I met the Colombian in the field of meatloaf. He had a cast, apparently McDonalds wasnt hiring. It's not just a feeling anymore, it's a job, a lifestyle, a computer speaker. It was serious. It was the summer of 1997.
WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING PUNK OUT OF LOS ANGELES FOR OVER 11 YEARS.
We have shared stages with The Gorilla Biscuits, Death By Stereo, Bleeding Through, D.I., The Distillers, Bad Chile, The Vandals, Strung Out, TSOL, the Smut Peddlers, Rubberneck, Abductors, the Angry Samoans, Litmus Green, Every Time I Die, Agent Orange, Avenged Sevenfold, Guttermouth, Mike Watt, FEAR, and the Dickies. We have played a TON of shows!
ABOUT FALSE ALLIANCE
Since 1997 False Alliance have stuck to their guns, playing their formulated old school punk style up and down the west coast. They stand their own along side acts like Avenged Sevenfold, Guttermouth, Mike Watt, The Distillers and D.I.
When I first got into punk it was like hearing something I’d never heard before. The bands were cynical, angry, fast, yet somehow melodic and catchy at the same time, and they talked about politics instead of producing the syrupy love anthems that I was so sick of hearing all over the radio. Now, years later False Alliance has come around and made me remember what made all of this music so special to me in the first place
Taking cues from the likes of Bad Religion and the Dead Kennedys, False Alliance has recorded an album that is simply punk, melodic, aggressive, thought provoking punk. . Make no mistake; this is not another clone band. Instead of falling victim to the complacency that plagues so many other bands, these guys have incorporated their influences into their own style seamlessly, without it coming off sounding like hero worship.
They manage to be angry without being over the top, political without being preachy and fast without sounding sloppy. Yet this band is unsigned. This is nothing short of a travesty. This is the kind of band I really wish Epitaph would pick up. Brett’s been busy putting out stuff like Matchbook Romance, Ikara Colt, and Motion City Soundtrack (no offense Scott) but really, those bands don’t mean much, if anything to me. This band could breathe some much needed life into the punk side of that label and appease the fans who feel somewhat left out by their recent signings.
This isn’t really new, as it builds on the foundations set by other bands in the past, but at the same time it sounds really refreshing now amongst a million bands grasping at straws and begging to be considered special. You won’t find any moog on this album, this isn’t a concept album, and you probably wouldn’t catch these guys dead in girl pants. But take it for it is, a solid punk rock album, and you’ll realize that these things are becoming harder and harder to come by.
Punknews.org
False Alliance,"Fill the Void" (Felony)
Kicking around since 1997, the California punk quartet False Alliance displays a solid foundation of no frills melodic punk on the 11-track FILL THE VOID. Meshing the wares of NOFX, Bouncing Souls, The Unseen, and Sum 41 into high-energy tunes like the bass-driven "One Last Song" and the simple yet effective power chord barrage of "Repression of Thought", these guys, while far from reinventing the genre, sound like they're having a good time while they genuinely convey punk rock's unabashedly fast-paced rhythms and forked tongued lyrical stabs s like the biting title cut and the garage rock-y "Time".
Mike SOS, Ear Candy Magazine
FEAR, The Dickies, False Alliance
January 25 @ The Key Club
Review by: Crystal Lafata
Down the curvy Sunset strip, along the path that many have traced and many more will follow, lays a handful of venues enjoyed by locals and star searching out of towners alike. The history of the Key Club towers over the acts that are about to perform on its stage and they can feel the pressure of this unsaid standard of greatness they are expected to bring to its stage.
Thirsty for drinks and music, punks of all ages slowly drizzle onto the dance floor as the opening acts Atomic Youth and Local Hate expose their stripped-down punk anthems. Their shaky timing and lack of control showed the bands age more so than their naked faces and pubescent figures.
Waiting for the next band to come on was tortuous. Inside was a sweatbox and outside was a chilly puke-fest all around. You can't beat the sights and smells of Hollywood.
Since 1997 False Alliance have stuck to their guns, playing their formulated old school punk style up and down the west coast. They stand their own along side acts like Avenged Sevenfold, Guttermouth, Mike Watt, The Distillers and D.I. This show was no different as they grouped with FEAR and The Dickies.
As False Alliance began "Repression of Thought" it was obvious they had it together, playing tightly and seamlessly. As shoulders began to touch against sweaty shoulders, it was clear that the maximum occupancy was neglected. No one seemed to care as they took quite well to the punk foursome who spat and screamed their way thought the set.
The pit grew stronger and angrier as the band started the life altering chants of "Fear Expiration". It was no surprise that the pit filled with topless sweating mohawked men was cramming front row viewers against the stage.
The set went on with reckless abandon as girl fights broke out, people who were exiled snuck back in and drinks were poured on unsuspecting youth.
Among the first punk bands to emerge from Los Angeles, The Dickies showed their campy humor has not died since the late seventies.
Lead singer Leonard Graves Phillips encompasses the true meaning of entertainer. His crazy antics have not faded in 20 years because he doesn't live in the past. He spouted out a current joke about Michael Richards latest on stage boo-boo as he shook around impersonating the comedian in the usual quirky retarded manner.
There is no doubt that the Dickies are still brilliant but why must Phillips have a finger planted in his ear with every note he sings? Is he a diva? Probably not but either way they sounded amazing. Whatever works, right?
FEAR has been another staple in the Los Angeles punk community since we were mere sperm in the sacks of our fathers. The thought of Lee Ving conjures up thoughts of pasting fliers to telephone polls and personal attacks on people's hair style and way of dress. He also reminds us all of how great old school punk really was . . . no . . . IS.
Crystal Lafata
