#25
Guerrilla Radio (Rage Against the Machine tribute band)
Eulogy (Tool tribute band)
@ Luckys Pub 05/08/09
I've never been to a real tribute show, minus the all local one some months ago. This though, was a show comprised of two TOURING tribute acts, to two bands that aren't really deceased (RATM reunited a couple of years ago, but haven't done any more gigs as of late). Nonetheless, I figured it could be fun to check out. The first thing I noticed when I walked inside Luckys was the crowd. This definitely wasn't what I was accustomed to seeing here. It was mainly comprised of fratboys and meathead drunkies. Say what you will about some of the younger generation at shows these days, but they're easily preferable to these kinds of folks.
Eulogy, the tribute to Tool, were up first. I haven't really cared about Tool for a few years now, but I still paid attention for the most part. They were surprisingly faithful in almost every aspect, even going so far as to have a frontman who put on facepaint with white dots going down the back, just like what MJK occasionally does. Their set was mainly a "greatest hits" package.
Parabol
Parabola
Prison Sex
Sober
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Schism
The Pot
Vicarious
Every song was performed exceptionally well, though I thought the drumming could have been a tiny bit better. I also have to ask, how and why do you "rage" to Tool? And by rage, I mean take your shirt off and mosh? I just can't comprehend it.
Guerrilla Radio was on next, and the first thing I noticed was that none of the members really looked the part. The guitarist and bassist wore bandanas over their mouths, and they even had pictures of Che Guevara on the stage as well. As far as the band goes, music-wise, they were spot-on. These guys knew the songs by heart and could play probably any song of RATM's that you yelled at them. But that brings me to the singer. I don't have a problem with someone not LOOKING like Zack De La Rocha, but at least try to get someone who SOUNDS like the guy. Granted, I was pretty intoxicated at this point, but it was still noticeable. I also found out their guitarist used to play in a few NC bands that I never saw (like Molecricket). Their setlist was a little more impressive in terms of songs chosen.
Bulls on Parade
Testify
Guerrilla Radio
Sleep Now in the Fire
Bullet in the Head
Bombtrack
Down Rodeo
No Shelter
Fistful of Steel
Ghost of Tom Joad
Know Your Enemy (and yes, the guy from the Tool tribute band came out to do Maynard's verse)
Wake Up
Freedom
Killing in the Name
They had Settle for Nothing, Vietnow, People of the Sun, Renegades of Funk, How I Could Just Kill a Man, and Take the Power Back written on their setlist but they were cut due to what I assume was time restraints. I also have to add that I got my ignorant mosh on at this show, which was mainly fueled by alcohol. So fun to just lose it sometimes.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
#22-#24
Yet again, I'm slacking on this thing. Might as well knock a few more out of the way though.
#22
Napalm Death
Kataklysm
Toxic Holocaust
Coliseum
Trap Them
@ The Soapbox 04/21/09
One of my most anticipated shows of the year for sure. At this point, it holds the position of being my favorite gig I've attended this year so far. I got down there mega early (at least 4 hours before doors opened), which I haven't done since I was in my 'teens. This time it was mainly for food reasons though, as my friends who were with me were quite hungry. We grabbed some pizza and bullshitted until doors opened up.
Trap Them were on first, and they proved yet again why they're probably one of the best bands in aggressive music right now. Great intensity combined with the best riffs and rhythms from Entombed, Dismember, Cursed, and Converge. It will be great to see them again soon with Victims in Raleigh. Oh and they closed with "Mission Convincers." Score!
It was my third time seeing Coliseum in a month-span, but they brought it like always. Ryan's got great stage presence and is one hell of a guitar player. No real big speeches like last time though, except for one before "Give Up and Drive." Always nice to hear them play "Set it Straight" as well.
Toxic Holocaust brought the thrash. They managed to get the first (and sadly only) circle pit of the night. The crowd seemed to dig it quite a bit and they seemed to dig us. It was a fairly well picked setlist, with an equal amount of old and new. They closed with "Nuke the Cross," which they apparently made a video for recently.
I haven't listened to Kataklysm in quite some time, and I was kind of worried they'd let me down, seeing as how they were actualy the weakest band on the bill. Well, they kind of did, and yet they didn't. I think their stage set up was quite unnecessary, but it was forgivable. It was mainly a "greatest hits" type of setlist. They played most of what I wanted to hear (and getting the mic for a couple of tracks was nice), they had good attitudes, seemed to be enjoying themselves despite the lackluster turnout (LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE. UGH)...and yet somehow I think I was a little disappointed. Maybe it was just that the three previous acts blew them away.
