|
Review Navigator   FeaturesContestsReviews
| Rise Against / Against Me! / None More Blacklive in Toronto2004 live show  Review by: Aubin See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on January 23rd 2004 It was a dark and stormy night. Now, I admit I use that opening purely for it's ironic value; it is, after all, considered one of the worst openings to a novel in modern memory. There is even an award for it's use. But that is besides the point, because it was an unmistakably dark, and unmistakably (snow-) stormy night in Toronto, on January 22nd, as I awaited Adam's arrival from, well, some other part of Ontario that is probably not as important as the city that I claim as residence. Definitely. In any case, the purpose of his visit was for us to check out the New Mexican Disaster Squad/None More Black/Against Me!/ Rise Against/Anti-Flag bill, and more specifically, for us to converse with the vocalist of Against Me!, one Tom Gabel. Of course, I've spoken to Tom at length in the past, both in a formal interview, and a far more fruitful conversation over drinks that would have made an incredible interview, had I only the foresight of running the fucking tape. So, after many attempts to repeat that conversation, but to actually record it, we had planned to meet him. Of course, the “stormy” part of the night that I mentioned made it impossible. Adam spent considerably longer on the road then he had estimated, and arrived just in time for us to completely miss our interview window. So, resilient music fans that we are, we stuck around for the show. We entered the main area in the Phoenix just as A-F Records' NMDS was taking the stage, standing at the back, we ran into Warren, drummer-extrordinaire of Against Me, whose quiet demeanor is completely betrayed by his incredibly energetic onstage performance with the band. But I digress, we were talking about New Mexican Disaster Squad. I wasn't too familiar with the band, but they played a fairly high energy set, sounding not entirely unlike a band we'd see later that night, Rise Against. After their short, but not uninteresting set, None More Black took the stage. As they began to play, I remarked to Adam that in my review of their last record that I had claimed that the band seemed positively neutered on CD, and that I had much more to expect of their live performance. Suffice to say, I was proven quite right by the high energy performance Jason and Co. delivered that night. About twice as fast as on the CD, and without the many lulls, I am now convinced that the blame for the record rests either on the old drummer, or the producer, one of which must be responsible for putting the band to sleep on CD. Either way, it was a very gratifying experience to see that, no, the band didn't suck, just the recording. Following None More Black's blistering performance was the band I had most wanted to see. Against Me! lit up the stage with their ricochet of three vocalists, intense drumming and just plain catchy and fun songs. I couldn't claim to have memorized the set list, but other than one song: “We Laugh At Danger” from Reinventing Axl Rose, they played a little bit of everything. Because a chunk of their material is only available on CD in acoustic format, it was like hearing new, but completely familiar songs when they played with the distortion turned way up. A thoroughly enjoyable set, and I would heartily recommend that you catch them next time they're in your town, or within an eight hour drive. Next came the band I had assumed would be the headliner, Chicago's punk/hardcore powerhouse, Rise Against, who began the set with a slew of sound problems. Though opening explosively, Tim's mic seemed D.O.A. and I started to imagine we were in some sort of punk rock karaoke bar, seeing as the instruments were perfectly audible, but while I could see Tim screaming his head off, I certainly couldn't hear anything. Old guy that I am, Rise Against's performance reminded me more of the hardcore shows I used to go to in my early teens then a performance at a large club. It almost seemed like the Phoenix wasn't big enough for them; the explosive energy was omnipresent, irrespective of the 50/50 chance you'd actually be able to hear Tim singing. I just hope their experience on Dreamworks doesn't kill them, because it would certainly be a loss. To be honest, complete proof that I am out of touch with the “kids” became apparent as Tim announced that Anti-Flag would be up next; I don't mind Anti-Flag for the most part, and their last record was a welcome maturing of their sound, but I wouldn't claim myself as a fan, but reading the comments on this site would lead you to believe that everyone hates the band. Nothing could be further from the truth, as evidenced by the roar of the audience when their name was mentioned. Apparently, Anti-Flag fans occupy some sort of silent majority around here.
However, at this point, Adam and I decided to take our leave; personally, I've seen the band about eight times though I've
never explicitly gone out to see them. Adam had to work in the morning, and I was tired so we left. Even though we only
caught four of the five bands, and intentionally missed the headliners, I can say quite easily that this was one of the
best bills I have been able to enjoy, and much credit goes to Fat
for assembling such an incredible and diverse roster for the show.
