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International Superheroes of Hardcore

HPxHC [7 inch]
2008
Bridge 9

International Superheroes of Hardcore - HPxHC [7 inch] (Cover Artwork)

Review by: swank
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Published on November 18th 2008

Chad Gilbert and Co. are on a mission to not only pay tribute to hardcore, but inject some sorely needed humor into the genre. Fresh on the heels of their debut Takin' It Ova! from earlier this year, this latest release collects three B-sides from the Japanese release of Takin' It Ova! and one new song, which delves into the heavily debated subject of whether or not Harry Potter is hardcore.

In the title track, it seems "Sgt. Soy" (Ian Grushka, with a hilarious New York tough guy accent) isn't quite convinced of Harry's hardcore roots, but Capt. Straight Edge (Gilbert) sets the record straight in typical ISHC fashion. The cover of the 7" features Harry Potter-themed artwork, and in a move that shows especially impressive attention to detail, Bridge 9 has released it on four different dual-colored 7"s, each representing one of the Hogwarts Team's color schemes.

Other important issues covered on the release include their commitment to keeping it real (with gang vocal examples like Santa Claus, unicorns and wrestling, to name a few), their ongoing feud with Batman, and how, like MC Hammer before them, they're "Too Legit to Quit."

The music is fast-paced but as tight as a band that's been playing together as long as these guys have. Chad, er, I mean Capt. Straight Edge's voice, first introduced briefly in Shai Hulud, then in increasingly larger increments to New Found Glory material, is surprisingly well-suited for hardcore -- forceful yet clear.

This record is cheap, comes on cool colors, and is a lot of fun. With New Found Glory's recent signing to Epitaph, the music and touring of NFG is sure to take precedence over their superhero alter-egos. But I hope Sgt. Soy, Chugga Chugga, Mister Mosh, The Amazing Breakdown and Capt. Straight Edge don't get lost in the shuffle, and that their Hammer-like "Too Legit to Quit" boast turns out to be right.

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Posted by im_john_galt on 2008-11-20 16:51:28
My Score:

So much respect for Bridge Nine, but don't really know what to say about this one.

Posted by Anthony_A on 2008-11-19 12:12:37

ISHC are alright. I still like X One Way X and Good Clean Fun way more.

Posted by Lmnndtlgrph on 2008-11-19 10:05:24

tongue in cheek or not, this shit sucks.

Posted by PMAtill_ImDOA on 2008-11-19 04:45:31

havent heard this year, but they are fun to listen too...
for sure a much needed infusion of "just for the fun of it" in hardcore.

Posted by mattramone on 2008-11-18 23:08:11

This shit is ridiculous and so are all of you.

Posted by nocigar on 2008-11-18 22:12:00

pure shit with peanuts in it.

Posted by rancor on 2008-11-18 21:30:37

Gay

Posted by jamespastepunk on 2008-11-18 19:55:39
My Score:

If you just want the songs as cheaply as possible, you can pick up the songs for $3 on iTunes. People bitching can shut up, end of story.

Posted by LooseKanonYankee on 2008-11-18 18:07:28

Good opening statements, I feel like alot of people misunderstand this band are insulted by them.

also, there is a $1 difference between $4 and $5.......
thats not big at all

plus, an EP on cd is NEVER less than $5

Posted by red_eye_inc on 2008-11-18 17:47:48

Hey look: http://www.noidearecords.com/

See how all the seven inches are $3-$4? That's probably how it should be. Fuck you losers and your cult of collectorism. Go back to collecting toys or comics or baseball cards or whatever other thing the market dropped out of. All the extra colors and inserts and shit used to be a nice bonus but now it's the focus and it's pushed up the price and everyone who fawns over it and pre-orders a billion copies is to blame. Fuck you.

Posted by steveman on 2008-11-18 15:32:48

Well I'll gladly be the first to say, these guys are badass and I may just have to pick this up.

Also $5 is not expensive for colored vinyl, especially if you want something thick enough that it doesn't sound like shit when you spin it.

Posted by swank on 2008-11-18 14:56:46

The cheapest new release 7"s are no less than 4 bucks, colored vinyl costs more to press, and this is on 2 different colors of vinyl, per record. I think it's a pretty good deal.

Posted by mikexdude on 2008-11-18 14:51:11
My Score:

Loved tip of the Ice Burg/ISHC split, but I would much rather have another Bridge 9 influenced New Found Glory record than this.

Posted by douglas_is_rad on 2008-11-18 14:48:05

yeah dude, 5 bucks is pretty cheap for a new record. The only time I see prices dip below 4 bucks for a 7" is when it's on super shitty vinyl and in the sale bin of my local used records store. There are independent punk labels out there who routinely charge upwards of 8 bucks for a 7" (Youth Attack, I'm looking at you).

Posted by tenwestchaser on 2008-11-18 14:31:01

$5 isn't cheap? Really? What...do you want them to just give it to you as a toy in your happy meal?

Posted by red_eye_inc on 2008-11-18 13:52:41

In what world is a $5 7-inch considered a "cheap record"? Sounds pretty damn expensive to me, especially when you have to pay for shipping because the band doesn't tour.