Paint It Black

Strike Anywhere / Challenger / Paint It Black: live in Chicagolive in Chicago (2004)
Jade Tree Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

Contributed by: jamespastepunkjamespastepunk
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 4th 2004There's a first time for everything. Luckily, I got a few first things out of the way in one fell swoop. It was my first time at the Fireside Bowl, which if you're not a Chicago native, or haven't been there, like me, its really, really tiny. The groups performed on one end of the bowling alley, and.

There's a first time for everything. Luckily, I got a few first things out of the way in one fell swoop. It was my first time at the Fireside Bowl, which if you're not a Chicago native, or haven't been there, like me, its really, really tiny. The groups performed on one end of the bowling alley, and the merch was sold on the other side. I'd say, conservatively, about 100 kids showed up.

I came late, and caught 6 or 7 Paint it Black songs. I got a very Black Flag vibe from them. I've yet to hear them on record, but live it came off like that. I'm not a fan, but I could understand why other people would be. If you like them, they're pretty good live. Not awe-inspiring, but pretty good nonetheless. Back at the merch booth, I found Strike Anywhere and Co. selling Jade Tree cds, so with no deliberation, I picked up a Kid Dynamite CD. If you need to stock up on records, this is the tour to hit up. But I digress. The crowd stood at Paint it Black wondering what the hell was going on, not moshing, though the guitarist and bassist tried admirably to get the crowd to fill in on the handclaps and gang vocals, but the crowd just wasn't feeling it.

I'm still not sure how to describe Challenger. Checking Jade Tree's website, they call themselves post-punk, which seems to be the catch all for guitar interplay driven punk rock big on the gang vocals and barely intelligble vocals. It was a little bit fun, and not a total waste of time.

Headlining the Jade Tree United Tour, Strike Anywhere appeared on stage to the enthusiastic cries of 50 kids right in front and the semi-interested clapping of scenesters a few feet behind them.

Richmond's fastest growing band kept the Fireside well entertained for 45 minutes, spacing out the time between songs with banter primarily relating to the tour or about President Bush. Thomas has not stopped being an irascable spark plug, and the rest of the group has not stopped putting their entire beings into their performance. They moved around the tiny stage (that might be giving the raised plywood a bit too much credit, but once again, I digress.) jumping, and hittting each note with enthusiasm, vigor and flair. If you like Strike Anywhere, you really have no reason not to see them. They're on tour till forever, and they're on Hellfest.

Notes/oddities:

Looking amongst the crowd's tshirts was like looking at a who's who in the scene. Sadly, there was little diversity in the crowd, it was dominated by Caucasians (white people aren't bad, its just that its the vast vast majority of shows). There was a nine year old there, who had the look on his face like this was his first show.

Planned Parenthood was in the building, giving out free condoms and information about services and referrals.

Colin McGinnis who does merch for the boys likes to give people shit in a friendly manner, so smile and give it back to him.

Since I could not get my hands on Strike Anwyhere's setlist, this is what I remember, and may be missing songs.

SST
We Amplify/Blaze
Detonation
Chalkline
My Design
Infared
To the World
New Architechts
Lights Go Out
Extinguish
Refusal
My Design
Sunset on 32nd (closer)

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (May 8, 2004)

Strike owns. Horrible review

RVA represent

Anonymous (May 7, 2004)

there is a shitty hippie band called Far

Anonymous (May 7, 2004)

FAR Hippies? I'd love to know how many hippy bands sound like that... I dunno who I like better between SA and FAR, but PIB beats em both.

notfeelingcreative (May 7, 2004)

Yeah, I agree with the guy below, totally for hippies! I just can't get over how much they sound like CSNY!

Anonymous (May 7, 2004)

I saw SA with From Ashes Rise last night. Needless to say, Breather Resist was fun enough to laugh at (yeah I'd like to report abbuse on my ears, you stupid metal motherfuckers), and FAR totally stole the show. Much better band than Strike Anywhere.

