Social Concern - Cupcakes and Snowflakes (2004)

Cupcakes and Snowflakes was Social Concerns first release. It was recorded in 2003 when everyone in the band was only 15 and 16 years old and released in early 2004 on cd-r. If I remember right from what my friend Ami Rose (bass player of s.c.) told me years ago is that album was recorded on a 4-track tape recorder in a home studio. The lo-fi gritty sound and the catchy dark lyrics on this album are timeless to me. Definitely one Redding album I really kick myself for not buying when it was still in print. Luckily I was able to get a ripped version from my friend Ian Flanery after it went out of print. If anyone has a spare copy they don't want, though, hit me up!

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Sarah Shintaku - Guitar / Vocals
Ami Rose - Bass / Backup Vocals
Brandi Benson - Drums

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Out of Spite - Cans O' Gasoline EP (1993)

Out of Spite was a band from the early 90's scene of Redding. Their 7 inch "Cans O' Gasoline" from 1993 is a total classic of that time. A big thanks to Out of Spites' bass player, Bonedog, for posting this EP and a lot of early Redding history on Myspace some years ago! I plan to post more on the early 90's scene of Redding here in the coming months.

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VEXED - Demo (2014)

Vexed is my favorite current Redding band. I know I'm bias on this with them being friends of mine, but this demo is seriously so good! It's pissed, crushing, short, fast, and heavy. The band also features former Stress Relief, Damaged, Ripped to Shreds member Ethan Campos, and current College Heights member Elliott Follett.  All and all, this demo is solid in every way.

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FALLING ACTION - Demo (1998)

Falling Action was a late 90's straight edge melodic hardcore band from Redding. Members of this band went on to play in American Nightmare and Breaker Breaker. This band was some years before my time, but it's still a rad demo and a great example that just because you come from a small town like Redding, doesn't mean that you can't go on to make something of yourself.

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Jefferson Crew Manifesto

Gorilla X Monsoon - Self Titled EP

Gorilla X Monsoon last month released their Self Titled EP on Xerox Records. I know I have a bias with the band being made up of friends of mine, but this EP honestly rips! It's a great mix of late 80's early 90's hardcore that bounces between slow ragers and short thrashers. "Nothing More" makes me think of Inside Out and "Believe" makes me think of Chain of Strength and Youth of Today. But unlike many others that try to capture this era of hardcore, this EP doesn't lack sincerity or originality to me. One thing that I find pretty interesting and sweet is the mix of jazz drums alongside typical hardcore drums. Definitely something I've never heard in youth crew before. "Fist Through a Wall" has a rad guest vocal part with Andreya from Ripped to Shreds, and the album   concludes on a youth crew version of "Exlion Tamer" by Wire.
Redding Hardcore Lives!

"I was searching down darkened halls.
Insides black like the dead of night.
Blinded by light that I desperately seeked.
Trying to find something right for me.
It's times like these I wanna be set free.
I want to believe.
I'm taking shelter at the lotus feet.
It's my time to believe and I'm never looking back. "

Joshua Emery - Vocals
Tommy Ghiorso - Guitar
Kiefer Peterson - Bass
Khari Cowell - Drums

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This Area Is What You Make It