Thrash N Bang’s Third Anniversary Punk vs. Metal Bash
F.U’s / No Tox / Led To The Grave / Gas Attack
The Workshop, Quincy, MA
So it’s been three years since TNB has been doing its thing and we’re still having a ball doing it. I can say for myself that I’m enjoying it more now than ever before; I’ve never done anything more fulfilling in my life and I hope it goes on forever. And I believe the scene, at least of what I can tell being in Boston, is getting stronger and is at a very good point right now.
I honestly think what TNB is, is not that important but what I’ve seen, what the promoters of our shows do- is very important. We probably have a couple of hundred bands in our scene, at least, but maybe ten or so promoters who consistently put on shows. When we lost Brass N Ammo to the Army a year or so ago, we also lost Tim & Alicia Collet to North Carolina and I think it was felt.
Forgive me if I’m missing folks, and remember I only know Boston and Rhode Island well- but now we have Brass N Ammo back, Keith Brooks doing heavy hardcore shows in Boston, a new one in Providence who goes by Be Saint, Jay Genoa putting on shows, the boys in Original Boston Local putting on underground shows (and let me add the underground scene in and around Boston is the strongest it’s ever been).
And a new woman’s alliance called Vivi’D manned or womanned by Viviam Gonzalez- she has a group of about five women who just put on the wonderful Cro-Mags/ Anti-Nowhere show (and wonderful not just for the turn out but for it displaying three local bands).
So I see hope- everyone has their part- bands are nothing without fans to see them. Without clubs and promoters there’s no place to play. We’re just here to take notes and add comments, make a few jokes. But everyone reading this is doing great, please keep doing it and I promise to keep pressing the keys on my laptop and Andy, manning the ship, will keep TNB going.
And if anyone needs help in becoming a promoter I’m glad to help, both Keith and Viviam credit me with inspiration.
Slimedog– So if I got things right, and I usually do, this is Thrash N Bang’s Thirty Year Anniversary show?
Andy- Hmm, if that’s right I’d say we’re long since dead.
Slimedog- Then this must be heaven. Though we are below the earth and there appears to be a fire with all the smoke down here.
Andy- They say heaven is just an extension of your best times on earth so it only seems right that we find ourselves in a smoky Rat-like place awaiting musical activities.
Slimedog- Yeah, how true. Oh, I’ve just been informed it’s our Third Anniversary of TNB. I can’t believe that it was only three years ago that we first went to The Rat.
Andy- Ahh, now THAT’s more like thirty plus years ago.
Slimedog- We’ll all I’m sure of is tonight’s show is good vs. evil- in other words punk vs. metal.
Andy- Yes and I know the good metal will triumph over those evil punks.
Slimedog- I disagree, it will be the Satan worshipping metal heads defeated by our pure, straight edge punks.
Andy- More than likely the real winner will be the common thread that runs through both, hardcore. And of course the audience.
Slimedog- Yes, indeed where one day scrotum’s of all colors will dance together. Hey, talk about straight edge here’s Gas Attack.
Andy- And don’t they sound, oh so scrotum-ly good?
Slimedog- They do. Humor mixed with metal is rare though there is Sexcrement. Their songs “Absinthe” and “Alcoholic” really show their straight edge ways.
Andy- And the crowd is diggin’ them as well with a nice mini-mosh pit. Good thing your pet giraffe, Simon, stayed home as the ceiling is kind of low.
Slimedog- Yeah, it was boring riding in a car today instead of riding on a giraffe here, but I guess safer on the highway. Gas Attack is a fun, funny band. And now for something completely different.
Andy- Who’s up next?
Slimedog- It’s Led To The Grave. Awesome, ominous thrash death metal. They’re great but always cause myself to soil each time I see them live.
Andy- Yeah I thought I smelled something foul. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen these guys, but this definitely makes up for it. They sound awesome. BTW here’s some toilet paper I found stuck to my shoe.
Slimedog- Oh, no worries. I always depends on depends. Great set. I especially liked their cover of Jim Croce’s “If I Could Stick Time In My Asshole.”
Andy- Nearly brought a tear to my rectum. Hey, whoever is up next brought their entire sound system with them,
Slimedog- It’s No Tox, a great new band. Unfortunately, the clubs P.A. is not loud enough to for these guys.
Andy- Wow, they really pack a wallop. There’s like a wind tunnel forming in here. Half the crowd is crashing into each other and the other half is stuck to the wall.
Slimedog- Yeah, great band from the remnants of Toxic Narcotic. I predict this band is going to the top of the charts.
Andy- Yah, with a bullet. Who’s the drummer? He’s a machine.
Slimedog- Sam Jodrey, he’s the best. Hey, the boys from Led To The Grave gave me some Jameson. I’m glad I’m not a straight edge punk, I’m a headbanging metal head now.
Andy- Good ole metaller’s always know how to drink. Well I wonder if Mr. Soxx (John Soxx, lead singer of The F.U.’s) will be able to find this place.
Slimedog- Looks like he did. This is the first time we’ve seen them with Josh (Hobo Chili) on bass. He’s doing fabulous.
Andy- I’ve always liked how Josh plays bass. Looks like he’s having a positive affect on the F.U.’s.
Slimedog- Too bad he’s leaving them to concentrate on his own fine ska band Hobo Chili. Hey I just ran up to sing along with “Young, Fast Iranians” and I think I sang “young, fast geraniums” by mistake!
Andy- No more Jameson for you mister. I’d say we’d better collect our toys and get the heck out of here before you get thrown out or worse.
Slimedog- Yes, I’ll drink to that and let me say we support underground music venues especially for the so-called under age folks. And let’s call tonight’s battle a draw because no one can lose with music as great as this.
Andy- Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head or maybe the scrotum.
Slimedog- As long as I don’t hit a nail into my own scrotum I think I’ll be all right.
