There's been a big explosion of bands in Montreal in the
past three years. There are more and more bands working together to make
the scene bigger and better. These are the bands that are most interesting
to us and are very close to us as well.PE #36: SCENE REPORTS
MONTREAL SCENE REPORT
Hello to all the active punks around the world!
Our names are Janick, Wag, and Yan, and we got together to write this scene report to inform people of what's going on in the Montreal scene.
The punk scene started here in the early 80's, the bands were mostly hardcore and punk rock. What we could call Crustcore started with Shitfit in the summer of 1991 and then Global Holocaust, and a bunch of other local bands.
There's been a big explosion of bands in Montreal in the
past three years. There are more and more bands working together to make
the scene bigger and better. These are the bands that are most interesting
to us and are very close to us as well.
Up Against: These mad bastards started in the beginning 1995. They play aggressive crust core with Scandinavian influences, the singer has released their two 7"s on his own label: Drunk records. The first one, War Will Never End, the second is self titled. Very good stuff worth checking out! Janick
Saturation: They've been together since February 1997, they've changed their singer twice but Stef (ex-Human Greed) has been screaming for them since last August. They play total grind-crust as fuck noise with powerful harsh vocals. They have just released a split 7'' with Dahmer on Spinless records: Spineless Records: P.O. Box 524, stn,c, Montreal QC. H2L 4K4 Canada Janick
Harsh: They got together in the fall of 1995. They play intense melodic crust core with raging dual male vocals. They now have a new drummer and they're new songs sound more like crust with a black metal sound. They released they're first 7'': From manipulation to torture on: Aversion records, P.O. Box 51029, 316 St. Joseph est, Quebec, G1K 8Z7 Canada. Harsh: Mathiev, 49, Dummouchel, Blainville, Quebec. J7C 4M1 Canada. Janick
IRE: (ex-Foreground) Formed around February 1994, IRE are Montreal's gods of emo. Total intense and aggressive Emocore! They've released a split LP with Seized on Spineless records, a split 7'' on Schema records (a d.i.y. record label from MI.) A full 7'' should be out soon on Mountain Records. Janick
X-Plicit Noize: X.N. started at the end of 1996. They play mushy crustcore with a little Shitfit influence. There's three vocalist who sing about enviromental destruction, hard drug abuse, and anti-racist issues. They have a very well recorded cassette available from Stef the bass player: 5223, 8 Ieme ave. Montreal QC. H1Y 2L3 Canada. Yan
Wisigoth: They've been around since the beginning of 1997. Wisigoth are very fucking Emo, Crust, with one male singer with high screaming vocals and one storming female singer that gives you the creeps! Excellent! No other words. So if this interests you, you will be happy to know that Wisigoth has put out a 7'' on Spineless Records. Check it out! Janick
Disagree: They've been together since fall of 1995. They play fast, aggressive, Crust, with powerful dual male vocalists. They have a split 7'' with Ungovern-Mental, on Profane Existence records. To be continued.... Yan
Chemical Nurslings: Formed in October of 95', They
are now back with a new bass player (Malanie from Disagree). They play grind
metal and have released a cassette Chemnurs productions and should have
an LP out this summer. Patrick, 925, Rene Levesqur est #602, Montreal QC.
H2L 5B1 Canada Janick
Global Holocaust: Formed in 1989, they are the oldest crust band that is still around the Montreal scene. They have just reformed and are still kickin' arse! They've released a demo tape, a split 7'' with Fierce (R.I.P), a split 7'' with Oppressed Conscience, a split 7'' with Obnoxious race, and a full length 7'' all on Tobacco shit records. Simon Pare, 827 Goldbourne, Greenfield park J4V 3H4 Canada Janick
Seized: Started in 1995, and are now back together with and fresh new line up after almost a year hiatus. Seized play slow, heavy, crust, with grindy riffs. The vocalist (ex- Human Greed) posseses a very gruff vocal style. They've released a split 7'' with Devoid of Faith on Gloom records, a split Lp with IRE on Spineless records, a split 7'' with Inertia Kills, as well as a full length cd due out soon. Stef of Wag, 1604 Dufresne, Montreal QC. H2K 3K8 Canada Janick
Ungovern-Mental: Started in 1995 an play powerful thrash at top speed. They've released a split 7'' with Disagree on Profane Existence records. Dave: 1911 Dufresne, Montreal, QC. H2K 3K1 Canada Janick
Spineless records: This is the most active D.I.Y. label in Montreal. Spineless has released numerous records for only a year and a half in existence. Releases to date include: One Human Greed 7,'' Seized IRE split lp, Dahmer 7'', Human Greed discography cd, Hybrid 10'', Saturation Dahmer split 7'' and the Wisigoth 7''. Janick
Drunk Records: Run by Sylvain (singer of Up Against) This label has released the 2 Up Against 7''s (War will never end and the untitled 7''). It is a small independent label that also does trading, so if you are interested in total crustcore bands contact: Sylvain , Drunk Records P.O. Box Montreal, QC. Janick
