Band: Headcase
From: Dover, New Hampshire
Their formation story:
(Ben Cole, vocals): "Bobby Pettigrew (drums), Justin Furtak (guitar), and I met when I was in 8th or 9th grade. We had been going to and playing the same shows. They played in a hardcore band that would play shows with the band I played drums in, Ramlord. Slowly, the New Hampshire scene died off and our bands broke up or relocated.
"I moved to Portland, Maine for about 5 years and returned in the mid-2010s. When I returned the scene was still slow and there werent a lot of heavy shows being booked. Eventually, I moved to Dover, New Hampshire and started booking shows at a cafe that I now own called Breakaway Cafe.
"Around that time, Justin and Bobby had started jamming again and showing up to the Dover shows. We reconnected and they asked me to do vocals for their new fast hardcore band. I was excited at the chance to finally make music with them and try doing vocals instead of drums. It immediately clicked after the first practice and since then Headcase has made our friendship stronger than ever."
Their sound in their own words:
"Headcase is a fast hardcore band with elements of d-beat/power violence. We are inspired by The Rival Mob, Outbreak, Mental, Mind Eraser, Cruel Hand, and Scholastic Deth."
Latest release info:
"Our latest release, With Love, is definitely more of a dialed in sound than our original self-titled release. We want to make records that have strong hardcore roots while making sure it had the fast parts that did justice to all of the 2000s New England music we love.
"We recorded both our releases at BlackHeart Sound in Manchester, New Hampshire with Eric Sauter, who is currently playing bass for us as well. Eric is an awesome dude who has been recording my bands since the mid-2010s.
"The album cover is a photograph of Bobby's son standing in Henry Law Park in Dover. We worked with photographer Ryan Rabys to make something that captured the alienating experience of growing up and living in Dover."
Future plans:
"We just finished playing a couple shows with Jivebomb and while I'm filling in for the rest of their US tour. The other members of Headcase will be back in Dover working on our next release, which will be either a short EP or a split.
"With Love cassettes are currently up for preorder and will be shipping out mid-September. Beyond that, we are aiming to do some short weekend tours and eventually do some longer tours in 2026."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
"Zinc, Half-Step, Stab, D.O.D., Can't Lose, Risk, Anguta, Qualms, Misery Whip, Gasoline Dream, Prefrontal Cortex, Komatiite and Search Warrant.
"Also. shout out to Saco Valley United 207, @Manchesterhardcoreshows, and Cheap Life Records."
With Love is available on cassette via Saco Valley United.
Headcase on social media: Instagram
Tagged: headcase
