REVIEW: UNDERTOW/UNBROKEN IN SEATTLE

I made the trek up to the Northwest last weekend for one reason and one reason only—Unbroken. Other bands played as well, but Unbroken was the reason I went. I've wanted to see this band forever but missed the shows in both Chicago and Southern California. I figured Seattle would be my last chance, so I packed a bag (which I then left in the overhead compartment of the plane, but that's a different story) and took off.

I missed the first couple of bands (Touche Amore and Marginal Way) but got there just in time to see the last half of The Helm. They played Salt Lake a few years ago, and I remember liking them then, but I wasn't feeling them the other night. They just seemed devoid of any energy at all and, unfortunately, kind of boring. Which is too bad, because I really was looking forward to seeing them.

Next up was Balance of the World. I'd never heard them before, but I was pretty impressed. They reminded me of Quicksand (but don't exactly sound like that) for some reason.

After that, Strain played and that's when people finally started waking up. They got the crowd moving and warmed everyone up. It was a good, solid set from a great band, but I was ready for the headliners. At this point, 5 bands had already played and it the show had been going on for nearly 4 hours.

I moved up front and saw Jake Bannon walking around and made a joke about how Converge were making a surprise appearance. Then the rest of the band started setting up. They ditched their show with Mastodon down the street and jumped on at the last minute. I hadn't seen them in a good five years, so it was a pleasant surprise. They opened the set with a cover of Wolverine Blues by Entombed and then just tore it up after that. They played a lot of stuff from Jane Doe, You Fail Me and No Heroes (which I was kind of bummed about) but they ended with The Saddest Day, so that was a plus. Good set overall and I've had my Converge fix for the next 5 years.

Finally, it was time for Unbroken to start. This is the set that I flew out for and they did not disappoint. They opened with "Razor" and closed it out with "Absentee Debate" and everything in between was awesome. I didn't know what I was going to get going in, but that band exceeded every expectation I could have had. I was smiling the whole time.

Undertow was the headliner and brought the house down. I've never been the biggest fan of that band and they had their work cut out for them following Unbroken, but they didn't disappoint. I feel it may have been a better reception than everyone else because they were playing for the hometown crowd, but they still put on a hell of a show.

All in all, it was well worth the trip up and I'm glad I can finally cross another band off my list.

More pics from the show over here.

REVIEW: RORSCHACH REUNION SHOW, SANTOS PARTY HOUSE, NEW YORK CITY

Santos Party House, a backstreet club owned by piano-rocker Andrew WK, is located on the fringe of two Manhattan neighborhoods: Soho, a glitzy strip of designer shops, and Chinatown, a culturally-rich immigrant neighborhood swarmed with knock-off handbag salesmen and soft drug dealers. Last night, the off-the-beaten-path club played host to the reunion of off-the-beaten path hardcore legends, Rorschach.

Twenty years ago, Rorschach took traditional American hardcore and injected it with doomy riffs and melodies, chaotic song structures and demonic screams, defining the "metalcore" genre of the '90s--before the make up, major labels and mosh shorts turned it into a dirty word.

I caught a train downtown after work, waded through the swarms of tourists on Canal Street and turned onto the quiet side street where Santos resides. It was just getting dark and a black mass of bodies crowded the club's entrance.

As I approached, the bodies came into focus: crust kids and punk rockers stood beside young and old hardcore kids who were chatting up flanneled hipsters and clad-in-black metal folk. The diversity of the crowd struck me as a testament to the power of Rorschach's influence.

(My crowd, the I've-gotta-leave-the-office-early-to-get-to-the-hardcore-show-but-don't-have-time-to-change-out-of-my-business-casual-button-down-and-slacks also enjoyed heavy representation.)

The stage lights dimmed around 9 o'clock and Rorschach dove right into their set. After the first bout of tunes, singer Charles Maggio introduced the band and received a warm round of applause. He paused, laughed a little, and remarked, "We're not used to hearing that after I say that."

