Opposition Rising / Done With You / The Nasty / Trashawk / Neighborhood Shit / Red Tape
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 12/28/13
Just as Christians, as well as retailers, throughout the world celebrate the birth of Christ; so do punk rockers, metal headbangers and hardcore moshers unite as one to honor the birth of Andy Bang. Well, maybe not everyone but if we happen to be at the Midway on his birthday well, there might be some celebrating.
And as the wise men brought franks, incense and merch to the manger so did we bestow upon our leader beer, Jagermeister and Jameson at the Midway.
But what was even more cause for celebration was a show put together by one of the best hardcore units in New England, Opposition Rising, and quite a good group of bands did they bring.
So sit back and enjoy this dual texting live review whose dangers have been well spoken of before and are still taken upon even on our birthdays for as you know, rock’n’roll gives no days off.
Slimedog- According to my notes today is my birthday. Is that correct?
Andy- No it is not correct. Today is my birthday.
Slimedog- Damn! And I just got sixty-seven spanks from Jill the bartenderess.
Andy- You’re not sixty-seven. Are you lying to Jill to get spanks?
Slimedog- Yeah, thirty-seven seemed too little. I must say it was quite invigorating but I’m afraid I’ll be giving all the bands a standing ovation today. What did you get for your birthday?
Andy- It’s hard to say as it’s also Christmas.
Slimedog- And this is a show that Opposition Rising put on for your birthday. Which is especially thoughtful because, like myself, they were unaware that it was your birthday.
Andy- I asked for some new underwear, but I didn’t get any.
Slimedog- I know what you mean. I was so embarrassed today when I lowered my pants for my whacks and I was wearing my spider-man underwear.
Andy- Well, I think I’ll use this show as my birthday present. And with the line up of great bands, I couldn’t ask for a better gift.
Slimedog- Hey, the first band is Red Tape, the second youngest band on our site.
Andy- Yes it’s been awhile since we’ve seen them. I’m looking forward to hearing them.
Slimedog- They’re from Amish way, out west I believe, and make it here infrequently.
Andy- True.
(…Red Tape takes the stage…)
Slimedog- They’re a great hardcore trio with prog elements. Rush as a hardcore band minus the obnoxious vocals.
Andy- They get better each time I see them. The drums are awesome. Very tight sound.
Slimedog- And they end with my favorite, the song they wrote about our dual text reviews, “Fucked Up.”
(…Red Tape finishes up and Neighborhood Shit approaches the stage…)
Slimedog- Next is a band that people say is the shit.
Andy- Yes, Neighborhood Shit. Looks like they’ve added a player.
Slimedog- Yeah and the drummer Terry is now the front man. I think they have one of the most unique styles of any band on our site.
Andy- Wow, Terry is a very good front man.
Slimedog- Agreed. They mix doom, metal and hardcore. I like how the first songs in the set were slow and how they pick up the pace as they go along.
Andy- I know what you mean. They fit in perfect with TNB’s musical tastes of hardcore and metal.
Slimedog- Great set, this is the best I’ve seen them.
(…Neighborhood Shit finishes up and Trashawk approaches the stage…)
Slimedog- What’s the name of the next band?
Andy- They’re a band called Trashawk.
Slimedog- There sound is very traditional punk- almost Ramones like.
Andy- Hmm, their facebook says they’re Z.Z. Top doom, but I agree they sound more like straight ahead old school punk.
Slimedog- With their fake English accents they put on a brilliant show but I liked the first two bands better. Now The Nasty from New Hampshire is up.
(…Trashawk finishes up and The Nasty approaches the stage…)
Andy- Yes and they’ve come out of the box firing on all cylinders.
Slimedog- Their style is hardcore with some slower metal parts but not like heavy New York hardcore. They add Stooges like garage into the mix as well.
Andy- Yes, nice hardcore action. I’ll drink to that.
Slimedog- I would too if I did drink. Strictly mineral water for me. The Nasty remind me of Black Flag, high praise indeed. Well I’m done with you, who’s next?
(…The Nasty finishes up and Done With You approaches the stage…)
Andy- Done With You? What do you mean? Let’s do shots of mineral water to celebrate my birthday.
Slimedog- Yeah that German digestive mineral water Jagermeister should do the trick. Let’s get the dominatrix of drinks, Jill, in on this too.
Andy- Cool. Hey why is Shawn from Refuse Resist taking the stage. Shouldn’t we tackle him?
Slimedog- Why?
Andy- He’s obviously either lost or drunk.
Slimedog- Why do you say that?
Andy- Oh I forgot that he’s the singer for Done With You. I only remembered when I saw that the bass player wasn’t huge (…uh, ya).
Slimedog- All I know is his girlfriend Lyz, just asked me if I still liked her even though she’s not a redhead anymore and I said she’s still beautiful, especially inside.
Andy- I think the sun is playing tricks with my mind. Or maybe it’s that digestive.
Slimedog- Shawn is still one of the best front men we know.
Andy- True. And the crowd is diggin’ ’em also.
Slimedog- Maybe this band has a slightly different lineup, but still sounds great and they do a great cover of “Jealous Again” by the Black Crows. (Editor’s Note: Same title but by Black Flag)
Andy- Yes they’re very good.
(…Done With You finishes up and Opposition Rising approaches the stage…)
Andy- Up next is my new favorite Boston band.
Slimedog- More so than the New Kids On The Block?
Andy- It’s close, but I have to give the nod to Opposition Rising.
Slimedog- Though I have to give my nod to NKOTB, Opposition Rising has that heavy New York style of hardcore down extremely well. Heavy musically, intense politically conscious lyrics and great songs and performance.
Andy- Yah, they definitely do a good job. Just straight ahead no frills hardcore with great vocals and a catchy sound.
Slimedog- How about some more German digestive mineral water- whattaya say?
Andy- Oh, I don’t know. If I have any more digestives I might shit my pants…
At this point both Slimedog and Andy Bang lose control of their bodily functions below the waists and are escorted out of the club by the drink dominatrix, Jill. Rocky, the pug dog bar mascot can be seen gnawing viciously at the pant legs of Slimedog. Bang’s complaints of “What? Are we shut off?” are only met with the retort by Jill of “No, you’re shit off,” as they’re thrown out into the gutter of the street.
