Set to Explode and 86 Mentality…

It's been a crazy week thus far, so this might be it until Monday, but these are such quick blasts that I was able to crank out an update today. Among the latest releases from Grave Mistake Records, a great little hardcore label in my area, it's nice to finally see some CD's! The label predominantly focuses on releasing quality 7" EP's, but since I so rarely listen to vinyl these days I have to confess preferring the convenience of CD's every time at this point.

Speaking of which, the debut EP from Washington, DC's Set to Explode is available on both vinyl and CD, containing a mere six tracks in less than 10 minutes. The band features ex-members of Striking Distance and Worn Thin, among others, and dishes out quick bursts of early-80's styled hardcore that definitely has more of a punk rock edge to it than most listeners might expect. This helps to differentiate Set to Explode from your usual batch of diehard old school hardcore bands, while still staying totally true to the classic framework of the genre without breaking tradition or experimenting with "modern" accoutrements (aside from the fact that recording is nice and crisp). This particular track is a bit longer than the others, and best exemplifies the punk-influenced angle:

Set to Explode "Never Give In"

If you dig it, grab it straight from the label for about a buck a song:

@ Grave Mistake Records

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Next up it's 86 Mentality's "Goin' Nowhere Fast", which basically contains everything the band has recorded thus far: 19 tracks culled from their self-titled 7" (2004) and the "On the Loose" 7" (2005), plus two unreleased tracks from the "On the Loose" sessions, a 2003 demo track, covers by the 4-Skins and S.O.A., and a couple of live tracks to boot. These guys are also from DC but crank out a slightly different brand of classic hardcore with more of a gruff sort of skinhead sounding edge to it, not to mention a more "dated" tone to the production that has a pretty authentic ring to it. Nothing fancy here, just basic song structures with slightly dirty performances that keep it simple:

86 Mentality "Escape"
86 Mentality "Chemical Threat"

Same story, the label sells this jam for less than $9, so why go anywhere else? If you like it, buy it:

@ Grave Mistake Records