No Front Teeth Magazine

VULTURES UNITED - S/T DEMO CD

VULTURES UNITED play dark hardcore punk that reminds me of a really fucked-up CRIMINALS mixed with the NERVE AGENTS and a more abrasive MURDER CITY DEVILS – they even cover one of my favourite MCD tracks; "Dancehall Music", so they are clearly influenced by them. They have a great attack in their sound but not overly-aggressive. It's punchy and in your face without being over-the-top and they manage to combine old and new styles really well. Totally DIY too which gets massive thumbs up. Impressive shit.

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Punknews.org

Here's something decent. Vultures United come from the pseudo-ashes of Orange County, CA's Grave for the Fireflies, stripping their former band down to their basic foundation: a little bit of hardcore intensity by way of Black Flag and the hearty punk aggression of the Nerve Agents.

This little three-song demo CD-R flies by in no time (six minutes, actually). The first two are standard but well-done examples of punk rock: "Membership Dues for the Hellfire Club" and its repetitive call-and-response chants, and "Jordan Needs a Life Raft Because His Ship Is Sinking" with its honest, but very simplified lyrical desperation. Closing things is a cover of the Murder City Devils' "Dance Hall Music" -- it ain't bad.

Vultures United is bogged down by a serious lack of dynamics, but its creators still manage to pump out some good, refreshing and angry jams.
- Brian

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Hussie Skunk

So what we have here is basically, new old school hardcore music for the masses. But it's one helluva punch in the gut, so the disc shouldn't be taken lightly. The whole album is pretty much a scream fest. Nothing bad there, cause the blistered vocals only amplifies the already extreme energy from the blazing musical accompaniment. "Bitten" is the band's debut album on Basement Records, and I find it hard to believe that they haven't released anything prior to this, cause someone had to know these guys are the real deal and should have had their music distributed the world over. Good for Basement for locating a band capable of maintaining and carrying on the good name that is hardcore. Each and every track just sizzles with importance and relevance, or so the band would like you to think with their searing passion for each track. The disc is only twenty minutes long, and there are only eleven tracks featured on the album, so maybe now you have an idea of the scorching energy and power. With a tremendous amount of ease of execution, the four-piece from California will become the new ambassadors for neu-hardcore punk rock. Mostly metal licks, with hardcore lyrics, beats and attitude, Grave For Fireflies will kick your scrawny ass up and down the street, just cause it feels good on their feet. For fans of old school hardcore, and I mean old...I'm thinking the high points of the eighties... Don't miss out on "Bitten", a captivating eruption of classic hardcore made for the masses. -MG
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ATS Belgium Punk Zine

Aggressive, aggressive.what more can I say? This record is so fucking aggressive. Combine the old AFI, the energy of the Nerve Agents and the intensity of Black Flag and youll have Grave for the Fireflies. Fast furious hard drums, a solid bass, spastic guitars and one of the best dont give a fuck vocal approaches. If you are into American politics, emo-stuff, eyelinerThen these lyrics are about you. They tell the truth hard, in a spit in your face kind of way. Grave for the Fireflies in one for the underdog. Theyve only been together for 2 years and already made an amazing record. This is the futurebuy this, in 20 years youll have a classic record.
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The Music Corner

"Harkening back to the days of bands like Black Flag and Circle Jerks, but with crisp, modern day production, Southern California's Grave For The Fireflies rip through eleven cuts of furious hardcore in just over nineteen minutes on their debut CD Bitten. Everything here from the tight musicianship and intensity of the songs to the dark lyrics are top-notch. Bitten is the perfect reminder of what SoCal hardcore is all about." (www.basementrecords.net)
- Geoff Melton
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ROCK MIDGETS.COM

