There were so many great bands playing this year, in particular, Blood & Ink records did a B&I family and friends day at the Solace Stage (which spanned two different days).  What was cool about this show is that it included such great B&I bands as Venia, Jawbone, Friends, Dependency, Thin Ice, Ironwill, Thirtyseven, Divide The Sea, and Debtor, but also bands including Cool Cough (side project of the guys from Call To Preserve), Strengthen What Remains, Beggars, Call to Preserve, Messengers, Dynasty, and Gideon (whom are not on the B&I label).  What makes the fact that this was going on extra cool is the fact that our tent was wedged in between Solace Stage and Legacy Stage where all of these great shows were taking place.

Some of the highlights of the week were the following:

1.  Meeting so many of you that visit our site and post on the forum, and finally meeting many of the bands we interview in person and getting to know everyone better.

2.  Catching a few Dynasty sets.  I (Josh) really like this band and I think they are solid, their testimony is also very moving.  I think I almost broke my hand and wrist when I was dancing and clobbered some poor kid right over the head.  Turns out my hand is OK, if the kid I hit is reading this, sorry, hope you are OK!

3.  Getting Officer Negative to play the Legacy Stage on Thursday may have been a highlight of the week as well.  I knew of the band, but have never really listened to many of their songs.  Hanging with Chad (the singer) and Justin, Casey, and Rick (who was filling in on drums) was great, awesome bunch of guys, strong in the Lord.  It was awesome to watch everyone getting into their set, singing along, and dancing like a bunch of maniacs.  Plus, I am sporting my new Officer Negative shirt today!

Officer Negative – “JCHC” on Legacy Stage

Click here to view the embedded video.

4.  Final Call To Preserve sets at Cornerstone, while everyone is bummed that these guys are breaking up, it was cool to catch their last shows at Cornerstone.  I picked up their 7″ “Validation” as well, which I highly recommend everyone go and pick up.  These guys have grown musically over the years.  It was also fun to see Cool Cough, their side band with Harbor singing, and John playing guitar.  Good stuff.

5.  Debtor’s new material is awesome, nuff said.  The guys in the band are super cool, easy to talk with, and they blew up every set with their new songs.  Go and buy their new album Bloodseeds and Blood & Ink Records.

6.  Catching a full Graverobber set.  If you have not seen these guys live, then you are missing out.  They are like the Misfits of the Christian punk world, their music is tight, and their stage show is extremely entertaining.  Just a word of advice, if they are singing any song that includes the word “blood” in the title, run for cover.  Catch their midnight shows, way more fun then their daytime shows.

7.  True Liberty and FBS – again, both of these bands just keep getting better, and they are both tons of fun to hang with.  Make sure to catch them live if they happen to be coming through your town.

8.  Branching out – I checked out A Hill To Die Upon, I am not normally a metal fan, but these guys are actually really really decent, and when I listen to their stuff, there is a heavy undertone of hardcore in it.  Go and check them out.

9.  Strengthen What Remains and Clear Convictions – their split set was probably one of the most fun sets at Cornerstone.  Strengthen What Remains is out of Florida and the guys in the band are among some of the coolest you will meet.  Their music just keeps getting better and better.  Clear Convictions came all the way from Puerto Rico to play Cornerstone.  I was pissed that so many people slept on the this band during their set on Texas Stage, but I was glad that I was able to tape the set (check out video page).  Both of these bands are signed to On The Attack Records run by our friend Sammy.  Love you guys!  Make sure that you pick up both of their albums from On The Attack, worth every penny, and how often do you see the record label owner in the pit???  Now that is support for your bands!

Clear Convictions Set from Texas Stage

Click here to view the embedded video.

