PRESS
Interviews:
The Missoula Independent 10/11/2007
Reviews:
SQUALORA "And so they died miserably ever after" LP - "This is decidedly not the generic metallic crust that is pervasive in the scene. Squalora is mixing things up with some very unexpected and beautiful moody landscapes that break into all-out raging thrash attacks. This shit is not only well played, but it is masterfully conceived. The lyrics are smart and engaging takes on what is usually summed up in chorus of "fuck the system", which although it's a sentiment we can all appreciate it deserves to be pulled apart and really contemplated." -MRR #298, March 2008
SQUALORA (S/T) CD - "A strong dose of modern, heavy, speeding crust-core from Portland (by way of Missoula, Montana and containing three-quarters of ASS END OFFEND), reminiscent of the quirkier side of late-'90s flirtation between underground hardcore and metal a la WORD SALAD, MEDICATION TIME, or early FROM ASHES RISE. Nine longer tracks with complex and drawn-out song structures that weave together dark prog rock-ish intros (acoustic and flange!) and bridges, bleak lumbering heaviness, and offhand metal influences, and break or pick slide into wicked thrash blasts with caustically shouted and grufflyspewed vocal tradeoffs. The rambling lyrics are relevant, timely, and unfortunately seemingly a current anomaly -great, outraged attacks on consumerism, Fox News, apathy in light of present political realities, etc. Cool!" -MaximumRockNRoll #296, January 2008
"Woohoo! Squalora LP simply amazing! How can this be? Why sit back and enjoy these stunning, yet limited features: Awesome futuristic mirror effect on the LP jacket! Poster as well as most the cover art done by the guy who did the artwork for the movie "Enemy Mine"(yah, the alien movie with Dennis Quaid!!! Wow! I, like most of America, love Dennis Quaid!) Possibly some of the best Montana punk from Portland, Or ever! Blows the cd away simply because we put it out! Seriously though, as this being our 3rd release I am very happy to say that it was the most expensive but probably the most satisfying record we've put out so far. If you've never even heard of Squalora seriously check out the comp from last month. They, like a lot of Portlnd bands give me great hope for our scene. We now return you back to your advertisment: Buy it from us orders@thedefector.com $10 + shipping or it should be available at most punk record stores in a bit! This has been another shameless promotion brought to you for and by us." - Riot of the Blood, The Defector, Issue #36, November 2007
"Squalora:
To Release CD in Former Home, Missoula, October 13, 2007. The last time
a band released a CD with a the spindle-hole square in the forehead of a
current Commander in Chief, it probably wasn't a band with Montana roots.
In fact, the ex-Montanans who comprise Squlaora have been in Portland, Oregon
for the past year and a half. Maybe that's where all this anti-government
business comes from. Prior to that, when they had a fourth member, and were
called Ass-End Offend, they lived in Missoula. Squalora represents the the
unfortunate brain drain that periodically robs the Treasure state of it's
best and brightest rock and roll bands. See also No-Fi Soul Rebellion, the
Fireballs of Freedom, members of the International Playboys, the Quiet Ones...
the list is as long and peppered with talented acts that thought a geographical
change would translate easily into larger audiences and more opportunities.
Ass-End Offend,
who featured second guitarist and full-time dad, Brent Shultz toured the
US three separate times, and with the financial support of Missoula bands
(Volumen, Sasshole, the Oblio Joes, the International Playboys and Bacon
and Egg) and fans through the Punk Rock Prom fundraiser, toured central
Europe in 2005. Ass-End Offend Released 4 7" records and a CD/LP called
Character Assassins.
I, along with
a crust-punk cum carpenter friend from Kalispell, put out the new Squalora
CD, and new friends of theirs from Portland released the vinyl. It's in
a couple of words: loud, fast, heavy and pissed. Kind of like a scalded
griz on a tear through a campground.
Squalora play
the Palace Lounge (on Broadway in Missoula) on Saturday, October 13. Punks
Jacktoptown and double-drummer thunder Sierra Leone open. Doors at 8PM,
show at 9:30PM. Presale tickets $5 at Ear Candy, and $4 with a Captured
by Robots (whose "Dubya" performance happens simultaneously upstairs
at the Badlander, Saturday) stamp." -Wantage USA (press for CD release)
"Rainy ol' Portland has had a Swedishifying effect on these transplanted Ass End Offenders and friends. Squalora comes belting out of the gates with all the fury of No Security or Abuse or Mob 47 or Anti-Cimex or any of those svensk hardcore legends. Pissed, blazing fast and heavy as Pig Champion (RIP) standing on your penis." -Total Fest Programme, August 2007
"Squalora plays metallic hardcore, but adds some cool experimentation into the mix. There are some long, slow moody parts that stand out, and then this rips into total thrash mayhem. Vocals are rage." -Erin Yanke, Maximum Rock N Roll #288 May 2007.
"From the Ashes of Ass-End Offend rises Squalora. 3/4 of AEO moved about 500 miles west to the same spot where about 80% of Missoula's brain drain ends up. Their demo recording predicts big things for these dudes. XdISTORTX 4VRX!" -wantageusa.com
