What's Up! Welcome to California Hardcore! Here you will find all the latest information on the best California hardcore bands, record labels, distros, and more from all throughout the state. This site also has the most complete and up to date list of hardcore shows happening in the state, free mp3s, and photos from some of the best photographers in the scene. Hoods, Killing The Dream, Terror, Bleeding Through, More To Pride, Throwdown, First Blood and Dispute are just a small number of the bands you'll find here. More bands are added every month. This site is updated weekly so check back often for all the latest information.
01.16.10 A quick bit of news, First Blood has released a new song on their myspace page called "Enemy." The track comes from their upcoming album, "Silence Is Betrayal." In case you missed any of their releases, Pressure has posted everything they've ever recorded up on their blog. Download their discography for free. Finally, check out this cool video from 2007 of Alcatraz playing at the Cobalt Cafe in Canoga Park.
01.14.10 Lots of new Shows added. New flyers coming next update.
01.10.10 A belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. As you can see, I launched the re-design of the site. Nothing major, just freshened things up a bit. The "mosh pics" section is just under "photos" now and I will soon add non-mosh pics of bands there soon. Also look for a re-vamped bands page next with updated band list, links, etc. No new content added today besides the visuals but expect more shows in the next few days.
12.19.09 A couple of new Flyers below. I'm currently working on a slight re-design of the site and a bit of a reorganization of things here. Look for the re-launch in January 2010.
12.07.09 Lots of Shows and Flyers added. I still have some calihardcore.com t-shirts available for sale on the Distro page as well as one copy of Raymond Pettibon's book left. The shirts are free, all you have to do it pay $5 for shipping. Last thing I want to mention is if you haven't done so already check out Film Fiends which an online store that specializes in horror and cult movies that I own. Buying from there also helps me keep this site going. More updates coming later this week. Thanks for reading.
11.06.09 A quick review of Folsom's "Hammer Lane."
11.04.09 After a month off, I'm finally back here. Lots of new Shows added today. New reviews coming soon and maybe more.
10.01.09 Some new Shows added as well as some new Flyers which you can check out directly below. There are some great shows coming up including shows from long in-active bands such as POWERHOUSE, DOOMSDAY DEVICE, IN CONTROL and THE WARRIORS.
08.18.09 A few Shows added. San Francisco's Grace Alley posted a new song called ""Aisling Uber Alles" on their myspace page. The song comes from an upcoming 7inch to be released on Spiderghost Pressgang. Also check out this video clip of Grace Alley at Gilman:
08.09.09 Shows page updated. There's finally a good deal of shows coming around to NorCal. This is sort of last minute, but everyone who can make it, should go check out NO TRUCE play their last show on Friday. Details are on the Shows page.
Playlist time...
- Ringworm "Justice Replaced By Revenge"
- Crowbar "Time Heals Nothing"
- Crowbar "Crowbar"
- Converge "When Forever Comes Crashing"
- Street Sweeper Social Club "Street Sweeper Social Club"
- Various Artists "Death Proof" (Original Movie Soundtrack)
08.02.09 New Shows added to the list. More coming next update.
07.18.09 I think most readers here are familiar with Folsom from Las Vegas and if you're not it's time you check them out. I usually don't plug non-Cali bands but honestly they are one of the better bands out there in the hardcore scene. Their new album is coming August 25th. Besides being an ass kicking band they just bought ad space here which is always a huge help to me to help cover the basic costs of web hosting this beast. Support these dudes they deserve it. New songs are up on their myspace page now.
07.15.09 Ten new Flyers added to the archive. Check out this video of Downshift (shortly before changing their name to Sworn Vengeance) playing at the Grange Hall in Danville from 1997. Not their biggest show but a decent quality video.
07.10.09 On the mp3 front, today I added the "Life Is A Twisted Painful Thing..." demo from Two Forty who later changed their name to Pains of Sleep. This five song demo from 2000 got them a lot of attention in the Bay Area but sadly, like many other deserving bands, I don't think they were able to reach far outside of the area. These guys were right there with Lowlife, Second Coming, All Bets Off and other SF Bay Area bands that were criminally under-appreciated. Some of the most fun shows I ever went to was Two Forty and other bands of the time playing at Burnt Ramen Studios in Richmond before the place started having legal problems and stopped having shows for awhile. Anyway, head over to the Media to download the tracks.
