Punknews.org | Bouncing Souls / Avail / Dillinger Four

Review Navigator

Features

Reviews

Bouncing Souls / Avail / Dillinger Four

live in New York
2004
live show

Review by: Brian
See others by this writer

PunkVoter (link)

Only registered users
can post comments

Published on October 19th 2004

Massachusetts, Ohio, Hawaii...the New York City CMJ / Rock Against Bush collaboration was easily the penultimate east coast punk rock show this part of the year, probably even all year, and people thusly came from all over for it.

Before things *really* got started, The Soviettes took the stage. For those of you not already aware, the three-fourths female/one-male outfit plays garage-styled punk with some new wave overtones here and there. Their first song proved the latter best, sounding like something straight out of early 80s mainstream. From there, the set consisted of a much more distorted, power-chord type sound, with three, sometimes four differing vocalists, all of whom wail like demented banshees. I couldn't really get into them until they played their Rock Against Bush contribution, "Paranoia Cha Cha Cha," but the band stayed tight and confident in front of a decidedly "punk" crowd, and for that some credit is due.

The night really got its foot off the ground though when None More Black was finished preparing their hearty bowl of hard punk-pop. Sure, the band definitely has their dashes of unabashed pop influence, but their mostly guitar-driven rock delivered that night. Hearing Jason scream "check! whoa-oh!" into the microphone put a permanent smile on my face. They played all the choice cuts off File Under Black, including "Bizzaro Me," "Zero Tolerance Drum Policy," "Wishing There Were Walkways," "Banned From Teen Arts," and "Everyday Balloons" and "Dinner's For Suckers" back-to-back. We also got to hear two new songs off the upcoming Loud About Loathing EP, one of which was pretty much standard NMB, while the other was straddled with a really awkward pace, although it could've just been a syncing problem with the band themselves playing it. They closed out with "Nothing To Do When You're Locked In A Vacancy," playing just about every song I wanted to hear. In a word, audacious.

Strike Anywhere's set was a bit of a mixed blessing. While the band is one of those rare live acts that actually remember they have a debut full-length (about half their set was Change Is A Sound material, maybe more), Chorus Of One was completely ignored. I accepted this compromise and joined dozens of others in vigorous finger points for songs like "You're Fired," "Blaze/Amplify," "Timebomb Generation," "Infrared," "Lights Go Out," "Laughter In A Police State," "Sunset On 32nd" (interestingly placed right in the middle of the set and a bit laid-back for my liking) "To The World," and probably a couple others that my memory is failing to recall. Tomas seemed to make sure that every single person in the crowd got their own little "Whoa-oh!" into the mic. Good times had by all.

Let's get something out of the way right now: prior to the night, I was just about completely unfamiliar with Dillinger Four. Sure, I'd heard "Noble Stabbings!!" on a Fat sampler a few years ago, but nothing beyond that. D4 must've known this, because they proceeded to rock every goddamned face in the place for the next forty-five minutes. The crowd appropriately lost it for just about every song. I can only tell you they played the aforementioned "Noble Stabbings!!" and "Doublewhiskeynoice," calling out Green Day for ripping off the latter's riff ("what the fuck, man?"). The band's mission that night, announcing it before anything else...? "DILLINGER FOUR NEEDS TO GET SIGNED TO A MAJOR LABEL." Paddy was downright fucking hilarious, discussing topics such as stealing from your boss, ditching your small hometown roots for art school bullshit, the pressing need for a $3.25 shot of Jack's, how a man of his age and weight could be marketed as a perfect magazine-cover boy once their major deal is signed, how ugly Paris Hilton is, his obvious Christian faith, and dedicating a song to the White Stripes and Sleater-Kinney for not realizing the amazing power that is the bass. We even had an "emo moment" with him ("this is some fucking Cashboard Confessional shit right here"), as he stood at the edge of the stage seemingly sulking during the bridge to one song. Post-set, he even handed out some nachos and cheese to front crowd spectators. Any person of sensible reasoning must've surely became an instant fan, including myself.

Neither was I familiar with Avail, but this wasn't going to stop me from enjoying the band's RVA hardcore punk stylings. They played a nice chunk of songs, and judging from the variety, presumably anything in the Satiate to Front Porch Stories spectrum. Needless to say, they were another perfect addition to the show. At this point, I probably could've left happy, but then the Bouncing Souls took the stage, and everything fell even more into place.

Jersey's own had every pair of feet in the building moving, playing everything from "Kids And Heroes," "Gone," "That Song," "Hopeless Romantic," "Born Free," "Singalong Forever" and their east coast fuck you to "Kate Is Great" and "I Like Your Mom," and even brought out Johnny X to sing his ballad (among others, of course). Greg was very calm, relaxed, and laid back, and still yelled every song with graceful ease, always rousing the crowd with his trademark positivity. They finished out the night with "True Believers."

