The Chariot (Solid State Records) has been working to bring back the grit to hardcore music, removing so many of the layers of the make-up that has been building up even on some of the genre’s hardest acts. Often recording their tracks in single takes, as opposed to piecing them together in the musical lab, their music offers brutal sincerity in every aspect, from lyrics to production. Perhaps initially known for the popularity of their lead singer, Josh Scogin, original member and singer for Norma Jean (Luit-Kriss), The Chariot has quickly and definitively etched their own mark upon the hardcore scene. If you are ready to shake off the nursery sets of hardcore and dance with the big boys, The Chariot is ready to send you home with bruises of bliss.

Those who have experienced The Chariot know that they lay everything on the line, so in that same vein they have pre-released their entire album on their MySpace page. The album is to be released on May 5, 2009 but you can go to their page to get your face rocked off before it comes out in hard copy.

In an ever expanding effort to expose and inform, we are pursing interviews from local bands, helping aspiring artists to connect with a broader base of listeners so that they can be converted to devoted followers. Again, through the miracle of MySpace, we were able to conduct an email interview with the articulate and insightful Aaron of Seattle based metal band 7 Horns 7 Eyes.

HC What inspired the name of your band?
7H7E It comes from the Bible, where in Revelation 5:6 it describes Jesus as a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes. Throughout the Bible, the number seven is used to connote completeness or perfection, so in this case, the seven horns describe that Jesus’ power is complete and perfect, and the seven eyes that his knowledge and vision are complete and perfect. It really is just a statement about the nature of God.

HC When did your band go from the dream stage to actually putting tracks down and going on the road?
7H7E This band is made up of members who have played in previous bands, and it actually spawned from the death of a previous band, so it was never actually at a purely “dream stage”. However, it officially began in March of 2006.

HC How would you describe your musical style?
7H7E We are definitely a metal band. Our music is dynamic, polyrhythmic at times, generally ambient, often quite epic sounding, and overall quite heavy.

HC Where are you at currently in terms of writing and/or releasing an album?
7H7E We begin drum tracking for our debut full length in just a couple weeks (late April 2009)!

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
7H7E Myspace has been our most effective tool of communication thus far, which also links to all other relevant internet locations (merchandise, YouTube, etc.): http://www.myspace.com/7horns7eyes

HC From the concept of your band, the makeup of its members and the lyrics of your songs, would you say that there is a prominent theme (i.e. religious, political, philosophical, etc)?
7H7E Our lyrics are written from a Christian perspective, and cover various subjects that we have either dealt with personally or can somehow identify with.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration and/or frustration from and how has this been affecting your music?
7H7E The musical tone has largely been affected by Meshuggah (to a certain degree), as well as bands like Opeth, Swallow The Sun, and Strapping Young Lad. Lyrically it’s harder to pin down, although hearing a good sermon definitely helps!

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as struggling-artists?
7H7E I’m not entirely sure how to best answer this question, although we have definitely learned that in order to have the best chance at success, we need to be like-minded and transparent with each other in every way possible.

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from your current tour that you’d like to share?
7H7E We are not currently on tour, although when we played at Creation fest 2008 in George, WA our transmission overheated, and the fluid boiled over and caught on fire while we were crossing the Cascade mountains. We were very close to losing the entire van, and perhaps the trailer full of gear as well! You can view our three-part Creation video blog at http://www.youtube.com/7horns7eyesofficial

HC What has been your favorite tour stop so far? What new foods have you discovered (scary or good)?
7H7E we have not yet embarked on an actual tour, although four of us drove our van down to the NAMM convention in Anaheim, CA last February and enjoyed a few In ‘N’ Out burgers, which we do not often get to eat!

HC What has been the most challenging part of taking your band public?
7H7E We’ve encountered some criticism in regards to trying to pair Christianity with metal, but for us it’s a position that occurs comfortably and naturally, so it’s difficult to legitimately criticize.

HC Any words of encouragement for aspiring bands?
7H7E Write original music, approach all that you do with professionalism, and seek like-mindedness in band members’ goals and desires.

Hurdcore.com, again bringing you fresh faces and a inside look at the composition of a local band on the rise. We were able to meet up with Connor of Love Unfailing to discuss their band via email. Love Unfailing, based out of Tacoma (Washington), is working to launch out of the Northwest with a clear message and a brutal combination of melodic hardcore.

HC What inspired the name of your band?
LUF The thing that inspired our band name is Jesus’ love. His love will always be there for every single person, and when thinking of a band name, Jesus’ love seemed unfailing to us. Love Unfailing seemed to fit all of our needs and what we wanted to bring to the listeners of our music.

