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Strike Anywhere / Ignite / A Global Threat

live in New York
2006
live show

Review by: Brian
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Pictures from the show (not taken by me) (link)

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Published on September 8th 2006

CBGB was likely still in recovery mode from the night before, which involved what may end up being Gorilla Biscuits' final show ever. Financial constraints prevented me from seeing the show, as I'd already witnessed quite an amazing performance by the melodic hardcore wunderkinds the night before at BB King's. However, the tandem of Strike Anywhere and Modern Life Is War was hard to pass up.

The latter was up first in the lineup. As it was my fourth time seeing the band in just over a year, I was a trace worried I'd had my fill, but fortunately, those doubts proved to be futile. The 1-2 bang of "The Outsiders" and "Martin Atchet" started things off as they do on the band's latest full-length, Witness (2005). The dark, emotionally haunting romps proved to be a perfect match for the dank CB atmosphere, with the band's unintentionally matching black attire providing yet another trait for the aesthetic. Even less banter than usual occurred here, with the band interspersing tracks from both the aforementioned and 2003's My Love, My Way. The new song, "These Mad Dogs of Glory," proves the band is doing more than just listening to Tragedy in the van -- they're being influenced by them, too. It carries MLIW's trademark restraint and yet it's also one of the most intense songs they've written, with soft growls of the song title divided evenly between intensely spit verses and a subtle crescendo building throughout. The band's fans were into it the whole time, rarely letting up on stage dives and finger points, but as usual, the best response came from "D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S.," though the unplanned cover of Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown" served well, too (the audience had been cheering for it after the band's initially botched attempt at the intro for "By the Sea"). I stand by my stance that Modern Life Is War is one of the most passionate, exhilarating and refreshing bands playing hardcore these days. All their hype is absolutely justified. Here's the set list, mostly in order:

The Outsiders
Martin Atchet
Clarity
John and Jimmy
D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
Late Bloomers
These Mad Dogs of Glory
First and Ellen
Nervous Breakdown (Black Flag)
By the Sea

A Global Threat's response was quite inconsistent. In previous times seeing the band, both in support of Strike Anywhere as well, there had been a mostly constant circle pit of fashion police-approved street punks going for the whole set. Yet here, both ends of the spectrum were provided. Sometimes the response was raucous, sometimes the crowd was completely apathetic. It was also here that I realized the sound was actually louder farther away from the speakers, rather than right under them. And when watching a band whose resultant enjoyment is hard to come by, the experience wasn't the greatest. Just as intense as their previous outings, but not quite as coherent.

My issues with Ignite aside, they put on a solid set. They played the usual staples, like opener "Bleeding," "Fear Is Our Tradition," "My Judgement Day," "Who Sold Out Now?," "Bullets Included No Thought Required," and closer "Call on My Brothers" among others. Despite the sound on everything turned up way beyond logical tolerance, their cohesion and playing was rather tight. The vocal harmonies sounded as if they were straight out of the studio and the guitars were on point as usual. NYHC guitar veteran Vinnie Stigma (Madball, Agnostic Front) came out to riff the six strings for one particular song, but I'm hard-pressed to remember exactly which one. I doubt I'll ever call myself a legit Ignite fan, but their ambitions, political awareness and outreach is immensely respectable -- part of which I'm sure contributes to their already sizable fanbase, many of whom were stoked themselves on seeing them perform apparently.

I don't think Strike Anywhere ever misses a beat live. It's as if they play perfectly synched to their albums playing in the background and the audience is never the wiser. What was nice about their current headlining tour is that the set list has been considerably switched up. Surprisingly absent was "Chorus of One" (moderately disappointing) and "The Promise" (pretty happy about, as the song was just starting to wear on my nerves before I'd even heard the album), but in its place were rare cuts from the Chorus of One EP: "Cassandratic Equation" and "Earthbound" (I believe). And without "Chorus of One," there was no ringing shout of "To live in discontent!" that started things off; it was "You're Fired," another well-received nod to the band's roots. Thanks to these new twists on the set list it was like I was seeing the band for the first time in a long time. I've spun Dead FM quite a few times, but I suppose in the context of live staples and having never heard the material live, it was great to hear the new ones, which included "Sedition," "Instinct," and "Prisoner Echoes." While the list did seem a little Change Is a Sound empty and short overall, "S.S.T.," "We Amplify" / "Blaze," and "Infrared" also found inclusion among others. "To the World" and "Sunset on 32nd" closed the shop down for the night, but with many a pleased patron, including myself. Dead FM may be very moderately disappointing for some, but it's still hard to register many formal complaints with the band's live show.

