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RAW NERVES (S/T) LP (2010)

"With members playing in hardcore punk bands for the better part of the last two decades, along with some younger energy and blood, Raw Nerves sound is a collection of those influences, ultimately coming back to what they know best: anger and speed. Musically, they hold a nice balance between classic early 80's hardcore like Negative Approach, Black Flag and Poison Idea to the late 80s/early 90s sounds of Citizens Arrest, Born Against, Econochrist, along with more modern bands such as Acts of Sedition, or Sacred Shock. Lyrically, they interweave boiling political dissections and intelligent sarcasm without ignoring the personal implications the fucked up world we live in has on all of us. But don't be fooled; they are not a white flag of surrender or nihilistic indulgence, but rather a call to arms. One time press of 500 and an mp3 download is included."
-Inimical Records, 201

"MURDERERS AMONG US" EP (2009)

"Debut 7" from this new band from Portland, Oregon. Unlike a lot of the crustier or more melodic bands from PDX, Raw Nerves are raw as fuck, go-for-the-throat hardcore. The burly vocals and distinctive riffing remind me more than a little bit of the first Sex/Vid EP. This is some tough, vicious shit... highly recommended." -Sorry State Records, 2010

"Heavy Portland hardcore that absolutely does not fit any of the preconceptions that the words "Portland hardcore" bring to mind. RAW NERVES fall more in line with the bands BURY THE LIVING or ASS END OFFEND--bare bones but still beefy and totally in-your-face and fucking pissed. The start of the title track is dark and (slightly) melodic, but the rest of the record is just hard-hitting punk that owes as much to '80s Midwest/Southern punk as it does to modern hardcore (perhaps this is an accident, but it's what my ears are telling me). I know RAW NERVES just hit the States this past summer, and reports I heard were all positive...certainly the ingredients on this EP could easily equal a fucking killer live show. Especially in a basement. Especially if it were really hot. And especially if there was beer." -Maximum RockNRoll #317, October 2009

"Some time ago, in the wanting list - on your right - I had a band named Raw Nerves from Portland, Oregon (don't be confused with Raw Berve from Chicago). So, a guy named Erik contacted me and finally send me Raw Nerves's demo and seveninch. Why I'm bullshitting like this? Some days before I was in a forum asking for the new raw nerves 7'' (named "We Must be Dreaming") and guess what. Some band member replied back, his name was Erik!
When I asked him if he was the great guy that has sent me raw nerves candy he said : "Yep, I wasnt trying to make it a secret, but I guess maybe I didnt mention that. haha"
Once more the communication with bands and places is so fucking wonderful. So all the cheers of the world goes to Erik (besides drummer of Raw Nerves, the man is the guitarist of Exit Collapse and used to play drums in Protest Stagnation. Fucking Portland guys! They are everywhere.)
Now, Raw Nerves is a terrific hardcore band mixing their anger with very dark melodies and desperate drums. Heavy political hardcore but not in the usual forms that Portland use to offer. I have read on the net the comparison with bands like Bury the Living (BTL are way more fast) or Acts of Sedition. Now for me, I can't find the connections with bands, not that Raw Nerves are so unique but they have a tight and blistering sound that I love. The drums are so fucking solid that fill negativity and power to the whole recording while the bass is distorted enough to drop-down a wall. Add Matt Svendsen's howls and screams (Squalora's, The Anti Difrancos's etc fame) reminds me a lot, vocals-style of great bands like Iron Hand and Oiltanker. The demo has seven tracks, the four of them have different mastering [different recording] and released as "Murderers Among Us" 7''.
Except the new EP, they're gonna release a full length LP some day soon, so stay tuned. And as the fucking MRR magazine wrote : "certainly the ingredients on this EP could easily equal a fucking killer live show. Especially in a basement. Especially if it were really hot. And especially if there was beer."
-Fifteen Counts of Arson, June 2010
(http://fifteencountsofarson.blogspot.com/2010/06/raw-nerves-murderers-among-us-7-demo.html)

"Raw Nerves, not Raw Nerve. A crusty, metallic hardcore band from Portland, Oregon. They are really heavy and a little slowed down, but still a rager none the less. They take influence from a vast amount of punk but have a decidedly Northwestern sound. There are tinges of Resist and Poison Idea here and there. They also cite Sex/Vid as a heavy influence, but I personally don't hear it.
This Ep must require a few spins before you start to get into them. This is not the case with the new LP, which is fucking fantastic first play, but I'm waiting for that to sell out before I post it here.
The one time I saw Raw Nerves they played a short angry set full of faster songs than they seem to have recorded. Maybe they just play faster live but they seem a lot more enthusiastic and passionate than this recording lets on, so go see them. Especially if you can see them with Resist, Iron Lung and Dropdead in Seattle."
-Fast Core Fuck, July 2010
(http://fastcorefuck.blogspot.com/2010/07/raw-nerves-murders-among-us.html)

"Raw Nerves toured through LA this past year and i was impress with their set. i love a band that's full of energy live and still manages to get the important things said between songs without it slowing them down. they did a nice job on this debut 7" release on Poisoned Candy as well. politically charged art for politically charged fist pumping anthems. this is a folded sleeve with the full insert devoted to an easy to read lyric sheet. i'm told they have a new record on the way as well as another west coast tour in the works for 2010, so keep an eye out for these guys..."
-Paul (http://art4punks.blogspot.com/)

"New-ish Portland, OR band with people from Squalora, Forced March and a few other combos. They had a CD demo earlier this year that I neglected to review (but have played on the radio show so maybe you heard 'em already) and four of the seven songs have been re-recorded for this EP. Raw hardcore featuring Matt Svendsen's rabid howlings and a feisty tumult that incorporates crusty thrash (or is it thrashy crust--no matter) and more ominous passages. Opening song "Hello To Oblivion" actually opts for the latter, with that kind of intro before settling into a bruising mid-speed assault. Not-so-cheery politically oriented lyrics fit the music's mood very well. To quote a pretty well-know band from their city, feel the darkness."
-Suburban Voice (http://subvox.blogspot.com/)

"Quite good 4 song EP in the Born Against tradition of HC punk. Fave!"
-Burnout zine

RAW NERVES (S/T DEMO) CASSETTE/ CD (2009)

"Raw, heavy hardcore in a political vein from these Portland punks. This reminds me of Acts of Sedition, who are one of the better bands around these days in my book. The lyrics are to the point and explicitly radical without relying on the vague apocalyptic metal imagery that seems to currently be in vogue. Oh, they feature members of Forced March, Duke Nukem Forever, and Murder of Crows for those that care. This is really good, I'll definitely be catching them at Gilman in July with Born/Dead and Deadfall. They'll be on tour throughout the West Coast and Midwest (as well as Texas) from late June until the beginning of August, check 'em out if you can."
-Maximum RockNRoll #315, August 2009.