Finally NAPALM FLIPPIN' DEATH came on. I credit these guys as being one of the first bands in the "extreme" genre who helped expand my taste. I was so exicted to see them on a good bill, after what seemed like an endless stream of bad tours (Devildriver, Hatebreed). I felt like I broke my neck headbanging at this. Even with that, I still managed to snap a good amount of pics as well. Their setlist looked like a page out of an old novel, filled with what felt like close to 30 songs. Mind you that's NOT a complaint. Barney Greenway is also one of the most entertaining frontmen I've seen in a LONG time. He never seemed to stop moving, and had some of the most simple, yet greatest speeches I've heard in a while. I took some video footage as well, which is on myspace's video page. Such a good performance. Well worth the $16 price tag.
#23
Kontatto
Stinkbomb
Pavlichenko
@ East Coast Opera House 04/22/09
The day after Napalm Death and the like kicked my ass, this tiny crust/d-beat show occurred. I might be wrong but I believe this was Kontatto's first time in the states. Hope they liked NC enough to want to return one day. It was also my first time witnessing a show at East Coast Opera House, which normally never does shows like these.
Pavlichenko, the first band and partial organizers of this whole show, were on first. I caught their first gig and it was cool, but this was even better. They're getting much tighter and thrashier. Every guy in the band is a good person too. Support em whatever way you can.
Stinkbomb are an older band from Wilmington who decided to return from the dead and I'm glad they did. Just good fun loud 3-piece punk rock. I also noticed Steve Hart was playing guitar for em, which was cool. They did a couple of covers, though I only caught one of them (Motley Crue-Live Wire) due to having to step outside momentarily.
Due to the size of ECOH, Kontatto's singer performed on the floor while the band played on the actual stage. Total DIY I guess you could say. They absolutely ruled. Total crust/d-beat/raw punk in the vein of bands like Tragedy, Wolfbrigade, and Discharge. The crowd at times (at least those who were drunk/imbecilic) caused some problems, like knocking into one of the guitarists and knocking him and his amp over. Those were quickly dealt with though, and the show resumed. Taking pics was fun, but kind of hard at times due to all the lights hanging around. I also gotta add that it's awesome seeing women drummers, as they are a rare sight in the aggressive music scene these days, and even rarer in this specific scene.
#24
Against Me!
Off With Their Heads
@ The Soapbox 04/30/09
I had been sick for a few days before this, and my cold actually forced me to miss Amon Amarth/Goatwhore/Skeletonwitch/Lazarus A.D. the day before this, which I had already bought a ticket to. I think I was still cross walking into this one, but I figured this would be my only chance to see Against Me! play for $10. Well, THESE days at least.
I missed the first band, whose name I can't recall. I caught about 5 songs or so from Off With Their Heads, who were pretty okay, but I don't see the hype behind this band. Just kind of ho-hum.
After an HOUR long wait (seriously, WTF?), Against Me! finally came on and performed to the packed house. I actually stood away from the floor near the merch area, due to not wanting to potentially worsen my cold around a bunch of dirty hipster folks. I'm really glad I came out, because they ruled pretty hard. I still haven't listened to New Wave, their last record, but I recognized enough old material to be alright. The crowd seemed to be having a blast, as did the band. When a girl got knocked out by a stagediver, the band stopped and made everyone clear a path in order for her to be escorted out safely. Very cool of you guys. I'd be more than willing to watch them live again, and hopefully next time I can buy a few drinks and really get into it like everyone else was.
#22
Napalm Death
Kataklysm
Toxic Holocaust
Coliseum
Trap Them
@ The Soapbox 04/21/09
One of my most anticipated shows of the year for sure. At this point, it holds the position of being my favorite gig I've attended this year so far. I got down there mega early (at least 4 hours before doors opened), which I haven't done since I was in my 'teens. This time it was mainly for food reasons though, as my friends who were with me were quite hungry. We grabbed some pizza and bullshitted until doors opened up.
Trap Them were on first, and they proved yet again why they're probably one of the best bands in aggressive music right now. Great intensity combined with the best riffs and rhythms from Entombed, Dismember, Cursed, and Converge. It will be great to see them again soon with Victims in Raleigh. Oh and they closed with "Mission Convincers." Score!
It was my third time seeing Coliseum in a month-span, but they brought it like always. Ryan's got great stage presence and is one hell of a guitar player. No real big speeches like last time though, except for one before "Give Up and Drive." Always nice to hear them play "Set it Straight" as well.
Toxic Holocaust brought the thrash. They managed to get the first (and sadly only) circle pit of the night. The crowd seemed to dig it quite a bit and they seemed to dig us. It was a fairly well picked setlist, with an equal amount of old and new. They closed with "Nuke the Cross," which they apparently made a video for recently.
I haven't listened to Kataklysm in quite some time, and I was kind of worried they'd let me down, seeing as how they were actualy the weakest band on the bill. Well, they kind of did, and yet they didn't. I think their stage set up was quite unnecessary, but it was forgivable. It was mainly a "greatest hits" type of setlist. They played most of what I wanted to hear (and getting the mic for a couple of tracks was nice), they had good attitudes, seemed to be enjoying themselves despite the lackluster turnout (LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE. UGH)...and yet somehow I think I was a little disappointed. Maybe it was just that the three previous acts blew them away.
Finally NAPALM FLIPPIN' DEATH came on. I credit these guys as being one of the first bands in the "extreme" genre who helped expand my taste. I was so exicted to see them on a good bill, after what seemed like an endless stream of bad tours (Devildriver, Hatebreed). I felt like I broke my neck headbanging at this. Even with that, I still managed to snap a good amount of pics as well. Their setlist looked like a page out of an old novel, filled with what felt like close to 30 songs. Mind you that's NOT a complaint. Barney Greenway is also one of the most entertaining frontmen I've seen in a LONG time. He never seemed to stop moving, and had some of the most simple, yet greatest speeches I've heard in a while. I took some video footage as well, which is on myspace's video page. Such a good performance. Well worth the $16 price tag.
#23
Kontatto
Stinkbomb
Pavlichenko
@ East Coast Opera House 04/22/09
The day after Napalm Death and the like kicked my ass, this tiny crust/d-beat show occurred. I might be wrong but I believe this was Kontatto's first time in the states. Hope they liked NC enough to want to return one day. It was also my first time witnessing a show at East Coast Opera House, which normally never does shows like these.
Pavlichenko, the first band and partial organizers of this whole show, were on first. I caught their first gig and it was cool, but this was even better. They're getting much tighter and thrashier. Every guy in the band is a good person too. Support em whatever way you can.
Stinkbomb are an older band from Wilmington who decided to return from the dead and I'm glad they did. Just good fun loud 3-piece punk rock. I also noticed Steve Hart was playing guitar for em, which was cool. They did a couple of covers, though I only caught one of them (Motley Crue-Live Wire) due to having to step outside momentarily.
Due to the size of ECOH, Kontatto's singer performed on the floor while the band played on the actual stage. Total DIY I guess you could say. They absolutely ruled. Total crust/d-beat/raw punk in the vein of bands like Tragedy, Wolfbrigade, and Discharge. The crowd at times (at least those who were drunk/imbecilic) caused some problems, like knocking into one of the guitarists and knocking him and his amp over. Those were quickly dealt with though, and the show resumed. Taking pics was fun, but kind of hard at times due to all the lights hanging around. I also gotta add that it's awesome seeing women drummers, as they are a rare sight in the aggressive music scene these days, and even rarer in this specific scene.
#24
Against Me!
Off With Their Heads
@ The Soapbox 04/30/09
I had been sick for a few days before this, and my cold actually forced me to miss Amon Amarth/Goatwhore/Skeletonwitch/Lazarus A.D. the day before this, which I had already bought a ticket to. I think I was still cross walking into this one, but I figured this would be my only chance to see Against Me! play for $10. Well, THESE days at least.
I missed the first band, whose name I can't recall. I caught about 5 songs or so from Off With Their Heads, who were pretty okay, but I don't see the hype behind this band. Just kind of ho-hum.
After an HOUR long wait (seriously, WTF?), Against Me! finally came on and performed to the packed house. I actually stood away from the floor near the merch area, due to not wanting to potentially worsen my cold around a bunch of dirty hipster folks. I'm really glad I came out, because they ruled pretty hard. I still haven't listened to New Wave, their last record, but I recognized enough old material to be alright. The crowd seemed to be having a blast, as did the band. When a girl got knocked out by a stagediver, the band stopped and made everyone clear a path in order for her to be escorted out safely. Very cool of you guys. I'd be more than willing to watch them live again, and hopefully next time I can buy a few drinks and really get into it like everyone else was.
Monday, May 4, 2009
#19-#21
Figured I'd knock these ones out while I'm sick. Plus I've been putting this off for god knows how long. Forgive me if they aren't as long/detailed as the other reviews.
