KodaKrome is playing a free show tonight, along with the Bobby Wesley Trio. Check it out at The Strutt if you dig some good jams.

Happy Wave Wednesday, DIT! Kasey Chaos here, advocate of all that is hardcore and lover of general metally goodness. That being said, I can’t help but to notice all of the attention being garnered by the hardcore scene as of late. In lieu of the dead metalcore scene, some musicians tuned back up, learned a few more tricks other than a good sweep or a stomach-turning bass drop, and have found that nobody wants to hear songs based on horror movies and necrophilic romance right now. Growing steadily stronger in that place is some two-stepping riffs to get you moving, super-posi lyrics and a passionate feeling of community and brotherhood.

May I introduce: The Wave.

Firstly, Grand Rapids’ own, La Dispute. These guys have been around for quite a few years (since 2k5) with a sound that gradually grew from experimental, bordering thrashy and screamo at moments, to a more artsy, albeit catchy, and edgy post-hardcore. Their lyrics are completely outwardly focused, and members of the band show their creativity in more ways than just with La Dispute. With the 3 “Here, Hear…” concept albums, the members of the band each write a song completely, playing every instrument by themselves, and turn it over to the vocalist to lyricise. Impressive. They’ve gathered alot of attention over the past two years by being mentioned in AP two or three times, touring overseas twice, and hitting a couple national tours with well-known acts like alexisonfire, Thursday, and The Fall of Troy. You’ll also see on their myspace, on the left hand side, something I am completely proud and supportive of: their list of friend bands, venues, labels and artists. They’re huge on supporting their friends and community, which I dig to lengthless extents and feel is a good component to any artist.

Second, we have Boston’s own Defeater. Started in 2005, this Bridge Nine (hardcore record label having hosted well-known acts such as Have Heart, Verse and Terror)  band is, in my opinion, the band most mirroring the first wave of modern hardcore (not hardcore punk although there is definitely some punk influence) of the five wave bands. With a straight forward and hard-charged sound, this enviro-friendly band has been turning heads since they were called “the perfect definition of modern hardcore” by Lambgoat.com and since their record “Travels” had been cited by punknews.org as “a new artistic peak for hardcore”. It’s also cool as hell how many of them are up-front activists in their community and general life. Word up, check them out.

Next, we have Pianos Become the Teeth from Baltimore, MD. Started in 2006, this more emotional-melodic type of hardcore band has been partners with the Topshelf (Defeater, Into It. Over It., Castevet) record label since the end of 2009. A band who tours extensively and writes intensively, these guys have gotten attention from AP, Exclaim! and Indie Rock Reviews. And how! I was privileged enough to catch these guys when they came around on their Summer ’10 tour with local support (see photo blog). Being a band that’s more on the emotional side of hardcore, these guys are doing what they do extremely well and are very talented musicians. I was definitely not disappointed in their show and cannot WAIT until we get them back around here!

Bringing us to the only west coast band on the Wave, Touché Amoré. These Los Angeles-based guys just played the Sound and Fury Festival with fellow Wave bands, Defeater and Make Do and Mend. Another notch to add: they just got off tour with Bane and Strike Anywhere. Of the five wave bands, I believe TA shows their punk influence most. Making their place on No Sleep and 6131 records, this band shows much promise. They’ve done split releases with both La Dispute and Make Do and Mend, they also offer a 7″ demo and one full-length album. One quick glance through their myspace show photos will tell you that they seem to have a quite an enthusiastic crowd.

Back to the east coast: Make Do and Mend. From Connecticut’s capitol, this Panic Records band has been going at it since about 2007. Since 2009, they’ve toured like madmen and have put out two full length records on cd and vinyl. Being the only band on the wave with sung vocals, they do come across as less abrasive, but in no way less powerful. You can catch them around the area August 23 at Metal Frat in Ann Arbor.

Finally. Something to encompass and accommodate all of the eclectic and very segregated harder music scenes. I, for one, am EXCITED for this upcoming year. S’ya at the show.

resources:
http://www.myspace.com/michhardcore
http://michiganhardcore.onlinegoo.com/

Well, the crazy kids at DIT (K) went and did it again – or at least two of them did. DIT Kalamazoo as a whole would like to apologize for the lack of updates this weekend, specifically because we were busy gettin’ Sean Hartman and Sam Madrid married. Congrats to the both of you, Mr. and Mrs. Hartman, from all the boys and girls of DIT!

While the newlyweds are out honeymooning for the week, though, they’re gonna miss out on some excellent shows. Andreas Kapsalis Trio will be tearing down The Strutt with Matt Land trio tonight. Show will start around 9, so make sure you check it out if exotic guitar sounds is what you’re hankering for.

If a bit harder sort of rock is what you need, though, Wednesday has 1994!, Big Kids, and The Reptilian kicking it hardcore, also at The Strutt. Then, Thursday night, Analecta (a band that was previously recommended), Paucity, and Ambassador are gonna wreck things further. Both shows will start 9ish, so check ’em out.

Friday is a jam at the No Fun House, where local math-rockers Good News will be playing support to Seatle-based The Fox and the Law. These guys are super-solid, hard-groovin’ rock with just enough of a bite to remind you that life hurts sometimes. They’re bringing with them And I Was Like, What?, a nice blend between pop-rock and technical guitar work. It’s gonna be a good show fer sure, and these guys are a long way from home, so make sure you come through and toss ’em a few bucks for gas and the like. Show starts at 9 at No Fun House, no punk rock time. let’s do it to it.

EDIT: Sorry for the mix-up on dates. All information has been righted, and all bands accounted for.

Former Thieves from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Native from Northwest Indiana will be beginning a US tour soon. Their Michigan stop for this tour was canceled due to a venue closure just a few days ago. Fortunately we were able to move this show to the No Fun House. Also playing will be the Reptilian. You can bet it will be a crazy good time. I am fully expecting this to be the wildest No Fun show so far. Help us make it so.

It’s a busy weekend here in DIT (as alluded to in an earlier post). Our very own Sean A. Hartman and Samantha Madrid are tying the proverbial knot tomorrow, and that’s sort of a big deal. As a result, there’s not much goin’ on in terms of DIT stuff that is open to all attendants.

That’s alright though, because there’s plenty going on next week. Andreas Kapsalis Trio and Matt Land Trio will be exercising the Strutt of any curses, hexes and enchantments (or laying down some of their own) on Monday night. AKT performs good solid experimental music with a tinge of the middle east, a fresh and welcome sound.

Then, on Wednesday, 1994! and Big Kids will do their best to tear down the Strutt again. This time, though, we’re welcoming home the Kalamazoo-based hardcore rockers The Reptilian after a month-long tour. Make sure you make it out to cushion their return from a hard life on the road. It’s tough out there.

shamelessly stolen from The Reptilian's tour photos on Facebook.

It’s gonna be a good week. See all you cats at the jams.

It’s Tuesday so you know what that means right y’all? The Almanac Shouters will be gracing the No Fun House with their presence, and along for the ride this time is Pittsburgh’s Run Forever, and Brandon Reid who hails from Alaska. The Show is running a little later than usual this time due to electrical work, so be sure to be there around 9:30pm, bands should start around 10. See y’all there.