That’s right, y’all. We’re back with the third installment of Pit Therapy, and this month we’re in the streets of New York City, the the most popular breeding ground for many of America’s favorite past times, including hardcore music. Sick Of It All was formed in 1986 by brothers Lou and Pete Koller, Armand Majidi and Rich Cipriano, all of whom, with the exception of Cipriano, remain members. (Craig Setari took over the bass duties in 1992.) I previously stated that the only group that could hold a candle to Agnostic Front‘s kingliness is Sick Of It All, and while I stand by that, I cannot help myself from thinking that the band we’re discussing today is among the greatest live acts of any genre to ever take the stage. Although it’s been about ten years since my first Sick Of It All show (with Indecision and Shai Hulud, no less) I can’t help but become filled with a rush of nostalgia coupled with heartfelt appreciation for the experience that the Koller bros. & Co. gave to me that night. If you’ve seen them, then you’re nodding your head. If you haven’t, I implore you to take advantage of the fact that these NYHC all-stars have the hearts of lions and the energy of sixteen-year-olds. To get everyone’s mind right, we’re going to do something a bit different today by exclusively listening to live versions of a band that is the true embodiment of hardcore.
“Freedom – A right I’ll always have / one that no one can take away, no matter what it is they try / because the flame of freedom burns deep down inside of me.“
In 1987, Sick Of It All released its first 7” on Revelation Records, almost all of which was soon re-recorded in 1989 on the band’s first full-length, Blood, Sweat and No Tears via Relativity Records. To this day, the group’s nineteen-track, thirty-minute-long debut remains one of the greatest hardcore albums of all time, if not thee greatest. With short, fast, thought-provoking songs that are all amazingly distinct, it’s definitely within the realm of possibility for one to consider him- or herself a “die-hard” fan without ever having heard anything else. Why? Unlike many discographies, this is the band’s core album, as every other album branches out from it. One thing that makes Blood, Sweat and No Tears so special is the fact that these songs were worked and re-worked over a period of four or so years, and they maintain a true sense of youthfulness to them. After all, hardcore is a very youthful subculture, one that is filled with high-energy, participation, defiance and the desire to be a part of something. It plays into our nature, and it’s up to us whether or not we play back.
“Living in this world that’s full of hate, I just try to keep to myself. / People gonna fuck with you anyway, they just can’t leave you alone. / Giving you advice you don’t wanna hear, like their lives are so great. / All of their lies filled me with anger and hate. / There’s always someone watching every move you make.”
A few years after Blood, Sweat and No Tears lit a fire to Queens and the rest of New York, Relativity followed by pressing the equally-energetic Just Look Around, on which the group began to incorporate more of a crossover sound and some slower, bass-driven songs into its repertoire. One year later, Sick Of It All signed a five year (or two album) contract with EastWest Records, which furthered the band’s rising popularity. Scratch The Surface and Built To Last, both of which were catchier examples of Sick Of It All‘s songwriting capabilities, allowed the band to tour worldwide for the first time, nearly ten years after its inception. It was during this time that Germany’s now defunct Lost and Found Records released Live In A World Full Of Hate, which features the tracks to which we are hopefully now therapeutically jamming.
“Look in our past and what do you see, history of violence for centuries. / The truth isn’t written in history’s page, this is the source of frustration and rage. / We have no rights to ask for your trust, to gain your acceptance we’ll do what we must. / We’ll make a stand for whatever’s right, we’ll make a stand equal and tight.”
After Sick Of It All‘s tenure was up with EastWest Records, the group signed to Fat Wreck Chords, which is owned by NOFX‘s Fat Mike (who really hates the RIAA.) The decision to sign with an less-hard, American punk label came along with some bad cover art and a more progressive sound that was a turnoff to some of the older fans — Call To Arms, Yours Truly and the fan-acclaimed “comeback” album, Life On The Ropes. Following the Fat Wreck Chords trio, Century Media Records took interest in the group (around the time that Metal Blade signed Agnostic Front,) and released Sick Of It All‘s final two albums to date, namely Death To Tyrants and Based On A True Story. The production on the latest two records contain a much heavier and perhaps even more metallic sound.
“Don’t you realize the real power comes from down inside you / When are you gonna wake up and face up to reality?!“
As part of this week’s therapy, I would like to ask everyone to share a memory or two from a time during which they experienced Sick Of It All in a live setting. If Last Rites is lucky enough, maybe we’ll even hear from a lucky bastard or two who got to go on stage and sing “Rat Pack.” Also as a follow-up assignment, I expect those who haven’t to go out and buy Blood, Sweat and No Tears as you prepare for your first Wall Of Death Braveheart moment.
“Nobody CRIES as the innocent DIE and the guilty go FREE in this world – FULL OF HATE! Struggle and STRIVE just to live our LIVES as we try to SURVIVE in this world – FULL OF HATE!”
