Cleavers – xHardcore Fabulousx
Hardcore music has been one of those genres as of late that has started to go back to its mental roots if you go by the likes of recent upstarts such as Cerebal Ballzy and Trash Talk who are currently making waves. Scotland's Cleavers is one band that nods back towards the fast paced insanity of the 1980's where hardcore reared its ugly head. Indeed this is the kind of music that wouldn't sound out of place in a skateboarding video. If you go by the song titles such as 'You Will Soon See The Omelette of My Egg Plans' you recognise there is an element of off the wall hi-jinx as well.
Their music screams a DIY ethic as under the paint stripping vocals, frenetic pace and simple yet jarring riffs the trio keep things raw and gritty. Like anything with this type of band, it is a short sharp shock to the system. The three tracks of this EP hit you like multiple blows to the head with a spiked baseball bat and salt poured into the wounds to add insult to injury. You are left wondering what has just hit you as it is over just as you start to get into the vibe of the EP but it goes with the territory. This is far removed from being perfectly polished like other bands that claim to be hardcore but it works well. Proof that the DIY scene is alive and kicking then with this steady effort.