In the midst of their tour with the Dropkick Murphys, Against Me! went back to their roots for an afternoon show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. This was definitely the smallest NYC show the guys had done in quite some time. I don’t think I’ve seen them play a venue this small since 2002 when they played at ABC No Rio. Things have clearly changed a lot since then but the show on that Saturday afternoon showed me a band at the top of their game. Kind of a rare thing to say from a band who just got dropped for a major label.

Adding drumming Jay Weinberg (yes, Max Weinberg’s son) recently didn’t hurt. Of all the times I’ve seen the band (I’ve lost track at this point. Probably more than 15 times), this might have been the best I’ve seen them play. The addition of Weinberg has re-energized them completely. AM!’s live shows have always been known for their no talking, rocket fire setlists but it seemed like they were having more fun that usual this time around.

Sure, it wasn’t the most energetic show crowd-wise. If you’re playing a 21+ venue at 2 pm when a lot of those in attendance may be nursing hangovers, I wouldn’t expect a lot of pogoing moshing youngsters. But to be quite honest, I enjoyed that (yes, I am getting older). But it wasn’t a totally tame show (that would just be weird). There were a few crowd surfers when the guys busted out some older numbers like “Walking Is Still Honest” and “Baby, I’m An Anarchist.”

I wonder where the band will go from here (label-wise, music-wise) but this show was an indication that things have not slowed down at all.

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Against Me! played probably their largest NYC show to date opening for the Silversun Pickups at the Williamsburg Waterfront. The set was heavy on New Wave and White Crosses, along with a few older tracks like “Pints of Guinness,” “Sink, Florida Sink” and “Don’t Lose Touch.” Check out some more pics below

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Here is the first proper video from Against Me!‘s new album White Crosses, “I Was A Teenage Anarchist.”

“I Was A Teenage Anarchist”

Against Me! | MySpace Music Videos

All photos by Linda Wildemann

Against Me! and Ted Leo & The Pharmacists combined for one hell of a double bill at Webster Hall on October 11th. Both bands spent time earlier in the year on the arena circuit (AM! with The Foo Fighters, Ted Leo with Pearl Jam), so it was good to see them playing on a somewhat smaller stage. The highlight of the show was Against Me! playing “The Disco Before The Breakdown,” which I have never heard the band play live before. Even though there was no horn section with it, it still sounded amazing. Check out some pictures after the jump.

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All photos by Linda Wildemann

These are some photographs I took of Tom Gabel playing at Generation Records.  This was, by far, my favorite in-store yet.  It was awesome to see the basement of the record store packed with fans, singing along and having a great time.  Annnd he played “Joy” and “8 Full Hours of Sleep,” so that made my day.

More pictures after the jump.

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