Howitzer
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Howitzer

| INDIE

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"Police State Review"

Tough guy hardcore in the vein of Agnostic Front meets Sick Of It All. Lyrics that wouldn't get you a grade of C in creative writing class.
–Donofthedead
- Razorcake


"Police State Review"

Given the band's name, this album suitably starts off like a mortar shell crashing into a living room. Howitzer plays straight-ahead hardcore with a decidedly leftist bent, so it should come as no surprise that the group formed in New England -- home of many an old-school leftist hardcore band -- before it moved down here in the mid-1990s. Songs such as "Inciting a Riot" and "Police State" should gain wild approval from the suddenly left-wing hardcore scene. (Man, where have you guys been since the 1980s?) Meanwhile, the anti-drug "Get Your Fix" should appease the straight-edge kids, as should the more-veiled anti-drug stance of "Some Gave All," a Vietnam War tale in which the protagonist is caught by the Vietcong because he was too stoned -- "the Thai stick got us caught" -- and then subjected to all manner of unpleasantries. The vocals tend to be a bit too guttural and groaning when the band is trying to teach a lesson. But when the group lets go and has fun, as it does on the album-closing "Panic," you can picture the mosh pit in your head and it sounds like a good, if painful, time.

-Dan Sweeney

- City Link


"Police State Review"

This is my first introduction to Howitzer. This sounds like anthemic Oi! music that would be prevalent in the early eighties. I happen to be a big fan of the genre so I found this album to be quite a treat. The vocals are gruff, the guitars are right out there in front and they have the style down just right. Once in awhile they will throw in some lead guitar that gives the song that little extra bite. I liked this a lot. I hope to hear more from them in the future. - Willy Aadnoy


"Police State Review"


Second release from these hardcore thrash rockers. If Udo from Accept got on the wrong tour bus one morning, and ended up playing with D.R.I. that night, then you may get a clue about this band's sound. Loud, heavy and angry—this record packs a punch. Songs like "Inciting a Riot" and "Police State" should probably not be played at your next family BBQ. Not for the weak, but I think this band has some great chops. This record proves they have the will to live up to their potential. –Sean Koepenick

- Sean Koepenick


Discography

Police State - Hazard Hill Records
Turncoat (7" inch) -Hazard Hill Records

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Bio

After leaving their native New Bedford, MA and settling in South Florida, brothers’ Jay and Russ formed Howitzer in ’95. Frustrated by trying to scratch out a living in places that you don’t see on Sunshine State postcards, the brothers needed an outlet. Boston hardcore, metal, punk, oi and rock ‘n’ roll were in their roots. A lack of anything worth watching or listening to in South Florida at the time necessitated the bands creation. Jay’s tortured singing and raw guitar sound, and Russ’ take-no-prisoners, hardcore style vocals and no-frills bass playing, combined with their song writing skills formed a tough new form of street rock unlike anything South Florida had seen before. They gained notoriety wherever they played with their no bullshit, streetwise approach that somehow still managed to be a good time for all who attended.

After falling out with other band members along the way, the brothers teamed up with long time friend and fellow statesman Lance, who stepped in on lead and rhythm guitar. Lance’s heavy-handed rhythms and straight-ahead lead playing gave the brothers what they were looking for to complement the Howitzer sound without sacrificing their vision. Being from Massachusetts as well, Lance shared the same Yankee theories, politics, musical influences, and delusions of grandeur as the brothers. They had the sound and vision they were looking for, but needed the driving force to take it to the next level.

The album Police State was self-produced and recorded by Jay, Russ, Lance, and a fourth member named Steve in Howitzer’s own multi-hundred dollar recording studio. By taking matters into their own hands, Howitzer created a recording that sounded like they were meant to be heard. Fueled by the desire to capture their live sound on record and excessive amounts of alcohol, they cut their tracks in minimal takes and maintained rawness in the mixing process. The cover art is based on one world government conspiracy theories, and reflects what many of the songs are about.

But somewhere along the way, the Dirty South browned Howitzer’s edges and an outlaw country sound came creeping in. Exit Steve, leaving Howitzer as a three piece again– prime number for recording their latest release, Turncoat, a tough 7" which is still raw and gravelly. The twang hasn’t taken over, but there is real singing on this album. Their philosophy is simple: “Play the good songs, the ones we want to hear. The old songs need to be heard again and the new songs won’t disappoint the old fans.” So says Howitzer