The Flagrantz-"Live At The Franklin St. VFW Hall, New Orleans (1987)"

Download "Flagrantz-Live At The Franklin St. VFW Hall, NOLA (1987)

The Flagrantz were a hardcore/thrash band from New Orleans, LA in the late 80's. They  never officially recorded anything before disbanding, but I was recently handed this live recording from one of their many VFW Hall shows!

Here is an interview with former bassist, Chris Fonseca!

Who was in The Flagrantz and how/when did you get together?
The main two members were Craig Spera-vocals and Jason Baas-guitar. The band started in late 1986 and was made up of high school guys from New Orleans East.
The Flagrantz soon came to attention of the Shell Shock camp and opened some big all ages shows while I was in  Shell Shock. In summer of 87 I left Shell Shock along with Mike Goner. We started our own band called Magic Circus with Sean Hennessey. At the same time The Flagrantz bassist was leaving and they asked if I was interested. So the "classic" Flagrantz line up was Craig Spera-vocals, Jason Baas-guitar Jason Mancuso-guitar, Chris Fonseca-bass, Victor Lemoine-drums

What style of music did you play?
The bands concept was fresh to me as they played speed metal but had a hardcore singer.like if Slayer had the D.R.I. singer or something

When was the show that these songs were recorded?
The recording is at the v.f.w.hall fall 1987 . Prob with incubus, Exhorder and Shell Shock.

Why did y'all never get into the studio to record a demo?
The band was extremely part time as far as worrying about touring or recording. Everyone was still in high school except me, the grandpa at 22.
Unfortunately no other recordings have survived that I know of...would have been recorded in Baas's garage so the only pro recording is of this V.F.W Hall show.


What are some of your favorite memories from the 80's NOLA underground scene both on and off stage?
The band were like younger brothers to me since we were friends from the neighborhood. I had a lot of parties at my family house that bands like Ugly Americans, Descendents and Graveyard Rodeo played at, so I knew a lot of guys from New Orleans East that were too young to see these bands at clubs.
The Virul Nihils were also a band that played the New Orleans East party scene...where kids counted!

Blatant Frustration-"No Refuge" demo (1986)

Download "No Refuge"

Blatant Frustration was a New Orleans hardcore band that existed from 1984 to 1987.
Here is an interview with former vocalist Reynard Rochon.

Who was in Blatant Frustration throughout the life of the band? Joey Delatte - 1st and last Drummer Jimmy Bower - Middle Drummer Daniel Marsalone - guitar William Murphy - bass

Reynard Rochon - vocals

How did you get together? Pretty much high school or friends of friends in high school

What style of music did you play? Hardcore Punk / Thrash  

Talk about your demo. We were ALL about DIY and recording. We were obsessed with it. We recorded, or tried to record everything. We'd use a 4 channel Radio Shack mixer ... kinda get levels of everyone's highest volume and then DO IT !!!! Record direct to a cassette tape on an ghettoblaster . Mannnnnn....... those 80s jam boxes had great Tape recorders/players ... The demo was the best takes of those songs recorded in different locations. Fading Away was recorded in My bedroom the very 1st time Jimmy Bower played with us ! While Forewarned was done at Will Murphy's house in separate rooms using this ELABORATE headphone system and us Yelling down the hallway to get a cue or count off !!! ahahahahahha The 3 songs in the middle including Retreat were recorded in Danny's garage ... during the day in summer I think. Passion and guilt was recorded in Danny's garage late on a REALLLY cold night. I think it might have even been a school night ?!? Danny was blowing on his fingers to try and warm 'em up to play ...... it was cold !! I was sick which made my voice more raspy ..... I always wish it could have stayed like that when I got better. 

Was there anything else recorded? well... as I said , we tried to record every practice. there are other recordings but we never got a chance to write anymore songs.  

What are some of your favorite memories from the 80's NOLA underground scene both on and off stage? LINCOLN BEACH and Hallucinogens .... ahahha no seriously .... The Virul Nihils vs Graveyard Rodeo war because they were both really Great bands but they had beef with each other ... hahahaha ..... Watching Bastard Child/Chaos Horde & Burnt Eclipse DESTROY EVERYONE !! Suffocation by Filth !! Walking around late at night ANYWHERE and not worrying about being SHOT !

Are you and other former members active in the music scene today? well there's Jimmy Bower ... hahahahahah