Album review: Austin hard core punks User Unauthorized drop Harsh Truth today

Austin hard core punks, User Unauthorized drop their new EP, Harsh Truth today. The band is comprised of current and former McCallum High School Fine Arts students.  Besides being excited about the new record release and a corresponding nine-city tour, the group was informed this week that they’ve been invited to perform at SXSW in March.

The six-song album’s title track features David Rodriguez (THE CASUALTIES, Starving Wolves) guesting on vocals with UU’s lead singer, Sage. The record smacks the listener in the face from the get go with “Predator,” a track that brutally depicts sexual predators:

Predators just roam the streets.

Cops don’t care they set em free

Grooming children fucking creeps.

Scum of the earth.

If that’s not hard core enough for your punk soul, the title track is well, harsh. Check these lyrics:

God ain’t real. No one to save.

Since you’re born you’re told to behave.

Nothing but a slave to a capitalist society.

Till you’re tossed in an open grave.

For an act that still has a member in high school, that’s about as fatalistic as you can get. The music is loud, straight-ahead, guitar, bass, drums, classic, hard-core, punk rock by a cohesive unit that has managed to adeptly capture the angsty, angry energy of young, urban punks in the studio. Perhaps growing up in Austin made these kids mature artistically a bit faster than one would expect? Either way, their precocious talent lays waiting for a February tour (dates below) and their first SXSW appearance.

This young act’s new material shows steady creative growth from their previous EP, Watch Them Fall which The Cosmic Clash enjoyed nearly as much as this latest effort. It’s the same energy and enthusiasm, but their songwriting has made strides beyond their last effort. The record was produced in Austin by Stuart Sikes and Ian MacDougall. Mastering was completed by Enormous Door. The album will be released on independent Chicago label, Rabbit Rabbit Records.

                                                          

That excitement is slightly tempered due to an issue with Rooster (drums) who is still enrolled at McCallum. The school has informed the young artist and his family that their policy states if he misses 10 school days unexcused in the upcoming semester, they’ll be forced to withdraw him. Seems like an unusual policy from a Fine Arts magnet school but we’re certainly no experts in secondary education. Rooster and his parents have decided to withdraw him from McCallum preemptively. 

We asked Rooster for his thoughts on the band’s newfound popularity, upcoming tour and SXSW. He replied,  “Very excited to start this upcoming tour. Dream has always been to be a working musician on the road. Growing up in Austin, you can imagine how honored we are to be invited to play SXSW this year. Although I’m disappointed to be forced out of McCallum, I look forward to continuing my education without being punished for artistic success.”

We contacted McCallum High School’s principal for a statement on User Unauthorized and Rooster’s success since all four members of the band attended the school. There has not been a response as of publication time.

Due to vinyl pressing delays that can cause bands to wait for orders as long as 8-10 months currently, UU found a creative solution in a small vinyl pressing plant in Chicago that will print a limited run of 12″ 45 rpm records. Normally that size record is played at 33 rpm. Fans can pre-order vinyl at the label’s store and pick up the digital version right now via User Unauthorized’s Bandcamp page. The initial vinyl pressing will be limited to 100 signed and numbered copies, so grab one today to ensure you’re one of the lucky few with this out-of-the-box pressing.

User Unauthorized complete their tour in Austin at Come and Take It Live Feb 17 with punk legends The Queers. Tickets are available here.

Tour dates: