So there have been some pretty insane shows lately that I felt needed to get some bloggage. No pictures so you’ll just have to deal with my beatiful words and keyboard poetics. First up, the allmighty return of the Gorilla Biscuits at B.B King’s in (shiver) Times Square. The lineup was, as expected, less than stellar in all regards before GB took the stage but I mean, I did get to see Murphys Law sing “The Beer Song.” Frankly, that’s all that matters in this world. I have never seen the venue as crowded as it was that night. It was insanity. The venue, which ranks ABOVE Roseland and Webster Hall on my list of “Least Favorite Venues” was surprisingly not that bad. Despite the $8 beers, the security removed the barricade so that youg ones and old, fat men could stage dive to their sweaty (and hairy) delight. GB played a super-fast and tight set and were having obviously having a blast going through EVERYTHING they have recorded (cept the two songs, surprisingly.) Highlights included “High Hopes,” “New Direction, and…oh who am I kidding…the whole show was incredible. I wish I could have gone to CB’s to see the Sunday matinee (HR was fucking there!) but once will do.
Monday was Modern Life Is War and Strike Anywhere at CB’s. Ok, seriously, if you haven’t bought MLIW’s Witness yet, you are seriously in need of it. It’s easily one of the best hardcore-punk records to come out in the last few years. The boys from Iowa rip-roared through a blazing set so quickly that they forgot what day it was (Jeff thought it was Saturday night. Go figure.) The band has amassed quiet a following in such a short time and it showed that night. The line in front of the club was so huge! I haven’t seen it that big before since I saw the Bouncing Souls there in like 2003. Granted, I was kinda late for the Kid Dynamite reunion show…but whatever. They were absolutely amazing and I think this band is going to be a mighty force within the scene for quite some time.
Now alot of people have been writing and complaining about the new Strike Anywhere album Dead FM. They are claiming they have lost the intensity of their previous efforts. I couldn’t disagree more. The band is better than ever and I think are truely discovering their sound with the album. Regardless, they are always top-notch live and they played a set mostly consisting of their previous two-full lengths. My neck is still in pain from that night. Overweight or Overzealous rugby players should not stage dive. I think they have truely risen to the ranks of one of one of the most important punk bands around today.
Last night was a trip down memory lane with Walter Schreifel at Bar 4 for the last “Punk Slope” of the summer. Ending how it began, Walter played an acoustic set filled with all of his classics from GB, Quicksand, Rival Schools and some special mash-up reditions of T-Rex, Sick Of It All, and Smiths songs. I really hope they continue doing the whole “Punk Slope” thing on Thursdays next summer at Bar 4. Hell, why are they ending it now? They could sucessfully continue it throught the year! Oh well, guess it gives us all something to look forward on all those muggy, summer days, slaving away for the man.
Tags: News by Matthew
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