#19
Coliseum
Young Livers
Torch Runner
Nations
Conquer Me
@ Luckys Pub 03/30/09
Why weren't more people at this one? One of the better punk/hardcore bills we've had in some time, and it was a pretty decent price too considering Coliseum is getting a tad bigger. Oh well.
Conquer Me was up first. Good job like always, guys are still the best hardcore band in this town (if you ask me that is). I shot some new video footage of em too, but that hasn't been put up yet due to myspace taking so damn long with uploading video. Weird to see nobody mosh for them though. It just doesn't, I dunno, feel right?
I fucking love Nations. I wish they'd put out a god damn demo already and give my ears some mp3 candy, not just live candy. Their set was definitely a highlight, partly due to the great Cursed worship and partly due to the smashing of a guitar at the end of their set. Stereotypical as it might be to say this, but it was total rock and roll.
Surprisingly, it was Torch Runner's first time in Wilmington. They've been blowing up over the past few months and it was only time they visited our sketchy (at times) town. I hadn't seen them since they owned at the Trash Talk show in Raleigh and it was just as loud and pissed as always. Bands like these make me proud to be living in this state.
Young Livers were probably the odd band out here, kinda sounding more like traditional post-hardcore/punk rock to me, but they did a good job nonetheless. I assume they've played here before, or at least have some connections, because as soon as they came on, quite a few more people came in to catch them. It was mainly the Reggies Tavern/Thunderlip crowd, but it increased the attendance didn't it?
I had only caught Coliseum a couple of days before this, but this was a headlining gig as opposed to a somewhat misplaced slot on a moshfest. This easily topped the UB performance, even if Ryan gave somewhat of the same speech as before and the setlist was pretty much the same, minus about 7 more songs thrown in. Ryan Patterson is the man. Dude's got such a good presence on stage and churns out some mean riffs. I picked up No Salvation on vinyl, which I should have done at UB but didn't. It's a beautiful piece too. Yellow with red splatter. Almost shines in certain lights. But anyway...
#20
Sourvein
Ol' Scratch
Dead Commuter
Wall
@ Reggies 04/03/09
My friend Lauren convinced me to go to this one. I was still somewhat fatigued from UB and Coliseum, so I mercifully this wouldn't be too active of a show.
Wall opened and again, it's cool to see a grindcore/powerviolence band in this town. And one that's so young too. Set was over in the blink of an eye it seemed.
Dead Commuter was awesome. Two piece all the way from fucking Kansas. It was great post-metal/stoner/noise rock and they were really nice dudes too. If I had more money to blow I would have bought a shirt. They also closed with a Black Sabbath cover, which is always welcome.
Ol' Scratch was the reason I know Lauren wanted to come out, and she insisted they would be up everyone's alleys. First thing I noticed about the band was they were using all Sunn equipment. I'm not a musician by any means but even I knew that meant it would be LOUD. Sure enough, this band actually managed to be louder than Kylesa, who I had only seen a week before. They didn't outvolume (hell if I know if that's a word) Jucifer, who still remains the loudest band I've ever seen. This band was awesome though. Great VA sludge/doom with some insanely catchy riffage. I suppose my only complaint would be that you couldn't hear the singer all that well.
Sourvein were on next, and even though they did good, the amount of cigarette smoke that night actually made me unable to really enjoy their set, and I found myself having to go outside several times just to make my eyes stop hurting. Lame I know, but hey I can't help it.
After the show was over, Lauren and I went to an afterparty at Shep from Weedeater's house. Everyone seemed pretty cool and it was a good time, but I really wanted sleep. :P
#21
The Hottness
Burden of a Day
Sent by Ravens
Of Machines
@ Luckys Pub 04/18/09
This might be the quickest review I'll do of a show in a long time, seeing as how I became very intoxicated and quite high before and during this show. Of Machines were awful. Like if scene kids tried imitating Radiohead + new day screamo. I watched a bit of Sent by Ravens and they were alright, at least in comparison to Of Machines. Watched the first 30 seconds or so of Burden of a Day and decided it wasn't for me. The Hottness did surprisingly well, considering that I'm not a huge fan of their music (I attended this show mainly out of boredom). Mark from Luckys was trying so hard to get me moshing, and I threw down for a little bit, but I was just too out of it to do much of it. It was cool seeing a lot of old faces at this show too, such as Melissa, the old co-owner of Luckys (who is still mega cool, and still looks mighty fine if I can say so myself :P), phZach, who I haven't seen at a show for what feels like at least a year, and Cando, who was in town for a break from school. It was also funny seeing a ton of women get on the bar to dance Coyote Ugly-style towards the end.
