The Struggle – “Endless”
We’re back at it again on another RECORD OF THE WEEK Blog!!
The Struggle was originally formed as a side project by various members of North East UK punk bands (Gimp Fist, Crashed Out, Major Accident, Geoffrey Oi!Cott) wanting to play something a little different. Taking blueprints from the sounds of the underground, the band put their influences together, initially with the intention of writing just one single. Endless is the culmination of four talented and experienced individuals coming together as a band and writing songs their way – without trying to fit any particular mold; just writing what sounds right. Grab the ‘BLOOD RED’ w/ ‘BLACK SMOKE’ or ‘BLOOD RED’ & WHITE ‘Half-n-Half’ vinyl!
BAND NAME: The Struggle
LABEL NAME: Pirates Press Records / Contra Records
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ABSU is an American extreme metal band from Dallas, Texas. Their demos and first album leaned towards death metal, but evolved more towards a black metal and thrash metal which includes elements of Celtic and folk music (and later, elements of jazz fusion, progressive rock and psychedelic music) which the band calls “Mythological Occult Metal”. Their lyrical themes are esoteric, including themes of Celtic, Sumerian and Mesopotamian myths and legends, alchemy, numerology, magick, and sorcery. Dive deep into THE CRYPT to find out more about this special double LP re-issue…
BAND NAME: : ABSU (USA)
LABEL NAME: The Crypt
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Hannah Read has written and performed as LOMELDA for most of her musical life. The project has been her outlet from the slow, shaggy days in her east Texas hometown of Silsbee, through moves to Waco and Austin, and into her wandering present. Personal and honest indie-folk songs contemplating memory, intimacy, and the tragedy of distance, “Thx” is vast and powerful, yet uniquely quiet and complex. LOMELDA will be out on an west coat tour starting September, but you can click your way over to DOUBLE DOUBLE WHAMMY to grab a copy now in the mean time.
BAND NAME: Lomelda (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram)
LABEL NAME: Double Double Whammy (Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram)
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Formed in 2013 and years in the works, “Break The Routine”, the debut LP of GRADE 2 is finally here! The record features eleven brand new tracks, each track has it’s individual sound whether it be heard hitting punk rock or maybe something slightly more melodic. There is definitely something to cater to everyone’s needs. There is a running theme throughout the album, in which the title reflects… Peoples habits. They say ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ that’s definitely a theme you will notice when listening to this album. CONTRA RECORDS is your connection if you can’t make it out to one of GRADE 2’s shows starting August all over Europe.
BAND NAME: Grade 2 (Website / Facebook / Instagram)
LABEL NAME: Contra Records
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The East Bay supergroup ‘Armstrongs’ is made up of Billie Joe (Green Day), Tim (Operation Ivy/Rancid/Transplants), Joey (SWMRS), and Rey Armstrong. The song, “If There Was Ever A Time,” is featured in the film Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk. Limited to only 1,000 copies on flexi-disc, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting 924 Gilman (https://www.924gilman.org), Pirates Press and Pirates Press Records were excited to be involved in the release of this incredible record.
BAND NAME: The Armstrongs
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The origin of Los Angeles’ influential punk band The Generators dates back to 1997, just a few miles from the skyscrapers of downtown. ‘Street Justice’ is the debut single from the album, and takes the band back to the early energy and spirit from ’97 when they started with hard-hitting rock’n’roll influenced both by 70’s UK and 80’s American punk bands. PIRATES PRESS RECORDS and RANDALE RECORDS kept it classic with ‘BLOOD RED’ & BLACK vinyl!
BAND NAME: The Generators (Website / Facebook)
LABEL NAME: Pirates Press Records / Randale Records
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These two bands, TOPNOVIL from Australia, and BUM CITY SAINTS from the Bay Area (CA, USA) found each other thanks to their fans & friends; and have themselves been the driving force in bringing this split to life. True to form for both outfits, there is no shortage of passion and raucous energy on this six song split 7”. Pairing these two bands may not have been something that either Contra or Pirates Press Records could have predicted, but all of our record collections are going to be better for it. Grab a ‘HIGHLIGHTER YELLOW’ w/ BLACK Splatter copy from either band or online from PIRATES PRESS RECORDS!
BAND NAME: Topnovil / Bum City Saints
LABEL NAME: Pirates Press Records / Contra Records
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