Boston hardcore
Encyclopedia
Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk
scene of Boston, Massachusetts
. (Not to be confused with Boston metalcore
(also known as metallic hardcore; itself an offshoot of Boston hardcore.)
offered a favorable venue for non-commercial
music to be played.
Several schools have their own radio stations, such as WBRS
, WMFO
, WERS
, WMLN
, WUMB, WAVM
, WMBR
, WUML
, WHRB
, WZBC
, and WTBU
. The colleges also supplied young patrons for the local nightclub
s and bars
where local hardcore band
s had gig
s.
First-generation Boston hardcore bands as documented in American Hardcore
included SS Decontrol, Negative FX
, Gang Green
, Jerry's Kids
, The F.U.'s
, and D.Y.S.
.
Hardcore quickly usurped the existing "alternative" punk scene, which included bands such as Mission of Burma
. This created a generation gap-type conflict that could be seen at such events as Mission of Burma's "final show," where members of many leading hardcore bands created a near-riot when, due to the slam dancing supposedly ruining Burma's swan song, Negative FX's sound was shut down. This militant straight edge group, consisting of many members from such bands as Dave Smalley of D.Y.S.
, Jack 'Choke' Kelly of Negative FX
, Craig Lewis of Melee
, Al Barile of SS Decontrol and more of the like, were known as the "Boston Crew". Their hard-line, no tolerance attitudes became a defining characteristic for later bands such as Slapshot
, Eye for an Eye, Ten Yard Fight
, Intent to Injure, Downhill Fast, Suckerpunch,Blood for Blood, and Crossface.
, Bridge 9, 5 Star Entertainment, Franchise Records, Rodent Popsicle, Welfare, Hydra Head, Big Wheel, Rock Vegas, Lockin Out, Iodine Recordings
, and Deathwish Inc.
helped to fuel Boston's early punk culture. A highlight of the early New England
hardcore era was the This Is Boston, Not L.A.
LP, a compilation of local artists. It includes the song of the same name performed by The Freeze
, who advised: "if you look the same and you act the same, there's nothing new and you're to blame."
The roots of Boston hardcore lie more deeply in Washington, D.C. hardcore
(which included bands such as Bad Brains
, Minor Threat
, Teen Idles, Government Issue
) than Los Angeles hardcore (which included bands such as Black Flag
, Bad Religion
, the Circle Jerks
and The Germs
), although the Los Angeles and Orange County scene influenced all of the early D.C. bands. This may explain why few L.A. bands played in Boston in the early 1980s, a notable exception being Black Flag, who played a show at The Paradise on Halloween 1981, which was attended by only twelve people, including John Belushi
, who had driven up from Martha's Vineyard
just to attend.
Taang! Records released and LP called Boston Hardcore 1989–1991 that featured Wrecking Crew, Eye for an Eye, Maelstrom, Crossface, Intent to Injure, Suckerpunch, Sam Black Church, S.T.P. and more.
Moo Cow records released a compilation 7" called Boston Hardcore – In Memory of... that featured Dive, Chilmark, and Intent To Injure.
's now-defunct club The Rathskeller
, Captain Nemo's pizza
parlor (as well as the Pizza Pad), and its few used record stores, Kenmore became a hangout for skate punk
s and members of the hardcore scene.
After Boston Red Sox
games it was common to see fights break out amongst the punks and the more conservative suburb
an Red Sox fans, known as "batheads". It is likely that it was at least partially due to this common occurrence that a decision was made by the MBTA to add short spiked fences to the relatively low roofs of the Kenmore T stations, considering how many hardcore kids were apt to spend time sitting atop them and that most Red Sox fans taking public transportation were obliged to appear from below. Mr. Butch
was a fixture in this scene, and could often be seen playing air guitar
with his dreadlocks
swinging. He was a legendary character in Boston hardcore culture.
This neighborhood has changed quite a bit, and the building that held the Rathskeller, Planet Records, and Captain Nemo's along with several other businesses was demolished to make room for the Commonwealth Hotel. Located in the space that once was "The Rat" is now The Foundation Lounge, one of Boston's more upscale and trendy ultra-lounges. With the Rathskeller gone, the scene moved closer to Lansdowne Street, which is a street of clubs and bars on one side, and Fenway Park
on the other. The scene made specific moves to Axis and Bill's Bar, two Lansdowne locations that were deemed as "hardcore friendly" by some of the culture. There is controversy over this, as many thought Lansdowne street to be too strict.
Likewise, Avalon and Axis were demolished in the fall of 2007 to make room for a larger venue that would be aimed towards more mainstream national acts. Since then several bands who are larger in the scene have been playing The Roxy on Tremont Street in the Theater District, forcing hardcore acts to find better DIY venues to play.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
scene of Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. (Not to be confused with Boston metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
(also known as metallic hardcore; itself an offshoot of Boston hardcore.)
