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Spider Crew

Still Crazy But Not Insane

Written by: PP on 26/11/2011 20:27:20

I'm not a fan of sampled introductions, because they are completely pointless and delay the start of the album unnecessarily without having any noticeable effect on the listening experience. Not so on Spider Crew's opening sample to "Our Movement", the first song off their third album "Still Crazy But Not Insane", where Clint Eastwood's whiskey-drenched voice says in a disgruntled manner: "ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while that...you shouldn't have fucked with? *spits on ground* That's me.". It implies that somebody is about to be royally fucked; in this case the role of the assailants is taken by this Vienna, Austria-based unit, whose inspiration lies in the streets of 80s era New York, particularly within the early sounds Sick Of It All, Madball, and Agnostic Front.

"Still Crazy But Not Insane" may feel like a tribute to the big three on more than a few occasions throughout its course, but mark my words: fist-pumping New York Hardcore hasn't been done this well by a band outside of those three in a long while. Spider Crew's expression is highly energetic and bouncy, geared towards gang chants, woo-hoo sing alongs (think Wisdom In Chains here), and down-tuned guitars that draw their influence from 80s hardcore and hardcore punk. That is, three chord riffs and d-beat are the name of the game, but if anything, songs like "Fuck All Authority", "No Competition", "Strike You Down" and the title-track are evidence that songs need not be much more complicated than that in order to achieve a convincing sound.

But perhaps more importantly, "Still Crazy..." sounds exceptionally authentic. Vibes of hard work-ethic, the feeling of being an outcast, growing up in a hazardous environment, and a sense of 'us vs them' is drenched in the guitars, the balls-to-the-walls gang chants, and the barked vocals. It all sounds like it was directly recorded at the streets of New York. A huge part of this success can be attributed to the fact that both of the band's vocalists are originally from New York City. Together, their alternating Roger Miret-style cleans and rougher growls combine for a bunch of fist-pumping moments just as often as they call out for circle pits and mosh pits - old school style. The sense of energy and their driven homage to the roots of New York Hardcore are undeniable: "Still Crazy But Not Insane" is a must purchase for any fan of hardcore.

Download: Fuck All Authority, No Competition, My Life My Rules, Our Movement
For the fans of: Madball, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All, Wisdom In Chains
Listen: Myspace

Release date 01.05.2011
WTF Records