SCENE REPORT
Made by VORTEX (BEL) - 1988
Just a little country (little mind), lost inside a sprawling Europe ? What is going on with the Hardcore Scene ? Read this scenereport right now, and you will know everything, and even more.
Belgium is split into two areas: Flanders and Wallonia. Then we have two languages: Dutch and French. From these twp communities, one is dynamic and alive, while the other is inactive and dull. It's from the latter that we are writing you this scene report. Our name, it's Vortex, and we will present us in a while. If we have agreed to make this scenereport, it's because the thing has not yet been made before, we tyhink, and also because too many people, from aborad, are used to think that Belgium is just a country without advantages.
The Dirty Scums
Eardamage - Zyklome A
Vortex
Heibel
Capital Scum
Hatecrew
Seattle
Get Stuffed
Sponky Business
Cold Turkey
Full Time Drinkers
Xcreta
Chaotic Contrast
Creep Insanity
Jonge Helden
Bad Influence
Ripping Trash
Everything needs a start, and first, we have choosen THE Belgian Punk Band. Let me present you ...
THE DIRTY SCUMS (2 LPs, 2 singles)
If Wallonia has its funny punk Kids with Vortex, here is their Flemish counterpart, created in 1982. In short, the little terrors of the Menapien Punk (this is not a disparaging word, but rather a historical and geographical reference). A lot has been said in Belgium about their two LPs: Sham 69 followers, revolutionists & good livings, '77mads, veterans of real punkmusic. I will only add a thing, The Dirty Scums is the only group I know that is able to stay on a scene and make trash during two hours, and this without boring their audience. They are also the only ones who have the right to claim that they have made more than a hundred gigs in Belgium. Keep on playing tough music, and never lose your sense of humor. If Belgian punk has a sin, it surely comes from The Dirty Scums. They have released a new single which is more a joke about pure rock'n'roll.
Discography
Dirty Songs - LP - Dirty Records
Martens, jij ouwe rukker - single - Dirty Records
Full Speed Ahead ! - LP - Dirty Records
5th Anniversary Gig - C60 - Dirty Records
'Rit'n zat te skit'n ... - single - Dirty Records
EARDAMAGE - ZYKLOME A (2 LPs, 1 split-7", 1 compilation)
A lot has been said about Zyklome A, but I think they should be thanked for having, at least, made the first Belgian Hardcore-LP and moreover, their record was full of energy (and also full of mistakes, but that's another problem). Aggressivness and speed were their major qualities, helped by clever lyrics, but please, forget their first LP's cover, a bit too much "international picture postcard" for tourists only (if Belgium restricts itself to the Manneken-Pis, what do !). Just a little blame: drums were a bit too repetitive. Their first split-single with Moral Demolition is well confirmed by this LP. Due to problems with drugs, the band has been forced to take another guitarplayer, and then Eardamage was created. This is formed by Mark and Bie (Zyklome A) and also by Dirk (ex-Koyaanisquatsi). They are continuing to follow the style of music they played before, i.e. efficiency, coupled with a more heavy-metal sound. However, the recording of their first LP (Eardamage) is a little too low, with vocals rather straightforward.
Discography Zyklome A
Split-single with Moral Demolition
Alle 24 goed - compilation-LP - Punk Etc.
Made in Belgium - LP - Punk Etc.
Discography Eardamage
Progress of Humanity - LP - Hageland Hardcore
VORTEX (1 compilation, 1 split-LP, 1 LP)
And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to introduce ourselves. We have been playing since 1981 and have made about sixty gigs, mainly in Belgium. We can claim, without pretentiousness, that we are the most famous band of Wallonia, for we surely are the only ones to have reached and gone beyond the stage of an LP. The release of our last record has been for us the occasion to create our own label: Strike Records. We also learned the problems you face with self-production. If there is a thing in the world that we hate, it's labels. This is why we don't like to have to say that we play pure hardcore, because we are sometimes infuenced by speedmetal. We are open to all music styles. We like to be ambiguous in our lyrics, and this asks for a little maturity from our audience. We wish to make gigs the more often than possible, in Belgium and abroad.
Discography
Alle 24 goed - compilation-LP - Punk Etc.
Vortex/No Debt - split-LP - Punk Etc.
