Show review- Primitive Weapons//Mutoid Man// The Dillinger Escape Plan at Irving Plaza

The other night, I had the pleasure of seeing a few really great bands at Irving Plaza, Primitive Weapons, Mutoid Man, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Going into this show, I knew that I'd at least get fucked up during one of the bands. And I did as expected as I was clocked square in the jaw during Dillinger's set. But to begin this review, I'll start by talking about Primitive Weapons and their set.
 Primitive Weapons is a post hardcore band from New York City, and going into this show I had no idea what they were about besides the one track I had heard by them, which was Quitters Anthem. They had a lot of energy, and were definitely enjoyable but really only as an opener in my opinion. This band is definitely for fans of Struck by Lightning, Khann and Bone Dance. The next band up for the night was Mutoid Man another band from the NYC area. They had a lot of energy and great sound, and I was pretty bummed I couldn't catch their after show set at St. Vitus bar in Brooklyn(a venue you should check out if you can get in, as most shows are 21+ there). Mutoid Man are totally FFO Floor, KEN Mode, and Helms Alee with fast paced parts, great riffs and great vocals.
 Finally, the main act went on, The Dillinger Escape Plan who absolutely rocked the fucking venue. Within two minutes of the first track, vocalist Greg Puciato began to climb up all over the venue, and jumping into the crowd as if it were nothing at all. But it wasn't just him it was the whole band jumping around and just having a whole ton of energy. The crowd itself was also incredibly energetic, the pit was wild and I definitely got punched in the face during the second song. Musically they sounded great live, and I was particularly partial to the basstone that was the most audible. They also played every song I wanted them to play, such as Prancer, One of Us Is The Killer, Panasonic Youth, and The Mullet Burden. Me and my friend after we got out were bruised, sore, one of us got knocked out and were equally covered in sweat, overall a great show, and a big shoutout to Invisible Oranges and Brooklyn Vegan for putting it on.

Primitive Weaons- 5/10

Mutoid Man 7/10

The Dillinger Escape Plan- 9/10

ALBUM REVIEW: Not Like This by Iron Chic

When I was first asked to check out Iron Chic, I had no clue what to expect. Only then, did Facebook reveal to me how many of my closest friends were already into them. Clearly, I must have missed the memo, at some point.

After turning on Iron Chic's 2010 first full-length release, "Not Like This", I very quickly realized that this is a prime example of an album that keeps you pumped, extremely energetic, feeling like you want to dance, and all of this, while making you feel and relate to a rainbow of feelings, with their anthem-worthy lyrics. The inspiration from earlier punk roots, such as The Casualties, is very prevalent, and is especially noticeable in songs such as "I Always Never Said That". My only complaint is that, after a few songs, my "hype" starts to die down, because some songs start to sound very rhythmically similar.

From beginning to end, Iron Chic is the kind of band that you blast in the car with your other punk friends, and shout the lyrics, until your lungs give out. Needless to be said, Iron Chic gives me, what I call, the "Menzingers" effect: imagining that I'm in a small venue with people I don't know, but we're all getting along and moshing into each other, while shouting the memorable and anthemic and contagious lyrics in unison. Ultimately, after listening to this album a few times, I fell in love, and realized that the memo that I missed was quite the urgent one.

9 / 10 

EDIT: I bumped this from an 8 to a 9, after actually listening to this while driving.

