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| Strike Anywhere / The Code / The AKAslive in Erie2004 live show 
 Review by: KirbyPuckett See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on July 27th 2004
This past Friday I spent my entire day in the armpit of America otherwise known as Cleveland for the 10th Anniversary of the Warped Tour. For the most part it was a fantastic afternoon spent enjoying a lot of good music and hanging out with friends. However, the hot sun, expensive food, crowded venue, and short sets really got me eager for a good club show. On my summer quest to do whatever it takes to seek out the rock ‘n roll, a handful of us from Pittsburgh hoped on I-79 North to Erie for the boring two hour drive in hope that a few bands would bring the Forward Hall to it's knees. Opening the evening up were A-F record’s New Mexican Disaster Squad. Immediately pummeling the crowd with their early 80’s DC hardcore and they refused to let up. Two new songs that fit the theme of the band infiltrated a set list made by a majority of songs from their self-titled debut. Despite NMDS rallying everyone up and setting the pace for a perfect night of rock ‘n roll the decision of having them open wasn’t the best. Welcome theSTART. Three gentlemen took the stage and it appeared as if the punk rock vibe was headed out the door to make way for some fashion based music. Then some girl came out of nowhere, picked up the microphone and requested the kids do a little hardcore dancing. While there is a lot of energy in the heart of vocalist Aimee Echo there music didn’t do much for me or anyone in the crowd actually. The politically fueled indie-rock didn’t feel right or fit in during a hardcore punk show so most of us were quick to right them off. I will give them credit for their lively onstage presence though. Taking the stage next where the A.K.A.s, they took the punk from NMDS while mixing the rock from theSTART and knocked a ton of Erie kids on their backsides with a top notch live performance. Vocalist Mike Ski told the fans a little story about house his father asked him when he was going to get a real job. To which Ski asked the rest of his band mates if they were ready to get to work. Politics served as a platform for the band, but it was their vigor that played as heart and soul shown by the enthusiasm they played with. I even got “Generation Vexed” dedicated to my fauxhawk or something about Apple computers. As their time atop the stage came to the final moments Ski decided to tear it apart bringing the keyboards and drums to the floor for one last blow to their set. Erie natives the Code were welcomed back home with a roar from the packed Forward Hall. The vibe beaming from a homecoming show is one stellar feeling, but when said even actually occurs watch out! Everyone in the venue went crazy as the punk-ska outfit ripped into “Know Your Enemy,” Marc was easily drowned out by the hoards of fans singing along. The intensity mixed with energy never left the band or the crowd as songs “Riot”, “Alert Aware Involved”, “Revolution Now” among many others graced the sweat dripping ears. Although they finally recorded a cover on their new EP, the Code brought the Operation Ivy classic “Unity” out of their live show’s retirement for one last memorable recital. These guys are one hell of a live band and terrible to take photos of as they never stop moving, jumping, or running around the stage. Closing their set with the usual “Brian’s Song” really left their friends and fans pleased with one of their preeminent presentations to date. Even though a few kids trickled out of the hall the peak moment of the evening was yet to occur, I feel bad for them. It’s been a longtime coming for me but I finally tracked down Strike Anywhere live and now I fully regret not seeing them at every chance I get. The dual track ”We Amplify / Blaze” started a forty five minute whirlwind of punk rock. The remainder of the crowd backed the force Thomas Barnett’s vocal chords word for word while his counterparts gave ‘em a reason to dance. Choice chunks from both Change Is A Sound and Exit English were torn into during a flawless set list. “To The World” demanded a fist pumping chant and delivered like none I’ve ever saw in the past whereas “Timebomb Generation” made way for nice circle pit action. Closing out with “Refusal” everyone let Strike Anywhere know that Erie will always welcome them back in the future, as the crowd let their passion show during the waning seconds of a perfect night. The combination of two tours brought an odd assortment of music to the table that put on a charisma similar to that of the Warped Tour. A lot of different sounds and looks coming from all directions, but the fervor for live music brought the fans and bands together. I commend all the acts on the memorable evening for pulling off one of the better shows I’ve had the pleasure of attending. PHOTO VIDEO People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