Boston hardcore music history
The colleges and universities of Greater BostonGreater Boston
Greater Boston is the area of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts surrounding the city of Boston. Due to ambiguity in usage, the size of the area referred to can be anywhere between that of the metropolitan statistical area of Boston and that of the city's combined statistical area which includes...
offered a favorable venue for non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial refers to an activity or entity that does not in some sense involve commerce, at least relative to similar activities that do have a commercial objective or emphasis...
music to be played.
Several schools have their own radio stations, such as WBRS
WBRS
WBRS is a student-run community and college radio station in Waltham, Massachusetts, west of Boston. The broadcast license is held by the Trustees of Brandeis University and the studio and transmitter are located on the Brandeis campus. WBRS broadcasts at 100.1 FM with an effective radiated power...
, WMFO
WMFO
WMFO is a radio station licensed to Medford, Massachusetts, USA. The station is owned by Tufts University and is run by students. WMFO is funded by the Tufts Student Activities Fee as allocated by the TCU Senate and through community donations....
, WERS
WERS
In June 2007, WERS inaugurated a translator station on 96.5 MHz in New Bedford, Massachusetts, relaying WERS's programming to New Bedford and nearby communities...
, WMLN
WMLN
WMLN-FM is a radio station located on Campus of Curry College and is supervised by a Faculty member but is currently student run. The station broadcasts an Other format featuring a variety in music, live talk-shows and live coverage of Curry College sports. Licensed to Curry College in Milton,...
, WUMB, WAVM
WAVM
WAVM is a high school radio station broadcasting from Maynard High School in Maynard, Massachusetts. Station programming provides the local area with news and church service broadcasts among other types of programming...
, WMBR
WMBR
WMBR is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology student-run college radio station, licensed to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and broadcasting on 88.1 FM. It is all-volunteer and funded by listener donations and MIT funds...
, WUML
WUML
WUML is a non-commercial College radio station licensed to Lowell, Massachusetts, USA. The station is owned by University of Massachusetts Lowell.-History:Radio at UMass Lowell was started in 1952 by a student named Ed Bonacci...
, WHRB
WHRB
WHRB is a commercial FM radio station in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It broadcasts at 95.3 MHz and is operated by students at Harvard College.-History:...
, WZBC
WZBC
WZBC is a radio station broadcasting an Alternative format. Licensed to Newton, Massachusetts, United States, the station serves Boston and its western suburbs. The station is currently owned by Boston College....
, and WTBU
WTBU
WTBU is a "Part 15" student-managed and -operated radio station at Boston University. This means it is not licensed by the FCC but operates legally under special "low power" rules...
. The colleges also supplied young patrons for the local nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s and bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
where local hardcore band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
s had gig
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s.
First-generation Boston hardcore bands as documented in American Hardcore
American Hardcore (film)
American Hardcore is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. It is based on the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis...
included SS Decontrol, Negative FX
Negative FX
Negative FX was a hardcore straight edge band from Boston formed in 1981. Though the band lasted only a short time, playing only a total of five shows , the band was well-known for their involvement in the local straight edge scene of the early '80s...
, Gang Green
Gang Green
Gang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
, Jerry's Kids
Jerry's Kids
Jerry's Kids is one of the earliest Boston hardcore bands, formed in 1981, from Braintree, Mass.. Their first recorded output was on the Modern Method This Is Boston, Not L.A. compilation LP in 1982. They contributed six tracks along with other early Boston Hardcore band Gang Green.Frontman Bryan...
, The F.U.'s
The F.U.'s
The F.U.'s were an early-mid 1980s Boston hardcore punk band, who later changed their name to Straw Dogs, moving toward heavy metal and reformed under their original moniker in 2010.-History:...
, and D.Y.S.
DYS (band)
DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
.
Hardcore quickly usurped the existing "alternative" punk scene, which included bands such as Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma is an American post-punk band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The band was formed by Roger Miller , Clint Conley , Peter Prescott and Martin Swope...
. This created a generation gap-type conflict that could be seen at such events as Mission of Burma's "final show," where members of many leading hardcore bands created a near-riot when, due to the slam dancing supposedly ruining Burma's swan song, Negative FX's sound was shut down. This militant straight edge group, consisting of many members from such bands as Dave Smalley of D.Y.S.
DYS (band)
DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
, Jack 'Choke' Kelly of Negative FX
Negative FX
Negative FX was a hardcore straight edge band from Boston formed in 1981. Though the band lasted only a short time, playing only a total of five shows , the band was well-known for their involvement in the local straight edge scene of the early '80s...
, Craig Lewis of Melee
Mêlée
Melee , generally refers to disorganized close combat involving a group of fighters. A melee ensues when groups become locked together in combat with no regard to group tactics or fighting as an organized unit; each participant fights as an individual....
, Al Barile of SS Decontrol and more of the like, were known as the "Boston Crew". Their hard-line, no tolerance attitudes became a defining characteristic for later bands such as Slapshot
Slapshot (band)
-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
, Eye for an Eye, Ten Yard Fight
Ten Yard Fight
Ten Yard Fight was a straight edge, football-based band formed in 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts. Along with In My Eyes and Floorpunch, they spearheaded the youth crew revival in 1997. Ten Yard Fight's "official" last show was in Boston on October 17, which would become the first National Edge Day...
, Intent to Injure, Downhill Fast, Suckerpunch,Blood for Blood, and Crossface.
Record labels and famous records
Independent record labels like Taang!, X-Claim Records, Modern MethodModern Method Records
Modern Method Records was a record label that helped to document the Boston hardcore scene in the early 80's. Modern Method was an offshoot of the Newbury Comics retail store and also the Boston Rock magazine. The label was located at 268 Newbury ST. in Boston....
, Bridge 9, 5 Star Entertainment, Franchise Records, Rodent Popsicle, Welfare, Hydra Head, Big Wheel, Rock Vegas, Lockin Out, Iodine Recordings
Iodine Recordings
Iodine Recordings was an independent record label based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Iodine Recordings released punk, hardcore, and indie rock music. It was once home to bands such as Brand New, Orange Island, Smoke or Fire , There Were Wires, Gregor Samsa, and more.Iodine started as a...
, and Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish, Inc. is a independent record label founded by Jacob Bannon and Tre McCarthy. The label was originally used to release early albums by Bannon's own band Converge starting in late 1991. It wasn't until late 1999 that McCarthy and Bannon discussed turning Deathwish into a full-fledged label...
helped to fuel Boston's early punk culture. A highlight of the early New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
hardcore era was the This Is Boston, Not L.A.
This Is Boston, Not L.A.
This Is Boston, Not L.A.is a hardcore punk compilation album released in 1982. It is considered the definitive album from the Boston hardcore scene, as several of the bands that were prominent in that scene appear on the album...
LP, a compilation of local artists. It includes the song of the same name performed by The Freeze
The Freeze
The Freeze are a hardcore punk rock band from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Freeze formed in late 1978. At the time all members were in high school. The Freeze are generally considered to be a Boston hardcore band, but they never truly fit into the typical Boston mold. Like most hardcore groups, the...
, who advised: "if you look the same and you act the same, there's nothing new and you're to blame."
The roots of Boston hardcore lie more deeply in Washington, D.C. hardcore
Washington, D.C. hardcore
Washington, D.C. has had one of the first and most influential hardcore punk scenes in the United States since the early 1980s.Among the earliest DC punk bands were the Bad Brains, Slickee Boys, Teen Idles, Minor Threat, S.O.A., Chalk Circle, Velvet Monkeys, Void, The Faith, DC Youth Brigade,...
(which included bands such as Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
, Minor Threat
Minor Threat
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. The band was relatively short-lived, but had a strong influence on the hardcore punk music scene, both stylistically and in establishing a "do it yourself" ethic for music distribution and...
, Teen Idles, Government Issue
Government Issue
Government Issue was an American hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C. active from 1980 to 1989. The band experienced many changes in membership during its nine-year existence, with singer John Stabb as the only consistent member in an ever-fluctuating lineup that at various times included...
) than Los Angeles hardcore (which included bands such as Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
, the Circle Jerks
Circle Jerks
The Circle Jerks are an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1980 in Los Angeles, California. It was formed by Black Flag's original singer, Keith Morris, and future Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson. They were among the preeminent hardcore punk bands of the L.A. scene in the late 1970s.The band...
and The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
), although the Los Angeles and Orange County scene influenced all of the early D.C. bands. This may explain why few L.A. bands played in Boston in the early 1980s, a notable exception being Black Flag, who played a show at The Paradise on Halloween 1981, which was attended by only twelve people, including John Belushi
John Belushi
John Adam Belushi was an American comedian, actor, and musician, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, The Star of the Films National Lampoon's Animal House and the The Blues Brothers and for fronting the American blues and soul...
, who had driven up from Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
just to attend.
Taang! Records released and LP called Boston Hardcore 1989–1991 that featured Wrecking Crew, Eye for an Eye, Maelstrom, Crossface, Intent to Injure, Suckerpunch, Sam Black Church, S.T.P. and more.
Moo Cow records released a compilation 7" called Boston Hardcore – In Memory of... that featured Dive, Chilmark, and Intent To Injure.
