"No Way Out" CD
{Plague Within Records}
Joe Frustration is the band of Joe Falzone, former singer of Tears of Frustration, a band active in the New Jersey scene during the past decades.I must admit that I was in a dilemma whether I should review this CD or not...
You know, there's a Youth Defense League cover in it and as you may already know Youth Defense League's political views were questionable because, even though they were a part of the "New York Hardcore" compilation LP (put out by Revelation Records) along with Sick Of It All and Gorilla Biscuits, most of their songs had a highly patriotic, pro - American pride, anti-communist stance, and many people accuse them of being racists... They also played for R.A.C. (Rock Against Communism) organizations and had the "Skinheads 88" song...
I was only 5 years in 1987 when the band was formed, so I have no say... But from what I see and read, they are definitely not my cup of tea, and I strongly oppose their ideology, even though it's not racist, but patriotic and anti-communist or just ultra violent... In my dreams, hardcore is a positive movement and has nothing to do with racist or full of hate beliefs...
Anyway, enough with Youth Defense League...
I decided to review Joe Frustration firstly because the lyrics & the attitude of the songs have nothing to do with the ideology described above, and secondly because it is one of the best NYHC records I listened to since years.
Basically, it seems that Joe Frustration is just one man band with changing session members. The record includes 16 songs (plus an intro + a YDL cover); some of them are 2 years old, some others are 14-15 years old...
Their style can be described as NY influenced, metal - free, fast hardcore, in the vein of Agnostic Front, Warzone and early Sick Of It All, while the lyrics are personal with a sense of darkness and depression.
By the way, the guy behind Plague Within label, that released the Joe Frustration album, left this label for some personal reasons and formed a new one under the name "Deadlight Entertainment" (just put out the South Impact CD), so don't put on your google search "Plague Within Records" anymore...
www.myspace.com/joefrustration
www.myspace.com/deadlightentertainment
