I go to shows sometimes

3/8/10

Larcenists
Quixote
Look Mexico
Makeout Party

Middle East Upstairs
Cambridge MA

The night before I turned 29 I had the great pleasure of seeing Larcenists continue to kick ass and take names. If you haven't heard this band yet, go find em and get into it now or hear about them a lot later. I missed Quixote due to a quick stop into T.T. The Bears Place next door. Look Mexico was actually kind of disappointing especially since I really enjoyed their recorded work so far. Makeout Party opened and were a lot better than expected. Overall it was a great night and a great time.

3/19/10

Big D and the Kids Table
We Are The Union

Paradise Rock Club
Boston MA

I randomly got myself onto the guest list for this show and had a great time. I realized I haven't seen Big D and The Kids table in well over 10 years. The last time I saw them was in a VFW hall in Long Island in 2000 or so. The band now has expanded to include 2 female back up singers along with a sax and trombone section, base/drums/guitars and the now signature vocal styling. Unfortunately I literally recognized 2 songs they played due to having not really listened to the band in quite some time. The entire set was excellent overall.

We Are The Union opened for them (along with 2 other bands that I missed unfortunately) and played a strong pop punk style with a little bit of a late 90's ska influence. They have a release coming up on the 30th on Paper + Plastick which should be very solid and continue to grow their fan base. All in all this was an enjoyable little night.

Next up is the return of Guns Up! tomorrow and possibly Ted Leo on april 10th. Oh yeah!

Big time fun

Harpers Ferry
Allston MA
03/04/10

Leatherface
Yesterdays Ring
Bridge and Tunnel
Where The Land Meets The Sea

To be honest with you, I kind of ignored this show despite being there for all of it. Everyone sounded great, Leatherface played an extensive set that seemed to cover a lot of ground in terms of all of their albums. Yesterdays Ring brought a distnct alt country with emphasis on the alt part. Bridge and Tunnel came and rocked hard. Where the Land Meets the Sea continued to gain new fans and impress audiences. All in all it was a great time.

I didn't necessarily mean to ignore the show but I found myself entranced by lawn darts/bag toss, bowling, and of course big buck hunter. Some where along the line I developed a decently high aptitude for these arcade machines. At the very least I get really into em. Blame it on a childhood playing video games I suppose. Now if only I could afford one of these systems in my house...

Not so angry anymore

....but I still love hardcore.

3/2/10
Middle East
Downstairs

Crime In Stereo
Transit
Defeater
Make Do and Mend

I've been listening to hardcore for longer than I care to admit. Despite never being straight edge, I do tend to love a lot of straight edge hardcore. I also love hardcore in general, despite no longer feeling the angry/fire that really fuels the genre. Originally this show was supposed to be a matinee show on saturday 2/27 but was postponed due to the awesomely destructive force of winter.

Make Do and Mend opened the show and came out swinging. There was a palpable passion brought forth and I felt moved by the music despite not knowing any of the words. They do what they do (play hardcore) and they do it damn well.

Defeater is a band I've heard a lot about but have not previously had the chance to see. The band includes both Gus and Jay Maas, longtime northshore hardcore stalwarts. They definitely tore the house down playing songs off of their full length and a recently released EP.

Transit was described to me as a group of young guys with a lot of potential who play really well. This was definitely an apt description and the only thing I can add is that they have no where to go from here but up. They reminded me of a more aggressive very early Taking Back Sunday (I promise you thats not an insult). Hopefully you'll be hearing more about them on here and the Rush N Attack blog.

Finally Crime In Stereo came in and blew the roof straight off the place. There are really no words that can do these guys justice. They rock hard and they rule even harder. I haven't met a more sincere and heartfelt band. They truly appreciated everything they've achieved and are even more thankful towards their fan base. I wish I knew more of their songs and could sing a long, but even without that knowledge, there is still the urge to sing or atleast scream along with every sentiment the band puts forth.

All in all this was an amazing way to spend a tuesday night and if anyone reads this and sees this tour coming through, it would be in your best interest to check em out.

Next up:
Leatherface, Bridge and Tunnel, Yesterdays Ring, Where the Land Meets the Sea......stay tuned!