DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - ...And Never Will

The final chapter in the eight year run of one of West Virginia's most beloved hardcore bands. A fitting end to a band that always carried a banner promoting a positive message of friendship and having a good time. Nowadays Holden Caulfield founder and frontman Dana White - beyond his role as a husband and new father - has recruited former band mate Bobby Midkiff and a pair of other local players to form a new band Black Seas. Though Black Seas does not depart far from the sound and style of Holden Caulfield, the end of Holden Caulfield still left a massive hole in the the West Virginia all-ages hardcore scene. One that may never be filled with such energy and sincerity. (That last sentence could have been the perfect place for a play on the title of this album, but I took the higher road.)

Artist: Holden Caulfield

Album: ...And Never Will

Year: 2008

For fans of: Most Precious Blood, Stretch Arm Strong, Sick of it All

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - ...And Never Will.

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - Demo 2005

These fives songs are unmastered, alternative versions versions of ones featured on 2005's Can't Stop Now, as these were recorded with Brian Myers.

Artist: Holden Caulfield

Album: Can't Stop Now

Year: 2005

For fans of: Most Precious Blood, Stretch Arm Strong, Burn It Down.

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - Demo 2005.

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - Can't Stop Now

Here's the second album and first full-length by Holden Caulfield to come out on Surprise Attack records. It is 11 tracks that build upon the momentum created with the 2003's EP The Art of Burning Bridges.

Artist: Holden Caulfield

Album: Can't Stop Now

Year: 2005

For fans of: Most Precious Blood, Stretch Arm Strong, Burn It Down.

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - Can't Stop Now.

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - The Art Of Burning Bridges

On 2003's The Art of Burning Bridges, Holden Caulfield begins developing the aggressive, visceral hardcore sound that became so familiar over the next five years of the band's existence. Departing entirely from the punk rock feel of the previous demo, this EP is full of riff-heavy guitars that chug along between breakdowns. Dana White's vocals that teeter between his unmistakable Brother's Keeper-inspired shrieks and the Rollins-inspired bellowing more familiar from his days with Down To None (whose song "Hate Through Hate" Holden Caulfield covers on this EP). These elements combined with sporadic melodic moments and plenty crowd-inclusive lyrics made for song-alongs has been a successful recipe for many hardcore bands since the late '90s. Just as it worked in Stretch Arm Strong on the song "For Now", it worked for Holden Caulfield, who achieved what many West Virginia bands couldn't in developing a loyal regional fan base over half a decade - playing to crowds more common at touring band's shows. That is due in part to the loyalty of Dana White and Holden Caulfield had for their fans and their music. So it is ironic that this EP is called The Art of Burning Bridges, because burning bridges seemed to be something Holden Caulfield was not good at.

Artist: Holden Caulfield

Album: The Art of Burning Bridges

Year: 2003

For fans of: Stretch Arm Strong, Sick Of It All, Most Precious Blood

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - The Art of Burning Bridges

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - Beginning of Forever and Ever

By the time of their last show in August 2008 - after eight years and dozens of line-up changes - Holden Caulfield proved to be West Virginia's most tenured and adored bands. Formed in Charleston in 2000 by Dana White and members of Logan County punk trio Out of Nowhere, White remained at the center of Holden Caulfield in its every incarnation. Over nearly a decade as members came and went, White recruited new guitar players, bassists and drummers from the all-ages hardcore/punk scene for which he has long served as the proverbial grandfather.

Through all the years and changes, Holden Caulfield always stayed true to the mission of creating hardcore with a positive backbone. And it all started with 2002's Beginning of Forever and Ever (appropriately named in the foreshadowing of the band's longevity). Though a rough demo that doesn't quite fit in with the sound and style of the Holden Caulfield's future recordings, Beginning of Forever and Ever definitely serves as a pre-cursor for the band's career.

While later Holden Caulfield more resembled the metal side of hardcore like Most Precious Blood or Burn It Down; on this demo the music is more melodic and punk and shows influence from Silent Majority and Stretch Arm Strong. the sing-scream vocals give nod to Mike Patton (as does the cover of Faith No More's "Last Cup of Sorrow"). At the heart of all Holden Caulfield material, though, has been a sense of humor with a serious message about friendship and family and positivity. That is never more apparent than with song-along anthem "Rock and Roll Woman," or on the demo's final track "Complacency Is Really Just A Bunch Of Screaming Dudes," on which the members of the bands... well... scream.

Dana White has tenacity, and it paid off. While many musicians would become frustrated with leading a band with a revolving door of members, White's ambition to have a successful paid off with a discography of five albums and demos (a pair of which released on Surprise Attack Records), a number of regional and national tours, and dozens of shows to excited kids, many of which getting into hardcore music because of Holden Caulfield alone. The rest of HC's discography to come this week.

Artist: Holden Caulfield

Album: Beginning of Forever and Ever

Year: 2002

For fans of: Stretch Arm Strong, Silent Majority, Most Precious Blood

DOWNLOAD: Holden Caulfield - Beginning of Forever and Ever.

SRR will be back

My apologies for the serious lack of posts over the last couple months. The input of content has slowed, and so have I due to work responsibilities. Beginning Aug. 1, I will again try to make regular posts of albums, videos, books and more. Thanks for your patience.

For now, enjoy a video I've already posted, but still reigns as one of my favorites from a West Virginia band.

WATCH: Crystal Good - West Virginia Morning

Charleston-based poet Crystal Good of the Affrilachian Poets performs her piece on coal as a part of the 2010 Mountain Keepers Music Festival on Kayford Mountain.

For more information, on the Affrilachian Poets, click here.