Distorted Mess - Ash Debrief 5/23/25
heart of the core
It’s been a minute since I’ve had the energy to sit down and write one of these, and if I don’t do it tired, it’ll never get done. So here we are with a sappy recap of the recent happenings in Louisville hc and KY hc in general. I know posi-core shit isnt for everyone, and if you’re one of those people, you’re probably not gonna like me this week lol. I’m feeling feisty, so buckle up.
Needless to say, It’s been non-stop these last few months and regardless of all of the chaos of the outside world, the scene just keeps getting better. When I was younger growing up in Louisville, the hc adjacent metal and punk scenes always had so many sub-scenes that didn’t coexist or attend the hc shows Alex and Ryan would book. Our kids didn’t travel as much to other cities even within a few hours, or if they did it was usually for fests 6-12+ hours away (TIHC, FYA, UB, etc). Most of the cities just a few hours from us rarely had shows (that weren’t already touring through Louisville) and the last generation of hc kids that booked shows in those scenes had dropped out years ago (or it was the ~other sub-scenes, but no hc scene~ thing, aaand if you think I am talking about you and you had a dope HC scene, I am not talking about you <3). Also some context for the youth, it was just a different time for hc. Small room HC was widely loved, toured the most, and was what Alex and Ryan booked most at the OG downtown Spinellis. The death metal wave and metalcore revival was just beginning to take off to where it is now. Even with Louder than Life happening here for years, they never had much crossover with our shows then.
Now, almost every show is a mixed bill, there are 5+ different promoters (from DIY to Live Nation) that book local shows, and there’s so much growth happening not only in Louisville but so many other midwest cities around us that we can barely keep up. The newer kids popping up since covid are finally feeling comfy and getting involved, digging into the OS shit and really sinking their teeth in. They’re starting bands, doing covers, wearing shirts older than they are from bands that are half deceased, singing along, moshing with some style, and really seeming to feel ownership over this scene we’re all in. I think the beauty of younger generations being actively involved is that with that, attitudes and perceptions of certain behaviors change. From what was once cool, to being rightfully treated as immature and childish. The tough guy, cool guy, gatekeep-y shit of the past is such a bad look now and the kids are just laughing at you. Caring about your friends, the bands, and the diy hc scene as a whole, is so back and I genuinely love to see it.
I’ve never been more proud of the WORK the midwest hc kids are putting in to make shit happen in their cities. The kids in Bloomington, Lexington, Springfield, Cincinnati and every other midwest city that once had a less active hc scene, or none at all, and revived it back to better than it’s ever been. It’s such a rare time in hardcore and if you’re young and just getting into this mess, you got in at the one of the best times.
I was just talking last night about how cool it is to see larger bands take younger bands on tour and have them open shows that they would never have had access to, if not for one guy in the band being really cool and including them. Personally, I think it’s kinda punk for bands you listened to in middle school to throw a $5 gig at a bowling alley, or even free at the park (regardless of my personal feelings about the band’s music / brand etc). I’d also be willing to bet that most of our favorite bands would NEVER have gotten to where they were if not for one guy saying fuck it and giving them a shot somewhere along the way. The cool guy, ego “I’m better than you” and “you have to eat shit for years to earn it” rhetoric isn’t cool and to me, never was.
Supporting your friends and reciprocating the love when received is so necessary to keep this community alive. None of this would happen without everyone’s participation. The bands would be playing in a big empty room if nobody came to the gig, the kids would have nothing to unite them multiple times a week if the bands didn’t play, nobody would plan anything but hangouts without the people putting on and booking shows, and we wouldn’t be able to even do the gigs if the venues (Mag Bar and Spinellis <3) didn’t let us use their space, etc etc etc. It truly takes a village, and usually they’re talking about a baby, but to a bunch of (mostly) childless-adult hc “kids”, this is our baby and everyone’s part is crucial to make these shows happen like they do.
Speaking of genuine DIY, this past weekend we went to Distorted Mess Fest in Lexington.
Day 1 was at The Fishtank (what felt like Lexington’s version of Mag Bar). Starting the day with
True Threat - A new Lexington band that’s so damn catchy.
These Eyes - A new band from Lexington that’s really good. Keep your eye on this group of guys, they’ve got it.
They covered Glue by SSD
The Few - Chattanooga Straight Edge band / Singer was wearing x’d up gardening gloves, a nod to Raybeez from Warzone. Respect.
They ALSO covered Glue by SSD (amazing)
Flat Six - From Cincinnati / They also played the LDB fest 2025 preshow and crushed both.
