***Formed out of the ashes of frontman Jose Prieto’s solo endeavor, Sad And French, MakeWar—completed by bassist Edwin Santacruz, and new drummer Alejandro Serritiello—have always worn their hearts on their sleeves. Heartbreak, despair, and alcohol have long been at the center of those struggles, and the songs themselves are a way to push through all of that. Whether it was 2015’s eponymous record—full band reinventions and re-recordings of Sad And French songs—2016’s first proper album, Developing A Theory Of Integrity, or 2019’s Fat Wreck debut Get It Together, MakeWar’s albums have all been intensely cathartic affairs that bristle with the promise and the terror of the human experience. MakeWar’s latest effort A Paradoxical Theory of Change describes a different approach to tackle the pitfalls in life. Instead of fighting or pushing against whatever it is you are feeling, absorb it, accept it, and let it be. That much is clear from the moment opener “Magic Worlds” kicks the record off. It begins almost tentatively, almost as if the song is giving the anxieties and traumas that inspired it room to breathe for a bit, to make themselves known before the band pushes back. When they do, it’s with a formidable statement of intent, of acceptance, of action through temporary inaction. In stark comparison to Get It Together—which was very much about a (pre-pandemic) world and society in decline and was commenting outwards on that— these 12 songs look inwards. And although Prieto might not need these songs to wrestle his...
LP $25.50
06/28/2024
***MakeWar first burst through the Southern Border Wall and onto the national stage in 2016 with their debut album Developing a Theory of Integrity—a ripping skatepunk / Brooklyn Emo Night hybrid that caught everyone off-guard with its unabashed dynamism and brass balls, while somehow effortlessly remaining faithful to MakeWar’s influences. They followed that up with their Fat Wreck Chords debut Get It Together—a uniquely fresh-eyed and youthful rallying cry, tempered with anger, heartache, and a dash of hardcore rage and virtuosity that belies their relatively short tenure as a band. Pulled from those recording sessions is their brand new 7”, Stay featuring two tracks directly from Get It Together, and two unreleased outtakes. Keep a watchful eye as MakeWar will be continuing their rigorous touring schedule throughout 2021 and 2022.
7" $7.75
11/12/2021
***MAKEWAR first burst through the Southern Border Wall and onto the national stage in 2016 when Brendan Kelly – member of The Lawrence Arms and co-founder of Red Scare Industries —played a show with singer/guitar JOSE. He was so impressed by his acoustic act that he decided whatever Jose’s band was, if they played those songs, he wanted them on Red Scare. Shortly after, came their debut album Developing a Theory of Integrity—a ripping skatepunk/Brooklyn Emo Night hybrid that caught everyone off-guard with its unabashed dynamism and brass balls, while somehow effortlessly remaining faithful to Makewar's influences. Their Fat Wreck debut is the perfect follow-up. Get it Together is a uniquely fresh-eyed and youthful rallying cry, tempered with anger, heartache, and a dash of hardcore rage and virtuosity that belies their relatively short tenure as a band. Makwar is a mighty bilingual Voltron that is equal parts Venezuela (Jose-guitar/vocals), Columbia (EDWIN-bass/vocals) and Florida (GREG-drums). Makewar is THE punk band for today’s increasingly polarized world—furious, multicultural and packed with revolutionaries.
LP $25.50
11/01/2019
CD $13.25
11/01/2019