One of the more interesting bands to have emerged from the second wave of straightedge hardcore in New Jersey, Mouthpiece was formed by five H.S. friends inspired by the likes of Judge, Sick of it All and Chain of Strength. During their six-year run (an eternity by HxC standards), the band played hundreds of shows and released a spate of 7″’s and 12″’s, as well as the requisite bevy of compilation appearances, all of which appear here, along with a generous helping of previously unreleased live tracks thrown in for good measure.
What’s always been one of the most interesting facets about hardcore is its uncanny ability to perfectly encapsulate a very specific time and place, and true to its lineage, the 24 tracks that comprise Can’t Kill What’s Inside… are a sweat-soaked snapshot of East Coast straightedge in the early-mid ’90s. That said, the material here can’t help but sound dated (the newest tracks here are at least a dozen years old), especially when compared to the progressively-minded modern scene has been cranking out as of late. Still, if you were there the first time around, then blasting “Gauge” or “Column” will undoubtedly bring back eye-stinging memories of packed-out basement shows, sweat-drenched faces and massive shout-a-longs, and straightedge die-hards will also undoubtedly appreciate it for its scene-specific historical value.
While hardly an essential document, Can’t Kill What’s Inside is impressive in its ability to transport the listener to a simpler time, and whether you were actually in N.J. or not, anybody that’s ever leaned up against a hot water boiler or fake wood paneling to watch a show can most certainly appreciate that.
