If Ashylus were a musical triathalon, with each of the three tonal ranges being the legs of the extended race, then Ashylus would be a seamless bike through rumbling lows, run through mid range breaks and swim through swirling highs that pierce through each song. If fans dare to participate in live performances from these Tri Cities, Washington rockers, they may want to bring protective gear as no fan will be guaranteed to escape without a proper bruising. Their name which stands for Ambition | Strength | Heart | Youth | Love | Understanding | Sacrifice serves as a certain rallying cry that has set these young men well on their way to establishing themselves as a presence in the hardcore/metal circles throughout Washington and Oregon. Rapid fire drums are complimented by consistent screams and blazing guitars which test their metal with looping solos to craft an entertainingly core-blending orchestra of brutality. Ashylus offers scene shattering depth in both their musical creativity and their lyrical sincerity, working to build a fan base that shares their drive for enjoying the moment as well as challenging the flimsiness of many truth claims.

Your songs seem to be of a more somber nature with titles such as “Will We Ever See The Light of Day” or “Unattainable,” what do you strive to communicate through the tone and content of your songs?
Anthony Badziong (Vocals) Well, First off, The song “Will We Ever See The Light of Day” was written about how a lot of bands that work very hard to display a message in their songs get overlooked by people who don’t see the meaning behind the lyrics because they don’t understand the style of vocals, we just want all the bands to be seen for what they are worth. We play our hearts out whether there are 300 kids in the venue, or 5 kids, Ultimately, we just want to have a good time and hope the kids do as well.
“Unattainable” is about how people have their own beliefs on how the human race was originated, but there are really no facts set in stone. You can believe in Christianity, evolution, or any of the other theories, but the point is, we’ll probably never know the truth, so lets just live our lives and get along with what we have.

Your title track “Enslaved By False Belief” has a message thick with political phrase, “They say we need change but what we really need is an awakening…they are the power, we are the blind.” Is this song purely fueled by disgust with the current state of American politics or is there a deeper narrative influencing these lyrics?
AB That is correct, the song is definitely fueled by disgust with the current state of American politics. The government is controlling society like drones.

Do you think we as a society are blind because we want to be?
AB We believe that most people are blind because of denial, such as the older generation, they believe the lies that they are told. People don’t want to be blind, sometimes people just want to believe that they are in good hands… even if they know they’re not.

What do you believe people should do to begin to set things right (can the blind effectively fight back)?
AB Well, were just displaying what we believe, one person can’t make a difference, but if people work together to prove what they stand for, then they can definitely make change.

The hardcore/metal scene has become more than underground but less than mainstream, as a band and on a personal level how do you fight the constant pressure to compromise or blend in?
AB We are always open to constructive criticism. If someone says we should have more leads, or more breakdowns, we will consider what they are saying, but ultimately we will always play what we feel in our hearts. If we don’t make our music the way we love it, then it simply wouldn’t be Ashylus.

So the name is spelled Ashylus but is pronounced uh-shy-lus, what is the meaning behind your name?
AB Ambition | Strength | Heart | Youth | Love | Understanding | Sacrifice.

Having started out in 2007, what have been some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome as a band over the three years of your existence?
AB We found ourselves, as musicians. That was the first part, then we realized that our personal lives had to be sacrificed in order to actually be able to get our music out there, it’s a hard process but its what we love so we will continue playing music for a long time.

What has performing music taught you about life and music that you didn’t see as clearly before?
AB Honestly, we could answer this in 1000 words, but mainly we learned that in order to achieve your goals in life, you have to make sacrifices and really be motivated by the ones you play with in order to be successful. The attitude of the band just stays positive and we try not to loose track of what we’re trying to accomplish.

You are preparing for the Metal Vaccination Tour being presented by AAP and Monumental Booking with another band Return From Exile, will this be your first tour of this magnitude?
AB Actually this will be our first tour in general, we have played a ton of shows all over the north west, but we are very excited to play in other areas including California, Nevada and Arizona.

How did you get hooked up with all the parties involved with this show?
AB Will from AAP (AAP HC Interview) has known about us since before we played our first show. A few months ago we became a part of AAP management. William has helped us a lot by getting us our endorsements and tour booked. Monumental Booking has been booking shows in Spokane and our home in the Tri-Cities for a while now. Ryan Levey, The Owner of Monumental, offered his help by booking dates and coming along as the tour manager. We’re Stoked.

What are the best and worst features of being on the road?
AB The best, Playing music with your best friends all the time. The worst, Being away from home.

If you could see the end, when you look back on what you were able to accomplish as a bunch of dudes who loved playing music, success for Ashylus would be what…?
AB The continuous growth of our fan base.