Despite it being cited as a Rock Against Bush tour stop, there really wasn't a huge focus on politics the entire show. While D4 made some comments about how Bush has had the pleasure of being rich and spoiled his entire life, politics in general really didn't seem to be the ultimate mission of the night to make sure everyone votes - a band here or there would simply ask who is over 18 and registered to vote, applaud their efforts and then ask the other overage crowd attendants to join up and register themselves. It wasn't pushed on the audience at all - rather, the night was just a unified, packed five hours of good times, good friends, and lots of crazy balls-to-the-wall punk rock.

ADDENDUM: I left early due to circumstances beyond my control (honestly). All apologies for the blatant mistake in my Bouncing Souls paragraph.

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.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 1:55 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"oh no! didn't see that one coming a fucking mile away! next up is someone talking about how the west has got the weather, the women, the weed, sticky green. no ha."

yeah l.a. does have the weather, and the sticky-icky icky

as far as the women, i prefer midwestern chicks

but half of them move to l.a. anyways

yeah sure the souls sang "ecfu" but greg lives in l.a. now

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 25, 2004 at 12:31 AM (EDT)
My Score:

oh no! didn't see that one coming a fucking mile away! next up is someone talking about how the west has got the weather, the women, the weed, sticky green. no ha.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 2:18 PM (EDT)
My Score:

East Coast FUCK YOU!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 10:08 AM (EDT)
My Score:

well, i was close enough, you did live with your momma up until a few years ago, unlkike me who has lived on my own for a DECADE, bitch. i also am not from NY or the lump of shit known as the east coast and i'm not the original guy you were arguing with, just someone who saw your lameass post and called you on it. you are still a fucknob. so there.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 4:15 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Standing up for something you believe in - yeah, that's stupid..(I don't get it)

- Little Guy

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 4:14 PM (EDT)
My Score:

pretty soon this thread will be gone, so i'll give one last response to the guy that calls me fucknob...

you are right that i don't know you. and therefore it's probably wrong that i pass judgement on you. but remember this... i posted a comment and YOU challenged it. I suppose I could have let it go and not challenged you back, but where's the fun in that.

I deduced that you are somewhat young by the fact that you weren't sure coney island shut down. anyone that came up in the nj/ny scene when i did, would've known for a fact that it shut down and would've been pissed that clubs like bb kings are what's left to take it's place. bb kings represents the disney-fication of a real club. it also does a good job at turning a blues legend into a lameass commodity for lameass white tourists to visit on their way to seeing hairspray or letterman.

i wasn't saying no one should go there or that bands shouldn't play there... putting limits on things wouldn't be very "punk" now would it... all i was saying is that I am not going there and i know a lot of other people that share my feelings on this.

i love the bouncing souls, d4 and avail very much... but i'll wait till they play irving or bowery ballroom to see them again. if they don't... that's cool, i still have their records to listen too.

and for the record, my mom's basement floods... and it's been about 4 years since i moved out of her attic.

love,
fucknob

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 2:34 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The bouncing souls ate all my Yoo hoo!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 11:04 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"no shit coney island and wetlands shut down... my point was, whatever happened to gool clubs like coney and wetlands?

if you enjoy giving big right wing christian conservative corporations like clear channel all your "hard earned" allowance money and paying 8 bucks for a beer, then you my friend are an idiot.

and as far as my panties irritating me... you can lick my chaffed balls son... i was going to shows when you were still sucking your mommas teet.

so there."

"i was punk before you!" holy shit, there's a new angle..."i've been goin to shows since moses was in shortpants" very mature. the truth is that most everybody will go wherever the fuck they have to go to see the show. you may not like clear channel venues, but they're something you'll have to deal with. most anybody you talk to probably hates ticketmaster, too, but sometimes you have to deal with them, like it or not. ask yourself, does the end justify the means? don't wanna deal with these companies? fine. gonna miss a few shows in the future, then? yup, you sure are. hey, at least you can hang out in your mom's basement by yourself, standing up for some bullshit you believe in, while all your friends are at the show without you. but you'll be fine, i mean you've got personal politics AND the ability to rub someones (who you don't even know) nose in the fact that you think you've been punk the longest. i think you're gonna do well for yourself, people like you are in high demand. so there fucknob.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 9:02 AM (EDT)
My Score:

no shit coney island and wetlands shut down... my point was, whatever happened to gool clubs like coney and wetlands?

if you enjoy giving big right wing christian conservative corporations like clear channel all your "hard earned" allowance money and paying 8 bucks for a beer, then you my friend are an idiot.

and as far as my panties irritating me... you can lick my chaffed balls son... i was going to shows when you were still sucking your mommas teet.

so there.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 6:21 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I hate the Bouncing Souls, so there.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 5:56 PM (EDT)
My Score:

if there were a Punknews Band of the Decade Award, I'm pretty sure it would go to the Bouncing Souls.

it seems like everyone likes this band

that's probably because they are rad

- the other scott

Posted by jacobe on 2004-10-21 14:29:42
My Score:

what springsteen song did they cover? I'd really like to know.

