the Code

live in Pittsburgh (2005)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 22nd 2005

Having missed Josh Small due to our (myself and a few other people including SCOTT AUTH KIRBY PUCKETT NAMEDROP NAMEDROP) late arrival, Unarmed was a young local 4-piece that kicked things off, delivering decent, fairly raw and political-minded hardcore punk with a singer who was pretty reminscent of Civ on Start Today, the screaming especially. Though they weren't *really* the initial act of the night, it was one of the better "first sets" of a show for myself in a while.

The Code were next, and weren't bad for what it was: melodic punk rock with Anti-Flag's fingerprints all over it (I mean shit, they even played a song called "Alert Aware Involved") and some OpIvy-flavored upstroke punk segues. They definitely created some centrilical motion in the pit, so it was nice to see the crowd work off some of their energy early on. The singer's general persona reminded me a lot of Dave from future show-mates Big D And The Kids Table for some odd reason.

Anyway, From Ashes Rise took the stage and proceeded to play some pretty good hardcore punk that seemed to draw more from Deathwish (maybe Converge and/or Planes Mistaken-influenced) than their current affiliation. Consistently scramed vocals and cool, drawn out parts were the recipe, and a filling platter it was. Among set cuts was a new song that seemed similar to their other material and a track called "Nightmares" that referenced the medical industry's general carelessness surrounding human empathy. Good set.

After a relatively short setup time all things considered, Strike Anywhere walked up to thunderous applause and the opening chords of "Amplify" rang out, the song appropriately preceding "Blaze." If you go to a show with Strike on the bill, you usually know what to expect: super tight playing, a fairly healthy amount of mic sharing with the crowd, a strong and nicely flowing set, and limited but well-worded social commentary during banter. And here, their set was chock full of those qualities; #2 from Anti-Flag even came out to do guest vocals on one song ("Sunset On 32nd," if I'm not mistaken). As a more important note, though: Amongst said banter, I'm about 90% sure Thomas mentioned they'd be doing a cover record for Fat immediately following this current tour (though I forgot to ask them for confirmation after the set). However, if their "Two Sides" cover from the recent To Live In Discontent compilation is anything to go by, it should be the best punk-related album of its kind -- that being, you know, cover albums -- in quite some time.

Set List:

Amplify/Blaze
Timebomb Generation
--
Infrared
Laughter In A Police State
--
Aluminum Union
S.S.T.
Lights Go Out
--
Earthbound
Chalkline
--
Sunset On 32nd
--
New Architects
To The World
Encore: You're Fired

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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 (July 26, 2005)

i saw strike anywhere 2 years ago, and they did absolutely nothing for me.

tommy_jarvis (July 25, 2005)

DId they fill up Mr. Smalls?
I saw Strike there like 2 years ago and only 50 people showed up. It was a great show because everyone had like 10 square feet of personal dancing space.
I couldn't go because I lost the will to pay for this shit and driving the hour to Millvale isn't worth it for too many bands anymore.
I still don't know if I like Exit English. Yeah, It's been almost two years. I don't make decisions very quickly.

Anonymous (July 25, 2005)

they are recording a full length for album. not a cover album.

Anonymous (July 25, 2005)

"maybe Converge and/or Planes Mistaken-influenced"
hahaha you're joking right...?

Anonymous (July 24, 2005)

FAR sounds like Deathwish?? I guess you don't listen to much hardcore...

Anonymous (July 24, 2005)

check it out, i can fuck, like a lot of fucking times, like the fucking guy about 10 fucking comments down, then i can go on a fucking diatribe about what a fucking genius i am in relation to my fucking "knowledge" about fucking live shows

Anonymous (July 23, 2005)

Strike Anywhere >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lawrence Arms

dazed (July 23, 2005)

I've never been bored at a Strike Anywhere show, and seeing them in a small venue was like the best thing ever.

From Ashes Rise sound a whole hell of a lot like His Hero is Gone. They do a few more melodic flourishes but they don't make it the focus of their riffs like Tragedy does. Chances are if they do break up at least one of the members will start another band that's a variation on this sound if past trends continue. Which is good, I like most of the bands that have sprung up after each head-chopping breakup of the HHiG hydra.

