MetalSucks

I’m not much of a fan of Municipal Waste, though I respect what they do and totally understand why so many people dig their scuzzy brand of revival thrash metal. It’s sometimes easy to overlook that hardcore punk and thrash have intertwined histories, with many of the former genre’s pioneers subsequently becoming thrash metallers. D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, and even the Cro-Mags have made a mark on both styles. So when I learned that Municipal Waste frontman Tony Foresta was also in a hardcore band, I just had to learn more.

They’re called No Friends, and if your love of hardcore begins and ends in the 1980s, then this one’s for you. Foresta handles lead vocals for the group, which also features dudes from New Mexican Disaster Squad. The four songs streaming at their MySpace page recall Circle Jerks, Dag Nasty, Government Issue, and a less dorky Descendents. You can download a free MP3 of “Never Ending Fight” if that sounds like something up your alley. While you’re at it, pick up a copy of their self-titled debut through their record label here. It’s just $7 for the CD version and $8 for the vinyl LP (which comes with a digital download card). Oh, and next month they’re hitting the road for some East Coast shows. Check out those dates below.

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Our bro-dogs at Metal Injection were on-set for the filming of Municipal Waste’s “Wrong Answer” video last month, and have now posted their report – including an interview with vocalist Tony Foresta and bassist Landphil. There’s even a cameo by yours truly. MI’s Frank Godla shot me from a low angle, Michael Bay-style, so I’d look extra handsome.

While Frank and on-camera sexy d00d Rob Pasbani were doing their interview, I was on the other side of the set interviewing guitarist Ryan Waste and drummer Dave Witte. We’ll have the transcript of that interview, and some cool behind-the-scenes pics, for you sometime real soon.

-AR

At this point in time, unless you’ve lived in a cave for the past few years, you know that Municipal Waste’s previous three albums (and an EP) have been steeped in thrash, beer, and partying… in no particular order. In that brief time, Municipal Waste’s impending retro-thrash throwback almost single-handedly inspired a plethora of seventeen year-old kids to buy Reeboks and shamelessly – and unfortunately – unintelligently “borrow” Kreator, Exodus, and D.R.I. riffs coupled with an emphasis on party-centric lyrics and sharp, speedy riffs.

To The Waste’s credit, though, they’re one of the few bands that manages to bring something new to the table on a consistent basis. Over the course of the band’s brief history, Municipal Waste has shown evolution and gradual, albeit slight, updates and innovations to their sound, culminating in Massive Aggressive, which – as cheesy and clichéd as it is dub it this – is probably the band’s most mature offering to date.

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