During the band's 4 year existence, they played a total of 247 shows and went out on three tours, while releasing two LPs, a 7", multiple splits and six tracks for compilations. Rorschach threw in the towel in 1993, playing the same small basement shows they started out in.

In the course of an hour, Rorschach tore through nearly every single song they knew. "It's so awesome you're doing this!" screamed one of the faces in the crowd.

It was clear throughout the evening what a special occasion this was for a band whose name has been dropped countless times since their breakup but who received little fanfare during their brief existence.

"If I thanked everyone in this room for the support they've given us," said Maggio in a rare break between songs, "we'd have to cut the set off right now."

After a pseudo encore, which Maggio humorously admitted was written into the setlist, they returned to the stage to cover Black Flag's "My War", with Ted Leo lending guest vocals, and play their final song of the night, "Reoccuring Nightmare #105."

The club lights rose. The crowd exited. They boarded trains, hailed taxis and hopped onto fixed-gears.

Some headed off to suburban Jersey homes, urban squats and fancy Uptown lofts--most went straight to The Charleston in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood where Rorschach would play a late night show for the kids who couldn't get out of weekend waiting shifts, the suits who had to stay late at the office and hundreds of people looking to see their long-lost, favorite band twice in one night.

Check out more photos from the show taken by this talented photographer.

MORNING AFTER: BROADWAY CALLS

The pop-punk stylings of Broadway Calls are a bit out of regular GCA wheelhouse, but they've always been good friends of ours (from way back in the Countdown to Life days) and we were happy they made room for us on their quick cross-country trek. Uprok may not be the best venue, but it works for what we need it to do right now—give bands a place to play and give all of you a place to see under-the-radar bands that deserve it. Everyone came out to support a great line-up and it made for an all around awesome show.

Antics kicked things off (on time, thank you very much) and the Fat Wreck Chords inspired punk rock brought a smile to my face as soon as I walked through the door. These boys have a bright future ahead (and I apologize for not getting video—the battery was dead. I'll get you next time).

Ogden's favorite band Right On Track was next and gave everyone a good look at the future of hardcore in Utah. The boys get better each time they play and are having no trouble living up to their adopted title.

After that, Reviver—back from their most recent West Coast tour and armed with a slew of new songs—took the stage (or floor, rather) and delivered a fast-paced and fully charged set. Reviver has been working hard and the new stuff sounds great—let's hope they keep it up for a long time.

Punk rock was the theme of the evening and Flint, Michigan's The Swellers kept it going just the way it should be—fast and catchy. The band recently signed to Fueled By Ramen and have big things in their future, but you'll be able to say you saw them up close and personal way back when.

Finally, the band everyone came to see was on. Broadway Calls—on their way to the east coast—made a special stop in Salt Lake City and did not disappoint. High five's and sing-a-longs were in place all night as the band tore through songs from their newest release Good Views, Bad News and a lot of older favorites, too. They'll be on the road with The Gaslight Anthem and Bouncing Souls later this year, so keep your eyes on them. They're about to blow up.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and making it as much fun as it was.

Broadway Calls


The Swellers


Reviver


Right On Track

MORNING AFTER: GCA ANNIVERSARY SHOW

Again, I can't thank everyone enough—you guys came out and made this show awesome and you guys continue to visit the site and make everything we're doing worthwhile. That said, on to the review.

The time constraints at New Song Underground are kind of a bummer, but it all worked out in the end.

Collapse started the evening off and tore through five songs in a little under 20 minutes. Hopefully we'll have the recording up soon because we're excited for you to hear it.

Seattle's xParasitic Skiesx was next and they added a welcome twist to the vegan-straight edge sound that everyone is accustomed to. They've got a 7" coming out on Seventh Dagger soon, so keep an eye out for that.

After that was Unrestrained from Portland, OR. These guys picked up the pieces of The Dead Unknown and took them to the next level. Their love of 90s hardcore shined through and made them one of the highlights of the evening.

