Avail / Lucero

Avail / Lucero: live in Richmondlive in Richmond (2005)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

Contributed by: sickboiChris
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on March 11th 2005Have you ever seen the Red Sox at Fenway? Ever wondered what it's like for Catholics to attend mass at the Vatican? Well, maybe the second is a bit pushing it, but for Richmonders, that's about the equivalent of seeing Avail in Richmond. You see, an Avail show here is sorta the "social event of t.

Have you ever seen the Red Sox at Fenway? Ever wondered what it's like for Catholics to attend mass at the Vatican? Well, maybe the second is a bit pushing it, but for Richmonders, that's about the equivalent of seeing Avail in Richmond.

You see, an Avail show here is sorta the "social event of the season." It generally happens once a year and you can expect to see everyone you know attending. Hell, I ran into at least 7 people I hadn't seen since the last Avail show. Oh yeah, it always sells out.

I missed the Pink Razors, but made it inside for the second half of Lucero's set (the line outside was ridiculous). The music itself sounded just as everyone had told me: country-influenced rock. I could see myself enjoying Lucero while sitting on my bench outside in the summertime, drinking lemonade.

The crowd itself seemed to hang on just about every song played. Going between the 1st and 2nd floors of Alley Katz, I found it difficult to get a good view, so unfortunately I can't describe the actual stage presence, but based on sound alone, I'd give them 2 thumbs up. I'd definitely like to see them again, preferably when I'm a little more comfortable with their music and able to actually see what's going on.

Determined not to make the same mistake twice, I sought out (with two Budweiser's in hand) to find a better spot for Avail. Generally, Avail is one of the few bands that will bypass my "old-man syndrome¹" and allow me to get in the "pit" (we really need a better word for that) for, but I had a new camera and was determined to test it out.

As David Allen Coe began playing across the speakers, it could only mean one thing - Avail. As "South Bound 95" started, people were flying all over. Sweaty dudes jumping around on each other, girls knocking people on their asses on the floor; the scene was mayhem. For some reason Richmond bands LOVE to write songs about Richmond², and people here eat it the fuck up. The end of each chorus resulted in a thunderous boom of "...MAKE IT HOME TO RICHMOND V-A!"

From there, every song was a Richmond sing-a-long. "Taken," "Nickel Bridge," "Deepwood," "Black And Red," "Blue Times Two," and a slower-tempo (and my favorite Avail track ever) "Lombardy St." were the most memorable to me. Maybe I'm a tad biased, but I tend to lean towards the Over The James period most, and Front Porch Stories seems to mirror its sound and style.

Whether Avail is playing Richmond, VA or Richmond, CA, you can always expect hear some of your favorite older stuff off of Dixie and 4AM Friday. "Fix," "FCA," "Model," "Tuesday," and "Simple Song" all found their way to the set list.

Naturally, Beau was working hard as usual to keep everyone entertained and in full motion. His usual array of stage props found their way into the set, including the soon to be legendary "hockey mask with the arrow going through." Tim Barry's vocal delivery was on point and it seemed that every song sounded just as good, if not better than its album counterpart.

The night concluded with the expected yet always anticipated "Scuffle Town." As a former VCU student, and a frequenter of Oregon Hill, the lyrics always seem to put a casual smile on my face.

I'm not going to try some clever ending to this review. I'll simple state the following: this was probably my 9th or 10th time seeing Avail (including sets in (Philly, Krazyfest 4, and DC). For a band that had built a strong foundation on an incredible live show, l I can honestly say this is by far the best performance I have ever seen.

