BrainDrain is in pause mode until further notice. Times are tough, I’m full of excuses. We will be back sooner or later.

Thanks for the support,

Jay

planning for a lot in 2009!

added to distro:

Mother Speed – Bizarre Reality
Mother Speed / Retard Strength Split

Billy in a Bearsuit is ALMOST gone i think there is less than 50 records between headcount and braindrain so pick it up while you can.

Lighten Up. is recording their new full length and it should definitly be out by the end of summer.

Just added Seasick’s Ouroboros and Right to Assmeble Volume II both courtesy of Soul Rebel Records.

We have a lot of stuff planned for the future so keep a look out!

Seasick and ANS on tour now.

Short and Sweet.

Also check out the new Lighten Up! package just added on the page. you get 1 id rather be snoring 7” and 1 split w/ big ups 7”.

Looking for new bands so get in contact!

Word,
Jay

Just added a new page where you can find reviews of our releases. Click “reviews” then click the link to the release you are interested in.

I plan on doing a shows section sometime soon but its almost 4am now so I think I’m going to call it a night.

Also maybe an interviews section as well.

Pick up the latest Give Me Back Zine which is Issue #3. This is a great zine so check it out. If you do, you will find an awesome Seasick interview!

Thanks,
Jay

new distro stuff in the distro section, ANS, Common Enemy, CFL, Set to Explode, Government Warning, and Wasted Time. I do not know if I am going to do distro permanently but figured it was worth a shot

New reviews for Seasick over on the myspace, soon there will be a section on here for reviews but until then check out myspace.

Shows are pretty much up to date, maybe a show page on here too?

lighten Up! is going to be in this month’s (comes out nov 1) issue of AP. go check it out its short, but sweet!

New Seasick split with…...............still waiting on confirmation but when i know definitely you will too.

BRAINDEAD got signed to double or nothing records which is a huge deal! so if you see them around congratulate them. DON plans on releasing the 5 demo songs that BrainDrain release and the songs on the blackbirds split that Burn Bridges release on a digital download. When i find out more info I will surely pass it on.

Until next time,

Jay

Seasick – “Awakenings” 10”
“Self-aware, trashy hardcore with biting lyrics that evaluate and criticize the hypocrisy and fucked-ness of daily life. Musically, they tread on the side of DS-13 or INFEST, but lyrically they have more in common with bands like CHOKEHOLD or the current SEVEN GENERATIONS. Good. (AA)”

www.siczine.com:

“Seasick
Awakenings
Braindrain Records
Jeff Karbow

Busting up out of New Brunswick, NJ comes this five piece who play hardcore with some thrash thrown in for good measure. One of the things I really like about the band is how they describe their sound on myspace, “Not AN”. Absolute genius. Not totally sure, but I think this is the first release this guys have put out, aside from the obligatory demo I’m sure.

Starting off this 7 song EP is the track “Myths of the American Meritocracy Pt.1”, which opens up with some feedback and a little drum work until a guitar comes in, playing a nice little melody, this goes on until the :56 mark, and then the band tears into a thrashing riff until they slow it up a bit with a mid paced part with a succinct and well done solo. The next song, “Illusions, Michael” is a fast moving gem clocking out at :59. It opens up with a speedy drum beat over an octave chord until they jump into the song, and they do this again right before the last riff of the song. The third song is the title track, “Awakenings”. This is another fast moving track that highlights plodding basslines and manic shouting. Next up, “Cog In The Casual Machinery” opens with one of the guitars playing a traditional hardcore chord until everyone jumps into the mix and starts to hit you off with some nice rocked out hardcore complete with tastefully placed leads and dive bombs. Up next would be my favorite track of the EP, “Horizon”. The song opens with a short little intro until changing gears into a driving yet catchy riff that features some sweet start and stop drum work right before the end. The sixth track, “Understanding Sentience” has one of the most memorable breaks on the disc, a really well done start and stop breakdown with some nice little lead’ish parts placed in between. Closing out the album out is the song “Ashes, Ruins, Forward Sails” which is a 4:18 long instrumental. Usually I’m not huge into instrumentals closing out a hardcore type record but this shit really showcases the band’s ability to write something other than dope hardcore.

