Jason Isbell, Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley Perform "Outfit"

Snapping Necks with New York's Incendiary

by Robert Dean

The world needs more honest hardcore bands. There's too much fluff and mixing of genres these days. When you say “hardcore band” it shouldn’t include happy riffs, any ironic country shit or singing these monolithic, pop punk inspired hooks – hardcore should be a fast, chugging band with a social message. That’s the essential DNA of the genre: the music needs to be fast and pissed.

I ain’t saying there’s not room for bands with all of the stuff I mentioned. I love Candiria or Poison The Well as much as the next guy. But, when it comes strict hardcore, let’s respect the blueprint, and save the other bands for some sub-genre label.

Incendiary is a New York band who are keeping the flame lit and doing it right. On their new record, Thousand Mile Stare, Incendiary don’t hold back on providing that early to mid 90’s hardcore sound so prevalent in New York. Fast, under three minutes and crushing – the exact mix of elements what we want. (Side note: I want to say hardcore kids because it’s the genre term. But, I’m 35, and I have children. I still relate to the term, but it feels slightly odd. Maybe kid at heart? I dunno. Please comment.)

Think Snapcase meets Vision of Disorder. Earth Crisis meets Sick of It All. You get the picture. Thousand Mile Stare is a straight ahead hardcore record that will hopefully turn some heads and get kids at shows and reignite those fires from back in my day. Hardcore used to be about community, a sense of purpose, and finding a voice. As long as bands like Incendiary keep putting out records like Thousand Mile Stare, it brings all of that pre-internet cultural reliance back.

Hardcore was built on idealism. As bands realize the music is about a tactile, community-driven experience, the music should replenish itself with the ethos of the feeling of a flyer in hand mentality again. If you’re a student of hardcore’s history, a lot of the anger stems of the political machine’s gears chewing up the population, and now with the Cheeto in office, we’re going to get a lot of politically-driven records.

If Incendiary is any indication of the precise quality and craftsmanship of the next wave of bands, my old ass cannot wait to be pit boss again.

Stand out tracks on Thousand Mile Stare:
The Product is You
Fact or Fiction

New Americana Songwriter Can't Think of Any More Rural Stuff

Cover of Colting's first single

Newly minted Americana singer/songwriter Hayson Colting is having a difficult go of finishing his first album. Colting, who signed to BBR's Wheelhouse Records in February on the strength of a single showcase, has completed 8 of his contractually obligated 10 songs for his debut album, but has run out of rural stuff to write about.

BBR head Jon Lorba signed Hayson to his deal on the condition that he write all  songs on his own. "We feel that in the burgeoning Americana market, authenticity is a necessity." explained Lorba "Our expectations are that the roots music fan has a certain disrespect for artists whose songs are written 'by committee' or co-written with big name mainstream writers, so think it's important Hayson be 'real,' as they say."

Colting, a Madison, MS native formerly known as Hayes Colson, certainly has the stereotypical geographic bonafides to count as a hard-scrabble, backwoods upbringing, though as a theater student and debate team leader at his private school, he's had to dig deep to find his "dirt road cred."

"Trains… naw, did that. Crystal meth… no, mama wouldn't like that… Alcoholism! That's it…" Colting brainstorms aloud at his scheduled morning solo writing session. "This is so hard; I mean, I'm from way out in the county, past the golf course even… but to be honest, once I get barbed wire and dusty boots worked into a chorus, my eyes start glazing over."

After the writing session, Colting is instructed to doff his Kuhl shorts and Yeti tee, in lieu of a more work-strained look for his post-lunch photo shoot. His trendy hair-style is straightened then frazzled into an expertly unkempt do. A ratty plaid, dirty jeans, and some Wolverine work boots complete the look as he's swept off to a grain elevator for three hours of posing.

"We've got big plans for this guy… look at him… the girls are gonna eat this up and the guys are gonna want to hunt snipe with him." beams Wheelhouse marketing director Lucy Matthews as Colting casts a smoldering frown from the silo catwalk.

Hayson, for his part, seems less confident, as he climbs down from the railing.  "I'm excited and I know I can sing; shoot I nailed my half of "Almost Paradise" when we did Footloose my senior year." "I'm just worried people aren't going to think I'm genuine enough" says Colting with a nervous laugh, dusting sorghum dust from his denim.

At press time, Colting had completed "Drinkin' Ain't That Hard" and was finishing up his final cut, a murder ballad based on Legally Blonde the Musical.

FGL to "Legend"arily Embarrass Themselves

Chris Stapleton Performs "Either Way" on Charlie Rose