Le Clan des Chaotiques - LP - Strike Records
HEIBEL (1 LP)
Probably the most American of all Belgian bands. In Belgium, some people like a more American sound, others don't, and it's not the aim of this scenereport to take position. Indeed, Heibel is between Excel and Suicidal Tendencies. I think it's the ony Belgian punkband to have made a record with a foreign company (COR Records).
Discography
Yeah, Everything's great - LP - COR Records
CAPITAL SCUM (1 LP, 1 single, 1 compilation)
At first Capital Scum is a very active band on the Belgian scene. Their first single was powerful, with tough music and compositions. However, it's bad that, too often, the recording quality doesn't follow. Nevertheless, this record was full of promise for a beginning. Their LP "Tsjerno Kills" leaves the feeling of a more oriented professionalism (enhanced recording quality, deeper lyrics, softend vocals), but spontanity suffers a bit. Compared to their first single, this LP feels more American. Note the change of singer after this album.
Discography
Alle 24 goed - compilation-LP - Punk Etc.
Clutch the flag - single - Hageland Hardcore
Tsjerno Kills - LP - Hageland Hardcore
HATECREW (1 LP)
With this record, the Punk Etc. studio is at the top of its capabilities. Here is a record which won't pass unnoticed and which will prevent the Belgian scene from collapsing against foreign competition. This group is strong, got a bit of imagination, has the right singer for their music, a super-guitarplayer, and a drummer not too bad also. The use of a 24-track studio must also be for something on this. Nothing to say about the lyrics and their attractive cover and inner sleeve, just right ! You will also find here a strong American influence (once more).
Discography
Silent Rage - LP - Punk Etc.
A band which was called The Misery in the past. They are usually seen at a lot of gigs in Flanders, and each time, pogo and atmosphere are there. Their music has evolved from punk to now rather hardcore. Their singer is an Exploited-fan and has a '77-look.
They have begun with playing in a purely punk style, and have slowly evolved towards a more powerful hardcore. There have been a lot of positive reactions on this band in Belgium.
SPONKY BUSINESS (1 LP)
It's a true punkband, playing a pure and strong punkmusic. Their record is made of very good songs, but is a little deceptive concerning production. After the release of their record, some changes were made inside the band. Now they are playing a more speedmetal music. Note that they openly state they hate hardcore.
Discography
So What !? - LP -
They unfortunately splitted a few times ago. They have made a lot of gigs in Flanders and have appeared on the live tape, released for the 5th birthday of The Dirty Scums. Their music was located between hardcore and punk.
Some gigs, before eventually splitting. A story rather tumultuous, splitted a first time, reformed for a few weeks, and finally splitted a second time. They have been victims of a lack of rehearsal room.
Another production from Punk Etc. For some times, they have been a little glory in Belgium, and this for two reasons: they have appeared during trash increase in Belgium and the quality of their record was higher than usual.
Discography
Patronizing the Hererodox - LP - Punk Etc.
Recently formed (December 1987), Chaotic Contrast has already made some gigs. They play bullshitcore and want to release in some time their first demo. They are currently facing the problem to find a definite drummer. They are also organizing gigs and are editing a fanzine.
They play a high-quality trashmetal and their guitarplayer is rather skilled. Unfortunately, a lot of stereotypes is found in their music. They have splitted some time ago, to be finally reformed with the same members. A lot of problems between straightedge-mentality of a part of the group and a member who likes beer a bit too much !
They are playing with two guitars and their music is rather slow, in contrast with the majority of Belgian bands.
Their music comes from some English bands and they do not want to change the world. They are trying, with their music, to change the self behaviour of people. For them, such bands as D.R.I. and Suicidal Tendencies are no more than pop bands. It's not enough to make a record to give a message but you must have something to say ... Their leitmotiv: "Together we are stronger than we think".
New band located between hardcore and trash. Made by an ex-Repulsive and an ex-Creep Insanity. Even if their lyrics are engaged, they refuse to speak about politics.
Unfortunately, there is a particular kind of criticism in Belgium. For instance, Hageland refuses to let The Dirty Scums and Vortex play on the gigs he organises. Nabate, who have understood nothing about our message (Vortex) refuses to distribute us. The Belgian scene will be able to grow only if we are helping each other. With greetings, Vortex.