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Evan Jones's avatar

CBGB’s hardcore matinees were definitely before the late 80’s. From 80-84 they were happening on Sunday. FYI. Great article.

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

Hi Evan, Thanks for the confirmation - they must have run for a decade or so. And glad you enjoyed the article, hopefully more on here will tickle fancies, though it can be wildly varied in terms of musical content. The way I like it. Cheers

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Tim Rogers's avatar

Wunnerful Tony. Being a pasty peripheral but having an older brother and best mate who were rabid about hardcore then grindcore with weekly tales from the shows 85-91 in Sydney and elsewhere on the isle, now being a pasty peripheral with the Hard Ons and hearing all their stories from touring internationally in the years that to the "purists" may've been after the Big Bang, but the passion and community and GREAT records n shows....even now we play on bills with ferocious groups who doff a cap to the classics but rip it up with their own spirit and power. Steven's book is awesome, glad he's doing well. And to you Maestro.

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

Thanks so much Tim, always enjoy reading your comments here and it would be interesting to know of more about the hardcore scene down under. I am glad you read through and parts of it resonated w ith you.

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Peter Aaron's avatar

This is great, Tony. You really nailed it. Thanks for these keen, right-on-the-money observations — and for coming out!

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

Thanks Peter.

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Dino Corvino's avatar

I loved this. But, I also think the orthodoxy of individuals like John Joseph or Earth Crisis stifles it all. Freedom for them, not for others. There is a lot of purity testing in almost all waves of hardcore music. But I am glad you wrote this.

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

Thanks Dino, not going to disagree with you if you know individuals in particular. As a film made in 2006 when a lot of the scenesters were still active and/or at least with us, it is an excellent time capsule for sure.

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Dino Corvino's avatar

Oh no, I saw it. I loved it. I think sadly, the later voice of John Joseph dominating the internet in a way that bummed me out.

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Seth Lorinczi's avatar

Love this, Tony! And at the risk of sounding gauche, I have to agree that "Pay to Cum" is, indeed, seminal....

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

Thank Seth.

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Van Bollé's avatar

The turnout was great to the screening, and chatting with a bunch of the og hardcore heads at the afterparty next door was a bit of a trip. Steven’s bonus hardcore slideshow of additional pix and flyers of the time, at said afterparty, also confirmed the story from the film that Moby did indeed sit in as lead singer for Flipper for 2 shows at the age of 16. That confirmation came straight from the singer of the opening band of those shows, who was also hanging out watching the slideshow (and wearing a great DRI shirt).

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

I'd be interested to know of the credentials of some of the others at Monday's event - it was evident that many had been on the scene. It must have been about 10:30pm or so that Steven got round to that slideshow and I was long gone. That took me back to old NYC hours. Good to see you there.

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Van Bollé's avatar

Steven has been posting a bunch of pix from the night on his insta, tagging some of the attendees and their bonafides - take a peep when you get the chance

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Uncle Maxie's avatar

does seem a bit fanciful, far-fetched, that’s the American way to bamboozle the audience, KABOOM!!!

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

You are a quick reader!

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