HTML (He Taught Me Lies)

Do You Feel At Home? #03

HTML

    HTML (also known as He Taught Me Lies) was an emo hardcore 4 piece from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that existed between 2001 to somewhere around 2005. Members included: Adam Kuthe, Eric Meisberger, Jim Robinson, and Mike Q Roth. They were definitely a band with a message, at least when they put out their first disc- warning people about the dangers of the internet, freedom, and all that jazz. They were another band on Hope Records roster, and a killer one of course, as is everyone on the label. Many of Hope Records bands were tightly knit, often sharing members in side-projects and such. Unsurprising, as it was a small and relatively local label. They hosted a small few of great bands from Pittsburgh's early 2000s punk scene. The most notable being Pikadori, Io, and HTML.

   

    Their first disc, titled "The Monkey Part Of The Job" is some great emo hardcore, through and through. HTML were a band with plenty of character, witty and focused, yet roaring with energy, and this debut CD is an unfortunately overlooked piece of 2000s emo, that I think deserves more attention. The performances on this disc are killer, seriously, they knocked it out of the park. A song like "Cutter John" and "The Star Is Dead, Long Live The Star" are reason alone to give it some praise. I might be overselling, but I just want more people to check these bands out, because they're amazing. I'm sure you'll dig it.

The Monkey Part Of The Job

1. The New Normalcy
2. Cutter John
3. Ari's Sweater
4. Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
5. Nothing
6. Attention: Race Fans
7. The Star Is Dead, Long Live The Star
8. Breaking News

    Their follow up record "Genealogies and Collaborations" is an interesting piece of experimental hardcore, and it's a collaboration album as hinted in the title. Working alongside Rick Gribenas, they put together a mix of strange, experimental, and sometimes noisy piece of hardcore. It's noticeably different from their first offering, and while I don't think it's as much of a standout comparatively, it's still a decent full length nonetheless. It's not something I'd deem a "must listen" by any means, but if you're curious you can check it out via the Hard Travelin' Bandcamp.

HTML & Rick Gribenas - Genealogies and Collaborations

1. The Ever Growing Coalition Of The Willing
2. The Invitation
3. Stonewall
4. Topography
5. Rosedale
6. Berkman's Dead
7. Frick's Revenge
8. The Responsibility
9. Go Blue
10. Confessions Of An Amatur Vexhillologist
11. The Sound Of Veins Healing