Bulgaria (Part 1)

I've been in touch with the lads from the band Start Today and they've sent me this superb commentary on the hc community in their country.

The scene in Bulgaria is not as developed as me and many others would like it to be. The gigs take place mostly in the capital, Sofia, and the second largest city, Varna (which has the oldest and most developed punk/hc scene in Bulgaria). As for my city, Plovdiv (which is the 3rd largest), we only have 5 active hardcore bands, and not more than 2 gigs a month, imagine that.

The bands in my country are mostly metalcore/beatdown/mosh with the tough attitude, which doesn’t appeal to me at all. But I suppose that has been the trend throughout these years. That is why a great number of the foreign bands that come to play here are of that genre, and play ONLY in the capital (with minor exclusions).

There are two promoters who help foreign bands out in playing here.
Re-Act is the major one which has attracted bands like Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, Sick Of It All and there is also Hcspirit. Hardcore Spirit is also the best Bulgarian punk/hc e-net zine. There are only 2! :D)

There is a sense of community, probably because there are so few bands and we tend to help each other as much as we can. But after all some people are prejudiced to some bands, for example the new ones, and the unknown foreign ones (as strange as it may sound). Not once or twice has this happened - a foreign band is headlining a hc show, the Bulgarian support bands play-great support, almost full venue, kids sing along. When the foreigners go on stage- the club is half empty. I have no idea why this happens. Some people are just prejudiced.

Another odd feature is that some Bulgarian hc kids cry and weep over the internet that they want a specific foreign band to play here, and after a certain time the gig is confirmed. But what happens? Only half of the people expected to attend actually go to the show, and of course the promoters lose a lot of money. But fortunately they don’t lose their spirit and go on inviting cool bands :)

Start Today website

This is what it's all about...

Hcmorethanmusic is a project about the global hardcore and straight edge scene.
The main goal is supporting DIY musical and political activity in the hardcore community which takes strong positions on fascism, racism, sexism, homophobia and animal rights.
Hcmorethanmusic aims to give focus to shows, bands, zines/blogs or activities that support all kinds of positive culture.
In time hcmorethanmusic hopes to become an international hardcore community newsblog that has regular contributions from all around the world, giving daily bulletins to facilitate positive action against injustice and greed.

I am very interested in hearing from people who would like to contribute to this communication or who simply want to make constructive comment.

Cornered

Le Pub, Newport 4/12/09

Tom from Ironclad had bumped into Cornered at a gig in Europe at the end of the summer. He was quick to invite them to Newport and now I know why. The lads from Northern Netherlands and their friends waited patiently around the merch stall and, when their time came, jumped onstage with hardly any time in setting up and then it blew!! What a ramraid!! They hit hard too but their sound is so uncomplicated. It is Gibson/Marshall power and every chord delivered with precision. They are confident of their identity and show a passion to deliver a more traditional sound, more melodic and clean. No wonder they travel so far and wide...they have found a recipe that works and in Niels they have a frontman who you have to take seriously. Before the gig we talked about how the hardcore scene is no place for egos and that everyone has a responsibility to keep it alive and well. He mentioned Warzone as an influence and that is a big fire to keep burning! What a difference they made! But when you see Cornered at work, you know why they are prepared to drive for hours to play a half a hour set. All of the frustration, anger and love is condensed into every note. But there's something more than that...every sound adds a bit of extra magic to the mix. Sets like this energise our lives and keep our music alive and urgent.

X Edge Perspectives on Drug Free Culture

Le Pub, Newport 3/12/09


Most of us have good intentions when it comes to promoting and contributing to our hardcore scene but do we have the motivation to do anything of lasting value? How far would we go to communicate our vision or explain our philosophy? What would we give up to show that dedication? I'm trying to help by writing this blog but I am only a few months in and it's not easy writing a commentary without coming across as self-important. I'm trying to offer something new as well but I'm a long way short of that, you don't need to tell me. But I keep going...

