ARTICLE JUMP
Each year has its fair share of breakups, but 2008 was a rather tumultuous year for the underground music community. Several big names in the world of hardcore and punk announced their disbanding. It's always sad to see bands you love breakup, but oftentimes you get multiple bands that are greater than the original.
- Cursed
- Life Long Tragedy
- The Ergs
- Modern Life is War
- Last Lights
The abrupt breakup by this Canadian hardcore punk band is what makes this the most difficult breakup of 2008 to stomach. The band released their third full-length effort and was wrapping up a European tour when they get robbed and decided to break up. We're stilling holding out hope for a return, but if not, we're sure that vocalist Chris Colohan will launch a new project that'll melt our faces off.
The breakup that hit closet to me was that of Life Long Tragedy. After starting the band as teenagers, they honed their songwriting skills with each new release, constantly evolving and improving upon their sound. As a result of persistent touring and a slew of recordings the band was able to solidify themselves as one of the premier hardcore bands. The abrupt end was a shock to all and will leave quite a hole in the Bay Area scene. Members have already begun to unveil new projects, be sure to check out Purple Mercy.
A lot of bands get labeled as pop-punk these days... and a lot of those bands are not pop-punk - they're treading much closer to boy bands than they do groups like Ramones and Descendents. And while I won't deny my love for some of these so-called bubble-gum pop-punk outfits, its groups like The Ergs that were truly churning out that classic pop-punk sound that so many of us fell in love with on albums like Milo Goes to College and Jersey's Best Dancers. Unfortunately 2008 will bring a close to the era of The Ergs, but their popularity will no doubt spring forth numerous followers.
This breakup truly struck a chord with the hardcore community. A lot of kids rate Witness alongside American Nightmare's Background Music as their favorite albums of all time. So when a band of that nature decides to call it quits, you can expect a lot of upset individuals. But rather than say goodbye and leave it at that, Modern Life is War embarked on one final U.S. tour to give their fans a proper chance to say farewell. Those that caught the shows were treated to something quite special.
While still a young band by all means, the breakup of Last Lights is a huge travesty. Vocalist Dominic Mallary passed away unexpectedly after inadvertently being injured during one of the band's performances. The band's demo and 7" recordings were amongst some of the most promising recordings I've heard in hardcore recently. And I wasn't the only one thinking that as the band has just signed to Think Fast! Records. It's a tough pill to swallow when such a young individual's life is cut short, but rather than dwell on the loss we should focus on what we have, something I'm sure Dominic would want us to do.
Other notables to call it quits in 2008 so far include Ambitions, Internal Affairs, Dead Hearts, The First Step, LaGrecia, Pet Genius, See it Through, Back When, Endgame, Phantom Planet, Sinking Ships, Steel Trap, Will to Live, My Revenge!, For Science, Perth Express, Jurassic 5, From Autumn to Ashes, 2*Sweet, Dead to Fall, Means, and Himsa.
(Michael)
