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None More Black

live in New York (2006)
Fat Wreck Chords

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Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 7th 2006

So, I figured the lineup of Crime in Stereo, New Mexican Disaster Squad, Marathon, and None More Black, was surely worth missing a Super Bowl for. This decision was made even easier with the announcement that this would be Marathon's last ever show in the NYC / Long Island area.

Little did I know, my friend would be a bit of a flake in actually getting to the show on time.

And so I missed Crime. And NMDS. And all but half of a song of Marathon's set -- yes, as in 0.5. I suppose I may make a healthy investment in a roundtrip ticket on the Long Island Railroad next time around.

However, I figure NMB fans might be interested in the relatively drastic change in sound regarding the band's new material, and thus, wrote this up...

As soon as I stepped into the tiny Tap Bar stage area at NYC's Knitting Factory, dimly lit in all the right places, I visibly saw at least a dozen fists in the air for an abrupt gang vocal portion of the set's last song's bridge. Vocalist Aaron Scott's tan Achilles shirt was turned a harsh beige from the coating of sweat that covered his body, glistening off his forehead and what looked like an awfully tired jaw. I missed what I'm sure was a great set.

None More Black finished setting up and launched into the fantastic "Banned from Teen Arts." A new drummer was in Dave Wagenschutz's place, but this replacement may not be so recent if memory serves me well. He seemed to play all the fills flawlessly, so it was a rare case of DW not being missed -- though maybe his snarling grin was. The band was consistently energetic and bouncing around, notably during "Dinner's for Suckers" and "Oh, There's Legwork."

The majority of the short set were new songs from a record lead singer / guitarist Jason Shevchuk said would be out on May 2nd ("coincedentally the same day as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's baby!" he added). And if anything's obvious, it's that the band has been listening to a ton of Lucero -- they're still certainly playing rough-edged, Lawrence Arms-influenced pop-punk for the most part, but 4 of the 5 songs or so definitely had alt-country overtones. One song, which definitely reminded me of TLA's "Old Mexico Way," started out with Shevchuk and his guitar solo, singing slightly cleaner over the electric strum but still generally puking gravel. Another involved a powerful breakdown and the best song closing the band's written; Shevchuk spits a certain, repeated line several times with Colin McGinniss and Paul Delaney accenting it in backups, preceding clashing guitars that take us out.

Things wrapped up with terrific renditions of arguably my two favorite songs from the band, "Everyday Balloons" and "Nothing to Do When You're Locked in a Vacancy," the last of which Shevchuk dedicated to his band-mates; we can apparently expect this one to last beyond two full-lengths and an EP, and I think fans will be plenty grateful.

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feeeding5000 (February 9, 2006)

In my opinion, NMB is just a generic pop-punk band that happens to have a really good singer. I was unimpressed by KD, but his voice is better w/ the catchier material.

mustard (February 9, 2006)

totally wasnt expecting the bad brains cover by nmds...nmb was awesome but they didnt play ice cream with the enemy...im hoping they will play it at the loved ones cbgbs show

Anonymous (February 9, 2006)

This score is for Mike Ness.

Anonymous (February 8, 2006)

NMB's newest songs are very different when they played it live on this show. I mean it wasn't a mind blowing different but a curious different. Overall, I think that their new J.Robbins-produced full length will be a notch better than File Under Black.

CIS was pretty solid and NMDS was amazing.

Though the band of the night had to been Marathon. Definitely a real crowd-pleaser and that last song, Brian, that you heard was their encore. Pretty cool that they did that for all the fans. A touching goodbye you can say.

In the end, I was glad to see this show in favor over the controversial Super Bowl Sunday.

Ramo

Anonymous (February 8, 2006)

Shit! I had no idea. Thanks! I'ma check that out.

inagreendase (February 8, 2006)

Poster directly below: NMDS also have a self-released full-length under their belts released prior to S/T.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

Anyone else notice how incredibly amazing NMDS is becoming? The first LP was all right, then the split with Western Addiction was pretty awesome, now the new songs sound like my face will probably explode when the new full length comes out. They're actually getting better, which is extremely rare for a punk rock band nowadays.

Enemy_Will (February 7, 2006)

Speaking of manwithoutplan, it looks like their new album isn't coming out anymore.

boba_fett (February 7, 2006)

i like how none more black is different from kd.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

saw this in providence too. never really into none more black but the were good, cis awesome, nmds awesome. bad brains and gorillia biscuit covers means it was worth my 8 bucks.

Big_Guy (February 7, 2006)

I'm pretty sure it's a different Jarrod than you are all thinking of

it's not the Jarrod that played on The Hope Conspiracy's "Endnote". It's a different one I think

badmouth (February 7, 2006)

i saw the providence show too and it was amazing... all great bands, all great sets, most a little short but i wasn't complaining, i had to get up for 6 the next morning, but yeah it was awesome

joeg (February 7, 2006)

none more black has always been underwhelming.

johnnydanger (February 7, 2006)

crime in stereo was incredible, nmds brought the heinous suck, marathon killed it, none more black still sucks

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

Jarrod was also in the The Suicide File and Man Without Plan, and he's a permanent replacement for Dave. Dave was actually at the Philly date last Friday. Kinda frustrating knowing he was there, but not playing.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

So Jarrod is the permanent replacement for Dave?

If so, why is Dave out?

P.S. I was hoping to hear "Dave Can You Hear Me?" live.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

I saw them in New Jersey and I have to say it was one of the better shows I've seen. Although I don't like Bloomfield Ave Cafe, but it was definitely worth it. Western Addiction left the tour after the show in Jersey.

almostpunkenough (February 7, 2006)

i haven't been this pissed about missing a show since i couldn't get out of work to see Kid Dynamite. =(

johnrambo (February 7, 2006)

i saw this show tonight in Providence sans marathon but including mustache ride. NOT EVEN CLOSE to a fair replacement.

crime in stereo ripped it.
NMDS were fucking AWESOME, and i kind of went for them mostly.
NMB honestly disappointed me and i found myself VERY bored with the new material. very. the old stuff was decent though, kind of sloppy. they also had like 3 shirts in YL and just the EP for sale. SHOW SOME FRIGGEN SALESMANSHIP DAMNIT.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

I thought Western Addiction were playing this show as well?

etwiels88 (February 7, 2006)

Marathon -- Great band. NMDS -- Great band. CIS -- Great band. I would've went to this show just for them.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

the new drummer is Jarrod, formerly (possibly still) of the Hope Consiracy.

ncarlber (February 7, 2006)

RIP marathon