HC When did your band go from the dream stage to actually putting tracks down and going on the road?
LUF Sadly, we have not had the opportunity to travel the road on tour. We have been recording and writing new music simultaneously so that is going very well for all of us.

HC How would you describe your musical style?
LUF Our music style is very hard to describe. Love Unfailing features all different kinds of musical kinds of aspects to it. I guess if we had to put a definite label on it it would be melodic hardcore, but then again our music ranges into more of a metal sound, too. We love to experiment with all different music types to incorporate in our music so it can vary and change very easily.

HC Where are you at currently in terms of writing and/or releasing an album?
LUF In terms of releasing an album, we are still working on writing new music and slowly recording them. A new album should be released sometime the summer of 2009.

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
LUF Definitelly on myspace. We reply to any questions or comments we get. We all feel that being close to fans will keep them coming back and staying in tune with our music and releases.

HC From the concept of your band, the makeup of its members and the lyrics of your songs, would you say that there is a prominent theme (i.e. religious, political, philosophical, etc)?
LUF Our music definitely an outreach to everyone. We all are very close to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Our music is definitely a religious outreach to everyone but yet even if the listener is not religious the music can still be appealing to them too.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration and/or frustration from and how has this been affecting your music?
LUF Our musical inspiration throughout the band greatly differs. I know that in my point of view (Connor) I am inspired a lot by The Ghost Inside and For the Fallen Dreams. I can speak for the rest of the band in saying Aaron is very inspired by Misery Signals, Carman is very inspired by August Burns Red, Trevor loves anything melodic, and Damien had the most open mind music has ever seen, he loves anything and everything you put in front of him.

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as struggling-artists?
LUF Some of the most important lessons for us as struggling artists is that many tasks take a long time to grasp. Music as one of them is hard to go anywhere with, especially in the hardcore scene, but we all just have to keep our minds set on our goals and try our hardest and even more.

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from your current tour that you’d like to share?
LUF Not on tour, but just in general one time we were taking promos and there was a thick chain hung up surrounding a parking lot; as Aaron tried to jump over it Carman went to go under it and when Carman pulled the chain up Aaron caught his feet on the chain mid-air. Aaron fell flat on his face and after all being scared it was a great time to laugh. haha.

HC What has been your favorite tour stop so far? What new foods have you discovered (scary or good)?
LUF Definitely Centralia or Olympia Washington!

HC What has been the most challenging part of taking your band public?
LUF A challenge in taking our band public is that not a lot of people listen to hardcore music as they go rap, hip-hop or pop. Advertising and promoting a hardcore band is always a challenge but it is the music we love.

HC Any words of encouragement for aspiring bands?
LUF We all start somewhere, keep growing and playing music! It will take you somewhere someday!

UPCOMING SHOWS:

:: 04/25/09
@ Club Impact – Tacoma, WA
754 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Pass The Torch Music Festival w/ MxPx, Vision & Valor (Tysen/Holyfield), Love Unfailing and 15 other bands
starts at NOON, $15 Door/$13 Adv
> Punk, Hardcore/Metal
*Impacts last show! Get there early its gonna be SOLD OUT

:: 05/30/09
@ The Big Room – Olympia, WA
508 Legion Way, Olympia, Washington
8PM, $8
w/ Love Unfailing, Eterna Nocturna & No Living Witness
> Hardcore/Metal

Olympia, Washington based metalcore band Reverse The Sunrise has announced that they will be breaking up with their final show being played this Saturday (4/25/09) at The Viaduct in Tacoma (WA).

We love all of the people who have supported us by coming to our shows and buy our buttons and helping us out with equipment. A couple of quick thanks to: Jesus (every one go to his shows!), The Guys from BT, Kevin, our parents, Kenzie, Joey, and again all of the people who came to our shows or listened to our music.

Come see Reverse The Sunrise play their final show on Saturday, April, 25, 2009:
The Viaduct
5412 S Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA

Remixes, especially when performed by a completely different genre, can be quite amusing. Of late I have become aware of a few such happenings that I’ve posted here. If you find some more, please let me know and we’ll share them with the world…

A Plea For Purging (Hardcore) remix of TI’s Live Your Life listen on APFP’s MySpace

A Day to Remember (Punk/Pop) remix of Kelly Clarkston’s Since U Been Gone listen on
ADTR’s MySpace

Venue: Club Impact
754 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402

:: 04/25/09
*This is Club Impact’s (Version 1.0) last show, get there early because its gonna be SOLD OUT. This event starts is an All Day Event starting at Noon. Show’s full line up and times:

Noon – Noonthirty… IF BEARS WERE BEES
12:45 – 1:15… A LEAF
1:30 – 2:00… BLOODBOUGHT
2:15 – 2:45… MONSTERS SCARE YOU
3:00 – 3:30… THE SECRET ARMADA
3:45 – 4:15… ASPEN
4:30 – 5:00… LOVE UNFAILING
5:15 – 5:45… COLONIES
6:00 – 6:30… MADISON DRIVE
6:45 – 7:15… BRANDON BEE
7:30 – 8:00… SOULDEEP
8:15 – 8:45… END THE CENTURY
9:00 – 9:30… DEWEY LYBECKER
9:45 – 10:15… INSTANT WINNER
10:30 – 10:55… VISION AND VALOR
11:15 – MIDNIGHT… MXPX

We’re located on the corner of 9th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma at the big, Brick City building at 754 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA 98402. Get DISCOUNT tix for all shows @ www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/5694 OR call 800-838-3006

Club Impact is planning to launch Version 2.0, so check in with them for updates on the Club Impact Myspace

Our drive at hurdcore.com is to keep you informed about local bands, venues and events. We love interacting with local bands and musical entities that are helping to bring more good music to our area, especially where many smaller communities are starved for action. We were able to steal a moment of Rafe’s time to slate and email interview with Ashland, Oregon based Turned Up Missing (Currently On Tour) to ask them a few questions about their band. Turned UP Missing has survived Elk attacks, are inspired by the Beatles, sustained by frequent BBQ and are headed to a town near you…

HC What inspired the name of your band?
TUM Our band name doesn’t have that inspiring of an origin… we happened to be looking at a website listing oxymorons and “Turned Up Missing” happened to be one we saw, and we thought it sounded like a good name.

HC When did your band go from the dream stage to actually putting tracks down and going on the road?
TUM That’s a good question, and I would say it was a fairly gradual progression from playing our high school Battle Of The Bands, to various local shows, and then finally to the point of actually get a van and starting to try to go on tour. Going on the road has been one of the best experiences I think that all of us have ever had.

HC How would you describe your musical style?
TUM Pop, but with our own take. As individuals we like a huge variety of different bands and styles, but when we write collectively, it seems to just come out as melodic pop. Basically our only criteria for song writing is that we think it sounds good.

HC Where are you at currently in terms of writing and/or releasing an album?
TUM As of now we are writing and recording for our upcoming EP “I’ve Got Some Friends.” We are finishing up vocals on 2 songs right now and less than a week ago we wrote a new song that all of us agreed HAS to be on the EP so we’re going to begin recording it in probably a week or less. The EP will be out in June.

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
TUM Definitely myspace.com/turnedupmissing Myspace is pretty much the best networking tool that has ever been created for bands…

HC From the concept of your band, the makeup of its members and the lyrics of your songs, would you say that there is a prominent theme (i.e. religious, political, philosophical, etc)?
TUM At this point I don’t think that there is. So far we have only been trying to write good sounding songs, rather than creating a concept album based on a certain idea. However we definitely would be interested in doing a concept album in the future.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration and/or frustration from and how has this been affecting your music?
TUM For me personally and cliche as it sounds, I have been listening to The Beatles more than any other artist. Musically, they are unmatched songwriting geniuses. As a band, we have been focusing alot on improving the arrangements of our songs, which are usually based on experiences in our day to day lives.

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as struggling-artists?
TUM Success doesn’t happen overnight. When we first started, we had grand dreams of being signed/famous overnight, but the fact that it hasn’t happened as fast as we imagined it would hasn’t deterred us, it actually makes our successes as a band even more satisfying because of the effort that we have put in.

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from your current tour that you’d like to share?
TUM The scariest thing that has ever happened to us was hitting an elk in Montana at 3 AM in the morning going 50 MPH on the freeway… its honestly miraculous that we weren’t injured and that our van escaped without serious harm (although the same cannot be said for the elk, RIP). As for funny stuff, everyday in the van is almost always greatly amusing. We are all very close friends and being trapped in a van for 5+ hours per day can yield hilarious results!

HC What has been your favorite tour stop so far? What new foods have you discovered (scary or good)?
TUM Our favorite place to play is Olympia, WA. The crowds are always amazing to us! We haven’t really discovered any new foods, but we have discovered the joys of barbecuing (especially in summer). We have a barbecue that we bring on tour and every night at after the shows we have awesome barbecues!

HC What has been the most challenging part of taking your band public?
TUM Trying to get our name out there while being unsigned. Attempting to take your band to any level of commercial success takes ALOT of effort.

HC Any words of encouragement for aspiring bands?
TUM Enjoy every moment of it, because attempting to be in a band and playing music for a career is undoubtedly one of the craziest and best adventures you can ever take!

