Over the years London has been a major host and home to many different forms of UK Hardcore (UKHC). Proving that the scene is still alive and holds some of its original values, Swan Song and Who Cares? only confirm this to be true with their new split EP, ‘A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem’.
Featuring xSheepx on vocal duties (ex-Honour Among Thieves / The Seventh Cross), Swan Song kick start the EP without hesitation. Sweeping metallic hardcore, dusted with gang chants and breakdowns may sound like nothing new, but Swan Song manage to take these elements and harness them into something entirely unique. Never ones to mince their words, the opening track ‘Cancer Media’ establishes right away what direction this record is heading for. A crushing ending layered with screams of “humanity is the cancer” and a George W. Bush quote lead into the next song ‘Ivory Towers’ reminding us that the political issues of the world are what spawned the hardcore and punk scenes in the first place.
Both ‘Ivory Towers’ and ‘Helping Hand’ twist and turn throughout. There always seems to be a big, hard hitting riff or breakdown around each corner and it’s well received each time. At no point are these songs stale; they demand attention and rightly so as some of the lyrics are both clever and desperately angry. Swan Song manage to show two sides of the same coin with these four tracks, two tackling political issues and two that are a little closer to home, addressing common courtesy by helping one another and admiring a person’s inner strength.
Split EPs can often be a little one sided with one band dominating the other be it with the production or general quality of the music. Not this one. Who Cares? are a London based hardcore punk band that live up to their name in every way possible. Their first offering on this release, ‘Apology’ is a dark and moody storm of emotions that in no way prepares you for the instantaneous ear bashing that is ‘Forever True’. Sudden and furious, ‘Forever True’ wears its heart on its sleeve as it describes the trials and tribulations we face when growing up or changing who we are.
Having found and spliced together almost every soundbite of someone using the phrase “who cares?”, ‘Back In Step’ continues with the rapid pace of its predecessor. A nod to Minor Threat, ‘Back In Step’ illustrates the thought of losing someone to mediocrity or giving in to the peer pressure of what’s considered to be the “social norm”.
Acting as a response to their own previous track, ‘Newc The World’ is where Who Cares? really come into their own. A brown ale driven anthem, this is a big middle finger to the idea of trying to please other people and not being true to yourself. Tying up any loose ends or thoughts you may have had about them, ‘Newc The World’ even contains Nickleback lyrics. As frontman Willy O’Shea screams “Are we having fun yet?”, Who Cares? are doing everything in their power to make sure you realise how few fucks they really give.
‘A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem’ is available to listen to / download from the band’s shared Bandcamp page but if you’d like a physical copy “let us know and if there’s enough demand maybe we’ll make one.”
JAMES DAVENPORT