Waste Layer: old dogs, new tricks
Hardcore vets tinker with a new approach to loud, abrasive music.
- Bobby Moore
- Waste Layer unites scene vets (from left) Colin Mee, Chris Van Etten, Ryan Fetter, and Andrew Perscichetti.
One of the more intriguing Atlanta hardcore demos to drop in the past month comes from a group of veterans who combine noise rock weirdness and classic hardcore intensity to create their own brutal sound. Waste Layer is led by guitarist and vocalist Colin Mee, the former Deerhunter guitarist who has already shown a knack for writing and performing heavier, darker music with defunct metal worshippers Chopper. Mee is joined by three other mainstays of loud and local punk in bassist and vocalist Chris Van Etten (G.G. King, Bukkake Boys), guitarist Andrew Perscichetti (Otophobia),and drummer Ryan Fetter (Wymyn’s Prysyn, G.G. King). Despite each member’s lengthy resume, the group has started like most hardcore bands, playing around town numerous times per month and releasing its initial demo as a limited run cassette. Standout tracks “Progressive Degeneration” and “Crosswalk” incorporate aggressive dueling vocals, grindcore riffs, and a Varukers style d-beat drumming attack. Though everyone in the band has dabbled in hardcore, metal, or noise before, this tape is different enough from the band members’ prior projects to seem fresh and not like a case of familiar faces treading old ground.
Waste Layer, Glen Iris, MTN ISL, and Bottle Kids play the Star Bar Thurs., Oct. 3. Free. 9 p.m. 347 Moreland Ave. www.starbaratlanta.com/.