Celebrating 25 years in the business with their first trip to these shores in 4 years, emocore/hardcore pioneers Boysetsfire returned for what promised to be a career spanning celebration of pounding beats, soaring melodies and plenty of shout along moments. This week, just after their triumphant return, Boysestfire’s resident superfan Rich Mair gives us his top 10 essential tunes to get you in the mood!
25 years in the business is some milestone; especially for a band who have faced the challenges and adversity of Boysetsfire. Anyone who knows me will know how much I adore the work of this band and what they stand for. I’d argue that few groups have consistently delivered such quality and stayed true to their message and sound; albeit a sound that can go from straight up hardcore bruisers, to poignant emo ballads whilst remaining true to their values and ethos. As a result, this top 10 will focus on particular characteristics of the band’s back catalogue as opposed to a straight up list of their best songs whilst referencing other songs you may want to check out if unfamiliar with the band.
1. The hardcore song – Bled Dry ( Bled Dry single / Self-titled)
Given the sheer volume of hardcore bangers they have put out over the years, my absolute favourite circle pit inducing monster is this track from the 7” single of the same name (and later from the self-titled album) from the end of their hiatus. Whilst any returning band would think to go for a palatable radio friendly pastiche of their previous sounds, BSF instead opted for an abrasive, aggressive and blistering aural assault to mark their return. It’s a proper hardcore tune that is a clear statement of intent. This isn’t a band looking for a pay check; this is a group of people angry and disillusioned with society. A society which exploits and uses people for personal gain, where the rich get richer and the poor are made to work for scraps and to keep their masters in power. The vitriol of Nathan Gray’s lyrics (take opening lines “Hate is a strong word but not strong enough for a vision so bereft of life”) emphasises the contempt the band have for law makers and the powerful elite who neglect their responsibilities to create a fairer society. Set to immensely aggressive and brutal music, this was (and still is) a reminder of how essential they are.
See also: Until Nothing Remains (While A Nation Sleeps), Don’t Panic (Self-titled), Suckerpunch Training (Suckerpunch Training 7”)
2. The rousing album opener – After The Eulogy (After The Eulogy)
Like many people, my first experience of BSF was through their Victory Records debut. So incredible was that album I can still recall hearing it for the first time; and this was the first song I heard. Ahilst the chanting voices at the start followed by the rolling drums were nothing particularly new, what followed rooted me to the spot. “After The Eulogy” remains both a masterclass and master stroke in introducing an album. Nathan Gray’s anguished pleas of “Rise” calling people to arms, before he recognises that we are all written off, lost our way and living in a selfish consumerist world. Such is the song’s success that it incorporates so many iconic lyrics and opportunities to scream your lungs out. From the aforementioned “Rise” to the mantra “Where’s your anger? Where’s your fucking rage?”. It’s a perfect album opener for a hardcore band. After 3:30 minutes, you’ve been pummelled into submission... and want to do it all again.
See also: Eviction Article (Tomorrow Come Today), Walk Astray (The Misery Index)
3. The skate punk song – One Match (Self-titled)
Although not typically a genre you’d associate with BSF, One Match is a brilliant interpretation of a skate punk song with its big whoa-whoas, fast melodic music, sing-a-long vocals and a real sexy bass line. Amongst the anger driven and politically motivated songs, something that is essentially a bouncing pop-punk song really stands out. Smile inducing (with an edge) it shows you don’t have to make angry music to be angry!
See also: Phone Call (4AM) (While a Nation Sleeps)
4. The sing-a-long – Rookie (After the Eulogy)
One thing BSF do better than anyone is create a sense of community around their songs. “Rookie” is arguably one of the most brilliant experiences I’ve ever had in a pit; all down to the delivery of one line in particular. However, from the moment the guitars kick in over that bass line, it’s a song that demands you sing every word with passion! The one lyric in question is in the song’s closing stages and has the brilliant ability to speak to people in a way that few others do. “... you’ll forget me when I’m gone” speaks to our innate feeling to be wanted and needed. Sung by a group of outsiders, punks and freaks, it’s a magical experience! Coming in as the second track on “After The Eulogy”, it instantly turns the hardcore pounding of the title track on its head and really showcases the range and versatility of the band.
See also: Handful Of Redemption (Tomorrow Come Today), Cavity (In Chrysalis)
5. The call to arms album closer – On In Five (Tomorrow Come Today)
The band acknowledge that the creation of Tomorrow Come Today took them to breaking point. That said, it still has some amazing moments such as the album’s closing track “On In Five”. Ranging from pure hardcore verses to melodic choruses, it peaks at its conclusion with a full on Snapcase style metal tinged culmination; it’s Nathan at his angriest demanding that this is “not a test”. It’s an exhilarating ending to an album and easily one of their strongest songs period!
