Snapcase Reveal More Details For New Book “Optic”

Snapcase have revealed more details for their new book “Optic.” The “visual archive” will be released in November and it can be pre-ordered HERE.

A press release said the following:

“…’Optic‘ is a 144-page, Smyth-sewn soft-cover book that tells the visual story of a band that personifies ’90s hardcore; the wave that propelled the scene forward from Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits and those that came before it. The book’s “Black” First Edition is hand-numbered out of 500 copies and includes an insert signed by the band.

From 1989, when they were known as Solid State, through 2005’s “final” show — Snapcase were leaders in the ’90s hardcore scene. They grew more powerful and evolved with every release, including 1997’s seminal Progression Through Unlearning album.

‘Optic shines a spotlight on this era of hardcore by chronologically featuring the band’s personal photography, professional photography, influential releases, show flyers, posters, backstage passes, personal ephemera, handwritten lyrics, and much more, culled largely from current and former members of the band.

‘Snapcase were kind of the perfect vessel to bridge the early-’90s mosh-and-burn hardcore style into everything else that started going on. They weren’t afraid of the new styles that were gaining favor in the scene—post-hardcore, emo, pop punk—and, if anything, they both incorporated parts of those styles into their own music and supported bands in those styles by taking them on tour, regardless of stylistic differences.” —Norman Brannon (Texas Is The Reason, Shelter)

In addition the visual elements, the book features insights from current and former members, a foreword by Duncan Barlow (Endpoint, By the Grace of God) and written contributions from Walter Schreiffels (Quicksand), David Sandström (Refused), Norman Brannon (Texas Is The Reason), Scott Vogel (Terror), Andrew Kline (Strife), Dennis Merrick (Earth Crisis), Jon Gula (Turmoil), Mike McTernan (Damnation A.D.), Kate Reddy (108), and producer Steve Evetts (Progression Through Unlearning, Designs for Automotion).

Spanning the entire decade and beyond, the book shows how copy shop, paste-up flyers segued into digital compositions thanks to the advent of the computer while hardcore’s style evolved in both music and fashion. The one thing that remains true, regardless of societal or technological evolution, is that hardcore has been the driving force behind Snapcase since day one.

“Musical evolution is what you want when you’re in a band; to be able to grow musically while building your audience. Most bands that start in hardcore have a hard time progressing like that because the audience won’t go along with them. Snapcase is an exception to that.” —Walter Schreifels (Quicksand, Rival Schools)

To celebrate the book’s release in their hometown of Buffalo, the band are playing a SOLD-OUT show at the Rec Room on Friday, November 4 and inviting hardcore and Snapcase fans alike to join them for a free podcast recording and pop-up shop event at Other Half Brewing on Saturday, November 5.

At both events, while supplies last, Snapcase will be selling an exclusive edition of OPTIC as well as a completely new line of merchandise.

The “Buffalo” edition of the book features an alternate jacket that’s an homage to the band’s debut full-length, Lookinglasself, and is limited to 250 numbered copies, will never be reprinted and, like the “Black” edition, features an insert signed by the band. Snapcase have decided to donate all profits from this exclusive edition to the city’s Roswell Comprehensive Cancer Center to aid their world-renowned fight against cancer.

“When first approached about a Snapcase book, I was uneasy because I felt that there were so many other deserving bands for this type of project. In reflection, however, we truly worked hard on being a unique yet integral piece of the hardcore scene in the 1990s and to have that hard work compiled and documented in Optic has been quite rewarding. We were inspired by so many bands before us and, in turn, we would like to think we inspired others—so I feel that we have a place in hardcore history somewhere. Thank you to Tom B. for having the artistic and historical vision to bring this book together!” —Daryl Taberski (Snapcase, vocals)

From 2-4PM on Saturday, November 5, the band and author/designer/publisher Tom Bejgrowicz are hosting a free, open-to-the-public podcast recording and pop-up shop event at Other Half Brewing at 1 Seneca St. in Buffalo. For the podcast, the band —along with former members Bob Whiteside and Chris Galas, and special guests Scott Vogel (Terror, Buried Alive), Johny Chow (Zero Tolerance, Stone Sour), Steve Micciche (Every Time I Die), Dennis Merrick (Earth Crisis), and Larry Ransom (Snapcase road crew) — will be recording a 2-part podcast with Nickel City Soundtracks live at the brewery.