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Posted by PINT on 2006-09-17 16:06:16

I saw this show when it was in Lansing. It was an insane show by all 4 bands, yet i have to admit i'm not really a fan of MLIW. Plus there was some serious pit-age going on during the other 3 bands, which was awesome. i left the night with busted up glasses, a bloody nose, and drenched in beer and other people's blood and sweat....fuckin' punk rock!!

Posted by inagreendase on 2006-09-11 20:22:20

Brian, what actually are your issues with Ignite?

See 3 posts below.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 5:24 PM (EDT)

Brian, what actually are your issues with Ignite?

Posted by JonDaley on 2006-09-09 13:45:27

I was suppposed to see this show in Toronto last night but I forgot it was in town but I ended up seeing The Weakerthans for free at my campus so it wasn't all that disappointing

Posted by inagreendase on 2006-09-08 20:31:48

i'm curious, what issues with ignite do you have?

KEDS summed it up perfectly for me. Zolli has a great voice, no question, but to hear it try and mesh with melodic punk/hardcore is just kind of weird. They tend to dabble in some cheesy moments and cross over occasionally into cheery hard rock. I don't actually mind cheery hard rock that much, but it's not something I willingly put in my car stereo every day. Or at all, really.

A solid band, sure, but there's just so many other melodic hardcore acts I have much less to compromise with.

Posted by groupie_love on 2006-09-08 17:07:37
My Score:

can't wait the 27th

Posted by Torgo on 2006-09-08 14:22:50

...what happened with GB at the CBGB's?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 8, 2006 at 12:54 PM (EDT)

Although I saw the show in DC, I have to agree with your review right down the line.

MLIW is definitely one of the most exciting bands out there right now. They impress me every time I see them.

I can't speak for the reviewer, but I know my issue with Ignite is the, for the lack of a better term, "operatic" vocals. I prefer melodic hardcore which is mostly hardcore with a little bit of melody mixed in. Ignite seems to me to be mostly melody with a little bit of hardcore; definitely a solid band but just not for me.

And Strike Anywhere is still my favorite live band (admittedly tied with Bigwig). Living in DC I get to see them frequently and they have always been on.

So here's my question to anybody who was more familiar with Dead FM than I was at the show. Were Thomas's vocals on "Prisoner Echos" and "Instinct" as melodic live as they are on the album. I don't seem to remember it being the case.

-KEDS

Posted by blackmarketbaby on 2006-09-08 12:51:05

The show was Monday night. My ears stopped ringing today.

I agree with most of this. The show had interesting contrasts (A Global Threat on every kind of drug you could think of followed by the anti-drug/gun/etc Ignite), passionate sets, and geographically distinct bands (West Coast, Boston, Midwest, Virginia.

Posted by baseball on 2006-09-08 12:03:31
My Score:

saw the DC date

great show, only band that i wasn't impressed with at all was A Global Threat

Ignite and Strike Anywhere were fantastic

Posted by etwiels88 on 2006-09-08 09:38:12

Stoked for this tour in two weeks.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 8, 2006 at 9:35 AM (EDT)

i'm curious, what issues with ignite do you have?

seeing this tuesday in buffalo!

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2006-09-08 08:06:00

(In caps) x

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2006-09-08 08:05:44
My Score:

Where are we where are we noooooooow

Posted by marcusd on 2006-09-08 03:56:55
My Score:

I left this show with a a bloody bandana, a shoe mark on my face and a concussion. it was spectacular

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-09-08 03:15:35

Oh, before I forget, if memory serves me correct I THINK Ignite actually closed with "Veteran", but I could be wrong.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-09-08 03:15:01
My Score:

Awesome review Brian, couldn't have said it better myself. This was a great show... again, sorry we didn't get to catch up much there.

Strike Anywhere's new songs sounded rad, and so did the MLIW one.

Posted by MikeStupid on 2006-09-08 01:21:36
My Score:

Sounds like one hell of a show. Can't wait to see them next month.

Posted by LeightonESmith on 2006-09-08 01:13:02

You don't like Ignite????

GET SOME TASTE BOY