Pause

Hey,

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

Its been a long timmmmeeee....

.....since BrainDrain has done anything. Graduation, unemployment and lack of funds are all to blame for the lack of release from BrainDrain. We are working on a Lighten Full Length which rules, that hopes to be out in January. We may have something else out between now and then. check out the lighten up songs at http://www.myspace.com/lightenuphardcore

planning for a lot in 2009!

added to distro:

Mother Speed – Bizarre Reality
Mother Speed / Retard Strength Split

Summer!

Hey!

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.

You gotta Lighten Up!

Lighten Up! just added Colin McGinnis (None More Black, Paint it Black, Go! For the Throat) as their second guitarist. They are playing and some shows here and there are hard at work on their first full length. BrainDrain is putting out the vinyl and Jumpstart is doing the CD. So make sure you pick up both!

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

New Stuff

HEY!

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

A.N.S/Seasick Billy in a Bearsuit split 7"

BrainDrain Teamed up with Headcount Records from Virginia to do this release and it couldn’t have been a better thing to do. This release is awesome, all tracks by both bands are awesome and this record is moving fast so pick it up at the store! Released 12-18-07

What?

I just realized I made this page and I haven’t updated it in a while, not even sure if people actually read this but here goes:

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

2 more Seasick Reviews

Maximum Rock n Roll:

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

This is Hardcore

This weekend was awesome, a lot of good bands and a lot of people it was a really great time. Just wanted to say thanks to anyone who stopped by our table, picked stuff up, asked questions, said hello or whatever. And thanks to those who watched Lighten Up! and BRAINDEAD because both bands were awesome.

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

Another Seasick Review

Here is the latest review from Mutiny Zine:

“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

Tour = Over

Lighten Up! has finished their tour and Seasick’s last day is August 2nd at a welcome home show in New Brunswick playing along with Regulations!! Once i get the exact address i’ll be sure to let you know.

Both tours were very successful and I just want to thank everyone that came out to support these bands. Both bands will play local shows in their area and maybe a couple of weekend trips here and there. so keep on the look out for that!

Lighten Up! will be playing This is Hardcore on August 19th (sunday) along with BRAINDEAD who is playing saturday. and a shit load of other bands:

DAY TO DAY LINEUPS FOR 2007$$@

this is the lineups day to day. Tickets will be on sale monday. I will be alot busier then I hoped so I’ll announce now, tickets in 2 day. Hope you come out, hope you’re at sound and fury right now and I hope you don’t pm/email/aim/txt/skywrite any more messages asking about day to day lineups!!

3 DAY WEEKEND PASSES AVAILABLE NOW

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=194647

$45 Weekend Pass Tickets

Also On Sale w/ No Surcharge At The Relapse Retail Store (608 South 4th St Philadelphia PA)

(individual day tickets will be offered soon)

PRESHOW (NOT IN ABC ORDER)
THURS AUG 16th
AT PHILAFUNK

Shattered Realm
Blood Stands Still
Between The Wars
Pressure
Hard Response
Shut Out
Within Hearts Potential

THIS IS HARDCORE 2007
day to day in abc order.

at the starlight ballroom
460 n. 9th street
philadelphia, pa.
www.myspace.com/thisishardcorefest
www.myspace.com/r5productions.com

FRIDAY
AUGUST 17TH
515 DOORS
6PM BANDS

Agnostic Front
All Out War
Bloodclot
Fight Like Hell
Have Heart
Iron Age
Reign Supreme
Verse
Wisdom In Chains

SATURDAY
AUGUST 18TH

1130 DOORS
12 PM BANDS

Ambitions
Bitter End
Brain Dead
Cast Aside
Cold World
Death Before Dishonor
Energy
Know The Score
Meltdown
My Turn To Win
Righteous Jams
RingWorm
Rise And Fall
Steel Nation
Strength For A Reason
Swamp Thing
The Mongoloids
Triple Threat

SUNDAY
AUGUST 19TH

1130 DOORS
12PM BANDS

Blacklisted
Ceremony
Cheap Tragedies
Crime In Stereo
LetXDown
Lighten Up!
Paint It Black
Pulling Teeth
Said Radio
Shipwreck
Soul Control
Trash Talk
Violation

come out and have a great time, check back for more updates/releases (hopefully sometime soon)

_ Jay

Tours!

Hey,

Don’t forget that Lighten Up! and Seasick are on tour for the next few weeks. Lighten Up! is going through the Midwest and Seasick is going around the entire U.S. check out BrainDrain’s Myspace for all exact dates and venues. You might want to double check the bands’ myspace too because I sometimes miss dates.

Also I FINALLY have copies of the Seasick CD 5 dollars ppd is the cost.

Don’t forget Lighten Up! and BRAINDEAD will be playing This is Hardcore in August. We are not sure of what day or time they are playing but will definitely fill you in when that information comes. You will definitely see new merch from the bands and MAYBE even some BrainDrain stuff as well. You can pick up your weekend pass ($45 plus service charge) at:

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=194647

OR a better option:
On Sale w/ No Surcharge At The Relapse Retail Store (608 South 4th St Philadelphia PA)

Look for BRAINDEAD shirts coming up soon on the site.

-Jay