These last few years has seen No Echo featuring an seemingly endless list of Boston hardcore bands. The trend continues today via BILLY, a group with big fat guitar riffs on their agenda.
Formed in 2023, BILLY has so far dropped a demo, a 7" called Escape/Inevitable last year, and are getting set to issue a new EP called Permanent Void. "This EP contains some songs that are a few years old as well as songs that we finished right before recording, but it feels and flows like a cohesive record," drummer Anthony tells No Echo.
BILLY vocalist Bryan reveals some of the inspiration behind the songwriting: "Most of the lyrics are just about feeling fucked up. 'Brain Sick' is about the dissociative episodes I've been having since I was a teenager. 'Permanent Void' is about all of my friends dying. 'Voices' is a song Anthony wrote before I joined the band."
Recorded at God City Studio with engineer Zach Weeks, Permanent Void won't officially hit streaming outlets till later this week, but here at No Echo, well, we know people. The record's rock 'n' roll-kissed hardcore is a jolt to the senses and would make great skateboard part music. I also hear a certain Page Hamilton influence in the guitar riff department.
Hit that play button below:
"It is exciting to finally share these songs in this format," BILLY guitarist Jerry tells No Echo. "We've been playing them for a few years now. This EP was pieced together with a bunch of the ideas that we fleshed out as we were trying to develop what 'our sound' was. The more we play them, the more aggressive they become.
"Everything really came together in a way that is truly representative of our live performances. There is plenty of raw feeling, it is rough around the edges, it is noisy and loud. The lyrics offer another bleak perspective on this world that is all too relatable. Exhibiting familiar frustrations that really make you think "I should be used to this by now". Try as we may, it is difficult to ignore the Permanent Void."
Permanent Void will hit streaming outlets on January 10th. The band will be self-releasing the record on vinyl in February.
Hit the Linktree to find all of BILLY's social media pages.
Upcoming BILLY shows:
1/16 - Troy, NY at NO FUN w/ Halo Bite, Death Defier, and Take Steps
1/26 - Wallingford, CT at Cherry Street Station w/ Jealous Mind, Voices in Vain, Haste, and Dirt Pile
2/16 - Salem, MA at MOON w/ Psychic Weight, Louzy, and Short Circuit
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