A.N.S./Seasick split review in MRR

A.N.S./SEASICK-split EP

Since I’ma already familiar with A.N.S., I figure I’ll just start off by listening to the other band first and get them out of the way so I can see what new skate-thrash bombs the boys have cooked up this time around. But hold on a second, this other band rips (no fucking duh SEASICK delivers three ferocious blasts of thrash hostility guaranteed to leave you with the desire to listen to their wholse side again before finally flipping the record. I’m digging the lyrics here, which are definitely on the more intelligent side of things, and I’m especially liking the song “Intro(spection)” that’s about how much of punk culture is nothing but materialism. Musical influences can be a long list, including WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? and LEFT FOR DEAD. Coll shit—now I gotta go check out their other records! A.N.S., though facing mighty competition, have come through to even things out by throwing down three ‘85-style thrash grenades of their own. You should have checked these guys out by now, but if not, you’re missing out on some genuine hardcore punk that sounds a bit like BLACK FLAG, early SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, and AGRESSION, but not exactly like anyone in particular. Pick up this EP!

Siczine.com
A.N.S/Seasick
Billy In A BearsuitHeadcount/Brain Drain Records

Jeff Karbow

What a strange split. Definitely wouldn’t have guessed the next release that Seasick would be on would be a split with a band of party happy skaters. But hey it’s new Seasick material so I sure as hell ain’t complaining.

This split 7” pairs Seasick up with A.N.S a band based out of Denton, TX which isn’t too far from Dallas. They play old school hardcore with some skate hardcore/thrash going on, not completely different from a band like Common Enemy. They contribute three songs their side and for the most part their efforts aren’t too shabby. The first two songs “What Would Bomer Do” and “Paging Dr. Chiba” blaze by in a blink on an eye and while they have their thrashy moments they aren’t nearly as noticeable as they are in their final song, “Circle The Drain”. All three songs were good but I enjoyed “Circle The Drain” the most. My biggest complaint about their side is their recording. The vocals were a bit too low for my liking and the guitar tone was lacking. Not too bad though…

NJ’s Seasick have also contributed three songs to the split and their new material shows the band heading in a slightly different direction than their last EP, “Awakenings”. It seems they have stripped down their song writing a bit by eliminating the awesome melodies that they expertly incorporated into their writing the previous time around. Now it seems they are more focused on hitting the listener off with pure aggression via the use of brief and hard hitting mid paced breaks. The one thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the uncompromising lyrics. “Introspection”, the EP’s opening track is about how punk has become too materialistic and shallow. The second track “Veritistic Value” is about how we shouldn’t trust cops and how laws were/are ”...derived from politics and not our ethics.” The last song “Setting The Straw Man Ablaze” seems to be about how some front men don’t have conviction behind their words.

Loving the nostalgic feeling of this one’s layout. The layout is printed on thin cardboard with a trippy ass front cover that has a tattered teddy bear placed over a spiraling grey/black background. The incorporation of both band names into one was a nice little touch. The little lyric sheet that accompanies the record seems to have been screen printed. Seasick’s side looks nice and is fairly easy to read but I can’t say the same for A.N.S’ side, the shit is pretty much impossible to read without a fucking magnifying glass, shit was really sloppily thrown together. The old school layout does bring a modern treat; included with every 7” is a free digital download for those of you without a record player. Sadly, I had no idea how to redeem my shit but luckily it also says for questions just email Brain Drain.

Rating: 3.5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: “Circle The Drain” (A.N.S) & “Intro(spection)” (Seasick)
Synopsis: A.N.S was pretty good but I wouldn’t listen to them with any regularity. Seasick may have changed their sound a bit but they still delivered the goods. The price of admission for this is $4 and it comes with that free digital download so whether you’re a fan of one band or both it’s definitely worth the ticket price.

Punk News:

A.N.S. and Seasick are certainly no strangers to the split format, and each contribute three new
tracks to Billy in a Bearsuit, whose layout and musical content is a seeming dedication to the 1980s
hardcore scene that preceded it twenty years past.

Denton, TX’s A.N.S.’s three contributions come off like a mish-mash of Bad Brains and more skate hardcore-oriented `80s bands, but with the occasional thrashy moment (“Circle the Drain”). Pretty decent stuff.

Jersey’s Seasick are up next. While the recording is pure garage fury and the songs themselves are the most raw and unbridled Seasick have sounded in years, notably with the super Infest-esque “Veritistic Value,” there’s a rugged and endearing flair to them. “Setting the Straw Man Ablaze” turns the band’s criticisms fully inward of their own scene and prove the band is as outspoken as ever (“complain and cry how the scene is P.C. / and criticize those who condemn hateful speech”), while “Intro(spection)” declares “I can’t fucking understand why I place my faith in those who’d rather die than think or contemplate about questions that might challenge their deepest held convictions or obstruct them from buying records and watching television.” Despite the hypocrisy of these words coming from the liner notes of a 7” vinyl, it’s certainly a rather challenging and confrontational opinion towards a healthy portion of hardcore enthusiasts.

Printed on white vinyl and accompanied by a coupon for a free digital download, Billy in a Bearsuit ain’t a bad deal for followers of either band. – Brian

MutinyZine.com
A.N.S/ SEASICK
“Billy In A Bearsuit”
Split 7” | Brain Drain Records/ Headcount Records
Reviewed: January 14th, 2008

I was stoked when I finally got a new record with Seasick on it. I loved their 10” which came out last year and I’ve been waiting for some new stuff. I find the band a bit more straight on this album. The guitar-melodies have taken a step back on this recording only to leave more room for more furious hardcore. Seasick rocks as usual. Each band has three songs on this split and the finest moment on Seasick’s side is “Setting the Straw Man Ablaze”.
The other side of this 7-inch has got a band named A.N.S. on it. These guys are new to me, they’re from Texas and I think they’re quite good, actually they rule! Not as much hardcore as Seasick though. I’d label this outfit as a thrash/ punk band. I think the vocals are mixed a bit low at times. Otherwise I dig their side a lot. Check it out kids! – Christer @ Mutiny Zine