Hailing from the (apparently) musically failing region of Southern California, the new and extremely powerfully angry Grave for the Fireflies aim to inject their homeland with some hardcore passion. They seem to be putting in a fine effort. Bitten, their first full-length release, is obsessed with all the bad things in life-crime, the American regime, death, zombies, lots and lots of death-and gets across the message of anger (as well as mocking that very same message) well enough to impress even the most passionate of pessimist. Well, I'm impressed anyway... They have all the makings of a fine punk/hardcore band, with short snappy songs, heavy guitars, poundingly fast drums and a vocalist who doesn't mind screwing up his instrument for the art. An album full of half-heard lyrics, half sentences and insistent croaking wouldn't normally tickle my kinda pickle, but the self-mocking irony and genuine message of awareness keeps me interested. Taking time to read the lyrics pays off (because you haven't a hope in hell of hearing them), with songs like 'Eyeliner' hitting the emo scene right where it hurts-in the haircut and underwear-and 'Dia De Los Muertos' ripping the p**s out of the passionate plea by singing about zombie girlfriends; "So I go, to her house, and she's a f**king zombie. If you were at my house, you'd still be alive". This band pull no punches with where they stand politically either, with a song about JFK and the death of the country since his assassination, and a direct address to a 'Mr Scarecrow' who seems to be some kind of band stalker. Although at first I would have been put off by the sheer anger and hatred of everything and anything that this band put across, a closer look at the music, the lyrics and the feel of it all together reveals a much more mature look at the scene than you'd think, offering a great way in to the hardcore side of punk without having to fold all your hair over your face or wear 'girl boxers' hanging out of your trousers. This I like.

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PUNKNEWS.ORG

Grave for the Fireflies is a band that should serve as a harsh wakeup call to a lot of people. Straight hardcore punk out of a Southern California scene diluted with black hair dye and faux metal, they're bringing eleven tracks full of raging jams that will put holes in your speakers. Eleven tracks in less than twenty minutes, you're damn right these guys mean business, and they'll let you know straight from the outset. Vocalist and bass guitarist Deadend Jordan sounds eerily similar to Travis Reilly in his Scraps and Heart Attacks days, only shouting over the vicious buzzsaw attack reminiscent of the Nerve Agents. That potent mixture does nothing but impress throughout the course of the entire album, as the band displays ferocity and a solid level of songwriting skill just the same. The delivery is crisp, effective, and in your face the entire time. "Mr. Scarecrow's Heart Is Not Broken..." could have easily been a Black Flag track, with the intense drumming and even more intense shouted vocals, all over a real rock'n'roll feeling rhythm that packs a serious bite of its own. The good news -- it only gets better from there. Each track makes you want to pump your fist and start a circle pit even more than the last, as the songs seem to take on an angrier, darker tone as the album progresses. And for this style of music, that couldn't be a better piece of commentary. The dirty, ripping guitars and gang vocals of "Eyeliner" make way for the take-no-prisoners and make-no-friends lyrical approach;
"Girl pants on your body,fast hair cuts,fast hair cuts / Mascara on your eyes, your old tattoos are all covered up / Shame on you, this new hardcore scene / Boys kiss the boys to impress the girls, put some guy pants on / Cut your fucking hair, no identities / Fuck your fashion scene, girl pants on your body."
Their blunt approach also tackles such topics as the JFK assassination, war, and suicide, all taken on from different standpoints than you would usually find, and the fresh spin only fuels their unrelenting attack. These guys are even more loud and in your face on the last track than the first, drums firing like machine guns, guitars blazing, thick bass present through it all; this is a well orchestrated attack.
This is music meant to be listened to at maximum volume, music to make you think about what's going on inside your punk and hardcore scenes, music to make you break shit and question authority, just how it should be.

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JR
(a reviewer who works for MAXIMUM ROCK N ROLL, AMP MAGAZINE & LOUD! FAST! RULES)

Basement records comes through again! G.F.T.F.F puts out 11 songs of dark hardcore punk in just under 20 minutes. This is no tuneless thrash though, this stuff packs a punch. Think Keith Morris era Black Flag mixed with some Misfits & a touch of "Hell Comes To Your House". Best song title: "You In A Body Bag Would Teach Me How To Smile".

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CITIZINE

If anyone in the world is pissed, it is singer Deadend Jordan. From the moment he loogies in your face, you know you're in for some harsh criticism, Deadend Jordan-style. Although he's often joined by the sympatheric chorus of the Death Kids, Deadend Jordan's voice is pretty overpowering at all times.
At one point in history, it was very popular to have have one-word titles but this band throws that coolness convention out the window, with several 10+ word song titles. I would not compare this record to Basement Records' other big band Bullet Treatment. The production on Bullet Treatment's records sounds much more primal with hardcore fuzz, while GRAVE FOR THE FIREFLIES' production is top-quality and modern. The sound is heavy, the songs are short bursts of anger, some high speed, others more "post-hardcore".

