For this final conversation of 2023, Jeremy Bolm and I each pick our three favorite songs of the year and discuss them—with whatever else comes up in the process.
In regards to hardcore love songs, and at the risk of shameless self-promotion, I challenged myself to create one when Pulling Teeth was active. It ended up being as much about my love of hardcore as it did about my then girlfriend / now wife.
Ritual
This is all so bittersweet fulfilling dreams but only half alive
I should expect this by now, time has never been on my side
I've worked for this most of my life, these goals I've set to see them through
And I've never had to step back and think about what I do
Just twenty minutes each night, my therapy in this world gone mad
A ritual I've come to depend on to clear this throbbing head
I've seen these roads a thousand times, a million songs that sound the same
I love it all so much even though I can't explain why
But then there's you and a comfort I've never known
"it’s also about being able to understand that you can’t be consumed and swallowed up by everything that sucks or you will simply not survive."
Preach.
"I am way less interested in a punk or hardcore vocalist who is probably singing line by line and just trying to make themselves sound as hard as possible as opposed to as honest as possible."
This is something I've been thinking about for awhile - the distinction I make in my head between bands who "mean it" and bands who are just yelling because that's what you're supposed to do. I mean, I like bands in that latter category, but when they mean it...there's something really special and cathartic about that.
And the first time I heard Truth Cult - the sond "Naked In The End" - I thought to myself "huh, this reminds me of Shudder To Think." I have never said that about a band before. And High Vis aren't a hardcore band on tape, but...you watch footage from, I think it was Outbreak Fest...and they open with "Choose To Lose" and if you couldn't hear the music, you'd swear it was a hardcore show. Hardcore contains multitudes, and I'm happy for spaces to explore that idea.
Fantastic concept Norman!!! It was great getting to read more in depth about each song choice that might not be possible with more songs. Having said that at least 5 next year please 🤣. I needed more!
Did come away with a few new songs/bands which is always awesome! And that Phantom Bay! Perfectly fills the Title Fight sized hole in my heart, so thank you for all you do!!!
Long time, first time. As this ends the AM year I wanted to thank you bringing this back to life. Having watched your time and place pandemic interviews/conversations I was struck by just how much missed the original version of AM and how I longed for more. While I can appreciate that straight forward interviews are a necessity, for a multitude of reasons, your ability to explore the real of the people that are your subjects is awe inspiring. I genuinely look forward to each new piece, love my soft as fuck AM hoodie and can’t wait to see, feel & spin the forthcoming comp whether it’s a repress or an all new version. Thank you.
This was a fun read.
In regards to hardcore love songs, and at the risk of shameless self-promotion, I challenged myself to create one when Pulling Teeth was active. It ended up being as much about my love of hardcore as it did about my then girlfriend / now wife.
Ritual
This is all so bittersweet fulfilling dreams but only half alive
I should expect this by now, time has never been on my side
I've worked for this most of my life, these goals I've set to see them through
And I've never had to step back and think about what I do
Just twenty minutes each night, my therapy in this world gone mad
A ritual I've come to depend on to clear this throbbing head
I've seen these roads a thousand times, a million songs that sound the same
I love it all so much even though I can't explain why
But then there's you and a comfort I've never known
And when I'm gone I only think of coming home
I feel the love in that!
A hell of a conversation to wrap up the year...
"it’s also about being able to understand that you can’t be consumed and swallowed up by everything that sucks or you will simply not survive."
Preach.
"I am way less interested in a punk or hardcore vocalist who is probably singing line by line and just trying to make themselves sound as hard as possible as opposed to as honest as possible."
This is something I've been thinking about for awhile - the distinction I make in my head between bands who "mean it" and bands who are just yelling because that's what you're supposed to do. I mean, I like bands in that latter category, but when they mean it...there's something really special and cathartic about that.
And the first time I heard Truth Cult - the sond "Naked In The End" - I thought to myself "huh, this reminds me of Shudder To Think." I have never said that about a band before. And High Vis aren't a hardcore band on tape, but...you watch footage from, I think it was Outbreak Fest...and they open with "Choose To Lose" and if you couldn't hear the music, you'd swear it was a hardcore show. Hardcore contains multitudes, and I'm happy for spaces to explore that idea.
“I don’t know if you know this about me, but I am very into mosh parts.”
My friend, this is why I’m here.
In the words of the immortal Ray Beez, "Dance hard or die?"
Fantastic concept Norman!!! It was great getting to read more in depth about each song choice that might not be possible with more songs. Having said that at least 5 next year please 🤣. I needed more!
Did come away with a few new songs/bands which is always awesome! And that Phantom Bay! Perfectly fills the Title Fight sized hole in my heart, so thank you for all you do!!!
OMG! I think Norman Brannon called me a friend! 😍
Long time, first time. As this ends the AM year I wanted to thank you bringing this back to life. Having watched your time and place pandemic interviews/conversations I was struck by just how much missed the original version of AM and how I longed for more. While I can appreciate that straight forward interviews are a necessity, for a multitude of reasons, your ability to explore the real of the people that are your subjects is awe inspiring. I genuinely look forward to each new piece, love my soft as fuck AM hoodie and can’t wait to see, feel & spin the forthcoming comp whether it’s a repress or an all new version. Thank you.
Phantom Bay is unreal, so happy you're putting them on Norman