Ashylus is: Anthony Badziong – Vocals; Bijan Davari – Guitar; Aaron McKinney – Guitar; Kevin Ubiadas – Bass; Andrew Badziong – Drums. Ashylus will be on a 2010 West Coast Summer Tour from July 18th through August 2nd. Debut EP “Enslaved By False Belief” now recording. Keep up to date with recording and tour information at the Ashylus Myspace Page

Partnering with local bands, artists, venues and promoters to support local music, hurdcore.com posts fresh band interviews every Sunday as well as additional content throughout the week. Covering local bands, concerts and venues from Seattle to Portland, Medford to Spokane, Eugene to Idaho and as well as the Midwest and California. Hurdcore.com supports local music ranging from hip-hop, metal, pop, punk, hardcore, indie and more. Stay tuned to hurdcore.com, friend us on myspace and join us facebook To request album reviews, band bios, interviews or to discuss advertising opportunities email us – hurdcore@gmail.com – be specific in “subject” line.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

In an iTunes era, where we consumers pick and choose our playlists from a virtual buffet of musical offerings, a day full of local metal ought to inspire even the most casual of fans to sample a exhibition of live local music. Savage Fest was not only a stage featuring a perpetual onslaught of metal, hardcore, progressive, melodic and a whole host of other -core local artists, The Camas Courthouse served as a theater showcasing the finest of Washington and Oregon skull melting rock. As hurdcore.com continues to team with local artists, agents and venues to promote what is happening in your neck of the enchanted musical forest, we hope to inspire an army of fans who don’t just observe but who participate in the best of what music has to offer. We are fans supporting local music and it was our great pleasure to get our metal on with the bands who performed Saturday, April 24th, 2010 for Savage Fest at The Camas Courthouse (hopefully the first of many).

Local acoustic favorites Jack Devore and Andy Hokanson (drummer for If All Else Fails) opened Savage Fest with back-to-back intimate sets. Both utilized the emotional tone of the acoustic with great skill and each had a commanding presence of their voices, Jack the quieter of the two would hit higher notes in stride without straining whereas Andy’s sound had a distinct pop-edge. Mourning For Memories was first up to bring out the brutal, operating with a youth and energy that make it clear that these dudes are developing a chemistry in their sound that won’t soon be forgotten. Mourning for Memories brought with them a significant segment of the local crowd and introduced the savage throngs to what will heretofore be distinguished as hello-kitty-core (note pic). On a day full of metal, scheduled for nearly 10 hours of back to back riffs, shreds and breakdowns, the diversity of what blossoms under the “metal” umbrella was already a feature note. Transitioning from thrash to popcore with Portland based Chin Up Rocky, mixing elements of pop, screamo, punk and what many are calling post-hardcore. Chin Up Rocky carries a positive if not happy tone that still has enough bite to induce you to get low.

The first and only band of the night to have two members dedicated exclusively to vocals was local hardcore/death metal quintet Edessa, sharing duties with guttural and serpentine screams. Edessa taps into the sound of old school hardcore bands such as Point of Recogniton with a proper mix of current dynamics to have already attracted for themselves a devoted local following. The band that perhaps traveled the farthest, hailing from Maple Valley, Washington also introduced the Savage Fest crowd to an apt use of simple props by backlighting their set with floodlights to create an ambiance that brought the band seemingly in full 3D into the crowd. We Move Mountains turned the mayhem dial up to 11 with a forceful combination of energy, creativity and dark mystery enough to be the backdrop for any number of Burton-esque films, inciting the crowd with cryptic incantations such as, “I’m normal. I’m normal. I swear to God, I’m normal.” While we at hurdcore.com may be slightly prejudice being that We Move Mountains was one of our first interviews (see WMM Interview), an experience with self described “catchy melodic McDonald’s-core” will be enough to get any bi-pedal creature fiending for more of their fierce riffs and spaztastic live performances. Look for more of We Move Mountains as they just wrapped shooting their video for popular song “Dan Nettekoven Snakes the Win” and a full length album to drop later this year.

Portland, Oregon doomsday death metal brought its local rep in Daematta who is in a period of transformation to break from a self-perceived pigeoning in the bland “name-your-core” mix of local artists and into a more distinct blackening of their metal roots. Savage Fest continued to showcase the best of heavy local music introducing the crowd to a band that was so dialed in as a professional act that perhaps the only pieces missing from this Portland thrash/metal band was a tour bus and personal roadies. Almost Is Nothing has the presence of master, gear legitimate enough to make even the casual fan salivate and a sound so shred-tastic that the only question remaining is whether your face or the dueling fret boards will last long enough to complete an entire set of this audio assault. Even the casual fan can see that Almost Is Nothing is on the brink of greatness, those who have the opportunity to witness them live while they remain at this level of public recognition should realize that it won’t be long before rocking with AIN won’t come at such a bargain.

Bring Me Solace is fairly new to launch upon the Portland area melodic/progressive metal scene, yet it doesn’t take long to notice a care to their sound the reaches far beyond a fashionable title. In the span of a 30 minute set, the bassist for Bring Me Solace walked, jogged and ran through every inch of his six-stringed fretboard multiple times, part symphonic Jedi mixed mixed with the shear brutality of Paul Bunyan dropping his behemoth axe through a withering forest. Longview, Washington based Upon Departure is another band that we at hurdcore.com had a previous interaction with, interviewing them in late 2009 as they began working on their latest release (still in the works – see UD Interview). Live, the riffs of Upon Departure oozed with some of the heaviest breakdowns of a day full of metal madness. Firmly grounded in their hardcore/metal roots, the young men of Upon Departure continue to challenged themselves to expand the experimental aspects of their music venture.