Connecticut's Signs of Hope were after that, making their first stop in Utah since a Wild Mushroom Pizza show way back in the summer of 2006. The fast, traditional hardcore was the perfect anthem for the sing-a-longs and (could it be true?) circle pits.

Last, but certainly not least, was Salt Lake's own xReflectx. With this being their second to last show ever, the boys were in fine form—despite a few technical difficulties that were easily overcome. The band put on a solid show (as usual) and only showed how big of a void will be left in the Salt Lake City Hardcore scene once they're gone.

MORNING AFTER: BRAVEYOUNG

Collapse rules. We've all seen them enough times to know that this is true. But where's the recorded proof? Well, the band is entering the studio May 9th and from the sounds of their live shows, we've got a lot to look forward to. Always progressing, always perfecting, Collapse has got great things ahead of them.

Gaza was up next, making their Baxter's Cafe debut and playing one of their first all-ages shows in over a year. They played a brutal mix of songs both new and old—including a few tracks from their upcoming album "He's Never Coming Back." Blown guitar heads aside, Gaza proved why they're one of the most promising young bands on the metal scene—both local and national.

Braveyoung closed the show with some of the most beautifully epic songs imaginable. They drove 14 hours straight from Seattle—stopping only to pick up lead guitarist Derrick from the airport—just to make the show. They were gracious and humble and still proved to be one of the most talented bands around.

Thanks to everyone that came out and everyone that stuck around. Don't forget that May 8 is Life or Death, Outlet and Dismantled at Baxter's Cafe. Everyone come check it out and have a good time.

And check out the videos below (sorry for the sound quality, Gaza and Braveyoung both brought more power than our PA and my video camera's microphone were ready for).

Collapse

Collapse - Baxter's Cafe - 4/19/09 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

Gaza

Gaza - Baxter's Cafe - 4/19/09 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

Braveyoung

Braveyoung - "Calvin" - 4/19/09 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

MORNING AFTER: DOGWELDER'S RESURRECTION

Collapse has been working hard writing new music for their forthcoming split with City to City and as they debuted their new tunes, it was clear their hard work has paid off. The band has built a haunting, melodic sound atop the the chops its members honed with Salt Lake's fallen Cherem and Aftermath of a Trainwreck. Atop that, Richard's vocals get stronger with each show, combining the demonic screams of The Human Furnace with an oi twist along the lines of Blitz or Anti-Heroes.

The triumphant return of Salt Lake's heaviest band, both sonically and physically, Dogwelder, followed. In the two years since the band's last show, Joe Jackson of Shutout/Skinned Elbow Records has taken on the bass spot, Jason O'Hara (formerly of Classic Assholes) picked up the drumsticks and Jared, who is rumored to be the greatest electrician in Utah, came on as a second guitarist. The band's resurrection, and especially its new song, showed promise of great things to come.

City to City—fresh out of the studio and armed with three new songs—took the stage for the first time in six months and made everyone's night. The fast-paced, melodic hardcore of their old classics and the post-hardcore direction of the new material was a great mix. Sing-a-long's and pile-ons were in full effect and the band continues to prove that they are one of Salt Lake's finest.

Tamerlane. What more can be said about Tamerlane? Except maybe that they need to finish and release that album they're sitting on and play more shows.

Dogwelder

Dogwelder - 4/8/09 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

City to City

City to City - Disgraces - 4/8/09 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

Tamerlane

Tamerlane - New Song - 4/8/09 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

MORNING AFTER: ONE CLEAN LIFE E.P. RELEASE

Friday's show opened with the first live appearance of new band Dismantled. Featuring ex-members of Idaho's Silas and Salt Lake's Aftermath of a Trainwreck, heavy riffage was expected but the band surprised many with its doomy melodies and dark vocals sung by Blake of Skeiff d'Bargg/Cool Your Jets fame. The band just finished recording its demo. You can check it out here.

Idaho's Outlet made its first Salt Lake appearance next, impressing many with a crushing mix of Disembodied dissonance and Sleeping Giant optimism. This band needs to take more road trips.

Next up was Rhode Island hardcore rock'n'roll band, She Rides. Yep.

