CAMP KOALA - Why Art? (2016)

Camp Koala is a trio (well, a quartett soon) from Budapest. I can't miss to mention that the members also playing/played in Fuseism, Girls Say Yes and Mayberian Sanskülotts.

After a great demo and a split tape, Why Art? is their first full length. Ok, let me argue on this a bit, because there are only 2 new songs on the record, and there are also some from the demo and the split tape. (It remembers me how sad I was when Neon Piss released their LP with reused songs). However, the songs are good, influenced by Dischord bands, Revolution Summer and Riot Grrrl sound (bands they also like to mention: Polvo, Meat Puppets, Navio Forge, Please Inform The Captian This Is A Hijack, Cat Power, Bikini Kill, Hüsker Dü ..etc). Basically it's sounds like punks playing catchy, noisy, mainly sad pop song, with lyrics heavy influenced by politics, mainly feminism and sexism. They are a very active band, playing a bunch of shows, touring, making videos and fazines. So, Why Art? is 8 songs, came out on tape via Normafa Records. Ah, and there are 2 remixes which I don't really like and feel a bit superfluous, but whatever.

LISTEN / BUY / DOWNLOAD: https://campkoala.bandcamp.com/album/why-art

The band is performing "Warm" at Wave Record Store in april 2016:

BEROSSZULÁS - Pszichopata (Új Élet cover)

Another preview from the cover compilation record which will focus on the 80's hungarian punk/hardcore bands. The compilation will be out soon on El Bastardo Records, the title will be "Egy dicső nemzet kifordult gyomra" (Twisted stomatch of a glorious nation). This is an Új Élet cover from Berosszulás.

ÖNKIIRTÁS - S/T (2016)

Önkiirtás is one of the newest band from Szombathely. As Szombathely is a great hotbed of new noises and a lot of great bands comes form that practice room where 8-10 guys play music in 8-10 bands (ok, almost) they have members from other bands, like Youth Violence, Gross Out, Who Sows Violence Reaps Storm ...etc. Their demo was also a killer one, but these 4 new songs are even better. Rigid, cold blooded hardcore with heavy, knife-to-the-bone riffs and smart, massy lyrics.

LISTEN/BUY: https://permaculturerecords.bandcamp.com/album/nkiirt-s

This record is out on 7". Get yours from Permaculture Records (if you prefer skin-punks) or from Mindig otthon punk discs (if you prefer raging bookworms) or directly from the band. Awesome cover artwork is made by Anna Mészáros.

If you are in Hungary in the beginning of june, release shows will be at Budapest (3rd) and Szeged (4th).

Önkiirtás / picture by Tamas Bernath

FAKE SHAKES - 80's hungarian punk cover compilation preview

Fake Shakes (which is my band, sorry for the shameless self promo) is recorded a cover song from a hungarian punk band called Rettegett Iván for a compilation which focuses on the 80's hungarian punk/hardcore bands. The compilation will be out soon on El Bastardo Records, The title will be "Egy dicső nemzet kifordult gyomra" (Twisted stomatch of a glorious nation). Of course if the full compilation will be available, I'll post it here.

ORBÁN NÉPE documentary (2016)

This blog was on hiatus then, but as I informed you in the returning post, last year four of the bests hungarian hardcore/punk bands (Norms/Rákosi/Youth Violece/Diskobra) released an LP called "Orbán népe" (means: people of Orbán).

"Actually, this could be our "Rock against Bush", because the main theme of the record is our shitty prime minister, Viktor Orbán and the athmosphere of Hungary today (aligning itself with the communist era of the county, between the sixties and the nineties). Of course it is way better than Rock against Bush." as I wrote back then.

Now we have a short documentary (made for a school project), which presents the situation of the hungarian punk scene and the situation of hungarian people nowadays, through these bands. English subtitles are available, you just need to click on the right icon I guess.

you can listen to the actual record here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGXRtolbpLY

The documentary:

PASSIVISTS - Late again (2016)

Passivists is also from Szeged, with the members of (a lot of) other bands from that area. One of the most interesting bands from that buzzing scene. Their music is great mixture of things which are good in hardcore-punk: On one hand it is fast and simple but on the other hand it is smart and filled with catchy riffs, but te biggset charm of this demo is the enthusiastism, what creates great athmosphere around the band. The first band which came into my mind was Lumber Lung when I listened to them. 

I was really looking forward this demo, as their first video from their first show came out like 3 years ago. Just in time! If you are in Budapest for the summer, you can check them out on this show with Snob (uk), Nachhexen (uk), Rákosi and more.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: https://passivists.bandcamp.com/album/late-again

Passivists @ Budapest, Müszi

ARGUMENT CLINIC - Argument Is An Intellectual Process (2016)

Argument Clinic is a one of the biggest child from the hot nest of Szeged, Hungary. They had some lineup changes since the last record, and their music is evolved as well. They are still walking on catchy melodies, but those melodies are more melancholic than ever. Pop-punk riffs became more post punkish, like if the Marked Men would start to cover Hot Snakes songs (or vica versa). Perfect fit for these boring, gray spring days. 5 new songs including a great Grauzone cover.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: https://argumentclinic.bandcamp.com/album/argument-is-an-intellectual-process

the band is doing band things

Live stuff:

HERION - Demo (2016)

Herion is Budapest's newest defekt punks related band, with members of Wryness, Pigpride, Zen Fascists and so on. One word comes into my mind about their music: Smart. I know it sounds boring, but it is not forced or overplayed or something like this: In one hand it's fast, raw, but on the other hand it is melodic and post-punkish, great mix of things which are good in punk. Also good thing that the guitarist has his own sound and style (ok, not that unique, but I like it very much), and because of this fact, Herion remembers me to his other, practically dead band, Wryness, which is one of my fav hungarian bands. They just had their first show yesterday, was good and then was fun talking about midlife problems and pleasures with the guitarist on the night bus.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD:
https://herion.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2016

BEROSSZULÁS - S/T (2016)

Another trio from Budapest's so called defect scene, formed by the members of Norms, Chappai Ai, Mt. Kaliash, Piss Crystals and many more. Berosszulás plays very simple raging noise-punk, but by their own words their music is that simple that sometimes is just black metal. Think bands like Hoax or Lowest Form. They had a demo tape so far, released by Szégyen kazetták, this EP with 8 new songs is released on 7" by Pizza Days records tomorrow. Budapest dudes, you can grap your copy at this show. Others can order it from the label or from the band. Stop doing drugs if you can't enjoy it's benefits!

LISTEN/BUY/DOWNLOAD: http://berosszulas.bandcamp.com/album/s-t

PISS CRYSTALS - Túl nagy felelősség (2016)

Piss Crystals is a freaky trio from Budapest's filthiest practice room facility, where a lot of strange music is born. Members are playing in other good bands like Norms, Berosszulás, the guitar player has like 1000 bands/projets. These bands also had some relases when the blog was inactive, definitely worth to check them out.

They have evolved a lot since their first demo, playing less cathcy riffs and partically leaving the concept of writing "songs". They just don't care. So if you do not really know what is happening that is fine. Seriously though, they are really just play what they want to play, along with stupid and funny ideas and a bunch of noise of course. I know it sounds a silly cliche, but this time it's really true. Very long progrock jams under the big infuence of shitty hungarian classic rock music, only a few - but great - catchy punk riffs, creating this strange swamp-of-noise sound, and the added distorded shouting results a really good mix for dance in your room or at a not too crowded house party.

This record will be out on tape by Szégyen kazetták.

the band in Antwerpen

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: https://pisscrystals.bandcamp.com/

WEB: http://pysscrystals.tumblr.com/

I had the opportunity to tour with them two times in europe, this video was recorded in Antwerp.

Blog is back

Hello again,

It seems that I have time and mood to share hungarian punk music again on this blog. Good bands had great releases while the blog was down, but I won't go back, just will posting about the new ones from now. If you think that I only can write positive things that is because I will only post my favourites.

Ok, of course there is an exception for the best hungarian album from last year called "Orbán népe" (means: people of Orbán), which is a 4-way split of Norms/Rákosi/Youth Violece/Diskobra, released on LP by Permaculture Records. Actually, this could be our "Rock against Bush", because the main theme of the record is our shitty prime minister, Viktor Orbán and the athmosphere of Hungary today (aligning itself with the communist era of the county, between the sixties and the nineties). Of course it is way better than Rock against Bush.


