Wanna be in a band?

[ZACH ATTACK]

Now this is the last thing I have to say on this topic:

This is hardcore


This is what's going on in this thread


If you don't like a band that's fine. If a band offends your punx as fuck sensiblities that's fine too. But don't get all high and mighty and start acting like your interpretation of hardcore is the only valid one.

[Tambro]

I have one of the old ones.

[Jordan f.]

the back of the shirts should have "There's no justice, there's just us"

I've been jamming Agnostic Front a lot lately hahah

[Hollow]

Just so everyone knows, this is why people drop out of hardcore.

And Jordan, I could absolutely see Hunters side of the argument. I just thought it was stupid.

[Rude Boy Puff]

honestly I can see both sides of this argument. VH was pretty much saying "hardcore is a joke", at the same time I found the joke funny...

Hardcore should be about something. I know Zach, Willa and the other dudes who liked VH will agree with me on this. Truth be told, Vic Hardcore is just to laid back. I thought the band was funny. A wise man once said something along the lines of "I love music that is talking shit about me"-Lord Puffin.

I hope this next band is actually serious and writes intelligent lyrics.

Also, Devlan is a dogg. Had Heart reunion?

Did I say that? Not sure. Maybe sounds like me.
I definatly like "joke" hardcore as they call it bands like casey jones or good clean fun. What sucks even more is when kids who arent even into hardcore make their funny joke hardcore bands. I never saw VH and dont really know any of its members so dont take that comment personally you coulda wrote the next age of querral for all I know, but the name of your band suggests otherwise and you know how we all judge books. Victorias reputation for laid back hardcore is the main reason Im all over the nuts of Promises. Holy fuck a hardcore band that takes this medium seriously. A band that would make me want a shirt that said Victoria Hardcore.

Whos gonna beat Zach to tearing this post apart?

Hardcore should always be fun. Always. Now, can we balance that with forward thinking, intelligent bands/lyrics? Absolutely. Does that mean that they can't be fun/have fun? No. Does that mean that a band can't just be all about having fun? I may be remembering wrong here, Pat, but I seem to remember you sporting a few Terror shirts, and if you even TRY and convince me that that band has a message besides "stage dives and high fives" the next time I see you I will point, laugh, and continue to do so for at least fifteen minutes.

Besides that, I've always been in bands that are serious about the music we make, and a message we deliver. That message can be delivered via good times, however. And just because we have a message does not mean other bands MUST have a message.

Vegan Holocaust was fun. They played a handful of shows, did a Bad Brains cover, released a hilarious demo, and several members (Devlan most prominent among them) remain solid members of our community. How is that a bad thing? Why must Hardcore be defined by a judgmental, cliquish attitude? Who's next after the good time kids are booted out? Me? I don't wear a crew cut, I think that a vast majority of double kick/moshtastic hardcore is ridiculous, I wear all black and listen to crusty, distorted bands. The message my band has is far different from the message most hardcore bands put out. Promises most definitely does not conform to my lyrical content. I love Promises, however, and continue to (and will always) support that band and those people.

Hardcore is a constantly evolving, every changing genre that has the good fortune of being able to continuously represent its roots. Why should we give that up in favor of a closed off attitude that NEVER EVER works, and only kills communities?

Jordan/Hunter, you're better than this. There is always room for any kind of band in Hardcore, and saying "X band isn't good enough" is stupid, childish, and generally bigoted.

Pat, you're better than this too, but I'm giving you a pass because you weren't involved in the scene at the time, so couldn't really understand my complete bafflement at the turn around I'm witnessing here. Also, the points you raised vis a vis Casey Jones and Good Clean Fun are well raised. My response to that would be to simply state that some bands, no matter what their intentions, are shitty because of the people involved in them. I can point to a shitload of bands that had a "message" that fit that same mold.

Stop generalizing. Stop acting like you're better than the person next to you. You're not.

Man I gotta come on here and defend terror...fuck

K here we go there's a difference between fun and being a straight up joke.

Really? If that's the case, VH fit in perfectly because they were always just for fun, not a joke. They had fun songs, had a fun time, supported hardcore in VIctoria, and never forced anyone to come to their shows or listen to their band.

