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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All photos by Marisa Abaza

Tom Gabel finished his latest solo tour at NYC’s Knitting Factory last night. Going into it, I really just expected the Against Me! leader to play most of his new solo EP Heart Burns, with some AM! songs thrown in for good measure. In fact, I didn’t think I was going to make the show to begin with. I would have been very pissed off if that was the case, because this show proved to be incredible and totally went beyond my expectations.

When I arrived at the Knitting Factory, a drum set was set up on stage, so I immediately knew something was up. Maybe he was playing with a backing band? I would find out soon.

The first half of the set was the standard affair and consisted of a new song, which he wrote days before about a dream he had involving Bob Dylan. Gabel also played “Random Hearts,” “Amputations,” “Anna Is A Stool Pigeon,” “Harsh Realms,” Dylan’s “Wagon Wheel” and AM!’s “Joy.”

Then, it got really interesting. Granted, the set was going really well, but to have original AM! drummer Kevin Mahon join Tom on stage was something special. “This is the first time we’ve shared a stage in seven years,” Gabel stated as his former bandmate joined him. “We are Against Me!.” Then they were off.

It seemed a bit rigid at first, but soon, things were flying, including the audience. Gabel noted that the set was better than how they played back in the early days.

They hammered out the entirety of the Crime EP, along with the beloved “Shit Stroll” and a few others thrown in. This was the setlist many Against Me! fans have been waiting to see for quite some time. An amazing show. I really hope somebody filmed it because it needs to be seen.

More pictures and setlist 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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Tom Gabel played an acoustic in-store at Generation Records this weekend. The Against Me! leader played a bunch of songs off his upcoming solo debut Heart Burns, along with some old AM! favorites like “8 Full Hours Of Sleep,” “Baby, I’m an Anarchist,” and “Joy.” Check out a video of Tom playing “Random Hearts” below.

Photo by Ryan Russell

UPDATE: List closed. Sorry!

Against Me!’s Tom Gabel will be performing an acoustic set at Generation Records on Saturday, October 11th. The performance will begin at 4 P.M. You will be e-mailed if you made it onto the list so please do NOT call the store.

Generation Records is located at 210 Thompson St. (between Bleecker and W. 3rd)