Formed in Reno, Nevada in 1980, 7 Seconds are an iconic name in hardcore punk circles, a band that pioneered US hardcore alongside the likes of such luminaries as Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, Black Flag and Bad Brains – however 7 Seconds promoted a straight edge lifestyle and by the late 80s had moved beyond hardcore’s musical limitations, embracing a more straightforward sound, albeit with the same underlying core values.
This pair of recordings are sometimes referred to as 7 Seconds ‘U2 era’, a slightly derogatory term which overlooks the band’s ambitious attempts to take hardcore in new directions, a path later embraced by the likes of Quicksand, At The Drive-In, Far, and in the modern era Turnstile and Angel Du$t. 7 Seconds frontman Kevin Seconds remains an inspirational figure in the hardcore scene, including carving out a formidable solo career, and as a somewhat reluctant figurehead for the straight edge scene and lifestyle.
This release features exclusive liner notes from respected journalist Mark Freebase, with contributions from 7 Seconds contemporaries Joe D Foster - (Unity / Ignite / No For An Answer), Israel Joseph I - (Bad Brains / Fireburn), Scoot Horton - (Awkward Thought / Shell Shock / The Kulprits) and journalist and superfan James Sherry.
Trouserpress sums up this divisive period in 7 Seconds’ history as follows: “‘Ourselves’, recorded as a quartet, and the three-man ‘Soulforce Revolution’ are both state of the art: intelligent lyrics of personal and political consequence, moderately powerful singing, buzzing guitars and brisk tempos”.
