At its soul, hardcore is a collective project, both when making records and when played live. To be sure, it is the concerts that matter. One can listen to a band's records and enjoy them, but not until the sounds are experienced with your fellow hardcore fans can they be fully understood. Such is the case with Boston's Haywire (also known as Haywire 617).
The irony is that Haywire is more of a solo project, brought to you by Austin Sparkman. Sparkman, though, isn't new to the punk scene. He is part of many bands, and has been part of many others. When he makes a record, and he hasn't produced a full LP since 2024's delicious Conditioned for Demolition, he knows how to involve some great friends.
He does the same on tour. Haywire is currently opening for the Dropkick Murphys on the fellow Boston punks' tour. Sparkman's group bookends many shows with the Murphys, while California reggae band, the Aggrolites, performs in the middle of the lineup. (Though, don't think Bob Marley in terms of the Aggrolites; think lots of songs in the realm of the Clash's "(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais.")
Haywire is your next favorite hardcore band
The Aggrolites provide a slight refrain from Haywire and the Dropkick Murphys that doesn't feel completely out of place. Still, for true hardcore fans going to the show, Haywire is the one for you. Bare-chested, visceral, non-stop energetic, and with just the right mix of menace, Sparkman brings his full truth at maximum volume.
He interacts with the crowd a lot, understanding that hardcore shows aren't about the audience showing up to sway along with brilliant musicianship. We are there to be entertained, sure, and Haywire does that, but we are involved in the act.
Of note, too, Sparkman isn't afraid to speak about his demons. His admission of being sober for 10 months got a rightful roar from those watching. He isn't better than us, but he is one of us.
Still, the music was immense and aggressive, just as it should be. The songs are short because trying to take a tune like "Poser Disposer" and making it into a long diatribe would be a mistake. Yet, the band hints at the talent to do much more if they so wanted. "Love Song" is obviously a punk song, but Haywire has produced an acoustic version that hints at a softer side of greatness.
The only issue for Haywire is that the group hasn't produced enough raucous renditions of pure hardcore. One LP, an EP, and a few singles only make us want more. At least the group has a two-song EP coming out in March that sees them (or Sparkman) perform with the Dropkick Murphys. That will only make us want more, too, most likely.