LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Earshot Media) In 1998 the iconic Swedish hardcore punk band Refused begged for it, in 2011 we finally start to hear the response. New Noise. American hardcore band American Standards has managed to bring a fresh spin on a genre that had become increasingly riddled with cookie cutter breakdowns and empty messages.
Formed in early 2011, American Standards plays raw, thrash hardcore with a foundation of punk and rock n roll. With clever plays on words, their passionate message derives from philosophy, existentialism and corporate/political satire. Songs such as "Paradigm alt+SHIFT+delete" were inspired heavily by the Occupy Movements in which vocalist
Brandon Kellum could hear daily from his downtown
Phoenix home.
"We don't have the look for your new business model!" screams a line from the song. Mirrored sentiments of protesters anger for the corporations.
The band are advocates of building upon a local "do it yourself" arts community. It's first self titled release was self distributed. More than 500 copies were created, painted with stencils and then a handwritten lyric sheet was placed in each homemade paper sleeve. This was mentality can also be found in their self made stickers and locally pressed T-shirts, pins and patches.
"Building a local community, then presenting the idea on a national level has always been a goal of ours."
Kellum says of the band.
"This includes local music, local business and local causes."
American Standards strives to present itself as a platform for giving back to the community through benefit shows and organizing volunteer events. These humanitarian efforts shine through in projects they've organized such as Hope For The Hopeless. Hope For The Hopeless is a tour featuring several local and touring acts. At each show, the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to a non profit local to the city it is hosted in. Past beneficiaries include; Teen Lifeline, Streetlight Tucson/Abolition Media and the DEBRA Foundation.
As an extension of the tour, American Standards has created a Hope For The Hopeless compilation CD featuring 14 bands. All proceeds from CD sales are donated directly to HALO, a no kill animal shelter which was voted on by over 1,000 fans of the band.
With just a year under their belt, American Standards has made a huge impression and has even bigger plans on the horizon. A full length CD as well as continued touring through out 2012 being part of those plans. With actions to match their words, American Standards continues to inspire the motion for change.
For more on the band, free song downloads, monthly merchandise giveaways and tour dates check out;
www.facebook.com/AmericanStandards
