Headstrong - st (2002)

I have no doubt most people will hate this, personally, I love it.

They started in the early 90's as Bomb32, in Toronto, and were lumped in with 311, Helmet etc. They changed their name to Headstrong and were signed to RCA who jumped on them after a huge wave of public support and could no doubt could smell money.

They recorded this, their only album, in London, Ontario and it was quickly released. In a disgusting show of corporate greed RCA dropped the band 6 months after the albums release, due to poor sales. Disillusioned the band called it quits and split up. Joel Krass posted some of the demos they were working on prior to the split on youtube.

Consisting of:-

Matt Kinna - Vocals
Joel Krass - Guitar
Joe Cohen - Bass
Brian Matthews -  Drums


These guys can really play thier instruments. I'd loved to have heard more from them and this album should be wider knwon. It's not punk, but it's as powerful as hell and has all the vitriol and angst of punk. Enjoy/hate - whatever. :)

The softest track, and single, from the album.

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I've loaded 5 of the 12 tracks so you can get a feeling for what they were like. The album is still available on amazon or iTunes, so if you like it pop over there and buy it; it's only £8 and the band deserve to get their cut.

One of the unreleased tracks.

The Dischords - st (1982)

One of those infamous records you chased for years, but never manage to grab.

Formed in 1980 in Montreal by Guitarist Dave Valente and Drummer Frank Heidt they recruited childhood friends, and brothers,  Tim and Terry Hindley. They started as a covers band taking their lead from the British bands and Ramones. They soon developed a reputation as an exciting live band and gathered a good local following.

The band also had a reputation as being violent and this carried over to their shows where fights were common place. They were big on the local scene, but rarely made it outside of their own ground to gig. By 1983 they'd split. This record was recorded in '82, with no picture sleeve, and only 1000 copies.

There's reportedly a demo recorded in 82, but, sadly,I don't have it. Anyway, this is a great slab of punk rock, enjoy.

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Personality Crisis - Creatures for Awile (1983)

There's certain bands you listen to and end up feeling lucky and robbed at the same time. When I listen to this I can't help feeling sad as it's soooooo good I wish they'd recorded more. Personality Crisis were an instant hit with me from the very first hearing and where ever I go I have a copy of this, car, ipod, desktop, laptop it's a constant. If I were to construct a top 50 albums list this would definitely be in there, I absolutely love it.

Hailing from Winnipeg they formed in 79' as Le Kille morphing into Personality Crisis around '81 and splitting up all too soon in 84'. I imagine most people have heard this, but just wanted to throw it out there just in case. They should have been huge.

Chris Walter has written a good biography on the band that's worth checking out Find it here

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