Generations in hardcore move quickly. The scene changes constantly, and yet there is always a group of bands uninterested in the current trends. Some people just want to write aggressive underground music and bring people together. Call it what you want — old school, meat and potatoes, or, most recently, democore — Grand Scheme, a punk hardcore band from the DMV, are that band for this generation. They’ve done everything you need to do, like release tapes and go on tour, and nothing you don’t, like collect corporate sponsorships or beg for your attention. Their new 7”, Numbers Game, is being released by 11 PM Records and features eight unifying songs and that’s it.


Our take: Debut vinyl from this hardcore band from Washington, DC, released on 11PM Records, who has been crushing it lately. Grand Scheme’s songs on Numbers Game alternate between fast scissor beats, brisk punk beats, and crushing breakdowns, and while I prefer bands who stick to punkier rhythms, everything here is fast and raw enough to keep me interested. When Grand Scheme lays into those fast scissor beats, they remind me of Straight Ahead—a high compliment in my book—but they don’t always play in that style. “Absolution” is groovy and mid-paced… fans of Alienator’s 7” from earlier this summer will dig it. People who love the rawest, punkest end of youth crew—think Side by Side—will get the most out of Numbers Game, but it’s one of those records that’s strong enough to appeal to people across scenes and subgenres.