The evening was rounded out by two of Ogden's finest: Reach and One Clean Life.

Reach's light-speed guitar harmonies and epic song structures get tighter with each set. If you're a fan of mid-2000s melodic hardcore in the vein of Love is Red or With Honor, don't sleep on this band.

Rounding out the evening, One Clean Life celebrated the release of their Something New E.P. Living up to their hardcore party vibe, the band put on an energetic performance which included an especially energetic cover of the Beastie Boy's "Fight for Your Right to Party." If you didn't get your hands on a copy of the E.P., Skinned Elbow Records is the place to find it.

Dismantled from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.


One Clean Life - 3 from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.


Reach from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

MORNING AFTER: TIME FOR CHANGE

Time for Change, Convicted and Harm's Way were welcomed to Salt Lake City by 24 hours of straight snowfall. Thanks to everyone who braved the icy roads and an extra special thanks goes out to Josh for putting on the show.

XReflectX opened the show with the first performance of their epic song, 1:11 A.M., ever. If you haven't picked up the band's debut full-length, The Hourglass End, from Skinned Elbow Records yet, it's worth the money just to hear this song. Idanho also debuted some intense, axe-wielding, riff-smoking, crowd-slamdancing action, nearly upstaging his band's excellent performance.

The Windy City's Convicted and Harm's Way played next, sharing equipment and all but one member. Convicted impressed many with their intense brand of Napalm Death gloom, Integrity crunch and Cro-Mags structure. Harm's Way answered with a slightly rawer brand of Napalm Death gloom and Integrity crunch complimented by frenetic structures ala Infest. Rumors of ski-masked, crowd-moshing merauders turned out to be just rumors but both bands won over a lot of fans in Salt Lake. Special thanks go out to Chad Long for the color commentary.

Salt Lake's Collapse gets tighter and tighter with each show and tonight's performance followed suit. The band took a break from recording their forthcoming seven inch with Kevin Corkrey--who's also recorded Cherem and City to City--to play the show and gave a sneak preview of great things to come with the songs "My Last," "Rebuild" and "Collapse." (You can now hear these tunes at the band's MySpace Page.)

Southern California's Time for Change headlined the evening, carrying the torches of So Cal hardcore forebears Inside Out, Outspoken and Strife--fast sing-alongs, catchy two-steps and open-E breakdowns. While the band'll need a couple more SLC shows to sink their sing-alongs in, a cover of One King Down's "More Hate Than Fear" set the entire room off (Check it out below).

A couple snowball fights and some free coffee later, the evening came to an end. Thanks again to everyone who came out and Josh for making this show happen.

Time For Change - One King Down Cover from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

THE MORNING AFTER: TAMERLANE/RHINOCEROS

I don't know how many times I can say good things about Reflect before it gets annoying but the band rules, hands down, no jokes, rules.

They're heading into the studio this winter to record their sure-to-be-epic, first full-length. After selling out of their 2007 demo, they've posted all the tunes here, so get it while it's hot. Video of the 108 cover and Clinton destroying his already broken hand will be up soon.

Speaking of Clinton's broken hand, Montreal's Positive Feedback, I mean, Salt Lake's Gloves Off played next. We threw out some golden oldies from DYS, Project X and Sheer Terror along with some contemporary classics from Floorpunch

and Integrity. Thank you so much for singing along

and tearing my guitar cords apart.

An extra special thanks goes out to Joe Jackson for belting out "When Tigers Fight" with us and to our singer Pierre, drummer Pierre, guitarist Pierre and bassist Pierre for making Positive Feedback, I mean, Gloves Off's set a blast.

Buffalo's Rhinoceros were up next. This band finally got to play a legitimate hardcore show in Salt Lake and it was everything anyone thought it would be. Rumor has it they'll be swinging back through town around Halloween with Celebrity, Armed for Battle and Animosity sike a little band called Tyrant. GCA will keep you in the know.

