Hard Luck - The Brick Sessions

Hard Luck originally formed sometime in early 2000 under the name Threat Assessment. Donny, Dan and Greg set out to play straight forward Hardcore influenced by bands like Madball, Agnostic Front and Powerhouse. After placing some ads and putting up flyers in search of a drummer, the three eventually hooked up with Matt and put some songs together. Threat Assessment played their first show at Gilman St. in April of 2000. The band continued to write songs and tighten up their sound, and after playing their second show as Threat Assessment (at the Danville Grange Hall), they decided to change the name of the band to Hard Luck. Shortly thereafter, Matt left the band and Tony B. (then drummer of Second Coming) eventually came in to fill the void. In the following months, Hard Luck played shows all over California and the Northwest.

By January of 2001, the band had decided it was finally time to go into the studio, and later that month they entered Digit Sound (Second Coming, Doomsday Device, Lowlife) to record what became known as “The Brick Sessions”. The end result was 8 songs of pissed off, heavy, straight forward Hardcore. The production may be considered somewhat raw (especially by today’s standards), but personally I think it suits the band just fine. These songs have a MAJOR Biohazard feel to them, so fans of early 90’s NYHC (think bands like Bulldoze, Madball, Dmize, etc.) should definitely check this one out.

Although Hard Luck had traditional influences, they were far from generic. Donny’s voice was always very unique and his lyrics dealt with the hardships and struggles of everyday life, while still maintaining a relatively positive mental attitude. In my opinion, they were definitely one of the more underrated bands of the era.

Unfortunately Hard Luck was always plagued with drummer issues, and sometime after this recording, Tony B. left Hard Luck to focus on his other bands; Second Coming and Sworn Vengeance. Hard Luck pushed on for a time with friends filling-in on drums whenever possible, but ultimately the band broke up in the fall of 2001 when Dan and Greg moved to Seattle. Donny would eventually go on to sing for bands like Time For Living and Modern Eyes while Greg went on to sing for Rosary. Dan would also join Time For Living upon returning to the Bay Area in 2003, he currently plays guitar in Set Your Goals. Find out where these guys cut their teeth.

Download

Downshift - Flame Still Burns Demo

This is the first demo from Downshift, the band that would eventually evolve into Sworn Vengeance. To those unaware, Downshift was a Straight Edge band that was originally formed in 1996 by two brothers; Eric (bass) and Marc Fortner (drums). After placing some newspaper ads, the Fortner brothers eventually hooked up with Brian Baumgartner (guitar) and Ryan Encinas (vocals). The band put some songs together, and played their first show at the Danville Grange Hall in January of 1997.

Downshift continued playing shows throughout the Bay Area and quickly decided it was time to record a demo. The “Flame Still Burns” Demo was originally released in 1997 on cassette and featured 4 songs along with an Undertow cover (“Cutting Away”). This recording is a far cry from the later Sworn Vengeance material, so don’t expect to hear any Viking-metal here, just straight up Hardcore. I’d really recommend this demo to fans of heavy 90’s Hardcore, especially bands like (early) Earth Crisis and Unbroken. The cover artwork has been re-sized for itunes.

Download

Treason - Demo

Treason formed sometime in late 2002, and only played a handful of shows in their very brief existence. Mark (vocals) had previously sung for Breaker Breaker and Connor (drums) had been singing for the Lab Rats. Treason’s sound was sort of a cross between bands like American Nightmare and some of the more ‘messier’ sounding San Diego bands like Swing Kids and Heroin. Although it’s not totally my thing, this band definitely played this style a lot better than most.

This demo was recorded at Castle Ultimate studios in Oakland by Zach Ohren and originally released on cassette tape. This recording was also rumored/supposed to be released on vinyl as a 7” EP, but unfortunately that never happened. Following Treason’s break-up, both Kevin and Connor would quickly go on to form Lights Out in early 2003. This 10-song demo clocks in at roughly 7 minutes, so if you like really messy, chaotic, FAST hardcore, then check this one out. The cover art has been resized just to be a little bit more itunes friendly.

Download

Contenders For The Crown - Demo

Contenders For The Crown was a Hardcore band from Sacramento that started sometime in 1998. Formed by a dude named Noodle (guitar) with the help of Mike Hood, CFTC played heavy, straight forward Hardcore in the vein of bands like Hoods (especially the older stuff). After solidifying their lineup and recruiting former Hoods singer Mike Miranda to sing, they released this 4-song demo on cassette back in 1999 through West Coast Worldwide Records. I’m not positive, but I believe that this demo was recorded at Matt Erich’s studio in Sacramento (this was pretty much the staple studio/sound for Hardcore in Northern California around that time).

Contenders For The Crown recorded a much heavier record entitled “…And The Weak Shall Fall” sometime around 2000, but unfortunately it was never released. Sadly, they broke up shortly thereafter. Members of CFTC have since gone on to play in bands like Hellcrew, Beyond Sorrow, Ear 2 Ear and Massacre Time. This is an awesome demo from a lesser-known Sacramento band, so definitely check it out. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Hoods, Above This World, etc.

Download

Lowlife - Bay Area Hardcore Demo 2000

Lowlife was a very heavy Hardcore band that was based out of the Fremont area. Formed sometime around 1996, they released their first demo in 1998, followed by this one in early 2000. Originally released on cassette tape, this recording features 3 studio tracks and a live song (recorded at the Danville Grange, November of 1999). Probably my favorite Lowlife release, this demo seemed to be a real turning point for the band, they were very active around this time, playing shows all over the West Coast.

Lowlife released a full length cd on Breakout Records entitled “Nowhere Bound” somewhere around late 2000/early 2001. They recorded one more full length (unreleased) just prior to their breakup sometime around late 2003/early 2004. Members of Lowlife would eventually go on to play in bands like Powerhouse, Time For Living, Resist Control and Massacre Time. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of heavy HARDcore, especially bands like Bulldoze and Blood For Blood. Big thanks to Jackson Driscoll Lantz a.k.a. "Action Jackson" for ripping this from cassette tape.

Download

Gunsmoke - The Ultraviolet Catastrophe

To those unfamiliar, Gunsmoke was a Hardcore band from Walnut Creek, CA. They started around 2004, when Andrew first moved back home from Boston. Initially consisting of just Andrew, Aaron and Donald (all former members of For The Crown), Gunsmoke wasted no time in getting started and quickly recorded their demo with Zach Ohren at Castle Ultimate Studios in the summer of 2004. Although very well received, the demo never really got its due. It was scheduled to be properly released on vinyl as “The Ultraviolet Catastrope” 7", but for unknown reasons it never came out.

I always felt like this was an awesome recording, especially for a first effort and it bothered me that it never received an ‘official’ release. It’s been six years, but this is still powerful Hardcore and an awesome release from an underrated NorCal band. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Bane, American Nightmare and For The Crown. For those that missed out the first time around, here it is…

Download