Sunday, December 16, 2012

An oldie: GHCP Govinda Hardcore Project ('93-'97)

When you get on FB you get to read an unbelievable tons of rubbish almost on a daily basis and just a tiny (compared to the 100+ posts up on the fb walls) quantity of informative, interesting and thought provoking stuff (okay, fb is not about this).
Earlier this morning I got to read a post about two 90's bands based outta Milan that fought out for their spot in the hardcore punk scene and who were outspoken about their personal Are Krishna beliefs.

And, let me say, with a bit of nostalgia to that period the writer wonders how those lyrics, messages and philosophy would have been received by a today scene, where it seems many kids/bands stand by the evil just for the sake of looking cool and perhaps more accepted among the peers, and by the close-minded punks typos who would not accept to confront themselves with any form of spirituality, inner and religious feelings whatsoevr (being these drawn from Are Krishna movement, religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam or other spiritual practices and more profound spirituality related needs).
Perhaps those times were slightly different and within the boundaries of worldwide HC-punk scene the kids recognized or better tolerate the so-called Krishnacore, that saw the likes of 108 and Shelter in the USA and Abhinanda in Europe as forefathers, as part of a whole community -as it was always supposed to be "Kids fighting for our dreams, Equal black and white, All extremes...That's our scene" (lyrics quoted by Side By Side's "You're Only Young Once"). And of course I can't leave out the thought that fashion made it's good part as well to smooth out the acceptance process.



In Milan, Italy things were going along the same lines and also among the local hardcore kids (many times sXe) Krishna influenced melodicore projects started come to life.
In the post are mentioned two bands I didn't actually know about (but I must admit I just know and checked out the more famed US names) that sprung up from the Milan scene, and got documented on record, and these two are GHCP (Govinda Hardcore Project) and Shaa.
GHCP started out in 1993 based out of the Govinda cultural centre in Milan and released a demo-tape "A Spiritual Cry" followed up by "Il meglio dei due mondi", a CD released in 1995 through Vacation House records. The band called it a day in January 1997.
SHAA released a demo tape in 1993 and a 7" titled "Meditazione" on Blue Bus records.
I gave a spin to the 6-track record from GHCP and really liked it (melodic HC played by heart with positive lyrics sung in Italian) so I thank the writer of this post for giving me the chance to dig more in our recent past and get to know about a solid band hailing from Milan.
So to make a long story short, how these messages/consciousness/sensibility/visions can be receipt by today hardcore scene (quoting 
ad lib the post “in the era of blasphemy”)? Well, firstly, I'd hope you'll be open-minded enough to check out this band from Milan as well as those today's outfits who are trying to bring about personal beliefs and may seem not to fit in with the rest.
And secondly, I can't keep myself from encouraging those who post cool stuff on fb to keep it up. You're punker than the others!

Listen here to GHCP's "Il meglio dei due mondi"


Check: www.facebook.com/pages/GHCP-govinda-hardcore-project/210766467426

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