You still can buy it here: https://permaculturerecords.bandcamp.com/album/orb-n-n-pe-feat-norms-r-kosi-diskobra-youth-violence

...I guess there are some dead links on the older posts, send me an email if you need something from those.

oi oi

V/A - A year of hungarian hardcore/punk/whatever scene (2013)

This year I was too lazy for writing posts for every good record, but I made this ~27-minute-long compilation mix with Hungary's finest punk related songs of 2013. I need to mention again: It’s not like a "this is Hungarian punk/hardcore scene" compilation, just my favourite songs/bands from this year. I'm really glad that this mix turned out to be so colourful again, it reflects well the colourfulness of our otherwise small scene. That's what I like in it! Enjoy this mixtape and feel free to share it with your friends. Thank you!

STREAM/DOWNLOAD:
https://soundcloud.com/forwantof/va-a-year-of-hungarian-punk

Buda

Hungarian Scene Report from the new MaximumRockAndRoll

You can read the full MRR article here:

http://punkersblock.blogspot.hu/2013/12/hungarian-scene-report-unedited.html

You can also read some sweet lines about our scene from Mish Way (White Lung) and John (Street Eaters)

http://awkwardraging.tumblr.com/post/68890569044/to-finish-this-raving-around-the-hungarian-scene

Huge update #1

I had a long break during the summer and the autumn due to giving a fuck about blogging and some work around boring places. I collected some records I missed (and some brand new ones) into two unusual, recapitulative posts. So this is what happened so far:

ANOTHER WAY - AZ IDŐ RÖVID TÖRTÉNETE

Every time when Another Way has a new record I have to ralize that they are the best hungarian band. They are really perfect. It's fast, it's dark and depressive but not that hipster bullshit stuff. Real hardcore/punk, maybe this time with too much metallic influences, but they are still amazing. Besides music, their lyrics makes them one of the bests bands. Ok, sometimes a bit to much conspiration theory influence (no chemtrails at least) but the messase is still like what you want to sing along with clenched hands. Perfect record as always.

LISTEN: http://anotherway666.bandcamp.com/

PISS CRYSTALS - HAM-CHEMIKALIEN WUNDERBARE GEDICHTEN 2

Summer is over but bummer is still on. This bands is still funny for me - there is a guy who can't stand any melodic music, only listening to fast blast whatever harsh noise (maybe some fast hardcore punk on the happiest days) and once somebody shows him a Dino Jr record. I really want to think that this band formed like this. What I like very much in them it is that they are always unpredictable. I mean they're playing in a style but they always had new ideas and those are turning out always well: rap sessions? check. covering a classic metal song about the lord of the rings? check. rudimantari peny cover? check. Who knows what's next, but this is what goes on.:

LISTEN: https://pisscrystals.bandcamp.com/

THINK AGAIN - THE LAST THOUGHTS

As Think Again slowly evolved from a youth crew hardcore band to a metallic hardcore band, they get better and better. Too bad, that their new record is the last one as well as the band had the last show last month. So, these three songs are the top product - for me - of the years of Think Again. Maybe this is the right time for splitting up - the members have some new(er) bands (Mudpie, Fuseism, Exterminating Angel, Wasted Struggle ..etc), some of them are better than TA, some of them aren't, it's a question of musical taste. RIP.

LISTEN: http://thinkagain666.bandcamp.com/

FAKE SHAKES - AVOIDING THE TRUTH

New EP of our band. It was like the Chinese Democracy for us. I don't like to write about our stuff so... This EP is definitely Shorter Faster and Louder than the demo, if you know what I mean. Destroy pop punk forever.

LISTEN: https://fakeshakes.bandcamp.com/

NORMS - S/T

Knife-wielding, psycho-noisy hardcore, which on the one hand reflects to the dark and cold side of living in budapest as a bookworm pizza-lover drunky punk and on the other hand it shows the simplicity of survive on this place. Ok, maybe I overcomplicated this a bit, maybe they are really just knife-wielding, pizza lover beerhardcore dudes. But it's a fact that their shows are my favs these days. This record also came out on a 7" vinyl (it's rare thing in hungary) with the help of Permaculture Records.

LISTEN: http://normsbp.bandcamp.com/

BLACK MONGO - 1020 (DEMO)

A demo with one of my fav Hot Snakes song's cover?? Yes! A new band with Hot Snakes sound in Hungary? Finally! This demo is brand new, just came out yesterday. I don't know much about them, I hope I'll when they will start playing live shows next year.

LISTEN: http://blackmongo.bandcamp.com/

----------------

Huge update #2 is coming in 2 weeks, I guess..

Here is a video about a great day we had some weeks ago.