With an impressive local following and a willingness to experiment with intriguing harmonic concepts, as Focus On The Skyline continues to hone their craft and perform together they will acquire the synchronicity needed to produce a crisper edge to their sound. And The Sirens Sang appears to be on the fast track with live performance laced with a blue collar creativity that both imprints their set into the recesses of your memory as well as begs the question what they might be able to assemble with a larger budget. The largest band of Savage Fest by numberic standards, rocked double axes with bass, rapid drums, thoroughbred keys and a team approach to vocal responsibilities in addition to the designated throat. And The Sirens Sang literally filled the comfortable stage of The Camas Courthouse while flooding the crowd with an impressively polished sound that brandished a full-time commitment to exploring the potential of Key-core (or as my good friend aptly remarked, “It’s like Anberlin on a massive dose of steroids”). Combining skill, creativity and an unparalleled work ethic with most members holding responsibilities in multiple music related ventures without losing a step in the progression of And The Sirens Sang.

To my own dismay, I awoke the morning of the long awaited Savage Fest with a throbbing headache and bronchitis-esque cough. I held out as long as possible but illness and responsibilities at home lured me away from witnessing the combined brutality of local favorites Aleen, Settle’s Idols and the pit-masters of Portland, Proven. On a day full of metal at its purest, hardcore at the grassroots ever accelerating through the local atmosphere, and yet still “fans” balk at the opportunity to experience the music with abandon. Every major band started somewhere and whether you are a fan of a particular band or genre, the thrill of a live performance is a display of those who have dared to put their dreams in motion. Keep rockin’ local and when I see you next, let’s get moving!

GET DOWNZ TOUR to kick off at The Camas Courthouse (89 C Street, Washougal, WA) June 19, 2010 featuring And The Sirens Sang, We Move Mountains and Upon Departure – Tour runs North and East through Washington and then South from Eugene, Oregon (June 28th – rock with hurdcore.com!)

Check out the bands from Savage Fest:
Jack Devore (Blues, Camas, WA)
Mourning For Memories (Thrash – Washougal, WA)
Chin Up Rocky (Happy Hardcore, Portland)
Edessa (Hardcore – Camas, WA)
We Move Mountains (Metal – Maple Valley, WA)
Daematta (Death Metal, Portland)
Almost Is Nothing (Thrash, Portland)
Bring Me Solace (Progressive, Portland)
Upon Departure (Metal – Longview, WA)
Focus On The Skyline (Post-hardcore, Camas, WA)
And The Sirens Sang (Screamo, OR)
Aleen (Screamo, WA)
Idols (Death Metal, Seattle)
Proven (Metal, Portland)

Hurdcore.com – Midwest discovers River Music Experience’s Redstone Room >> RME Article

Interview with A Hope For Home
> Portland, Oregon based Progressive/Hardcore band recently released their 3rd full length album “Realis” on Facedown Records. >> AHFH Interview

Interview with Ivan de Prume of Metalopolis
> Former drummer of White Zombie now working with Portland, Oregon alternative rock radio 101.1 FM KUFO broadcasting Metalopolis every Saturday night from 10PM to 12AM. >> IDP Interview

Interview with Legionnairre Apparel
> Creative collaboration with Joe Moxely and Mike Hererra (of MxPx and Tumbledown) producing men and women’s clothing out of Medford, Oregon. >> JM Interview

Hurdcore.com – Midwest experiences When Bears Attack (thank you for the shirts!), Renae, Eagle Scout, Kidnap The Sun and Sleeper Wakes Society @ Mixtapes in Moline, Illinois >> Mix Article and Mix Videos

Interview with Will Breitner
> Perhaps the hardest working local music grassroots mogul, spear heading bands And The Sirens Sang and Legion of Lepers, pioneering Siren Studios to help local musicians record and organizing Savage Fest (4/24/10), an all metal festival showcasing some of the best of Washington and Oregon metal. >> WB Interview

Interview with Hopecore.com
Feedback from Jameson Ketchum and Jeremy Seick on their work with online entertainment magazine and online radio, hopecore.com works with some of the finest artists in the Christian/positive music scene. >> HC Interview

See some live videos of Oregon metal (We Move Mountains, Almost Is Nothing, And The Sirens Sang) and hip-hop (Suganuts, Pynt Syze) on our [hurdcore.com] – Northwest Myspace VIDEO PAGE as well as Illinois screamo/hardcore on our YOUTUBE PAGE – this month includes the hilarious “drunk guy” giving rock advice to touring bands as they wait for the show to start at Mixtapes (Moline, Illinois).