07.05.09 Sorry for the lack of updates there folks. I had to take a couple of weeks off to concentrate on Film Fiends and search for a full-time job. I think I've got something lined up now. Anyway, just a quick Shows page update. Is it just me or is there a severe lack of shows happening right now? If you know of any hardcore show in Cali not listed here please let me know! You'll be helping lots of people out. Thanks.
06.17.09 Just time for one upload today: HOODS' 1997 "New Blood" demo which they used in part to land the deal with Gain Ground Records in Germany to release the ten song album of the same name. Mike Hood later re-released the album on the "7 Years In Sacramento" compilation he put out of rare HOODS tracks. This particular recording was never re-released after this demo tape and it includes their first recording of Judge's "I've Lost." (they went on to re-record it for a Judge Tribute 7inch record called "After The Storm" released on Prophecy Records.)
06.16.09 Three classic releases added to the Media section including one of my favorite hardcore CDs from the mid-90s, "Loyalty and Betrayal" from San Diego's Built To Last. The Hellcrew release is arguably metal but the guys in the band were scene regulars in Sacramento and they played a lot of hardcore shows. More importantly, they ruled. Enjoy.
06.15.09 Inspired by a thread on HardcoreMusic.com I decided to start uploading more rare music from Cali bands again. I'm going to try and post a new batch of songs each day this week as well as get everything that was posted on that thread archived over here as well. For today, check out these 4 rare songs from Second Coming. Click the image below to go to the media page.
06.11.09 I've got a limited number of art books for sale from Raymond Pettibon who most of you probably know at the least from his artwork done for Black Flag. The book is called "The Pages Which Contain Truth Are Blank" and is pretty amazing. A great art book for even casual fans of his. Check it out on the Distro page.
06.08.09 Maybe I'm not getting the word or finding the information but it seems lately there are not a lot of hardcore Shows going on right now in California. It's more or less summer now and I would have expected a lot more touring and Shows but I'm not seeing them. There's a ton of great metal shows coming up, a few of which I've listed here, but where's the HARDCORE shows??? If anyone knows of any not listed here please let me know so I can get it listed. Thanks! Bigger updated coming in a day or two.
05.30.09 I just found this video of Sabertooth Zombie's set at Gilman from 11/1/08 on YouTube and thought I'd share it. I also added a few more Shows to the list.
05.29.09 I forgot to mention yesterday that anyone who ordered a calihardcore.com t-shirt in the last two weeks will have it mailed off in the next couple of days. Also, here's the new mailing address for anyone who wants to submit material for review:
calihardcore.com
1631 Elysian Fields Ave. #164
New Orleans, LA 70117
05.28.09 I'm officially back in action now, set up and living in New Orleans. I'm a long way from Cali but never fear, the updates will continue! For now, some new Shows for you.
05.04.09 I normally don't post flyers for shows that happen outside of California, even if it's a Cali band on the bill, but I really like these two fliers promoting two of Trash Talk's current/upcoming tours. These aren't going in the archive but I thought they were too cool not to post.
05.01.09 Thirteen new Flyers added today. I've got a bunch of CDs I'm looking to sell which I've put up on eBay. It's all good stuff but with mp3s these days, and me moving and looking to get rid of stuff, these need to go. Check them out here: eBay auctions.
04.30.09 Lots of explanations and excuses for not updating here lately but I will spare you all and give you only an apology for you faithful readers/visitors. The big news is that I will be moving back to New Orleans in just over two weeks. Updates will be sparse this month but will continue on a weekly basis starting next month, I promise. As for updates today, I added some new Shows to the list while listening to Alpha & Omega. The dudes in Sacremento's In Desperation sent me a copy of their EP a long ass time ago and while I never got around to doing a review (sorry guys!), I highly recommend checking it out. It's been released on 7inch and is available through their webstore.
One last thing to note for right now, since I'm moving I want to get rid of as much stuff as I can... so... I'm giving away calihardcore.com shirt for FREE! That's right, FREE, all you have to do is pay $5.00 for Priority Mail shipping and a shirt is yours. Go to the Distro page for ordering details.
03.18.09 As promised, about 20 new Flyers have been added to the archive. In the news today is Terror as they have posted their most recent video online for the song "Rise Of The Poisoned Youth". It can be viewed below.
03.17.09 On the news front today... Sacramento's mighty Trash Talk have announced they are release a new 7inch via their own label. Pre-orders are being taken now at this location. The release will only be available through their website. Here's what the band has to say about it:
"Recorded at Nieto Estudio with former Wet and Dry sound engineer, Manny Nieto and enlisting the vocal talent of punk legend, Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Midget Handjob), East of Eden picks up where the self-titled full length left off. Slated to be their 7th release, the already highly anticipated single chronicles an underground race's furious return to Earth's surface and their discovery that a New Eden has grown in its place. Too prideful to return to the depths, the army confronts and corrupts this Eden's inhabitants, returning Earth to its previous state of chaos.
