The Hardknocks - Confrontation EP (Oxblood)

EP americké Oi! kapely.

English version:

EP from US Oi! band.

Ukázky/Samples: http://thehardknocks.bandcamp.com 

Tracklist:

Side A:

1. Confrontation

2. Brothers In Arms

Side B:

1. Our City

2. Never Forget

Pressing info:

10x testpress

100x Black

150X Oxblood

Recenze Backstreet Battalion:

The Hardknocks je ?ty?lenná kapela (dv? kytáry) z Los Angels a toto je je jejich ?ty?pís?ové EP, které vychází na Vinyl 4 Bootboys. Na desce najdete songy s názvy jako Confrontation, Brothers in Arms, Our City a Never Forget. Kaľdý song má n?co kolem dvou minut hracího ?asu. Kapele dominují hrubąí vokály obou kytarist? a basáka, které se st?ídají a parádn? dopl?ují (t?eba v titulní Confrontation, která je parádn? k?i?ená).Brothers in Arms uľ je pomalejąí a melodi?t?jąí, hlavn? díky kytarovým vyhrávkám (jeden riff zní podobn? jako zrychlená úst?ední vyhrávka v Terorist with a Guitar od BDTR). Refrén je singalongová haleka?ka, na jakou jsme u US kapel zvyklí. Our City za?íná vyhranou baskytarou a uľ jedná se o rychlejąí song s ooooo refrénem. Poslední Never Forget se vrací do tvrdąích kolejí jako Confrontation (op?t hlavn? k?i?eným hlasem), melodi?nost kytar z?stává stejná a jedná se asi o nejlepąí song z celé desky, který je v?nován vąem kamarád?m a kamarádkám, kte?í uľ mezi námi nejsou. Obal je kreslený a op?t se dá ?íct, ľe to je p?esn? v lajn? americké Oi! ąkoly ? vlajka, rva?ka, policajti, v?zení, boty. Uvnit? najdete stránku se vąemi texty a na druhé stran? fotku kapely + její logo. Kopií bude celkem 250 (100 ?erných, 150 vínových) a k tomu 10 testpress?. Super v?c a pro fandy americké Oi! muziky povinnost. Songy si m?ľete poslechnout na tomto odkaze http://thehardknocks.bandcamp.com/.

Review Backstreet Battalion:

The Hardknocks is four piece band (with two guitars) from Los Angeles and this is their four track EP released on Vinyl 4 Bootboys. The songs are called Confrontation, Brothers in Arms, Our City and Never Forget. Each song has around about two minutes. The rough vocals of both guitarists and bassist are dominating to the record, they are changing and complementing each other (like in the title song Confrontation which is shouted). Brothers in Arms is slower and has more melody thanks to the guitar solos (one riff sounds like faster version of the main solo in Terorist with a Guitar from BDTR). Refrain is singalong which we expect from the US bands. Our City starts with playful bass and it is faster song with oooo refrain. The last one called Never Forget is back in the hard line of Confrontation (again the shouted vocal), the melody of the guitars remains and it is the best song from the EP for me and it is dedicated to all of our brothers and sisters who passed out. Cover is drawn and again we can say that it is the line of classic US Oi! ? flag, fight, cops, jail, boots. Inside are all lyrics, band photo and their logo. EP is limited to 250 copies (100 black and 150 oxblood) plus 10 testpressings. Great EP and a must have release for all fans of US Oi! music. You may check he songs on their web http://thehardknocks.bandcamp.com/.

Review American-Oi:

Last year I was compiling the ?Promote & Provoke? compilation and one of the bands I received a bunch of demo recordings from blew me away, that?s right, LA?s The Hardknocks! I thought it was unfortunate to hear the band already split up around that time, but here?s the good news? The Hardknocks rose up from their graves and are ready to confront the world once again with their debut EP ?Confrontation? on Vinyl 4 Bootboys Records!

?Confrontation? holds four new tracks and besides the title-track you will find ?Brothers In Arms?, ?Our City? and ?Never Forget?. I guess the song-titles speak for themselves which make this slab of wax jam packed with tried and true American Oi! in both lyrics and sound which is very similar to fellow Los Angeles citizens (and future Crowd Control Media label mates) The Warlords and Down For Life. Tough vocals, tons of gang vocals, a bass driven? sound and anthemic guitar riffs and solo?s, I love it!

As said, the EP is released through Vinyl 4 Bootboys but later this year The Hardknocks will drop their first full-length through Crowd Control Media. So you may want to look at this 7? as a little teaser for what is coming up, but until then you are set, because this is yet another great release from the City of Angels!

Review Oi! Of America:

After reviewing a lot of melodic bands the first song on this debut album is a breath of fresh air. Or should I say a kick to the fucking face! Oi!

   These boys kick the fucking door down of the first track "Confrontation". sledge Hammer drumming and guitars that slice and dice, set up this no bullshit old school American Oi! song. For all you Oi! flowers out there to scared to get blood on your Fred Perry, that say the subject matter of violence is over done or I have heard it before. I say this, You are right. Sometimes they sound good and sometimes they come off tired. Also go fuck yourself this is Oi! and we are skinheads. And violence is part of this life. So if you do not like these songs, then get the fuck out. Skinhead to me is about brotherhood fighting for what is true to you, and taking no shit! "Confrontation" takes no shit and is a beautiful violent tune. "Brothers In Arms" start with a tight cadence drum sound that leads in to catchy guitar lead. I really like the rough vocals. They have a heavy feel and sound, with out sounding contrived. The band keep with classic Skinhead theme's through the whole album and this song is no different. A solid written song about the people we chose to stand next to us when times are tough. What would a classic Oi! album be with out a anthem about were they are from. I will tell you it would be shit! Well maybe not shit. But home town pride is fundamental to our culture. "Our City" holds up the fine tradition of songs of civic pride. The vocals are spot on and the attitude feels authentic and honest. but for me it is the bass lines on this one that gets me every time. I fucking love a good heavy sound. The thick bass and drum sound continue on the final track "Never Forget". A thumper that was built to, belly up to the bar grab a pint with your boys and sing a long too, for those who are no longer with us. Impassioned vocals, strong bottom end and a rocking guitar. For me that is the recipe for a good song.

   Classic themes for a throwback album. Rough and tough stilled American Oi! For a debut album this one was a pleasant surprise. I would recommend for all that read my site and like American Oi! get this debut album. And to the band keep up the good work. This album made my old bitter ass smile.

For fans of: The Fatskins, Fear City, Niblick Henbane, The Wretched Ones, The bruisers, Subway Thugs, Forced Reality, and Terminus City.