The Enemy Within / Held Hostage / Trans Fats / The Dying Breed / Cheech / Live Fast Die Fast / I’ve Seen The Bottom / Socialized Death Sentence
Firehouse 13, Providence, RI 11/25/2012
There are more bands to play, something like three or four, and you must realize I missed two bands before I arrived earlier so it was quite the long show. But I feel my ears have reached their limit and I must take my leave from another great Sunday matinee (and evening) show at the Firehouse.
Socialized Death Sentence I’ve seen once before and I remember them as an abrasive death metal/punk band with lots of experimental structures. Today they have the same characteristics but seem improved and more straight ahead today in their arrangements. An interesting band but it’s been a long day so I prepare to depart.
Next is I’ve Seen The Bottom, a very young energetic band who all run forwards and backwards and leap about. All except the drummer who for some reason just sits there and plays. This is very experimental punk with lots of yelling and rhythms that start and go like a car sputtering and kicking over. I wouldn’t like a whole show of bands with this style but after seeing a bunch of bands today I find it refreshing and I do enjoy them.
Live Fast Die Fast, from Long island New York, continues to become one of our favorite hardcore bands on our site. They always put on a lively, exciting show with able frontman, Paul, prowling around the stage like a panther inciting the crowd to mosh and rush toward the front. They aim to stay true to the style of original hardcore and at this, I’d say they succeed. They end their set with a powerful version of “Crucify Me,” by New York band Agnostic Front, showing us where these guys are coming from, not only where they live but musically as well; great set.
Cheech is next and I’ve never seen them before. I’d say they’re a mix of traditional metal and punk but more heavy on the metal side. They seem to be a local favorite from the reaction of the crowd and turn in a good set. They confirm my style evaluation when they end their set with an energetic cover of a Metallica tune.
The Dying Breed, I’m told, is a reformed band that was popular locally a few years back. They have a very amiable lead singer who engages the crowd and reminds me in a way as a hardcore version of Handsome Dick Manitoba of the old punk band The Dictators. They play hardcore with almost a metal feel. Not my favorite band of the afternoon but his performance wins me over.
Trans Fats are my favorite band of the afternoon but being my favorite Providence band, it’s no surprise. They turn in their usual wild display of skate punk, with interesting elements amidst the swirling chaos of speed and aggression, which their music ignites. They deliver a great set with a cover of “New Direction” by the Gorilla Biscuits sprinkled in there somewhere. But my favorite part of the set, and the afternoon, is when during a song called “Get Fat,” Jay and Josh from Red Line Rebels proceed to pelt lead singer “French Boy” Todd with McDonald’s french fries, attempting to toss them in his mouth while he sings. And after the song, guitarist Jaime, in sympathy, eats a fry off the stage floor while Leslie, from the crowd, pleads with him unsuccessfully to refrain from such unsanitary actions!
Held Hostage plays next and is a band of older guys with a bassist wearing a Jagermeister hoodie of which I can only give my highest praise. They play a style of aggressive hardcore and switch around instruments during the set. I can’t give my highest praise to the band but not a bad way to start the day.
I walk in just before The Enemy Within are about to start their set. Perfect timing, I think, as these guys bring it, as Andy Bang might say. They do a style of metal influenced hardcore that is more on the heavy, serious side of hardcore than say, the faster, funnier style. They have a fully developed sound with a great frontman, guitars that complement each other perfectly and a tight, powerhouse rhythm section. They turn in an impressive set to start the day off right.
The other day when I went to put on my sweatpants, I noticed they were inside out, but for some reason I said to myself, “Oh, they’re upside down.” Which inspired me to write this review upside down or backwards or inside out- you choose. I hope you enjoy reading it.
(Slimedog)
