On Monday night from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., the sound of banging drums and screaming voices may scare you while surfing radio stations. But don't be alarmed...it is only Hardcore Heroes on WMFO. The death-defying voices, powerful electric guitar chords, and hard-to-understand lyrics are all characteristic of hardcore music.
Hosted by senior Mike Bright and alumni Sabih Mir, Hardcore Heroes gives the listener a bit of everything from the hard side of music. From heavy metal to punk rock and possibly even some hip-hop here and there, the 'Heroes' simply play music that they enjoy.
The show was started in 1997 by Mike Wolff, who chose the name Hardcore Heroes as kind of a joke. "The name was just funny because of the play on words. We have kept it since because of tradition," said Mir, who took over the show in 1998 and has been with it ever since. Bright joined in the spring of the same year.
Since 1997, the show has continued with a free-form playlist, but still concentrates on hardcore music.
"We don't have to play a specific style of music. There is no program, we have a free-agenda," Mir said.
This type of music is often mistaken for punk or heavy metal, but it has its own defining qualities. "It's a heavy combination of heavy metal and punk rock, but a bit more emotional," Bright said. "I like the energy it possesses and the way the music can bring so much energy to the listener. I also like the contrast between the soft, melodic sounds and the harder, 'screamy,' louder beats."
Both Bright and Mir have been fans of this music for a long time and they hope that Hardcore Heroes will expose hardcore music not only to the Tufts campus but also to other areas of Boston. "We would like the show to become a meeting point for hardcore kids at Tufts," Bright said.
The style of music is very much in the underground scene. Concerts are played anywhere from people's houses to warehouses; as long as there is a hardcore band to play there will always be a following.
The duo hopes to start a similar following here at Tufts. "I want people to come to the station and hang out with us during the show. I would love to see more people getting into hardcore and chilling with us down at WMFO," an eager Bright said.
Hardcore is the kind of music that will make your head move violently, and send shots of adrenaline throughout your entire body. But be careful it's addictive! So, next time you are surfing the radio waves on a Monday night and you are awoken by screaming voices and an earthquake-sized bass line, remember not to be frightened because it's just time for "Haaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrdddddddddd Coooooooorrrrrrreeeeee Heeeeerroes!"