1 - Common ailment known to those associated with punk rock. Commonly begins in early to mid-20's (see also http://www.punknews.org/review/3385 )
2 - See also: Avail, Strike Anywhere, Ann Beretta, Sixer, Smoke Or Fire

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

Anonymous (March 29, 2005)

okay, seriously, that was the best fucking show i've ever been to!

i flew out from OKLAHOMA to go to that show! i was on the floor of the mosh pit being stepped on and kicked in the head for like 2 songs. tim totally introduced me to the crowd too. that totally fucking made my night.

and i totally LOL'd at the old-man syndrome, because i totally have old-woman syndrome. ever since i tore a ligament in my knee at a Queers show about 2 years ago i pick and choose what mosh pits i get into carefully. and you better beleive that i made my way up to the front as quickly as i could for Avail in motherfucking RVA!

Avail is by far my favorite band ever. in the past few years i've travelled A LOT to see them several times. a trip to dallas, tx (~300 miles), a trip to Austin, TX (~700 miles), a trip to Lawrence, Ks (~1200 miles) and now this trip to RIchmond, Va (~2,600 miles).

corpseofmymotivation (March 14, 2005)

Eh, when I saw them with Strike Anywhere two years ago, the Bouncing Souls weren't too energetic or entertaining.

jamespastepunk (March 14, 2005)

Avail's live shows slay so much, they should leave a trail of dead, but Avail isn't the best east coast group, in my opinion. That singular honor goes to the Bouncing Souls.

Anonymous (March 14, 2005)

Quality review, Sickboi.

I've seen this band live twice (once in an extremely shitty American Legion Hall with half a sound system), and they absolutely SMOKE. Best East Coast live band I've ever seen, just fucking unreal.

Anonymous (March 14, 2005)

footnotes in reviews = the new gay
-TOBB

CorpseOfMyMotivation (March 13, 2005)

I don't know. I kind of agree with him. I don't see what makes them incredible, but they're a damn good band and they put on a hell of a live show.

Anonymous (March 13, 2005)

Then you are an idiot. Sorry

Anonymous (March 13, 2005)

Am i the only one that doesnt like Avail but love every band that praises Avail and tours with them? I seriously dont understand their appeal or how people reference them to hardcore.

Anonymous (March 12, 2005)

Planes Mistaken For Stars has a song called "End Me In Richmond" hmmmmmmmmmmm

UberShep (March 12, 2005)

Oops, forgot the score.

UberShep (March 12, 2005)

"Lucero is overrated. Liking them is the same as the hipsters at pitchfork forcing themselves to like mainstream hip-hop to be ironic. Lucero sucks, checl out Wilco or Old 97s if you like alt-country."

There is only one band that has perfected alt-country, and its the originators of the genre themselves, the Mekons. The Mekons own every band on this site. You do not know punk, country, and anything between if you do not know the Mekons. Score's for the Mekons.

Anonymous (March 12, 2005)

fuck footnotes
good review anyway

Anonymous (March 12, 2005)

FAT has the opportunity to actually put out a good "live in a dive" album, where is it?

CorpseOfMyMotivation (March 12, 2005)

"a review of an AVAIL show always makes me happy... about 6 weeks ago i flew from san diego to phoenix to see them.... it was the best show ive ever seen my voice was shot for 3 days after... im 27 and ive been going to shows since i was 14, and i NEVER had as good a time as i did at the mason jar on jan 29th..."

I was there too, but all I had to do was drive a few miles. That show was incredible. You're lucky, because you experienced the last great Mason Jar show. They closed a few weeks later after being open for 20 years.

boldredletters (March 12, 2005)

to the commenter below me, that show was AMAZING.

Anonymous (March 12, 2005)

a review of an AVAIL show always makes me happy... about 6 weeks ago i flew from san diego to phoenix to see them.... it was the best show ive ever seen my voice was shot for 3 days after... im 27 and ive been going to shows since i was 14, and i NEVER had as good a time as i did at the mason jar on jan 29th...

joeg (March 12, 2005)

sickboi are you gonna review the show?

sickboi (March 12, 2005)

Tonight Kevin Seconds said Avail is the greatest live band....

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

"Southbound 95" is great, but I hope Jade Tree rectifies the sudden transition that occurs after the first 15 seconds. It's kind of stilted.