Kenmore Square
As a result of Kenmore SquareKenmore Square
Kenmore Square is a square in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, consisting of the intersection of several main avenues as well as several other cross streets, and Kenmore Station, an MBTA subway stop. Kenmore Square is close to or abuts Boston University, Fenway Park, and Lansdowne Street, a...
's now-defunct club The Rathskeller
The Rathskeller
The Rathskeller was a Kenmore Square live music venue in Boston, Massachusetts that was open from 1974 to 1997. As implied by its name "Ratskeller" , the Rathskeller was a dimly-lit establishment...
, Captain Nemo's pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
parlor (as well as the Pizza Pad), and its few used record stores, Kenmore became a hangout for skate punk
Skate punk
Skate punk is a sub genre of punk rock, originally a derivative of the West Coast hardcore punk scene, that is named after its popularity among skateboarders and association with skateboarding culture. Skate punk most commonly describes the sound of melodic hardcore bands from the 1990s with an...
s and members of the hardcore scene.
After Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
games it was common to see fights break out amongst the punks and the more conservative suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
an Red Sox fans, known as "batheads". It is likely that it was at least partially due to this common occurrence that a decision was made by the MBTA to add short spiked fences to the relatively low roofs of the Kenmore T stations, considering how many hardcore kids were apt to spend time sitting atop them and that most Red Sox fans taking public transportation were obliged to appear from below. Mr. Butch
Mr. Butch
Harold Madison, Jr., , more widely known as Mr. Butch, and sometimes called the "King of Kenmore Square" and "The Mayor of Allston" was a homeless man living on the streets of Boston...
was a fixture in this scene, and could often be seen playing air guitar
Air guitar
Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
with his dreadlocks
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...
swinging. He was a legendary character in Boston hardcore culture.
This neighborhood has changed quite a bit, and the building that held the Rathskeller, Planet Records, and Captain Nemo's along with several other businesses was demolished to make room for the Commonwealth Hotel. Located in the space that once was "The Rat" is now The Foundation Lounge, one of Boston's more upscale and trendy ultra-lounges. With the Rathskeller gone, the scene moved closer to Lansdowne Street, which is a street of clubs and bars on one side, and Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
on the other. The scene made specific moves to Axis and Bill's Bar, two Lansdowne locations that were deemed as "hardcore friendly" by some of the culture. There is controversy over this, as many thought Lansdowne street to be too strict.
Likewise, Avalon and Axis were demolished in the fall of 2007 to make room for a larger venue that would be aimed towards more mainstream national acts. Since then several bands who are larger in the scene have been playing The Roxy on Tremont Street in the Theater District, forcing hardcore acts to find better DIY venues to play.
Other scenes
During the early 1990s a movement was growing in the suburban towns of Massachusetts including, but not limited to Brockton, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, and Milford led by such noteworthy bands as Overcast, Kingpin, Corrin, Tapes Don't Skip, Fall From Grace, Punch the Klown, Syndicate, Over and Out and The Almighty Arise. These bands were following in the footsteps of predecessors Eye for an Eye, Wrecking Crew, S.T.P. and Said and Done. The east coast as a whole was developing a new sound combining elements of bands like Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today (both out of New Haven, Connecticut) with metal (slayer, deicide, accused) and putting a new spin on the scene which was branching out with scenes that started out in Boston, NYC (agnostic front, madball, judge), New Haven (gorilla biscuits, youth of today, forced reality, hatebreed) and R.I. Then each city reached out to their suburbans. Members of these bands have gone on to other endeavors including shadows fall, killswitch engage, headrush, Diecast, medium, world war and missile thrush.- Harvard SquareHarvard SquareHarvard Square is a large triangular area in the center of Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F. Kennedy Street. It is the historic center of Cambridge...
: The Pit at the Harvard Square subway stopHarvard (MBTA station)Harvard is a station on the Red Line of the MBTA subway system in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The third-busiest MBTA subway station, Harvard saw 21,868 entries each weekday in 2010, with only Downtown Crossing and South Station being busier...
is a longtime punk hangout that was at its prime during the boom of the 80s street punk scene. - Allston: The large college population living in Allston continues to fuel the music scene in the area.
- Central SquareCentral Square (Cambridge)Central Square is an area in Cambridge, Massachusetts centered on the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Prospect Street and Western Avenue. , formed by the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Columbia Street, Sidney Street and Main Street, is also considered a part of the Central Square area...
: Clubs like The Middle EastThe Middle East (nightclub)The Middle East is a live music venue, bar and restaurant in the Central Square area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Having featured a huge variety of musicians since 1987, the establishment, with its upstairs and downstairs rooms, "is the nexus of metro Boston's rock-club scene for local and touring...
and The Cambridge Elks are a part of this scene. - North ShoreNorth Shore (Massachusetts)The North Shore is a region in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, loosely defined as the coastal area between Boston and New Hampshire. The region is made up both of a rocky coastline, dotted with marshes and wetlands, as well as several beaches and natural harbors. The North Shore is an important...
