|
Review Navigator   FeaturesContestsReviews
| The PledgeDistress2006 self-released 
 Review by: BJR See others by this writer The Pledge strive to be free at this website. (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 Published on February 16th 2007
Hardcore started in the 1980s in DC as an outlet for the anger that societal misfits had toward society. They expressed their rage by dancing a way no one did and asserting their disgust with the world. Other kids who felt “out of step” around the country harnessed this energy and hardcore took off in a more radical direction in the New England area where gangs of vehemently straight-edge kids created violent youth crews around their brand of hardcore that was heavily influenced by metal. People in the know began to label this more violent and masculine form of hardcore: moshcore. Bands like Slapshot, Bold, and Youth of Today were the forefathers of this subgenre and played extremely aggressive music that no one could have foreseen. Hardcore lost its unique sing-along potential as it was replaced by overtly gory and cheesy lyrics screamed out gutturally like a vocalist in a metal band. The simple beauty of the bar chord was replaced with dropped C tuning and chugging metal riffs. Anything of the brilliant simplicity and blunt rage that hardcore had in its beginning was completely swallowed up by the mainstream movement in hardcore today (the culprits usually being Eulogy, Ferret, and Victory Records).
I will strive to be freeNo one would guess that this would be a line on a hardcore 7” but that is what separates the Pledge from the rest of the hardcore bands out there. This is a striking antithesis to one line I found randomly from the latest Hatebreed album: I've taken this vow of hatred, Take the Vow.The Pledge, known to some as Stephen Colbert’s favorite hardcore band, also has another side to it. They add intricate post-hardcore guitar parts that drive the songs along at a slow pace until the song finally kicks into gear and drives to a powerful end. Lead singer Erik’s assertive voice can get pretty boring at times but that’s just because he needs to learn to leave his monotone vocal persona at some points to find a more appropriate vocal styling that adds more feeling to the Pledge’s songs. His voice is amazing on "Amendment," "Freedom Rings," and "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" but it falters on some tracks ("We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident" and "Do Something"). Distress overall is a strong album that goes where few bands in hardcore go in terms of their lyrics and sound. Erik and crew address the rights we have as citizens and the concerns we should have about how things are run today. The final product ends up being a good 7”. Despite the few tarnishes one would expect from a self-released effort Distress is a surprisingly good release out of an area not known for hardcore. The Pledge are looking for distribution for Distress after a label that was interested pulled out. We can only wish them the good luck that they truly deserve. The Pledge is riding the new wave of hardcore and I don’t mind being taken for a trip. Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
mid west hardcore lives on thru chi town. Thanks for this Jon, it's much appreciated. If you have any questions about this band or release, just email thepledge@gmail.com, or contact us at myspace.com/thepledge. The Pledge better finish that keg or he's never getting initiated. "4 words. modern life is war" Ha- my friend's older brother plays in Energy...they say they're influenced by AFI. At least, if we're talking about the same Energy. Hardcore did not start in DC. It came to fruition in DC w/ bands like Minor Threat and the Bad Brains, but Hardcore itself was really started in California, w/ bands like the Germs, Black Flag, and...whatsit...that one that everyone claims started hardcore. how does the line "i will strive to be free" something that seperates this band from every other late 80s influenced posi hardcore record? unless every other current hardcore band shares the same hatebreed lyric. this review is insulting. "did this dumbass really call youth of today and bold the forefathers of all the shitty mosh bands that are around now? calling youth of today aggressive and violent, but praising gorilla biscuits who were stylistically very similar makes tons of sense." did this dumbass really call youth of today and bold the forefathers of all the shitty mosh bands that are around now? calling youth of today aggressive and violent, but praising gorilla biscuits who were stylistically very similar makes tons of sense. What? You call Midwest hardcore "watered down," then namedrop fucking ENERGY?! Crazy, dude. Actually learn about what you're talking about before you make dumbass generalizations that make you look stupid. You write pretty well, so I don't think you're an idiot, but I think you are really out of touch with hardcore. I meant that alot of the Hardcore I listen to comes from the East Coast, not the Midwest. Though alot of the hardcore that is around [the midwest] tends to be watered down and uninventive (in my opinion) and that's not what I'm about. Lion of Judah does great stuff, Outbreak is great and there are a lot of good bands out there like Tradition and Energy... I'm not huge into Hardcore in the midwest, and I'll check out some of the bands you posted. Though alot of the hardcore that is around tends to be watered down and uninventive (in my opinion) and that's not what I'm about. Lion of Judah does great stuff, Outbreak is great and there are a lot of good bands out there like Tradition and Energy doin' some great stuff. But compared to the East and West Coast I think hardcore in the Midwest is lagging behind just a tad in productivity of the scene and attracting lots of kids to shows. If that were true I'd be going to more shows in my area alas, that is not the case in Cincinnati or the area around it in which I could make an effort to go to a show or two. "Midwest HC rules" "The Midwest is surprisingly lacking in these new wave of hardcore bands, however one of those few is the Pledge out of Dayton, Ohio." Good band - too bad this never actually got released by a label. Why are they Colbert's fav. hardcore band? |
