Victoria BC emo anthology.

I can't quite put my finger on why I became so interested in Victoria's emo scene in the early-to-mid-90's. I know I learned about one of the major bands, Render Useless, when my boss gave me their discography CD at a show a year ago and I guess I just started compiling music from there.

Unfortunately for Victoria the only pre-2000 punk band from there that really made waves was Dayglo Abortions. Not because of their music, they just put out an a-politically offensive record cover that happened to be seen by the wrong censorship crusader.

Of course some people remember Neos as the fastest hardcore bands of the 80's. They probably weren't, but I digress.

No, Victoria didn't find it's niche in the beer-swilling mess that was non-edge hardcore, but a little later in the 90's. 

Following the release of Shiner's debut tape "Slightly Polished" in 1993, Dave Brown's Slow to Burn records funded every band worth listening to in Victoria. With the arrival of one Chris Iler, a former Torontonian (Who ran a college radio show in 1984 with a future member of Crisis of Faith, who went on to make a killer split 7" with Chokehold!) and his label Fans of Bad Productions, these artists received larger - though still painfully limited - distribution through two compilation albums (Fuck the Commonwealth, and Go!) 

I think that's enough background... Now the songs!

1.  Shiner-Burnt
the first Slow to Burn release. The vocals are derivative of the larger trend in rock n' roll at the time, but an important band, nonetheless.

2. M Blanket-Kid Collision

the first band of Dave Wenger, the most noteworthy participant in the scene at this time. Though most of M Blanket's discography sounds like a really awkward mix of Jawbreaker and Rancid, I think this song is the best hint at Dave's potential.

3. Ache Hour Credo-Smegma
My favorite Dave Wenger project. After M Blanket's dissolution he formed AHC. Because of tension in the group only two songs were officially released on the Fans of Bad Productions compilations. However they were able to record a demo, and it is fantastic. After AHC broke up he started Daddy's Hands, a great post-punk/indie band.

4. Breakwater-Eleven

Basically Republic of Freedom Fighters, but with Dave Wenger instead of Casey Mercer (Yes, Frog Eyes Casey Mercer). Like most of the early bands they only recorded a demo and a few songs for the FOBP comps. However they also released a FANTASTIC split with Closure, from California. This song was their side.

5. Republic of Freedom Fighters-Year of the Rat

What a band! Despite only lasting only a year, they were the only early band who recorded enough material for an LP. Plus a whack of splits.

6. Benchwarmer-Weirdo

Sup-Poppy indie, their 7" "Pud" was a pretty popular release on Slow to Burn. I've included them here because they were the predecessor to...

7. Render Useless-Generation Gap

The group that started it all. This still-influential group has the biggest catalog of them all I think. (Their discography CD has 25 (!!!) songs)  This song is off of their split with Miracle of 86.

8. Gus-Dom Fights Chris

Born Against worship featuring Steve McBean, who sings in Black Mountain! Their other releases were a little more weird. I have one of their tapes, I'll post it as soon as I can rip it. It has a Crucifucks cover on it!

9. Wrought: Ironsmile-Valentines Day

The latest release I could find, though I don't know much about the band itself. They put out one 7" and a split, not on Slow to Burn, though! Possibly a sign that the scene was starting to grow?

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The Victoria music scene is by no means dead. It's still small, all inclusive, and churning out great bands every few months. Just listen to bands like Gutless, Watcher, Six Brew Bantha and No Eulogy just to name a few. You can pick up Render Useless' discography CD, Watcher's 7" and a whole whack of other great bands (Damages, Mouse Ear, Deadsure, ect ect...) at Clue 2 records.