The value of recording your songs.

I was having a late night conversation with a buddy of mine and we got into talking about the local hardcore punk community and how there’s a ton of new bands coming up but how come there are no reviews of them posted in this blog. I got into thinking about the reasons for it since I’m present at about 70% of shows (or higher if I hadn’t been too damn busy) so there was definitely no chance of missing out on some of the recorded materials available at shows and I guess I’m pretty updated on new stuff thru local networks and sht.

The only answer we came up with is that bands DON’T seem to be interested in recording and releasing their songs anymore. The usual lifetime of a local band would be to: practice (by practice, it usually means doing covers and probably one or two original songs), invite yourself to a show (easier if you know a show organizer), play some more shows (once every three months usually with the same set list), get lazy (usually for more than a year or so), “reunite” (perhaps make one new song) and then die (or repeat the process for two to three times).

I’ve seen this happen to a lot of good bands (and a lot more crappy ones) and they complete this cycle without even recording anything which to me is just PLAIN DUMB. Remember how you got into punk rock? Usually it’s thru mixed tapes (or CD-Rs), zines, thanks list, then you listen to their RECORDED output, read the lyrics and probably changed your life for the better. Do you also remember when we always thought of hardcore punk as MORE THAN MUSIC?

How can you reach out to your “crowd” when you do not even bother to record your songs, print the lyrics and sell or give it away at shows or thru mailorder? Do you expect the crowd to pick up the words to your songs through your incessant growls or whining (depends on what genre you play)? How do we know if we agree on what we’re moshing and stage-diving for if you don’t give us an opportunity to read and learn whatever the fck it is you are singing about? That phrase MORE THAN MUSIC is slowly but surely losing its value.

When a band records a demo, you instantly give a chance to everybody to check you out and this recorded material will live forever. Never mind this digital age of ipods, mediafire, rapidshare, etc. Nothing beats buying or being handed out a demo of a new band after a show or thru mail, learning the words to their songs, identifying about your anger to the world, then let it all out the next time you watch them!

There is no shortage of amazing local hardcore punk bands. In fact, there’s too many that we immediately lose count. What we need are for these amazing bands to get their sht together and record and release (physically!) these materials and to not just post them on the f’n web. Sure it’s a great way to check out a band but ask yourself how many files have you downloaded but for one reason or another forgot to listen to again.

Are the newer bands today just lazy? When asked about their recorded output, they usually say “yeah, we got a couple of songs ready. We just don’t have enough money yet”. Give me a break. If you’re really that poor, borrow a digital camera or video camera to record your practice. Use your high-end phones to do so. In this day and age of digital recording, there is NO MORE EXCUSE for you not to record your sht. For sure it beats hanging out a day in Singalong to record a live ten-song demo with all of your friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon (though I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything) or hanging out on a Holy Saturday in the empty streets of Manila to record your new songs in a better studio.

Another lame-ass excuse is “yeah, we’re about to record. We just need to write six more songs to release a full-length”. Yeah, it’s never gonna happen. Don’t wait too long or else you will just be drawn into the abyss of bands who never get to record their songs. If you have four or five songs (depending on the length), go out and record these if you’re ready! And please, don’t call it a “CDEP” or something, just call it a DEMO if such is the quality and you’re not ready to “professionally” duplicate your materials.

Recording your songs is in itself a rewarding experience and a great way to get your message across. You’ll definitely make a lot of people happy, even those in the far-flung places who never get to see you play. And who knows? Maybe you can change the outlook of a “regular” kid and make him love this thing of ours forever.

Here’s an interesting thought on how would you want your band to be remembered: a. because of a print on a shirt, b. because it is awesome to floorpunch to your show or c. because some kid read your lyrics, fell in love with your music and changed his life forever?

Currently listening to: Miles Away 'Endless Roads'

PS. In response to this article, the NCI crew will be having another edition of the 'New Blood' series. The catch would be the participating bands should have materials for sale, trade, distribution, or to give away in that show. So far, the response has been really positive! If your band or your friend's band would like to play, send us a message or something! Check out: http://www.diypinoyhcpunk.com/t1815-nci-no-42-new-blood-again