UPCOMING SHOWS:

:: 04/30/09
@ The Hawthorne Theater
7PM, All Ages, $15
w/ Turned Up Missing, Something About Airplanes, Delta Bravo
> Indie

:: 05/01/09
@ The Big Room – Olympia, WA
508 Legion Way, Olympia, Washington 98501
7PM, All Ages,
w/ Turned Up Missing, Again And Again, The Welcome Home, Emsley and The Everlast
> Indie

:: 05/02/09
@ The Viaduct
5412 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Washington 98409
7PM
w/ Turned Up Missing, Again And Again, The Welcome Home and Marine View Drive

:: 05/03/09
@ Level 2 – Astoria, OR
7PM, All Ages,
w/ The Seatbelt Tragedy, Turned Up Missing

To see more information for local shows happening in April/May 2009 see our previous post HERE

Local shows, local venues, local bands for the months of April & May 2009. If you know of another please update. Shows will be updated as we become aware of them.

*NOTE: This is for informational purposes only, www.hurdcore.com is not explicitly endorsing any of the bands or shows. All posted are supposed to be “all ages” but this does not guarantee that these shows will be w/out explicit content.

**Truckload of events all through April & May from The Viaduct, check their MySpace for dates, times and bands. Most shows start at 7PM, The Viaduct is located at 5412 South Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA 98409.

:: 4.17.09 (FRI)
@ El Corazon – Seattle, Washington
w/ The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Sky Eats Airplane, Emarosa
>Mixed bag, post hardcore, semi-electronica, and pop-punk.

:: 4.18.09 (SAT)
@ Hawthorne Theater – Portland, Oregon
w/ The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Sky Eats Airplane, Emarosa
>Mixed bag, post hardcore, semi-electronica, and pop-punk.

@ The Revolution – Ashland, OR
w/ Turned Up Missing, Paper Mache, Noah Gundersen
$5, All Ages

:: 04/23/09
@ Satyricon Theater – Portland, OR
125 NW 6th AVE, Portland, Oregon
7PM, $8
w/ Emsley, Diamond Liars and Rythmatic Revolution
> Indie

:: 04/25/09
@ Club Impact – Tacoma, WA
754 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Pass The Torch Music Festival w/ MxPx, Vision & Valor (Tysen/Holyfield), Love Unfailing and 15 other bands
starts at NOON, $15 Door/$13 Adv
> Punk, Hardcore/Metal
*Impacts last show! Get there early its gonna be SOLD OUT

@ TreeHouse Venue – Eugene, Oregon
6:30 PM, All Ages, FREE
w/ Emsley with Eight Seven Central
> Indie/Trance/Rockabilly
***Grand opening night! Check it out!

@ The Viaduct – Tacoma, WA
7PM, 8$
w/ Reverse Sunrise, Open Fire, Lenore, Cowardice and Eterna Nocturna
> Hardcore

:: 04/28/09
@ The Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
7PM, $8
w/ Emsley, Brightwood, and Sleep For Sleepers!
> Indie

:: 04/30/09
@ The Hawthorne Theater
7PM, All Ages, $15
w/ Turned Up Missing, Something About Airplanes, Delta Bravo
> Indie

:: 05/01/09
@ The Big Room – Olympia, WA
508 Legion Way, Olympia, Washington 98501
7PM, All Ages,
w/ Turned Up Missing, Again And Again, The Welcome Home, Emsley and The Everlast
> Indie

@ WOW Hall – Eugene, OR
291 W. 8TH AVE, EUGENE, Oregon 97401
8PM, $13/$15
SAY G&E! TOUR w/ Grouch Eligh, Afro Classics
>Rap/Hip-Hop

:: 05/02/09
@ The Viaduct
5412 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Washington 98409
7PM
w/ Turned Up Missing, Again And Again, The Welcome Home and Marine View Drive

:: 05/03/09
@ Level 2 – Astoria, OR
7PM, All Ages,
w/ The Seatbelt Tragedy, Turned Up Missing

:: 05/06/09
@ The Hawthorne Theater – Portland, Oregon
7PM, All Ages, $15
w/ Strung Out, Death By Stereo, The Royal Tees
>Classic punk

:: 05/09/09
@ The Masonic Temple – Chehalis, WA
123 w main st, Chehalis, Washington 98532
$4 adv/ 5 door
Benefit Show w/ Love Unfailing, Burning Twilight

@ El Corazon – Seattle, Washington
w/ Furious Styles, Biohazard
>Mix of Hardcore/Hip-Hop