I gotta ask though, how many VH shows did you go see? Pat, I love ya buddy, but you're seriously arguing from a position of ignorance.

And I wasn't attacking Terror, its always a good time when I see them, I'm just pointing out that hardcore has always had bands that weren't about positive messages or moving things forward (COUGHINTEGRITYCOUGH). How are they any better than a band that plays semi-ludicrous songs? Why must we take ourselves so fucking seriously? No offense, dude, but that's kind of what killed Vancouver Hardcore isn't it? An undeserving arrogance and overbearing attitude?

Maybe I'm wrong about everything. I just haven't been shown any evidence that A. Vegan Holocaust were a terrible band that only existed to make fun of us and our lifestyle or B. That the idea of being laid back and accepting is somehow detrimental to a scene. Why would you not want to wear a shirt that says Victoria Hardcore on it? What's wrong with being proud of a scene that puts on hella super duper shows, lets anyone in, is truly accepting, and all about having fun in a safe environment? Why should we bow to the overbearing stereotype of antiquated punk rock music?

What killed vancouver hardcore was 3 flag ships breaking up in 3 monthes, Casa Del Artista closing down cause someone wanted to bring the element of danger back to hardcore, and grew up (ie started careers, had kids, moved away) not grew out. Its still alive theres just no where to see it most of the time.

[ian]

also, forward thinking? i find it less offensive to see a band make a joke i haven't heard before than hear another 10 songs about the same 'forward thinking' shit the last band played. are you afraid people will lose interest and break edge if you don't have the words 'STAY TRUE' 'STICK TOGETHER' or 'UNITY' gang vocal'd in every other song on your cd?

lighten up.

[Rude Boy Puff]

also, forward thinking? i find it less offensive to see a band make a joke i haven't heard before than hear another 10 songs about the same 'forward thinking' shit the last band played. are you afraid people will lose interest and break edge if you don't have the words 'STAY TRUE' 'STICK TOGETHER' or 'UNITY' gang vocal'd in every other song on your cd?

lighten up.

and Im the one whos ignorant?

[Hollow]

also, forward thinking? i find it less offensive to see a band make a joke i haven't heard before than hear another 10 songs about the same 'forward thinking' shit the last band played. are you afraid people will lose interest and break edge if you don't have the words 'STAY TRUE' 'STICK TOGETHER' or 'UNITY' gang vocal'd in every other song on your cd?

lighten up.

and Im the one whos ignorant?

No one said you're ignorant, dude.

[Peter]

Okay, let me clear some stuff up.


Devlan, Aidan, and I were at Hardcore fest a couple years back. We saw some bands. It was fun. We thought "lets do this. it looks fun." The name, comes from the fact that AT hardcore fest, someone had vegan chili, and we joked about putting meat in it would kill people. Please note: this was done in a joking matter, I have nothing against Vegans, I dated one once, and Vegan Chili, is awesome. We were just being silly. We also later decided that the "Vegan Holocaust" would be an AMAZING name for a meat lovers pizza--wouldn't you agree?

Vegan Holocaust wasnt supposed to be "making fun of hardcore", it was just the simple case of we wanted to play in a band that sounded like. well. a sweet hardcore band. Hardcore fest was only the third (?) hardcore show I'd ever been to, so granted I wasn't tapped into the community, but playing Hardcore just looked like a TON of fun. And after having played in Vegan Holocaust, I can say, it really fucking was.

Most of the bands I've played in, or play in now (with the exception of Physician, who has only played one covers show, and has only once jammed original material, despite having a show in three weeks) are a lot softer than VH was, by a LONG shot. And it was a hell of a lot of fun to play 'heavy music'.

As far as the lyrics go, when we wrote our first song "Sharks", I came up with the "Riff" and we were like, this sounds awesome, what could we sing about that is also awesome, and of course, we thought of sharks, which i think we can all agree are pretty awesome.

And then our lyrics from there, were decided would be kind of goofy. Why? Because it was fun. We didnt start the band to be anything serious, we started it to have fun. So if we played the same music we did, with the same super lame, but fun as hell breakdowns, with meaningful lyrics it would sound like the most cornball thing of all time!