: Small art centers and bookstores feed this growing scene. - Cape CodCape CodCape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
: Underground warehouse parties were the staple of this dynamic scene, revolving mostly around the band Syndicate. - Western Mass.Western mass hardcoreWestern Mass. Hardcore refers to the hardcore punk music scene in and around Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1982-1984.-Origins:In the very early 1980's, hardcore punk scenes began to develop in cities such as Washington DC, Boston, New York, and Los Angeles...
: In 1982, Western Massachusetts saw several hardcore bands form, including Deep WoundDeep WoundDeep Wound was a hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Westfield, MA. They released one self-titled 7" and contributed two songs to the compilation LP, Bands That Could Be God, both of which are sought after by fans and record collectors alike.-Overview:...
, The Outpatients, and All White Jury. Most of the early Boston bands played in Western Mass. between 1982 and 1984, including SSDSSD (band)SSD were a straight edge hardcore band from Boston. They released two records as SS Decontrol and then formally changed their name to SSD. As SSD they released two more records, these with a very heavy metal influenced sound...
, The F.U.'sThe F.U.'sThe F.U.'s were an early-mid 1980s Boston hardcore punk band, who later changed their name to Straw Dogs, moving toward heavy metal and reformed under their original moniker in 2010.-History:...
, DYSDYS (band)DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
, and Impact Unit.
Boston hardcore bands
- American NightmareGive Up the GhostGive Up the Ghost was a hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts.-History:Give Up the Ghost was formed when Tim Cossar and Wesley Eisold met up with Azy Relph and Jesse Van Diest in 1998...
- Alert
- BaneBane (band)Bane, a hardcore punk band, began as a side project between Aaron Dalbec and Damon Bellardo. Aaron approached Matt Firestone to sing and they played under the moniker of Gateway for a few shows, before Firestone departed ways to focus on other projects...
- Black My Heart
- Blood for BloodBlood for BloodBlood for Blood is a hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed by Shane Flannery in 1994, motivated by the hardcore scene in Boston and New York City at the time. In 1997 they were signed to Victory Records...
- Bricklayer Local 630
- The Carrier (band)The Carrier (band)The Carrier is an American melodic hardcore band that was formed in 2006.In 2006, the band released their debut demo whom they recorded with Jay Maas at the Getaway Group Studios. After a year of playing shows, in the summer of 2007 the band teamed up with Words of War Records to release a...
- Colin of Arabia
- Colleen of Wollastonia
- Combat Death
- ConvergeConverge (band)Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
- Cut The Shit
- Cut Throat
- DarkbusterDarkbusterDarkbuster is a punk rock band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, known largely for their songs about the joys of heavy drinking, which have earned them a strong following in the American Northeast....
- Death Before Dishonor
- Deathwish
- Deep WoundDeep WoundDeep Wound was a hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Westfield, MA. They released one self-titled 7" and contributed two songs to the compilation LP, Bands That Could Be God, both of which are sought after by fans and record collectors alike.-Overview:...
- DefeaterDefeater (band)Defeater is a hardcore punk band from Massachusetts, USA. To date they have released two full length albums, an EP and a single. The band lineup consists of Derek Archambault , Jay Maas , Jake Woodruff , Andy Reitz and Mike Poulin...
- Dioxin (all girl band)
- Downhill Fast
- DraizeDraizeDraize is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
- Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
- D.Y.S.DYS (band)DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
- Eye for an EyeEye For An EyeEye for an Eye is a Polish hardcore punk rock band founded in 1997 in Bielsko-Biała. EFAE, as it is also known, plays an old school style of punk, more along the veins of The Exploited or even, some say, Agnostic Front. The punk stylings of EFAE has been compared to fellow countrymen Post Regiment,...
- Embrace TodayEmbrace TodayEmbrace Today are an American straight edge metalcore–hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. They have toured with such bands as Bleeding Through, Champion, Bury Your Dead, Ion Dissonance, Premonitions of War, Since The Flood, and Haste the Day...
- The Effort
- The F.U.'sThe F.U.'sThe F.U.'s were an early-mid 1980s Boston hardcore punk band, who later changed their name to Straw Dogs, moving toward heavy metal and reformed under their original moniker in 2010.-History:...
- Forced Coitus
- The FreezeThe FreezeThe Freeze are a hardcore punk rock band from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Freeze formed in late 1978. At the time all members were in high school. The Freeze are generally considered to be a Boston hardcore band, but they never truly fit into the typical Boston mold. Like most hardcore groups, the...
