Various Artists

Editor's Review:

Shortly before I moved to Chico, I got into an intriguing discussion with a friend from back home. Having spent some time in the North State, he told me that the area was becoming increasingly fertile ground for a punk and hardcore scene. What he must have meant by this understatement is that the scene here is budding, so much so that factions are cropping up within it.
Take this CD, for example. Manifest Destiny Productions, fronted by Ray DeHated and St. Anne, are at the vanguard of the greater Chico area’s punk and hardcore scene (see last week’s cover story for more info). With their sixth release they have offered an impressive introduction to everything punk that’s relevant to what’s going on locally. All of the 15 bands presented here (all mixed courtesy of Zeke Rogers) are top choice; 26 tracks and there isn’t a dud in the bunch, with more than enough variation to keep you wondering what’s coming next. One minute it’s metallic hardcore riffs from Push Button Warfare and the next it’s the dark, choppy, dissonant Peleo. Gruk devastates with blast beats and vocal hysterics that remind me of Naked Aggression, while newcomers Kids With Headlice lay waste with early ‘80s skate punk that sounds like it came right off a Thrasher skate compilation. As far as straight-up hardcore is concerned, P.A.W.N.S. stand out with their thoughtful, political lyrics, in an admirable display of passion and anger. This is a stellar reminder of what Chico is capable of.

– Raphael di Donato

Write Your Own Review

Bookmark:

Record Label Manifest Destiny Released April 2003

Tracks Gruk – Corporate Ladder Smeat – Negligence Nogoodnix – Die for Me Face Down – State of Vanity American Standard – What You Thought Ballistics – When You Fall Down Barefoot Army – Shelter Skelter Kids With Headlice – Rise & Fall P.A.W.N.S. – Big Fish Standfast – Unlucky Day Push Button Warfare – Infomercials Stars Upon Thars – Top to Bottom Smeat – The Mall Sentient – Dismay Falls Down Barefoot Army – Conscientious Objector Face Down – Hate, Love, Plea Nogoodnix – Phantom Dog Push Button Warfare – Broken Peleo – Era Standfast – You’re So Sure Botchii – GG Allin Gruk – Cage