People who liked this also liked:  ![Tusk - Get Ready [reissue]](/images/covers/thumb/tusk-get_ready_reissue.jpg) ![Street Drum Corps - Street Drum Corps [CD/DVD]](/images/covers/thumb/street_drum_corps-street_drum_corps.jpg)   ![Various - Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag [reissue]](/images/covers/thumb/various-black_on_black_a_tribute_to_black_flag.jpg)     Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Clearly you need to follow Saves the Day's advice and crucify this cruel witch. rare, damnit. She made you miss Anti-Flag? Wow, this girl must really care about, that kind of love is rate. make the girl get you anti-flag tickets next time they are around... This score is for the girl. "and the drummer guy reminds me of the announcer from conan o'brien. the lighting made his hair look grey, and he kept making the same kinda faces conan's announcer would make." gAr! to the guy that said he felt old going to shows at 20, maybe you should avoid pseudo-dumbed down political punk shows. The Anti-flag/NMB/Larry Arms/Against Me! tour was easily one of the best lineups of 2003 by the end of anti-flag's set in boston tonight, i realized that he reminds me of peewee herman with a mohawk. and the drummer guy reminds me of the announcer from conan o'brien. the lighting made his hair look grey, and he kept making the same kinda faces conan's announcer would make. This score is for butchering ex-girlfriends and getting away with it. anti-flag is a really good band they're cut her life into pieces. no one makes me miss anti-flag. suffocation. no breathing. don't give a fuck if she stains the sheets bleeding. this is my last resort. yeah i realized that afterwards, sorry for the mix up. However nthat girl should still be killed! look down a few posts. the cutting up part had nothing to do with black tie and everything to do with the guy whose girlfriend made him leave the show before anti-flag. it has plenty of place here, how about I don't go away? "what ex girlfriend? Out of the black tie bombers one is single and has been for a long time, and the other two of us are in relationships.. however i'm all for anything that involves putting a woman into something that'll cut her up!" remember when anti-flag wasn't a spoken word band? =| i think the question at hand should be, why infact are those anarcho-punks so mysterious? Fuck these bands they hump dead gorillas, GOOD CHARLOTTE KICKS FUCKING ASS!!! what ex girlfriend? Out of the black tie bombers one is single and has been for a long time, and the other two of us are in relationships.. however i'm all for anything that involves putting a woman into something that'll cut her up! and yeah we could use a better website and a better hometown.. anyone wanna make us one? Well not a hometown.. unless someone could somehow make us a hometown.. anyways listen to us if you'd like.. maybe you'll even like it! hey who set this on head games?! cut her life into pieces. no one makes me miss anti-flag. suffocation. no breathing. don't give a fuck if she stains the sheets bleeding. this is my last resort. sorry for the black tie bombers. they could use a better website and a better hometown. if you enjoy good political punk no antiflag means you die!!! Washing machines comment gave me a good chuckle, score 10 for that guy. 20 year old is not old for a punk fan...try pushing 30! As for Anti-Flag, better live than recorded!!! Hey dude I posted the comment on Montreal a little further down...and I am 20 as well, and I have to agree with you I am beginning to feel quite old...either that or the average show go-ers age has dropped lol...is it just me or is the average age like 15 years old in just about every show nowadays? Sure everyones gotta start somewhere though so I don't blame them I was fifteen once too. yeah the montreal show was incredibly great. No antiflag?!?!?!? Sick of her mind games? Mind games, like, "hey let's leave before the headlining band?" She a trick-ass dumptruck. "Yes, my friend... tell the story. "Washing machines are the tools of the establishment, only the Anti-Flag shirts had to courage to fight the system!" Naw ... I was just sick of her mind games Yes, my friend... tell the story. Tell the story... "to the guy below me: Watch for Bigwig on either Fat, Sideone, or Jade Tree. Not Epitaph. Epitaph is treading its mortal coil. The Montreal show last night was really awesome...so much stage diving too...hadn't seen that much energy in a while. Then Against Me! came on, played an amazing set and since it was the drummers birthday they all took their shirts off. Then a few chicks went up on stage and took their shirts off and two of them started kissing each other man that fuckin rocked. At the end of the set the drummer got completly naked and jumped into the crowd (It was his birthday)...All in all this was a really awesome show, all the bands were really great and cheers to Against Me! for the best set i've since in a long time. to the guy below me: It was a great show And watch for Bigwig on either Sideone or Epitaph. For the millionth time, the dvd with the cd was a "preview" or "teaser". Who knows when the actual dvd will be released, but fucking chirst, the press release for that album stated the dvd was a "preview", and there is even a function on the dvd