-Chinatown

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

drove to phoenix from l.a. to see avail there about a month ago when they played a one show quicky out there. fucking awesome. great crowd great vibe killer set it ruled. seen them many times but this one was special since they never make it out west and i have a lot of old friends in az. again they were in top form, beau beau even had to piss 3/4 the way through their set and rather than leave the stage he turned around and pissed right there. you heard me. avail is hands down my favorite live band. check them out any time you have the chance.

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

comment below me, hahahahahahahahahaha.

this is my score for your score for living in a dreary, 2nd class Baltimore, getthoized hicktown shithole.

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

score is for living in richmond, va.

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

i actually get excited reading about Avail live, and just look forward to the next time they come to the UK.

awesome band, real good review

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

the snake pit book by ben snakepit!

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

Score is for the review.

sickboi (March 11, 2005)

Right on, I'll call you next week. Shit, I need to stop saying "dude" so much.

turdcorn (March 11, 2005)

It's yours. Hit up the cell for the details....assuming I get the call. Fucking phoone........

sickboi (March 11, 2005)

Dude, I'm not going to Europe until the end of summer, so hold that shit for me....I'm there.

turdcorn (March 11, 2005)

Message? Onthe new phone? I never got it. This Verizon shit is getting out of hand.

We have 7 Seconds here on Sunday with KYI and Champion. They're doing an unannounced FREE show too. Cool shit.

Bane was Hot Shit on Monday night too.

Oh, by the way, I have an extra ticket to The Bouncing Souls and The Explosion show at the Church if yo know anyone who wants it :Nudge : Nudge:

sickboi (March 11, 2005)

Yeah, dude, I wish I could have made it. I left you a message about tonight a few days ago. Mother-fucking 7 Seconds!

turdcorn (March 11, 2005)

I know it's no Avail in Richmond, but you missed a great Loved Ones / Paint it Black record release in Philly!

PS....I'm 27 dude. You school the kids. Fuck this oldman shit.

jamespastepunk (March 11, 2005)

Avail in Richmond...(VA!!) That'd be cool to see.

Anyone on here ever seen St. Peters?

sickboi (March 11, 2005)

Couple of answers:

1. I'm 25

2. Dark liquor in the summer outside.....no thanks.

3. The footnotes were kinda lame, but so many people seemed to identify with old-man syndrome I thought I'd milk it.

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

Guy below is a total fucking idiot.

Lucero is excellent especially thier self titled album and Tennesee.

I like them more as a studio band than live but that is fine.

Again, the guy below is a stupid douche that somehow thinks Wilco isn't overrated.

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

Lucero is overrated. Liking them is the same as the hipsters at pitchfork forcing themselves to like mainstream hip-hop to be ironic. Lucero sucks, checl out Wilco or Old 97s if you like alt-country.

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

Good review but you missed one point...
Seeing Lucero doesn't want to make you want to be in summer with lemonade... It makes you want to sit on a front porch in the summer with a bottle of whiskey.... Whiskey is the key...

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

goddamn this band makes me proud to live in rva.

cramer (March 11, 2005)

score is for footnotes

Benjasaurus (March 11, 2005)

God I love Virginia. I wish I'd gone to this.

Cos (March 11, 2005)

Oh man, Avail in Richmond. I've seen Avail a few times in the Bay Area (which I'm told is their biggest outpost outside of VA) but damn.

Red Sox at Fenway=excellent comparison
--Cos

dazed (March 11, 2005)

Avail has such a great show but I was unable to go see them on this tour. :(

TheOneTrueBill (March 11, 2005)

How old actually are you?

Anonymous (March 11, 2005)

I wish I'd driven down from D.C. for this.

OC

joeg (March 11, 2005)

i like the old man syndrome reference. i enjoy this band immensely.

UberShep (March 11, 2005)

Anyone else live only staffers?

maverick (March 11, 2005)

Footnotes are the new trucker hat.

-Scott