Bouncing Souls / One Man Army / The Explosion / Madcap live in New Jersey (2002) live show

Traffic from new york was bad as usual, and it took us over 2 hours for a trip that should have only taken a little over one, but we arrived at the show in time to miss the line, which was good, cause it was cold out. When the door opened and I heard Madcap, I hurried thru security and went in in time to hear Madcap's second song "Parental Advisory." I rushed to the front, and enjoyed Madcap's rather short set that included mostly songs from their newest release "East to West" and two other songs from their debut album "Stand Your Ground." Last time I saw Madcap they really rocked, but played mostly songs from East to West, yet East to West wasn't out yet, so I didn't know any of those songs. this time, I appreciated them to their fullest. And, on top of playing amazing songs, they put on a great show. I definitely recommend seeing Madcap.

Next up was the Explosion. I saw this band open for Bouncing Souls a few years back, but I didn't remember any of their stuff this time around. I wish I had, as they rocked. They played a good, energetic set filled with catchy punk songs with some 77 style influences.

After the Explosion, One Man Army was up. Last time I saw them was the first time I heard them, and I bought their CD "Dead End Stories". I really really like that album, though I dont know any of their other stuff. I was really psyched to see them, but they left me kind of dissapointed. They played lots of songs that I didn't know, and two from dead end stories. I liked all the songs they played, but their show was pretty boring. The crowd was decent, but got less lively as the set went on. All in all, I would say that One Man Army writes great melodic streetpunk style songs, and their cds are great (or probably are, seeing as I only have one) but their show was lacking something.

After One Man Army played, the crowd got ready for the Souls. Instead of just watching the roadies set up the show, someone close to the band got up and started telling stories that he left out of the upcoming Bouncing Souls DVD. The stories were about him and other skinheads that he and the Souls were friends with back in the 80's. The crowd responded very rudely to this guy, and even gave him shit for being gay, which goes agaisnt their "unity" ideas that many had on patches on their leather jackets. Regardless, he finished his stories, and after about another 5 to 10 minutes, the Souls took the stage. Opening with "That song" they rocked through songs from all of their albums, as well as some new songs they wrote for their upcoming album. The crowd was packed tight, but still nuts, and the crowd surfers and stage divers were plenty. The highlight of the show for me has a little background story to it: at the "true believers" video shoot, as well as their small show a few weeks ago at the Continental in NYC, when they were taking requests, me as well as several other fans were requesting "old school". however, at both of these events, their newest member, drummer Mike, did not know the song. However, two weeks after the Continental show, they played old school. After they left the stage and came back, they closed the show with Manthem, and the crowd joined the band on stage.

They played almost all of my favorite songs including "manthem" "argyle" "here we go" "cracked" "east cost fuck you" and of course "old school."

Though they left out some important songs like "lamar vannoy" "fight to live" and others, the Souls rocked, and for everything they left out, the open up bands made up for. If you can catch a show with a line-up like this, don't pass it up.

(seth)