menu that allows you to see a "preview" for the full length. God damn people are thick sometimes. The DVD that came with Kid Dynamite's "new" (old) album "Cheap Shots Youth Anthems" last fall was really falsely advertised. The cd was pretty weak and was just stuff most of us had probably already heard and the DVD was meaningless... now I rest, craving the full length DVD that may or may not be released any time soon. Does anyone know much about that? None More Black is a great great band. I continue to be impressed. I don't understand the criticism I hear. One folk influenced band doesn't constitute a "diverse" lineup. that musta been one fuckova show? Jay didn't look like he likes crowd interaction. I really liked their set regardless. The DVD is supposed to only be a teaser, there is supposed to be a full length one coming, but god knows when. HEY Im to lazy to set up an accouint but this is Kyle and im from cambridge and i was at the toronto swow.. "Washing machines are the tools of the establishment, only the Anti-Flag shirts had to courage to fight the system!" "Washing machines are the tools of the establishment, only the Anti-Flag shirts had to courage to fight the system!" Anti-flag is neither that bad nor that good, but they do a lot more for punk then a shit load of other bands.... "reading the comments on this site would lead you to believe that everyone hates the band. Nothing could be further from the truth, as evidenced by the roar of the audience when their name was mentioned. Apparently, Anti-Flag fans occupy some sort of silent majority around here" i saw this show in Columbus, Ohio on the 16th. wow, somebody's, in, love, with, the, use, of, commas i definetely enjoyed this show, it had 4 bands i enjoy, which is a rarity I saw the Ottawa date of this tour. None More Black has the stage presence of a timid Modest Mouse. I loved the record (FUCKING LOVED IT) and I love Kd but Jason didn't say a word for the entire show other than a few meaningless mutterings and a timid farewell that went along the lines of "gnite we're None More Black thanks" amid the humming of the amps. I sang along to every word nonetheless. Against Me=good band. Amazing energy. They fucking sound like well-oiled freightrain. Rise against didn't really do it for me, I didn't know McIlrath played guitar? I still think that signing to Dreamworks is a good move for them. The way the industry is looking now, you better have a sound financial plan together or your buttoms up...lookout Movielife, FsF, and everyother pop punk band not on a major go belly up this year. Whats up Suburban Home Records? If I wasn't a starving law student I would give you my time and money. Finally Rise Against being on Dreamworks means, your getting their next record for $9 dollars @ your local record store, and they are going to be able to clothe and feed their families. "Washing machines are the tools of the establishment, only the Anti-Flag shirts had to courage to fight the system!" If anyone sounds neutered on album, its Against Me!, not None More Black. None More Black sound essentially the same on album as they do live, except for maybe a faster tempo that is usually present in a punk rock band's live show. Against Me! is great live, but on album, although I like them, they just don't impress me as much. this tour comes to nyc next week and i really want to go to see rise against and against me!, but am having trouble finding anyone that can go... damn Next Saturday this tour will grace Pittsburgh and I for one can't wait! "Washing machines are the tools of the establishment, only the Anti-Flag shirts had to courage to fight the system!" Ahh...I'm a proud Anti-Flag fan! I did my hating in the past, but then I sat down and listened to "Die for Your Government" and realized..."Wow, these guys are pretty frickin good". We saw this tour on vacation in Florida. Rise Against is one of, if not the best, shows I've seen. There was a circle pit, a mosh pit and everything, which is something I rarely see in Ohio. im going to see this bill in new york in a couple of days. cant wait. They played in Ottawa on the 22nd. I was at this show, and left before anti flag too. Fucking great night though, the girl I was with got the setlist for Rise, the one they wrote out and put on their amp. I was standing, more like leaning right on the speaker Tim was singing on, second row for the whole show. Plus I got a water bottle from the boys in Against Me! Washing machines are the tools of the establishment, only the Anti-Flag shirts had to courage to fight the system! why the hell does everyone hate anti-flag so much? why must you hate on anti-flag they are ok ive seen em live twice and they fuckin rocked in fact the only two shirts i own anymore are from those shows the rest all kinda dissapeared somhow fuckin washing machine!!! Against Me! owns live, as does Rise Against. I missed None More Black on this tour, and I still hate myself for it. Dutch oven. Aubin always puts together swell reviews. I can't wait to catch this shindig Monday. AM! is friggin' great live; i think they should play more stuff from Crime and The Disco..., though I'd like to give a shout out to all the fine folks stuck on the 401 for hours with me. It was an experience we'll all fondly remember for years to come. |