10.  Discovering new bands that everyone needs to check out.  Beggars, With Increase, Blackhole.

And number 11.  The super secret show at the barn.  WOW, Debtor and Beggars both played a set, and then there were three cover sets including songs by Minor Threat, Advent, Seventh Star, and Shockwave.  This was by far THE best show, held in the storage shed by the skate park.  There where probably two hundred people that showed up and only enough room for 50 in the venue.  I was lucky enough to get up in the storage rafters to tape some of the show.  It was insane.  And as one of the guys from Debtor told me, “I just had a huge smile on face the whole time cause it was so awesome.”  I agree that it was awesome and I think there should be more intimate shows at Cornerstone like this.  Check the video page for coverage of the event.  Sorry you missed it!
Over all, the event was great, seemed fewer people were there this year, actually seemed kind of empty this year.  Rumors are floating around that they may not have Cornerstone next year because they did not sell enough tickets this year.  I say, don’t listen to rumors and sit tight, they may change the look and feel of Cornerstone next year, but I find it hard to believe they will altogether cancel the event, it touches so many people’s lives.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks for all your support and for everyone that stopped in to say hello, your kind words and blessing edify what we do and why we do it. Until next year, God bless and be safe!

Check out our video page for more videos, you can find our youtube channel here, and make sure to “like” us on Facebook!

Josh and the HXCChristian.com crew (John, RJ, Katie, Seann, Doug and special helpers like Mike!)

And one more fun video of the “best of” Cornerstone!

Click here to view the embedded video.

For those of you who have not heard, HXCChristian.com will have a comp album due out around March 16th.  Special thanks to our pals at Thumper Punk Records who helped with all the heavy lifting on the comp.  “We at HXCChristian.com are really excited for this comp album to be released,” says Josh of HXCChristian.com, “not only did a ton of great bands step forward to contribute to the album, but the proceeds will help HXCChristian.com to continue to have a great presence at music festivals such as Cornerstone.”  While HXCChristian.com keeps it overhead low by a pure DIY ethic, we really like to do it up at Cornerstone.  Last year, we had an official generator tent where we were able to have bands do “meet-and-greets” with all the folks who attend Cornerstone.  Leroy – lead singer for War of Ages, Andy – lead singer of A Plea For Purging, and the guys from Debtor, all came out to answer questions about the band, life on the road, and how God has used them to reach out to people at shows.  We also had a pancake breakfast with Call to Preserve, and a free spaghetti dinner where we must have fed 200 people.  We look forward to doing it bigger and better at Cornerstone this year.  So, by purchasing a download of this comp, or buying the disc will help support our efforts.

Enough about us…..Who is on the comp?  Well, we had 25 bands volunteer to put a song on the comp.  It is just short of a full disc of music.  There are two sides of the comp, hardcore vs. punk.  Here is the track listing:

Side A (Hardcore Side)
1.   Welcome to Hardcore Christian Radio
2.   “Familyhood,” In Shepherds Arms, Armor of God
3.   “Nineteen Eleven,” Braveheart, Speak to These Bones, 1981 Records
4.   “Pale Rose,” Messengers, Anthems, Facedown Records
5.   “Keep On Smiling,” Gorilla Warfare, Keep On Smiling
6.   “Big Question,” Carrying The Fire, Demo (2011)
7.   “Lazy Sunday,” Those Who Fear, S.O.T.S. Demo (2009)
8.   “The Seed,” Killing Years, Demo (2010)
9.   “Control Freaks Who’ve Lost Control,” Divinity Theory
10.  “Bare Heights,” Debtor
11.  “Voids,” Strengthen What Remains, Humanity, On The Attack Records
12.  “Season of the Starved Wolf,” A Hill To Die Upon, Infinite Titanic Immortal, Bombworks Records

