It's Alive UPDATE

www.myspace.com/itsaliveson. Blog Section.

In the meantime, can someone tell me how the FUCK do you copy and paste text into the text box on blogger using a mac/safari?

Thanks.

More material coming shortly.

Interview.

Here's our first interview done by Bystander Fanzine. Scott asks Joe questions about the origins of the band, the Eagles, and the local scene in Albany. It's short and fairly sweet. Be sure to check out and support Bystander any and all chance you may possibly get. 

It's Alive Interview

Bystander Fanzine

Currents:

145 bowling game. Career high!

Righteous Jams "Rage of Discipline" - how did this lay dormant in my itunes so long?

Weezy - new found respect and appreciation

iPhone (still)

wrapping up "Reincarnage" !!!!

It's Alive briefing.

Here's a quick update on what's going on with It's Alive.

1.) We're siked to say that we're officially a part of the Reaper Nation. Coming in early/mid 2009 is It's Alive first record "Reincarnage," on Reaper Records. We're all very excited to be working with Patrick Kitzel on this, and honored to share the label with a lot of great new hardcore bands such as Trapped Under Ice, Black S.S., and Forfeit. As well as technically be on the same label as Merauder (ha!).

2.) Our recording date for "Reincarnage" has been pushed back to the end of Feb. to allow for more preparation. We're hoping for it be a banger, I have no doubt it shall be.

3.) A short, but very sweet review of the demo is up on LIFERS, a great print and webzine out of Montreal. They're comparing us to Damnation A.D. and focusing on the metallic sounds in our songs. Funny to me considering we more or less shed that element and are about to get real real NYHC influenced with this upcoming record.

4.) On January 3rd we will be playing an entire Integrity cover set for the 6th annual Ghost's of Hardcore Past cover show at Valentine's in Albany. I can't wait to get Dwid.

5.) Lastly, we'll be in Syracuse playing with Forfeit and Foundation, Born to Expire, and a few others on January 9th. If you're from that area come on out! We're also hungry for shows in the New England area and down state (LI, NYC) with a few things in the works. Hopefully we'll see you soon!

Better late than never...

It's Alive Demo 2008 

(mediafire)

Tracklist:

1. Intro

2. Your March On

3. Reincarnage

4. Pompeii

5. Reducer

See you with the new stuff in '09.

Columbia.

Last night I caught the first show by a new Albany band, Columbia. Their drummer is none other than Pat "The Dwyer" Dwyer of It's Alive. Not only did Pat prove his prowess as a multi-instrumentalist, but they did a great job as their first gig. It's by no means hardcore, but does have a slight Quicksand, Texas is the Reason vibe if you're into that sort of thing. I also can't help but compare it to a lot of Hyra Head style bands (Isis, Jesu, Pelican). It's not nearly as heavy, but it definitely uses the approach of building on a single chord or riff to create a droning melody.

With that said, while their live show might get a little stale for me, it's definitely something I could see myself listening to on a long drive or through ear buds.

Unfortunately they don't have any finished product recordings, but if this sounds like something you could be into bookmark their Myspace and and check back for finished demo tracks (all that's up their at the moment is instrumental tracks.)

www.myspace.com/columbiany

New It's Alive song(s).

We've started piecing together the first It's Alive song with the solid lineup. Up until now we've just been resurrecting back catalog songs we wrote with various guitarists, singers, with me on bass etc etc. which in and of itself is pretty exciting to do, as we've made tweaking improvements and (obviously) added vocals.

This is a different excitement that mixes with satisfaction and confidence in knowing we're writing some pounding ass songs. I can't wait to unleash.

This weekend is the the 4th of July weekend. I'm siked that it's a four day work week and generally looking forward to doing some cool stuff and seeing fireworks and all that nonsense, I just hate the added pressure of trying to make it something spectacular because that's what people do blah blah. Just let me chill and enjoy the extra time off.

The real:

Deathwish podcast that I forgot was auto synced to kyPod contains new Bitter End and Cold World to listen to at my convenience, nice.

Killing Time - Brightside

Dmize -Demo 3

Family Matters on Nick At Nite

Family Guy at 11 each nite on Cartoon Network before assing out.

