New Years

I think that New Years is still a band? I don't really know off the top of my head. I think they are. It would make sense seeing as they just put out a record that they recorded a mean minute ago. The only person in this band that I know in the real, physical world was Justin. Obviously he isn't with the group anymore because he isn't in Baltimore. The people in this band are in alot of other bands, but I don't feel like mentioning them all. It seems like anytime I mention other bands, I get asked to take it down. Then when I don't mention bands, I get asked to put it up. Almost all of my last dozen or so posts have been edited because someone wanted something changed. Kind of just not going to do that anymore.

Anyways, New Years is an " unapologetically corny late 90's-influenced emo rock. heavy influence from penfold and mineral. lots of off key vocals even though we tried not to do that." I listened to "Sky Swallow Me Whole" yesterday while doggy-paddling around in a sess pool of self loathing and it seemed to fit quite nicely. All of the people involved in the group are extremly talented and thus created a really quality record, so the only reason one who not get down with this would be if they didnt like '90's emo. But I think almost everyone does. If you don't, its totally cool, I guess. I don't care.

Check out the dudes below. They don't have a website or anything. Try searching google for "New Years", especially in the images tab. The album is killer so yeah, big ups. Word.

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Bandcamp

The Bell Foundry Fundraiser

Ok so I know this is kind of lame but I'm going to just go for it anyways.

The Bell Foundry, as some of you are well aware, is a DIY venue in Baltimore that is home to alot of awesome bands and artists. We have been having shows here for a few years, and in the past half a year we went "full time" and had alot of really great shows in the basement. We were going really strong and then the police came and shut us down because we weren't up to safety code. We stopped doing shows and have been doing renovations in order to get things legit so the police don't come full force and fuck us. We tried to do it all ourselves but it ultimately proved to be too expensive and time consuming, and we honestly just want to get things going as soon as possible. Thus, we made this fund raiser.

The money that is donated will go, 100 percent, towards renovations for the space. If we raise more money than we "need" than it will go towards the operating expenses for the show space. THE MONEY THAT WE GET FROM THE FUNDRAISER WILL NOT, EVER, GO TOWARDS ANY PERSONAL EXPENSES OR BE USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE SHOW SPACE.

If you choose to donate to us, not only will you get our undying love and appreciation, but you will also be able to get some really awesome gifts in return. We made a really cool video and worked really hard on getting rewards from the bands that call the Bell home, as well as friends who are artists, bands, and the community at large. Even though I am apart of the organization and will be spear-heading our transition into  non-profit status in order to further protect ourselves from additional interactions with "the man" I am still going to give a hefty amount of my paycheck to the project. It would mean alot to all of us who frequent the space, as well as the Baltimore music scene at large, if you could help us out. Any money would be amazing. Even spreading the cause would be greatly appreciated.

If you have ever been to the The Bell Foundry you know how great it is. I have never met anyone who had something bad to say about the space as a whole. It is a great place to be, and a great place to hangout. Even before I started hanging out here on the reg and would only come around during school breaks I still loved every second I was here. If you have never attended a show here or hung out at the Bell you should come over once things get going again. We have a skatepark in the back that is open to the public if you skate. We have an awesome basement where we put on kick ass shows all the time, involving anyone and any genre who wants to participate. We have a print studio that is really cost effective and makes amazing material.

The Bell Foundry is an amazing place. I love being able to call it home. I don't know what I would do without this space. I know alot of people who feel the same. Help us to make The Bell Foundry what is was and what is supposed to be: an awesome place to be whoever you want to be. Regardless of how you support, we appreciate it more than you can imagine. We do this, not for ourselves, but so that anyone on tour can have a good show, and so that local bands can have a dope place to play.

I AM FORMALLY ASKING EVERYONE WHO I KNOW AND EVERYONE WHO READS THIS TO PLEASE REPOST THE FUND RAISER AND GIVE IT AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN, USING WHATEVER OUTLET YOU CAN. PLEASE. PLEASE HELP US. SUPPORT YOUR SCENE. I'M LOOKING AT YOU, INFLUENTIAL BANDS AND RECORD LABELS. DON'T BE A DICK, BE A DUDE.

Yeah, Word.

