MySpace a place for friends

"Heavy Portland hardcore that absolutely does not fit any of the preconceptions that the words "Portland hardcore" bring to mind. RAW NERVES fall more in line with the bands BURY THE LIVING or ASS END OFFEND--bare bones but still beefy and totally in-your-face and fucking pissed. The start of the title track is dark and (slightly) melodic, but the rest of the record is just hard-hitting punk that owes as much to '80s Midwest/Southern punk as it does to modern hardcore (perhaps this is an accident, but it's what my ears are telling me). I know RAW NERVES just hit the States this past summer, and reports I heard were all positive...certainly the ingredients on this EP could easily equal a fucking killer live show. Especially in a basement. Especially if it were really hot. And especially if there was beer." (Willie Nelson) -MRR 317, October 2009

"Raw, heavy hardcore in a political vein from these Portland punks. This reminds me of Acts of Sedition, who are one of the better bands around these days in my book. The lyrics are to the point and explicitly radical without relying on the vague apocalyptic metal imagery that seems to currently be in vogue. Oh, they feature members of Forced March, Duke Nukem Forever, and Murder of Crows for those that care. This is really good, I'll definitely be catching them at Gilman in July with Born/Dead and Deadfall. They'll be on tour throughout the West Coast and Midwest (as well as Texas) from late June until the beginning of August, check 'em out if you can." -Maximum RockNRoll 315, August 2009.

"RAW NERVES-Murderers Among Us (Poisoned Candy, 7" EP) New-ish Portland, OR band with people from Squalora, Forced March and a few other combos. They had a CD demo earlier this year that I neglected to review (but have played on the radio show so maybe you heard 'em already) and four of the seven songs have been re-recorded for this EP. Raw hardcore featuring Matt Svendsen's rabid howlings and a feisty tumult that incorporates crusty thrash (or is it thrashy crust--no matter) and more ominous passages. Opening song "Hello To Oblivion" actually opts for the latter, with that kind of intro before settling into a bruising mid-speed assault. Not-so-cheery politically oriented lyrics fit the music's mood very well. To quote a pretty well-know band from their city, feel the darkness." -Suburban Voice (http://subvox.blogspot.com/)