Young Heirs Project: This is basically something that Yvan does in his free time. He's put out a photo zine and a benefit comp 7" (for books to prisoners) with devoid of faith, Drift, Los Crudos, and Seized. He also does t-shirts and pathches silkscreening, and runs a record, book, and zine distro with Yannick from Great American Steak Religion. Yvan 800 Place Victoria #635 Montreal H4Z 1L9 Canada Wag
The Great American Steak Religion, is a one man project. Yannick use to be located in Ottawa, then Quebec City for a while, but now he is in Montreal. He has put a lot of stuff so far such as Union of Uranus demo, Uranaus split 7" with Immoral Squad from QC. City (R.I.P.), A Shotmaker LP, a Drift 7", One eyed god prophecy lp, 400 Years lp, and some other things. All of his releases are pretty mad with great production. A lot of the visuals are made by him and has even started a printing operation. On top of all this he still finds time to play in His Hero Is Gone (Fucking Madman!). Yannick 800, Place Victoria #635 Montreal QC. H4Z 1L9 Wag
Tobacco Shit Records: This is Simon from Global Holocaust
label, He's been at it for about 2 years and has put out a split 7"
with Global Holocaust/Fierce, Global Holocaust/Oppressed Conscience 7",
Global Holocaust/Obnoxious Race 7", A full length Global Holocaust
7" called No More, And a comp. 7" called Violent Core Attack.
Wag
Spasmoparapsychotic Records: This label is run by Nick from Krush, He has put out a Krush/Agathocles 7", a Krush/Unholy Grave 7" and a Mob 47 cd so far. Nicolas 1720 Talleyrand Brossard, QC. J4W 2J2 Wag
Punx Not Junk: Four friends got together during the summer 95 after a couple of they're friends died of a heroine overdose. IT WAS ENOUGH! They couldn't stand to see people sink any deeper in that crap to the point of no return. This project was to educate and warn people of the consequences of doing heroin. Different methods have been employed to wake people up! The collective printed patches and t-shirts, made a compilation, a few benefits/information sessions, and moral support to people who need it. Punk not junk is now an active movement established and spreading in Canada, U.S.A, and Europe. UP THE PUNX AND FIGHT JUNK! Yan
Food not Bombs: Most of you know of this movement already. For those of you unfamiliar with it F.N.B. is a revolutionary and political movement that distributes free vegan meals to all the hungry people of Montreal. They also organize demonstrations, discussions, and are involved in trying to reduce oppression towards unfortunate people. For more info: Contact Sylvain at 514-935-0381 Yan
J.A.M: The first attempt by young punk activists to create a direct action movement on a judicial, social and political level to denounce police brutality. They're main actions were collecting fines given without justification, Such as walking on the grass of a city park (while the 9-5ers were eating they're lunch on the very same grass) and other ridiculous fines. J.A.M. got directly implicated with the Montreal police to denounce the abuse of power and brutality of some of the cops assigned to police station 33 and try to make them understand our values and mentality. They have used many different ways to put pressure on the cops and destabilize their corrupted inner police fraternity, such as the media, video cameras, lawyers, and direct interventions to help the punks defend themselves against the cops abuse of power. They've also distributed cards showing how to use our rights to our benefit to deal with the cops, the final results were pretty good, they obtained the suspension of a few dirty pigs at station 33, a big reduction in fines and police brutality as well as a reduction of 30-40 cops from the anti punk squad assigned to Berri square park. The greatest accomplishment was the dismantling of the dreaded station 33, it has now been replaced by smaller stations which should promote peace and harmony in the underground (BIG JOKE!!!) HA! HA! HA! Janick
L'X: Because of a riot that happened on May 16 1996, punks were banned from all the bars in Montreal. That meant no more gigs for a while. We couldn't stand this situation any longer and decided to do something about it.... about a dozen punks went to see the mayor of Montreal to ask him for a abandoned building that we could fix up and then occupy as a concert place with a bar, an info shop, a record distribution, a couple of practice rooms, and a few workshops (sewing, recycling furniture, silk screening, sound technic, and a community kitchen). It was a long process, but after two years L'X is a collective which encourages D.I.Y personal expression and creativity. Basically, we want to permit people to acquire experience and help them launch their personal projects to eventually become self sufficient. UNITE AND ORGANIZE!!! If you would like play in Montreal or send some info for our info shop, you can write me. Janick. 182, Ste-Catherine est Montreal, QC, H2x 1K9 Canada