For more information on local music, band interviews, concert updates and promotional content. Local bands, artists, concerts, venues, tours and events from rock, hip-hop, metal, pop, punk, hardcore, acoustic, indie, organic, progressive, funk, rap and more. Stay tuned to hurdcore.com, friend us on myspace and join us facebook Hurdcore is open to partnerships to promote local arts, music and entertainment as well as advertising opportunities – hurdcore@gmail.com – be specific in “subject” line.

At times the hardcore music genre can seem like a state sponsored fishing hole, with an annual stocking of nameless bands drawing both avid fans as well as the fresh-from-Walmart posers looking for the next big catch only to find that soon after opening day the crowds die down and many of those dream catches were less than advertised. Demon Hunter continues to break the mold both musically and creatively, each year further endearing their die hard hunter-core to the mission of “storming the gates of hell” while simultaneously expanding their fan base by blowing the minds of those joining the hunt for the first time. With a complexity to their music that bears the edge of projects long deceased (note Training for Utopia) they continue to wrestle the sharpest melodic elements and fuse them with components that are just plain brutal. Demon Hunter has forged a sound which causes listeners to sing along, enticed by a depth in content, conviction and tonal package that will keep pits circling long into the night. To a large degree, Demon Hunter is a reflection of its lead singer and founding member, Ryan Clark, who is both a dominating presence as a creative mastermind as well as a man of clear convictions yet also a very private and humble individual. The Clark brothers have crafted a brand in Demon Hunter that serves as a model for successful marketing in the indie music scene without selling out your personal or musical values. Ryan continues to carry the mantle after his brother Don decided to step away from his role within Demon Hunter at the end of 2009, but this “newly” formed Demon Hunter will continue to challenge, inspire and motivate global hunters to carry their convictions forward, cowering to no one.

Are you originally from Seattle? How much do you enjoy local culture there and how has the local scene helped you get to where you are today?
RCI was born in Southern California, raised in Central Oregon and Northern California, and I moved to Seattle almost exactly 10 years ago. I love Seattle. Not every aspect of it, but it’s certainly my favorite place on earth. It’s an incredibly diverse city, and there’s never a shortage of things to do. Mountains an hour away, on the ocean, Portland and British Columbia 2 hours away, thriving arts and music scene. On the other side of the coin, I do hate the bleeding-heart hippie culture (which is massive here) and all of their phony compassion (honestly, they’re like the angriest, coldest people on earth), but truly, living in a city with such adversed ideals to my own makes for great lyrical material. I don’t have to go very far to see and understand who my enemies are.

If I recall correctly, you were raised as PKs (Preacher’s kids), what was that like growing up? Your music has never been “church music” by any stretch, were your parents always supportive of your music or have they grown into Demon Hunters?
RC Yea, that’s correct. When we were growing up, it was a love/hate thing for sure. Especially in our teens, we were probably more uncomfortable with the idea that it wasn’t cool or whatever. That’s just how kids are… some of those kids take that mentality into their adulthood and stay bitter at the church, and some are able to see it for what it is. I think that usually comes down to two factors: how your “church” experiences were (how great/terrible the people of said church were), and the effectiveness of parenting. If you attended a legalistic, judgmental church… chances are you are going to have a very jaded view of church or Christianity in general.

Our parents were awesome. They instilled values in us without being overbearing. It took them a little bit to get used to the style of music that we became so involved in, and the aesthetic that followed, but their real concern was in regard to our character. They’ve come to really appreciate our music and they’re extremely proud of what we’ve done.

The metal power duo of Clark & Clark (Ryan & Don) have been together since birth, how did this evolve into your earlier musical ventures such as Training for Utopia?
RC Well, our musical tastes progressed at a very similar pace… we liked old hip-hop growing up (Beastie Boys, Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, etc.) and when we were in our young teens, we were turned onto punk rock by some friends (Pennywise, Bad Religion, Face To Face, etc.), around the same time, we were also getting into metal (Pantera, Sepultura, Metallica). Punk and metal gave way to hardcore… and that was really the scene that we dove into.

I started a hardcore band called Focal Point in 1993 and we were signed in 1995… shortly after, Don started a noisy hardcore band called Training For Utopia. After one tour, Focal Point was ready to hang it up, and ironically TFU had lost their singer at the same time. I assumed the vocalist position in TFU, and that was the start of about 15 years of doing music together.

The Clark brothers have a deep portfolio of music, especially when it comes to styles as you’ve ranged from hardcore, industrial and now metal. While Demon Hunter retains a thread of heavy lyrics and music with an edge, each progression seems to have a dynamic sound all of its own. What is different about your perspective on life and music that has come to craft the sound for Demon Hunter?
RC I would really chalk it all up to a disinterest in being “cool” or “current,” by way of maturing through a vast number of flash-in-the-pan trends. In the past, we were definitely wrapped up in whatever was happening at the time, and that was fine. However, from the very beginning with Demon Hunter, it was our goal to do something that didn’t fall under the umbrella of a fleeting scene. The fact that Demon Hunter happens to have a broader appeal than our previous projects has nothing to do with selling out our own musical tastes. Our influences are almost solely from the 90′s. The music that we create with Demon Hunter is out of pure love for a particular sound and style. The progression that you hear from record to record is just a natural maturity process- finding our style, and honing it, building upon it.