Side B (Punk, Oi! and Ska Side)
13.  Welcome to Hardcore Christian Radio
14.  “Old Rugged Cross,” False Idle, Hymns of Punk Rock Praise, Thumper Punk Records
15.  “Revolution,” True Liberty, City of the One, Wounded Records
16.  “Walking Dead,” The WAY, The Fight Is Ours, Thumper Punk Records
17.   “Lost Cause,” The Kings Kids, Thumper Punk Records
18.  “Take Me Away,” The Rekoning, The Road Less Traveled, Facedown Records
19.  “They Hate You” (originally performed by FBS), Grave Robber, Exhumed, Rottweiler Records
20.  “Standoff,” FBS, Live Grenade
21.  “Mad At The Girls,” Lust Control, This is a Condom Nation, Captive Thought Publishing
22.  “You Forgot Something,” Unshackled, Overcoming Years, Thumper Punk Records and Caustic Fallout
23.  “Another Day Gone,” The Hoax, Stumbling Through, Thumper Punk Records and Caustic Fallout
24.  “Boxcutter,” Skamikaze!
25.  “10,000 Ladders,” Send Out Scuds, High Score
26.  “I Wanna Let You Out of the Box,” Destroy Nate Allen, Until My Ankle’s Better
27.  “Hope, UniSEF,” Can These Bones Live?

AND….for the big reveal, we have been teasing folks with what the album cover would be.  I am big fan of the punk DIY style and lifting an existing design or album cover.  SO…we were huge fans of the Christian Aerobics album that was released many years ago.  And we thought, what a better way to honor such an interesting piece of Christian art/Americana than to update it to “Hardcore Aerobics?”  After all, anyone who has ever been in a pit knows that it is a real work out!  Folks that buy the physical album will also get some cool info on the insert including an exclusive on the how and why the site was started.

How much? Digital downloads will be available and will be priced at $5, physical copies of the CDs will be $10 plus shipping ($2.50).  Also, we should be able to take orders on this site or from Thumper Punk Records.  So check back often before the 16th for more details.

Thanks for your support, thanks to the great folks at Thumper Punk Records, Caustic Fallout, Seth from False Idle, and all the fantastic bands that have contributed to the album!  See you at Cornerstone 2011 and God bless!

Band: Carrying The Fire
Location: Bel Air, Maryland
Musical Style:  Straight Up Hardcore
Links: Myspace Facebook last.fm

Q: Carrying The Fire includes several ex members of XLooking ForwardX, how did CTF get it’s start?

A: While there are members of XLFX in the band, CTF actually wasn’t born from XLFX at all. Originally it was Matt, Auggie, Dan and another friend named Brandon in the group under a different name and they asked me to do vocals after they had already started writing. I never thought I would do another project after XLFX, but what they were playing was more melodic (think Good Riddance or Comeback Kid) and I liked the idea of doing something new vocally. Only problem is that I can’t sing so the melodic thing didn’t really stick so we started writing heavier stuff which didn’t really interest Brandon (the old bassist). That’s when we asked my cousin Kevin (who plays bass for XLFX) to join and that solidified the current lineup.

Q: I assume that the name Carrying The Fire comes from the Cormac McCarthy book “The Road,” is that the case, and if so, what is the significance of the name?

A: Yeah, I love McCarthy and “The Road” is a really cool book. Pretty much the name “Carrying The Fire” is all about a message of hope. It’s like, the “fire” is what’s good and right about humanity and while the world may be falling apart around us, we want to try to hold onto our hope, hold onto what’s good, share it with the world and pass it on to the next generation. Some people may debate me on whether or not that’s what the author is saying in the book (and if you’ve read any of his other work you can make a strong case that it isn’t), but that’s what I took away from it.

“The Road” Movie Trailer – At Least Rent the Movie!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Q: Is XLooking ForwardX officially defunct?

A: XLFX is what we like to call “inactive”. If a show comes up that’s interesting enough we’ll practice a couple of times (usually three times is enough to prevent a total disaster) and play it…but that’s really it. We have some material that we wrote after “path” [The Path We Tread] and we’ve kicked around writing some new stuff to try to put together another record, but who knows if that will ever really happen. If that ever worked out the most we would do is just play locally once and while and maybe do some fests, but our touring days and hustling days are over.

Q: So what is the purpose of Carrying The Fire?  Do you consider the band a Christian hardcore band, or Christians in a hardcore band?  Many of the lyrics are clearly inspired by your walk with Christ correct?

A: That’s a funny question since the song that we submitted for the compilation your site is releasing deals directly with this issue. You see, I just consider CTF and even XLFX to be straight up hardcore bands – not Christian bands or Christians in a band, just hardcore bands. What I mean is hardcore is supposed to be about real life and that’s what I like to write about – my life and the way I see the world. Now since being a Christian is the most important aspect of my life, most of what I write about deals with Christianity, but I don’t look at the band as evangelistic, necessarily. When I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, my whole life should be evangelistic, whether it be through music, being a barber, raising my family, etc. I’m hoping people see Christ in me. I hope that makes sense, I think the song actually says it better.

Q: It seems like Carrying The Fire started out as a side project, like you guys just wanted to play some hardcore, has it evolved and become more a focus for everyone?

A: Nah, it’s still really just for fun. Like I said, this project wasn’t born from any other band so it’s not a side project, but it’s a very casual setup. We practice once a week and we really only play Fridays or Saturdays and we don’t really travel much. So yeah, it’s just a fun outlet for five guys who love music and hanging out to get to do what we enjoy and hopefully, maybe say something that makes an impact on someone.

Q: Carrying The Fire has a demo out (which is fantastic), and you are writing new material, are you guys trying to get signed, or just writing and playing for fun this time?

A: Thanks, yeah we are always in the writing process but since we only practice once a week it’s kind of slow going. Considering that we aren’t going to be a touring band and we don’t really play that much, I’m not sure how appealing we would be to a record label, but that’s a direction we could go if we found someone who is into what we do and who is cool with our limitations.

Q: So if we want to catch a Carrying The Fire show then we need to haul our butts up to Maryland?  How is the scene these days up there?

A: That’s about right. We’ll play the surrounding areas, but we don’t have a van or anything so making those 5+ hour drives in multiple vehicles just isn’t in the cards for us. If I’m being honest, I’m still a little out of touch so it’s hard to access the scene up here. Seems good, although the show turnouts are maybe a bit lower than they used to be when I was really involved, but I’ve heard that’s pretty much everywhere.

Q: I saw that you guys played a show after Thanksgiving with Debtor and Killing Years.  How was that show?

A: Good show. Played in a barn with no heat in late November so it was cold (first time in about 10 years that I played a show in jeans), but it was a good time and a nice turnout. I have a lot of love for the Blood and Ink Record’s guys so I’m pulling for Debtor to blow up. If I’m remembering right, I think Killing Years had a good message so hopefully they’ll have a chance to spread that around some.

Carrying The Fire Live – “Repentance”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Q: A lot you guys in the band have families and children (as do I), how has the changed your perspective on being in hardcore bands (if at all).  How has being a father changed your perspective on being in the hardcore scene?

A: The main thing is this, having children completely sapped my desire to tour in any capacity. Just can’t do it. It’s not a matter of money or responsibility, I’m just a homebody now and I don’t like being away from home longer than I need to be. Sometimes I feel like a visitor in the hardcore scene these days, but I think that has more to do with being 30 than being a father, ya know? I do want my girls to grow up loving music the way that I did (and still do) so I’m sure they’ll be exposed to hardcore/punk shows here and there during their childhood. Hopefully the scene will remain a place (at least some of the time like it is now) that I can feel comfortable bringing them.

Q: What music are you guys listening to?  What hardcore bands (or other bands) should we all check out?