All of my efforts are put into perspective by the film X Edge Perspectives on Drug Free Culture. Marc Pierschel and Michael Kirchner have spent years researching, writing, filming and now touring their 'contribution' to the hardcore community. I spoke to them before the screening and the first thing I wanted to know was what had inspired them. They simply felt that the film needed to be made because no one has really shed any light on the Straight Edge scene in the same way that American Hardcore has been covered. There have been a few short documentaries, some of which have unfortunately sensationalised the militant aspect, but they felt there needed to be a more balanced approach. I was not expecting the film to be so comprehensive. It is nothing short of brilliant in the way that it covers all perspectives and leaves the audience completely informed without once being judgemental. Part of the problem with Straight Edge culture is that it usually comes across as uptight preaching but Marc and Michael cleverly interview veterans of the scene to put it all into context. People like Ian Mackaye, Ray Cappo, Karl Buechner and Russ Rankin have seen it all, rolled with the changes, ignored the bitching and got on with their lives, constantly finding new ways to express their world views. X Edge is not just content with letting these elder statesmen do all of the talking though. The directors then bravely move on to give Straight Edge exposure and validity in all areas of our struggle for equality and freedom. They look at the environment, feminism, animal rights and workers' co-operatives, carefully choosing people that can give an extra layer of meaning to the film as a whole. The film shows that Straight Edge is about keeping clear focus so that the constant battle for change can be waged without distraction and with total efficiency. X Edge ends with the views of an american college lecturer who specialises in studying youth subcultures. He intelligently explains that our community is a culture of more than music. It is a vehicle for justice that we share and can all use. This conclusion draws all of the elements of the film together perfectly. Marc Pierschel and Michael Kirchner know precisely how to modestly and objectively present their story. They know that the important thing in all of this is not them but the community. They have carried this message around the US and in Europe and told me that they have always been well looked after by the people that they have visited. Their shows in the US were attended by the high profile names with Karl Buechner taking time to fully publicise the event in a Syracuse daily newspaper and Ian MacKaye brought his young daughter along. The screenings also served to educate the wider public including some parents of straight edge kids too. There should be no underestimating the effect and legacy that this film has and will create. Everyone needs to see it so that we fully value our potential for positive action.

X Edge is scheduled for release on DVD in March 2010.

Marc and Michael will now return home to Germany and will continue working for a non-profit vegan collective (rootsofcompassion.org).

Special thanks should go to Grim who brought X Edge to Wales and looked after Marc and Michael. Check out shredwales.com and myspace.com/zooport95 to support all of his work.

Hurry Up! Records

Following on from my recent post about Famine and Frustration, I checked out Hurry Up! records and got in touch with Matteo, the owner and founder. I was really interested in the HUP policy for signing bands but he told me it is as simple as usually liking the bands first, following them for a while, catching them live and talking to them in person. They are looking for good people who are down to tour. They usually sign more bands in Europe because it is easier for a band to tour, reasoning that the more you tour the more you have chances to sell records and other merch. There seems no limit to the origin or identity of the bands as long as they meet these criteria and HUP know people all around the world that help out with this.

I have this notion that hardcore is a global community that is above and beyond national identity and that bands will be welcomed regardless of origin but Matteo thinks I'm probably being a bit too idealistic. His opinion is that U.S. bands are supported well in Europe when they tour or when they release something compared to a European band. European HC probably won't sell many copies in the U.S. and will also possibly struggle to get dates closer to home too although countries like Germany, Poland, Czech Rep are way more open to support touring bands. He sees that people tend to follow more of what happens overseas than what happens here. Of course, there are more bands in the U.S. and some quality as well, but he believes that doesn't mean that the European ones should be less considered. Saying that though, La Crisi from Milan are a band worth checking out from the HUP roster. They have enjoyed two U.S. tours where it is reported that the kids were keen to check out a HC band that doesn't sing in English.
Matteo sees that Dublin is one of the best places to play HC in Europe and this is a response echoed by lots of touring bands. The scene is not too big but it's honest and supporting. Both he and his wife love the city because people have been very friendly and the kids are interested in what Hurry Up do.