See also: Force Majure (After the Eulogy), Bled Dry (Self-titled) A far Cry (The Misery Index), Prey (While A Nation Sleeps)
6. The ballad – My Life in the Knife Trade (After the Eulogy)
Even after 20 years, this song still hits all the feels. To think that a Hardcore band could deliver something so beautiful, heartbreaking and fragile in the late 90s was pretty hard to fathom; let alone a risk with the potential to alienate some of the more hardcore elements of the fan base. Instead it’s a song that every BSF fan will agree is as iconic as it is personal. The songwriting is just gorgeous, the delivery full of angst, regret and hurt and the melody and song construction perfect. My Life In The Knife Trade remains a staple of the set list to this day, it’s a song people love to hear and love to sing along to. The first time I heard it I got goosebumps and to this day regardless of which version I hear it has the same effect (and at last count I had 6 different versions of this)!
See also: Torches To Paradise (Self-titled), 10 And Counting (The Misery Index)
7. The B-Side – With Every Intention (Tomorrow Come Today)
As with all great bands, it’s not just album tracks that make them brilliant but also their B-Sides which are typically incredible. My personal pick has to be the secret track on “Tomorrow Come Today”. With Every Intention is another ballad style song. Largely acoustic, it’s another gorgeously written and perfectly executed emotional song, the lyrics almost echoing the turmoil the band had with their identity whilst creating the album. It asks us how well we know ourselves and our flaws and questions how we can be better. It really shows a vulnerable and fragile side to the band and coming after the previously discussed On In Five it’s a truly great 1-2 combo!
See also: Channel (split with Snapcase), Bring Back the Fight (Bled Dry 7”), Did You Forget (While A Nation Sleeps bonus track)
8. The set closer – Closure (While a Nation Sleeps)
As a band, BSF are all about unity and nothing demonstrates that more than in a live setting. A few years back the band released a series of live performances which culminated with “Closure” as the closing song of the each show and, as the title would suggest, it works brilliantly as a set closer. It has all the elements you want from a great BSF song. It’s got some great sing along moments, it’s got the fist in the air moments and it’s got the moment you dream of diving off stage to (when the beat drops)! It’s a song to make everyone go home happy. Furthermore, the video for this song is incredible. I won’t ruin it here but would say check it out – some bands talk the talk, this is showing a band really making a difference to people’s lives – and it’s just so inspiring!
9. The old one(s)
As with most bands, their early years are defined by toil; very few bands find themselves catapulted to the precipice of greatness with their debut releases. BSF are no exception. Upon purchasing After The Eulogy I immediately attempted to get my mitts on everything the band had released and unsurprisingly it was clear that the band had undergone a journey with which they could deliver something as incendiary as that breakthrough album. Amongst their early material however we have some amazing songs and picking just one is nigh on impossible so I’ve opted for three...
Vehicle (This Crying, This Screaming, My Voice Is Being Born) – Everything about this song is epic; it’s the first chance to see how their sound will develop from pure hardcore verses to the melodic choruses. Coupled with the excellent musicianship, squealing guitars and a superb beat down, it’s just a great precursor to what the band would ultimately become.
Cavity (In Chrysalis) – If you ever want a great example of how to build anticipation into a song it’s this. Midway through the song the pace slows and Nathan implores us to “wait for something to happen”. The song subsequently explodes into a brilliant conclusion, a cathartic release of energy if you will. It’s a great example of how brilliant they are at structuring songs, retaining a message and developing songs perfect for a live setting!
In Hope (The Day The Sun Went Out) – Starting with a complex guitar lick, it’s a schizophrenic song for the first minute where the beat and guitar work are so disparate that when it comes together midway through the song you realise how it’s been done to build the song to its epic conclusion. As an album, TDTSWO is often overlooked at the expense of its more illustrious siblings; this song bridges the gap beautifully from their early days to the hardcore pioneers they would become.
See also: Parasite Candy (Before the Eulogy / Demo), 65 Factory Outlets (The Day The Sun Went Out), Blame [live at Eleven] (This Crying, This Screaming, My Voice Is Being Born)
10. THE Anthem – Empire
As I’ve already stated, few bands have the ability to create such a fervent and devoted passion attached to particular songs. For anyone who follows the history of the band – the fallout that followed the record deal with Wind-Up and the release of Tomorrow Come Today – that the Misery Index ever came out at all is not only a surprise but absolutely solidified their place as a legendary band. This three album run was amazing but what was interesting was hearing that the label didn’t hear a single and didn’t rate specific songs; namely this: Empire. Not only is it just huge in every sense, it ties all the aforementioned personal characteristics, beliefs and feelings of community and belonging together. With all the talk of unity within the hardcore scene, this is it living and breathing to music. It’s not their most “hardcore” song by any stretch, appearing more on the ballad-end of the spectrum, but it sure as hell isn’t any less angry and stoic because of this. It’s a song that speaks of adversity, challenge and unity and has, over time, grown in to such an iconic and special song for those that love the band!
So there we are, my picks for the top Boysetsfire songs. If you aren’t familiar with them please do check them out; and if you are and have your own favourites I’d love to hear what they are in the comments.
Boystesfire played the Underworld on the 30th November supported by Raised Fist and All Else Failed. Ltd edition 25th anniversary versions of numerous Boysetsfire albums (including the legendary After The Eulougy and for the first time on vinyl Tomorrow Come Today) are currently being released by End Hits Records.
This top ten was written by Richard Mair.
No comments:
Post a Comment