-BSD

I assume you are deaf? FAR is for rural hippies. God i hate that band. They suck.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Dave Wagenshultz or something.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Collin McGinnis is in Paint It Black as well, he's also in None More Black, and was/still is in Go! For The Throat, I'm not really sure if they're still together since he's in two other bands now, although Dave (Hard to remember 'W' name) is in the same two bands and Good Riddance hasn't broken up yet

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Strike Anywhere sound great live, too bad inbetween songs they suck. Also when i saw them they needed kids to do the gay "one last song" chant. I really dislike when bands do that. why cant they just play until they are done and then when they stop they stop.

bah.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

*patch*

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Challenger is a pirate-core band. The girl was wearing an eye-batch, while the bass player had a hook for a hand.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

"I feel sorry for you, I really do."

You sound like a dumb-ass, you really do.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

I really hope you aren't trying to say that Al Burian of Challenger/ Milemarker is uniformed. That would be pretty damn funny.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

I'd love to know who is uninformed, and has no clue what they're talking about.
Unless you're referring to Hanson, I'd suggest YOU shut the fuck up, or listen to Death Cab For Cutie.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Performances are always great, until bands try to incorporate politics into their stageshow. It esecially sucks when it's obvious they don't know anything about what they are talking about. Just play and SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

"I was fortunate enough to have been listening to the album for quite a few months before I saw this tour"

HAHAHAHA!!!
I feel sorry for you, I really do.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

The lyrics of Strike Anywhere aren't sincere? BAHAHAH. Nice try.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

worse review.

EVER

That right there tells me you couldn't do much better. Learn the English language before you start bashing others. Idiot.

EVER.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

If you think Challenger is boring then you are an idiot. I was fortunate enough to have been listening to the album for quite a few months before I saw this tour and there is more sincerity in the lyrics than anything Strike Anywhere and their little rastafarian troll of a lead singer ever wrote.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

yeah challenger is the band that had the chick with the eyepatch. and they were boring.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Okay I'm not sure if this was challenger that I am thinking of.. whoever it was had a chick bass player with an eyepatch.

Anyways, I fell asleep. Right up front next to the speaker, if you saw a guy sleeping that was me. Sorry. Strike Anywhere woke me up and rocked. That's my review. My score is for the nap I got, and for Strike Anywhere finally playing to more than 20 kids at the Fireside.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

this score is for sickboi....thats the fucking coolest shit i've seen on this site in a while.

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

see the movie Afropunk if you're so involved with minorities in punk rock.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

worse. review.

EVER.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

are people shitty to non-whites at shows?? i've never seen that and i hope i never do. that's not cool and not punk rock.

Blarg (May 5, 2004)

the show in buffalo was great...

lupus46 (May 5, 2004)

Strike Anywhere fucking rules!!!!

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

"Review sucked but nice to see some shows heading back to the fireside. Fuck the bottom lounge... snd fuck all you little suburbanite bastards who give in and buy tickets online, pay a stupid "convenience fee" and cause the shows to sell out before the day off."

While I'll agree the fireside is a better venue, there is no way they can't pre-sell tickets to some shows. This isn't 1996 where almost no shows sold out. There are too many people in the scene around here now to do anything else. Since the bottom lounge golds more people it's not a bad idea to have some shows there.It's better than waiting in line only to see you and half the crowd outside getting turned away. I was at ETID and there were like 60 people loitering around the area who got screwed.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

paint it black was so awesome and dan yemin is fucking hot!!!

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

Oh yeah, and the review sucked you dumb cunt.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

I love how critical the reviewer was of the "scene" when he had never even been to the fireside bowl before this show.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

ive never gotten to see paint it black live... but their record rips... strike anywhere are awesome and even better live.

slippy (May 5, 2004)

Paint It Black played after Challenger in Detroit. And Strike Anywhere didn't play "sunset on 32nd" in detroit. :(

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

"Their bassist doesnt know how to make a good hardcore song. If they fixed their basslines or something they would be a premire hardcore act."

What on earth does this even mean?

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

Wanna know what would make this tour better? Just having Breather Resist, From Ashes Rise and Challenger. That is what I think and I am always right.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

Strike Anywhere needs to tour with New Mexican Disaster Squad again. I saw them play together in South Carolina and it was an AWESOME combo.

notfeelingcreative (May 5, 2004)

With all of the black people that are into punk rock and hardcore music you'd think there would be more at shows, wouldn't you!? I guess most of my friends are weird they all listen to hip hop.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

Racist nigger. cute.

RVA represent.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

Yeah, the reviewer was obviously a racist nigger.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

i dont understand the white person comment......thats how it is at most places in america, which is why we have terms like "minority".....your pretending to be shocked and amazed that the show wasent more racially diverse.....dont state the obvious.....why did you feel the need to state it anyway? Are you so sheltered that you couldnt see the dillema we have with race in America otherwise?

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

Saw this in Iowa City tonight. Breather Resist was terrible. We got screwed, everyone before us on the tour got Paint it Black instead. Challenger was okay, From Ashes Rise was good, and Strike Anywhere was just fucking amazing.

Anonymous (May 5, 2004)

there were some asian people at this show. that's ethnic diversity for ya.

TheOneTrueBill (May 4, 2004)

California blue line. Gotcha. I'm really bad with remembering the stops

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

In addition to A Music Revoltion I Think It's Called, the Inquisition also have an album called Broken Songs. Both are amazing.

Tigerama (May 4, 2004)

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say the merch guy SELLS people shit?

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

i saw this tour in philly as was blown away by all the bands. strike anywhere was phenomenal as usual and paint it black destroys.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

hey sick boi - how would i get ahold of you for a copy of that inquisition record?

and the buffalo show was freaking awesome. only downer was that the singer of FAR had a broken ankle.

innocentbystander (May 4, 2004)

Paint It Black and Strike Anywhere were awesome. PIB is definately under-rated. They had the circle pit at the Chicago show too.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

Krome Show review.

Challenger was just okay. I walked in half way through their set. Reminded me of Thursday with more distorted guitars and more aggressive vocals

Next was Paint it Black?? Thats what i thought since they are a Philly band and philly is only an hour away. Well anyway, they ripped it up. The only thing this band needs to become incredible is master bass drop break downs. Their bassist doesnt know how to make a good hardcore song. If they fixed their basslines or something they would be a premire hardcore act. Let me note that these guys are 100 times better live than their record.

From Ashes Rise...well here is when the show got a bit strange. During the first song something happened and i think the drummer from Paint it Black started running around the stage or something? I dont know what was going on. anyway, they said Paint it black didnt deserve to be here and called the drummer a skin-head. The drummer who could have easily kicked the whole bands ass offered to do so. Anyway, then the band made a bunch of bullshit comments about how doctors are supposed to keep people that come in and out of diabetic coma's in their hospitals, about how the guy is from mississippi and how we should all enjoy rural areas and stop suburban and urban development so he can go prance in the fields, and also he made a bunch of other bullshit comments. Anyway, if i had to say anything to this band it would be "Please die" because they were awful and their views were off the wall.

Strike Anywhere was last of coarse. They played their usual set. Nothing new or interesting really. One thing that this band severly lacks is a personality. Thomas(lead singer) has a very warm welcoming personality, seems very level headed and genuine, but there is no interesting joking or banter. Their music rocks hard, regardless what you think, but their stage personality is sub par.

All in all worth the $10, but when Paint it Black stops playing shows in a few days then i would suggest showing up late and just seeing SA.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

i went to this show in philly. challenger was ok, and paint it black, from ashes rise, and strike anywhere all owned. i picked up the from ashes rise cd 'nightmares' and that cd is great. and yes, paint it black is very underrated. their new songs sounded great too.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

The review i submitted was much better.

I give the review a 0 for not thinking PIB is the next big thing in Hardcore(well could be if Yemin wasnt a DR.)

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

To the fool a few posts down:

You get off at the California blue line stop, then walk for a few minutes towards THAT way.

sickboi (May 4, 2004)

My point about your comment is this:

Its one thing if people are being shitty towards non-whites go to a show, but to want more ethnic diversity at a show just to have something other than white people is a fucking retarded comment. Thats like saying: "Hey, you, you're black, why don't you be my friend because all of my other friends are white."

jamespastepunk (May 4, 2004)

All warnings are in vain.

TheOneTrueBill (May 4, 2004)

Which El stop do you get off at for the Fireside? I know it's not the red line Fullerton.

