Chino Horde Everything

Chino Horde 'Everything' (Adagio 830, 2010)

This compilation of Chino Horde's long out of print discography was a welcome surprise delivered by Finchy who had procured the limited white vinyl version from our mutual friends in East Berlin.

This is 'proper emo' in the vein of the Dischord originators and was a good couple of years before the likes of Capn' Jazz. Chino Horde existed between 1990 and 1993 playing passionate and melodic punk rock with a healthy amount of jangle to temper the rage.

In some ways they remind me of early Mineral but without the Smashing Pumpkins melodrama, the breakdown in 'Arson', for instance, has a beautiful fat bass riff which immediately reminds me of my favourite god botherers.

Husker Du, Fugazi and Rites of Spring all come to mind as the beautifully realised double LP unfolds, which is always welcome. There are many bands out there aping the sound Chino Horde were briefly blasting out from their Little Rock basement, but like those trying to recreate the Bay Area Thrash scene of the early to mid 80s, you can't help but feel that they will never capture the passion of the originals.

Interestingly, guitarist Jason White has been the touring guitarist for Green Day since 1994 so I suspect the days of him touring Arkansas in the back of a beat up van are long gone!

Probably as perfect an example of second wave emo as you will find; enjoy!

Peace