Spine Released “Raíces” LP On Convulse Records

Raíces, the new album from hardcore / powerviolence band SPINE is out today on Convulse Records. On Raíces, SPINE have crafted a thoughtful, uncompromising sonic assault that attests to the band’s longevity. The twelve songs on the record dive into the title’s translation to “roots”,  grappling with the interplay of heritage and identify, family, and world outlook in the face of oppressive governments. The majority of the tracks on the album clock in under one minute, delivering a persistent urgency with biting guitars, frenzied drums, and throaty vocals from vocalist Antonio Marquez delivered in a mix of Spanish and English. Recorded in a steel storage unit that the band converted into a practice space, the record was helmed by guitarist Alex Tunks with most of the instrumental output arranged by bassist Max Chaney (who recently amicably parted ways with the band), and then mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios.

Expanding on the albums lyrics and themes, Marquez states: “The lyrical content teeters on more poetic takes on how I see the world and myself with more poignant and direct takes on those very subjects. “Raíces” in English means roots. I wanted to show a bit of who I am, what I’ve been through, and what’s made me who I am today. I wanted to make it a point to write a chunk of the music in Spanish, English and Spanglish because that’s who I am. I wanted to really stress those themes of identity in how I’m seen and how I see myself. A lot of what I talk about on this record revolves around different aspects of being a minority but never being fully accepted/never being enough on either spectrum. I also speak to general things that I feel like make me who I am as well as the struggles I find within myself. There are different samples and clips on the record to emphasize some of those feelings that I think help bind the songs sonically.

If there was an overarching goal of this record, lyrically it’s learning to accept who you are at your core. And embracing the pain that comes with existing and living.”

SPINE’s invigorating sound translates to their energy-packed live show, which has been on full display across North America and at festivals like Sound and Fury and This Is Hardcore. The band will head to the east coast in July for a short run with labelmates Destiny Bond and just announced two record release shows in Kanas City, MO and Denver, CO. The Kansas City show will take place August 5th at Recordbar with support from Candy Apple, World I Hate, The Consequence, Livid, Asbestos, Perfume USA, Madman, and Make No Mistake. The Denver show is August 26th at D3 alongside Portrayal of Guilt, Cloakroom, Gag, The Consequence, Royal Drug, Destiny Bond, Raw Breed, Candy Apple, and Edith Pike. Full dates below.

Raíces is available on vinyl through Convulse Records and to listen to on Bandcamp and streaming services.

Upcoming Shows:

7/14 – Boston, MA @ O’Brien’s Pub w/ Destiny Bond

7/15 – Philadelphia, PA @  Bonk’s Bar w/ Destiny Bond

7/16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus w/ Destiny Bond

8/5 – Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar w/ Candy Apple, World I Hate + more

8/26 – Denver, CO @ D3 w/ Portrayal Of Guilt, Cloakroom, Gag + more

11/17-19 – Tulsa, OK @ Flyover Fest