American Distress

vote for american distress on the top 40 at punkradiocast.com punkradiocast.com
About American Distress..
A four piece "old school" hardcore punk band out of New York City, first formed back in august of 2001. This came about from the break up of what was once IN-DK. Another punk band that was known for its direct affiliation to Choking Victim, the band that has since spawned numerous other "as" notorious bands. After already playing for 2 and a half years together, drummer Skwert, and guitarist Paul, thought there was no reason in ending their musical relationship, and it just seemed natural to continue on.
Since the incarnation of the band, American Distress has aimed to bring their message of self awareness and the powers that be. Unlike the bands of years past, A.D. does not preach cheap political views found in any leftist publication, they speak of life in the urban environments of America, 2005. Lyrically, the inspiration draws from life on the street, a bi-product of skwert's earlier years. " When i was young, i didnt have many options, except either going into a detention center or runaway from home and fend for myself " Skwert remembers.
After touring the whole U.S. without any help from outside sources, American Distress is ready to to play anywhere and do anything it takes to spread their word.
PRESS
Punktrigger
From the ashes of Indk and Choking Victim rises the newest installment in the sometimes called “crack rock” era. Unlike Choking Victim, Indk, Leftover Crack, Morning Glory and other “crack rock” bands, American Distress contains no ska core, but much more of an old-school sounding hardcore punk style. Released on the drummer’s record label, Tent City Records, the demo contains four tracks: “Ill Logic”, “Eternal Bullshit”, “My 3 Guns”, and “Nowhere to Go.” All the songs on this demo are fantastic in lyrical content and on overall sound.
The first track on this demo is “Ill Logic”, possibly my favorite track on the demo. The form of the song is great, with an awesome molodic chorus, verses that blend in well with the chorus, and a kick-ass guitar solo. The second track, “Eternal Bullshit”, sounds very similar to the first track but may be not quite as good. The third track is a one minute and twenty seven second speed track and is extremely fast paced and is yet another good song. The fourth and final song on the demo, “Nowhere to Go”, is my second favorite for sound and possibly my favorite for lyrics as it completes one of the best demos if not the best demo I’ve ever heard.
All in all, American Distress is a spectacle in modern day hard core punk, an awesome escape from talentless punk rock and hardcore. With two U$ tours in 2003 and an amazing demo, American Distress should be coming out with a full length that will include eleven tracks fairly soon, so keep an eye out, you wouldn’t want to miss such an awesome band’s debut.
Review from Rock and Roll Experience
AMERICAN DISTRESS
S/T Track Listing: Fraudulent Times, Dirty Little Secrets, ill Logic, Nerve Damage, Nowhere To Go, American Distress, @)@)@), Eternal Bulshit, My 3 Guns, Keepsake Too, On Fire, Be the Law
Rating: 6 Stars!
I'll get the cool part out first..there's a little bonus track on this CD, so make sure you listen to the entire CD! Okay, so, I'll say it again....the independent labels & artists are kicking the asses of the major labels! American Distress is a great punk rock band that is REAL punk rock..not the greenday/offspring style rock that gets passed off as punk rawk! "Fraudulent Times" kicks off the CD with a fury that would make the Sex Pistols shake & quiver! There's slight hints of mini guitar solo's & lead licks, but there's no overly indulgent solo's that traditional rock music is known for. "Nerve Damage" opens with an odd little guitar riff & the riff is present in the song, which makes it both interesting & ironic, because traditional punk music was usually made by guys who were not that great of musicians, BUT, let me tell you, these guys can hold their own & they are really good at both song writing & playing! The vocals are very grizzled & more in your face than anything I've heard in a long time! "Nowhere To Go" is the song that should be the first single off this CD, because it's got a very standard punk rock progression, BUT, it's anything but standard...it's very intense vocally & musically, & it's actually got a great hook that makes Greenday look like Mariah Carey! The artwork is interesting too I might note...all of the lyrics are written on bank statements, receipts, & the artwork is pretty much based on a Clockwork Orange sorta vibe, where society is burning out your senses with sex, money, religion & politics, & the back of the CD cover is a printed circuit board....the artwork was definitley well put together & I think the entire CD kills from beginning to end! Major labels beware...the truly good bands do not need your $$$ to get their message & their music out, & to be honest with you, a band like American Distress would probably be ruined on a major label...they are loud, rude, lewd, & pure aggression, which is what makes them such a force to contend with! When I listen to this CD, I am slightly reminded of older The Exploited, but I actually think American Distress is better that band!
Antidote Magazine Interview with Skwert Here