Gorilla Biscuits / Comeback Kid

Gorilla Biscuits / Comeback Kid: live in Richmondlive in Richmond (2006)
Revelation Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: sickboiChris
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Published on September 26th 2006It seems every band is throwing their hat in the reunion pool. Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Texas Is the Reason, 108, Grade and the list goes on... During last year's Save CBGB campaign, posi-core legends Gorilla Biscuits played to a sold-out, well-received audience. Watching it from a live stream, I .

It seems every band is throwing their hat in the reunion pool. Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Texas Is the Reason, 108, Grade and the list goes on...

During last year's Save CBGB campaign, posi-core legends Gorilla Biscuits played to a sold-out, well-received audience. Watching it from a live stream, I must admit I was highly envious at the time, though I actually passed on seeing that show to make it up a few weeks later for a weekend of Philadelphia reunion-core.

Much to my delight, Gorilla Biscuits announced a summer 2006 tour, mainly to support the reissue of thier 1989 classic, Start Today. Shows quickly sold out around the country, and I anxiously awaited the tour's stop in my town.

I arrived as Down to Nothing was blasting through their set. I'll honestly admit, I haven't always been a fan, mainly for some very ridiculous reasons. Richmond straight-edge hardcore has a nasty history of violence and intolerance towards those not sharing the same ideals. Dating back to the days of Hate O Four, the conflict between sXe and not has been, well, unpleasant. However, DTN plays a charged brand of hardcore, which obviously in their hometown will get the kids jumping all around. Packed with heavy riffs, well-timed breakdowns and inclusive sing-alongs, I found myself enjoying the set. Afterwards, I briefly spoke with the band's frontman, David, for a few minutes and promised to try to catch another show. I'll definitely keep my word on that one. Great guy, great tunes.

Next came popular hardcore upstarts, Comeback Kid. I've been following these guys since their debut, Turn It Around, yet for one reason or another always ended up missing their shows. They've since replaced their vocalist with now-former guitarist Andrew Neufeld, and I was anxious to see how he handled the material.

Right away, I could tell that the band had made the right personnel choice. Favorites like "Wake the Dead," "Die Tonight" and "Never Fade" seemed flawless, and highly energetic. The crowd's participation was also in full throttle, with plenty of shout-alongs, stage-dives and pile-ons to provide for one great performance. Sadly, my favorite, "Give and Take" wasn't included...

And with trumpets sounding, began the loudest sing-along I may have ever witnessed at a hardcore show. As Gorilla Biscuits briefly introduced themselves, the went full-speed right into "New Direction." The crowd seemed like one interconnected mass, moving in a frenzy and simultaneously shouting every word almost in perfect key. "New Direction" has always been one of my favorite songs PERIOD by any band, and this memory will only further reinforce that thought.

Continuing, the set was heavily focused on material from the previously mentioned, reissued LP Start Today. Fan favorites such as "Stand Still," "Competition," "Time Flies" and of course, "Things We Say" kept every person on the lookout for a constant barrage of crowd surfers coming from every angle and every corner of the club. But having such a great time, most didn't seem to mind.

As for my overall impression of the band's performance? Highly impressed. The band obviously practiced the material to the point of perfection. Every word from Civ's mouth, every note from Walter's guitar sounded like we were back in the early `90s.

This was certainly a reunion warranting fan acceptance, as dated as some may claim Gorilla Biscuit's material is, I couldn't disagree more. A highly influential band that can still capture the energy from a generation ago. Thanks for the great time.

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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.

FuckYouOiOiOi (September 30, 2006)

hahaha

rkl (September 30, 2006)

Posted by FuckYouOiOiOi on 2006-09-28 20:07:02

its very amusing people dont think gorilla biscuits is ripping off early good riddance (listen to comprehensive guide for chrssakes!).
seriously, just stop.

JmaFockinK (September 29, 2006)

"its very amusing people dont think gorilla biscuits is ripping off early good riddance (listen to comprehensive guide for chrssakes!)."

I own Gb albums, as well as Comprehensive Guide to Modern Rebellion.. you have to be joking bro.. They sound nothing a like, GB are sick, As is comprehensive guide, but they are far from the same.

Anonymous (September 28, 2006)

"I think I'm allowed to be an asshole if the people running this country are. "

Bad logic, bad joke.

-EyesLikeBombs.

feeeding5000 (September 28, 2006)

But, hey, I'll claim anything for DC...what Can I Say?

feeeding5000 (September 28, 2006)

...GB is ripping of Dag Nasty, thank you very much.

FuckYouOiOiOi (September 28, 2006)

don't bring me into this 5000. although i think anyone who follows a religion is at least a little bit brainwashed (depending on how much they follow it).

and givemeamuseumandfuckit, i guess blinkrules is soo articulate and all that shit when hes being sarcastic...in any case, i dont give a shit, the purpose of that comment was for my own amusement and mission accomplished.

its very amusing people dont think gorilla biscuits is ripping off early good riddance (listen to comprehensive guide for chrssakes!).

lushj (September 28, 2006)

'My friend today said "You can't like mayonaisse, you're a Jew."'

You call that a friend? Score's for your douchebag acquaintance.

feeeding5000 (September 28, 2006)

I think I'm allowed to be an asshole if the people running this country are. After all, we should follow the President's example.
..."Generalizations are always bad"...
Oh, and on a serious note, generalizations are usually bad. My friend today said "You can't like mayonaisse, you're a Jew." That, first of all, makes no sense. Secondly, I don't know where I'm going with this. Anyway, I got my ass handed to me for saying a very FuckYouOiOiOi-type comment. I apoligize to any Christian punks I may have offended, unless you're like Jim Bakker's son, and your favorite band is Social Distortion. Don't get me started on Social Distortion fans. (Note; I learned nothing).

sickboi (September 28, 2006)

My point is that generalizations get us fucking nowhere. I know some awesome guys who are christians, love porn, don't believe in converting, etc. So shut the fuck up.

-Will

No sarcasm intended here, but that is probably the most mature and realistic comment you've ever made on this site. Kudos.

Anonymous (September 28, 2006)

"Yes, I know I'm being small-minded and bigoted by disliking or hating all "Capital-C" Christians, but dammit, they want us to pray in school, and they want to convert everyone, and they think porn is immoral. Fuck them..."

Just how all anarchists want to tear apart society and create a bunch of incoherent, violent chaos that would lead to our demise, right?

My point is that generalizations get us fucking nowhere. I know some awesome guys who are christians, love porn, don't believe in converting, etc. So shut the fuck up.

-Will

givemeamuseumandillfillit (September 28, 2006)

FuckYouOiOiOi: Extreme sarcasm is only funny if you're actually, you know, articulate and smart.

lushj (September 28, 2006)

Score's for the Project X cover. Not a fan of GB, though "Set Your Goals" is almost a perfect record.