What more can be said about Tamerlane? Best

Salt Lake hardcore band of all time in my book. They brought along all the brutally-honest, gut-wrenching classics and even threw in an epic new song to wet the city's taste buds for good things to come.

Many thanks to everyone who came out, supported and had a good time. August's shows were tons of fun and things are only on the up-and-up for Grudge City Hardcore. Couldn't do it without you.


xGloves Offx - SxE Revenge from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.


Tamerlane from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

MORNING AFTER: BROOK'S BIRTHDAY BASH

First off, Artopia rules. Everyone support and respect this venue. Let's make it last.

Raptor City/Junction City/Ogden City's One Clean Life opened the show. This band is quickly finding its sound and its a good one: mid-tempoed tunes with catchy sing-a-longs and good humored lyrics (who can't appreciate a song like "No One Likes A Tweaker"?)

Seattle's This Time Tomorrow played next. Solid grind/crust/animal rights influenced hardcore. First shows in Salt Lake are always rough for bands lacking gratuitous breakdowns but after a less-than-ideal tour, TTT were more than happy to play to a receptive crowd of more than 4.

Grudge City supergroup, Collapse, played third. Featuring members of Cherem, Aftermath, City to City and Cool Your Jets expectations were high and at least for this guy, they were met with flying colors. Crowbar intro? Check. Gloomy integrity-ish riffs with blistering solos? Check. Tight, Cherem-esque breakdowns? Check. Trevor's glaring 90s rock influences shining through? Check. Collapse is the real deal.

Victims played last. I play in Victims and I'm not some jerk so I'm not going to write about myself. Here's Trevor...

After a false start (my fault, by the way. I needed to get the video camera up and running), Victims launched into their first live set in nearly a year. The lone new song (with the exception of the intro) was a great preview of things to come, and everyone in attendance was thrilled to hear the old Aftermath songs that had been pulled from the vault, especially 'Talk Shit, Get Hit'. Let's hope the 'only once a year' promise that Brook made a few weeks back was all talk, because Victims sound ready to be back in full effect.

Oh, and it was Brook's 28th Birthday and Ten Year Edge-iversary...


Man of the Hour from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

And Nathan doesn't understand the nuances of manipulating guitar sounds...
Subtle Nuances from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

And the Grudge City hardcore scene lost a valuable member, Sias' porch table.


RIP Table from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

THE MORNING AFTER: MURPHY'S LAW

If you missed it you missed one hell of a party.

THE MORNING AFTER : SLEEPING GIANT

Ten bands played. Most saw only one: Sleeping Giant.

This was Thom Green & company's third appearance in Salt Lake and anyone who knew anything about the band knew the show would be out of control. What no one expected was that Sleeping Giant could be upstaged in Thom's own hometown.

A video interview with Green and live footage from the show will be up in the next few days. Pictures are up now at the GCA Photo Archive.

But as for the show, we'll let the mystery show stealer do the talking...

Scene Stealer. from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

In other news, it's a good thing shows are on the come up so people can pick up apparel from bands that aren't made up of beer pounding bros and internet pedophiles.


LOL Shirts! from Grudge City Activities on Vimeo.

THE MORNING AFTER: HAVE HEART & VERSE

July 7, 2008 @ Artopia

The evening opened with Reach, a new melodic hardcore band from Ogden that's got a great deal of potential. Keep an ear out. Then came Murdock (New band from Marshall of Cool Your Jets) and Reviver (New band from Sam, Matt & Chase of Cool Your Jets). Good bands with promise of good things to come. Then came Verse. Then Have Heart. Then a temper tantrum about microphones and the film Hancock. That's really all there is to know about the actual show.

In more important news:
SIOUS BROKE A RIB
Sious Broke a Rib from GrudgeCity Activities on Vimeo.

AND BROOK HAD A BIG DATE

Brook's Big Date from GrudgeCity Activities on Vimeo.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"I feel kinda weird. It's the same feeling I had when I first started going to shows. Only I'm not afraid of anybody." - Jake Miller (Tamerlane, Eleventh Street Tattoo)