Anonymous (July 23, 2005)

you should clear up your english

Anonymous (July 23, 2005)

Let me set a few things straight:

1.From ashes rise ARE breaking up after this tour is over...which it is over now, so yeah, they are done.
2.This isn't the first time they've broken up, so maybe.....
3.The singer/guitars of From ashes Rise was NOT in His hero is gone. You're probably thinking of the vocalist/guitar player of Tragedy, he was in HHIG
4. FAR do NOT sound like Converge or PMFS, they sound more like VERY early Neurosis meets Discharge meets Finnish hardcore...like skitsystem or wolfbrigade

Anything else you need me to clear up?

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Thomas already get a blast with the power of fruit.

stevejonestherealbones (July 22, 2005)

strike anywhere can trade products with transplants. thats a good idea. shampoo for razors

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Hey maybe the Transplants could donate their Garnier Fructis products to Strike Anywhere, seeing that those 2/3 of those guys are bald and the other one applies a strip of mohawk when the cameras aren't looking, I mean Thomas would get quite a boost from the "power of fruit".

Maybe vegetiran Anti-Flag could share some of the meat that they're forced to eat for nutrution with Thomas so he'll look like an adult male, instead of the 14 girl built he currently rocks.

radioXwaves (July 22, 2005)

This show was great. One of the better shows I've been to in a while.

notfeelingcreative (July 22, 2005)

From Ashes Rise are hardly akin to Converge or PMFS, they're more of a thrash band, but you got to see them and I haven't yet, so you win!! PS: Anyone who digs From Ashes Rise type shit should check out Victims, the Holy Mountain and the many bands that spawned FAR (his heto is gone etc.)

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Photos from this show

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Probably the first review I've witnessed without a person dropping the "Discharge" bomb when describing From Ashes Rise.

Such a good band.

andrew13 (July 22, 2005)

last night they talked a lot between songs... i geuss they had problems in pittsburgh after the show or something like that with the cops... they talked about the patriot act, bush, west mephis 3... the usual for a political band... they were a great live show and were pobally one of the best shows i've seen this year... i'd say only the Code topped them when they played at metro opening for the Casualties and when they played a show my freind put on in Clarion..

sickboi (July 22, 2005)

1st of all, thanks for answering in an intelligent manner. I like to toss out names and insults to see the results I get, you actually supported your response with an intelligent answer.

Maybe you've seen them on off nights, or they were tired, who knows? IThey aren't the most vocal on stage, Thomas isn't about witty banter, or casual conversation. He wants the music to be the focus, that's it. But I can guarantee you that if you were to talk to him off stage. you'd swear he was one of the nicest and most personable individuals you'll ever meet.

The encore issue? I'm so-so on. I think a lot of bands do it because its so expected that if you don't do one, many label you as an asshole. So many bands now save their closer for the "encore" to let the audience know "hey, that's it, we're done", but I can certainly see your point.

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

1) Strike Anywhere DO NOT live up to their hype as a live act. They are VERY boring in between songs.

2) Any band that requires an encore has sold out. Fucking play till you're done and quit begging people to ask you to keep playing. They paid, you play. Hard concept?

Ahhh....the idiocy here never ceases to amaze me. First of all numbnuts, so what if they are "boring" between songs, what the fuck do you want, some witty banter a la Fat Mike? Christ you sound like a fucking retard. They play songs, they don't have to provide additional entertainment, you brainless dolt.

Issue 2, not all encores are pre-planned. The band may say "we're gonna play 15 songs, and when we're done, if the crowd is still really into it, we'll do 3 more, if not, we'll be done." You obviously know jack shit about live performances, so just sit back and watch the show, fucko.
--------------------------------------------------------- -----
Thats funny because every time ive seen Strike Anywhere where they were headlining they left not playing Sunset on 32nd Street which everyone knows they play, and 5 minutes later after 3 kids said "one more song" they came roaring back like rockstars. Whatever happened to "we need to take a breather, we are going to step outside and have a drink/smoke/whatever"? I HATE bands that plan encores. They do. Makes me feel like I have to beg them to continue to play. Play, stop, then go do whatever the fuck you want. I dont give one flying fuck if they stick around, I have no interest in talking to them. I came to see them play music, play the fucking music.

