WATERLOO, IA – Iowa’s Cedar Valley is home to an ever-changing hardcore scene, with bands forming and dissolving every few years. Heartland was one of these hardcore bands, but it disbanded in 2018. Drummer Austin Reeves, guitarist Gregg Kieler and vocalist Danny Shea founded the next “chapter” of the band, and they called it Hardship.
This chapter marked a new sound for the musicians, taking influence from Hatebreed, Gideon and Knocked Loose to create a sound closer to metalcore. The band put their foot in the door by releasing two EPs in less than a year. “Divine Miracle” was released in 2018 and it was followed by “No Redemption” in 2019. With two studio releases out, the band drove themselves deeper into the local scene.
Hardship performing at Spicoli’s Reverb in Waterloo, Iowa, with their 2018 lineup: Danny Shea (vocals), Gregg Kieler (guitars), Cody White (guitars), Rob Jenson (bass) & Austin Reeves (drums)
“With this band, I could really take ahold of what I wanted to say,” said Shea, “and translate a lot of things that have happened in my life to song in hopes that it reaches other people.”
Since the formation, the band has had many lineup changes. Despite the many members that have come and gone, Hardship still kept on their brant of spiteful, metal-driven hardcore. It was a clear direction toward music that sounded “pissed off,” but the message behind the music was purely positive. In fact, even the band’s name played off the same theme.
“It’s just something we all go through,” said Shea. “Some of the guys in the band, including myself, have gone through a lot of our namesake in our lives.”
The band loves to give back, and they host two fundraisers every year: Pit for the Pits and Krampus Fest. Pit of the Pits will be celebrating its fifth annual show this year, and all of the money goes to Cedar Valley Pitbull Rescue as well as Wild Thunder Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. In December, the band hosts Krampus Fest, a show that people get in for free if they donate a toy or canned food. All of the donated items go to Cedar Valley Friends of the Family.
“We like to be decent role models for the music scene and the community,” said Shea. “We try to be friendly with everybody; we like to try to include all the other local bands in almost anything whether we’re doing a big show or a fundraiser… If anything, we like to keep it like a big community or a big family.”
As a longtime member of the local hardcore community, Shea has seen many bands come and go. During his now 20 years in the scene, he had garnered many perspectives from these artists.
“If I could give any advice, it’d be to make friends,” said Shea. “You know, you’re not any bigger than the next band.”
As of now, Hardship consists of founding members Danny Shea and Gregg Kieler as well as bassist Rob Jenson and drummer Mason Wise. The four piece are seeking to release new music by this Christmas. They are also looking to release a two-song EP sometime this year. For now, their music can be streamed on Spotify and YouTube.