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Resist and Exist

Kwangju (2000)
International News

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: feeeding5000
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 24th 2006

Well, it’s been a while since my last review, and I figured that I might as well review something a little more obscure than what’s usually on here (“Hey, I thought this was called Punknews.org!”). Anyway, this is the first album by SoCal crusties Resist and Exist, released on Spiral Records, but easily available from Profane Existence. Just so you don’t have to get it yourself, I’ll keep track of all the crust clichés as we go along, okay?

The title, Kwangju, comes from the Korean city of the same name. During the 1980s, near the end of South Korea’s military dictatorship, students in the town protested against a new U.S.-backed government. What followed was a fight against the army and police that caused hundreds of deaths, but kinda sorta led to anarchy. This was all neatly explained in the CD insert, which was very well put together. And guess what? It includes a fold-out poster (cliché #1)!

The album starts with an unlisted audio-collage track (cliché #2), using audio of what sounds like black power activists who were attacked by the police (cliché #3). Right after about five minutes of this, it goes into speedy crust, which sounded very Misery-ish to me. The second track, however, has female vocals, and you can tell that the singer is trying really hard to sound like Amy Miret (cliché #4). She doesn’t do a bad job, but it can get kind of annoying.

Next comes a short, Flux of Pink Indians-style poem (cliché #5), which is basically pointless. Then we get back to the actual music, which does a good job of punking up what I assume to be a traditional Korean protest song (cliché #6). There’s a song about animal rights (cliché #7), and then a full spoken word piece, like a less poetic Crass (cliché #8).

Overall though, this is pretty good. Just because it’s riddled with clichés doesn’t mean it doesn’t tackle real issues, deal with real problems, or, hell, rock your balls off. My biggest issue with R&E isn’t that they don’t bring much new, but that they advocate armed revolution. HOLY SHIT! That’s not very peaceful. Still, average album; worth picking up if you’ve got extra cash. Oh, did I mention they have a circular logo with an anarchy symbol in it (cliché #9)?

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Squelch (March 8, 2007)

I think this review doesn't really give any insight on Resist and Exist. Resist and Exist have been around for over 17 years and deserve a better review than that. This band has been a big contributor to the scene in So Cal and is deep with history. Highliting all the cliches is redundant considering that most of the punk bands today are based on cliches. I say go buy the album and listen for yourself.

Anonymous (February 28, 2006)

good band

Anonymous (February 28, 2006)

right on... resist and exist are a pretty good band -- good, but not great... haha and thankfully my imperial leather lp should arrive in the mail sometime this week.

Anonymous (February 27, 2006)

My list of shit to review for this site ('cause I haven't done any reviews in like a year or two)
Nine Shocks Terror - Zen and the Art of Beating your Ass CD
Dropdead - Anything really
Lack of Interest - Never Back Down LP
Conga Fury - Dear Friends LP
Jerry's Kids - Is this my world? LP
Phobia - Means of Existence LP (soon to be reissued!)
Aus Rotten - The System Works for them LP

...when I get around to it.

-Ken

feeeding5000 (February 26, 2006)

I reviewed this because I was bored and had the time. I'm still regretting I got this instead of Imperial Leather or Disrespect...

Sick_Nick (February 25, 2006)

Total Doom is a very good retrospective.... I have one of Resist and Exist 7 inches... but i can't remeber the name... if that tells you anything...

Enemy_Will (February 25, 2006)

I should really think about what I'm trying to say so I don't have to post twice all the time. Anyway, people who are into this band should check out Harum Scarum as well.

Enemy_Will (February 25, 2006)

I saw these guys open for Against All Authority and Conflict a long time ago. I was kind of intimidated. This CD is just alright.

notfeelingcreative (February 24, 2006)

We have reviews for Resist and Exist, NAUSEA and F-Minus, yet still no review for "Total Doom"?!!

notfeelingcreative (February 24, 2006)

I'm actually glad that music like misery and resist and exist are being reviewed, I'm also glad that the reviewer is reviewing them objectively and not just giving it a ten because "it's not the type of bands usually covered on this site!