As for my boring between songs, every time ive seen them they play, stop, play, stop, play stop. While they are taking a 2 minute break its DEAD silence. They could open their mouth and say something other than "we're really happy to be here..." "thanks to everyone for comining" .... I thought they were supposed to be a socially previalant band, they have nothing interesting to say? They couldnt tell atleast an interesting story? Seriously going from intense songs(atleast this used to be the case) to sitting idle is a drastic change, they could atleast liven the mood. Bouncing Souls dont EVER do gay fart jokes, but they always try to keep up a conversation with the crowd and even a stick up their ass guy like myself can appreciate their live show.

Anyway, Strike Anywhere has warn their welcome with their last 2 medicore CDs and the demise of their live show.

hubitcherkokov (July 22, 2005)

I'll be really upset if From Ashes Rise break up after this tour. On the Jade Tree tour last year they stole the show from both Strike Anywhere AND Paint It Black. The best part was that the one singer/guitarist was rocking out so hard while sitting on a stool because of a bum leg.

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Check out Unarmed in the audio section of www.stayvocal.com

inagreendase (July 22, 2005)

so... would these reviews ever get posted?

Eventually, yeah. Probably around the holidays, actually, since we're up to 176 in the queue right now.

And FAR didn't come off at all melodic live. I went into the show after having heard multiple people use the comparisons you stated, but it really didn't seem to have that much in touch with those bands at all. Maybe there's just some weird discrepancy between their studio stuff and the live set.

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Ottobar in bmore tonight,see you there-oldpunker-

sickboi (July 22, 2005)

andrew13 (July 22, 2005)

what's the big deal with an encore? they played one last night but before it the lead singer had to go puke outside because it was hot as fuck there... at least they'll play one and not be dicks and the second they're done playing be dicks and run back to their van like some bands i've seen... they hung around after the show and talked to people and were all nice guys... so if you're saying they've sold out, go fuck off...

MarkieStabone (July 22, 2005)

i wish this show happened a week AFTER i moved up there instead of before

boohoo

bizzlebrizzle (July 22, 2005)

Plus there was no You're Fired!

bizzlebrizzle (July 22, 2005)

FUCK!

I saw them in Louisville and was hoping for SST, Aluminum Union, Notes On Pulling The Sky Down, and Cassandratic Equation and they played none of those! We didn't even get an encore!

8dollarclarinetsolo (July 22, 2005)

the code blows

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

woops, I meant to say "site" instead of "band".

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

Also, I'd like to say that if this band wanted to even out its reviews section a bit, I would gladly submit reviews of new stuff by crust/anarcho hardcore bands. That seems to be a huge scene that is just completely overlooked by this site. But I don't feel like reviewing what won't be posted, so... would these reviews ever get posted?

-BSD

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

About FAR...

It's cool that Brian is getting into new music, but that description is way off.

They sound much more like their singer/guitarists' FIRST band, His Hero Is Gone, and that would be fast, punchy, melodic, yet dark hardcore. Much more in the vein of early Neurosis and perhaps Rorschach than anything by PMFS or Converge (though those bands are cool).

-BSD

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

i love Strike Anywhere, but I've never had the chance yet to see them live

TheOneTrueBill (July 22, 2005)

Holy shit, that's an amazing line up. All three of the bands are great live ones.

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

According to the Havoc site, From Ashes Rise are breaking up after this tour - THAT sucks.

- Little Guy

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

From ashes rise are awesome. If you're a fan check out his hero is gone or tragedy, bitch.

-alex with an a

andrew13 (July 22, 2005)

saw them tonight at metro... great show...
personally though, i'd take the code anyday over them... that band is amazing..