Very much like the Headfirst 7” posted below, this is another band and record that everyone who grew up with early 90s hardcore already knows and loves. Probably not quite coincidentally this also came out on Workshed Records, which had a short but very successful run. I believe they put out a total of 10 records between 1988 and 1992, but among these are releases by Hard Stance, Carry Nation, Headfirst and this record. The man behind Workshed was Dan O' Mahoney of No For An Answer and Carry Nation fame. 411 was his project after the demise of these bands and it also features Kevin Murphy from Headfirst on guitars. With their debut 7” “Thoughts That Feed The Fire” (or probably better known as “Say it”, which I included here) 411 made a pretty big name for themselves in the hardcore/skate scene.
The LP “This isn’t me” came out in 1991 and took hardcore into a different direction from its traditional sound and content. 411 adopted melody and introspective lyrics over a straight forward, in your face attack. Upon hearing this for the first time I wasn’t even all that impressed with the music, because at that time it just wasn’t hard and fast enough for me. Rather, the music is rocking mid-tempo hardcore, which sounds more like Dag Nasty or early Shelter than any of Dan O’Mahoney’s earlier bands. It’s still very intense and powerful, but it is also very emotional and even quite political music (“Face the flag”, “Those homophobic”); everything held together by Dan O’Mahoney’s commandeering, growling voice. Obviously, I have come around in my opinion on this record (rather quickly actually) and I see this now for the "emo-core" milestone that it is. “This isn't me” are 10 great sing-along, skate-along anthems that will only grow on you with time (but then again, you probably might know that already ^_^ ).
411
9 comments:
Mario Rubalcalba! haha!
I've always loved the cover for This Isnt Me. I used to wear vans religiously, and have been known to still rock them at least 50% of the time. My favorite pair were those black ones from the cover. They got so many holes in them and I still wore them.
I liked the shoes and the cover more than the music. Probably for the same reasons. It wasnt hard enough. Though I did like Farside at the time, Kevin Murphys later stuff. I never heard the 7" so I am gonna give it the ole' college try based on your write-up.
Yes, the cover with the shoes was quite iconic and it's probably what people remember even if they already forgot about the music. I wanted to upload the cover (of course), but I am having problems uploading pictures here right now. Have to see whether I can fix that... Speaking of pictures: My dad went into the basement and rifled through all my records and he found the Underdog LPs. He is going to take pictures of the artwork for me (my parents are awesome, btw). So I'll post those, too, as soon as I get them.
That is some awesome parentage! Your dad mustve been like "I know hes got that record, I listen to it sometimes." ^_^
I am assuming you upload the picture directly to blogger... I searched on google and found some very basic HTML code for adding images and also for making images into links and for making all links open in a new tab or window. I save all my images to Imageshack and then use those links. It's a few extra steps, but it works well for my needs.
If that interests you then google "how to make an image a link" and "how to make an image open in a new window"
I would add the HTML but the comment box will try to read it and it wont display properly. I am HTML impaired. ^_^
okay. its official... this is much better than I remember... wow... Totally hear the Rites of Spring vibe...
and that makes me realize, I have always mostly liked the revolution summer sound, but it gets better with age. Good synthesis of the emotion and tension of hardcore with a great dose of melody and dynamic.
Glad you like it.
Ha, ha! Rites of Spring, Revolution Summer, I probably would not have made that association, but now that you mention it I can see the comparison. Certainly there was some personal and musical growth between NoForanAnswer and this. BTW, I read a short while ago that Dan O'Mahoney owned a bar and/or ran a franchise of bars in SoCal. Unless they only sell smoothies that's pretty damn ironic...
yeah! especially because of the rumours of him dissing Chain of Strength and saying they werent really straight edge! Ha!
But, seriously, straight edge as an idea is okay, as a personal thing its fine, but as a scene or a movement, its just ridiculous and bordering on zealous orthodoxy.. haha! Or something like that. I personally am happy for all the experiences I have had with drugs and alcohol. I am not an extremist in any way, but I did my share and I still enjoy beer and the occasional toke. All I can say is that life is great... I love it... Never needed some straight edge philosophy crammed down my throat to make me pure and perfect. Life is way mroe complex than that... Ramble, ramble, ramble. ^_^
Glad to see a very well written post about my #1 favorite Orange County, California band of all time (and they still are to this day). Being in my early 20s and living in O.C. when 411 was around, I went to 7 or 8 of their shows, including their Hollywood Palladium show (my personal favorite) opening for Fugazi and The Offspring. At that time (1991), it was completely UNHEARD OF for a local O.C. band to play at such a big venue (4000 capacity or something), so it was a pretty big deal to say the very least. 411 were always great live. I sure wish they would've lasted longer than two years.
I hope you don't mind that I swiped the pics you posted of the 411 LP and 7" for this - http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com/2009/06/dan-omahony-interview.html
No of course no, no worries. Gonna head over there to read that interview right now.
Post a Comment