Taxi Driver / Neighborhood Shit / Out Live Death / Alouth / DNZL
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 5/5/18
DNZL are a new, Boston hardcore band whose first release really impressed me, but not nearly as much as when I caught them live.
I believe, this is my third time seeing them and I like them better each time I see them.
Like most new hardcore bands, they have elements of metal in their style. But having two members who were in the great punk/hardcore band Tensor- both named John, playing drums and guitar, respectively- brings a lot of unexpected, punk energy to the music. They also have a great front man, Mel (possibly suffering from an allergy medicine overdose) and an excellent bassist, Dennis, who was in the Dot Rats.
This is heavy music, heavy hardcore with songs that all refer to Denzel Washington movies- hence, the name.
And their sets always build in momentum and intensity, making you think at first, “Well, this is okay,” and ending up with you thinking, “This is fucking great!”
And that’s how they sound today.
Alouth plays next and is the only band I’m unfamiliar with on the bill. They’re from Brooklyn, New York- have a long haired guitarist and a short haired bassist and an extremely good drummer. Oh, and the guitarist sometimes rolls on the floor.
They’re a unique blend of hardcore, metal and punk to my ears with a variety of styles popping up within many of their songs.
They leave me impressed enough to approach them outside after their set. The guitarist apologizes for being drunk, but I say no problem as, coincidently, I am, too.
He asks me my honest opinion of the band? This is after he’s proclaimed his drummer being so good as I agreed.
“I’d say the drummer was excellent, but the rest of the band was horrible.”
But, if you know me, you know that sometimes, I joke around. But I’m not joking when I say this band played a terrific set and I hope they make it down, soon, to these parts again.
Out Live Death is a great, hardcore band from Long Island, New York growing out of the remains of one of TNB’s favorite hardcore bands Live Fast, Die Fast. In fact, I’m wearing one of their t-shirts now. (I really should wash this thing.)
This is heavy, New York style hardcore that never gets weighed down with metal trappings, inserting a lot of old-school punk energy along with their relevant, socially-conscious lyrics.
Paul, is their great front man, who knows how to rap in between songs, just as well as he knows how to sing them.
He bring up his love for our local fallen hero, Keith Brooks, who served in the army and booked some great shows around Boston. Much like the lineup happening today.
The band plays most of their great, new release “Has The Past Taught Us Nothing?” (Reviewed and on-line as you read this.) They really get the crowd moshing and doing the circle pit and play an intense, exciting set.
Hey, The Yankees may suck but New York hardcore rules!
Neighborhood Shit is my favorite Boston hardcore band, but when I say that, I feel the need to explain- they have punk and metal, doom and grindcore, black and death metal all residing in their music.
They’re a trio with left-handed Alex on bass and vocals, (Hey, I’m a lefty, too! And it’s not a left-handed compliment when I say he gives it his all and produces!) Brendan, their original guitarist, returning rightly to his righteous home. And Terry, who plays drums really great, as well.
But before their set I see Terry, outside, trying to scrape gum off his sneaker sole with a knife!
I say to his girlfriend, Maia, “Doesn’t he know he’ll probably put a whole in the bottom of his shoe?”
She agrees and I say, “Well, at least the sneaker is still not on his foot!”
But Neighborhood Shit are indeed, the shit- playing modern metal, modern hardcore music. Where all the best strains of d-beat, power violence and grindcore, emerge and then seep towards the common tributary of musical punk/metal goodness.
This is music that is brutal and hard, emotional and caring, honest and true. And that’s how I’d describe their set, exactly, that they just finished.
Taxi Driver is the last band to play, and though, I think they’re worthy I’m thinking, “this is a tough bill to headline!”
Danny, their petite lead singer, reiterates my thoughts on stage. “We’re following Neighborhood Shit? There’s something not right there!”
But they play a set of their metal influenced hardcore, and though, I’ve been seeing them from their very early days, this must be one of the best times I’ve seen them and they rise to the high level and exceed all the previous bands that have played.
What a great show! But my favorite little moment happened during the last set, a small example of the punk camaraderie, maybe centered around The Wreck Center Crew today.
Dennis, who is now in Jerry’s Got Jokes, is a small guy and he’s trying to get around, in front off some rather large ladies, to get by without accosting them. Kendra, a small lady, sees his dilemma and with an exasperated look, grabs him and pulls him behind them, allowing him to brush against her, just so he can go upon his way.
It makes me smile and chuckle, now, writing this. I’m surprised I remember this little incident at all! But it’s a gem. And it strikes me like what a big sister would do for a little brother. And that’s how all these young girls and boys think of each other, and treat each other, as true brothers and sisters, as a true family as well.
And as their grandfather looks upon them, he thinks.
“What a wonderful bunch of young people. I’m so proud of them all.”
(Slimedog)