I wanted to go to this, and had nothing really holding me back. I'm still wondering why.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

I really liked From Ashes Rise. the Albany show was great, thomas from SA hanging from the celing, quite memorable.

sickboi (May 4, 2004)

Inquisition:

-"Revolution, I think its called Inspiration"

If you can't find it, let me know and I'll burn you a copy for cost of shipping only, because I'm such a nice fucking guy.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

I'd also like to find that out.
I have 2 of their songs from some olds comps, but other than that... nothing.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

yo, strike anywhere kicks ass. Ive heard a track from thomas' old band inquisition, but other than that I cant find shit. anyone know where i could find inquisition shit?

sickboi (May 4, 2004)

"Sadly, there was little diversity in the crowd, it was dominated by Caucasians (white people aren't bad, its just that its the vast vast majority of shows). "

Stop reveiwing.

hubitcherkokov (May 4, 2004)

Paint It Black and Strike Anywhere were amazing, per usual. Challenger was a very nice surprise. From Ashes Rise stole the show for me. I had heard they were good...but man! This is one kickass tour and I encourage any and all to attend. Peace.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

Ok, I was at this show, and PIB owned, and there were people responding, I was one of them shouting back to Dan Yemin. And it's sad that you have never been to the Fireside. Challenger blew ass, and SA kicked it. Regardless there were some girls that showed up in a limo, what the fuck. And I hope to God you knew who Kid Dynamite was before this show, considering how much the bands playing owe to them.

sickboi (May 4, 2004)

Why the fuck is PIB playing before Challenger?

CrankWillDestroy (May 4, 2004)

It sucks this tour doesn't have more dates (ie colo.). And PIB is the shit. If people were just standing with their arms folded and checking each others shirts out while PIB was on, then that's a goddamn shame.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

Review sucked but nice to see some shows heading back to the fireside. Fuck the bottom lounge... snd fuck all you little suburbanite bastards who give in and buy tickets online, pay a stupid "convenience fee" and cause the shows to sell out before the day off.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

They also did NOT play "Detonation", you ass.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

Not only did they NOT play "My Design" at the Chicago show, but they also did NOT play it twice.

Strike Anywhere played:
Earthbound
You're Fired
Timebomb Generation
Refusal
Laughter In A Police State
Sunset On 32nd
SST
Chalkline
Amplify
Blaze
Infrared
To The World
New Architects
Lights Go Out
Extinguish

And Paint It Black was phenomenal, and PAINT IT BLACK stole the fucking show. It's not their fault that Chicago is full of retarded trendy fuckers who show up to a show, and not give a shit about any bands but the headliner (unlke Iowa... horrible state, but awesome scene). And though the review made it sound like everyone hated PIB, there were kids in the front going nuts screaming into the mic, and between pauses, people made it known that they liked them, but still chose not to move.
Strike Anywhere rocked.
Challenger blew.
Regress sounded like The Vandals.

Horrible review.

FishBulb (May 4, 2004)

NY show - Challenger impressed, Paint It Black kicked ass, From Ashes Rise lacked (I caught Tragedy 2 hours before them too), Strike Anywhere got the kids moving, though I don't see the mass appeal.

Good show. Circle pit broke out during SA's set, haven't seen that in years.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

i'm VERY pissed at myself for missing this in cleveland. anyone want to say how that one went?

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

i want to see SA sooo badly live, but they never come to ny.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

I'm disappointed to see that there are no Chorus of One songs on their setlist. That EP is awesome.

MarkieStabone (May 4, 2004)

challenger is awesome. lethal doses is one of my favorite albums this year. can't wait to catch this tour in richmond. too bad paint it black won't be there.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

Strike Anywhere are medicore at best. I can't get over the vocals on thier albums, but I will admit that they sound good live. That doesn't make up for the fact that thier songs don't sound like anything that hasn't been done before.

Challenger was really, really good in MinnEap though. Score is for them.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

agreed on paint it black being one of the most underrated bands out there... for mr. yemin to come back after his stroke and whatnot... and be able to front a band that great, is amazing. if you're not into 'em, you should probably re-evluate your record collection... or simply end your life.

- seandxi

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

strike anywhere's live show will kick your ass.

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

PIB are the most underrated band in HC today. Fuck all of you who don't give them any props. Hoseurs...

Anonymous (May 4, 2004)

i saw this show in Albany. not a whole ton of people were there, but i love strike anywhere and paint it black so it was all good. plus the chick from challenger is cute. overall, a good show. just wish there were more folks.