- Gang GreenGang GreenGang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
- Give Up the GhostGive Up the GhostGive Up the Ghost was a hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts.-History:Give Up the Ghost was formed when Tim Cossar and Wesley Eisold met up with Azy Relph and Jesse Van Diest in 1998...
- A Global ThreatA Global ThreatA Global Threat was an American street punk band, formed in Bangor, ME in 1997. They released four full-length LPs as well as many 7" EPs and have toured extensively throughout the United States.- History 1997–2000 :...
- Guns Up!
- Have HeartHave HeartHave Heart was a straight-edge hardcore band, formed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2002. The band recorded a demo that was released in 2003. In 2004, they released the What Counts EP , with their debut full-length, The Things We Carry arriving in 2006...
- The Hope ConspiracyThe Hope ConspiracyThe Hope Conspiracy is a hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts that formed late 1999. They were picked up by Equal Vision Records and Bridge 9 Records before signing a deal with Deathwish Records.-Biography:...
- In My Eyes
- Intent to Injure
- Jerry's KidsJerry's KidsJerry's Kids is one of the earliest Boston hardcore bands, formed in 1981, from Braintree, Mass.. Their first recorded output was on the Modern Method This Is Boston, Not L.A. compilation LP in 1982. They contributed six tracks along with other early Boston Hardcore band Gang Green.Frontman Bryan...
- Mental
- Mind Eraser
- Negative FXNegative FXNegative FX was a hardcore straight edge band from Boston formed in 1981. Though the band lasted only a short time, playing only a total of five shows , the band was well-known for their involvement in the local straight edge scene of the early '80s...
- No Tolerance
- No TriggerNo TriggerNo Trigger is a melodic punk/hardcore band from Massachusetts, United States. The band formed in 2000, with a sound which takes cues from like-minded outfits such as Strike Anywhere and None More Black. The band self-released two demos, one of them a split with Wasteland...
- Only Living WitnessOnly Living WitnessOnly Living Witness was an American metal / hardcore band.-Career:The band was formed in 1989 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Jonah Jenkins and Eric Stevenson . Eric's brother Kevin Stevenson and former Formicide bandmate Roy Costa completed the line-up. In 1991, Kevin Stevenson and Costa were...
- Over and Out
- Post Mortem
- The ProletariatThe ProletariatThe Proletariat was a punk band from Fall River, Massachusetts. They were active during the 1980s in the Boston Hardcore scene, despite their recorded output having a decidedly non-hardcore sound; The Proletariat show more strongly the musical influences of bands such as Wire, and Gang of Four in...
- Puppy MillPuppy millA puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care...
- Pure Impact
- Rampage
- Razors in the NightRazors in the NightRazors in the Night is an American Oi! hardcore punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts.Razors in the Night has been called a tour de force of Boston Rock 'n' Roll History. Composed of ex-members of Pure Impact, BEWARE!, and The Acro-Brats, they take their name from a BLITZ song...
- Reach the SkyReach the Sky-History:Reach the Sky formed in 1997, and they released two EPs in 1999; their debut full-length, So Far From Home, followed on Victory Records later that same year....
- Reason Enough
- Righteous JamsRighteous JamsRighteous Jams, which was formed by Joey Cardona and Jesse Standhard in 2002 as Invasion, is a Boston, Massachusetts-based straight edge hardcore punk band. Only one demo was released under the name Invasion before the group was renamed Righteous Jams in 2003, following the addition of Elgin James...
- Rival Mob
- Sam Black ChurchSam Black Church (band)Sam Black Church was a Boston hardcore band that played from 1988 - 2000. It was named after the West Virginia community of Sam Black Church.- History :Sam Black Church were known for their energetic live performances...
- SiegeSiege (band)Siege was an American punk/Thrashcore band from Weymouth, Massachusetts. They were active in the 1980s Boston hardcore scene from 1983 to 1985, and reunited briefly in the early 1990s....
- SlapshotSlapshot (band)-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
- SS Decontrol
- Step ForwardStep ForwardStep Forward was founded in 1989 in Umeå, Sweden, by Dennis Lyxzén and his friends, Toft Stade, Jens Norden and Henrik Jansson. Step Forward was one of the very first hardcore punk bands in Sweden that held on to the American straight edge lifestyle....
- SyndicateSyndicateA syndicate is a self-organizing group of individuals, companies or entities formed to transact some specific business, or to promote a common interest or in the case of criminals, to engage in organized crime...
- Tapes Don't Skip
- The Suicide FileThe Suicide FileThe Suicide File was a short-lived American hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts that formed in April 2001. The band wrote songs with a mostly political message, although many songs also dealt with social and personal problems. Most of the band's output was released on the Southern California...
- Ten Yard FightTen Yard FightTen Yard Fight was a straight edge, football-based band formed in 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts. Along with In My Eyes and Floorpunch, they spearheaded the youth crew revival in 1997. Ten Yard Fight's "official" last show was in Boston on October 17, which would become the first National Edge Day...