Posted by poopypants on 2004-10-21 13:30:58
My Score:

I belive Monkey Hustle is a psychologist

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 1:25 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Is Monkey Hustle the dentist?

-Chinatown

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 11:13 AM (EDT)
My Score:

You don't know who Dillinger 4 is, or Avail. What rock did you climb out of? Go back into hiding cause your review sucks!

Posted by primeevil7 on 2004-10-21 10:52:07
My Score:

The Bouncing Souls played Kid and Night Train??!??!

Why, why, why are you New Yorkers complaining?

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 10:46 AM (EDT)
My Score:

The souls are great you crazy man!
Every time i've met them they have been really nice, Mike even went up to the balcony and got our friend free water at irving.

Posted by poopypants on 2004-10-21 09:25:39
My Score:

I met D4 once and Eric was super cool and gave me his email. I think Paddy was kinda rude, but face it, those dudes are pretty fucking punk rock, and last I checked, being kinda rude is not exactly outlandish for a guy who wrote a song called " a floater left w/ pleasure in the executive washroom". He also look like he'd eat your kids.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 5:15 AM (EDT)
My Score:

D4 is great, yet they are beginning to forget who they are. and can be rude and brief with fans who really like them. Bouncing souls have long been this way and it seems the ultimate end to anyone with a marginally successful music career. My point, don't neglect the people that have made you who you are

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 1:25 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Argyle
Say Anything
I Like Your Mom
That Song
Ballad Of Johnny X
Kids And Heroes
Hopeless Romantic
Born Free
Cracked
East Coast! Fuck You!
Highway Kings
Anchors Aweigh
Kate is Great
The Something Special
Kid
Quick Check Girl
Sing Along Forever
Gone
True Believers

The Freaks, Nerds, & Romantics
night on earth
Night train

im probably missing something, like the boss cover.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 1:10 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"i got you one better: in late august(?) of 2000, i saw a show headlined by avail that also featured d4 and leatherface. it's still the only show i ever saw where every band got the reaction of a headliner."
saw that too but leatherface blew! and i must mention the propagandhi/avail show i saw a year later now THAT was a show

Posted by sk8punx4evr on 2004-10-20 19:10:44
My Score:

besides crowd surfers' fingernails flaying me alive, this was definitely the best "punk" show i've been to in a while/ever. d4 was fucking PERFECT and paddy's nachos totally stole the show.

Posted by prankish on 2004-10-20 18:06:05
My Score:

And to have seen them in 2000 is just adding insult to my injury. I fucking hate you, seriously.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 6:02 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Wetlands did in fact shut down a few years ago, but I don't know about anywhere else, but at least there's still some other decent venues that AREN'T owned by Clear Channel.

Oh yeah, and whoever wrote the panties comment - just stop.

- Little Guy

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 4:44 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"i saw the bouncing souls and avail last time they were at bb kings and while they're two of my favorite bands (i've seen em both a million times since around '96), BB KINGS suh huh huckked as a venue...

They shouldn't do punk shows there. Its the least punk place you'd ever want to be in.

Whatever happened to coney island/wetlands/tramps.....at least the atmosphere connected with the music....

fuck bb kings and fuck clear channel"

BB KIng's is one of the nices NYC venues I've been to. Everyone is polite, the sound system's OK, and they have great bands coming through there. What's a matter, not punk enough for you? Your panties are rubbing your pussy too hard, methinks.

Coney Island High shut down, as did Wetlands I think.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 4:10 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i got you one better: in late august(?) of 2000, i saw a show headlined by avail that also featured d4 and leatherface. it's still the only show i ever saw where every band got the reaction of a headliner.

Posted by prankish on 2004-10-20 15:39:56
My Score:

If I could see Avail and D4 at the same show, I would quite honestly die a fulfilled man.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 2:52 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This show was so great. Before going in, Dillinger Four was my favourite band on the bill, but after i think Avail was. Although all the bands 'cept the Souls and Soviettes were extreme good. It was my third time seeing None More Black, and they were at the top of their game that night.

FUCK CROWD SURFERS I HOPE YOU DIE!

I was the verry sweaty kid with long, thinning hair in the Broadways shirt/sometimes denim jacket. Love me.

Posted by poopypants on 2004-10-20 13:25:47
My Score:

d! 4!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 1:12 PM (EDT)
My Score:

How the fuck can one only write four sentences about avail?