#19
Coliseum
Young Livers
Torch Runner
Nations
Conquer Me
@ Luckys Pub 03/30/09
Why weren't more people at this one? One of the better punk/hardcore bills we've had in some time, and it was a pretty decent price too considering Coliseum is getting a tad bigger. Oh well.
Conquer Me was up first. Good job like always, guys are still the best hardcore band in this town (if you ask me that is). I shot some new video footage of em too, but that hasn't been put up yet due to myspace taking so damn long with uploading video. Weird to see nobody mosh for them though. It just doesn't, I dunno, feel right?
I fucking love Nations. I wish they'd put out a god damn demo already and give my ears some mp3 candy, not just live candy. Their set was definitely a highlight, partly due to the great Cursed worship and partly due to the smashing of a guitar at the end of their set. Stereotypical as it might be to say this, but it was total rock and roll.
Surprisingly, it was Torch Runner's first time in Wilmington. They've been blowing up over the past few months and it was only time they visited our sketchy (at times) town. I hadn't seen them since they owned at the Trash Talk show in Raleigh and it was just as loud and pissed as always. Bands like these make me proud to be living in this state.
Young Livers were probably the odd band out here, kinda sounding more like traditional post-hardcore/punk rock to me, but they did a good job nonetheless. I assume they've played here before, or at least have some connections, because as soon as they came on, quite a few more people came in to catch them. It was mainly the Reggies Tavern/Thunderlip crowd, but it increased the attendance didn't it?
I had only caught Coliseum a couple of days before this, but this was a headlining gig as opposed to a somewhat misplaced slot on a moshfest. This easily topped the UB performance, even if Ryan gave somewhat of the same speech as before and the setlist was pretty much the same, minus about 7 more songs thrown in. Ryan Patterson is the man. Dude's got such a good presence on stage and churns out some mean riffs. I picked up No Salvation on vinyl, which I should have done at UB but didn't. It's a beautiful piece too. Yellow with red splatter. Almost shines in certain lights. But anyway...
#20
Sourvein
Ol' Scratch
Dead Commuter
Wall
@ Reggies 04/03/09
My friend Lauren convinced me to go to this one. I was still somewhat fatigued from UB and Coliseum, so I mercifully this wouldn't be too active of a show.
Wall opened and again, it's cool to see a grindcore/powerviolence band in this town. And one that's so young too. Set was over in the blink of an eye it seemed.
Dead Commuter was awesome. Two piece all the way from fucking Kansas. It was great post-metal/stoner/noise rock and they were really nice dudes too. If I had more money to blow I would have bought a shirt. They also closed with a Black Sabbath cover, which is always welcome.
Ol' Scratch was the reason I know Lauren wanted to come out, and she insisted they would be up everyone's alleys. First thing I noticed about the band was they were using all Sunn equipment. I'm not a musician by any means but even I knew that meant it would be LOUD. Sure enough, this band actually managed to be louder than Kylesa, who I had only seen a week before. They didn't outvolume (hell if I know if that's a word) Jucifer, who still remains the loudest band I've ever seen. This band was awesome though. Great VA sludge/doom with some insanely catchy riffage. I suppose my only complaint would be that you couldn't hear the singer all that well.
Sourvein were on next, and even though they did good, the amount of cigarette smoke that night actually made me unable to really enjoy their set, and I found myself having to go outside several times just to make my eyes stop hurting. Lame I know, but hey I can't help it.
After the show was over, Lauren and I went to an afterparty at Shep from Weedeater's house. Everyone seemed pretty cool and it was a good time, but I really wanted sleep. :P
#21
The Hottness
Burden of a Day
Sent by Ravens
Of Machines
@ Luckys Pub 04/18/09
This might be the quickest review I'll do of a show in a long time, seeing as how I became very intoxicated and quite high before and during this show. Of Machines were awful. Like if scene kids tried imitating Radiohead + new day screamo. I watched a bit of Sent by Ravens and they were alright, at least in comparison to Of Machines. Watched the first 30 seconds or so of Burden of a Day and decided it wasn't for me. The Hottness did surprisingly well, considering that I'm not a huge fan of their music (I attended this show mainly out of boredom). Mark from Luckys was trying so hard to get me moshing, and I threw down for a little bit, but I was just too out of it to do much of it. It was cool seeing a lot of old faces at this show too, such as Melissa, the old co-owner of Luckys (who is still mega cool, and still looks mighty fine if I can say so myself :P), phZach, who I haven't seen at a show for what feels like at least a year, and Cando, who was in town for a break from school. It was also funny seeing a ton of women get on the bar to dance Coyote Ugly-style towards the end.
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