There was a hiatus from music, at least front-lining in a band, between Training For Utopia and your resurgence as Demon Hunter, was there some burnout in performing and touring with music? What got the wheels turning for Demon Hunter?
RC The biggest factor was moving to Seattle. TFU was kind of falling apart, due to a shift in priorities… and we really had to wait to get our feet planted in Seattle before feeling comfortable enough to start playing again. The desire to write and play music was/is always there.

You’ve been successfully involved with several facets of music outside of performing, from Asterik Studios, to Invisible Creature and art direction for Solid State and Tooth & Nail. Did you set out to be involved with graphic design professionally or did this aspect of your creative nature develop more organically?
RC The visual art career for me was a very organic thing. I’ve always enjoyed drawing, painting, etc. but when I got to be an adult, I didn’t really know what to do with any of it. My brother had been designing for a number of years… and when we moved to Seattle, I really started taking an interest in graphic design. Shortly after I’d really started dabbling in design, a job opened up in the T&N art department. Although my knowledge at the time was VERY limited, Brandon Ebel (owner) took a chance on me and gave me the job. I’ve been the art director here for over 9 years now. Asterik Studio and Invisible Creature both happened while I’ve been here at T&N… they’ve all kind of coincided together.

Demon Hunter takes a pretty balanced approach to music, you guys hit the road hard, but you seem to take your time between tours. Is this a calculated approach to music or more a reflection of your other commitments?
RC Our lack of constant touring has everything to do with our non-band commitments, however, this schedule really worked in our favor. I think a lot of bands tour too much and become somewhat played out. Kids get tired of seeing them every few months and they lose interest. With us, it’s become such an event when we play live, because it’s so seldom. And this means that a lot of fans show up when we play, because if they don’t, it’ll be a while before they get another chance. I don’t think it would work for every band, but this has been a really successful formula for us.

Aside from your hands-on work with art direction at Solid State, you’ve been personally involved in recognizing and developing upcoming bands such as Becoming The Archetype and The Ascendicate. Do you seek out these relationships or as a fan of music are there bands that just grab your attention and you can’t resist promoting?
RC There are a few bands over the last 10 years that have really grabbed my attention… and I felt that if I didn’t reach out and make something happen, nothing would. So despite my job not being that of an A&R rep here at the label, I’ve kind of assumed that position from time to time, in order to work with these bands that I’ve really believed in. Brandon (Ebel) being so cool and trusting, has allowed me to wear that A&R hat from time to time. All-in-all, I’m just a huge champion of the label, and I love the ability to contribute in any way.

This album and tour will showcase a revamped Demon Hunter, most notably the absence of Don, what has been the biggest impact of this transition musically and how hard was it to fill the voids? We definitely want to respect your privacy, are you willing to elaborate any on why Don chose to step away?
RC Absolutely. Don’s reasons for leaving are not necessarily a private matter. It was essentially a shift in priorities. He runs Invisible Creature, and it was getting harder and harder for him to close up shop to tour or record. For me, I’m able to take time off from work, and come back and jump right back into the saddle. For him, it was a real risk when he left each time, hoping that the phone would start ringing the day he returned. Add 2 kids to that equation (the only kids of anyone in the band) and his decision had become a really clear one.

You’ve noted that The World is a Thorn explores greater depths in both technicality and brutality, even elaborating earlier this year, “We’re definitely still working with the DH formula of groove-oriented heavy mixed with melodic… but the heavy is usually faster this time around. And the melodic tends to be a little darker, little moodier.” (Interview w/ Indie Vision Music) What excites you most about the progression in sound that will be heard on this album?
RC I feel like this album is a very natural progression for the band… but in the least boring way, if that makes sense. In other words, we’re a band that isn’t going to stray terribly far from the overall style that we’ve created over the years… but at the same time, we obviously like to keep things interesting with each record. I thing the songs on this record are extremely solid, well-written, well-executed, and are the best version of Demon Hunter to date.

You’ve crafted a PR blitz with 50 Days of Demon Hunter and a tour that includes As I Lay Dying and War of Ages, 2010 is looking like a big year for DH, does the band have any more tricks up their sleeve?
RC Well, at this point we’re just anxious to get out on the road. That’s all that we have on our radar at the moment… but I’m sure we’ll be brainstorming some new ideas very soon.

From The World is a Thorn your song “LifeWar” is basically an autobiographical retrospective on your life, yet most of your music is very personal, is there a song that stand out to you from this album?
RC That song stands out a lot to me, actually, because it is a little more personal and autobiographical. Songs like Tie This Around Your Neck and Collapsing are also stand-out tracks to me. I feel like those songs were maybe more inspired than others.

