Born Against Vs. Sick Of It All Hardcore Debate

Debate - born against - sick of it all - 01 from http://soup.vox.com/


There are 6 parts of this interview. I think its really great because this debate still has relevance now with Hardcore being so marketable and successful on a grander scale. In the early nineties with hardcore breaking out, obviously major labels were interested. And although I agree with bands being able to be successful and get their music out to the most people as possible, I can't help but to cringe when I hear sick of it all boldly state certian things to get their record in wal-marts and chain stores. Censoring your lyrics and artwork would be greatly upsetting to Born Against, a band thats defiant artwork and lyrics were the heart of the bands purpose. New York was greatly important to hardcore throughout the nineties, and Sick Of It All got more than the attention they should have. My argument is that Born Against gets a different kind of attention and respect that they earned by their own means, without catering to wal-mart and chain stores. The kind of hardcore kids that really had heart would gladly wait a few months for a record in the mail. That was part of what made it so special and personal. I understand what Sick Of It All was trying to do, but I don't appreciate the way they make Born Against seem unsuccessful by not having played bigger venues, and have had sold more records. When Sick of It makes them seem uncreditable because they didn't see them at the shows they went to growing up you kind of have to laugh a little too. SOIA basically states that playing bigger venues is more desirable than abc no rio or smaller venues and I just disagree. I think that born against shows to 75 kids at ABC is just as important as SOIA playing sold out shows at city gardens. It gets really personal at the end. Its definately still relevant even today.

Toning down a record, in any manner to me is inexcusable. Its a dangerous road to go down. Your taking a vital part of the music out by not including lyrics to compromise where the record is going to be sold. If Born Against only pressed 1,000 copies of a record and it got out to 1,000 kids and each copied it for two of their friends that is now thousands of people exposed to your band. And that is a much more personal way to do it. I love old SOIA, but I really believe in what Born Against was trying to do and always will. I know this post is a little lame, but Born Against is one of my favorite bands of all time. What they did is under the radar but is hugely important. Hope you find this a little entertaining, if you can listen to the whole 6 parts.