Generation 84
Beerzel, Flanders, Belgium
Music
Press
MASS MOVEMENT (Martijn)
What do, at first glance, contradictory bands like Death By Stereo and BoySetFire have in common? An amazing singer. Pure hardcore, yet melodic and diverse front-men who are seemingly, not of this world. Singer Teun Van Aerschot is cut from the same cloth as the aforementioned frontmen. I just love it. The music is sunny fast punk rock, but the singer lifts everything to a different level, and the band knows how to make each and every part of their sound work. The drums are amazingly tight and lay a steady foundation upon which the other parts build, topped off with the vocals acting as an intricately, carved and beautifully constructed roof. Maybe it was this that also made me thing about No Use For A Name at times as well, as Generation 84 also have that same fire and power. Generation 84 are yet another gem that’s been prised from the vault at Funtime Records…
- Massmovement
Yet another Belgian band has emerged onto the global punk scene. For the people who think that Belgium is only known for their fine fruity beers (and yes they are the best in the world) think again, because the country also boasts an exemplary punk rock scene of their own. It’s comprised of classic venues, helpful labels, dedicated and lucky fans, and a non-stop influx of great bands. It’s a treat for any punk rock fan, specifically the ones in the Aarschot region where is seems babies are born with guitar in hand and punk anthems in the brain. This could be the case with the members of Generation 84. Formed by current and ex-members of such bands as That Straight, Victims of Society, and Break of Day, the band might be new but the musicians are veterans on the stage.
The band recently released their 6 song, self-titled debut EP on Funtime Records. Teun, lead vocalist from Break of Day, is also on vocal duties in Generation 84 and he stays mainly with the clear, dark, and melodic voice (Zoli from Ignite anyone?) throughout the whole EP. Don’t be surprised to hear some hardcore shouts from Teun though, a little Break of Day for you. For some reason, this time ’round I hear ex-Funtime band Dearly Deported in Teun’s voice and music wise as well. Unlike Break of Day though, which is much more on the melodic hardcore side, Generation 84 are more of a pure punk/rock band, sticking closer to the sound of NUFAN, Good Riddance, and Rise Against, for example. These five guys decided to go with what they know and love instead of totally changing the style from their past bands. If you listen to their current/former bands you can hear elements of each. This EP is an honest release from a group of guys who just want to have fun playing live and supporting the Belgian punk scene. There is no lack of support either. It has to be a good feeling when you are forming a new project and you KNOW that promoting the band will be a success already. This is the Belgian scene ladies and gentlemen.
The tunes on this “S/T” release varies from mid-tempo to fast so it’s tough to classify this under one genre. Variety is the key that sets these guys apart from their contemporaries. The stand out track for me is “Your Suit, My Body Bag” which does a great job of capturing the 90’s punk rock sound and with Teun’s vocal range going all over the place. Make sure to read the lyrics while listening to music from Generation 84. I find that Belgian bands put an emphasis on lyrical content.
This band may only be a side-project but it seems that more music will be coming! Along with the always strong Funtime Records support, and of course the passion and dedication from these players, Generation 84 are the new blood in the Belgian scene and don’t be surprised if more bands like them follow suit. You drink a fruity beer and another band gets born.
- Dying Scene
Yet another Belgian band has emerged onto the global punk scene. For the people who think that Belgium is only known for their fine fruity beers (and yes they are the best in the world) think again, because the country also boasts an exemplary punk rock scene of their own. It’s comprised of classic venues, helpful labels, dedicated and lucky fans, and a non-stop influx of great bands. It’s a treat for any punk rock fan, specifically the ones in the Aarschot region where is seems babies are born with guitar in hand and punk anthems in the brain. This could be the case with the members of Generation 84. Formed by current and ex-members of such bands as That Straight, Victims of Society, and Break of Day, the band might be new but the musicians are veterans on the stage.
The band recently released their 6 song, self-titled debut EP on Funtime Records. Teun, lead vocalist from Break of Day, is also on vocal duties in Generation 84 and he stays mainly with the clear, dark, and melodic voice (Zoli from Ignite anyone?) throughout the whole EP. Don’t be surprised to hear some hardcore shouts from Teun though, a little Break of Day for you. For some reason, this time ’round I hear ex-Funtime band Dearly Deported in Teun’s voice and music wise as well. Unlike Break of Day though, which is much more on the melodic hardcore side, Generation 84 are more of a pure punk/rock band, sticking closer to the sound of NUFAN, Good Riddance, and Rise Against, for example. These five guys decided to go with what they know and love instead of totally changing the style from their past bands. If you listen to their current/former bands you can hear elements of each. This EP is an honest release from a group of guys who just want to have fun playing live and supporting the Belgian punk scene. There is no lack of support either. It has to be a good feeling when you are forming a new project and you KNOW that promoting the band will be a success already. This is the Belgian scene ladies and gentlemen.