C.O.B.P. (citizens opposed to police brutality) is a group of nonworking activists doing cop watch to denounce police brutality and try inform the population of what is really going on, especially relations between cops and "unfortunate people". On December 3rd, a protest to denounce poverty in Montreal was organized by the C.O.B.P. to make they're message clear to the mayor and C.I.E. A bunch of people went into the most luxurious restaurant, 'Queen Elizabeth', and took all the food they could possibly fit in they're arms and pockets in front of everybody's face. They then decided to move to the welfare office to occupy the space, and then....police!! About 20 police cars, trucks and, of course, the anti-riot squad. 108 people were arrested and two were suspected as leaders of the demo, one of them has been charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, vandalism, and screaming in public. After that event the C.O.B.P. Asked for an independent investigation about the police procedure on December 3rd. "The police surrounded us, caught us in a trap, beat the shit out of us, then arrested us, this totalitarianism has no fucking place here!"....C.O.B.P. It is the firm intention of the C.O.B.P. to not tolerate this abuse of power by the police any longer! The situation in downtown Montreal is getting worse every year like in a lot of cities around this filthy world, lets organize ourselves to fight these oppressors and make our rights finally respected! Cheers, Janick
ZARAGOZA SCENE REPORT
Zaragoza has always had a great punk tradition. Since the first times with the legendary IV Reich, we have been seeing different phases of generational renovations up to our days.
Zaragoza is considered the 5th city of Spain. It is situated in the Northeast, between Barcelona and Madrid, so it's visited by many people that go to either city. Actually we live under the 'power' of a mayor from the P.P. (conservative party), which is noticed at the time, or for example, with squats, because the police appear very quickly.
Zaragoza is quite an active city. We have 2 clubs
( the CSL ) where they organize gigs, talks, etc...some alternative bars
and an alternative library called Index, where you can find books, zines,
magazines, etc..
There are some collectives which talk about very different things (addresses,
etc listed later). In the anarco-punk field we have two collectives. The
oldest, Mala Raza, has the best distro of the city, and one of the best
of Spain. They also organize gigs, release LP's, demos and EP's. The other
anarco-punk collective is K.R.A.P. (Anarco-Punk Resistance Collective).
This collective ( where I am ) edits a newsletter called "Existencia
Activa" (active existence). It is free, so if you want a copy, just
send an IRC to:Apdo / 50080 Zaragoza / Spain (but please do write KRAP on
the envelope). We have also edited two informative pamphlets (boycot exploited....).
We also organize gigs and give local bands the opportunity to play. There
is also a little distro-collective called AHC, who have released some released
some good bands; and in the past they released a zine . You can contact
them at: APDO 5155 / 50080 Zaragoza / Spain.
Here we don't have a squat, but in the last two months we have had two houses for a week each. Both were moved out without violence and arrests. For two years the squat movement has not existed in our city (in the rest of the state it is a very active movement; especially in Barcelona), but it is finally being reborn. There is a collective that co-ordintaes the squatting here; La Asemblea De Okupas. You can contact them through the CSA Entropia.
There are not too many zines here. I just sent two zines made here in Zaragoza ; they are: Rabia HC zine ( music zine, mostly melodic HC). You can also write to El Zulo / Apdo 6032 / 50080 Zaragoza / Spain. Another zine which appeared a long time ago was the "SK8 and HC. You can write me and I will give them your letter because I don't have their address here.
There is also a guy that I do not know who's trying to release a zine: Diego Sanchez / c/ Doce De Octubre, 12-23 / 5th A / 50007 / Zaragoza / Spain.
And at last, but not least, I've (with the help of a friend) finally finished the first number of my zine (Canaliza Tu Violencia). It will have interviews, articles, etc. If you want to appear in it , write to the address at the end.
Now the bands. In recent times a lot of bands with good ideas and music are showing up. There are also groups that have been playing for a long time, and obviously the ones who appeared first are the ones who disappeared.
The biggest band that exists in Zaragoza is 'El Corazon De Sapo', who play excellent melodic hard-core with some faster parts. They have released an EP and two LP's. You can contact them via Mala Raza.
Another great band is Chicarica. They play fast hc / punk and they have released a demo (with excellent production and sound). Again, get it from Mala Raza. The drummer also drums for Necesidade De Luchar (need to fight). Its a political hard-core. They have not been playing for a long time and have released nothing, but some are members of Acid Drop (R.I.P.) who had a nonprofit demo. You can ask for this at: Apdo 1350 / 50080 Zaragoza. These guys play in another band called Proyecto Terror, the only grind/crust band in Zaragoza. They have released two split EP's with Denak (From Madrid) and Violent headache (from Barcelona). Write to them at: Miguel Angel / Apdo 0112 / 50080 Zazragoza / Spain.
