When I think about Philadelphia I think of two things, Dinic’s (which is better than any cheese steak you’ll ever eat) and an amazing local music scene. I also think about my hatred for every sports team they have to offer, but for the sake of the readers, I won’t get into that. What I will get into is a local band from Philly on a warpath across the country, Jesus Piece. When you hear the name Jesus Piece, you either know exactly what you’re in for, or you question what you’re about to hear. Let me give you a little street lesson:

“Jesus Piece” meaning: the signature firearm in a gangbanger's collection of firearms. Typically, the Jesus Piece is a high caliber handgun adorned with engraving, encrusted jewels or other decorations.

Now that I have your attention, let me be straightforward, these guys aren’t fucking around. We live in a world of corruption, and Jesus Piece is well aware of that, it’s what drives them to make their music, and it’s sad to say, but we can all relate to it, and it’s a good thing. We need an output, it’s why we’re in this scene, to let out aggression, and Jesus Piece’s “Summer 16 Promo” is the fuel to a fire we all have burning inside of us.

The tape is a 6-minute violent onslaught of sound and feeling. Riff after riff. Break after break. The only time this tape lets up is during a minute-long interlude, and it’s much needed, because if you’re neck isn’t hurting from banging your head, you must be listening to the wrong album.

The lyric content from vocalist Aaron Heard hits just as hard as the instruments, or better yet, a hammer to your face. “Slam the gavel, pass the sentence. Beg and plead, for repentance. Hope that pain is all you feel. While you beg for mercy behind the steel.” As stated before, corruption is all around us, this is what Jesus Piece strives on, and it pisses us off, and it should.

-Anthony Medves

Collaborations can be one of the most difficult yet rewarding tasks that any musician could possibly ever face. It can either go down the drain, or hit chart topping success throughout the nation. When it comes down to rating how well a collaboration may or may not be is almost entirely on the chemistry and relationship of those working together. Just being in a band itself presents a plentitude of arguments, distractions, and disagreements. However, every once in a while something truly awe inspiring happens. Fortunately, this “once in a while” just presented itself.

For those who are unfamiliar with Trade Wind may find themselves more knowledgeable with the members of this band and especially so with their other projects. Trade Wind is fronted by none other than Jesse Barnett of Stick to Your Guns and lead guitarist Tom Williams of Stray from the Path. Yes, this may be a seemingly odd outcome due to their inherent talent of producing some of the most influential music in hardcore and metal. Still, with Jesse’s song writing ability and Tom’s incredible knack to play a guitar? Well, you are left with something your ears have longed to hear but just didn’t know it. To this day I hold these guys as one of the greatest acts to grace hardcore from my generation and it seems as if they are ready to make this known through another genre.

In other words, Trade Wind is what happens when you take two impressively skilled musicians from the West Coast and the East Coast and have them make a record.

For those who still yet to listen to their music? We highly recommend listening to their debut EP titled “Suffer Just to Believe” off of Other People Records. An album that is simple by nature but rich in vibrant complexities that truly shine a new light in what it means to sound heavy. The best part? Trade Wind plays flawlessly in terms of sound and in regards to a crowed muddy room on the East Village of New York City. Paul, Eddie, and I were beyond stoked to see this band live in action last year when they toured on their EP at Webster Hall. Not going to waste time telling you how great the performance was when you can clearly find out for yourself. Oh yeah, these guys are hitting the road this summer with several stops up here in the North East. Check it.

Short sweet and to the point is that Trade Wind will be dropping their debut full length “You Make Everything Disappear” (http://www.otherpeoplerecords.com/products) on July 15 th at the Studio of Webster Hall. This is the second date of a full U.S. tour that they will be going on in support of their latest release. Until then here is a little treat of the new music with the song “I Hope I Don’t Wake Up to Die”.