Reason To Fight / Live Fast Die Fast / The Enemy Within / Neighborhood Shit
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 5/25/13
Okay, now with our new Christian Council guidelines policy (which I totally endorse) I cannot say that the first band is Neighborhood Shit, Oh shoot- I’ve blown it already! I mean I’ve performed oral sex and a blowjob already. Oh, goddammit, I mean, gosh darn it- I’m so confused! Why did God give me a weenie if he gave me along with it a mind with so many evil thoughts? I’m a prick with a prick so deal with it!
Okay, calm down, take a deep breathe. One….two….three….
Neighborhood Shit is on a lot of bills we’ve seen lately and we’re not complaining. They’re hardcore, they’re punk, they’re metal- we can’t decide, nor do we think you or them think we ought to. I will say they’re connected with Boston Collective, a booking agency trying to do some good and they’re a great opening band today or whenever. No shit- they put on a good show no matter what neighborhood you’re from.
About this time a young fellow I recognize, recognizes me also. “I know you,” he says. “I’ve seen you here, too,” I say. He asks, “You’re one of The F.U.’s, right? “No,” I say, “But I’m old enough to be.”
Next The Enemy Within are laying down their impressive heavy hardcore with a metal influence. With Big Joe on vocals and tiny Mike manning the drums, they play their usual awe inspiring set. One of their guitarists spotted me the week before at the local supermarket but was cautious about yelling out “Hey, Slimedog,” in a public place. I don’t blame him. I, myself, am embarrassed to be seen with myself in public.
You might not get to see these guys soon because they’re working on an ep that will come out on a label in the fall. We at TNB eagerly await this event with salivating mouths drooling saliva onto the floor. Ick!
Live Fast Fie Fast are on, one of our favorite bands from one of our favorite cities, New York; with some of our least favorite sport teams. The last time they were here was a few weeks after the Marathon bombings and singer, Paul, eloquently stated during the set about how Bostonians and New Yorkers have to stick together concerning this serious situation.
Now, its playoff hockey time and a Bruins/Rangers game is going on while they play their set so the mood is more combative than ”we’re all in this together” vibe. When they start the Rangers are up 1-0 and when they end its Bruins 2-1; with the Bruins eventually winning the series. What Live Fast Die Fast lack in sport team taste they more than make up for in musical guts and execution. They deliver a strong set of hard hitting New York hardcore and we welcome them back soon ’cause seeing them live- you never will lose.
Now, Reason To Fight from Rhode Island is up last. With the demise of the Trans Fats they automatically move up into the number one slot as best band from Providence for me and have always held that spot with Andy. But today they sound like they’re here to prove it. Maybe it’s the inspiration of the strong lineup before them but they’re running full steam ahead today. With a style similar to the heavy hardcore New York bands they kick ass beyond what’s reasonably expected. Greg ReasonToFight is effectively laying down the heavy bass lines while the singer, Mousey, stalks the stage barking proclamations effectively inciting the crowd reminding me a bit of Rich from M-13. Anyways, they probably are the best band from Providence and they certainly turned in the best set of the day for me.
Me, I have to shuffle on. I’m a lowly music scribe. I’m being hustled out the door into the lonely, dark night. I take my block of rain soaked yellow pad of paper and place my pencil behind my ear and move on out to the streets.
I’m not trying to be no big shot. No, that’s not my claim. I’m just trying to lay out what happens on the big city streets laid out with all the big city dreams, okay? And there’s a lot of passion, guts and anguish that’s laid out in the clouds of sounds from these bands. And I aim to tell them the best I can.
(Slimedog)