Download/Listen to "Not Like This" and Other Releases

Visit Iron Chic's Website
Like Iron Chic on Facebook

Upcoming Shows 6/19/15-6/25/15

Here's another week of show we would like you to check out. Remember these shows are in the Tri-State area.
June 19
1. Saint Vitus Bar- Local H, Aeges.
2. Music Hall of Williamsburg- A Great Pile of Leaves, Gates, Prawn.
3. Amityville Music Hall- Superheaven, Diamond Youth, Rozwell Kids, Soda Bomb, Pilgrims of The Fingertips.
4. East Islip Lanes- Shorebreak, Shiffley, Thieves, This Good Robot, Nice Shot Kid, Playing Dead, The B-List, From States Away, Legend of You, Makeshift.
5. The Grand Victory- Ressay Lords, The Rudie Crew, The Far East.
6. The Stone Pony- The Kooks, Joywave, Young Rising Sons.
7. Starland Ballroom- Against Me!, Frank Iero and The Celebration, Annie Girl and The Flight.
8. The Swamp- The Crack Rocksteady Seven, A-Truth, All Torn Up!, Rebuschaos.
9. Asbury Lanes- Tim Barry, Northcote, Allison Weiss.
10. The Meatlocker- Magrudergrind, Conoissuer, Organ Dealer, Dutchguts, Grudges.
11. The Whitney House- Mass Decay, Sith, Negative Observer, Sperm Donor, Extradite.
12. Lucky 13 Saloon- Sonic Pulse, Suppressive Fire, Vomit Fist, Mutant Scum.
13. Shea Stadium- Ovlov, Bluffing, Hellrazor, Spook The Herd, Very Fresh.
June 20
1. Saint Vitus Bar- Tim Barry, Northcote, Allison Weiss.
2. Irving Plaza- The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mutoid Man, Primitive Weapons.
3. Music Hall of Williamsburg- Paul Weller, Hannah Green.
4. Soul Sounds Inc.- The View From Up here, Wolf Harbor, The Bellegards, Alumni, Boundary Lines.
5. Santos Party House- The Ataris, Lions in The Maine, Original Sharks.
6. ABC No Rio- Demencia Alkoholika, Ratas En Zelo, Lakras, Aztec Gold.
7. The Loft- All Out War, Black Anvil, Subzero, Living Laser, Jagged Visions, Absolute Suffering, Dark Past, Internal Warfare.
8. The Grand Victory- Bamboo Kids, Thrill Sergeants, The Black Burners, Cheap Sneakers.
9. Pioneer Works- Dead Moon, J Mascis, Borbetomagus, Das Audit.
10. Don Perdo- Scalped, The Brass, Parasytes, No Parole, Mauler.
11. Clash Bar- Dutchguts, Darkwig, Uncle Mark, Garbage Brain.
12. The Meatlocker- The Best of The Worst, Gouge Away, Daly's Gone Wrong, Facility.
13. Cherry Street Station- M-13, Point Blank (NYC), Cry Havoc!, The Theatre Zombies, Mouth Breather.
14. Bushwick Public House- Aviator, Tri-State Era, Taking M-eds. Forever Losing Sleep, Servant Girl.
15. Shea Stadium- Lost Boy, Clearance, Leaping, Mumblr, Unicylce Loves You.
June 21
1. Saint Vitus Bar- OM.
2. Brooklyn Bowl- Soul Asylum, Meat Puppets.
3. Amityville Music Hall- First Blood, Alove For Enemies, Psycho Enhancer, Forced Out, Sanction.
4. Palisades- RVIVR, War on Women, Arm Candy, Rips.
5. Lucky 13 Saloon- Sons of Tonaitah, Kids Having Kids, Doomscenario, Wrist Deeps, Cars.
6. Crunch House- Aviator, Taking Meds, Tri-State Era, Milk Shakes, Loom, Tiny Fractures.
June 22
1. Saint Vitus Bar- OM.
2. Le Poisson Rouge- Shonen Knife, C.J. Ramone.
3. Best Buy Theater- Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Ballyhoo!
4. The Bowery Ballroom- Soul Asylum, Meat Puppets.
5. Music Hall of Williamsburg- The Front Bottoms, GDP, Young Man Grand.
June 23
1. Irving Plaza- Everclear, Toadies, Fuel, American Hi-Fi.
2. Mercury Lounge- Creepoid, Ecstatic Vision.
3. Baby's All Right- No Joy, EZTV, Advaeta.
4. The Grand Victory- Some Type of Stereo, Black Roosters, The Politics N Religion, The Boobies.
5. Amityville Music Hall- Voodoo Glow Skulls, Slow Children, Gangway!, The Shipwrecks, Crisis Crayons, Mean Girls.
6. The Acheron- Toys That Kill, Shellshag, Benny & The Jets Rodriquez, Nato Coles & The Blue Diamond Band, Hatrabbits.
7. Shea Stadium- Lip Talk, Tiny Hazard, Big Thief.
June 24
1. Baby's All Right- Ty Seagull, Christian Peslak.
2. Asbury Lanes- Old Gray, Milo, Gatherers.
3. Shea Stadium- Big Eyes, Vacation, Pretty Pretty, Fly Kills.
June 25
1. Shea Stadium- Desaparecidos, The So So Glos.
2. The Grand Victory- Autocatatica, Ten Foot Beast, Polypony, Nervous System.
3. The Acheron- Warthog, Tenement, Big Zit, Ivy, Nancy.
4. Bell House- Ty Seagull, Christian Peslak, Cory Hanson.
5. Mr. Beerys- Mouth, Nato Coles & Blue Diamond Band, Jones Crusher, Dino Boy.

Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, and Ballyhoo! at Best Buy Theater 6/16/15

            Last Tuesday Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake played a sold out show at the best buy theater here in New York City. This was a makeup show that got canceled back in January because of a big snow storm. What’s crazy is that they did another tour and not just one off show. Before entering the building I knew I was going to have a great time because it’s a ska show. Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake had Ballyhoo open up for them. I didn’t get there in time to see their entire set. I got there at their last song I can’t judge if they were good or bad. The venue was Best Buy Theater which is probably the cleanest venue because it doesn’t look like a dumb like Gramercy and Irving.

            Less Than Jake was the middle band tonight. The tour seems that the two split the headline. The night before Less Than was the headline band. Less Than Jake are a Ska-Punk band from Gainesville, Florida. This was my fourth time seeing this band. Less Than Jake took the stage and started off with “Look What Happen”. The Crowd was going off and a pit opened up. It seemed that there was two or three pits the entire show. I’m more of a Reel Big Fish fan but I love this band live they always put on a good show. I went off when they played “We’re All Dudes” because the movie Good Burger. The Crowd was great and it was such a great time. I was happy that they played my favorite tunes “All my friends are metalheads” and “Johnny Quest Think we’re sellouts.” Overall the time seeing this band and if you haven’t seen this band then I don’t know what wrong with you because you’re missing out.

            Reel Big Fish took the stage and started off with Europe’s “The Final Countdown” which was funny because they made it into a ska song. Reel Big Fish are a Ska-Punk band from Huntington, California. After the cover they played “Everyone else is an Asshole.” The Crowd ate it up and people were going crazy. Reel Big Fish played cover like “Boss Dj” by Sublime and “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. Reel Big Fish was amazing. This wasn’t the best time seeing them but I always have a good time seeing this band. The best was when they were about to play “Sellout” and the made a big deal out of it. Before they played it they went into “Smells like Teen Spirt” which was crazy because that more intense push pit in my life. Everyone went crazy because hearing that riff but the stop after the opening. They went into “Sellout” which was still great. “Beer” and “Take on Me” was fantastic. If you haven’t seen this band well I don’t what’s left to say. When this show was over it felt like the home team one the big game. Seriously you’re missing out if you haven’t seen this band.

Reel Big Fish- 10/10

Less Than Jake- 10/10

Ballyhoo- ?/10

Best Buy Theater- 9/10

Overall Concert- 9.75/10    

 

 

Bad Religion and Plague Vendors at Bowery Ballroom 6/12/15

            Last Friday Bad Religion wrap their last night four night stand in New York City. Bad Religion played the first two nights at Music Hall of Williamsburg and the then the last two nights were at Bowery Ballroom. All four shows sold out. Bad Religion had Plague Vendors opened up with is not surprising because they are both signed with Epitaph Records which is owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The Bowery Ballroom was a really weird venue to me it seemed like it was trying to be like Music Hall of Williamsburg. To be honest I wished I rather had seen this show at music hall because there was no barricade. Punk bands shouldn’t play with a barricade.

            Plague Vendor started the show. This is my first time seeing this band. Plague Vendors are from Whitten, California. The first fifteen minutes of the yet I liked. The band remind me of a chaotic bluesy punk band. I remember reading about this band back in 2014 in Alternative Press “100 you need to know about in 2014”. This band was okay nothing really special. I Think they over stayed their welcome because they played more than a half hour which I was like what the hell. The Crowd was somewhat into it until the last song people started to mosh. They were alright and I wish Bad Religion had a better to play win.

            Bad Religion was up. This was my second time seeing this legendary band. I was really hype to see them again but there was problem. I found out that the reason why they play two nights at a venue during this tour. They split up their set into two nights by one night playing classics from the 80’s and 90’s and the other playing songs from the 21^st Century. This really bummed me out because I wasn’t going hear “Along the Way” and “I Want to conquer the world”. Bad Religion still played a great set. No matter what songs they played they were great. They played thirty two song set list. Which is great and it was cool hearing some of the new classics. The crowd reaction was great and it seemed this crowd wasn’t bummed like me. Still I loved this band and it was a good show. If you haven’t seen this band I don’t know I think you’re just stupid for missing this band. I hope get to see this band again.

