Hardcore Music And The State Of The Local Scene: A Reflection

In the last seven days, I’ve seen a few compelling arguments for the revival of hardcore music in Indianapolis. In referring to music, the term “hardcore” is one of those pesky labels that gets thrown around too loosely and can end up losing its core meaning (pun intended.) But this carelessness of labeling music genres is also a great benefit to hardcore music. It allows for flexibility, which the bands of Indianapolis have taken advantage of.

Adam Jones, of Male Bondage

Chaotic Neutral, having already received a mention on this prestigious blog, are at the forefront of the hardcore revival in the Circle City, but several other bands have stepped up to the task of filling the void left by hometown favorites who have all played their final shows in the last two years. A couple days ago, the Melody Inn bar played host to Male Bondage, a new band with members of Full Rainbow, You’re A Liar, and recently deceased Bolth. This foursome is the result of when the Full Rainbow brothers’ penchant for stoner metal meets the more aggressive and melodic tastes of the other two members’ original bands. 

Sir James Lyter himself.
(Picture taken by Kris Arnold)

Male Bondage’s drummer, James Lyter, also happens to be the drummer for another, currently, more established band, Step Dads. If it wasn’t for Chaotic Neutral existing, Step Dads would’ve gotten my pick for best local hardcore band in Indy, but it’s not to say they’re any less inferior.  It’s female-fronted post-hardcore at its finest, and with a dedication to DIY shows, they’re a valuable asset to Indy’s music scene.

Those who have been involved long enough in the local music community may notice a common thread running through Chaotic Neutral, Step Dads, and Male Bondage. They all share at least one member (Lyter himself is the sole common denominator here). This isn’t at all uncommon in Indy’s band community. Chaotic Neutral’s members have all previously been in bands that have called it quits. Socially conscious punk group Indianapolis Forever has members, save for Piradical Productions co-founder Stephen Zumbrun, are all currently in other bands. Another new hardcore band I’ve seen in the last week, Piss Artist, has members who have been, or are still, in other bands. 

To call any of these bands “super groups” would be a bit unnecessary. A super group happens when a several different artists want to get together to make music because they all figured “Hey, why not?” out a sense of expanding upon their already well-established musical careers. Musical artists on a local level form new bands with each other because they have a constant need to evolve and adapt to the current climate of their local music scene and in their personal lives.

Step Dads

Music scenes, not just in Indianapolis, but anywhere, have this same nature. Eventually, someone somewhere in the scene will cry wolf and proclaim that the music scene is currently dead, and that we need to band together and bring it back to its apparent former glory. Sometimes, they’re right, but way more often than not, they’re hilariously wrong. Music scenes adapt and evolve, just as musicians do. Hardcore bands, I think, are probably the most representative symbol of this nature. Bands don’t last forever. Some don’t last very long at all. But true musicians always find ways to continue their craft and improve themselves and their community, and as long as musicians continue to do this, their music scene will stay strong.