In unfortunate news, hardcore and punkrock legends 7Seconds have announced they will be breaking up and performing no more shows after their 38 years as a band. In a public statement released last week, lead vocalist and songwriter Kevin Seconds explained that the breakup was primarily due to a combination of drummer Troy Mowat’s ongoing shoulder and back injuries and bassist Steve Youth’s mental health and drug issues. In a long Facebook post, Seconds explained the breakup with a straight-to-the-point and detailed statement: “I had hoped to never ever have to make this announcement. In fact, I vowed to never do it because, in my heart of hearts, I figured that, as long as Steve, Troy, Bobby and I love playing our songs for people and as long as we are physically and mentally healthy, 7 Seconds would probably just go on forever until we couldn’t anymore.”
Originally breaking ground with their highly regarded Minor Threat-influenced fast hardcore sound, the band continued to evolve throughout the ‘80s into more alternative-rock influenced territory. While the material of this era is usually maligned by fans for sounding too much like U2 or REM, I am personally a huge fan of the songwriting and performances on record here. I’m also a huge fan of anything that pisses off close-minded hardcore fans, so I’m sure that contributes to my affection.
For the uninitiated, I suggest starting off with early hardcore releases The Crew, Soulforce Revolution, and Walk Together, Rock Together for a more melodic-rock sound. It’s a shame that the band didn’t get to finish their career with a positive send off, but the fact they were able to continue for almost 40 years is an incredible accomplishment in itself. Rock on.
If you’re a fan of intense volume and pure hardcore sonic mayhem, Melbourne’s YLVA have announced a national tour throughout this April and May. Continuing to tour in support of last year’s debut album M E T A, the band will cover the east coast. Although the band is yet to announce a Melbourne headline show on the run, they will be supporting Norway’s Ihsahn on Monday May 7 at Max Watt’s. Tickets are on sale now. Bring earplugs.
Melbourne disco-punk-metallers Pagan have announced the release of a new single and an accompanying launch show. Entitled ‘Death Before Disco’, the track marks the band’s first released material on EVP Recordings, with a full length album to be released later this year. The band will be launching the single at the Northcote Social Club on Friday April 20, with special guests Ferla, Loobs, Lost Talk and Bad Batch. Dubbed ‘The Holy Communion’, the band requests that all attendees wear all white to the show in keeping with the theme. Tickets are on sale now.
One of my favourite current punk bands, Baltimore’s War On Women, have announced the upcoming release of their second full-length album. Following up 2015’s scorching self-titled debut, the new record Capture the Flag is due out on Bridge 9 Records on Friday April 13. Written and recorded in the midst of the current tumultuous American political climate, the intensely outspoken band are more relevant than ever in the struggle for social justice. With lead single ‘Lone Wolves’ showing that the band has lost nothing in their ferocious metallic hardcore-punk, the record is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated of the year.