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The Code / Whatever It Takes

Split
2003
A-F

The Code / Whatever It Takes - Split (Cover Artwork)

Review by: KirbyPuckett
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Published on March 26th 2004

Recently Esquire magazine rated Pittsburgh, PA as #1 in their poll of “Cities That Rock” within the United States. Many of us Yunzers were confused by this achievement. First off, New York and Los Angeles were not included on the scale, but how did we still manage to beat out Cincinnati, Denver, Minneapolis, New Orleans and San Francisco?

The article cites the Clarks, Modey Lemon, and Rusted Root for our lucky fortunes. The latter has broken up and were really the only band to “make it” out of the Steel City. Vaguely mentioned in the article though is our deeper underground scene where the talent pool is being agitated. The Vacancy are ready for a national tour bringing along Sixtyfour, who have a brand new E.P. under their belts, Better Off Dead would fit well in the current Hardcore upsurge, and the Camera are beginning to make a buzz with the Indie kids. A-F Records rounded up two of Pittsburgh’s finest in Punk Rock and that point is strongly emphasized on this collection.

The Code, the areas finest politically charged Ska-Punk ensemble handles the first half of this split. Despite this band’s sound being heavily derived from Operation Ivy the first two tracks “In Hope” and “Revolution Now” are more of a straight-up 3-chord Punk Rock songs with gang vocals calling out “What we need is a revolution to break the chains of this disillusioned system that’s fucked so put your fist up and revolt!” It took two songs for the band to settle into their custom fit, but finishing up their effort is the Crack Rock Steady intense “What’s It Gonna Take,” which highlights their half of the split.

Anti-Flag might be the most famous Punk band to rise out of Pittsburgh, but deep down in our hearts Chris #2’s side project Whatever It Takes was the most loved. The three tracks served up here by WIT prove why our hearts were let down with their demise. In a pattern that mixes the best of Hot Water Music and Lifetime the guitars roar on “Both Can’t Survive” supported by backup vocals via Will Perza (Better Off Dead) the band rises to new heights on the most memorable song on this disc. Brawny guitars and drums arrive again to guide “In The Orchid” whilst “Lips Surrendered” vocally demands you hear this band out.

These six tracks originally appeared and sold out on a rare 10” vinyl put out by Spent Records, but due to an overwhelming response A-F Records has decided to remix and remaster them for a re-release on CD. If you too are scratching your head as to why the Three Rivers received a better rank than your city I urge you pick up this split as it’s a perfect example of what Pittsburgh Punk Rock is all about.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 5:17 PM (EST)

Posted by StateYourName on 2004-10-11 20:57:36
My Score:

they broke up!....sucks

Posted by toonscribe on 2004-04-01 23:23:06
My Score:

They broke up right after i found out about them. I wanna say last fall?

-BS

Kirby, you're never online! I can't wait to hear that song. Thanks again for the offer...

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 1, 2004 at 3:51 AM (EST)
My Score:

when did whatever it takes break up?
oh well, i never got around to listening to them anyway.
saw the code a few years ago with anti-flag. not bad.

Posted by andrew13 on 2004-03-31 15:35:38
My Score:

kirby and poopy:
hey guys what's up?
my names andrew and i like like 60 miles from pitt... it's a shitty ass place known as clarion county...
i love a-f and just started to check out some of their bands... i like go to a lot of crap up here when we have stuff, which is almost never...

are either of you guys going to see the show at mr smalls with a bunch of local bands like the 10th i think? finster, a decent band from butler, is playing it... you can dl 2 of their songs on my website
i'm gonna try to go... i'm deffinately going to see a7x at mr smalls the 9th... might see you guys there... contact me on aol... my sn is visforvlad13 (i was on a max payne 2 kick at the time...)
talk to you guys later,
- andrew13

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 10:00 AM (EST)
My Score:

My score is for Rusted Root breaking up!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 9:59 AM (EST)
My Score:

The Code is the suck.

Posted by poopypants on 2004-03-30 09:57:56
My Score:

scores for the pens. ryan malone went to my highschool and played on a line w/ one of my friends!

scores for mario coming back next year

scores for the pens trying their best to not finish last despite reducing their chances to get ovechkin

scores for being the best team in the league down the stretch after fucking blowing 18 games straight almost setting an nhl record

Posted by toonscribe on 2004-03-29 22:27:19
My Score:

Adam, what kind of surprise? ;-)
Do you know the dates for whatever this surprise is? I'd love to book it. :-)

If you wanna get indie music cheap, go to eMusic.com. You get 192 VBRs of any Mordam, SideOne, Epitaph or BYO band (essentially any indie punk label except Fat Wreck) with no copy limits. It's 40 tracks for $10, 60/$15 or 90 for $20.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 29, 2004 at 7:51 PM (EST)
My Score:

Score's for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They're coming on... Might not even finish in last!