A: Matt and Dan are really the only guys in the group that are in the loop with what’s going on in hardcore right now. The rest of us are pretty much a few years behind, but hopefully as we play out some and get more involved in what’s going on we’ll find new bands to get excited about. Here are a few records that I think everyone should check out, though: All Out War – ‘For Those Who Were Crucified’, Downset – ‘Do We Speak a Dead Language’, Bloody Sunday ‘They Attack at Dawn’, Symphony in Peril ‘The Whores Trophy’, Bane – ‘Give Blood’, anything by The Deal, Dogwood – ‘Through Thick and Thin’, Our Corpse Destroyed – ‘Strength to Strength’ and Flatfoot 56 – ‘Knuckles Up’. This isn’t a comprehensive list of my favorites or anything, but any or all of those records will make your life better. I’m my honest opinion, I think Our Corpse Destroyed is the most underrated band in punk/hardcore on the planet right now and Dogwood may be the most underrated punk/hardcore band in history.

Q: What message to you want to give the hardcore scene as a whole?

A: If you have any musical talent at all, start a band. Once you start it, learn to tune properly and practice. Once you practice, write lyrics that mean something to you, not necessarily what you think people will be in to.  After that, just play. Get involved and make friends – you’ll be amazed at the friends you can make and how much they can enrich your life.

Q: Feel free to share anything else, shout-outs, other bands, links, etc.  Thanks for the interview and look forward to catching you guys live soon!

A: Thanks for the opportunity to spout off for a while. The only thing I can think to say to the kids is this – get into music.  Don’t just get into what’s going on today, check out the history of hardcore and punk music – you’ll be glad you did. The records that I listed above aren’t just things that I’m into right now or bands that I know or want people to know that I like – all of them have had some sort of lasting impact on my life. Give them a listen and share them with your friends. Take it easy!

There was a last minute venue change.  The show will be held at the Campbellsville Community Center located at:
1425 OLD HODGENVILLE RD
Campbellsville, KY 42718

Everything else is the same!

Check it out!  In conjunction with HXCChristian.com there is a Pre Cornerstone Boogie Down in Campbellsville, Kentucky on Sunday the 27th of June.  If you are driving to Cornerstone from anywhere on the East Coast, then we want you to stop in Campbellsville, Kentucky, at Campbellsville University to celebrate Cornerstone 2010 with some great bands.  On the bill are Restore the Roar, To Seize and Surrender, In Shepherds Arms, Debtor (Blood & Ink Records), Worker, Dead Icons, and head lining The Showdown (Solid State Records).  This show is going to be a mix of hardcore, hardcore punk, pop punk, metalcore, and good old metal, something for everyone! We hope to see you there.  If you need more information, contact Doug at his email doug @ HXCChristian.com.  Here are the details, spread the word!

What: Pre Cornerstone Boogie Down
When: Sunday, June 27th, 5:30 PM (doors open)
Where: Campbellsville University – Campbellsville, KY – Badgett Academic Support Center
Cost: $7
Info: No Drugs, No Alcohol, No Fighting, No Drama
Visit our sister site for more info on shows in Campbellsville:  www.Campbellsvilleshows.com

Repost the flyer on your myspace, facebook, on your desk, on your car, in your town….you get the point.

Interview by Doug Hurt – Contributor to HXCChristian.com

Band: Debtor
Music Style: Hardcore/Punk
Location: Philly Burbs
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/debtorpa

Q: Tell me about the band: How long have you been together?  Who are the members?  How did the band start?

A: Well, I began the attempts to form this band as far back as Spring of 2006, but it didn’t become a full band until October 2007.  That lineup was together for about a year, and then we were on hiatus for about another year before reforming in December 2009 with new members.  The new lineup is Jon Eirich (guitar), Jason Warner (guitar), Skot Rudy (bass), Josh Galloway (drums), and myself, Alan Popoli (vocals).

Q: How long have you guys been going to shows?

A: We’re all in our mid-20s, so we all went to our first shows as young teenagers.  Average is about 10 years ago.

Q: Have you guys been in other bands?

A: Lots, but probably not bands that anyone has heard of.  Jason and I played in Prevail (now Ancestor).  Jon has played in a ton of local bands over the years…some recent ones were Sincerely Monroe and Subcolour.  He still has a side project called The Rescue.  Skot played in some punk and hardcore bands from central PA: Heads Held High, The Standard, and Make It Count.

