Self Defense Family (formerly End of a Year)

I actually found out about this band when someone posted a recent video in the rolling emo/embarrassing etc. thread. Decided the check them out and have become pretty obsessed. One of the most exciting post-hardcore/punk/indie bands I've heard in a long time and it just keeps getting more interesting with every release I check out. It's incredibly adventurous and unpredictable while always retaining a punk/diy spirit.

Mad at myself for not hearing them sooner. My favorites so far have been Try Me, You Are Beneath Me, and the new one Have You Considered Punk Music.

Pretty shocked overall at the mediocre reception they tend to get considering their most recent albums sound like a cross between Lungfish, Rites of Spring and like recent Earth/slowcore stuff. Vocalist Patrick Kindlon is also pretty present in the current hardcore scene, has a fairly known podcast called Axe to Grind. Anyway, I know I'm late to the game on them but weirdly couldn't find any other threads on here. Wanted to see what ya'll think in here.

Here are some jams that have hooked me so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaicVvrqdvw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Or-HRcXYIw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwfnRCwZZWk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVBeM8Kvubo

These tracks are a lot mellower than I expected from your description. I like "Mistress Appears at Funeral" a lot (terrific title, too)... kinda sounds like a demo, tho?

So, i've kind of mostly fallen in love with their more recent stuff but the first 3 albums were very much show in the spirit of Embrace, Rites of Spring etc but it's really involved into something a lot more interesting but wholly punk. 3 of the 4 I posted are from what I consider to be their more recent output.

Also, should be noted that their is kind of a revolving door approach to the musicians on each album and tour which probably attributes to their changing sound. The new album, which is right now my favorite, is definitely the most mellow. Jokingly self described as their Use Your Illusion II.

woof. typos galore. my apologies

I'm obsessed with this band, too; but the new one left me cold. For my money, Heaven Is Earth is still their best — it strikes a perfect balance between galloping punk anthems & downtempo atmospheric stuff (the title track!!!)

Some of their best songs are on singles ("Self Immolation Family", "I'm Going Through Some Shit"). EPs are kinda hit or miss, but search Colicky, Duets, You Are Beneath Her (songs from YABM with Patrick's vox replaced by Caroline's) & the live BBC Session from last year.

The new one has kind of been my north star comfort album of the year. It just mellows me out and I’m forever grateful. This was my first introduction to them is still my favorite, and for me this is them fully committing to the sounds and styles they’ve been flirting with on recent SDF releases. Also got me into their whole world. Recently been seeing a lot of love on here for Drug Church (thread of cheer by drug church, punk album of the year 2018) too which is awesome. Honestly glad they are getting more and more buzz.

"I'm Going Through Some Shit" is so good. Thank you. Plan on going back through all of the non album stuff. I'll start with these.

Also, this was a great read: https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/xwpwm3/drug-church-patrick-kindlon-cheer-interview
"It was really just, “Oh, hey, we have more money. What the hell are we supposed to do with that?” The Self Defense model, when we have more money, is to record 65 songs, but the Drug Church thing was like, “I guess we now have to make them sound good.”

woah i like this can't believe i never heard of it

lungfish comparisons will always get my attention

bernard, these BBC sessions are great. damn.

Heaven is Earth is probably the one I'm least excited about. Will give it another try. Love Try Me and the new one so much though.

I stand by that lungfish comparison.

I'm a big fan of Try Me

Try Me is just so cool... Like, oh we’re going to put in two nearly 20 minute excerpts from an interview we did with an ex porn actress or oh we’re going to leave in audio from our band arguing about using certain lyrics. And they have the tunes to back up those decisions.

https://selfdefensefamily.bandcamp.com/album/working-people-part-1

All proceeds from this EP will be donated to SWOP Behind Bars.
swopbehindbars.org

is the first song a Downtown Boys diss?

dig this btw

yeah into this a lot. im really loving where they are going

is the first song a Downtown Boys diss?

I think it...might be?

yeah I think it is...that's some underground beef right there

yeah, never knew any of this. dates back to 2015.

can i just say: lmao

but also this sounds pretty awesome

I have never so badly wanted to know the details of such an inconsequential conflict.

and their t-shirt game is incredible https://deathwishinc.com/products/self-defense-family-garfeelme-black-longsleeve

yeah except like every shirt is sold out. which is awesome. was looking forward to getting one of these hard to find ones at their Daughters show like a month back but at the last minute they weren't on the bill

I dig Downtown Boys and SDF. pretty funny SDF is the one keeping it alive. and yeah this new ep is sweet and going to a positive thing

reviving my own thread here. they've been putting out a ton of great singles and mini releases recently. the Drug Church stuff is awesome but this band for some reason really hits me in a way others don't. Have You Considered Punk Music has become a real comfort album for me lately

Yeah I liked the last album but they've crept up hard on me. Kinda thinking they're an artier American Fucked Up, a v good thing to be.

and "The Supremacy of Pure Artistic Feeling" is a dead ringer for Juno's "The Great Salt Lake"

Hah I love that Juno album but I had never made that connection before! To my ear, SDF's spaciest moments ("Pure Artistic Feeling", the title track on Heaven is Earth) recall the Modest Mouse of "Interstate 8" or "Workin' on Leavin' the Livin'"

yeah I can hear that for sure

I hope SDF or Drug Church are able to come back for a gig one day, I caught Drug Church right before quarantine and I honestly think it was akin to catching an early Nirvana club gig, except with better songs