Zen Fascists - We Will Control You (demo)

ZF is the band we started with my oldest-best-friends after our band, Plan Beer - which was our first real band ever - stopped playing music actively. Our drummer moved to az another country, we moved to Budapest, but we still wanted to playing music together. Okay, we had still-born projects (guys gonna kill me for this) but after all we started writing songs and practice them from week to week. Some months later we recorded this demo and get a new guy for playing bass and to make the band complete. Thats all, I don't really like to talking about my babies. We'll have some cool shows with cool bands in the next weeks.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: http://zenfascists.bandcamp.com/

KONTAKT: http://www.facebook.com/zenfascists

Buda

Tumo - Megint Jönnek // live

One of the bests hungarian bands right now. Download their demo from here.

Angstfilled - Demo

Angfilled is a special thing for me. We started this band at the end of August in 2011, then we played our first show in October with RVIVR. That was the last show for me, because I left the band after it. But that was a great period, in spite of being a short one. The band kinda split up and nothing happened until some weeks ago when the guys said that they would record the songs we wrote and maybe would play shows again. This demo was released some days ago, and we played a show together (I mean Angstfilled and my band) last Saturday. So Angstfilled is active again, maybe they'll take a new guitarist too. To be honest it's a good thing to hear these songs again. Even if they were kinda too melodic for me, I liked (and still like) them.

I like when poppunk bands have balls and when it's not just about picking up girls in nice hats. Punk is a serious tag. I had the pleasure to see poppy kids playing their poseour catchy stuff and call themselves pop-punk. Yes, maybe I am a grumpy old man, but there needs to be something behind punk, and I always feel that I have to defent poppunk (hahaha) against the trends. I just wanted to say, that Angstfilled have balls. That's all.

LISTEN / DOWNLOAD: http://angstfilled.bandcamp.com/

CONTACT: https://www.facebook.com/Angstfilled

Tumo - Tumo (demo)

Tumo is the new formation of the Lömbihead guys with a new drummer and some position changes on guitars. Wow, I'm really impressed. They kept the cigarette-cheap alcohol-boredom smell in their lyrics-and attitude, which was the essence of Lömihead, but the music has became something better: fine indie(sorrysorrysorry)-proto-drug-punk jamming that reminds me of Milk Music a bit (I mean the guitar sound mostly). Okay it could be because I listened to Milk Music's new record today too.

These are the guys who will brake your guitar in the practice room during drunk jamming but you can't be mad at them. One of these guys was always late from work (yeah we were employees together in a warehouse) and told me his sex stories while he was still half drunk. Well I spoke about the guitar player / singer here, however, the bass player is one of the modest guys I know, haha.
So I'm glad that these lovely guys are doing a band together again. I remember how Lömbihead impressed me when I heard their demo for the first time, but I can say that Tumo is even better. I missed their first practice room show, but I heard that they are awesome live. If they are as crazy as Lömbi was, this band will be one of my new favs.

LISTEN / DOWNLOAD: http://tumo.bandcamp.com/album/tumo

WEB: https://www.facebook.com/tumoarpadfold

Rákosi - IV.

Hey, as usual, I just want to say: The hardest magyars are back! The hardest magyars are back! 4 and a half minutes of heavy moonshine drinking in the hungarian lowland, called Alföld.

LISTEN / DOWNLOAD: http://rakosivipera.bandcamp.com/album/iv

(photo: tamas barnath)

Buda

Diskobra - Diskobra

Diskobra is a one man project with some help on drums, but as I know it will be a full band in the future. What could I say about this record? If you heard fine d-beat crusty hardcorepunk before then you heard this one too. But I mean this on a positive way, you know, you'll get what you expect: short, raw punk songs about the bullshit around you day by day, between gray block of flats on the dark weekdays without any hope to escape. You know, just the basic things, haha. This is why this record is awesome. On the one hand you'll get what you expect, but this is what d-beat punk is all about. On the other hand this stuff stands out from the rest, well,  for me.

The 'brain' of this record could be familiar for you from the finest hungarian raw punk band Human Error. Suprising? So if you need some new anthems to sing (too bad for non-hungarians) or just shake your fists for some words you understand, or event just for the killer d-beat rhytm, here's what you need. Also good for the public transport on the way to your workplace - trust me, I've tried.

LISTEN: http://diskobra.bandcamp.com/

DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/?gdttv4a3v65l6kd

Buda