Pound For Pound – 6,000LBS

Self-Released

I love it when the cover art tells you exactly what you’re going to get on a record. On Pound for Pound’s debut EP, 6000LBS, the portrait of the band spilling out of a car while playing their instruments and running over suits is practically a guarantee of the guttural hardcore they provide.

The Long Island-based band, who identify as “L.I.H.C.H.C.H.C.” per a recent flyer I saw them listed on, played most of this record back in January when I caught them opening for Gumm at Gold Sounds. They were a highlight of that night for me in large part because of the singer Julie White’s barks and singularly snarky snarls, put to great use on lines like, “I don’t think I’m too extreme / living my American dream” from “Force Fed Freedom.” It’s a perfect 60-second hardcore song that opens with that dive-bomb guitar tone that you might find on a GEL song, prefacing the group lamenting the lack of solidarity Americans feel for each other in the face of "politicians pining me against you.” 

The other tracks on 6000LBS see the band pointing out people that annoy them and detailing how much they fucking suck. “Sell Me Out” pits the band against men who are convinced they have the secret to living the good life, but in reality have just bought into the myth of a suburban home. Then there’s “Save It,” a callout of the cool and jaded who have no interest in trying for something better in life, aptly labeling these hipsters as the freaks. “Add Up The Plates” is the best example, with White singing about how she faces opposition in her life by hitting the gym: “I hit the weights when I feel wrecked / hate, weights, add up the plates.” It’s the final line that makes it so good though, a shout of “Real strength comes from your mind!” The muscles don’t mean anything without conviction in yourself to back it up. 

6000LBS is the sound of a band with principles, and each song reveals just how tight they are as a crew. Pound for Pound aren’t worried about getting you on the same page as them because they’re just as happy to run you down if you aren’t. It’s time to make sure you know why you’re in this.