Give Thanks

In 1984, Articles of Faith would go into the studio to record their seminal debut lp Give Thanks on Reflex Records. With Bob Mould from Husker Du at the helm of production duties, Articles Of Faith would expand on their Midwest meets DC sound to create one of the most unique hardcore lp's of the early 80's. Articles Of Faith formed in 1981 in Chicago releasing the excellent What We Want Is Free 7" in '82, followed by the Wait 7" the following year. The band would really up the ante by releasing a complex lp with songwriting that sounds years beyond what other hardcore bands were creating during the time. Give Thanks opens with the self titled track that is just straight up mind blowing. The dense dual leads throughout the record really create a unique listening experience without sacrificing the bands hardcore roots. Vocalist Vic Bondi's lyrics divulges cynically often articulated with anger an emotion without being preachy. As mentioned before, Bob Mould would twist the knobs on this record and he does a great job in capturing such bold song writing efforts with a great production. I can't recommend this album enough. Seminal Chicago hardcore. Articles would release another lp the following year before disbanding in 1985.

Download Give Thanks HERE


AoF Give Thanks promo video.

Show Review - Outbreak, Soul Control, Opus Noir, Nightwatch - 11/15/09 @ Knickerbockers

I intended this show to be like any other that I have attended and shoot the bands. Instead I learned a hard lesson... check your gear before you leave for the show. By the time I got to the venue the first local band Nightwatch was in mid-set. I quickly tried to get my camera set up to shoot but I couldn't get it to power up. By the time I changed out 3 different sets of batteries I came to find out that taking any show photos was out of the question. By the time I was putting all my gear back into my pack Nightwatch was finishing up their set. Nightwatch are form Omaha, Nebraska and they play a slightly down tuned, harder edged style of hardcore. I think they are pretty good at the style especially for being a young band. But guys... a Reign Supreme cover? I hope with time these guys can find a more original style, but at least they play pretty tight live and they sounded pretty good on Knickerbockers sound stage. I spent the rest of the show up front at the stage and watched the second band play, also from Omaha. Opus Noir play a heavy modern d-beat inspired brand of hardcore and featured their new singer Austin. This was probably the 3rd time I've seen these guys and they get tighter every show. Opus Noir is a band that greatly benefits from playing on a loud sound stage, and they played a near flawless set. Although there wasn't much movement from the crowd, everyone seemed to enjoy their performance. Soul Control from Providence, RI played next and they were the main reason why I wanted to go to the show. After seeing Soul Control at Ghost House just a month before, I was really excited to see them again but playing on the big stage of Knickerbockers. These guys don't disappoint. The band played through what I felt was a fairly short set rocking their heavy groove, post-hardcore styled brand of hardcore played tightly while their vocalist was giving a high energy performance. I really wish I had a working camera for them, but it was fun to watch from up front for a change and hang out with some friends while the bands played. Outbreak played last, and were obviously the crowd favorite for the evening. They played some new songs off the new lp, but when the well known early songs were played, a lot of crowd participation would break out with bursts of sing a longs and plenty of side to side mosh. Outbreak always seems to have a revolving door of members, but the current lineup sure does have an energetic stage presence. Lots of moving about and jumping around throughout that would have made awesome photos. The whole night seemed to go by really fast, and before I knew it the show was over. Overall, it was a pretty good show. All the bands played really well, the turnout wasn't bad and a lot of new faces were in the crowd. Plus, everyone seemed to have a good time. It was pretty fun for me to hang out up front as well. This show happened during the time I spent away from the internet, so it felt really rewarding to just hang out in a fun person to person kind of way. I also learned a valuable lesson: always check your gear before hand. Lesson learned.

Show Pics - Death Before Dishonor, Steel Nation, Nightwatch, Still Alive - 10/27/09 @ In Commons

Crucial Changes is back from life.

As you may have noticed from my previous post, I took a 10+ day cleanse from the e-world. Within those 10 days, Crucial Changes HQ totally shut down: My computer and internet was unplugged, and the cell phone was turned off. Within that time I didn't check any of my email, nor social networking sites but instead had to communicate with everyone in a face to face manner. The only thing I can think of as far as wanting access to instant information were simple things like finding a show and time listing at the movie theatre or map directions to specific locations. With a phone call or two I was able to overcome said "problems".

My time away from the e-world for me was a complete success. Without the distractions of bright glow from the computer screen I was able to take care of things that I have been putting off here at the CCHQ and well as things in my personal life. Here is a broad list of the things I did during my 10 days away:


Detail cleaned the CCHQ, including all the closets and cupboards.

Got out and played 4 game sessions with my board game group.

Went on 3 nature hikes.

Shot 3 rolls of film with a new camera.

Read 4 books.

Listened to 50+ hardcore 7"s, 20+ lp's

Started a new workout routine.

Attended a hardcore show.

Set up future plans for Crucial Changes in 2010.

Got into a good sleeping schedule.


Now that I'm back, CC will be up and rolling in full speed for the remainder of the month. Expect to see plenty of updates, as well as upcoming news and events from the CCHQ. Comments are open, and if anyone else also embarked on a break from the e-world, I would like to hear your experience. Get in touch.

-Keith

Crucial Changes HQ is going off-line (for a week)

The Crucial Changes HQ will be taking a break from the e-world for a week. Starting tonight at midnight: no Internet, no cell phones, no video games, no TV. I will have my land line phone on during this time, so if there is a show coming up that I should be at, you are going to have to call or talk to me face to face. Expect an update of what I did with my time when I get back. You are welcome to join in.

Outbreak and Soul Control will be playing Lincoln on the 15th, and I hope to see all the locals there. Expect show all the show photos soon as well as the Death Before Dishonor photos from a while back.

That's it, see you all next week. Peace.

-Keith

Clean Sweep announces final show.

Aurora crew hardcore band Clean Sweep (aka Waiting For Change) have decided to break up after playing out for two years, and will have a final show later this week on Nov.14th. Clean Sweep recorded a demo earlier this year, plus a new split cd with pop-punkers Minkus from Omaha. I would like to hope that these kids will continue to play hardcore music. Here is the official word from the bands Myspace page:

We encourage anyone who is our friend or enjoyed us over the years to please come and see us off with a smile. Clean Sweep began in January of 2008, originally named Waiting for Change, making it almost two years of our lives. On our 2009 Hella-Weeners Tour Split, our inserts have a list of thank you's as follows: "Clean Sweep would like to thank: Parents, Friends, Family, Evan Ziska, Nick Miller, Greg Sallans, Sarah Vrana, Brad, Shannon, Justin Rodriguez, Matt Vicars, Moose, Joe, Cody, Mark, Mike, Ian, Nic, Kyra Sallans, Dylan, Dakotah Boeck, John Pinning, Corey Loveland, Tyler Conrad, Alex Kinnerk, Brock, Keith, Lucas@Black Heart Booking, Jeremy Shaeffer, Daybreak Photo and Design, Northeast Audio, WOW Coffeeshop, The Ghost House, Nerdcore House, Millhouse, Lardhouse, Minkus, ERA(rip), Hercules, Ghost Towns(rip), Thunderbolts, Hoof Hearted, Smartbomb, Energy, Punch, Red Handed, The Recession, Gumbi, Greenfields, Scut Farkus, Koizumi, High Dive, Dead Shred, Muridia, Nightwatch, Get Gnarly(rip), Labora Tori, Chuke, Take Charge, Reviver, Kevin Seconds, Off With Their Heads, Cave Kids, Kepi Ghoulie, No Harm Done, Bear Trap, POW, Opus Noir, Give To the Winds, More Than Conquerers, Falling to Grace and anyone who has ever bought a CD, watched us, or listened.

THANK YOU!"

And no thanks to Timothy Ostdiek of Scottsbluff, NE. We hope you get what's coming to you.

Accidental Therapy presents: Starving Artist Art Sale

Ross @ Accidental Therapy will be hosting a big underground art sale on Nov. 15th @ The Bourbon Theatre (1415 O St.) in Lincoln, NE. Starving Artist Art Sale will feature the work of local and national artists: Raws, The Butch Dick Collection, Ben Swift, Pawl Tisdale, Courtney Lore, Ron Albertson, Zef, Stacey Roller. Showing lasts from 5pm to 9pm w/ live music from Kansas City industrial unit Sewn Leather playing at 8pm. $1 donation. All art is under $50.