Bullet Union (2003 — 2006)
Members
Jodie Cox — Guitar & Voice
Kaoru Ishikawa — Bass
Paul Symes — Guitar
Robin Christian — Drums
Bullet Union use a lot of old equipment that they really push to get their sound. Old valve guitar amps kept clean but driven hard, a guitar head through bass speakers and a 50’s drumkit! They have been compared to the likes of Drive Like Jehu, Sonic Youth, The Stooges, Fugazi and even The Velvet Underground.
This band has a very good pedigree. With ex–members of Dead inside and Ursa plus current members of Comet Gain and Shoe. They have only played a handful of gigs but have selected some of the best bands to supporst such as Lungfish, Black Eyes, PW Long, Capricorns and This Aint Vegas.
Reviews
"Bullet Union lace the ragged glory of hardcore with insistant, creative guitar lines. The five songs they play tonight show that they have the potential to join the current vanguard of home–grown post hardcore heroes"
(Kerrang — KKKKK Live Review. Second gig)
"There’s a reason why bands like Bullet Union get a record put out after their fourth gig. It’s because they’re a fucking good band. Play as many gigs as you like, but if you’re a lame band, don’t expect the labels to come crawling in the dirt after you. But if by four gigs you’re playing hardcore that’s not only tight, but clever and scything at the same time, then you deserve a record. Of course Bullet Union come to it all with years under their belt, members having served in Dead Inside and Ursa amoungst others and it shows because this is hardcore loaded with intelligent structures and built with layers of rhythms and emotions. It drives along with fragmented chords complimenting the twisting rhythms, but never losing sight of the punchy rock that embraces it. There’s even moments (such as an instrumental break in the midst of the sublimely titled "Stay Indie, Don’t Be a Hater") that roll along smoothly with clean guitars and the unnerving atmosphere of an outtake from "Daydream Nation" before the guitar carve a clean slice through them again. First release, two tracks, all great.
(Fracture)
"I saw Bullet Union at Jealous Records Rocktober weekend last year and they literally blew me away with their frantic mix of energy and powerful songs. For those who don’t know, Bullet Union feature ex–members of Ursa and the late great Dead Inside, whose sound can slightly be heard in the songs on this record. The record features two tracks on a nice slab of white vinyl, which I understand is limited and nearly sold out. The superbly titled "Stay Indie, Don’t be a Hater" is a great piece of frantic arty hardcore influenced by the likes of Drive Like Jehu. It’s music made for dancing and I guarantee that you will not be able to stop your foot tapping. The flipside, "Robin…I’ll be back in five minutes", is more of the same but it see’s a bit of a Dead Inside influence slipping into the songwriting, which in my eyes can never be a bad thing"
(Punktastic)
