Pop? Punk? Pop Punk? Punk Pop?

Earlier this week, I was exposed to a genre of hardcore known as "Nardcore" from my buddy Seve. Nardcore is a sub genre of Hardcore Punk that originates from Oxnard, CA. Nardcore also happens to be the first genre of Punk to incorporate Skate/Surf imagery in the lyrics as well as their artwork.

Agression is considered the defining group of this particular genre, as is made apparent by their album cover of Don't Be Mistaken. Anyone familiar with late 80's or early 90's skating will be likely to identify the song "Intense Energy" from it's usage in early Thrasher type skate videos. I can see the stone-washed jean shorts and neon t-shirts now dipping in and out of someones backyard pool. Perha

ps a little reefer? Maybe, I dunno. Malt Liquor? Perhaps. Punk? Hell yes.

RKL (meaning Rich Kids on LSD) is another group that is emblematic of Nardcore punk. Jason Sears of RKL said their name came from a critique of group claiming that they were, "Just a bunch of Rich Kids on LSD," and that they'd never amount to anything more. Keep Laughing is generally considered their best outing and thus was the basis of my purchase. How can you deny a group name like Rich Kids on LSD? RKL was apart of the Mystic Records lineup that included countless number of other Nardcore groups, most notably Stalag 13 (which I'm looking for) and Dr. Know. Mystic Records is often referred to as "Mistake Records," most likely due to poor promotion, bad distribution and questionable contracts.

My final purchase was Gorilla Biscuits album Start Today, which origina

tes from New York and is considered pioneers of straight-edge hardcore next to Minor Threat and the likes. While I'm not straight-edge, I find good hardcore is simply irresistible. I've been meaning to pick this album ever since I was a sophomore in high school (I'm 21 now), and never got around to it. The album cover is so awesomely bad, how could I resist? In any case, this album is pretty goddamn top notch. The title track "Start Today" is fantastic, and has had the unfortunate pleasure to be covered by Fall Out Boy in Tony Hawk's Wasteland. Regardless, I'd check this one out for what it's worth.