The Outsiders - zine

'Start a band, do a zine, put on shows if you know what I mean.' Those words were written by Ensign spin off band Weapon X years ago and still ring true today.

To me a good hardcore scene has great bands, great shows but also zines. With the rise of internet less and less people seem to be doing zines. I understand why it takes a lot of effort and some money if you want you magazine to come out great. Not everyone has that much time.

The Outsiders is a new zine from Belgium done by some guys from Accept The Change. Issue 1, which I got my hands on at the Defeater show, features in depth interviews with rising stars Touche Amore and Midnight Souls as well as some reviews and columns (of which one is written by me, so yes I'm a bit biased here).

Besides all that the editors also managed to interview True Colors vocalist Packo right before their last show ever. He looks back on his time in True Colors which makes for a great read.

I suggest everyone to get in touch with the editors and get yourself this zine, be inspired and do one of your own.

Midnight Souls release show - october 1st - Herenthout

Readers of this blog probably know I like the new Belgium band Midnight Souls a lot. Thankfully Johan Reflections asked me to go with him to the record release show in Belgium last friday. Upon arriving with the van we thought this show was going to be a disaster. No one was at the venue besides two or three guys from Midnight Souls. And we were already late.

At last the show started 1,5 hours after scheduled with Fundamental. This is a fairly new band form Belgium who remind me a bit of Rise and Fall. They played 'Paint It Black' by the Rolling Stones which is okay, but not if you fuck it up. Meanwhile the venue got more and more packed, I think in the end at least 150 kids were there. If this show took place in the Netherlands I think there would only be 30 people attending, so expectations were set for the rest of the night.


Belgium youngsters Accept the Change put up an impressing set. I'd seen the band before but love the new direction they're taking. Think Have Heart meets Undertow and done really intense. These guys should record these songs soon and get on the road. Definately a band that stands out in the crowd.


Together is a band from Germany. I never heard of them before but boy did they also play a solid show. Defeater and Verse come to mind when seeing this band. They have a new record coming out which I'll definately check and it was great to see the mayhem when they kicked in a Modern Life Is War song.


Though the crowd was moving and appreciating all the bands, none got as much response as hometown heroes Midnight Souls. Stagedives and singalongs, pit action and all around chaos ensued when they started playing. They gave everything and received even more from the kids. This set alone was worth the drive.


A hard task for Ritual to finish up the night. But if there is one band capable of doing so it's them. They played lots of songs from the awesome 'Beneath Aging Flesh and Bone' record and some songs from the upcoming 7". This band is such a tight live unit it's incredible. I will for sure check them out this saturday at This Is Europe Fest.

With the show over, it was time to put the merch back in the van. That's when we noticed it was pouring. After an okay drive back to Johan's place I got on my bike for the last fifteen minutes home. I was soaking wet when I got there, but it was worth it.

All pics by Nous Davidse. See more of this show here.

Sunday matinees will never be the same

Sunday matinees have never seemed the same

Since you turned our hardcore shows into a football game.

But you're not the only one to blame, Because we sat back for so many years And watched you play all your stupid tough-guy games

We took your shit and now we're lying in it.It's time to make a change... MAKE IT FUCKIN' CHANGE

If there's 200 kids and only there total dicks, Which of us do you think should get to say

I WILL STAY 

Battery - Go Back To The Gym

To be honest the above lyrics to one of the better Battery songs have nothing to do with playing the sunday matinee in Aarle-Rixtel. If anything there was no macho behaviour just a diverse group of people having a good time.

I had never been in the OJA before. And was surprised to find such a great venue in The Netherlands. Belgium is known for these kind of places but to find a small club in the middle of a small village in The Netherlands where local kids come and see bands, it's still great

The matinee started with Belgium newcomers Accept The Change. They remind me a lot of Have Heart and the singer has a great stage presence, really focusing on the music and withdrawn to the extent that as an outsider you get into it as well. They played a good set and set the tone for the rest of the day.

You know those show with lots of bands playing, taking their time to set-up and do another soundcheck? Those shows that go on and on forever and really get behind schedule. Well this was not one of them. In fact To The Test were already done playing their mix of Madball metalcore and our drummer and guitarplayer still had too arrive. Fortunately they walked in just in time to set up their gear and get focused. Ray brought one of his sons, which made me want to bring my kids to a show someday as well.

Our set went way better than last week. And we even sold our demos, compilation 7" and stuff. There's only one shirt left so we're going to try and have a new design ready for the next show on May 7.

Aarle-Rixtel was Dutch hardcore history in the making since after five years MM returned on stage, with a new singer. They weren't as rusty as expected and their songs inspired by 7 Seconds were still enjoyable. It was somewhat strange to see our drummer from the other side of the stage as he is also in MM.

What other band could close off the day then Said and Done. Everytime I see this band they are just one step better. They ripped it again. Beforehand Pim told me he was not sure his voice would hold, but it did. Everyone was grooving, singing along and enjoying one of the better bands in the Netherlands right now.

After that it was time to head back in the Shieldrecordings van and go back to Tilburg.

I WILL STAY