100 Demons - S/T - LP - Dead Serious Records DS554.0

Pressing Stats
Pressing #:  1st
Color: Red Vinyl

Qty Pressed:  525

Additional Info:  N/A

Track Listing:

1. Time Bomb
2. Destiny Never Came
3. Dying in My Own Arms
4. Repeat Process
5. Something Terrible
6. Lord Have Mercy
7. Non Believer
8. His Fathers Son
9. Never Surrender Virtue (No Desit Virtus)

Synopsis:

Nice layout on the vinyl, nothing crazy but the presentation gets the point across.  Heavy heavy heavy metallic hardcore that crushes the aural senses.  Clean presentation which also includes the lyrics with great artwork.  

Rating:

Overall Vinyl Presentation 4/5

Music 4/5

97a - Society's Running On Empty... - LP - Teamwork Records T-012

Pressing Stats
Pressing #:  1st
Color: Black Vinyl

Qty Pressed:  ???

Additional Info:  97 on white vinyl and orange vinyl is available

Track Listing:

1. The Republican Scam
2. Its In Our Power
3. Skate and Conglomerate
4. Media
5. Society's Running On Empty... 
6. Commodifed Rebellion
7. Diplomatic Dissonance
8. Blueprint
9. Durometer
10. Kickflip
11. Conspiracy Theory
12. Representation Based on Compensation
13. Amendment
14. Hail to the Chief
15. Countdown!
16. Actions Speaks Volumes
17. Balanced Society
18. Time Again...

Synopsis:

Pretty basic layout that doesn't give you any insight as to what you are getting into unless you recognize the band 97a or Teamwork Records.  What you get is very fast and abrasive hardcore that is very opinionated and unforgiving.  Nothing standard here.  Recommended to those who like to skate to something harder than pop/skate punk.

Rating:

Overall Vinyl Presentation 2/5

Music 3/5

7-Seconds - Walk Together, Rock Together - LP - Positive Force/BYO 010

Pressing Stats
Pressing #:  1st
Color: Black Vinyl

Qty Pressed:  ???

Additional Info:  Different version with Black with Reddish Purple Cover, Different Version with Side A music is on both sides, has both A & B Labels, over 100 were destroyed, leaving about 100-150 left, Different version with Incorrect track listing on the back and a photo of the band as cover

Track Listing:

1. In Your Face
2. Spread
3. 99 Red Balloons
4. Remains to be Seen
5. Walk Together, Rock Together
6. How Do You Think You'd Feel?
7. Strength

Synopsis:

Walk Together, Rock Together for most is the epitome of 7-Seconds...at least from their glory years.  I can't argue even though New Wind as stated before tends to be my favorite.  The cover and layout is a classic possibly in the top 10 or 20 of many folks all time favorite covers.  The music is essential for any fan of the hardcore punk scene especially the posi/youth crew.  Get into it.I

Rating:

Overall Vinyl Presentation 5/5

Music 5/5

7-Seconds - New Wind - LP - Positive Force #8/BYO #14

Pressing Stats
Pressing #:  Unknown
Color: Black Vinyl

Qty Pressed:  /25000

Additional Info:  There are Orange Center Labels and Green ones.  The french pressing has tan center labels and an insert.

Track Listing:

1. The Night Away
2. New Wind
3. Somebody Help Me Scream
4. Tied Up in Rhythm
5. Grown Apart
6. Man Enough to Care
7. Opinion of Feelings
8. The Inside
9. Calendar
10. Expect to Change
11. Still Believe
12. Put These Words to Music
13. Just One Day

Synopsis:

I know that I am completely in the minority here, but I have to be honest and say that this LP is my favorite 7-Seconds LP to date and I'm not ashamed to admit it either.  Many would disagree and state that Walk Together Rock Together or the Crew is theirs and I can't argue with them.  Perhaps it is because this was the first album I heard by these guys and it has stuck with me since I first heard it in the late 80's.  Some elements of hardcore and punk and a lot of mainstream rock (cough U2 cough) but this thing has always been so damn catchy that its hard not to feel good when listening to it.