‘I feel lucky to have not known exactly who Tom was when we first met to discuss his plans for the book. If I had known, I probably would have been nervous because Tom‘s been a part of so many books and records that I’m a fan of. I feel really fortunate that he wanted to work with us and despite my expectations for the book, I was still blown away when he presented the finished work to us. As a member of the band in its Third Act, it’s so cool to visualize the past and finally see what I’ve only heard about in stories on the road.”—Dustin Perry (Snapcase, bass)”

[via The PRP]

Opening Acts Announced For Snapcase, Strife, & Earth Crisis’ May East Coast Shows

Snapcase, Strife, and Earth Crisis have revealed the opening acts for their May East Coast shows. Here’s the dates and updated lineups.

05/13 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom (feat. Snapcase, Strife, Earth Crisis, One Step Closer, and Be Well)
05/14 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts (feat. Earth Crisis, Snapcase, Strife, Fixation, and Envision)
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts (feat. Strife, Earth Crisis, Snapcase, Ignite, and Year Of The Knife)

Strife, Snapcase, & Earth Crisis Postpone East Coast Shows To 2022

Strife, Snapcase, and Earth Crisis have postponed their upcoming East Coast shows. The concerts are now scheduled for May 2022.

Tour Dates:

05/13 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
05/14 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts

Strife issued the following statement:

“We are saddened to announce that we will be postponing the upcoming “Return of the California Takeover” shows to 2022.

When we booked these shows we were all hoping that things would be different and that Coronavirus would be behind us. Unfortunately, we aren’t in a much better place at this time. The safety of the bands, crew, venue staff, and fans are our top priority, and for this reason we have decided to postpone.

We’re deeply sorry for this unfortunate last minute news. New dates have been confirmed, and all tickets will be honored. Buffalo rescheduled to 5/13/22, Philadelphia Saturday show to 5/14/22, and Sunday show to 5/15/22. Refunds for Buffalo show can be requested up to original show date, for the Philadelphia shows there will be a 30 day window for refunds starting today. Our deepest apologies to everyone who planned on attending.”

Earth Crisis, Snapcase, & Strife Announce Second Philadelphia Show

Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife have announced another East Coast show. Here’s their updated schedule:

10/08 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom (with Buried Alive & Restraining Order)
10/09 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts (with Fixation & Envision)
10/10 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts (with Buried Alive & Year Of The Knife)

Earth Crisis, Snapcase, & Strife Planning To Release New “California Takeover” Live Album

Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife are planning to release a new live album featuring tracks from their February 23, 2020 “California Takeover” show in Los Angeles. The effort is expected to be released in October around their upcoming East Coast shows.

Strife’s Andrew Kline told No Echo the following about the upcoming release:

“When we announced the West Coast shows, our old friend Aaron Bruno (Awolnation) approached us about recording the show for a new California Takeover record. His old band, Insurgence, actually played night 2 of the original California Takeover at the Showcase Theatre.

I reached out to all of the bands and every agreed to make it happen. The record was produced by Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman and engineered and mixed by Eric Stenman. My good friend, Arthur Rizk (Sumerlands, Cold World), mastered the record. I tapped Linas Garsys to do the art and the record will feature a 24X36 poster as well.”

He also added:

“The new record features 4 songs from each band, and like the original features some in between song banter. The set list is totally different, and features songs from across all three band’s discographies. The Return of the California Takeover is set to be released at the end of October on WAR Records. I couldn’t be more excited to be releasing a record like this on my label!”

[via The PRP]

Watch Snapcase Perform “Caboose” With AFI’s Davey Havok In Los Angeles, CA

During Snapcase’s February 23 set at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, CA, the band were joined onstage by AFI’s Davey Havok. You can see fan-filmed footage of them performing “Caboose“ below:

[via Brooklyn Vegan]

Snapcase Announce Denver, CO Show

Snapcase will be performing at the Oriental Theatre in Denver, CO on February 21. This show will take place right before the band’s upcoming shows with Strife and Earth Crisis. Here’s their updated schedule:

02/21 Denver, CO – Oriental Theatre (with Modern Life Is War, Native Daughters, Implied Risk, and No Takers)
02/22 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall (with Strife and Earth Crisis)
02/23 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom (with Strife and Earth Crisis)

Strife, Snapcase, & Earth Crisis Announce California Shows

Strife, Snapcase, and Earth Crisis have announced two California shows together. Here’s the dates:

02/22 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
02/23 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom