Hostage Life Quits With Release Of Free Album
Posted November 24, 2009 1:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hostage Life never minced words and the sincerity of the Toronto punk band’s politically-driven, anti-corporate message was a big reason why they had so many fans in this city and beyond.
From Underground Operations‘ 2002 release of their first EP Sing For The Enemy to 2007 7-inch White Jesus, Hostage Life was a screaming beacon of take-no-bull.
Which is why despite only releasing one real studio full-length in 2006’s Walking Papers, the band managed to keep them.
Yet on Friday Hostage Life played its last ever show, a set that strangely coincided with the release of its new album, Centre Of The Universe.
The reason for parting ways?
The following was part of a Myspace entry from Nov. 4 entitled An Intentionally Vague Post regarding The Dissolution Of Hostage Life:
“The last Hostage Life show ever will take place at Sneaky Dee’s on November 20th. This may seem like it is coming out of left field, but one of us had some personal problems that needed to be taken care of and the rest of the band decided it would be better to break up than to continue a man short. Thanks to everyone that helped, watched, hated, loved, and listened.”
The show was $5 and awesome, featuring an original t-shirt giveaway and sweaty sing-a-longs with founding members and friends.
As for the new album, it’s great and absolutely free.
R.I.P. Hostage Life.
(Below is video of the band’s penultimate live song Sons Of Hostage Life, with a chorus many Torontonians can appreciate: “Train took forever at Union Station”)
Filling The Void – The New Enemy
They’re called The New Enemy and while they’re no Hostage Life clones, the Toronto-based four-piece punk rockers are plenty hardcore and plenty political. They’re just starting out and with a free EP under their belt, appear to be pushed forth by similar inspiration and could well end up giving HL fans something to soothe the pain of the band’s sudden demise.