- Think I Care
- Toxic NarcoticToxic NarcoticToxic Narcotic is an American crust punk band from Boston, Massachusetts who formed in 1989. Though many label them crust or hardcore, they do not self-identify with any one specific subgenre of DIY punk. Their songs typically include anti war, violence, and green peace lyrics...
- TreeTreeA tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
- The Unseen
- Waste ManagementWaste managementWaste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
- Wrecking Crew
Venues
The following Boston venues have hosted hardcore concerts:- 1st and 2nd Church - Marlboro Street
- The (Fishtown) Are - [closed]
- Avalon - [closed] Located on Lansdowne Street next to Axis, and is prime location for many bands. It generally serves as a night club on weeknights, but on weekends hosts more rock-oriented artists.
- Anchors Up! - An independent, all ages venue in Haverhill catering mainly to punk and hardcore shows.
- Axis - [closed] A night club that would host the occasional hardcore band.
- Baby Safe Haven - Basement space in Somerville. [Closed]
- Bill's Bar - A bar on Lansdowne Street with cheap beer where bands will sometimes play. It is in contrast to the huge dance clubs that surround it.
- Bloodstains across Somerville - [closed]
- Brighton Elks - Late 90s venue in Brighton Center
- Brown Town - Punk house in Allston with basement shows [closed]
- Bunnratty’s/Local 186 - Now The Wonder Bar on Harvard Ave in Allston
- Cantone's
- Cambridge Elks Lodge - A hall which has been known to host some of the greatest hardcore and punk shows in the area. Booking has slowed down substantially (updated Aug. 2011)
- Castle Grayskull - [closed]
- The ChannelThe Channel (nightclub)The Channel was a Boston music venue that was part of the underground arts community of south Boston .-History:Joe Cicerone founded The Channel in 1980, choosing the name because the club sat at the edge of the Fort Point Channel, which separates South Boston from the Financial District...
- [closed] One of Boston's earliest locations that would allow hardcore bands to play. The Club would headline local bands such as Gang GreenGang GreenGang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
, SlapshotSlapshot (band)-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
and The F.U.s as well as out of state bands like Butthole SurfersButthole SurfersButthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
, Gorilla BiscuitsGorilla BiscuitsGorilla Biscuits are a New York City-based vegan straight edge hardcore band consisting of Anthony "Civ" Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown and Luke Abbey. The band is currently signed to Revelation Records.-Early career:...
, PanteraPanteraPantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, WalthamWaltham (band)Waltham is a rock band that formed in 1999. The band takes its name from its hometown of Waltham, Massachusetts. The band is composed of Frank Pino, Jr...
, Fugazi, Hüsker DüHüsker DüHüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
and The Dead BoysThe Dead BoysThe Dead Boys were an American punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Among the first wave of early punk bands, the Dead Boys were initially active from 1976 to 1979, briefly reuniting in 1987, 2004 and 2005.-Formation and 1970s punk rock era:...
. It was well known for its moshMoshMoshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
pit. - The Club - Central Square, Cambridge.
- Club Lido - One of the larger spots to do all ages shows, Lido has hosted both Edge Day 2009 as well as the recent DYS/Gallery East Reunion in 2010.
- The Cuntree Club - All-female punk house in Brookline, MA, bar in basement and shows happened most weekends. [closed]
- Evacuate - [closed] Warehouse space in Roxbury.
- Feed Your Head - [closed] The basementBasement__FORCETOC__A basement is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. Basements are typically used as a utility space for a building where such items as the furnace, water heater, breaker panel or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system...
of this independent bookstoreIndependent bookstoreAn independent bookstore is a retail bookstore which is independently owned.-Literary and countercultural history:Author events at independent bookstores sometimes take the role of literary salons. The bookstores themselves, "have historically supported and cultivated the work of independent...
in Salem, MassachusettsSalem, MassachusettsSalem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
is the center of the North ShoreNorth Shore (Massachusetts)The North Shore is a region in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, loosely defined as the coastal area between Boston and New Hampshire. The region is made up both of a rocky coastline, dotted with marshes and wetlands, as well as several beaches and natural harbors. The North Shore is an important...
punk sceneScene- Arts and media :* Scene , an element of a larger fictional work such as a play* Scene , a part of action in a single location in a TV or movie, composed of a series of shots* Scene , a BBC drama anthology for teenagers...
. It opened right before the Artspace closed, and the basement is generally booked about twice a week. Closed late 2007. - Fort Fuck Awesome - [closed]
- Gallery EastGallery EastGallery East is an art and performance network based in Boston, Massachusetts notable for being one of the first venues to host hardcore punk rock shows for an all ages audience. Founded in 1979 by Duane Lucia and Al Ford, it closed its location at 24 East St...
