Well, finally i've decided to post something here so that you all can comments or exchange ideas or what so ever....

See ya soon...

Boy