Your beliefs as a Christian have always come across in your music, what do you do to keep your faith fresh?
RC As for my faith, I do my best to read as often as I can. I get a lot from the Bible and a handful of other books. The last book I read was called The Mortification Of Sin, which was great. I also like to surround myself with like-minded people… but I have a lot of non-Christian friends that, believe it or not, really allow me to understand why I believe what I do.

“Collapsing” shares some of your perspective of living and sharing the gospel with others, in a sense you admit that many are not receptive to the truths that you hold dear yet you believe it is still important to be active in proclaiming truth. How do you approach sharing your faith as an individual (outside of Demon Hunter) and as an artist (through DH)?
RC With DH, it’s easy… I write it, sing it… you can listen or not, but I’m going to wear my beliefs on my sleeve. That’s my platform to do so, and that’s what you’re going to get. That’s the beautiful thing about being in a band- No one has to ask your opinion and you can give it anyway.

With daily life, it’s much more about getting on a personal level. I’m usually not one to speak directly into someone’s life before knowing them. I think people see that as intrusive, and are easily turned off by strangers telling them how to live. Now, I do believe in a generally black and white guideline for living… but if you have a relationship with someone, then you may gain their trust, understanding, respect… and I think you’re much more likely to meet them on an effective level.

Demon Hunter > Metal/Hardcore > Seattle, WA > Solidstate Records
The World Is A Thorn available now nearly everywhere – Solidstate, Best Buy, Hot Topic, iTunes…Currently on tour with As I Lay Dying, Bless The Fall and War of Ages (see DH Myspace or DH Website for more info and tour dates)

Demon Hunter is: Ryan Clark – Vocals; Jonathan Dunn – Bass; Yogi Watts – Drums; Patrick Judge – Guitar; Ryan Helm – Guitar

OREGONIANS – Demon Hunter w/ As I Lay Dying, Bless The Fall and War of Ages on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 @ The McDonald Theatre. May 16 @ The Knitting Factory in Boise, Idaho and May 17 @ The Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington.

For more information on local music, band interviews, concert updates and promotional content. Local bands, artists, concerts, venues, tours and events from rock, hip-hop, metal, pop, punk, hardcore, acoustic, indie, organic, progressive, funk, rap and more. Stay tuned to hurdcore.com, friend us on myspace and join us facebook Hurdcore is open to partnerships to promote local arts, music and entertainment as well as advertising opportunities – hurdcore@gmail.com – be specific in “subject” line.

So, perhaps you missed the Facedown Records lineup from Day 3, Brian “Head” Welch or The 80′s Extravaganza with Blessed By A Broken Heart – don’t worry, you can still catch your favorite Solid State Record’s bands tear it up and to make things even crazier, As I Lay Dying headlines for the final day of Tomfest. Tomfest boasts over 130 bands spread over 4 crazy days of music, fun and onsite camping. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 4 Info – Saturday, August 21, 2009

MEADOW STAGE
9:00am-9:30am: The Terminal Velocity
10:00am-10:30am: Paper Astronomer
11:00am-11:30am: Goodnight Charade
12:30pm-1:00pm: Insomniac Folklore
1:30pm-2:00pm: Endeverance
2:30pm-3:00pm: A Tale Through Audio
3:30pm-4:00pm: Enation
4:30pm-5:00pm: Kat Jones
6pm-6:30pm: Blessed By A Broken Heart
7:00pm-7:30pm: Gwen Stacy
8:00pm-8:45pm: Haste The Day
9:15pm-9:30pm: Jimmy Spencer
9:30pm-10:15pm: As I Lay Dying

GROVE STAGE
9:30am-10:00am: This Is A Stickup
10:30am-11:00am: Sovereign Strength
11:30am-12:10pm: The Neverclaim
12:10pm-12:30pm: Chad Johnson
1:00pm-1:30pm: A Hope Not Forgotten
2:00pm-2:30pm: The Fall Of Babylon
3:00pm-3:30pm: Man Of War
4:00pm-4:30pm: All Or Nothing
5:00pm-5:40pm: Elliot (worship)
5:40pm-6:00pm: Chad Pearson
6:30pm-7:00pm: The Showdown
7:30pm-8:00pm: Showbread
8:45pm-9:15pm: Oh Sleeper
10:30pm: Invisible Children Screening!

FLATBED STAGE
11:00am-12:00pm: RYFO Meeting
1:00pm-1:30pm: Shayde Bridges!
2:00pm-2:30pm: Dewey Lybecker
3:00pm-3:30pm: Bryson Foster
4:00pm-4:30pm: Josiah James
10:15pm-10:45pm: Gayle Skidmore
11:00pm-11:30pm: Rene Velarde
11:45pm-12:15am: Orion Walsh

INSIDE STAGE
10am-11am: Creative Arts Alliance
9:00pm-9:45pm: Aapoaa
10:15pm-10:45pm: Across The Sun
11:00pm-11:30pm: ML3
11:45pm-12:15am: Stillfire
12:30am-1:00am: Moher
1:15am-1:45am: InMyOpinion

CAFE STAGE
11:00am-11:30am: Ron Timen
11:45am-12:15pm: Mikee Bridges (founder)
12:30pm-1:30pm: Band/Music Panel
1:45pm-2:15pm: Jimmy Spencer
2:30pm-3:00pm: Jeremiah Carlson
5:00-7:00pm: Allalom Music & Comedy
10:00pm-12:00am: Allalom Acoustic Recording Workshop!

