Hardcore Double Feature (Alpha and Omega, Ceremony, Bane 5-2-10)

So when I first heard Ceremony was playing two shows in one day at the Che Cafe I was stoked. I knew it would be nothing less than an awesome time. I was also excited to see Bane, I checked them out a while ago and loved their melodic, youth crew style hardcore. Alpha and Omega were new to me, but did not disappoint with their metal-influenced sound.

I showed up to the Che at around 4ish. I went around and sought out people I knew, exchanging the ususal "excited for tonight?" comments and such. I sat around and waited, eager for the show to start. I decided to spend a little time filling up my belly, so I went and bought a vegan burger (It was pretty good. Couldn't hold a candle to an Double Double at In-n-Out, but still good in its own way). After eating, more down time. The show started finally maybe around 5:15. Alpha and Omega opened up the show and with the first power chord, the crowd started it's side to side dancing, opening up the pit. I decided to get in every now and then, but mostly stayed away unless it was going in a circle. I just decided to watch and enjoy the music from the side and save my strength for Ceremony.

After Alpha and Omega finished, I saved myself a spot by the stage. I sat on the side and watched as the amps and drums were set up. As soon as the band started sound check, the room filled back up. It didn't take long for the band to jump into their set. They started with their new single "Sick", which is by all means one of the best hardcore punk songs I've heard in a while. The band ripped through their set without letting up until around the end when they debuted a new song called "The Doldrums". The song was a slow, brooding, two chord jam, but still powerful. The lead singer writhed and rolled around the pit the entire song. The band finished their set with "Kersed", a crowd favorite. The entire crowd went apeshit their whole set with stage dives, circle pits, pile ons, and everything in between.

At that point I needed a breath of fresh air. I went outside and waited for Bane. Nothing really happened, just sat there with my friend Wes. Then, Bane came on. Right away the crowd went into singing along, it was magic. The lead singer talked a bit in between the songs about what the songs were all about which was cool. I didn't pay alot of attention to their set though because I constantly had to defend myself from windmill fists and karate style spin kicks. Besides getting a random appendage to the body every now and again, I enjoyed their set. Two songs towards the end though, I went outside to line up for round two.

Alpha and Omega played about the same set list and the crowd responded in about the same way, except that the crowd changed from a bunch of young teenagers to men in their late 20s. The crowd was just a bit rowdier, or maybe it seemed that way because there were more people. I don't know, all I remember was sitting their waiting for Ceremony to play again.

This time, after everything was set up, the lead singer was MIA. So, the guitar player grabbed the microphone and entertained the crowd with silly comments like "have you guys ever kissed a girl?" and references to David after dentist. We all laughed and waited for the singer to come out. This time, they opened with "The Doldrums" and the singer worked his way around the room, staring everyone in the eyes and wrapping the microphone cord around his neck. After the song, they launched back into their set with "Pressure's On" and right away I found myself on the bottom of a dogpile. I felt like the entire venue was on top of me, but I pushed back and started a constant motion of human bodies that seemed to go on for the rest of the night. During this set, I found myself being kicked in the head, pulled on, pushed, shoved, and I found myself doing the same (maybe less head kicking) but it all seemed to be in good fun so I didn't mind. The night finished with a cover from Vile and their song Sick, and I found myself stumbling about in a daze for the door and someone to bum a smoke off of.

I didnt' stay for Bane's last set unfortunately, but I did have one of the best times I've ever had at a hardcore show. I came home, showered, ate, then passed out in a stupor, with ears still buzzing and head still repeating lyrics I shouted out that night.

Revivin' This Piece

I decided I would like to start blogging again, and I so I'm setting this up for that purpose (no duh).

So I decided I want to use this blog to write about show reviews, editorial type stuff, and maybe some deep and personal insights to my life.

Stay tuned.