Close menu

Want to support us? Click here how to find out how!

Light The Fuse mixtape by Rob Huiskes

When I saw the call on swnk.org sometime ago to send in your own (themed) mixtape, I immediately started to think about it. I used to love to make mixtapes for the car, driving to a cool show. First I wanted to make a nice diverse one, but later on I thought it would be nice to make one with a theme. I used to set up the Light The Fuse fest and thought it would be cool to take a trip down memory lane. I decided to take 3 bands (1 day event) to 6 bands (3 day event) per year, which was pretty hard at times. But here we go. I hope you guys will enjoy it as much as I did making it. Sorry for the self-glorification at some points haha.

Light The Fuse 2004

Saturday @ Metropool, Hengelo
Dead Stop (B), Uppercut (NL), Degradation (Ger), No Denial (NL), Black Friday ‘ 29 (Ger), Icepick (NL), The Legacy (UK), Dead Scenestars (NL), Downslide (NL), Justice (B), Harsh Truth (NL), Death X Champs (NL), A Step Apart (NL) & Nothing Done (NL) played also a small suprise set.

[bandcamp track=2814205765 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

01. Black Friday ’29 – She Lost (Demo TAPE)
I have to start with this band, Black Friday’29 has a special place in my heart. Without this band, Light The Fuse would never had seen the light of day. It was the year 2002, I just moved to Enschede and was about to drop out on hardcore. It was a period with a lot of tough guy metalcore, which was not really my cup of tea. One night my cousin asked if I wanted to go to a show in Germany with him, which happened to be the demo release show of Black Friday ’29 and Death Or Glory. I also picked up the Stop And Think demo that night, those demo’s pulled me right back into hardcore.

[bandcamp track=3556703226 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

02. No Denial – Natural Prosperity (Crossing Beyond Illusions Currents CD)
I was a pretty big fan of No Denial back in the day, really loved their first album. This song is from their second album “Crossing Beyond Illusions Currents”, which was released after their demise. Anyway, they opened up their set at Light The Fuse with this song and I absolutely loved it!

[bandcamp track=457539404 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

03. Degradation – Suicide Ride (unreleased track, I think)
This band was the only surviving band from the 2nd wave youth crew bands (Ten Yard Fight, Mainstrike, In my Eyes, Sportswear, etc.) which popped up everywhere around ’96/’97. They put out a 7 inch back then, which I didn’t like that much. Later on they put out a 7 inch on Not Just Words and the LP Homeward Bound. In my book, that LP is a classic. Great old school hardcore with burly vocals (checkkkkkk) and a German accent (I’m a sucker for a good German accent). I think their set at Light The Fuse was one of their last. This song is an unreleased one from this period, I believe.

 

 

Light The Fuse 2005

Friday @ Innocent, Hengelo
Dead Stop (B), Violent Minds (USA), Strike First (NL), Bones Brigade (USA), Human Demise (NL), Turn The Screw (B)
Saturday @ Metropool, Hengelo
Mainstrike (NL), No Turning Back (NL), Justice (B), Black Friday ’29 (Ger), Rise & Fall (B), Icepick (NL), Solid Ground (CH), On Thin Ice (UK), Abusive Action (NL), Restless Youth (NL), Nothing Done (NL), Clear (NL), A Step Apart (NL), State Of Mind (NL)

[bandcamp track=1212635967 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

04. Dead Stop – Dead Stop (S/t 7 inch)
What can I say about this band. I remember that there was a buzz in the scene when the demo dropped, the demo just ripped. This band became one of the biggest bands in this period of European hardcore. The best memory I have was not at a Light The Fuse fest, but another show I did with them at the Innocent. Their singer had to play a soccer match an would arrive later than the rest of the band. He ended up in traffic and arrived at the venue a lot later, in the meantime Justice played a short surprise set (some members where at the show) to kill the time. When the singer eventually arrived at the venue, he “crowd surfed” into the venue and Dead Stop started right away, the place exploded. It was most definitely worth the wait.

[bandcamp track=4142019586 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

05. A Step Apart – Bonds We Share (Light The Fuse 2005 Compilation 7 inch)
I just love hardcore, but I have special love for some good executed youth crew. I’m missing European bands in vein of Youth Of Today, Hands Tied, The First Step or Mindset these days. Every country should have at least one great youth crew band in my opinion. I guess this a call to make it happen…

[bandcamp track=1445637865 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

06. Restless Youth – Make It burn (State Of Confusion 7 inch)
One of those bands that quit too early in my eyes. After a good demo, a nice 7 inch and a great LP the band quit. That was too bad, because I’m sure the could have developed in a nice direction. But there is hope, Richie Dagger is a new band from the Netherlands with (almost?) the same line-up. So go check them out.

