Review: 11 PM Records Roundup

Rolex/ Consec/ Faze/ The Losers

Another one of those quality labels that I periodically check on. Not a year goes by without a few certified rippers coming from their stable. In the case below, it’s four in a row. Four In A Row! Some labels can’t chuck more than one or two exceptional titles at ya in a year and here comes 11PM stringing together four in a row. If you want distorted off-kilter hardcore, keep an eye on the prize.

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Rolex/Grimly Forming - Split (11pm Records/Under The Gun Records)

In my version of Modern Hardcore History, Rolex are top-notch Hail The King level shit. Like Saccharine Trust souped up on early-Minutemen with more aggressive vocals. Totally off the wall, totally perfect. Their series of cassingles was pretty much the worst format ever, but the music overcomes it. If they were road dogging the US they’d be a phenomenon, but here we are, certified cult band in the making. Grimly Forming is members of Rolex or members of bands containing members of Rolex so I can’t go in on them too hard. Not digging the guttural vocals or the recording thinness. Certainly not awful, but it renders this a one-sided LP for me. Another reason why splits are a terrible idea. And anyone who wants bring up the Faith/Void split can save their breath cuz both sides of that record are insane.

Consec - Biohackers

The cover art really threw me. Like what the fuck’s going on? Kinda makes the music rule that much more cuz it kills expectations. I’m assuming this is a two-sider, but it’d all fit on one side and still be a 45 which is wild. The shortest EP I’ve seen since the second Formaldehyde Junkies EP. Ripping fast, reminds me of Ecoli, who are unfortunately largely forgotten. Three minutes of spotless hardcore.

Faze - Big Upsetter

It looks like Faze has been stalking the streets of Montreal for close to a decade, but this release is my first dance. The first two tracks come out like straight up pogo-beat raw punk, but “Who Does Your Daddy Sell His Guns To?” throws you off the rhythm. The grimy post-punk saunter comes across like dance-punk for bikers. A game changer as it enhances the two openers by not overstaying the style. The rest of the record keeps you on your toes and never sticks to one mode for too long. Where plenty of bands would ride the pogo pogo vibes throughout, Faze makes those bands look like total dipshits.

The Losers - Land of Opportunity

Took a trip a few years back to SoCal to see Saccharine Trust and these guys opened up the show. There was a real buzz amongst the crowd about ‘em. I watched the full set and was perplexed. This band? Really? So their EP comes out and I’m still scratching my head. Is it me? Is there something wrong with my ears? But I’m not a quitter. This one came out and it’s on 11PM, Keith Caves art. Good signs. So I dove in and I finally got it. It’s real nihilist shit, like a long lost descendent of Bad Posture. It’s assuredly hardcore, but with a prevalent punk attitude coursing through. So catchy and ready to go off the rails. Call me a convert, cuz this is one of my most listened to records of the year.