SKATE PARK
10am-3pm: Free ‘OPEN SKATE’
4pm-5pm: Boarders for Christ Skate Demo
6pm-9pm: Free ‘OPEN SKATE’
10:15pm-10:45pm: FIREWORKS SHOW!!

TICKETS Full Event Pass: $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking:
4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

Ever wanted to see the entire Facedown Records lineup over the course of an entire day? How about Brian “Head” Welch (formerly of KORN)? Tomfest boasts over 130 bands spread over 4 crazy days of music, fun and onsite camping. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 3 Info – Friday, August 21, 2009

MEADOW STAGE
9:30am-10:00am: In Pursuit Of
10:30am-11:00am: Modern Mosaic
11:30am-12:10pm: Rend The Heavens
12:10pm-12:30pm: (speaker)
1:00pm-1:30pm: The Bombadil Project
2:00pm-2:30pm: Prologue
3:00pm-3:30pm: Abandon Kansas
4:00pm-4:30pm: Sleep For Sleepers
5:00pm-5:40pm: Elliot (worship)
5:40pm-6:00pm: Thom Green
6:30pm-7:00pm: Goodnight Caulfield
7:30pm-8:00pm: Children 18:3
8:30pm-9:15pm: Brian ‘HEAD’ Welch (formerly of KORN)

GROVE STAGE (Facedown Records)
9:00am-9:30am: Burning Twilight
10:00am-10:30am: The Red Letter Run
11:00am-11:30am: The Great Commission
12:30pm-1:00pm: Hands
1:30pm-2:00pm: Earth From Above
2:30pm-3:00pm: A Plea For Purging
3:30pm-4:00pm: A Hope For Home
4:30pm-5:00pm: For Today
6:00pm-6:30pm: War Of Ages
7:00pm-7:30pm: Sleeping Giant
8:00pm-8:30pm: Secret & Whisper
9:15pm-9:30pm: Chad Pearson
9:30pm-10:15pm: The Classic Crime

FLATBED STAGE
10:00am-12:00pm: RYFO Meeting
12:30pm-1:00pm: Hannah Jean
1:30pm-2:00pm: Brian Griffing
2:30pm-3:00pm: Joal Kamps
3:30pm-4:00pm: John Davidson
4:30pm-5:00pm: Yes, You Are Ferocious!
10:15pm-10:45pm: Casey Parnell
11:00pm-11:30pm: Valeri Lopez
11:45pm-12:15am: Benjimon Lawson
12:30am-1:00am: The Loveless Estate

INSIDE STAGE
7:00pm-9:00pm: Men As Trees Walking
9:30pm-10:00pm: Josh Hagquist
10:15pm-10:45pm: Holding Onto Hope
11:00pm-11:30pm: Dance My Heart
11:45pm-12:15am: Eyelid Up
12:30am-1:00am: After You
1:15am-1:45am: Alitheia
2:00am-2:30am:

CAFE STAGE
11:00am-11:30am: Carl Culley
11:45am-12:15pm: Mikee Bridges (founder)
12:30pm-1:30pm: Band/Music Panel
1:45pm-2:15pm: Aaron Noll
2:30pm-3:00pm: Israel Escamilla

TICKETS Full Event Pass: $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking:
4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

Where else can you find over 130 bands crammed into 4 days of music, fun and onsite camping. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 2 Info – Thursday, August 20, 2009

MEADOW STAGE
9:00am-9:30am: Affected
10:00am-10:30am: Only Earth & Sky
11:00am-11:30am: Coolfield
12:30pm-1:00pm: ICatchFire
1:30pm-2:00pm: My Paper Camera
2:30pm-3:00pm: Hazel & Vine
3:30pm-4:00pm: Casey Marvin
4:30pm-5:00pm: Brightwood
6:00pm-6:30pm: Ruth
7:00pm-7:30pm: Manafest
8:00pm-8:30pm: Above The Golden State
9:15pm-9:30pm: Chris Greenwood
9:30pm-10:15pm: Joy Electric

GROVE STAGE
9:30am-10:00am: The Intolerants
10:30am-11:00am: Park Lane
11:30am-12:10pm: Josiah James (worship)
12:10pm-12:30pm: (speaker)
1:00pm-1:30pm: Straight To Our Enemies
2:00pm-2:30pm: Bright Lit City
3:00pm-3:30pm: Chasing Aurora
4:00pm-4:30pm: Elliot
5:00pm-5:40pm: Elliot (worship)
5:40pm-6:00pm: Jeremiah Carlson
6:30pm-7:00pm: Bradley Hathaway
7:30pm-8:00pm: Falling Up
8:30pm-9:15pm: White Collar Sideshow