I’m sure there are a lot of people that can appreciate what these guys are touching on in their lyrics. “Myths of the American Meritocracy Pt.1” is one of the most earnest songs I’ve heard lately:

“I know I exhibit telltale signs of [a] pretentious activist. My privilege accords me the chance to whine and scream. Of course I recognize the irony of complaining when I’m in contrast free. At least I acknowledge my status as [a] white male member of the middle class. The differences that you just can’t see is in your apathy as a member of the modern gentry who chooses to believe your affluent life is guilt free, your lack of concern typical, our selfishness it is a myth. Egoists could not live with egoists.”

Other good themes include a song about anarchy (“Awakenings”), a song speaking out against the sheep like mentality of religious followers (“Cog In The Casual Machinery”), a song speaking about how far we’ve come in terms of equal rights for women yet we still have so much more to do (“Horizon”) and a vegan song that tells the listener to think about the pain an animal endures when they are slaughtered for food.

You can’t go wrong by going to record at Atomic Studios because odds are you’re shit will sound good. One of the most prevalent thing about this recording, to me anyway, is the guitar tone. It has a great overdrive tone that works perfectly with the bands blend of hardcore/thrash. The drums sound crisp and on point. I can’t forget about the bass because the tone is awesome and has all the presence you could ask for. Superb placement on the vocals as well. To top it off these guys got this album mastered by Bill Henderson over at Azimuth Mastering.

This label has done a good job thus far putting out good looking records (Lighten Up! is a good example) and this one is no different. The four panel booklet is printed on quality gloss and the yellow used throughout the majority of the layout is eye catching. The design on the front cover looks fucking magnificent. How the designer incorporated the skulls into the butterflies body was a really nice touch. One of the things that stood out to me the most with the layout was how after each set of lyrics there is suggested readings that pertain to the lyrics at hand. I also really liked how the band used quotes from various books that speak on anarchy. And another awesome thing about this layout is the font used, simple but unique.

Rating: 3.7/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Horizons and Illusions of Michael
Synopsis: This is an extremely solid album and I definitely recommend this, especially to those of you who like their bands socially aware (or vegan too). These guys are intelligent and can write some pretty damn good licks. Considering this album looks so good, I would also suggest to those of you who like vinyl to pick up the 10” version of this album.”

go to http://www.braindrainrecords.com to pick up some records

thanks,
jay

There are only TWO BRAINDEAD demos left and both are on black, these will never be re-pressed ever again, so get em while you can! Make sure you check out their new split with Blackbirds out on Burn Bridges.

Still have Lighten Up! records left but they are running low so pick em up! They are playing Friday at Siren Records in Doylestown along with Crumbler, who I cannot wait to see.

Don’t forget our latest release: Seasick – “Awakenings” out on 10” and CD. Check out their reviews at one of our blog things.

All this good stuff can be found at : www.braindrainrecords.com

Look for new stuff from BrainDrain in the fall!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again for an awesome weekend,
Jay

“SEASICK
“Awakenings”
10” Vinyl
Braindrain Records

Seven songs of pure energy! I liked this record the first time I heard it and I’ve been playing it quite a lot since. The band play fast hardcore with some rock’n’roll influenced guitars. The more rocking parts can be found on the records’ two first tracks and after that the songs get a bit more straight on. My absolute favorites are the title track as well as “Cog in the Casual Machinery”. Thoughtful political lyrics throughout the record shows that this band means business. The 10” comes on clear splattered vinyl and the cover artwork, signed Alex Snelgrove, is amazing. Great record!”

Christer, Mutinyzine.com

You can get the record and CD from RevHQ, Ebullition, No Idea and Of course here!!!

If you are in the Philadelphia area look for the record in Repo, AKA, Long in The Tooth, and Beatiful World. The records should be in those stores by mid-week.

If you are in Jersey check out Vintage Vinyl for the record.

Thanks,
Jay