I just found this review by accident, I was at this show. I thought the Aka's and the Start were awesome, I didn't think it was one of S.A.s best shows but they rocked.I liked the diversity at the show with having the Aka's and the Start bringing the rock and the others bringing the hardcore. I love this band so much that I got a Strike Anywhere tattoo. I saw the picture of the setlist and it looks exactly like the one I have from a show in Arizona..but instead of 5th estate they played New Architects. sweet. SA were okay live. I don't know why people consider them old school hardcore, seeing as they sound more like Soulside type bands. the 3 arrows in the circle is known as the Anti-Fascism circle each arrow represents something what is that thing with the three arrows? its on their website and its also on the cover of change is a sound Anyone reviewing Hellfest? I missed it sadly and i would like to read a decent review. I have "Revolution, I think its called Inspiration". new mexican disaster squad did an amazing job covering FVK...and threw it out to me...oh yeah...even the kid in the bad brains shirt gets some props wait... which band covered FVK? And, which Erie did this take place in? Sickboi, what Inquisition cd do you have? I have a good copy of Music Revolution but my copy of Broken Songs kinda sucks. If you email me I'll make oyu a copy, although I think it's gonna be re-released soon. Strike Anywhere were mindblowing the one time that I saw them. Haven't seen any of the other bands, but The Start are a really odd opening choice for Strike Anywhere. The best closer ever was Chorus of One. Cincinnati '01 @ the Void, sick fuckin show. No problem Mike! Thank you for such a great review! This show was probably one of the best shows ive ever done, rivaling the Elliott show last summer and the Comeback Kid show I did 2 weeks ago. Thanks to anyone who reads this who came to the show, that was defintely a night to remember! Keep an eye on the webpage, there are some sick shows to be announced in the coming months, so yeah! If you like fast hardcore, come up for the show on august 6th with sidewalk! They RULE!!! FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS! I meant to mention the Bad Brains cover of '...Vampires...' or whatever. Man, my memory sucks anymore...and writing too! i had the pleasure of going to this with your own Kirby Puckett I like Inquisition. actually the vids are pretty scott... err... kirby... i remember Eerie, Indiana distinctly because i'm from a town called Indiana, PA, and i thought it strange that a show be based on two towns from pennsylvania. I've been saying this all along, the AKA's kick ass. Yeah, they moved it to the Family Channel for a little while, I think there were even a few new episodes. Anyone remember that show Eerie, Indiana from back in the early/mid-'90s? I think it was on Fox. That show was awesome. i didn't read the whole thing, but i'd like to point out that Cleveland is actually the asshole of america. new jersey is the armpit. The videos aren't that great. They were recorded with my DIGITAL STILL camera (Sony DSC-W1). It's a hell of a camera for doing stills, but it works for basic video as well. good stuff... these* damnit. there videos better not suck!! ;) The Jade Tree tour was the shit, I wish I coulda gone, I'd get to see Strike Anywhere/Paint It Black/From Ashes Rise i saw strike anywhere on the jade tree tour. as much as i love them, i wasnt terribly impressed with thier live show. except for Thomas hanging from the celing. that was pretty cool. i agree with the post below about the closer, but when they used to close with "my design" if was even better than "sunset." flag. white flag. white flag. sator. I dont approve of them changing their closer. which flag? I saw the Code once, in a basement in DC with Anti-Flag after an anti-war rally. They were good. The Code = incredibly cliche, just don't tell the Erie kids Yikes that line does blow, I guess I didn't proof read well enough. this was the best i've ever seen strike anywhere. easily worth the 3.5 hour drive. NMDS remind me of the Flag. Yup, I said it. strike anywhere is amazing live!! Closing out with “Refusal” everyone let Strike Anywhere know that Erie will always welcome them back in the future as the crowd went let their passion sour during the waning seconds of a perfect night. Strike Anywhere New Mexican Disaster Squad=Heaven |
