Jan 9, 2011 #16 - The Backup Plan - Dearest Whomever

The Backup Plan - Dearest Whomever

Released by New Day Rising in 2003

This is the first of 2 records off of New Day Rising that I will have on the list. The Backup Plan was a band from my hometown of smithtown, who went through some changes with their sound. At first they were a punk band, but over the years they changed to more of a hardcore band. This record is basically a hardcore album. The songs are fast and sort of punk, but with Jeff's style of vocals, the album becomes a lot like Shorter, Faster, Louder from Kid Dynamite and I think most people associate a genre with how the vocals are. Or at least I do. This album really made a name for TBP. But it wasn't long after this album that they called it quits. I'm not quite sure why, but I know I was pretty upset. One good thing is they did make a bunch of music and all the members went on to other great bands like This is Hell and Thieves and Assassins.

New Day Rising released this on 3 colors. White, Black, and I think Blue. I'm pretty sure I have the white and blue, and I also have the test press. I actually have all the New Day Rising tests. One of the funny things about NDR is they never wrote anything on the matrix of the record. I've never known another label to do that. Very strange.

I think it's safe to give you guys a download on this one. It's been out of print for a while, and NDR is no longer putting out records. It's a short download so if you've never heard this album I suggest you give a shot.

The Backup Plan - Dearest Whomever

Jul 7, 2010 #18 - Capital - Signal Corps

Capital - Signal Corps

Released on Iron Pier Records in 2006

Here's where it starts to get difficult for me. 16-18 has really given me trouble. Let's go with Capital Signal Corps for 18. What a surprise this album was. Before I heard it I thought it was going to be good for sure. But I didn't think it was just going to hit me right in the face like it did. It was fast. It was melodic. It had a 90s flare. And of course, it had great lyrics. Pretty much all you need to make me love it. Let's talk about the hit of the album for a second. "Meanwhile Back in LA". OOHH you thought I was going to say "Wolverines" didn't you? Sure "Wolverines" is great. It's crazy catchy and the twist of the song is definitely interesting. But in reality that's the gimmick talking. You're suppose to love that song. And of course we all do. But in my opinion, MBILA is the hit of the album. That's the song that makes me think this is one of the best LI albums out there. Just hidden right there in the 7 spot, on a 9 track album. It's weird, just like rapcore bands and vampire movies, if you write a song about how TV will just mess your shit all up, I'm going to fall in love with it. It's really strange actually.

There's some other cool things about this album. Other than what it sounds like! What about the fact that they recorded it after hours in a school library? Only thing cooler than that would be recording the album during school hours. Another interesting bit of info. They got the singer with the coolest voice on LI in their band. That's right, Duncan Macdougal on bass! I mean come on, you ever hear People in Glass Houses Stay Warm Through the Winter? I'll leave that for the Top 20 Best LI Demos. But yeah Tommy was always about lyrics for me. His voice is great, but Duncan on bass is just one of those weird, "wait, what did you say? He doesn't touch the mic?" type things that makes this album/band pretty special. FWIW, If I had that voice, I'd be singing under suicide girl's bedroom windows. Not playing bass in Capital. For real people.

No download on this one. You can steal it from a different blog, or it's available for 3 measly dollars in the Iron Pier Store 3..that's it.

I'll can give you this link though. Duncan Macdougaling My Style

Slick ref right?

Side Note: This is the last active band you will see on my list.....maybe.

Jul 4, 2010 #19 - Incendiary - Crusade

Incendiary - Crusade

Released by Eternal Hope Records in 2009

As many on Long Island have known for some time now, the Island hardcore scene changed around 2000. There were still good hardcore bands around after 2000, but it was different. That 90s LI sound wasn't there anymore. Those bands were gone and our local scene floundered. But in a way, it blanked the slate. Reset all the counters back to zero. And when that happened, kids learned from bands outside of Long Island. That's the case with Incendiary. People might be wondering how I could put an album that's not even a year old on a list of the top 20 albums of the last 20 years. It's simple, for typical LI, it's a ground breaking album. Bands don't sound like this on Long Island. They pull from their influences, and up until now, not many bands on Long Island were influenced by Trial and Strife. I think if I did this write up again in 10 years, which I really hope I can, then I'd probably be putting this album well into the top 10. For Long Island, this album is a total game changer. New bands are going to feed off this sound for years to come. Backtrack as well. When we look back on these 2 bands, we're going to say they started it all. I can already see it happening. Good solid bands are forming on LI that have this type of sound. Scourge for instance, sounds like they're straight out of Cleveland! This never happened here. This sound is completely foreign to LI. But not anymore, and it's because of albums like Crusade.

So the download. A week or so ago I saw a thread on the B9 board about Incendiary. Someone from the band posted a link to download this album. So I think we should be clear on the piracy accusations. Incendiary - Crusade - Download and you can buy their album at their webstore.

The fact that I'm promoting a bigcartel store on my blog should basically tell you this is an important band. Get into it god damnit!

Jun 27, 2010 #20 - Tripface - Some Part Sorrow

Tripface - Some Part Sorrow

Released on Exit Records in 1996

1996 was a cool year for me. 1995 was better, but hey, I'm not one to get all picky. Just give me the 90s. Tripface was a part of that. To understand how Tripface was created, you must first understand Long Island's geography, let me explain. LI is broken up into 3 sections. 1 is Brooklyn/Queens. Everyone in Brooklyn/Queens thinks they're part of the city...which they are. They're two of the Five Boroughs. But technically they're located on Long Island...many outside of NY don't realize this. 2. Nassua County. Almost 1.5 million people live in Nassua County and it's located just east of Brooklyn and Queens. Finally 3, Suffolk County. This is the eastern most part of LI. It also has close to 1.5 million people living in it. This is where the Hamptons, farms, and Vineyards are located. Lot of land on the east end. To put it in perspective, Suffolk has the same population as Nassua, but 5 times the amount of land. There's a different mentality in Suffolk. It sounds strange, but there is. It's more laid back. We're not talking california laid back, but laid back compared to Manhattan. As you go further west, there's more hustle and bustle. And unfortunately, the further west you go, the more elite some people feel. If you don't believe me go take a stroll through Williamsburg when you get a chance. Bands from Suffolk were almost part of their own little scene back then. Most of the time it wasn't on purpose, it's just the way the cliques were formed. But for the dedicated bands, like Tripface for instance, this separation allowed them to create their own style of LI hardcore. They didn't sound like (insert Lindenhurst/Baldwin band here), they sounded like themselves. I think this album is proof. I don't want to start giving descriptions of the every album I post cause I'm not a human freakin thesaurus like some of these insane album review people. Hey, I draw for a living, the album is sick. It's #20.

Some Part Sorrow is available on the Tripface discography still being sold by Motherbox Records in their Merchdirect Store I'd rather not cannibalize that release by posting a download link. You could probably find Some Part Sorrow on a million blogs anyway. I will however give you a link to download my favorite song of the album. Burden I will also give you a link to download their Demo which I posted on the LIHC.us board a few months back.

Something to note. Tripface's Some Part Sorrow edged out Halfman - As Everything Fell Apart for the 20th spot. Meaning Halfman will not be on this list.