Maximum Rock n Roll scene report 1999

First off with bands. I think that all of the bands that I'am going to mention have some, sort of demo/merchandise out, so if you dig what you read then write for more info. Addresses are at the end of this write up.

There is the JANE DOZ I play drums in that band. We play a sort of chaos punk style meetsoi, Like the SUBVERSIVES. I think. We are working a demo sorta thing now. And have stickers,buttons and patches out now. Then I also play drums in another band called JOHNNY BOY. That is more of an early 80's California style Meets late 70's English. They have a split 7" with another band, STATIONS. There are still a few copies left. I think. Speaking of STATIONS, they are a real good early style punk band. Like DEAD BOYS meets DI. They do a lot for the scene in playing gigs and the likes of that. They have several demos out. One just now out. That split 7" and a Roanoke punk comp. called Star City Hardcore. with IDI AMIN, FALLING JOHN and KOJAK for only $3. They also have t-shirts, stickers and patches. IDI AMIN are a noise, grind core sorta thing and gig fairly often. There have former members of SUPPRESSION and RECTAL PUS in there. FALLING JOHN play a sorta industrial style punk-hardcore thing. I am not sure if they are still gigging. But you could still write them to get some more info. They also have a CD out. KOJAK have a couple of demos going. They are like a noise band meets late BLACK FLAG. There is also the TRANSFERS. They remind me of a harder version of the BOUNCING SOULS. They have a CD coming out for only five bucks.

PISS ANTS are a younger, energetic, pure punk band. Their newer tunes seem to be a bit catchier. They have a good following and a demo. THE RETARDS are brand new and don 't have anydemos, but hopefully they will be around long enough to work on some. They play early energetic, in yer face punk. There is also SHAKESPACE. They remind me of a VELOCITY GIRL style band. Not sure about recordings. Sorry. This punk funk band. SWANK broke up for a long while, but are gigging again. I guess. They had a CD along with a couple of 7"s but haven't lived here for a while or played, really. TOXIC SHOCK are a unique band with two female singers. Snotty, fast at times. They have one demo out and are supposed to be working on another. DIRTY DISHWATER AND THE MAFIA BITCHES are a new band are also very unique and interesting. Two bass guitarsmeets the, GERMS meets FLIPPER with a snotty, whiny female vocalist. FUNGUS is another unique sounding band. Another female vocalist. One of the bassists from DIRTY DISH WATER. Really heavy bass on this one and powerful drums. Jumpin powercore.

There are two 'clubs' that bands tend to play at.The MELTING POT and the INFERNO. The Inferno has a better sound system. butno alcohol license. That can sometimes really affect an outcome of a gig. Sad to say. But bothplaces are ones where any person can set up a show. There is also this placethat the girl from SHAKESPACE runs which I really don't know much about. Itisn't a club, or a hangout though. To set up gigs contact either myself. OrJudas from STATIONS.

Zines: there really aren't any anymore. I do onesomewhat regularly. It is called NoIntros I try toput it out once every several months. It is shortwith lots of record reviews and info like that. AlsoJudas from STATIONS does a zine called Bloodpaste with otherreviews and some interviews with bands that have come through here.

There are several web sites about Roanoke though. My buddy, Bob is doing one centered on the bands, info, pix of friends and bands and record reviews. It's at www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Pit/4656/BEBweb.htm. Then there is a Roanoke skinhead site with pix and record reviews at www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Disco/5484/index.html.