Band: Invisible Hand
From: St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Their formation story:
(Liam Ryan, bass/vocals): "Walt and I have played in a bunch of bands together over the years, but when our last project, Here & Now, fizzled out, we were feeling pretty fed up with all the 'capital H' in our scene. We just wanted to play some fast, no breakdown hardcore.
"Around the same time, Walt and Mitchie—who also go way back playing in bands together—had been talking about starting an 86 Mentality worship band. So the timing was perfect for all of us to link up and start jamming. The cards really just fell into place."
Their sound in their own words:
"Invisible Hand is a fastcore/punk band. Some influences for us are 86 Mentality, The Flex, Hard Stripes, Booji Boys, Armor, Matrix, and Pissmixer."
Latest release info:
"Our self-titled debut was recorded not long after our second show. We didn’t want to sit around—we wanted to get something out fast. Lyrically, the EP dives into the state of the world and how it’s wearing us down as human beings.
"The songs span from being pissed off with our governments spending - pouring tax dollars into the military and overseas military assets - to the helplessness of feeling like there’s nothing we can do to stop it. There's hatred of billionaires, and the constant sense of being pushed down by forces beyond our control. Finally the rising rent prices, and the gut-punch of watching every second house in your neighborhood turn into an overpriced Airbnb for idiot tourists.
"The album was recorded by the band, mixed and mastered by local St. John's go-to Jacob Cherwick, with artwork by the U.K.'s finest, Karim Newble."
Future plans:
"Currently we're holding it down playing shows locally. We’ve got another 4-song EP in the works that should be out by the end of the year. We’re hoping to hit the road for a small tour sometime soon, but getting off the island isn’t easy—it’s expensive as hell. Still, we’re going to make it happen, one way or another."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
"St. John's is in a great place right now when it comes to hardcore. Some bands to check out are Snifit, Mantracker, Floorwalker, Disciplinary Action, and Doberman. Some from the past would be Animal Crimes, Lion's Share & Carnage.
"Come to Newfoundland, you will not be disappointed! We book shows under the collective @barelytheremedia, hit us up, we'll make it happen."
Tagged: invisible hand
