So, my friend from highschool, Tom, wrote this review because I had too much homework and not enough funds to attend this concert. I'm a smidge bit jealous, but not just because he went to the concert, but because I think he reviews better than me! I've got a bar to reach up to now! Anyways, he does a rad job, you'll feel like you're there if you play a BR album and read this review. Enjoy mon frère.
So my first ever show at First Ave. I was way excited just to finally see a show there, minus the fact that Bad Religion was going to be there. Gallows and The Briggs were also playing, so I figured I should at least check them out. Logged onto my iTunes, looked them up. Gallows, screaming band, not really my jams. The Briggs on the other hand, a mess of Dropkick Murphys, The Clash, and at time Rancid... my kind of band. I only listened to the first 4 songs and said, fuck it! and I downloaded 2 albums right there. If you haven't checked them out yet, you should at least look up their latest, "Back to Higher Ground", it's worth it. Also, Dropkick Murphys latest, "The Meanest of Times", this is one of my recent favorites. A powerhouse, all for one and one for all, beers and cheers punk rock album.
Anyway, back to the show. A friend Tim and I get there about half way into Gallows set, we stopped at the Irish pub across the street for a Guinness. Needless to say, we didn't miss much. The croud wasn't really into them, which the lead singer wasn't taking kindly too. After many "fuck yous!", they played their last song. About half way through, the leader just gets fed up throws the mic down and walks off, leaving the band to finish the song.
Up next is The Briggs, which after just listening to them the day before, I was ready for a killer show from them. They came out pretty quickly, which I've always liked about small venues and punk shows; they never take their sweet ass time setting up. They played a great set, the only real drag was the crowd reaction. They were into the Briggs, but they just didn't show it much, a small pit, good applause, but that's about it. The Briggs is one of those bands that I love seeing live, because they rock so much harder than on the record. Don't get me wrong, the albums sound great, but nothing like the explosive guitar of a live show. They played a killer set, just as expected.
Another 15 mins for the almighty Bad Religion to come on. While we wait, we head up to the bar for a beer. I notice a poster for the upcoming Against Me! show, which happens to be on my golden birthday. I point it out to Tim, he says "dude, let me know when you get tickets, i want to go!" He's never heard them before, but he doesn't care. This was his first punk concert, and he's hooked. Another one taken by punk, welcome buddy!
The lights go out, bassist Jay walks out, plugs in and begins to play a few notes. It's Fuck Armageddon, one of my favorites, the show is already off to a great start. Bad Religion rocks out many of the classics; 21st Century Digital Boy, American Jesus, You, Suffer, Generator, Kyoto Now, Atomic Garden... They also played a few very old AND newer ones I didn't think they ever would play; God's Song and one of my all time favorites from Process of Belief, The Defense. I never thought they would ever play that song live. Fuck, this is a great night! If you've never seen a BR show, they like to do a lot of rockin and a lot of talkin. Always bringing up facts about they city they are in, about past shows in that state, etc. They talked a little bit about how the Quest sucked and began to play an improv song about Prince and how he started 1st Ave. Always a good time with BR. They play a few from the new record, not as many as I thought they would though. They finished it all off with Infected, where Jay played the entire song using a crab claw that was tossed on stage. "This is the best guitar pick ever! go crab claw!", Jay.
In the end, they rocked everyone's faces clear off, no one seemed to mind. This was my first review of a concert, I hope after reading it you all become super jealous of me, because you missed such a bad ass show that next time you see me on the street, you have the urge to punch my face. I think i'd be ok with it though, because I went to the show.
i think i might be one of those to punch him in the face... haha. thanks tom!
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