“VINNIE STIGMA… THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD” is a new book co-written by Howie Abrams due out in early September.
The Godfather of New York City hardcore and founding member of Agnostic Front invites you into his Lower East Side pad to regale you with tales from his extraordinary life among mobsters, punk rockers, and a bevy of iconic artists and personalities—none of whom is as interesting or fascinating as the inimitable Vinnie Stigma!
The Most Interesting Man in the World stretches from Vinnie’s upbringing in Little Italy amongst the tight-knit Italian families, as well as some prominent wiseguys, to teaming up with Cuban-born vocalist Roger Miret to carry punk’s angrier successor across the globe; from no-show jobs in his youth obtained by people who “protected” him, to lighting up some of the world’s biggest stages. However, Vinnie Stigma is not your run-of-the-mill rocker of many decades. He has dabbled in cooking, professional wrestling, acting, martial arts, yoga, and other creative disciplines. He is a father and a cancer survivor who helped pioneer skinhead and tattoo culture in America, and has mentored hundreds of fledgling musicians and artists. Vinnie insists he is an entertainer first and foremost, which he learned from his childhood idols Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, and Frank Sinatra.
Featuring vintage photos throughout, a handful of signature Italian recipes, even a four-page comic book and crossword puzzle, The Most Interesting Man in the World is a journey through a life unlike any other. No one sees or experiences the world quite like Vinnie Stigma
Published by Permuted Press and distributed by Simon and Schuster with a forward by Agnostic Front frontman Roger Miret this new book can be purchased through the usual suspects such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble and others and on September 12th at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn, NY as part of the book release extravaganza which includes a screening of the movie “The Godfathers Of Hardcore” followed by a Q&A with Vinnie, book signing and an acoustic set by the most interesting man in the world himself. In addition NYHC Comics in Dobbs Ferry, NY will also have an in store appearance and signing on October 19th with Vinnie and co-author Howie Abrams in attendance.
HARDCORE LEGENDS TRADING CARDS
Since our last Quick Hits installment we have come across a new and unique Instagram page called H.C. LEGENDS TRADING CARDS. Their first post was on May 16th of this year and there are often times there are multiple posts in a single day. We caught up with Josh who runs the page and this is what he told us…
“I started making trading cards (fronts only) of friends just because it seemed like a funny thing to do. Then I made cards for a friends’ metal band and he printed them to sell as merch. I did those to mimic the early 90’s winterland/rock express trading cards. After revisiting the idea of music trading cards to honor punk and hardcore legends would be cool. I started making them with just front art but a friend (Rev. Hank Peirce) challenged me to do the backs and that’s how it really started. I finished 20 cards and then stated the Instagram page. The coolest most amazing things that have happened are having true legit legends ask to be included in the project. Also getting to chat with people getting info for their cards. I’ve spoken with Spit Stix from FEAR, Brandon Cruz from Dr. Know, Chuck Dukowski from Black Flag, Al Barile from SSD, Jerry A from Poison Idea, Jimmy G from Murphy’s Law, all of Sick of All, all of Urban Waste, Sammy Siegler from Side By Side, Nate Albert, all of Dropdead, all of Kraut, Lars Frederickson from Rancid, Chuck Treece from McRad, Howie Abrams, Dr. Chud, Franche Comq, Eric Arce & Jerry from the Misfits, Derrick Green from Sepultura, Al Barr from the Bruisers, Fred Armisen from Trenchmouth, Richie Stotts from Plasmatics, BJ Papas, Danielle Dombrowski, Glen E. Friedman and so so so many others!! I also spent over 2 hours on the phone with Eugene Tatu aka the “Lightbulb Kid” from the original “Decline of the Western Civilization”. As of 8/19/24 I have posted 278 legends cards (people in bands) and 70 All-Star cards (people not in bands).” (Note: These are currently online images ONLY). Check out what H.C. Legends are doing by clicking HERE.
DISARM
Continuing in their campaign to unveil the hidden history of the 1980’s Virginian hardcore punk scene, Beach Impediment unearths the “Existence Demo 1985” by Virginia Beach skate thrashers DISARM. Taking inspiration from New Yorks’ Agnostic Front, Boston’s SS Decontrol, Sweden’s Anti-Cimex as well as the burgeoning thrash metal from Californias’ Slayer and Possessed, Disarm were truly a product of their time and in their brief two-year lifespan, the teenaged quartet bombed up and down the East Coast sharing stages with Corrosion Of Conformity, Youth Of Today and Gang Green among others. Recorded in a suburban garage studio during a sweltering summer, “Existence Demo 1985” combines the brute sonic force of hardcore with a blinding thrash delivery to create one of the most unheralded demo tapes of the era. Remastered from the original reels by Chris Corry and released in conjunction with No Idols, the “Existence Demo 1985” gets its well-deserved vinyl debut, almost 40 years after its recording. Each record features a layout adorned with imagery from the band’s brief existence along with liner notes derived from an interview conducted by Tony Rettman with guitarist Raymond Epstein and vocalist Bryan Zentz. Limited to a one time pressing of 500 copies. Click HERE to download this digitally or HERE to grab a vinyl copy.
REBELMATIC
Back in June NY’s REBELMATIC released a new track called “Peace” that we wanted to spotlight despite having some time passed since its release… another new track titled “Help” will be released in the coming weeks and is part of Rebelmatic’s upcoming 11 song album titled “Black Hole Eats The Tornado” due out in February 2025 on Say 10 Records out of Richmond, VA. Those in the NYC area can catch Rebelmatic at the 2024 Afro-Punk Fest on August 24th in Prospect Park, Brooklyn alongside fellow punks Winterwolf and headliner Erykah Badu as well as opening for DC legends SCREAM on September 15th at the Bowery Electric in Manhattan. Above Rebelmatic photo by: Tim Daley.
SHARP TONGUES & LESSER MINDS
SHARP TONGUES (pictured left) are a melodic hardcore band from Gothenburg, Sweden that formed in 2020. After two DIY EP’s they are set to release their debut full length titled “No Rescue” on September 6th through New Age Records. The band states that their music draws inspiration from the 90’s wave of classic hardcore with a special love for Carry On and In My Eyes, while incorporating modern elements that give their sound a fresh and contemporary feel. The members have previously played in several hardcore acts, such as Set My Path, One Minute Left, Hope Haven, The Change and Eyes Shut. The band released the single “Shadows” back in February which you can check out HERE. Sharp Tongues are CM: vocals, Peter: guitar, Johan: guitar, DG: bass and Matte: drums.
LESSER MINDS have released 2 new tracks in “Urn Your Rites” and “Bodied Up”. Re-recorded versions of these new tracks with their new drummer Vic Castello will be a part of their upcoming “Good News For The Modern Man” which should be out in early 2025 with Blind Rage.
OVERTHROW
Long Island NY’s OVERTHROW whose initial run ran from 1995-2001 are back with some new songs in “Anywhere But Here” and “The Calling”. Their 10 song 1999 CD titled “React” which initially came out on Triple Crown Records is now available on 12” vinyl through Race Productions. Overthrow is working on a 9 song album of new songs titled “Setting The Price” which they plan to have out in early 2025. Those on Long Island can catch Overthrow alongside Extinction AD and Sworn Enemy on September 8th at the newly renovated and reopened Amityville Music Hall. Overthrow photos by: Matt Viel.
DEAD BLOW HAMMER
In DEAD BLOW HAMMER news they released the 10 song “Hammer Collective” (CD/streaming) release back in May where they re-recorded 4 of the 5 songs from their self-titled release with the intent to recreate them with the current lineup. Two other songs were from when the band was still known as Against The Grain (and that they still play live), another from their 2019 “No Repercussions” EP with the track “Driving In Circles” previously being available only as a free Bandcamp download. The last two songs are alternate versions of previously released songs. This release will also come out on vinyl in 2025 with plans for both short Euro and South American tours. Forrest Leighton has replaced Chris Koresh on drums to round out the latest DBH happenings… Click HERE to check out “Hammer Collective”.
TRIPPER
Baltimore’s TRIPPER introduced themselves in late 2023 with their debut EP titled “People Die Every Day” which showcased the band’s vehement blend of hardcore punk. In 2024 the Baltimore group is back with a new EP and new vocalist, as Nic Ledford joins the band. Tripper will release the 4 song EP “Faceless” on October 4th through Thirty Something Records and have recently released the track “Cycles”. According to their presser much of the EP deals with feeling performative around others and overcoming dissociating. Ledford shares on their lyrics for “Cycles”:
“This is about trying to work things out with an ex that just can’t see my perspective or my effort in trying to break self-destructive habits. I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection and work on myself the past several months and it has caused me to see things in a new light.”
Faceless was recorded and mixed by Kevin Bernsten (End It, Full of Hell) at Developing Nations in Baltimore, MD and mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate). The result is four songs that push forth hardcore punk through a modern experimental lens. Drawing from bands like Punch and Gel as much as Every Time I Die and Converge, you’ll hear a tough delivery backed by exploratory, groove-driven rhythms. Tripper is Nic Ledford: vocals, Bryan Moon: guitar, Austin Reed: bass, and Michael Habif: drums. Click HERE for more info.
MOLOTOV MUCHACHO
New Jersey’s MOLOTOV MUCHACHO just dropped a new track titled “Out Of The Mud” which you can check out now on Spotify. The band has plans to release another two singles in “Doubters” on September 13th and “Hatefucker” on October 11th. MM currently prefer releasing singles as they “develop their sound over time” but they also have released a 4 song EP titled “Coming Up Short” which came out last July. Check it out HERE.