Rating:

Overall Vinyl Presentation 3/5

Music 5/5

7-Seconds - One Plus One (Live) - LP - Giant/Positive Force Records GRI6004-1

Pressing Stats
Pressing #:  Unknown
Color: Blue Vinyl

Qty Pressed:  Unknown

Additional Info:  Also available on black vinyl

Track Listing:

1. You Live and Die For Freedom
2. Siren
3. Catching
4. Praise
5. Somebody Help Me Scream
6. Opinion of Feelings
7. Trust
8. Calendar
9. Regress, No Way!
10. The Save Ourselves
11. Walk Together, Rock Together
12. 99 Red Balloons

Synopsis:

This is 7-Seconds during their "U2" phase which many didn't care for which 

gave the band a lot of grief from those diehards who couldn't stand the 

change.  Myself, I did enjoy this period a lot and have always liked this 

record which gives you a sample of the bands Praise sessions.  Well 

rounded song selection along with a nice full sound for a live LP.  The vinyl

layout is lacking however which lowers my rating a bit.

Rating:

Overall Vinyl Presentation 3/5

Music 4/5

7-Seconds - alt.music.hardcore - LP Headhunter Records Hed-053

Pressing Stats
Pressing #:  Unknown
Color: Red Vinyl,
Qty Pressed:  300 Red (per Deadformat.net.  I question this qty)
Additional Info:  N/A

Track Listing:

1. Skins, Brains, and Guts
2. No Authority
3. Redneck Society
4. Baby Games
5. Racism Sucks
6. This Is My Life
7. Anti-Clan
8. I Hate Sports
9. We're Gonna Fight
10. 5 Years of Lies
11. Drug Control
12. Bottomless Pit
13. Fight Your Own Fight
14. Committed for Life
15. This Is the Angry
16. Aggro
17. War in the Head
18. The Kids Are United

Synopsis:

This LP essentially is a compilation of the early 7"s including:  Skins, Brains & Guts, Committed for Life, and Blasts From the Past.  All classic and essential Hardcore/Punk releases.  Packaging is a bit weak, but I may be missing an insert which would improve the rating.

Rating:

Overall Vinyl Presentation 2/5

Music 5/5

Scranton Comic Con and Local Artists

Sunday July 28th, 2013 I attended the Scranton Comic Con in Scranton, PA.  I hate referring to events such as this as a "Con" when in reality it was a show.  It is what it is I suppose.  I will always support local events and of course bargain shop and hunt when the opportunity presents itself.

I was able to meet a couple of local artists who had their portfolios on display for perusal.  I was more than happy to pick up a few prints to help decorate my personality lacking office.  First up is an artist from State College, PA in Jason Lenox who I courage you to check out at http://www.jasonlenox.com  

Jason does a nice job combining some horror with some medieval work which will appeal to many audiences. The Medieval Zombie according to Jason's site is slated to appear at some point in Fubar Press (http://fubarpress.com).  To be honest the print located below on the left caught my eye as a flashback to Iron Maidens "Eddie".  Jason seemed like a very approachable guy, very talkative and easy going so I encourage you to say hello if you happen to cross paths.

   

Secondly I got the opportunity to meet Injustice:  Gods Among Us artist Tom Derenick from comic stalwart DC Comics.  Tom was the artist I was most looking forward to meeting in Scranton as I am huge fan of the Injustice series including the video game line as well.

I dont pretend to be a Comic or Comic Art expert, however I like what I like, and Tom's work is what I like.  I enjoy the realism and the well defined lining.  Upon reviewing these, I love finding the detail that often gets lost when these go to print in the actual comics.  Very crisp and emotional whereas the essence of the scene oozes out of the artwork, in short dialogue isn't needed to understand what is happening.  Apparently Tom is in the process of finishing up some upcoming X-Men work and was recently asked to do some digital work for the upcoming 20th Century Fox Planet of the Apes Comic, so good luck to him on that!  I am truly looking forward to what comes out of Toms future work.




For those unfamiliar check out the DC page here: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/injustice-gods-among-us-2013  as well as:  http://marvel.wikia.com/Thomas_Derenick