Bad Religion- 9/10

Plague Vendor- 7.5/10

Bowery Ballroom- 7/10

Overall Concert- 8.25/10    

ALBUM REVIEW: In My Arms by BaDow

Recently, I was contacted by the band BaDow, a three piece groove rock band from the Isle of Wight, just a bit south of Hampshire consisting of  Bradley McGinty - Bass, Jodie Amos - Drums/Lead Vocal, Sam Morris - Guitar. Being unaware of the local scene in Britain, I was rather excited to listen to their release, Up In Arms, they had put out. Here's what I have to say about it after giving it a listen.
 I was pleasantly surprised at what I heard, what sounded like a classic sounding American band. I picked up a lot of vibes from the 60's and 70's. This band is currently unsigned, though I gather looking for a label which I hope they find, as they bring something fresh to a scene that is somewhat cluttered with bands that do the same thing over and over again; whether that be shoegaze, hardcore, or metal. Not putting those things down, as they are primarily what I listen to, but it makes for something nice when you hear a record that does something unique.
  Production and sound wise this record is very good, with some really very strong riffs, leads and some really quick, but very nice, solos. The guitar effects that are used also, primarily I believe drive and distortion, really make for a very classic sounding record. The drums and bass also follow up with some very good tone, beat and rhythm. Vocally, this release is also very strong with powerful, bluesy-sounding vocals. Production wise this record is also well produced and it shows how much time and effort was put into the record, as there aren't any sound hiccups or anything noticeable.
 I can't find any REAL complaints about this record, its genuine, and a solid release from a band I hope to see succeed with their musical careers, hopefully they can find some success in the states with at least a few people after they read this. Finally, after a listen, I can safely give this record a solid 8/10, which is well earned from BaDow.

The album will be available on the 20th of June.


Here are the band's many links, check them out on these formats!

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/Ba.Dow5

Bandcamp Link: https://badow.bandcamp.com/

Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/BaDowMusic

Pain Tolerance, Day By Day, Sleight of Hand, and Impact at AMH 6/7/15

Last Sunday Amityville Music Hall had a Sunday afternoon hardcore matinee. The bands were Day by Day, Pain Tolerance, Sleight of Hand, and Impact. The show started at 2pm and ended before 5pm. For a short show I still had fun watching these bands there was only 30 people there which was funny. AMH or Amityville Music Hall is the spot for all of the Long Island shows that exist today. A lot of great hardcore band performed here and I’m glad this venue exists and helps out the LI scene.

The first band was Impact. Impact are a hardcore band from Staten Island and feature the lead singer of Vice on drums. This band is nothing like Vice at all. Impact takes on more of a Warzone approach. The music is more for a two-step action rather than full on karate kicks in the pit. This band I was hear for the most because I like everything that Andrew from Vice puts out. He gives Staten Island a voice. Impact was pretty good. Not something unique but they played well and its cool because of the old school vibe they have. I’m glad that this is an NYHC band because there really isn’t any band from the scene in this generation.

The next band was Sleight of Hand. Sleight of Hand is from Florida and I thought they were the only band I didn’t care for on this lineup. They really weren’t my thing. I did not like how the lead singer was actually singing with the band. It reminded me of a heavier Farside. The last two songs I kind of dig it but overall I wasn’t a fan of the band.   

Pain Tolerance was up next. Pain Tolerance is straight edge hardcore band from Atlanta, Georgia featuring members from Criminal Instinct. Pain Tolerance was really good. Fast paced songs and they were quick. They covered a Floor Punch song that got every Straight edge going off. Covering Floor Punch is always cool. Overall I really enjoyed this band a lot and I would love to see this band. I was talking to the lead singer after their set and he said they just started recently and decided to go on tour. I thought that was awesome for band just starting and go out on tour.

Day By Day was the last band of the show. Day By Day are from Florida and they were the heaviest band of the day. This band was really good. Day By Day needs to be big because of heavy they played. There really weren’t a lot of people there that would go off and only two people moshed. The breakdowns were so good and if there was a good crowd this set would have been insane. Overall this band is good and you check them out and especially all of the other bands that played this show. Support Punk and Hardcore and never let the scene die.

Day By Day- 9/10

Pain Tolerance- 9/10

Sleight of Hand- 6.5/10

Impact- 8.75/10

AMH- 9/10

Overall Concert- 8.5