Chum

Chum were a band from West Virginia that played a really loud mix of harsh downtuned almost sludge, mixed with melodic vocals that made for a sound that was really unique.

They released their Century Media debut Dead to the World and there were talks of them going into the studio with a then unknown producer named Ross Robinson but they were plagued with line up problems and ultimately disbanded. They still do the occasional show, but those are few and far between.

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Chum @ Myspace

Handsome

Handsome was a hardcore "supergroup." Boasting ex-members of Helmet, Quicksand and Cro-Mags, they had all the makings to be something great, but they broke up before that could happen.

They left a few 7" records and a full length as their testament, but I'm not uploading any of those (unless someone really, really wants me to.)

This is a live set that Andrew at the almighty Aversionline blog uncovered and posted some time ago. Thanks, Andrew!

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Handsome @ Myspace

P.S. - The name of this blog comes from their track Swimming. Definitely an all time favorite song of mine.

Miltown

I apologize for the picture, but you try finding one on Google for a band that released one EP and disappeared. I dare you.

Anyway, Miltown was a project for vocal juggernaut Jonah Jenkins. It falls between his days in Only Living Witness and Milligram. It's powerful rock that is more laid back than OLW and less stoner vibe than Milligram. It's definitely the goods and there's even a cover of The Cure's "Jumping Someone Else's Train" on there for good measure.

It was released on Hydra Head and I'm pretty sure it's out of print.

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Neil Fallon

Growing up in Maryland in the 90's means that I love CLUTCH.

Clutch is definitely one of the last true rock bands. No pretension, no posturing, no bullshit. Just pure rock fury.

Neil Fallon recently started playing solo acoustic shows and I found one on another blog and figured that I'd share the goodness. It's a mix of traditional Americana country, blues covers, some originals and a Clutch cover.

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Clutch @ Myspace

Renee Heartfelt

Renee Heartfelt was from Richmond, VA (a town I lived in briefly and loved and would move back to in a heartbeat) and played a style of rock very close to Quicksand and Failure. They released an EP and a full length, then inexplicably broke up. The problem was they just forgot to tell everyone.

From what I gather, they went onto form Cloak/Dagger and Memorial. Both bands are definitely good, but not as powerful as RN was.

This is an acoustic radio set that they did. Two of their own songs, as well as a World's Fastest Car cover.

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Renee Heartfelt @ Myspace

Hope & Suicide - 2004 Demo

Here's a little gem that not many people knew about back then.

Hope And Suicide definitely rocks hard. With a pedigree that boasts ex-members of Bloodlet, Measured in Grey and other Central Florida greats, you are assured quality.

This is their 4 song demo that they had on tour with them and the fucking thing SLAYS.

They just signed with Supernova Records and recorded their debut LP. Look for that this year.

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Hope And Suicide @ Myspace