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PUNK & OI IN THE UK

A steam rolling aural assault of raw precision hits you squarely between the eyes and beckons in the evocatively titled "Mr. Scarecrows Heart Is Broken Because Mr. Scarecrow Has No Heart", the opening gambit on the debut album from Grave For The Fireflies. An intriguing occasionally occult fixated four piece from southern California. Trading in the kind of manic riffing and larynx straining vocal attack that made the reputation of Rudimentary Peni, they also exhibit a grounding in timeless hardcore. The speed and sheer intensity of delivery is at times bewildering as salvo after salvo of their precise yet gutsy hardcore explodes into the listeners consciousness. Contagious and devilishly successful. 5 out of 5.

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So yeah, in the AMP Magazine issue with Silverstein on the cover (#37 West Coast Edition for October 2005), Dead Hearts gets their EP "No Love, No Hope" reviewed and Matt, the best dude on the East Coast ever, mentions us! STOKED:
Check it out:
DEAD HEARTS "No Love, No Hope" EP
First off, this is probably the slickest packaging I've seen so far this year. Amazing paper, amazing printing, awesome logo - it's just all around a rad layout. Now, for the music - I'm psyched. I'm psyched the kids are bringing back hardcore. They're bringing it back from the fashion bullshit scene that it's become and bringing it back like it was 5 years ago. These guys remind me of a band that I just recently got to hear and am completely enamored with in GRAVE FOR THE FIREFLIES, along with some HOPE CONSIPRACY thrown in there. Fast aggressive songs with some serious balls behind them. Wow, this shit is great, kids. Go get it!!! (MWB)

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Killer Dienamite Zine

Pure punk- aggressive, heavy, raw & oh-so-true. This is awesome, and is what punk is supposed to sound like. No whiny vocals, no big choruses and no songs about breaking up with your girlfriend. Thank God for Grave for the Fireflies! Track 3 is a protest against the new 'emo' scene...so all you emo kids, beware! GFTFF don't fucking like you! There's loads more clever, amusing and extremely well written & played songs on this album that you really need to hear. The only thing to do would be to go & get it. Like, now.

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Kink Records

The music of Grave for the Fireflies comes from Southern California, I unfortunately had no notion of liking the music from there for a long time. They've released music so far as a demo and a single. With "requests" it acts for the first full length music cd. In music they're a successful old School hard core thunderstorm. As from the 80's, a mixture from Circle Jerks, Black flag and Misfits sounds. But overall the whole reminds me also of the ingenious Highscore (naturally without real at Highscoren). The cd wins however in any case for the longest Song titles; -) Altogether it's a successful hard core plate, which could inspire me from the first Song. But how I am to understand the text of the Song "Eyeliner"?? Also opening that CD succeeded. In the Booklet one finds all the complete Song text and besides that a photo and to each Song a suitable picture.

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FISHCOM COLLECTIVE

Referencing modern flavors but keeping a firm grip on old school hardcore music ethics, Grave for the Fireflies unleashes on "Bitten", the type of CD that energizes a mosh pit and the minds of thoughtful hardcore kids. The instrumentals reference a bit of metal but by no means approach metalcore. The riffage conjures jagged punk melodies and mosh rhythms while the percussion takes off full tilt. The vocals are duly strident and lyrically aggressive. Grave for the Fireflies is a fine example of classic hardcore, a genre that's anything but dead. - (KU)

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PUNK ROCK PARENTS MAGAZINE

I don't know if I can say enough about Grave for the Fireflies. This Basement Records release should serve as a real wakeup call for those of us who consider ourselves part of the punk genre, whether you are a listener or musician. I think perhaps many of us may have been misled into what modern punk is. All I can say is that even if you don't like this disc, it should most certainly serve as some sort of benchmark in the same way as say Black Flag, Bad Brains, and/or Dag Nasty with Sean Brown or Dave Smalley was. Right off the bat, the first track, "Mr. Scarecrow's Heart Is Not Broken Because Mr. Scarecrow Has No Heart", immediately reminds me of pre-Rollins Black Flag. Each song brings such a clear and crisp in your face delivery. There is more emotion and urgency in the vocals then any band I can think of in recent memory. This true urgency and power is something that we don't see or hear very often any more. Track 5, "God, I'm Ashamed To Be American Today", echoes the Descendents Suburban Home. I'm also reminded of many older DC punk bands on "Dia De Los Muerlos", "Comforts For Sailors", and "You In A Body Bag Would Teach Me How To Smile". There are so many other influences that I hear, but just can't put my finger on them at the moment. If I can think of them, then maybe I'll update this later. I don't necessarily want to drop the word "hardcore" to describe Grave for the Fireflies, because I think today's definition of hardcore is not necessarily what I grew up with as hardcore. This album brings back visions of myself as a nerdy kid standing in the crowd at the Anthrax club watching the latest hardcore flavor of the month, or whoever was in town at that moment. This is the real thing boys and girls. I hope that this band serves as an eye opener to everyone. - PUNK ROCK PARENTS (Lee)

