Bane @ Roadrunner, June 18 2023

This was a bit of a hardcore reunion/throwback show, and my first time at Roadrunner. Killer soundsystem and transgender bathrooms FTW! 

Killing Time - NYHC from late 80s. Great quotes from the lead singer, "I look like a telletubby", "turn down the lights, Im roastin!" He did the last 4 songs from the floor cause no one was dancing. Guitarist got on the floor for the last song too. They brought it! Great NYHC vocal style. 

Stick to Your Guns - Amazing energy. Metal but also melodic. There was an old guy in a red shirt down front who got taken out by a stage diving. Made it out in wheel chair to full applause. People were running off the stage into nothing. There was a rad older dude who grabbed the mic on stage for the pro-union song and they had an awesome vocal pile-on for another song. 

The Suicide File - This is a local band who was around back in 2001. Somehow missed them. Opening music was "We are Family" by Sister Sledge. More punk rock than metal as compared to STYG. 

Had a song called “Fuck Fox News”. Huge crowd energy and the singer talked about being overwhelmed by the reception after such a long time away. Drummer had a killer blue Vista Lite drum kit. They had a set list but also played requests and what ever else comes to mind. Respect for knowing the songs that well! Singer also talked about transgender and inclusivity in the HC scene. "Take care of our smaller brothers and sisters and non binary folks" Memorable songs included Laramie (“There’s a burning cross on the hillside”) and a Blitz cover with Colin of Arabia. 

You can see Colin and Dave up front in this live slapshot show from '97 

In between sets the sound engineer played the Miltown song "Delicate Fiction" (with the memorable line "they say at times like these, human limbs get thrown away"). Shazam failed to recognize the song. 💩

Bane - Great mix of tunes, and a good amount of talking between songs, about HC community, inclusivity, transgender, etc. "Don’t listen to old-ass jaded bitches". Before playing "What Makes Us Strong" Aaron talked about "question the bullshit. think critically. that’s what makes a punk kid. that’s what makes a hardcore kid" He also said that there were folks from Germany, Italy and Australia!! I def saw someone in a white truck with PA plates driving like a maniac at the start of Soldiers Field Rd in West Brighton. Gotta imagine they were heading to the show (which had already started by then).

From the archives - cool shirt design

Here's a fantastic logo from my band Missionshifter, created by our bass player Eric. There are t-shirts out there with this image on them.  

The Beths @ Sinclair, Feb 28 2023

Sydney Bish opened up with a set of mellow electric guitar, pre-recorded parts and some live looping (1 song had to be "prep'ed in the microwave" first).  Cute stage banter too.  It's great to see how technology can help a solo artist produce a richer sound than just voice and acoustic guitar.  I had an Eric Weirheim like dude behind me who TALKED LOUD through her whole set.  Why do people attend concerts only to ignore the art?  Do people talk at the ballet, or during an opera?  How about at figure skating?  Or in front of a painting at the MFA?

The Beths - really tight playing from all musicians.  Wonderful multi-part harmonies (everyone in the band sings).  The drums sounded amazing all around, especially the toms which had a deeper than expected tone.  Clap for the lead guitar player before, after or during each guitar solo.  A large inflatable fish and some really witty stage banter and fun crowd interactions put The Beths over the top.  No wonder both nights are sold out.  Shout out to Michael the bus driver.