- Art Gallery by day, venue for all-ages shows in the early '80s, it was demolished during the gentrification of the leather district by South Station. - Great Scott
- Green Street Station - Venue in Jamaica PlainJamaica Plain, MassachusettsJamaica Plain is a historic neighborhood of in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded by Boston Puritans seeking farm land to the south, it was originally part of the city of Roxbury...
was dirty and rickety with cheap beer and great local bands now closed. - The Handsome Mansion - [Closed] A basement space in Brighton, MA, near Charlie's Pizza and Bottled Liquors, it was a local spot for local bands as well as bigger bands to play.
- Harpers FerryHarpers Ferry (nightclub)Harpers Ferry was a live music venue and bar in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It was in the high traffic central student section of Boston, equidistant from both Boston College and Boston University. Hosting national touring acts and regional acts, Harpers Ferry became known as...
- The House of Suffering Succotash (HOSS) - Raging house venue in Boston's Brighton neighborhood that provided a home for hardcore and way beyond. [closed]
- The ICC (International Community Church)
- Johnny D's
- Karma Club - [closed]
- The Kells Basement - on Brighton Ave in Allston
- The Library - [closed]
- MassArt"
- Media Workshop - [closed]
- The Middle EastThe Middle East (nightclub)The Middle East is a live music venue, bar and restaurant in the Central Square area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Having featured a huge variety of musicians since 1987, the establishment, with its upstairs and downstairs rooms, "is the nexus of metro Boston's rock-club scene for local and touring...
- Located in Central Square Cambridge they have two venues Middle East upstairs a smaller venue and Middle East Downstairs a larger venue. - The Movie Loft/Big Cat Lounge - Current basement space in Allston.
- O'Briens Pub
- The Paradise - not to be confused with the gay bar in Central Square (Cambridge)Central Square (Cambridge)Central Square is an area in Cambridge, Massachusetts centered on the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Prospect Street and Western Avenue. , formed by the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Columbia Street, Sidney Street and Main Street, is also considered a part of the Central Square area...
, this venue is on Comm. Ave. in Boston, and—like Axis—is also a dance club. - The RatThe RathskellerThe Rathskeller was a Kenmore Square live music venue in Boston, Massachusetts that was open from 1974 to 1997. As implied by its name "Ratskeller" , the Rathskeller was a dimly-lit establishment...
- [closed] Located in Kenmore Square. In the basement was a rathskellerRathskellerRatskeller is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall or nearby...
bar where the music was loud and the sweating concrete floors were always sticky and smelled of stale beer. The bathrooms were quite often frankly terrifying to those that needed to actually use them for purposes more in-depth than re-applying eyeliner (for perspective, The Rat has most often been compared to CBGBs). Many bands got their start at the Rat and it had one of the best jukeboxes in Boston. If a band did not play there they would wind up there for beers later. The club flooded in 1997 during torrential rains and was closed soon after. - Reflections
- Romans (Tigers Den) - A bar in Brockton with a second floor with a stage. "so small it's like dancing in a closet"
- The Roxy
- Scraphouse: April 2007 - July 2007 (aka Cuntree Club) No longer !
- St. Jean's Church -- hosted by Seth PutnamSeth PutnamSeth Edward Putnam was the founder of grindcore band Anal Cunt. He was known for his brutal screaming and lyrics that either shock, offend, or invoke morbid humor...
, and the venue itself later made infamous by defrocked priest Paul ShanleyPaul ShanleyPaul Richard Shanley , is an American laicized priest who was accused and convicted of raping a child. He served at St. Jean's Parish in Newton, Massachusetts and was a prominent figure in the Boston clergy sex abuse scandal....
. - Thunderdome//Vomitorium somerville basement venue short lived but incredibly chaotic TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES
- T.T. The Bear's Place
- YWCA - The basement. 1982 Freeze, COC, 6 ft Under. Skinheads showed up and the security detail left.
- TUMC - Basement. 2335 Main Street, Tewksbury
- X-Haus - Basement on Mission Hill, active 2001-2002. No drugs or drinking was strictly enforced, though residents were not always straight edge.
See also
- Music of MassachusettsMusic of MassachusettsMassachusetts is a U.S. state in New England. The music of Massachusetts has developed actively since it was first colonized by Britain. The city of Boston is an especially large part of the state's present music scene, which includes several genres of rock, as well as classical, folk, and hip hop...
- Hardcore punkHardcore punkHardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
- Jonathan AnastasJonathan AnastasJonathan Anastas is a Los Angeles-based marketing & advertising executive, and a musician who cofounded a number of influential Boston hardcore punk bands in the 1980s.-Punk rock musician:...
- hardcore dancing