Being young and encountering the hardcore scene and the violence that springs up around it can make you react to the world in a similar fashion. For many young people like myself their only goals are to set the world on fire; we burn bridges like they were built in a day and we try our damndest to become the menace this violent music urges us toward.
Sometimes you avoid serious consequences but a lot of times you’re left with nothing but a bunch of scars, a few bad habits and a laundry list of regrets. The last couple years I’ve seen a ton of members of some of the wildest bands I’ve ever witnessed become a bit more tranquil and wiser and it’s reflected in their lyrics and some of the new projects that have spawned.
Recollection — vocalist Josh Hynes (Rude Awakening, Hammer Bros), guitarist Joshua Long (Skinhead, Criminal Instinct, Rude Awakening, Hammer Bros), guitarist Austin Sparkman (Haywire, Buried Dreams), bassist G (Hammer Bros, The World), and drummer Snooka (Life’s End) — is a project that I believe shows the struggles and experiences of a life that has been fully lived long before retirement benefits come into play. The quintet walks a different path than the members previous bands, particularly focusing on the feelings of loss in the wake of tragedy which is what birthed this project.
“The loss of our friend Ted really sent everyone to a dark place for a while," Recollection guitarist Josh told me. "It was very unexpected and sudden. In our youth we may have taken this aggression out on the outside world but thankfully we’ve all grown a bit since then. The making of these songs were both used to memorialize the time growing up together and to process our grief." These feelings of tragedy that brings people closer together translates into the melodic nature of the music, influenced heavily by more emotional indie punk bands. It's on full display on Recollection's debut EP, Vivid Dreams.
Its lyrics, provided by Josh, tell stories that relate to a wider range of issues than the usual hardcore themes. Speaking with the vocalist on what topics he wanted to tackle on the 'Vivid Dreams' EP he explained, “Exploring kinship, loss, love, and growing pains throughout life. Recollections and self reflections that expose vulnerability while providing security.”
Joshua Long of Criminal Instinct and Skinhead fame brought some of the first bits of music to Josh Hynes. Sonically speaking, there’s similarities to the more melodic riffs found on Skinhead’s recent album, It’s A Beautiful Day, What A Beautiful Day. It has its origins in indie nostalgia, but it still has a certain uplifting sound that only Oi! music can give you. It’s comforting in a way, the way you’d console anyone through the loss of a true friend.
Speaking on the early writing process, Joshua Long explained, “I’ve known and been in bands with Josh Hynes for years now. He is one of the few people who will call me on a mailed-in or dishonest riff. He’s also a person I cherish and know I can be venerable with. So when I sent him things that were a little different sonically, I was ready for some real feedback. Thankfully he was into it and the sound started coming together. We pride ourselves in being authentic with everything we do. Businesses, bands, family, friends. These 6 songs (and more to come) have our honest emotion in them.”
Vivid Dreams just dropped last Friday via Pop Wig records. Produced and mixed by Taylor Young at The Pit Recording Studio in Los Angeles, the EP features 6 dynamic and emotionally intense tracks. It showcases not just a band sharing their talents, but a close-knit group of friends expressing their frustrations and sorrow in the only way they know how: by transforming their pain into something beautiful.
An overarching idea on Vivid Dreams, which is reflected in both the emotional music and the lyrics, is the theme of making amends with the people you love. Sometimes life drags people in other directions and feelings change but Josh Hynes states that the records message is “There’s a time in life to be unapologetic, but there’s also a time to be apologetic to the ones you love and care about” and that begins with the track “Signals Crossed.” Detailing those feelings of reaching out to someone you still care for even if the world finds ways of derailing your expression of those feelings.
Other examples of their theme of “A time to be apologetic” comes with the track “Lovers Quarrel” which touches upon the rocky moments in a relationship that can only be overcome by sticking it out together. “It’s been a long and challenging road and I’m not ready to say goodbye. It’s a give and take and our emotions are running high. Let’s give it one more time, one more time, one more time” Josh belts out with all of his heart.
It’s one of the more emotionally touching tracks (for me at least) about being honest with yourself and the person you spend your life with. Walking this road together isn’t going to be easy but it’s important to keep putting effort into everything you do together.
Two songs that truly resonate with anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one are "In Memorium" and "Last Call." The latter centers around the memories of the final phone call with someone before they passed away. “You reached out late that night to see if I was alright. Checked in on me when I should’ve checked on you. In hindsight if I’d known I’d have never put down that phone” he yells over the driving rhythm, as if begging for this person's name to pop up on his phone. The song delivers a powerful message: when someone takes the time to reach out to us, we should reciprocate that effort. It's a sad tale, but it offers one of the most genuine portrayals of grief we've seen in music lately.
The future is looking even brighter for Recollection since the members have confirmed that they have more songs ready to go, and they are excited to share them soon. “The writing hasn’t stopped. We already have a few new things we’re working on. It’s been a fun journey so far,” Josh stated.
Recollection is also going to be playing their debut show at this year's For The Children in Boston on Sunday, December 7th alongside Twitching Tongues, Yellow Stitches, Haywire, and Fiddlehead, just to name a few. “Everyone’s a little spread out across the country so it’s a little tricky but we’re looking forward to playing FTC this year with our friends and for a great cause,” the band explained.
Recollection still has the same energy and power that drives the hardcore scene. Their music reminds us that we need to make time and space for the people who matter in our lives because you never know when that time might run out.
With Vivid Dreams, Recollection have tapped into the feelings of a generation of hardcore kids who have navigated the chaos of youth and are now focusing on settling down while staying true to the beliefs and friendships we formed along the way.
There’s a message here that both experienced veterans and even newcomers should be able to connect with, so make sure to give Vivid Dreams a solid listen.
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Vivid Dreams is available now via Pop Wig Records.
Recollection on social media: Instagram
Tagged: haywire, life's end, recollection, skinhead, the world
