Black Calvin Shooter HC 1995

Black Calvin Shooter HC 1995 CAT #HC007

If you just got the first song, "Savior", out of this EP, it'd be money well spent. Listening to it now, it recalls the best aspects of grunge, but is an absolute bruiser. A sludgefest, so much so you think you're spinning at the wrong speed.

This EP was released in 1995 on Craig Comstock's own HC label. It's a solid collection of tracks, and speeds up a bit by the third track, "Lemon," which stands as another highlight filled with noise rock reminiscent of the Jesus Lizard with a bit more melody, but insane out of control guitars.

All around, it's just a great EP, just bruising and relentless. You have to be in a certain mood to really enjoy it, but if you're angry or want to punch things, this can fit the bill nicely.

Black Calvin Postcard B/W Be With You HC 1994

Black Calvin Postcard B/W Be With You HC 1994 No CAT #

Black Calvin is another local much like Zoom, great band, but almost completely unheard of outside Kansas City and Lawrence. The was a three piece featuring Craig Comstock who is still very much active today in local music. He also started up the HC label the band released for and managed to release a Black Calvin 10", a split 7" and a local hardcore comp before giving the label up.

Black Calvin played a brand of post-hardcore that wasn't too far removed from other locals of the early to mid-90's. They were a lot more lo-fi and punk rock about it. The first track, "Postcard", is a 5 minute punk-rock, sludgefest. The B-side, "Be With You", picks things up, but stays just as noisy and discordant with crazy guitar lines and shifting tempos.

The tunes were recorded in Lawrence, KS by Ed Rose. So despite the band's lo-fi aesthetics, they still valued qaulity, so much so, the 7" was pressed onto virgin vinyl.