Matteo has been working with B9 for the last 4 years, he's the guy who takes care of the web stuff, but originally he is from a very small town in the north of Italy close to Milan. His mindset was totally different from everybody around him so he travelled whenever he could to see and play in bands, which is what he loved the most. He said he couldn't have lived any other way. His first punk record ever was Smash by Offspring and then he started to get more interested in more melodic stuff like NOFX, Rancid and Ramones and then HC: Minor Threat, Gorilla Biscuits, YOT. The first band he saw live that left him shocked was H2O back on their first Euro tour. The show where he got into knowing what Straight Edge was a Better Than A Thousand show on their Value Driven tour. Some months later he became SxE and vegetarian. He has played in a bunch of bands, Mach 5 and Purification in Italy, Overstate in Brazil and has filled in for Bane and Shipwreck A.D. on bass. He now plays in a Irish band called Forced Out.

Have Heart

So Have Heart are playing their last gig in their homestate on Edge Day. They are the Joe Calzaghe of hardcore. They've done it all, undefeated and undiminished. Their light shines just as brightly now as when they first started out but the story of their journey has given them weight and meaning. They are steadfast in their principles and have maintained their dignity throughout, never compromising but instead have let their work ethic speak in volumes. Joe loyally stayed with Enzo and I can only imagine there must have been charlatans and kingmakers at every turn. In the same way, Have Heart have never lost their focus despite being rightly lauded as hardcore greats. They appear to have never taken their mission lightly. They have communicated their worldview with passion and integrity and have been an inspiration to their generation. Having given hardcore a new standard, both emotionally and musically, they have now stepped down. In our communities we must galvanise and raise our new visionaries up.

Famine/Frustration

Le Pub, Newport
5th October 2009

Famine are a band well capable of carving a path all of their own with a well crafted melodic sound and a lead singer that has a vocal style that is full of character and range. And you can feel their rich history in every note. It is no surprise to see that they have played with Have Heart and Verse (as Forging Friendships, who were the same line up) and they really do have the potential to fill the gap that these bands have left. I hope this comes across as high praise because these are big shoes to fill! They have a well connected record company for support (Hurry Up! ex Bridge 9 staff, I'm told) and I can see no limit to where Famine might go. The guitar sound is carefully worked, sometimes hanging and then it pulses.

Their tour with Frustration has taken in shows right across the continent and they have played packed venues (although the van broke down and they didn't quite make it to Croatia!). They have received kindness wherever they have travelled. Ian and Neal (vocals in both bands) told me that the scene in Poland (especially Poznan) is brilliant and it was interesting to hear that a Polish friend, who is working in Dublin, sorted out two of their three gigs. I'd not thought that migrant workers may have a part to play in adding to our scene here in South Wales! The more the merrier, hc is a global community after all! They tell me that the Dublin scene is strong with lots of young bands putting on a variety of gigs and then there are always the visitors to support. I see from flyers that Betrayed and Agnostic Front have played recently, Madball soon. Galway city is another option but it seems that Belfast is offering little at the moment.

Famine will now return home and write new material since a few tracks on their CD are older songs. Huge possibilities, the promise of it all is mind blowing. Frustration, on the other hand, are only nine months old and have already travelled so far. They already show an accomplished melodic style that paints a broad picture. They have a 7 inch to promote on their return to Ireland and I bet their friends will hardly recognise them! They will have grown no doubt and be a stronger band for this trip. Along with Famine I can see a Dublin sound emerging with passionate lyrics of city life to the sound of those power chords hanging in the air just waiting for the breakdown! I can see droves of us from South Wales on the ferry as soon as possible.