CanadianWasteland Archives: 2025

Current was an post-hardcore band from Dearborn, Michigan. One of the first bands, along with split mates Indian Summer, to be banned from MRR for being too emo; Current was a bastion of the early 90s post-hardcore scene in the US, boldly going where no hardcore band had gone before. My personal favourite release by them, even though they are all iconic in their own respect; is Current's posthumous "Is 4" 7". This release contains the song "Basis" which along with Leech is one of my favourite Current tracks that really encapsulates their sound and mastery of the loud-quiet emo dynamic. Current is an essential band to listen to if you want to further your understanding on the history of 90s emo and post-hardcore.

Bandcamp

Tired of being called "too emo" and "too progressive" for hardcore, the members of Current decided to record a studio session of "pure hardcore", retitled as Ottawa, to show the world that Current could do straight up hardcore as well as anyone else. This 14 track session which has been released in demo, split and LP form (twice!) is thrashy, grinding and angry as fuck. This material stood the test of time and is lauded by many an oldhead as one of the best hardcore recordings of the 90s.

Bandcamp

Is 4 7" 1995 (Council)

Split 7" w/ Indian Summer 1993 (Repercussion)

Coliseum 12" 1993 (Council)

Could I 7" 1992 (Council)

Current / Chino Horde 7" 1992 (Council)

Ottawa / Jihad Split 12" 1994 (Council)

Jihad was a hardcore band from Kalamanzoo, Michigan. Despite their unfortunate and poorly aged name, Jihad remains an staple in the 90s hardcore sphere. Mainly in part to their contribution to the Ottawa / Jihad split 12", one of the most important artifacts of the 90s era, a release that many consider to be the Faith/Void split of the 90s. My personal favourite release by them however, is their final 7" tilted New Testament; which really caught my attention when I first got into the genre. The 7" is a great representation of the sound and direction of the mid 90s emo/hardcore scene.

Jihad walks the line between the more introspective leanings of the 90s emo scene, while retaining a harsh and heavy sound clearly influenced by the metalcore bands of the era. One thing that really stands out to me is the unique, piercing vocals of the vocalist that really contribute to the whole feel of Jihad's sound, which is incredibly fierce and righteously pissed off.