Q: Tell us about the scene in your area and bands from that area.

A: I love the greater Philadelphia area scene.  Bands like Blacklisted and Reign Supreme have put Philly back on the map in recent years.  But I grew up in the scene around the city, primarily going to shows in Lansdale, Doylestown, Collegeville, etc.  We’ve had plenty of struggles and setbacks, but there are dedicated people here who care deeply about keeping hardcore going.  I’m proud of this area.  The standards are higher here than what I’ve seen in many other scenes.  I have seen bands come and go who never got recognition but who were far better than whatever was happening in the “mainstream,” if you can call it that.

Q: You guys are on Blood and Ink Records, How does that label treat you guys not just as a band but as people?  How long have you been with the label?

A: We signed a deal with them July 2009, so we haven’t been with them long.  So far we’re very pleased.  I have long respected and enjoyed B&I bands like xLooking Forwardx and Ten 33, so I was stoked to work with them.  I’ve found that Sean knows good music, and is sincerely invested in improving Christian hardcore.  On the personal level, it can be difficult to hang because of the long drive between us, but we’ve spent hours on the phone and have had good times chilling over falafel and beans.

Q: Have you guys been on any tours?  if so, alone or with other bands?  Do you guys handle your own booking?*

A: I’m sorry to say we have not yet been able to tour, no.  We all have full-time jobs or school, and two of us are married.  On the bright side, we are blessed to be in an area that has lots of venues and scenes within 2 hours of us.  And yes, we do our own booking.

Q: What is the best show you have played so far?  Tell us about a horrible time that you have had as a band.

A: The best show has to be our comeback show last December.  There were a lot of old friends, and it was the best reaction we’ve gotten yet.  Just an all-around good show.

We haven’t had anything too terrible happen to us.  The worst show would be back in 2008, when we opened for an indie band in Doylestown, nobody was there, and I tore the butt of my jeans wide open.  Really the horrible thing we have to fear is that one of us will get too hyped and ball-tap somebody.

Q: Name some of your band’s influences:  Tell us about some bands that we should all be on the look out for.

A: We all like different music.  For example, Skot is really into New York style hardcore, while Jason’s favorite band is Living Sacrifice.  I write the music though, so what you hear in Debtor is mostly a result of my influences.  I think “Advent of a Miracle” by Strongarm is the best record ever made.  I literally talked to a guy once who said, “The first time I heard that album…I got saved.”  I also love fast, gritty hardcore like American Nightmare, and more emotional stuff like Verse.  Another big one is Derringer.  They were a great band from central PA that definitely did not get the recognition they deserved.  If you like Debtor, do yourself a favor and find a way to get a hold of “Rock & Roll Tragedy” by them.

Bands to look out for:
hardcore (or close enough):
myspace.com/killingyears
myspace.com/thinicehc
myspace.com/redemptionhc
myspace.com/burdenspa
myspace.com/mankindhc
myspace.com/100philistineforeskins
myspace.com/divinitytheory
myspace.com/withincrease

metalcore (or close enough):
myspace.com/ancestor
myspace.com/ohconstantine
myspace.com/cetus

Q: What is your band’s message?

A: It needs to be said that (with a few exceptions) I don’t intentionally approach most songs as “messages.”  They are first and foremost individual prayers about spiritual struggle.  Yet, a theme seems to have emerged from many of our songs: our dealings with the “problem of evil.”  If I had to state it briefly, it’s that suffering, depression and the like should not drive us away from God, but towards him.  When faced with evil, the proper response is not to hate God, but to run to him.  To run to God in the midst of trial requires humility; to spit in his face shows bitterness and spite. Easier said than done, obviously.  The question of evil is as old as the Bible, and we don’t pretend to be able to answer it.  The hope is simply to wrestle with it openly, honestly, and faithfully.  I believe this is a specially necessary task in a scene where the experience of evil is exactly what has caused almost everyone to reject God.

Q: How do you feel about booking agents and booking agencies in hardcore?

A: I have mixed feelings about them.  I love the D.I.Y. ethic, and I believe that spirit is necessary for good hardcore scenes to thrive.  But the reality is that there is no authority or standard to appeal to, so the definition of “D.I.Y.” is pretty flexible and arbitrary.  So, I think all I can really say is that for my own band, I’d rather book shows myself, but I don’t see how I could condemn a band that uses an agent.  There is no standard to denounce with.  Bottom line: hardcore D.I.Y. isn’t a hill I’m
prepared to die on.  We’ve got enough of those as it is.

That being said, we just silk-screened our own patches last week.

Q: Being in a hardcore band and being individually a part of this scene, how does it make you feel when you hear about Christian bands using the Christian hardcore scene as a way to gain popularity before taking a step into mainstream “hardcore stardom”?

A: I feel very much the same way as I do when a Christian brother or sister leaves the faith.  In fact, from what I know of these cases, the people in question either have lost their faith, or never had it in the first place. Like Satan, those people have chosen their own glory over God’s glory.  It’s devastating.  The temptation is to get mad, but that doesn’t help.  The truth is it’s a tragedy, and sadness is the appropriate response.

Q: Have you guys ever demanded a tour rider, deli tray, assorted candy or a specific number of red bulls and imported beers before agreeing to play a show?

A: Every show, man, but the promoters just don’t seem to care enough.  What has happened to our scene??

Q: As you do not intentionally go into writing a song with a specific message, you have songs that have strong tones concerning certain topics that kids can really relate to.  Most bands can only and will only write about girls or will talk about politics.  Some other bands will write lyrics that sound like praise songs from the 80′s that don’t quite mesh with what today’s hardcore crowd will accept…  When you show up to play a show, do you have people there that will debate your lyrics and what you guys are about; or is it mainly people talking trash just because they know you guys are a Christian band?

A: Hah yeah…well first of all, if a band isn’t going to say something worth saying, they absolutely should not be screaming it.  In truth, if there’s no fire in your belly – if there’s no seed of discontentment with the status quo – then it’s just a matter of time before you phase out of hardcore and blend completely into the rest of the world.

As for responses from non-Christians, it’s a very mixed bag.  On the negative side, there is a large segment of our local scene who reject wholesale the idea of Christian hardcore, and it can be difficult even to get on a show with those bands.  For people like that, we don’t count as hardcore, just as Christian music, and it makes more sense for us to play with Christian metalcore bands than with atheist hardcore bands.  On the flip side, there are those who don’t much care about beliefs and just want
to rock out.  We don’t preach from stage or give any kind of altar call, and they like our music, so they don’t much care that we’re screaming about God.  Some flat out disagree with our beliefs, but sing along to certain parts anyway.  As an aside to Christians who are in bands or considering starting them: I think the average hardcore kid cares a lot less about beliefs than he may say; what he really cares about is being bored.  I think you can get away with a lot more boldness than you might think, so long as you’re not boring while you’re doing it.

Unfortunately, we don’t get as much debate about our lyrics as I’d like it. If people have a problem, they generally express it by trash talking via the internet or when we’re not around, or just ignoring us.  I would love to see greater numbers of people debate with us!  The best responses, though, are the odd/obscure threats, as in a recent fun case where a metal band took the
stage after us and commanded the Christians in the room to “fall on my hammer!”

Q: If you could go back to any year, and you had 24 hours to do anything at all…  what would you do?

A: First choice: meet Jesus or Paul and listen to them.  Second choice, go WAY back, and tame a Velociraptor.

Q: Which is better…  XBOX 360 or PS3?  Hockey or Football?  Chicken or Steak?  Dr Pepper or Mr Pibb?

