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Fucked Up

 110

Fucked Up


Fucked Up

I first became aware of this six-piece Toronto hardcore band with the release of their ambitious 18-track double-album (and third album overall), the rock-opera David Comes to Life. I remember hearing “Queen of Hearts” and being totally blown away. I felt like a teenager hearing Nirvana for the first time. The energy was infectious. The melodies were more than enough to get one’s head banging. The hardcore-gruff-barking vocals of lead-singer Damian Abraham were sweetened by the beautiful-vocals of Madeline Follin of Cults were enough to make anyone want to start a mosh pit. The band formed in 2001 and in 2002 released their first single, a vinyl 7” called “No Pasaran.” By the time they got around to releasing their  proper debut, 2006’s Hidden World, they were already darlings of the underground punk scene. In 2008, the band released their second album through legendary indie label Matador Records, that album was titled The Chemistry of the Common Life. 2011 saw the release of their best album, the one where I hopped on board as a fan, David Comes To Life. Since then the band has released two more albums: 2014’s Glass Boys and 2018’s Dose Your Dreams, both solid efforts, specifically Dose Your Dreams which was a two-disc set that continued the story of David and saw the band dipping their toes into electronic, dance, and psychedelia along with their singular brand of punk. On top of their early efforts (which were compiled on 2004’s Epics in Minutes & 2010’s Couple Tracks), the band has also released singles based around the Chinese zodiac signs. So fare, there have been: 2006’s Year of the Dog, 2007’s Year of the Pig, 2009’s Year of the Rat, 2010’s Year of the Ox, 2012’s Year of the Tiger, 2014’s Year of the Dragon, 2015’s Year of the Hare, and 2017’s Year of the Snake. I’m gonna’ go ahead and say it: Fucked Up are the best band recording hardcore punk and have been for quite awhile. I mean, Jesus, songs like “Triumph of Life” just explode out of your speakers. If you don’t feel the energy and want to start moshing- then you need to get your ears checked- or you must seriously hate the notion of punk-rock. Power chords! Anthems! Arm-swinging choruses! Listen to songs like “David Comes to Life” (from 2006’s Hidden World, not the album of the same name) and 2011’s almost-radio-friendly stomper “The Other Shoe” which builds a cheery chant out of the phrase “we’re dying on the inside!” and tell me this music doesn’t move you. If it doesn’t… well… all I have to say then… that’s… and 

It’s…

Fucked Up

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