Fuerza Para Vivir is another band from this city.
They play HC and after a demo and a time of inactivity they have 
returned with some changes in
their line-up. Ask for their demo at: Apdo 6062 / 50080 Zaragoza / Spain
More HC bands, Arrebato and Faccion Social. Arrebato is HC with two vocalists and some rap parts. Faccion Social play NYHC. They have a split demo with good representation; released by Mala Raza. (Contact both bands at: Apdo 11167 / 50080 / Zaragoza)
I also play in some bands. With the oldest, Estaigia. We play punk / crust. We only have a live recording and we hope this year to record a demo. Another band is Asalto 54. We play punky / oi with political lyrics (not party lyrics). We have not recorded anything yet. And he last band is Guerra De Odio (noise war). We play noise/crust we have a demo recorded with a cassette player. If you want anything from these bands just write me.
Some more new bands are Submundo, fast HC with crusty parts (great!). Banda Balloo; funny HC with a great live performance. Nevergood play melodic HC with good lyrics. Vacas Locas are anarco-punk ( c/o Apdo 6112 / 50080 Zarazgoza ). Intercambio De Fluidos play ska / oi; and theres alot more too! None of these bands have recorded, but if you'd like to contact them, you do it through my address.
So this is more or less what we have in Zaragoza, but if you'd like to know more, just write me! Daniel Hernando Rabaza / c / Monaco 6, 3 A / 50003 Zaragoza / Spain.
Some addresses for collectives:
Accion (Sexual Liberation) :Apdo 3141 / 50080 / Zaragoza
Juventudes Libertarias (anarchism) :Apdo 2191 / 50080 / Zaragoza
Agrupacion Anarquista El Buho / Apdo 1350 / 50080 / Zaragoza
Radio Topo / Apdo 6032 / 50080 / Zaragoza
P.A.Z. (Platforma Antifascista De Zaragoza) / Apdo 585 / 50080 / Zaragoza
Red Autonoma : Apdo 6037 / 50080 / Zaragoza
Index : Apdo 11167 / 50080 / Zaragoza
CSL Club (Centro Social Libertario) : Coso 186 Bajos / 50080 Zaragoza
TIJUANA SCENE REPORT
By : Erik Escoria & Jessica
Hello friends of Profane Existence and punks of the world. You are reading a scene report from Tijuana Mexico. To give you an idea of how things are here...Tijuana is across from San Diego.
Here the scene is cool. We have some cool punk H.C. bands like: Diskodia, Miseria Humana, Plagio, Frakneo, O.D.I.O. etc. Shows are in houses, pubs, parkings, etc, but places for shows are so much restricted. Sometimes got shows in 2-3 months and we got time to see cool shows with: Batallion of Saints, Chaos UK, GBH, ?Exploited¿, Final Conflict, Varukers, Total Chaos, Dogama Mundista, Assrash, Atoxico, Coprophilia, and a lot more. Always with the usual problems, cops, skinheads, drunk punks, etc.
Here in Tijuana, we got a new police force formed by members of the army/fuerzas especiales. This police scum are so much represive against all that looks, thinks different of the brainwashed people.
So how is the squatter movement here in Tijuana. There are no more squatts anymore. We got a small squatt for about 4 years where we spent a nice time of noise, alcohol, and fun. But we got evicted by police so now we are looking for a new place for squatt and a place for have fun and drink with our parties.
As for zines from Tijuana, we have only two for now. Alfavoz Zine: c/o Mauricio / Calle Rio Honzo #54 / Colonia Aguaje De La Tuna / Tijuana / B.C. Mexico
Teroermundista: c/o Edgar Hdz / Calla Jon Genova #B3 / Exterior #233 Colonia Alfamira c.p.221204 / Tijuana
I reserve here a right to warn all you honest people about a shit label called Death For Profit. From Ensenada, Mexico. The owner of Death For Profit (Boonz) is probably a millionaire by now. I could also mention Death For Profit is making a huge profit which is obscene prices. This label is Destroying the punk scene by buying up the punk scene. Most of the money they, (Death For Profit), are making comes from the bootleg business. They are putting out illegally. Please help to stop Death For Profit and Boonz.
Well, is over friends. Hope you like the report.
I know that this report paints a somewhat bleak but please don't feel disapointed with Tijuana OK?
White Erik Escoria at: Francisco Jose' D'alla Loaiza / Calle 1ra #1446- F.Y.G. / Tijuana / B.C. Mexico / c.p. 22000