[bandcamp track=3334845974 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

07. Nothing Done – Dead Weight (Powertrip LP)
Another great band that popped up around 2004. Michiel Walrave was their vocalist, he also did the artwork for the first Light The Fuse fest and the 2nd Light The Fuse compilation 7 inch. Check out his awesome artwork.

[bandcamp track=803043648 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

08. Icepick – Dreamcrusher (Goldrush cd)
The No Forgiveness demo is one of the best NYHC styled demo’s ever made in Europe in my humble opinion. A true classis, that should be released on a piece of wax someday. I loved every show I saw from this band, but the show with best memory is the one I saw from them in Moers (Germany). My Endless Fight, the band of Light The Fuse crew member Michiel Toenink at the time, was also playing that show. He came up with the idea of hiring a bus with driver and go with the infamous Eastside crew & DrunkXLocals crew to the show. The best idea ever. Check their set at Moers.

 

 

Light The Fuse 2006

Friday @ Innocent, Hengelo
Black Friday ’29 (Ger), Nothing Done (NL), Civil Terror (NL), Growing Cold (NL)
Saturday @ Metropool, Hengelo
No Turning Back (NL), Restless Youth (NL), The Setup (B), Strike First (NL), State Of Mind (NL), Abusive Action (NL), Icepick (NL), Teamkiller (Ger), Death Is Not Glamorous (Swe), Birds Of A Feather (NL), Reproach (B), Another Year (Swe), Enforcer (Nor)
Sunday @ Metropool, Hengelo
Justice (B), Rise & Fall (B), A Step Apart (NL), Set To Explode (USA), True Colors (B), Loud And Clear (B), Zero Mentality (Ger), Omission (NL), I-Reject (NL), Remain (NL), New Morality (NL), Tenement Kids (NL)

 

[bandcamp track=142912718 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

09. Justice – Up And Down (Up And Down 7 inch)
When I was booking the bands for the first edition of Light The Fuse I also mailed Flip to ask if his band at the time wanted to play (forgot the name). He mailed me that the band just broke up, but asked a bit later of his new band called Justice could play. I already completed the line-up, but decided to add them anyway. Am I glad I did. Justice arrived just in time at the venue, because they made a wrong turn on the way to the show. They entered the venue, together with Dead Stop and a lot of Belgium kids who travelled with them, went straight to the stage and gave one of the most impressive shows I saw from a band with just a demo out. You can check it on YouTube.

[bandcamp track=3343910022 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

10. Zero Mentality – Nicht Mehr (In Fear Of Forever LP)
Great German accent and one of the best European metalcore releases. This record is just perfect from beginning to end and very underrated I think. I dislocated my shoulder during a set they did at the Innocent, by moshing into the wall. I spin this record regularly still.

[bandcamp track=2661949529 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

11. No Turning Back – Never Give Up (Damage Done LP)
For one of the first shows I ever set up (at OJC Orada in Wierden) I also booked No Turning Back. I believe they just released their first MCD and it was their first show outside of Brabant. No Turning Back grew out to be one of the biggest hardcore bands from Europe and they play all over the world nowadays. Who could have known back then.

[bandcamp track=79994165 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

12. Rise & Fall – Bottom Feeder (Hellmouth LP)
Around the demise of The Deal (another band I really liked back in the day), the nicest guy from Belgium started this band. Belgium’s hardest, with absolutely one of the hardest mosh parts in European hardcore history.

[bandcamp track=79151229 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

13. Tenement Kids – Let It Rain, Let It Roar (We’ve All Been Down LP)
Together with Pim I put out the demo of this band on tape. Damn, that demo is still amazing. Anyway, Tenement Kids opened up Light The Fuse 2006. As I recall correctly, I needed a band to open up because some bands cancelled or something. I knew Gijs, who did time in A Step Apart behind the drum kit, started a new punk band called Tenement Kids and asked them to play. I think I never heard anything from them before this show, but this was one of those shows that just blew me away. Great stuff for sure.

[bandcamp track=3617744665 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

14. Abusive Action – No Title (Light The Fuse 2006 Compilation 7 inch)
Some of the coolest kids in the scene started this hard-hitting straight edge band. They did this in the great straight edge fashion way, by just releasing a demo, a LP, a 7 inch and this compilation song.

 

 

Light The Fuse 2007

Friday @ Innocent, Hengelo
Your Mistake (NL), Damaged Goods (B), Cracks In The Wall (NL), Brat Pack (NL), Rush ‘n Attack (NL)
Saturday @ Innocent, Hengelo
Said And Done (NL), One Voice (B), Vogue (B), Hoods Up (Ger), Black Haven (B), Straight A’s (NL), Dirty Money (UK), Deal With It (UK), Citizens Patrol (NL), Room 13 (NL)

[bandcamp track=907484902 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

15. Your Mistake – L. (Soul For Sale mcd)
Their MCD came out through Light The Fuse records. I wasn’t that active for the label anymore at the time. Jonne did this release and I have to give it to him, it was one of the best releases of the label. If you are into some heavy Biohazard styled hardcore, you definitely have to check this out.