The tunes on this “S/T” release varies from mid-tempo to fast so it’s tough to classify this under one genre. Variety is the key that sets these guys apart from their contemporaries. The stand out track for me is “Your Suit, My Body Bag” which does a great job of capturing the 90’s punk rock sound and with Teun’s vocal range going all over the place. Make sure to read the lyrics while listening to music from Generation 84. I find that Belgian bands put an emphasis on lyrical content.
This band may only be a side-project but it seems that more music will be coming! Along with the always strong Funtime Records support, and of course the passion and dedication from these players, Generation 84 are the new blood in the Belgian scene and don’t be surprised if more bands like them follow suit. You drink a fruity beer and another band gets born.
- Dying Scene
GENERATIION 84 (MCD)
Dit debuut doet een frisse wind waaien in de belgische punkwereld. De vijf leden deden hoorbaar reeds ervaring op bij andere groepen. De stijl doet denken aan het vroegere Rise Against en No Fun At All. De zang is zuiver en wisselt af en toe met een stevige scream.
G84 levert een stevige plaat af die als afwisseling eindigt met het gevoelige “Guidelines”. Velen zullen zich herkennen in de messcharpe en kritische teksten die dieper gaan dan de teksten van de meeste ‘commerciële’ groepjes. Deze melodieuze punk-EP laat ons toch wat op onze honger zitten. Honger naar meer namelijk, want hij is veel te kort en we kijken al uit naar meer werk van dit kwintet (vv)
www.mindview.be - Mindview
GENERATIION 84 (MCD)
Dit debuut doet een frisse wind waaien in de belgische punkwereld. De vijf leden deden hoorbaar reeds ervaring op bij andere groepen. De stijl doet denken aan het vroegere Rise Against en No Fun At All. De zang is zuiver en wisselt af en toe met een stevige scream.
G84 levert een stevige plaat af die als afwisseling eindigt met het gevoelige “Guidelines”. Velen zullen zich herkennen in de messcharpe en kritische teksten die dieper gaan dan de teksten van de meeste ‘commerciële’ groepjes. Deze melodieuze punk-EP laat ons toch wat op onze honger zitten. Honger naar meer namelijk, want hij is veel te kort en we kijken al uit naar meer werk van dit kwintet (vv)
www.mindview.be - Mindview
GENERATIION 84 (MCD)
Dit debuut doet een frisse wind waaien in de belgische punkwereld. De vijf leden deden hoorbaar reeds ervaring op bij andere groepen. De stijl doet denken aan het vroegere Rise Against en No Fun At All. De zang is zuiver en wisselt af en toe met een stevige scream.
G84 levert een stevige plaat af die als afwisseling eindigt met het gevoelige “Guidelines”. Velen zullen zich herkennen in de messcharpe en kritische teksten die dieper gaan dan de teksten van de meeste ‘commerciële’ groepjes. Deze melodieuze punk-EP laat ons toch wat op onze honger zitten. Honger naar meer namelijk, want hij is veel te kort en we kijken al uit naar meer werk van dit kwintet (vv)
www.mindview.be - Mindview
Discography
s/t 'Generation 84' EP - 2010 - Funtime Records
'Regardless of what is Right' CD - 2012 - Funtime Records
'Tilting The Hourglass' videoclip - 2012 - Funtime Records
'Putting Music In It's Place' videoclip - 2012 - Funtime Records
Photos
Bio
Have you ever felt the need to make some waves? Have you ever felt bad about old values being thrust aside? Well, we felt the need to give punkrock a kick in the butt and put it back up right where it belongs. In this grey society where everyone is becoming more and more happy to live according to the latest TV-show or fashion magazine, we want to break out from this ‘Generation 84’ by trying to live up to our own dreams. It’s time to take back punkrock to the outcast core it used to be. Straightforward, no nonsense, just having fun playing music and storming stages, while kicking shins in the process. So get ready and arm yourself, because this generation will grab you by the throath
Generation 84 started out at the end of 2009. By the end of 2010 the band was ready to hit the stage. At the same time Generation 84 released their debut EP on Funtime Records. What followed was an intense period of playing shows and festivals all over Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany supporting for bands such as Death By Stereo, Atlas Losing Grip, Murphy's Law, Against Me, No Fun At All and more.
2 Years later Generation 84 was ready to release 'Regardless of what is Right'. And no doubt about it! The band is again aiming for first rank 'Regardless of what we're Told'.
Influences
Good Riddance, No Use For A Name, Raised Fist, Descendents, No Fun At All, Rise Against, Strike Anywhere, Propagandhi, George Orwell... You get the idea.
Band Members
Links
