Hailing from Norway, TIEBREAK is a name that resonates with the echoes of the 1990s hardcore scene. The band, once infamous for their ferocious energy and staunch straight edge stance, is now back with a vengeance, presenting their latest EP titled Hardcore Bugs.
Released on September 1, 2024, by the German label Crucial Response Records, this six-song 7” vinyl marks TIEBREAK’s first official release in over two decades.
TIEBREAK made a significant impact on the hardcore scene with the release of their “Stand Hard” 7” back in 1998. Known for their pissed-off vocals, fierce guitar riffs, and aggressive rhythms, they toured extensively across Scandinavia, earning a reputation for their intense live shows.
However, the band’s original run came to an abrupt end in 2001, amid a whirlwind of fights, alcohol, and unemployment.
Despite this, the members remained active in the music scene, playing in various bands such as SPORTSWEAR, FAIRFUCK, HARABALL, FOR PETE’S SAKE, and TEAM SPIRIT.
After reuniting in 2021, TIEBREAK has been hard at work, writing new material and refining their sound. Two weekends in the studio with producers Trond Mjøen (EUROBOYS, HARABALL) and Pål Brenderup (OKKULTOKRATI, HAUST) have resulted in a collection of songs that capture the raw energy of their early years while expanding their musical and lyrical scope.
Rooted in the 1980s NYHC tradition, the band’s sound remains as aggressive as ever, but with a broader musical and lyrical range.
The EP delivers music that speaks to both frustrated, pimply teenagers and angry, middle-aged mortgage-paying single mothers, a reflection of the band’s own journey through life.
William Øberg, the band’s vocalist, made a conscious decision to outsource the writing of the lyrics to friends, feeling that as a middle-aged dad, he didn’t have anything relevant to say.
The lyrics, penned by singers from local bands like HAUST and HARABALL, are still something the band can fully stand behind. They are sharp, relatable, and packed with the same intensity that has always defined TIEBREAK.
We are proud to present the premiere of TIEBREAK’s latest music video for “I’m Loud,” a track from the Hardcore Bugs EP.
The video is a lyric video that takes footage “stolen” from HARABALL’s “Spite” music video, directed by Kimm Saatvedt and Thomas Ekström. The lyrics are a raw, unapologetic declaration of defiance, capturing the essence of TIEBREAK’s attitude:
“You say that I’m a prehistoric being,
Some ape that evolution left behind.
You sip your herbal tea and read the papers,
I grab logs to smack against my skull.”
This tongue-in-cheek yet aggressive approach is quintessential TIEBREAK, blending humor with the band’s signature hardcore sound.
The release of Hardcore Bugs has been a long time coming.
The band’s last show was in 2000 at Blitz in Oslo, and when they reunited in 2021, they knew they wanted to make their return count. William had written a bunch of new songs, and with the band’s commitment to making this comeback serious, they hit the studio with a renewed sense of purpose.
The cover art for the EP is also a nod to TIEBREAK’s self-aware humor. Created as a joke during their rehearsals, the artwork features a character resembling a savior coming out of a cave for a last game of tennis—perhaps a mix of Plato and John McEnroe.
The band sees it as following in the tradition of iconic hardcore album covers like Poison Idea’s Pick Your King and F.U.’s Kill For Christ.
TIEBREAK will celebrate the release of Hardcore Bugs with a special comeback show on September 14, 2024, at Last Train in Oslo. This will be their first live performance in 24 years, making it a momentous occasion for both the band and their fans.
Two other tracks from the Hardcore Bugs EP are already available for streaming.
Fans can now listen to “Bang Bang” and the title track “Hardcore Bugs” on Bandcamp, where the EP is also available for pre-order.
