[The seven-inch record is a cornerstone for hardcore and the format continues to serves as an essential platform for disseminating music. Characteristically shorter song lengths make it possible for a band in this scene to make a statement over the course of multiple tracks and provide it in a way that is affordable. The purpose of the Inch Scraper column is to identify and offer short critiques of some new and recent releases in the 7" format.]

The latest installment in Give‘s informal multi-label singles series, Flower Head (Youngblood) further exploits aspects of that mid-90s post-hardcore sound that so few contemporary artists care to anymore. That’s what makes this DC act so special, at least to this greying alt rock aficionado. The titular A-side does the angular thing with an almost sleazy swagger, while the flip “Kiss The Flame” goes full Quicksand on our collective asses.

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[The seven-inch record is a cornerstone for hardcore and the format continues to serves as an essential platform for disseminating music. Characteristically shorter song lengths make it possible for a band in this scene to make a statement over the course of multiple tracks and provide it in a way that is affordable. The purpose of this column is to identify and offer short critiques of some new and recent releases in the 7" format.]

Split 7″ releases always carry a risk of one band’s side kicking the ever-lovin’ crap out of the other band’s side. Neither Ringworm nor Mindsnare deign to upstage one another on Your Soul Belongs To Us (A389). Cleveland’s finest dig up two previously unreleased cuts, including the paradigmatic “Leviathon”. Nothing earth-shattering, but ultimately this is just what we want from Ringworm. On the flip, the Australians add doomy flair to an otherwise pounding duo of tunes. Collectors: note the cool EC Comics style insert.

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If you’ve been to a hardcore show in, say, the past fifteen years, chances are that at least one band on the bill played a cover song made famous by another hardcore act. It’s a surefire way to get a pit going even if your band’s original material sucks. Fortunately, H2O and Skarhead, two bands that most certainly do not suck, have decided to pay respects to their hardcore predecessors with respective covers albums. H2O just entered the studio this week to begin work on Don’t Forget Your Roots (a title that H2O fans will smirk at given the anthemic “Family Tree”), which will feature their interpretations of The Ramones, Dag Nasty, Madball, Rancid, Circle Jerks, Descendents, Cro-Mags, Bad Brains, The Clash, Government Issue, Verbal Assault, Gorilla Biscuits, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, 7 Seconds, Embrace, Social Distortion, Sick of It All and Warzone.

Skarhead, on the other hand, have already recorded their covers record, due out this July on I Scream Records. Entitled Dreams Don’t Die, the collection features a shit ton of guests including Paul Bearer (Sheer Terror), Eddie Sutton (Leeway), and Scott Vogel (Terror). Next month, Lord Ezec will lead a Skarhead tour that goes up and down the East Coast with a few Midwest dates towards the end. I caught the band’s set at last year’s Black N Blue Bowl, and if you like your hardcore thuggish and raw, you won’t want to miss this. Furthermore, Eddie Sutton is joining the band for this jaunt! You can find these dates along with the Dreams Don’t Die track-listing below.

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In a scene where yearly festivals are as abundant as they are sweaty, This Is Hardcore has emerged as the leader of the pack, unequivocally the most anticipated of all hardcore music events in America. Combining coveted reunions with plentiful appearances by modern acts big and small, the event brings revelers and pit beasts to Philadelphia for a humid August weekend. Part of the fest’s success stems from its notorious secrecy, and 2011′s is no exception. The lineup was embargoed until noon EST on Monday May 30, at which point tickets immediately went on sale online and at AKA in Philly. Extended from three to four days of music, the fest boasts performances from metallic acts like Madball, Maximum Penalty, Mother of Mercy, Nails, Reign Supreme, Ringworm, Suburban Scum, Terror, and Victims.

If you’re reading this now and you haven’t bought your ticket yet, you’re not attending This Is Hardcore 2011. Four-day as well as weekend passes sold out in less than 24 hours, and at the time of this writing, extremely limited numbers of single-day tickets were available. The full lineup, organized in order by day, can be found below.

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If you’re one of those people who read this site every day (God bless you, you fucking masochists!), you may have noticed a lack of premium content from yours truly these past couple of weeks. That’s because I’ve been in Japan soaking in neon, dining on fresh sushi, and recoiling in horror at the perverse underbelly of otaku. I did manage to hit up a few rock bars in Osaka (Rock Rock — check out who else has been there!) and Tokyo (Beat Cafe), but otherwise this was a pretty metal-free trip–and that’s okay with me.

So, shit, man. Quite a bit happened in the wonderful world of hardcore while I was away! Ruiner broke up. This Is Hardcore 2010 finally revealed its drool-inducing lineup and sold out in less than two days. (I wasn’t able to get my tickets in time, sadly.) Unsane announced a series of U.S. dates where they’ll play 1995′s awesome Scattered Smothered & Covered live in its entirety. Notable releases included Ceremony’s Rohnert Park, for which I’ll be posting a review later this week. Some pretty awesome tours were announced as well. Check out the dates for some of these below.

Looking forward to your “Welcome Back” sentiments in the Comments section!

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Last month when Madball frontman Freddy let slip some of the bands playing this year’s Black N Blue Bowl, it was clear that the highly anticipated New York hardcore event was going to be awesome. BNB Productions subsequently confirmed that Cro-Mags, Madball, Skarhead, Wisdom in Chains, and Trapped Under Ice would all play the May 15th event at Webster Hall (formerly The Ritz, a legendary New York City venue), but as per the flyer above a few more solid acts have been added, including H2O (who blew me away at their show a couple months ago) and Cruel Hand. But perhaps the biggest surprise was that long-dormant hardcore act Yuppicide will reunite at the BNB Bowl for their first show in twelve years. Vocalist Jesse Jones, who years ago dismissed the idea of a reunion, has “eaten his words.”

After 12 years of silence we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane and play some shows. We’re planning on a few East Coast locations, and a short trip to Europe (tentatively in October). Pete couldn’t join us on drums due to family commitments, so Gringo Star from The Muggs and Caught in a Trap is ferociously learning the set for the next show.

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I love YouTube for many reasons, not the least of which being that the site has completely changed the way video content makes it way out into the world. Case in point: this past Saturday I got to see hardcore act H2O celebrate its fifteenth anniversary with a sold-out show at New York’s Gramercy Theatre. Of course, not everyone who wanted to could attend, and one awesome fan put up a whole bunch of clips from the show for all of our enjoyment. The one above is for “Still Here” off the record, and features guest vocals by noneother than Civ of Gorilla Biscuits.

Below you’ll find a few more videos, including their cover of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer,” along with the rest of their known tourdates. I had a blast, as my friends who were there with me can attest, so don’t miss out!

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