Page 14 - 366091 LP246228 NE Volume Magazine (170mm x 245mm 52pp) September 2022

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT SEPTEMBER 2022
UNIFIED
ACTION TEESSIDE
Looking back to Boris Johnson's
election victory in 2019, one common
thing I heard at the time was “well,
there'll probably be some totally killer
hardcore on the back of this.” If there's
one thing you can usually count on during
times of socio-political upheaval and divisive
political leaders, it's that there will be a barrage
of new hardcore punk bands forthcoming. Keeping
with this time-honoured tradition are Teesside-based Unified Action who, like a well-timed uppercut, have floored audiences across the North East with a no-nonsense take on primitive, raw hardcore. Forming in 2021, frontman Lins explained: “I wanted to do something after Tied Down split up as I thought we had unfinished business.” Lins himself is a well-known figure within the UK hardcore scene, having previously fronted the aforementioned Tied Down and Break it Up. A chance meeting with guitarist Dan – himself having played in Australian power-violence band Extortion - on Redcar beach of all places (“I clocked this lad wearing a Gauze t-shirt!”), and the wheels were in motion to form Unified Action. Completing the line-up are ex-Marked for Death and Lifeless drummer Pacey and bass player, Max. When asked about what influences the band, Lins stated that musically, they take their cues from ‘80s hardcore, with bands like
Infest and Negative Approach being clear reference points, as they veer from razor-sharp blasts of power-violence style riffing to a crushing mid-paced stomp at the flip of a switch. Of equal importance are social and political issues, with Lins saying: “There's probably enough in the way of current world issues
Their activism goes further than just words
to warrant bands spouting off more and
being actively involved in raising issues or
venting frustration or anger.” The band also
recently played a benefit gig for Women’s
Aid Newcastle, showing that their activism
goes further than just words, something Lins
feels more bands should use their platform for.
Unified Action’s self-titled EP was recently recorded
by Onlooker's Kev Rids and mastered by Ballpeen's Graham Thompson, with the entire process sticking close to the DIY punk ethic, and is available to listen to in its entirety on their Bandcamp page (unifiedactionukhc.bandcamp. com). A cassette release on Newcastle-based Conviction Records is due soon, with a vinyl release with Rat Patrol records also planned in the near future, with the hope of more shows around the country on the back of both releases. KEV SHORT
Visit: facebook.com/UnifiedActionUKHC
14 \\ NE VOLUME MAGAZINE \\ ARTIST SPOTLIGHT