THE MACONDO

The Macondo was a very special place to many kids growing up in Southern California. This small cultural center located on the east end of Melrose (walking distance from the legendary Anti-Club) was one of the only all ages venues that hosted Hardcore shows in Hollywood in the '90's. My band, Strife, was lucky enough to play the first show their (July 13 1992) as well as many other great shows their until the day they closed their doors. To many of us in the T.O.H.C. scene, this became a home away from home... The place could barely fit 200 people, it didn't have air conditioning, the P.A. was mediocre at best, but for us it was all we needed. I miss that place!

The legendary first show at the Macondo. This may have been Social Justice's last show before becoming Downset. My good friend Roy played in that band. Interlocked was East L.A. hardcore at their finest. If memory serves me right they played with Crazy metal guitars and Peavey amps!

Downcast had just released their first seven inch, and they were definitely one of our favorites. They were a big part of the politcial hardcore scene, check them out if you've never heard them. One Step Ahead was another great band... Heavily influenced by Verbal Assault.

This was a New Age Records showcase of sorts... We were all on New Age at the time... This is an amazing bill... sorry that you missed it!

It is so cool to see how diverse the bands that played there were. Supertouch were NY legends, hardcore but on the rock tip. Looking back, it's weird to even think that hardcore kids like them. Farside were really melodic as well. Stagger was a band from Simi.

This show was dope! Sparkmarker with their original singer (a post hardcore band heavily influenced by Quicksand). Seattle's hardcore heroes, Undertow and Unbroken!
Their were just so many good shows at the Macondo! I definitely miss that place. You can check out more flyers here.
If you haven't heard of any of these bands, do yourself a favor and seek them out! These were some of the best hardcore bands from the nineties!

REBORN EMPOWERED

Everyone's favorite Christian metal band, Living Sacrifice have reunited. Founding members Bruce Fitzhugh (Vocals / Guitar) and Lance Garvin (Drums) have reunited with Rocky Gray (lead guitar) and Arthur Green (bass). The band will be on tour this summer and they are already writing material for a brand new album, which will be released in 2008.

IAN MACKAYE INTERVIEW ON BLACK LODGES

Black Lodges just posted a pretty interesting interview with Ian Mackaye. For those who don't know, Ian Mackaye is the owner of Dischord Records. He has also been involved in some of the best bands to ever come out of the hardcore/punk scene. From Minor Threat, to Embrace, to Fugazi, to The Evens, everything Ian is involved in is nothing short of amazing. I am sure that most of you are familiar with Minor Threat and Fugazi, but if you have never heard Embrace or The Evens you should definitely seek them out. Embrace was a short lived band ('85-'86) featuring Ian backed by former members of the band The Faith. Their self titled album is a perfect blend of hardcore aggression and emotional melody, and it is one of my favorite records ever! The Evens is Ian's current band with drummer and singer Amy Farina of The Warmers. This stripped down two-piece is bare boned and intimate, but still possesses the same emotion and melody of some of Ian's for mer work. Check out the interview Here.

SALAD DAYS

Jeff Nelson of Minor Threat/Dischord fame has put a bunch of rare and classic punk/hardcore memorabilia up for sale including old flyers, 12" and 7" records, original pressings, and test pressings from bands like Minor Threat, TSOL, The Vibrators, Scream, and more. Jeff Nelson founded Dischord Records with Ian Mackaye in 1980 and played in such classic D.C. bands as the Teen Idles, Minor Threat, Egg Hunt, Skewbald, and Three. Check out the Ebay acution, and own an authentic piece of hardcore history! Even if you aren't interested in buying anything in the auction, check out the item descriptions for a brief history lesson about the D.C. hardcore scene.

"But I stay on, I stay on
Where do I get off?
On to greener pastures
The core has gotten soft"