Comment - Never Again

I've just read that Never Again are splitting up and they plan to play just 4 more shows. I don't feel the need to write about most bands when they call it a day (BTW the last one was Have Heart) but sometimes you feel that the gap that a band leaves is significant.

Never Again has been a breath of fresh air to the UK scene with their immediate adrenaline-fuelled sound. Just like their songs they have been fast and furious, constantly gigging, recording/releasing and they have always had the confidence and commitment to take the straight edge message anywhere, anytime to anyone. They have done this with modesty deep respect for the hxc community when everyone was rightly lauding them as the most exciting band in the UK. Other bands IMO have stepped up now and I think this has been partly inspired by Never Again.


It's no good mourning the loss of another fine punk band though. Punk songs usually last for 2 minutes max. If they last longer we get repetition (and guitar solos). In the same way bands don't stay together long. But the message is clear. We've got to make the most of bands/gigs while they are here and as a hardcore/punk community we have to constantly renew and add new life, new ideas to our culture. Everyone who cares must play a part. We need producers not consumers.

Art

I've decided to change the way that I use pictures on the blog...

I seem to spend a lot of time looking at photos of bands and after a while everybody just about looks the same. I'm pretty tired of seeing bands in dark alleyways staring moodily at the lens or dudes jumping in the air showing off their new nikes. This pretentious crap is killing hxc...

Cover art, flyers, logos and all the things that show talent and creativity are all different. Anyone can take a photo and it takes a second to do it. It takes people hours, days, weeks to make some of the art that makes hxc such a special culture.

I do understand that there are really talented photographers who document gigs brilliantly and I'll eventually profile each and every one of them and give them the credit that they deserve. But from now on I will not post band promotion photos and will only put up a live picture if it links to a gig or festival or shows the people in a hxc scene.

The graphics that you see are the dedicated work of artists and designers. This is my way of showing respect and saying thanks.

Also from 17/4/10 I'm going to start putting links to the artists under the work (if I can find them) and then I'll make contact to say I've posted it...

Any artists that wish me to profile their work in more detail should get in touch...

Feel free to email any thoughts about this to hcmorethanmusic@googlemail.com or leave a comment below...

PxU
Brian

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.

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.