So long story short, I dont think VH was ever started to "make fun" of hardcore. i never thought of it that way. it was just to play hardcore, and have fun. we never wanted to offend people by making fun of hardcore, but we kind of wanted to offend people with our name. I still think its an amazing name...

[Peter]

also, im sorry this thread has turned into a such a horrible thing

[ZACH ATTACK]

Don't be sorry. It's not your fault some people are up tight.

[ian]

also, forward thinking? i find it less offensive to see a band make a joke i haven't heard before than hear another 10 songs about the same 'forward thinking' shit the last band played. are you afraid people will lose interest and break edge if you don't have the words 'STAY TRUE' 'STICK TOGETHER' or 'UNITY' gang vocal'd in every other song on your cd?

lighten up.

and Im the one whos ignorant?

No one said you're ignorant, dude.

ya man that wasn't aimed at you at all, but if you took offense feel free to back yourself up. that was aimed at the thousands of bands that sound exactly the fucking same and describe themselves as forward thinking or creative. i find that completely fucking mind boggling.

[xchadx]

.

[keith.]

Just so everyone knows, this is why people drop out of hardcore.

exactly what i was thinking about earlier. /thread


SO ABOUT THESE SHIRTS

[ZACH ATTACK]

I'm down for shelling out some cash to get shirts made.

[Peter]

Just so everyone knows, this is why people drop out of hardcore.

exactly what i was thinking about earlier. /thread


SO ABOUT THESE SHIRTS

id wear one of those

[Hollow]

In regards to Vancouver Hardcore: far from dead. Lack of venues and places to put shows on, but the kids are still around, and shows are still happening every few weeks (I guess these are more "DIY" oriented bands though, but still). Granted, I don't attend all of the basement/house shows that are happening all the time, but these shows DO have a regular following that show up time and time again, and it's fucking sweet. The past years "modern" or more "straight forward" hardcore shows I HAVE attended have largely been excellent, and had a good draw. There's the odd few exceptions, but this happens in most cities. I think the one thing that Vancouver is currently plagued with though, is a lack of younger kids coming to the hardcore shows. Everyone keeps getting older, and there are less and less people under the age of 19/20 at the majority of shows these days. Kind of sad, but I'm sure this will pick up/change with time. I am going to attempt to start booking way more shows this next year, I just need to find a few reliable spaces to book at. I think I will start heavily flyering the more suburban areas of this city, hopefully attracting some of the younger kids. We did this for the Anchor/Run With The Hunted show, and it definately worked as we had atleast ten to fifteen random, younger kids I had never seen before come out and it was TIGHT. It's a shame we lost Casa, and a shame we lost APC because APC was chill and SUPER affordable. But I guess that's part of being involved in punk rock, constantly trying to find new spaces to have shows. Oh well.

But yeah, hopefully 2010 will lead to new hardcore bands in this city, and a new space for shows (I'm working on the hardcore bands thing with my friends). Do any Victoria bands want to come play as openers for shows? If so, get at me. We will figure something out.

My 90s hardcore worship band will (hopefully) be up and running this year. Prepare for my some dorky nerd rage from yours truly, me wearing my XL Trial windbreaker and an XL EC shirt every set, and prepare for...ENDLESS MOSH.

PS: it took me like six years to recognize it, but I finally understood something as of last year: TERROR RULES.

Chad, No Eulogy would probably be down for playing in Van.

It took me a lot longer, but I also recognize the awesomeness of Terror now. This past year has been kind of eye opening for me, band wise. So many bands I ripped on for years (Death in June, Terror) I'm beginning to truly love now.

Pat, I drank a beer, took a deep breath, and realized I went to far with the crack I made about Vancouver Hardcore. It wasn't appropriate, especially cuz I don't go to shows out there, and so couldn't possibly understand the scene as it works. I'm sorry, that wasn't cool of me at all. I still completely disagree with you, though, on the nature of "joke" bands. They're not bad, in fact they add dimension and dynamic to a scene.

[Hollow]

Also, I will look into getting those VIc Hardcore shirts made. Good, cheap way to raise money for the Society.

[ZACH ATTACK]

Also, I will look into getting those VIc Hardcore shirts made. Good, cheap way to raise money for the anti cops. (That's us)

[ian]

BEERS CLEAR YOUR MIND