A: Don’t know, Hockey, Chicken, Dr. Pepper.

Q: What would you like to say to those reading this, especially the ones that have never heard of your band or maybe stumbled across our website by chance?

A: That’s tough.  I guess if I had to say anything, it would be that there is nothing worth living for but God.

NEWS:

Arizona based Christian hardcore band Braveheart has a 4 song split CD out with Sovereign Strength from California. I am a huge fan of Braveheart. The production value on their material on the split CD is phenomenal. I highly suggest getting in touch with the band through their myspace page and paying them $5 (post paid) for a copy of the CD. Even though it is only 4 songs it is well worth it. Brandon from the band tells me that they are working on getting a full length CD out, no release date as of yet, but when they do, you can be sure I will let everyone know.

Christian hardcore act All In from Alabama is releasing their second full length album on Blood & Ink Records The album is due out September 23rd. The name of the album is “Team USA.” They have one of the new songs “Charles Barkley” up on their myspace page that you can go and check out. You will want to pick up their new album when it drops. I hope they they tour after they release “Team USA.”

Call to Preserve art work has been leaked on the internet (along with track listings) See below. Don’t forget you can listen to two new songs on their myspace page They also have an awesome blog (For All Who Seek the Truth The XCTPX Blog) for the band where you can watch their three video blogs they made while recording the new album “From Isolation.”

From Isolation Track Listings:
1. Sinking Sun
2. So Low
3. Vices
4. Dear Galatia
5. From Isolation
6. Hindsight
7. Shameless
8. Lincoln Street
9. Waiting for Dawn
10. First Light
11. Hope for the Fallen
12. Open Your Eyes

The album cover is by Dave Quiggle who was one of members of No Innocent Victim, and is currently in the band Jesus Wept. He also works for Facedown Records and does tattoo work on the side (Dave is a busy dude!)

Here are some mini-views with some bands that you have got to check out. Befriend them on myspace and top friend them!

Band: Mankind
Music Style: Hardcore
Location: Nashville, TN

Someone posted about Mankind on the www.HXCChristian.com Forums. We had a debate as to whether these guys were a Christian hardcore band or not. Their lyrics are definitely Christian. I decided to email the band to find out first hand if they are a Christian hardcore band. Greg from the bands sent me this response:

” Thanks for the kind words! I am speaking on the behalf of myself to say that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It has never been easy and I’ve gone through a lot of changes, but my faith has always remained. Jesse and I started this band with the intention of experiencing new places and sharing our lives and perspectives with the world; well, that’s where my optimism kicks in. At the center of my life is my faith. My strongest desire has been the undying search for the truth. We, Mankind, are not necessarily about labeling, seeing as how it tends to put ideas into a box, or oversimplifies something as complex as one’s faith. However, we are all believers in Christ, and we all crave to understand him more. We just have different ways of getting there.

With my heart on my sleeve,
-Greg”

You have got to go and check these guys out on Myspace, here is a link to their Myspace page You can listen to a bunch of their songs and you can download their EP for $5. If these guys come to your town, check them out!

Band Name: Debtor
Music Style: Hardcore
Location: North Wales, PA (outside Philly whoohoo!)

Alan who sings for Debtor also posts on the HXCChristian.com forum and keeps us up to date on the band and what they are up to. Having grown up in the hardcore scene in the Philly area, I know how hostile the scene can be towards Christian bands, but I think Debtor does an awesome job with their music and message. Alan posted the other day that Debtor posted a couple of new songs on their myspace page. Alan informs us that Debtor is working on a new full-length album that is due to be released very soon. The name of the album will be “Deliverance.” If you are looking for a great Christian hardcore band, these guys are it, their influences include Strongarm and Verse.

SUPPORT YOUR UNDERGROUND CHRISTIAN HARDCORE BANDS!!!

As Always, go to the HXC Christian forum and post away. We are growing and more and more people are finding us. Take care and may the God of Israel bless you!