[bandcamp track=1709618386 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

16. Brat Pack – Spending Money (Demo 7 inch)
I never was really into this kind of punk rock, but loved the demo these guys put out. I’m no punk rock expert whatsoever, but I believe it was one of the best in the genre at the time.

[bandcamp track=2052036349 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

17. Deal With It – The Watcher (Eyjafjallajökull LP)
When I was setting up Light The Fuse in 2007 I asked Dirty Money if they wanted to play. They asked me if their buddy’s in Deal With It could also play. I wasn’t that much into their demo, but agreed anyway. Later on they released two killer LP’s. I dislocated my shoulder for the 2nd time during a set they did on another show they played at the Innocent.

[bandcamp track=2415952286 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

18. Said And Done – Weight Of The World (Weight Of The World 7 inch)
Said And Done started out as Stab Back, which was a pretty silly band name in my opinion. I used to diss Pim about it all the time. They changed their name (Did I ever tell you you were the reason for that? After a conversation I had with you at a show in the Innocent I called the rest of the guys and told em we were going to change our bandname – Pim) and evolved further on every release. They are still around and are busy recording their big rock album. Pretty curious how that turns out.

 

 

Light The Fuse 2008

Saturday @ Innocent
Devilöck (NL), State Of Mind (NL), The Real Danger (NL), New Morality (NL), Rhythm To The Madness (B), Losing Streak (B), Union Town (NL), Break Through (Ger), The Hunger (NL), Permanent Mark (NL), Straight A’s (NL), Calloused (NL)

[bandcamp track=1093673420 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

19. Union Town – Regenerated (S/t LP)
Another band that put out an amazing demo and LP. If you are into eighties DC hardcore, you can’t go wrong with them.

[bandcamp track=20887234 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

20. Rhythm To The Madness – Through The Mind’s Eye (Demo tape)
Justice had a demo with them on tour, it came out through Powered Records (the label of Flip Justice). The cover intrigued me and I decided to pick it up. Boah, this song just killed it. They also released some great stuff after this, Weltschmerz is another very underrated European hardcore release in my opinion.

[bandcamp track=2322886439 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

21. State Of Mind – Towards The Light (Light The Fuse 2005 Compilation 7 inch)
State Of Mind loves you and I loved them back. With their groovy hardcore, they had a distinctive sound. The strange thing is, that I always believed they were capable to do even greater things they did.

 

 

Light The Fuse 2010

Saturday @ Innocent, Hengelo
True Colors (B), New Morality (NL), Backtrack (USA), Coldsnap (UK), Ironclad (UK), Liferide (CH/NL), Animal Instinct (CH), World Gone Mad (B), Empowerment (Ger), Cornered (NL), Striking Justice (NL), The Method (NL), Hard Rain (NL)

[bandcamp track=3658946969 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

22. True Colors – Human Touch (Rush Of Hope LP)
As I said before, I love some good youth crew. In my eyes True Colors delivered some of the best European hardcore releases in the genre.

[bandcamp track=3661911325 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

23. New Morality – No Morality (No Morality LP)
When Jonne told me he started a new band, I told him I loved to do their demo. They were new kids who just wanted to bust out. Later on Jonne helped me out with the Light The Fuse fest and more or less took over the label with Noot. New Morality is still around and they surely grew since that time. The cool thing about this band is that they have their own sound and draw influences from bands that most bands don’t.

[bandcamp track=2142559978 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

24. Empowerment – Stuttgart Assozial (Gegen.Kult LP)
I started with a German band, and I’ll close with one. I certainly loved their set at Light The Fuse 2010. The cool thing is that most of their songs are in German, I kinda like that a lot. Maybe it would be cool if Dutch bands occasionally throw in a song with Dutch lyrics too. Nice chaps too. Check ‘m out, they are still around.

 

 

Bonustrack

[bandcamp track=1014774537 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=venti]

25. Strike First – Frozen (The Human Devil 7 inch)
Well, I guess I couldn’t keep the rule I laid upon myself at the start. But then I again, 25 is nicer number to wrap up things. It is pretty clear where Strike First draw their influences from, but let’s agree that the Cro-Mags should be an inspiration for every band out there.

 

 

Or just listen to the entire mixtape:

[bandcamp album=1259036538 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=0687f5 size=grande3]

Back to specials overview