On the triple real, it’s fucking hard to describe how gnarly the Bay Area’s Negative Standards are. From the very first time I heard them, I was like, these humans must drink we-are-out-to-destroy-all juice for breakfast! The killer news is that they have just released a full-length on Vendetta Records entitled VI-XI, and it’s all that and a bag of crusty chips. Negative Standards are champions when it comes to creating tunes that are thick and extra heavy with power. When I listen to this band, I feel like Popeye after he eats his spinach – my muscles are growing as the baselines move through my bloodstream. Negative Standards’ vocalist has a style that is all of his own, and that’s another reason why they must be recognized as one of the sickest bands in America. The tunes that this band comes up with are fucking unreal, but it’s the hidden black magic under the riffs that is the caustic glue. I can’t forget that these humans are wizards at beating the song down until it becomes a breakdown that you never want to end. Negative Standards will poke you in the eyes with swords of emotion dipped in mayhem. This album is straight classic, and it’s my job to let the world know about this band! Check this out – the band have just started a 2012 U.S./Quebec Tour, peep the tour dates after the jump. Also, stay tuned for a Negative Standards Sonic Cathedrals dropping any day now. VI-XI is streaming below, press play, and crush kill destroy stress!!!
U.S./Quebec Tour 2012
May 5 – Oakland, CA @ Sugar Mountain, 2515 San Pablo w/ Burmese, Bruxers, A.C. Way, Hesitation Wounds. 8pm, $7.
May 8 – Reno, NV @ Holland Project w/ Criminal Code, Pissmixer, Fathoms.
May 9 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Boing! Collective w/ All Systems Fail, The Relief Society, Society Miscall, Filthlord. 6pm.
May 10 – Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis w/ Damaru, Reproacher, Dripfed. 9pm, $5.
May 11 – Omaha, NE @ The Sandbox w/ Kills & Thrills, Kublai Khan, Bruja, Grimer, Flies @ the Sandbox. 8pm, $8.
May 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ The House of Lard w/ Indulge, Cokskar, and Brain Tumors. 9 PM, $6.
May 13 – Milwaukee, WI @ Creem City Collective w/ Protestant, Sacrificial Massacre, Gnarrenschiff. 7pm.
May 14 – Chicago, IL @ TBA w/ Canadian Rifle, Thieves, Calendar Boys.
May 15 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class! w/ Tragedy, Lucha Eternal, Dismal. 9pm, $10.
May 16 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Roboto Project w/ Bacchus (Ireland), Torch Runner, Pray for Teeth.
May 17 – Washington, DC @ Ras Hall, 4809 Georgia Ave. NW w/ Good Luck, Spoonboy, Hop Along, Sundials. 6pm.
May 18 – New Brunswick, NJ @ Ray Cappo’s Cantina w/ Loose Ends, Ugly Parts, Söft Dov, Polemic Shock. 7pm, $5.
May 19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Stolen Sleeves Collective, 538 Johnson Avenue w/ Anasazi, Sad Boys, Zatsuon. 8pm, $8.
May 20 – Northhampton, MA @ VFW Florence, 18 Meadow Street w/ Warrior Kids (France), MFP.
May 21 – Montreal, QC @ Death Church w/ Æsahættr, Xothugua, Sand Witch.
May 22 – Portland, ME @ 442 St. John St w/ The Piper and the Salami, The Correspondences.
May 23 – Boston, MA @ Whacky Kastle w/ Vaccine, VYGR, Nailed Shut. 6pm, $8.
May 24 – New Haven, CT @ TBA w/ Escalators.
May 25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Cloud City w/ Bacchus (Ireland), Torch Runner, Hazards, War Emblem. 7pm, $5-10 sliding scale.
May 26 – Baltimore, MD @ TBA
May 27 – Asheville, NC @ The Get Down!
May 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Wonderroot Collective w/ Rapturous Grief, Manic. 8pm, $5.
May 29 – New Orleans, LA @ Hey Cafe w/ Mauser, Post-Teens, Mystic Inane. 8pm, $5.
May 30 – Houston, TX @ Vinyl Junkie w/ Napalm Raid, Sixbrewbantha. 3pm.
May 31 – Austin, TX @ Chaos in Tejas (Day off)
June 1 – Austin, TX @ Chaos in Tejas, End of an Ear Day Show. 3pm.
June 2 – Austin, TX @ Chaos in Tejas, Prank Records Breakfast Show w/ No Statik. 11am.
June 3 – Austin, TX @ Chaos in Tejas (Day off)
June 4 – El Paso, TX @ The Horizon Club w/ Røsenkøpf, Unknown Threat, Communion of Thieves. 7pm, $5.
June 5 – Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
June 6 – Los Angeles, CA @ McWorld, 5011 W. Adams Blvd w/ Agents of Abhorrence (Australia), Lyburnum.
June 7 – San Francisco, CA @ TBA
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