East of Eden is pressed on 70g 7" vinyl and includes a digital download. This is set to be Trash Talk Collective Release 004.
Three versions - A,B and C are available for pre order."
As for site updates, I added some new Shows. I'll be adding a bunch flyers tomorrow to the archive so check back.
03.04.09 Sorry for the lack of updates lately. Been scrambling with other things in life lately. Anyway, I'm leaving for New Orleans for a week so here's an update of new Shows to go hit up. I'll get back into regular updates in a week or so when I return. I've got tons of flyers that need to be uploaded and lots of reviews to do. Stay tuned. On the news front, Facedown Records announced that xDeathstarx is calling it quits. Their last show will be at the FacedownFest on April 4th in Pomona.
02.15.09 A brief update to the Shows page. More show listings coming soon.
02.14.09 Hopefully most of you made it to the Oscar Grant Benefit show last Sunday. Below are some pics from Trash Talk's set. Sorry they're not better but my camera blows donkey nards.
Caught in a mosh:
01.30.09 More Shows addded. Everyone in the Bay Area is officially required to go to the following show (even I'll be there!):
01.11.09 A quick update to the Shows page. Yesterday I headed down to Santa Cruz and hit up Streetlight Records which is one of my favorite record stores in Northern California. All the titles below in my playlist are what I picked up including an amazing Black Flag live bootleg recorded in 1981 on vinyl. Hearing stuff from that era of Black Flag never ceases to amaze me.
My current playlist:
Sabertooth Zombie "Mere Bears: The Riot Cops Bathed on Zion"
KTL "KTL"
Skin Like Iron "Amalgamation II"
California Love "Reaping the Whirlwind"
Black Flag "Welcome Home Henry: Live in Washington D.C, Dec. 3 1981"
The Chop Tops "Evil Six"
Bl'ast! "It's In My Blood / School's Out"
Trapped Under Ice "Stay Cold"
01.08.09 Well I hope everyone is off to a good New Year. As promised in my last post, I have brought back the SHOWS page. There are a lot of good shows coming up in Northern and Southern California. Be sure and hit some of them up. If you know of a hardcore show happening that isn't listed e-mail the information to me at nick@calihardcore.com. Thanks.
12.26.08 A couple of quick Reviews to hold you over until the new year. I hope everyone is having a good safe holiday season. Starting in early or mid-January we will see the RETURN OF THE SHOWS PAGE which I'm sure you will all be happy with. Also, just a reminder there are still plenty of Calihardcore.com Shirts available for purchase. Be a pal and buy one will ya? This site doesn't run itself for free. Thanks.
My current playlist:
Pressure Point "Get It Right"
Trash Talk "Plagues... Walking Disease"
Trash Talk "Trash Talk"
Cursed "One"
Zach Hill "Astrological Straits"
12.17.08 Here's another small batch of photos which I think were from the same show at the Cocodrie below. While they're not exactly a "hardcore" band, Pressure Point played a lot of hardcore shows and definitely had the respect of the scene. They are/were one of the most under-rated Oi bands of the last 15 years.
12.15.08 Ok, so no new Reviews this time around but a thread on the message board over at hardcoremusic.com has inspired me to dig out a few old photos and post them. These ones are of Second Coming and a few shots of the crowd. I took these sometime around 1999 at a show at the Cocodrie in San Francisco. I've got tons of other photos to dig up and share. Unfortunetly I was really bad at labeling my photos back then so most dates on photos are guesses. Anyway, check 'em out and enjoy.
12.11.08 Alrighty, after a holiday break I'm back. First things first, I added fourteen new Flyers to the archive about half of which are for upcoming shows. I'd also like to point out some photos worth checking out by Kimpossible from a Halloween show in Oakland a couple of months ago featuring Never Healed, Pressvre, Skin Like Iron, and Crucified. New Reviews coming soon.
My current playlist:
- Black Flag (various live and studio bootlegs)
- Sabertooth Zombie "The Prisoner / Dance"
- Outlaw Order "Dragging Down the Enforcer"
- Junior Kinbrough "You Better Run"
11.20.08 I added a bunch of bands to the Bands page. Mostly older bands that should have been listed long ago but there might be a few you are not familiar with. Check out each band's page to listen to them and hopefully find something new you'll like.