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AK INK MAGAZINE

A dark look into the lives of the goth punk corner kids better known as the Death Kids. Orange County's answer to the pop punk jock rock that pollutes its airway! We would like to thank Basement Records who were kind enough to send in this interesting new band. On this 11 song effort the lyrical content move from anger threats on freinds to ghosts and vampires hence the title Bitten. Very forceful vocals lay more alive then dead on top of minimalist guitar framework which complements the music. Picture old AFI but with a little D.R.I. style vocal you know not so much screaming more of a gut goth punk." - AK INK Magazine (Myk)

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AMP Magazine - November 2005 Issue

GRAVES FOR FIREFLIES
"Bitten" CD
Holy shit. That's the only thing I could think when I put this CD in. Holy shit, this is so good. Holy shit, I'm fucking stoked about this band. Holy shit, why did it take so long for someone to put out a CD like this? I'm declaring now that this will be one of the top-5 CDs of 2005, without a doubt. Straightforward hardcore punk rock, taking cues from the likes of BLACK FLAG and THE NERVE AGENTS, which is pretty good company to be in, if you ask me. Fast, furious, pounding drums, intensely solid bass, and spastic guitars set the stage for one of the best spit-in-your-face-don't-give-a-fuck vocal approaches I've heard in years. Lyrics that deal with politics, zombies, vampires, and best of all "the stupid haircuts and makeup that fills the scene today." And I quote "boys kiss the boys to impress the girls. Put some guy pants on. Cut your fucking hair. Fuck your fashion scene." GENIUS! There's not one thing about this CD that doesn't impress me. DEATH KIDS UNITE! (MWB)
(www.basementrecords.net)

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No Front Teeth Magazine

GRAVE FOR THE FIREFLIES- 'BITTEN' CD
"Wow, this is weird because from the band name and the style of the album cover I was really expecting this to be one of those dark and tortured Emo-type bands that are so damn popular but then I flipped the CD over and the photo of the band just didn't fit that style at all...so, bewildered I stuck the CD in and it shot me half way across the fucking room...this is sick!!!! Straight away I heard pre-Rollins BLACK FLAG: disjointed, rasping and seriously attacking and almost like a stripped-down MISFITS or AFI with a lot of musical similarity to the CRIMINALS - those fantastic repeated jabs. All of this mixed with an early hardcore sound. This is not tortured at all, this outright rocks!!! Fuck me! The more I listen the more I hear elements of all kinds of bands but this is so unique in both style and delivery...I hear facets of the UNSEEN and the VIRUS with a vocal-delivery style of JOHN RANSOM where the lyrics almost don't fit the music sometimes- I love that! It's unpredictable and uncomfortable and keeps you jittery. The kids will lap this up...I don't know if these guys are playing the Warped Tour but they should! They will steal the whole fucking festival! This is real energy, always keeping the pace up and keeping things very impulsive." (Basement Records)

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EctoMag.com

"Some where between Goth and Punk Rock is Grave for the Fireflies, their debut disc Bitten is an awesome blend of Goth darkness and Punk energy. Tracks like Bite Marks and Stories of my Stay at Arkham Asylum bring to mind nightmare images of vampires and psycho killers with creepy lyrics and raw aggression. (They also get huge thumbs up for the Batman reference!) While all of the tracks on Bitten are worthy of your ear one that stands out the most is Eyeliner. This track rips open and spits on the androgynous power punk pop scene that some bands flock to just for a little air play. If Bitten is any indication of what Grave for the Fireflies is capable of look forward to some more killer shit form this band."

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PunkGlobe.com Review

"Not to be confused with the Movie "Grave Of The Fireflies." Grave For The Fireflies hail from Fountain Valley, CA and "Bitten" is their debut CD featuring 11 cuts that will have craving one more. Staying true to their inspiration's Black Flag, Circle Jerks and The Misfit they deliver solid hardcore punk. Check them out..........." by Ginger Coyote
(http://www.punkglobe.com/graveforthefireflies.html)