There are alot of videos of bands playing at The Bell Foundry, below are only a few of them. You can find them all on the internet, but I wanted to throw a few on here just to make it easier.

















For real, thanks for even looking at this stuff. I know asking for money is lame, but this is the best cause.

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BELL FOUNDRY FUNDRAISER PAGE

please share it obnoxiously
This is a facebook event that will be home base for fund raising updates and events

Barbelith

Over the past weekend I spent a considerable amount of time with Barbelith and Co. The time spent climaxed on Monday night at The Crown when both our bands played in support of the Tempest / Vestiges tour. Aside from eating crabs, Barbelith's set was my favorite part of the week.

Normally I don't really give too many fucks about black metal, honestly, but I really like Barbelith. It might have something to do with the fact that they are from Baltimore, but it also is important to note that they are a really good, interesting band. I've seen them a few times, and it was always at least dope, but the other night they were on fucking point. Aside from the fact that what I am assuming is their new material slays so hard, they changed the way that they perform in such a manner that really adds alot more "atmosphere" to the whole "atmospheric black metal" thing. Back in the day homie used to just trigger ambient samples between songs or whatever, but now the dudes are actually playing keyboards and making the tones live. It adds so much depth to the performance as a whole, aside from the fact that it simply sounds better.

They only have one album recorded, which is linked below. I'm almost positive that they have the material for a new release ready to go, and I cannot wait for that joint to get put out. On the real: the release below is sick, but the sets that they play now blow their old stuff out of the water. All of the guys are next level good at their instruments and on top of that are some of the nicest people I have met in a hot minute. I back these dudes pretty hard. Check it out, and try to see them live. Its 100 percent worth it. Word.

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Bandcamp

Caust / [This is Not For You] Split

2013 is seemingly the year of the youngs. Creative output from the scream scene waxes and wanes, but I would go so far as we are at the beginning of a veritable tsunami. The past year, give or take a season or two, was a drought: in deep inhale before the explosive exhale. Thankfully, you can see the waters beginning to culminate into a vast tidal wave. There are manly locations of note when discussing various sub-sets of post hardcore, but I have always been of the mindset that the mid-Atlantic was a vastly unappreciated region which is home to an impressive number of should be notable bands and individuals. I now give you proof. I feel like I have been charged with taking on the role of Prometheus.

Caust and [this is not for you] just released this split the other day. Caust is championing the more driving sub set of the genre, while [tinfy] is on the chaotic end of the spectrum, which is admittedly more my cup of tea. The Caust tracks remind me of some of the more classic scream bands, in that the songs are steady, dark, and have somewhat logical progressions. On the other hand, the [tinfy] side is a little harder to pin point. The darkness permeates the entire record, but there is something a tad more sinister in the songs by the Ocean City crew. To me, their songs sound more influenced by hardcore. You will understand when you listen.

Both the bands are made up of people who are in multiple bands. I don't know all of the different connections, but I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for someone to figure out. Another common thread between the active parties of this release is that they are going on lengthy and note worthy tours this summer. Caust is doing a full American tour in July I think, where as the members of [tinfy] are going on tour with their other, more accomplished band Full of Hell in Europe to support Circle Takes The Square. I know right.

The split below is free to download via the Caust bandcamp. The 7 inch is being released by three labels and  you can find all the details in the link below. I strongly suggest that you take a cigarette break and listen to this album. Also, go out and see both of these bands if they are coming around. I have had the pleasure of seeing both and they will not disappoint. If you do have a chance to meet these guys, buy them alcohol because they are barely old enough to buy smokes. Word.

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Bandcamp

The Human Excuse

The Human Excuse is one of the bazillion projects of Justin Lloyd. He was in bands like Age Sixteen and Sawhorse and is hella involve in the Maryland scene. Homeboy runs Rainbow Bridge records and is a stable in mid-atlantic noise stuff. I've known him for a while and he's a pretty dope guy. Human Excuse is " like a weirder and nosier cross between Sigur Ros, Owen, The Wind-Up Bird and Mount Eerie". Most of these songs are about a mutual friend of ours, which is pretty cool. Shhhhhh. You should give this a listen, it's really cool. Follow one of his media outlets because he is always on the internet and knows whats up. He does designs and shit too, so if you want some quality stuff made on the cheap hit him up. Word.

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A Therapeutic Universe