4 live songs to accompany the 9 studio ones which provides the experience of what they sound like live as well as in the studio. Top notch! Live songs were recorded during the PUSSY RIOT benefit in their home town of New London Connecticut. If you’re unaware, PUSSY RIOT is an all grrl Russian band that got arrested after speaking out against vladimir putin (intentionally not capitalized to signify disrespect). They got arrested in 2011, and one or two of the members is still in there. Apparently the women have been subjected to abuse including sexual abuse, and punx all over the world are (or should be) just as mad about them being arrested as the atrocities that happened in BANDA ACEH INDONESIA a couple years ago.
AMERICANT is an East Coast punk band from Connecticut that play aggressive HC with a hint of powerviolence. Off the wall drumming matches the excellent guitar / bass work well, with enraged shouted vocals over it all. Dual m / f vox on a couple songs, with entirely anarchist messages in the lyrics. Song themes touch upon such topics as the annoyance of working, riot cops at peaceful protests, the rampant sexism of religion, a history of punk rock, the debt of the American dream, and unity. Oh, and a tongue in cheek song about smoking. I’m not really sure if they are anti cigs, but they definitely mention the ills of tobacco. DON’T SMOKE – ITS FUCKING STUPID!!!! SMOKE DRUGS NOT CIGS. Lyrics sheet is laid out like a stack of show flyers, and printed DIY on regular office paper. Production is nice and bass heavy so ya can hear all the parts of the jig saw gnawing through the amps. Great bass levels. Plus the lead singer has been repeatedly seen rocking PROFANE EXISTENCE shirts! Fuck yea
Released as WILTED ROSE RECORDS #001.
“Once in awhile, something truly inspirational comes from southeastern Connecticut. These four bright and talented young people are going to change the face of music for the better for generations to come. Sure, they may be a little rough around the edges and drop a few f-bombs now and again, but what they lack in social norms they make up for with that special kind of spark that can lead us all to a better place. The kind of place we have dreampt of since our youth where anything is possible. That special place where, at least for a few moments, we are completely free from all the things that have held us back and tired our weary bones.” — Norm McDonald of SNL (?)
AMERICAN’T: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Americant/249574241814705
And here we are. Another bloody Sunday, another step towards civilization’s inevitable demise. I don’t have any easy solutions, but I do have a cracking soundtrack to help ease the pain, and get us through the mounting mental trauma of the end of life as we know it.
While I was gathering paper and cardboard for a bonfire recently, I dumped the packing material out of the box from the last batch of review goodies I was sent quite a while ago and this cassette fell out. While the fire was great, I felt like a total jerk for missing this. By the looks of the cassette and logo I would have expected this to be heavy crust, but I was pleasantly surprised. While I am a big fan of that style, this was a nice surprise. This cassette has seven songs of blazing hardcore that I could swear came straight from the mid 90s even though they’ve only been around for a little over a year. The drums beat furiously pushing the wall of rage created by the guitars and bass. Adding to the mayhem are deep sociopolitical lyrics that are so well written and inspiring. I have to admit that the second time through these songs I was so moved I had to pull out my guitar and shred. By the time the time you read this, there’s a possibility that MASSEXIT will be close to putting out another fine release. I can’t wait! Even though the recording was pretty rough, this is one of the best releases I’ve heard in a very long time(and comes with a sticker). Honest and very well done. (Jake) 
Back in December, Harvest King Records released one hell of a compilation containing a nice assortment of bands over 20 tracks. Aside from ROYAL RED BRIGADE, KLEINS96, TOMORROW STARTS TODAY and THE JUMP OFF(who all have two), each band has one track to showcase their goods. Something to look forward to is the diversity in sound that everybody brings to the table unlike some comps that give a handful of bands all banging out tunes that, in reality, could all be the same band. The range on this disc hit punk rock, hardcore, indie, country/folk and more. Even better…you can listen to it for free! That’s right, free. So, go to Harvest King’s bandcamp site and check it out. Then, after realizing you like all the bands, order all the albums! (Jake)