"Think Forward" Show Recap

The big day finally came, and began with most fans getting lost. Dance Harrison Street is a rather difficult place to find, somehow located behind every surrounding building without actually having a front, and a sketchy entrance that makes one sure that it's the rear. But punks came from near and far, between the buildings, over the broken parking lot, past the dumpsters and weeds, up three flights up metal stairs to rock out with some of the region's best.

Perfekt Khaos opened a one man act of recorded laptop sounds, vocals, and keys. Though a bit different from the rest of the bill, the guy had a decent voice and though I didn't catch his name, I'll look forward to hearing from him in the future.

The Abolitionists came on at about 3:45 and sang Happy Birthday to me, then blazed through some originals and covers, by bands like Operation Ivy, the Ramones, and Sublime. Still in high school, this is a band to watch develop as they mature in their sound and gain experience playing shows even at a young age.

The Traumas came next with a style that I really dug, thoroughly punk but with a little extra. I didn't see the entire set, but the originals were catchy and their cover of a Beatles song was well-received by the crowd. Definitely a band I'd like to see again.

The Reticents took things in more of the hardcore/oi direction, rocking us out like a modern Black Flag as the singer dominated the mic and the axemen wheeled around and thrashed. Another band that I'd like to see again, even if I have to go to Baltimore/DC to do it.

The International Jet Set was, of course, amazing. Just for the amount of talent onstage, both in quantity and quality. As the only ska band playing, they calmed down all the visitors who were beginning to think it was a screamo show and took us through their originals. I'm not familiar with enough ska bands to fairly compare their sound, so come out the next time you get a chance and see the guys (and girl) for yourself!

The World Class Defects didn't pay me to wear their shirt to the show, though I encourage you to buy one. They're very comfortable and don't shrink (much). But at any rate the punks from Greensboro thrashed through their set, with sick bass riffs from Chris and a sicker sense of humor from frontman Danny, who walked off during the last song after a series of decidedly phallic thrusting motions with the mic. WCD was also selling copies of their new CD, which I'm listening to right now. It's excellent. More on that later…

Somediva--ooh boy. These drunk fuckers blundered their way through an earsplitting set of hardcore/metal, informing the crowd that they didn't give a fuck what we thought of them, and knocking over equipment from time to time. Most attendees chose this as a good time to go outside for a smoke, while those left alternately moshed and watched with trepidation. They made it through without hurting anyone, except my ears.

Press Black closed out the day, playing to a tired but appreciative crowd, and one beach ball that made it all over the room. I'd like to thank Caroline from Cambridge for (literally) giving me a shoulder to lean on at this time...let's just say grain alcohol can sneak up on you. She and a friend came to the show after seeing me post a flyer in Cambridge, which made all two hundred that I put up worth it!...If you don't have Press Black's recently released CD, get it. It's very well-recorded, has great energy, and I listen to it all the time.

Some notes:

- It looked like there were about seventy people at a time at the show, though some left early and others came late...
- To the guy playing guitar with the skaters, and singing Rancid tunes: You're the man. I'm gonna post that video, and hope I come across you again. A parking lot of kids on a Sunday afternoon, skating and hanging out as two play guitars and sing...that's the essence of punk.
- The "Think Forward" zine is a great read, I ate it up and will have eight copies at "Independence Fest" on Saturday for those that are interested...the interviews are interesting, the columns alternately funny and thought provoking, and the production entirely DIY. I'm planning on posting some tips, with input from the Think Forward guys, so that some like-minded individuals can start something similar for their own scenes.

- Chris Acyd