...evildeadalive

Posted by poopypants on 2004-03-29 10:08:19
My Score:

hey sup adam, this is paul. scores for pittsburgh...

Posted by AdamSocial on 2004-03-29 09:41:15
My Score:

Anyone that likes WIT songs such as "Lips Surrendered", "Write for your Life", or "Post-Marked Yesterday" is in for one hell of a suprise later this year.

Posted by 8dollarclarinetsolo on 2004-03-29 00:32:33
My Score:

anyone know of a site where i could hear mp3s of either of these bands? im hesitant to buy something solely on reviews without hearing it at all

Posted by lieutenant on 2004-03-28 12:47:46
My Score:

I have yet to pick this disc up, though I am sure I will. It's used 2 blocks from me, so if I am wise I'll max out my VISA 6 dollars more before it's too late.

I am a bit hesitant, though, because from what I've heard I'm not entirely in love with the band's harder direction on this disc, while I cannot get enough of the LP, probably one of my favourite discs from recent years. I find the harder WIT songs to be a little too reminicent of Chris #2's A-F songs. And that is just about my life story. Updates at 11.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 12:20 PM (EST)
My Score:

This score's for pittsburgh.

Posted by kirbypuckett on 2004-03-28 02:13:35
My Score:

Toonscribe, IM me on "KirbyPuckett" and I'll hook you up.

- Kirby

Posted by toonscribe on 2004-03-27 19:47:50
My Score:

It's a solid album. I really like both bands, and I hold with the above the WIT is way better than A-F and it's a shame they are gone. They're double-album disc (Fistful/Stars) is a bit too emo compared to this disc, where they are in their prime (Not to say the LP/EP is bad).

One question, can someone please send me a 192 VBR of Lips Surrendered? I bought this disc through eMusic, and they mislabelled the widely, freely available In the Orchid as Lips. I'd like to hear the song. Please post back if you can help (my email is the same as my login @nvbell.net).

Thanks a lot. I agree that Chicago has some awesome bands (Rise Against, Much the Same), but so does Gainsville, Huntington Beach/Greater LA, Boston, etc. That does not discredit the talent of both the Code and Whatever it Takes. Go nominate this disc at filthawards.com =)

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 4:35 PM (EST)
My Score:

sucks... bad.
-rick

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 2:12 PM (EST)
My Score:

Kirby and Poopy:
I'm trying to land a job in Pittsburgh ... sounds like I might be moving to a pretty rockin' place. Glad Rusted Root broke up though, I can't stand those damn hippies.

- Fatty Arbuckle

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 2:00 PM (EST)
My Score:

There's also a lot worse.

- Kirby

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 12:53 PM (EST)
My Score:

i dont understand how you guys can actually like these bands. there's a lot better music out there guys and gals. dont settle for these fucknuts.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 11:50 AM (EST)
My Score:

This score is for Chicago.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 4:05 AM (EST)
My Score:

Larry arms, rise against, local h, alkaline trio, the ghost... damnit, just listen to that Oil Comp. THats only the tip of the iceberg. Chicago owns.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 12:01 AM (EST)
My Score:

Cincinnati? Cincinnati sucks!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 26, 2004 at 5:44 PM (EST)
My Score:

I was at CompUSA during the Caddies show. Just like I'm sitting here again w/ my thumb up my ass because there's no business but the Mates of State are playing a show soon. GRR.

I'll be at Roboto tomorrow (hopefully) for Better Off Dead and Contrawise though.

- Kirby

Posted by poopypants on 2004-03-26 16:48:33
My Score:

did you go to the caddies show? it was awesome. i went to dee's bar in the southside afterwards w/ sacha and the 2 horn guys and got really really drunk. chuck went to bed early and the bass player chilled w/ his girlfriend on the bus. i have no clue where the drummer went

Posted by poopypants on 2004-03-26 16:47:09
My Score:

i live in oakland, south bouquet st. , 4 min. walk from laga

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2004-03-26 16:43:34
My Score:

Who did they mention from Chicago?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 26, 2004 at 4:36 PM (EST)
My Score:

Mr. Poopy,

I'm from smack in the city. Well five minutes out of downtown, Crafton Heights.

You?

- Kirby

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 26, 2004 at 4:22 PM (EST)
My Score:

score is for anti flag.

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2004-03-26 16:10:53
My Score:

The Code fucking rule. I can't wait to see them with The Suicide Machines and Against All Authority Sunday.

Posted by poopypants on 2004-03-26 15:54:55
My Score:

i'm from pittsburgh, yea, wit was the shit. damn shame they broke up, better than anything anti flag ever did. hwm comparison is dead on, with more youthful energy and poppiness (but not pop punk). looking forward to seeing hte code w/ the suicide machines in may. see you there kirby. yo kirby, where do you live?