:: 05/15/09
@ Studio 7 – Seattle, WA
5PM, 8$adv/10$doors
Aschemia CD Release Show w/ As For The Dead, Sanctity in Silence, Swinglow, more
> Hardcore/Metal

@ The Space – Salem, Oregon
8PM, FREE
w/ Kill the Kids, Red Headed Stepchild, Last Stand
> Punkabilly

:: 05/21/09
@ The Viaduct – Tacoma, WA
w/ Furious Styles
> Hardcore/Hip-Hop

:: 05/2309
@ Studio 7 – Seattle, WA
5:15 PM, $10 Door/$8 Adv.
w/ Winston Smith, Psyopus, Molotov Solution, Rose Funeral, Woe of Tyrants, I Declare War, Idols
> Hardcore/Metal

:: 05/30/09
@ Club Impact – Tacoma, WA
754 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98042
7PM, Benefit Show – FREE!!!
Get Off Your Ashes Benefit Show (GOYA) – w/ Schoolyard Heroes, Wake The Giant, He is We, Sight vs. Sound, In the Sea, Brightwood

@ The Big Room – Olympia, WA
508 Legion Way, Olympia, Washington
7PM, $8/10
w/ Love Unfailing, Eterna Nocturna, No Living Witness, These Endless Skies, Boston Strangler, Across the Sun
> Hardcore/Metal, Electronica/Grindcore

@ SALT – Ellensburg, WA
6PM, $5
w/ Emsley
> Indie

Venue: TreeHouse Venue
*Grand Opening 04/25/09
89 Centennial Loop
Eugene, OR (near Autzen – Oregon Ducks)
*All Ages Venue

Hurdcore.com recently had the honor of interviewing the curators of TreeHouse Venue via email through MySpace. From TreeHouse:

hello to you all.
i am ecstatic to announce
a new venue will soon be opening its doors
to the eugene/springfield area.

the atmosphere will be all age friendly
and music genre will vary
from hard rock, to alternative, to acoustic.

if you have any suggestions or questions
please feel free to leave your thoughts.
for booking info please contact:
treehousevenue@live.com

HC Is there anything significant about the name of your venue?
TH TreeHouse represents a place to get away and have fun. That’s what we’re all about, just hanging out and listening to some good music.

HC When/how did your venue go from the dream stage to actually having a site to get the music out?
TH It actually happened extremely fast! I had the idea back in October ‘08, and within just a couple of months it took off like a wildfire.

HC Where is your venue located?
TH 89 Centennial Loop. Eugene, OR

HC Is your venue all ages? Do you have any sort of a snack stand?
TH We are an all age venue. Currently we sell water, rockstars, and soda. We do hope to have a more broad concession stand down the road.

HCDo you cater to a certain genre of music? Are there any musical styles that are off limits?
TH We cater mainly to the alternative/rock/hardcore/acoustic audience. I think the biggest “no no” for us is country music.

HC For those who are unfamiliar with your area, is there good parking close to the venue? If they arrive early are there points of interest close to your venue?
TH We have lots of parking that is FREE

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about updates, shows and other events?
TH The best way is checking out our myspace at: myspace.com/treehousemusicvenue

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from your history or a show that you’d like to share?
TH Well, since our first show is April 25th, we don’t have any good memories yet. But definitely soon to come…

HC What has been the most challenging part of establishing a local music venue? TH The most challenging part is advertising. It’s just knowing where your target audience can be reached and figuring out how to get the kids to come to the shows.

Upcoming Shows:

:: 4/25/09 (Eugene) Emsley w/ Eight Seven Central (Indie/Trance/Rockabilly)

:: 5/9/09 (Eugene) The Seatbelt Tragedy (Indie) w/ Returning Grace (Alternative)

Venue: The Viaduct – Tacoma, WA
5412 S Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA 98409
$6 All Ages – Doors open @ 7PM

Headlining: As For The Dead – Metal/Hardcore, dark rumbling guitars w/ mix of gutteral and serpentine vox, melodic influences and breakdowns.

Striking The Nations announced that this will be their last live show for a while as they intend to write music in order to record a demo. Fast paced Christian metal w/ hardcore chops, mixture of punk and singing for vox.

Ships Set Sail Christian metal w/ good mix of lead and breakdowns, current recordings are a little choppy so not all elements were clear.

Six Fifteen Punk/Power-Pop

Ballroom Warrior Rock/Metal/Progressive mixture of serpentine screaming and singing, melodic influences

Local Washington venue in Tacoma hosting a mix of metal, hardcore and punk on Saturday, April 18, 2009. This is an all ages show, cover is $6 and doors open at 7PM. Come support local talent and local venues!