My current playlist:
- Brant Bjork "Punk Rock Guilt"
- Hoods "Seven Years in Sacramento"
- Merauder "Master Killer"
- Son House "Original Delta Blues"
- Spazz (all)
11.15.08 After wanting to make t-shirts for this website for a long time, I finally go to it and they arrived yesterday and look pretty badass if I do say so myself. They're available in sizes S-XXXL. Sorry new school emo kids, no bright flashy colors; just black ink on a dirt brown colored shirt. They're available in an extremely limited amount and I may or may not print more if they sell out. Go to the Distro page for ordering info. Thanks.
11.05.08 Tons of new Reviews added. Ceremony and Never Healed are heading East to destroy Europe at the end of the month. Check out the tour dates HERE and check out the tour poster below. Ceremony is also on tour right now with Blacklisted, Have Heart and Let Down. Check the official Ceremony page for more details.
11.03.08 A quick note that 10 new Flyers were added. New reviews coming on Wednesday. Tomorrow is election day. Get off your ass and vote.
10.02.08 People up in Redding have some good shows coming up this month in October. Check out the flyers below for info. A little further down the road on November 14 at 924 Gilman Street is TRASH TALK, NEVER HEALED, LANDMINE MARATHON (AZ), FOREIGN NATURE, VIOLATION and ALPHA & OMEGA. Price is 8 bones at 8pm. TERROR have a bunch of shows in Cali in the next two months. Check out their Myspace page for dates and locations. Have I ever mentioned that Pressvre kicks your ass?
09.26.08 Check out Among The Living from Santa Cruz who just posted their new 5 song demo on myspace.com. Good stuff on the melodic side of hardcore. I also just discovered Jaguars from Sacramento featuring ex-members of Hoods, Suffokate and AlisticA. Check them out too.
09.24.08 Back again with a few new Reviews of three non-california bands. I've got about 15 CDs to be reviewed that have been sent to me in the last 6 months. A lot of the CDs aren't from California bands and some aren't hardcore at all but I figure the bands or labels paid to make the albums and paid to send them to me so the least I can do is write a few sentences about each even if I think it sucks goat balls.
Random plea for charity: If anyone can hook me up with a copy of the latest edition of Photoshop on CD-R or DVD-R I would be extremely thankful. I'm stuck in the stone age with version 6.0 and I'm fresh out of an extra $600 laying around to buy the program.
09.21.08 So another month and a half has slipped by but I've returned for another update. I listen to a lot of different stlyes of music and hardcore these days doesn't take up a lot of my listening time but lately I've been listening to nearly the entire Spiderghost Pressgang catalog on vinyl. Sammy and crew definitely know how to pic winners and if you're not hip to the Ghost go to their myspace and get with it.
As for updates today, I added five new Flyers to the archive, including the two below for upcoming shows in October. If anyone knows a good message board or website to find flyers for SoCal shows drop me an e-mail.
That's it for now, just a quick update. I'll have another later this week with some reviews and hopefully more flyers for upcoming shows. Stay tuned.
My playlist for the week (9/21/08):
Crown of Thornz "Mentally Vexed"
Animosity / Drumcorps "Altered Beast"
Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron "Quake City"
Ramparts "White Boys Like The Blues"
Metallica "Death Magnetic" (totally bro)
08.11.08 Well, after a lengthy two month break I'm back. During this off time I've wrestled with the idea of shutting down calihardcore.com as interest in it is at an all time low and I can't seem to find the time these days to update the site like I should. At the end of the mental wrestling match however, the site has come up victorious and I will not be shutting it down. I can't seem to cope with killing this monster I've created and run for the last 10 years. There will be a few major changes here however. First, at the dissapointment of many of you, the Shows page will essentially be no more. I rarely go to shows these days and keeping up with all the information is time consuming. Despite this though, some shows will still be listed. Read on... Also going away will be reviews of non-California hardcore bands. No more metal, punk or anything hardcore that isn't from Cali. The last major change will be that most new information will listed here on the main index page. I will basically have new stuff laid out like a blog. I will post some shows that I think are crucial to attend, reviews, news bits and anything else I find relevant. The flyer archive will continue as normal. I can't say how often I'll be updating but I think it's safe to say it will at the least be monthly, if not more frequent, we'll see. I want to thank all of you who have consitantly visited the site and helped me keep it going over all these years. I truely appreciate it.