FLATBED STAGE
10:00am-12:00pm: RYFO Meeting
1:00pm-1:30pm: Proclaiming Cadence
2:00pm-2:30pm: Low Country Thieves
3:00pm-3:30pm: Candy Apple Blonde
4:00pm-4:30pm: Jeremy Tuell
10:15pm-12:15am: Open mic poetry night hosted by Bradley Hathaway!
12:30am-1:00am: Lower Lights Burning
1:15am-1:45am: Colton & Zara

INSIDE STAGE
10:15pm-10:45pm: Tragedy Ann
11:00pm-11:30pm: The Roe
11:45pm-12:15am: Brazen Layver
12:30am-1:00am: Alyria
1:15am-1:45am: Riots of Eighty
2:00am-2:30am: Heroes Are Forever

CAFE STAGE
11:00am-11:30am: Matt Chapirson
11:45am-12:15pm: Mikee Bridges (founder)
12:30pm-1:30pm: Band/Music Panel
1:45pm-2:15pm: Sasha Timens
2:30pm-3:00pm: Erik Whittington
3:30-5:30: Open Mic w/ Bradley Hathaway

TICKETS: Full Event Pass – $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking:
4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

Tomfest is a local and national music extravaganza, hosting over 130 bands over 4 days packed with music, fun and camping onsite. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 1 Info – Wednesday, August 19, 2009

INSIDE STAGE
6:00pm-7:00pm: Coolfield (worship)
7:30pm-8:00pm: Jake Powell
8:15pm-8:45pm: The Standoff
9-10:30pm: 80′s Dance Party (w/Blessed By A Broken Heart)
11:00pm-11:30pm: Dear Whoever
11:45pm-12:15am: Fallstar
12:30am-1:00am: The Seatbelt Tragedy
1:15am-1:45am: A Rotterdam November

TICKETS: Full Event Pass: $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking: 4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

A HUGE thank you to the men and women who serve and defend the red, white and blue. Be sure to thank a vet and/or active service person, and take a moment to be grateful for the bloodshed to protect and preserve our freedoms.

For those in the Northwest, there’s a lot of hurdcore activity for you to enjoy…

:: Thur 5/28/09
@ Green River Community College
21415 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
Rock For Reason (RFR)
6:00 PM, $5
w/ We Move Mountains, Omegaphone, Sub Motive
> Hardcore, Rock/Funk, Blues/Rock

:: Fri 5/29/09
@ Oregon State University: Memorial Union Quad
2501 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, Oregon 97331
[OSU:BOB '09] OSU Battle of the Bands 2009
4:30PM – 11:30PM, FREE
w/ One Third Kosher, Target for Tomorrow, Reggae Rockers, Of Saints & Shadows, Poitin & Stout, Oxbow Drive, Break as we fall, Pseudoboss, Stateside Traffic, New Mecca, Blue Ember, Honest to Empire
> 12 local bands, offering style samplings from rock, punk, folk, indie, celtic, reggae, hardcore, pop, funk, jazz…a little bit of everything for every taste. These bands are top notch and home grown, come support local music as they battle each other to be crowned supreme for 2009.

:: Sat 5/30/09
@TreeHouse Venue
89 Centennial Loop
Eugene, OR 97401
6:30PM, $5
w/ After You, Tango Alpha Tango, Science Heroes, Just Lions
> Indie

Event Link from THV:MySpace

:: Mon 5/31/09
@ Viaduct
5412 S. Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA
6:00 PM, $5
Mallory’s Benefit Show
w/ Culling The Weak, Triosis, Witness The Massacre, Aspen, We Move Mountains, One Last Vengeance, Chasing Aurora
> Hardcore/Metal

::5/15/2009
@ WareHouse91 – Maple Valley, WA
21415 Maple Valley Highway, Maple Valley, Washington 98038
6:00 PM; Cost: $5
w/ Sirens Sister, If Bears Were Bees, The 309, Le Attempts, We Move Mountains
> Rock, Punk, Hardcore…

COME OUT AND HANVE A GREAT TIME, SEE OUR NEW T-shirt design stickers and our FIRST COMP CD!!!

HEY GUYS! We are Rock For Reason! We are a non profit organization ran by Teens in Washington State (Mainly Maple Valley). We put together concerts to raise money so that we can bring clean water to 125,000 people in some of the remote villages in Ghana Africa. We have been a group since 2007, and don’t plan on having an ending year. With every dollar we raise, it puts us one step closer to finishing what we set out to do, change the world. With more than one way to help us out, most free of any cost, what will you do to change the world?

GOALS!
1)Bring 125,000 people CLEAN drinking water
2)Show people that anyone can make a difference.
3)Change the world one well and one concert at a time!

Find out more by visiting RFR MySpace; to get involved contact them via email: rockforreason@gmail.com