Jesus christ, if I were you, i'd shoot myself in the face.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 1:11 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Soviettes sucked
NMB were great
D4 were histerichal and amazing
Avail was possibley worse than the soviettes and maybe one of the worsed bands iv eever seen
and the Souls were amazing as usual.

Does anyone know what Bruce Springsteen song the Souls covered?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 12:26 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i saw the bouncing souls and avail last time they were at bb kings and while they're two of my favorite bands (i've seen em both a million times since around '96), BB KINGS suh huh huckked as a venue...

They shouldn't do punk shows there. Its the least punk place you'd ever want to be in.

Whatever happened to coney island/wetlands/tramps.....at least the atmosphere connected with the music....

fuck bb kings and fuck clear channel

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 2:43 AM (EDT)
My Score:

AVAIL & Strike Anywhere in one show = orgasm

Posted by inagreendase on 2004-10-20 01:33:29
My Score:

18, actually.

And yeah, it sold out.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 1:16 AM (EDT)
My Score:

does anyone know if this show sold out?
i would think it would have because its probably the best lineup i've ever seen, EVER.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 12:33 AM (EDT)
My Score:

This review fucking sucks. I'm not being "super punk" or anything but how could you seriously not know anything by D4 or Avail? Seriously, are you like 17 years old and just getting into punk? If so, wait a few years to review that shit yo, just so you can be a little more prepared.

~FlamebaitNickLoving

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:50 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"an encore of "The Freaks, Nerds and Romantics", "Night on Earth" (with a ridiculous crowd surf by Greg, hitting almost every part of the crowd) and an incredible incredible rendition of "Night Train"."
----how could you leave before that !!! thank god someone stayed and appreciated that. the night train ending to their set rules..both times i've seen it i was in awe. and how could have not know who D4 and avail (especially avail) are. you should have been front row for three sets singing along till your guts fell out...you are so spoiled to have seen this show yet so unworthy due to these three glaring errors on your part. dammit you suck. but thanks for reviewing it. ha.

Posted by primeevil7 on 2004-10-19 23:48:39
My Score:

Avail is great.

Posted by inagreendase on 2004-10-19 23:46:50
My Score:

My diction fucking sucks sometimes. There's a good example.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:42 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i would have loved this show!! you lucky bastards!!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:33 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"Penultimate" means second to last.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:12 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Whats the deal with D4? I've had that song that was posted again a few days ago on my computer and its in a file with some other music i load by directory, anyway whenever i hear that song i want to shove a pencil into my ear. Worst Fucking Song EVAR!!!

Oh yeah, Strike Anywhere and Bouncing Souls rock hard. The other bands are just "eh".

Lastly, PIB>>>>>>>>>NMB

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:10 PM (EDT)
My Score:

D4--10
Avail--9
Strike Anywhere--9
None More Black--8
Soviettes--2
Bouncing Souls--0

-Chinatown

Posted by trailerparkjesus on 2004-10-19 22:55:37
My Score:

this show rocked. best of the year? maybe.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 10:52 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i had tickets to this but sold them to go to social distortion. not suprisingly the souls played the exact same set theyve played the last 10 times theyve come through nyc. meanwhile social d was one of the greatest shows ive ever been to. anyone who was at bb kings is a sucker.

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2004-10-19 22:43:11
My Score:

I'll be the third person to say that lineup is insane. My life won't be complete until I see Avail. Then I can die a happy man.

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2004-10-19 22:09:51
My Score:

I just heard "Dixie" by AVAIL today. Mighty fine.

Posted by dazed on 2004-10-19 22:08:36
My Score:

That really is one hell of a show lineup. I'm jealous.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 10:06 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Did you know that Bryan of the Bouncing Souls use to squat with Stza of Choking Victim/Leftover Crack. He was hanging out at Tim Armstrong and played CV's first 7". Stza was wandering and stopped by. At the end of the day, they were signed.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 10:04 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I was looking forward to this show, until I realized B.B. King's is owned by Clear Channel, so I tried to see The Explosion, and proceeded to wait on a ridiculous line all night. Awesome!

- Little Guy

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 9:58 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Wrong. dumbass. They played "True Believers", and then went to easily THE BEST PART OF THE SET. an encore of "The Freaks, Nerds and Romantics", "Night on Earth" (with a ridiculous crowd surf by Greg, hitting almost every part of the crowd) and an incredible incredible rendition of "Night Train".

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2004-10-19 21:42:43
My Score:

Holy crap that's an awesome lineup

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 9:19 PM (EDT)
My Score:

great show. D4 and NMB killed

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 9:06 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Excellent show

Posted by Jesse on 2004-10-19 20:38:04
My Score:

D4 is the shit man, I've been preaching that since Day 1. 612 represent!

Posted by sickboi on 2004-10-19 20:23:13
My Score:

It will be a frigid day in the deepest depths of hell before D4 signs to a major.