BIG POST. Yankees Game/It's Alive 1st Review.

First Yankee game of the season was witnessed yesterday, and hopefully it won't be the last in the house that Ruth built, as there are only 49 games left (according to the metlife countdown sign) at home.

Braving the sweltering heat, but also lucking out with seats under the canopy created by the upper deck, I had the chance to watch Joba make his 2nd start, and saw my boy Giambi blast his 14th of the season.

New joint. 2009.

All in all, great game. Could've been more hits but this isn't basketball so I'll take the score. 6-3 Yankee win keeps my streak alive of never attending a Yankee game that resulted in a loss. This one brings the total to 7. Like I said, homers by Giambi, as well as Abreu. Johnny Damon kept his fire in the heat rocking a triple as well. This was also the first time I've got to see Mariano close. The Enter Sandman intro is so dramatic with the fans it reminded me of a WWF(e) event. He killed it as expected

A-Rod. Sorry no zoom on the Sidekick camera.

Acknowledging victory.

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It's Alive's first review is up on the net!!!

Visit Hard Times for other hardcore related news and media.

Name of Patient::
It's Alive
Date of Birth::
05/2008
Region and Country of Origin::
Albany, NY, USA
Height:
It's Alive have been brewing up a NYHC storm since 2006.
Weight:
This is the band's first demo, but make no mistake; the guys have done their time.
Significant Findings:
To say Upstate, NY hardcore influenced my lifestyle and values for a number of years would be an understatement. Albany especially. Of course every dog has its day though, and the hotbed status of Albany and its surrounding small towns has convincingly been seized by other areas, notably Boston (Bridge 9) and Philadelphia (Deathwish, Inc.). As much as I wish bands like One King Down, Wrath, Section 8, Cutthroat, and Another Victim were still playing weekends either Upstate or even farther up into Canada like I fondly remember, I'm realistic that kids these days don't seem to have an ear for the more metallic, edgy hardcore of the 90's. Finger-pointing has taken a backseat to two-stepping, if I could put it so eloquently. But who am I to complain? I had my fun as a hardcore kid, now the youth of today should have theirs. I find it both rare and intriguing, then, that a band of veritable veterans like It's Alive, whose rhythm section is comprised of Bill Scoville and Derrick Van Wie, two standout musicians who played and toured on two of Albany's most well-known and classic hardcore records, "Bloodlust Revenge" and "God Loves, Man Kills," could generate some convincing-enough new material to fan the flames of discontent among current hardcore kids. I find it admirable to be perfectly honest. And the way they pull off the Madball/Maximum Penalty/Agnostic Front/Biohazard vibe is just ruthless. Jesus, they sound ten times more hardcore than that new NYC supergroup, Bloodclot, and I doubt any of these guys have been through half of what the fully-sleeved lifers in John Joseph's new concoction have been. It's Alive even comes across sounding like "Ill Blood"-era No Warning at times which, as much as readers will cringe due to their controversial follow-up record "Suffer, Survive" (which was incredibly, by the way), is a straight-faced compliment. It's Alive vocalist Kyle Chard rips holes through the listener's ears, sounding like Mike DC from Damnation AD if he were to scream even less in key. So make no mistake, It's Alive isn't just a couple of old dudes looking for an excuse to sell merch. I don't even see t-shirts for sale on their Myspace page. This is abrasive, rough-around-the-edges, and hardcore through and through. Albany HC lives to see another day.
Possible Diagnosis:
While the band's name could almost be a metaphoric proclamation for the Albany hardcore scene itself, rather than a dying breath from the carcass of the once-central Albany hardcore scene, "Only Death Will Deliver" is fresh and new. Bitter, sure, but what hardcore kid over the age of 25 isn't? If the goal of It's Alive is to be signed and exposed to larger audiences, then so shall it be, as "Only Death Will Deliver" is not the sound of an unsigned band.
recomendation::
It's Alive delivers punchy, effective hardcore which reverently bridges the gap between the timeless NYHC sound and the much-missed but not forgotten metallic hardcore Albany scene of the 90's.

Siked! Thanks to Canada for the kind words. It's Alive.