They covered Backtrack by Killing Time. (come to the show Sunday)
Basic Needs - From Louisville with a new record out on LDB! Also check out the interview Tyler did with Neriah a few weeks ago.
They covered Shed by Title Fight.
Lexan - Fave set of the day and had no idea who they were before this weekend, I wish I bought a shirt but apparently they didn’t even bring merch. Honestly, respect.
Powerball - From Columbus,OH / How is there not already a band named that? Such a good band name.
They covered Time to Shine by Etown Concrete
Violent Nature - More Columbus hc / Unfortunately I was packing merch the last half of the set. Basically catchy beatdown
Day 2 was in the back room of a vape shop and the goofy venue management changed hands and didn’t communicate with the new mgmt that the show was even happening sooooo it was a surprise hard out at 9:30pm and the sets had to be unfortunately swapped and/or cut severely short. All completely out of the control of the people putting this on, but alas.
One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing Tyler out there being HC dad, keeping the bands in the loop, scolding them for not helping set up / load out their gear, yelling for “people outside to come inside”, and cleaning up thrown water bottles during the sets, and trying his damn best to keep this insane 12 band gig within the 5 hours they had the venue for. Meanwhile, I’m holding down running merch for LDB, Walk Alone, and Two Witnesses. That’s DIY babyyy, all hands on deck.
Line up for day 2 was stacked also, starting out with
What was originally Explode, but was replaced by These Eyes - At the end had a little band member swap to play a few Dizmal songs.
They covered Glue by SSD again haha
xGaargoylex - LouisvillexLexington speciaalty thaat haad aall the kids daancin’. <3
They covered Hardcore for Hardcore by Rival Mob
Eternal Wound - Lexington kids that are really good, especially for this being some of their first bands.
High Strung - Evansville,IN (River City Hardcore) / just some good ole’ regular hc.
They covered MP by Outbreak and Let It Ride by Floorpunch
Walk Alone - Tyler’s new/old band, with new member addition Morgan on bass :)
Two Witnesses - From the now oldheads of Louisville :) (record out on LDB)
Jealous God - From Richmond,VA / I love the album art alot.
Collective Action - So catchy and yall better go see them here in Louisville at Spinellis this Saturday the 24th
They did a Judge Intro.
Blockade - New Tampa Straight Edge band that’s super high energy
They covered Clear by Floorpunch
Kings Command - From Muskegon, MI / fun ass regular hc band
They covered No Choice by Outburst
The Sissy Boys - From Muskegon, MI / most of the members of Kings Command in a fun, rowdy punk band (also troopers for playing 2 sets in a row, no breaks)
Ancient Ones - Houston Straight Edge, killer riffs
Haywire - Dogpile sing along, nuff said
They covered Boot Party by Rival Mob
Everyone was a great sport about the time crunch messing the set times allll the way up and the speed in which the fest was broken down was nothing short of a literal time warp to get out of there by 9:30. Austin, Jo, and Nathan (and the other oldheads) really are building Lexington hc into an engaged, excited scene and you should definitely attend next year. They are truly building something special and the Lexington kids are lucky to have them leading the charge.
To the kids that truly care and are here for the genuine love of the music and community, that come out to every show they can, watch all of the bands, get there for the first band, stay til the last, you are what keeps this alive. You are more punk than any of the older “kids” (adults, sorry) that you may feel overlooked by on the shows they book and bands they start. It doesn’t matter what shirt you wear or how “alt” you look (but it doesn’t hurt wearing a shirt that’s older than you;) ), it’s the attitude that counts. Imposter syndrome is so real and in time, it will fade. Keep coming around, keep making friends, keep digging into the source material, keep moshing, keep pushing yourself out of your bubble AND IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD A GIG LET US OR THE PERSON RUNNING DOOR KNOW!!! (If it’s a promoter we post regularly, paying what you can and having another kid moshing is ALWAYS ENCOURAGED. Especially for the pricey shows.)
If you have been to all the gigs this month why not make it 10? Bayway next week. Keep up with the LDB502 IG story for show updates past mid June :)
And Who’s going to Tied Down this year? We’ll see you there! :)
Back to Louisville gigs for June »»
If any of you made it this far, I applaud you. Come to the LDB table for some free ear plugs at the next gig and say the substack sent you lol <3 Love y’all.
“On the outside, beaten and sore, but what’s inside is the heart of the core.” -Leeway <3 rip king
-Ash :)