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Having just seen the fantastic New Jersey foursome at the mighty Groezrock festival in Belgium (playing both an acoustic and regular set) I thought I would make it three in a row and see the guys in a small venue as opposed to a large festival setting. Looking forward to The Menzingers too, having missed them at the same festival.
A really bad accident on the M62 made me over an hour late for the show, so I missed the support from Leagues Apart and Red City Radio. Gutted but looking at what was left of that car I hope that the passengers are okay. The Menzingers do not disappoint. It's as if the crowd are here for both of the last bands; they go mental for all of the Pennsylvanian bands songs. I can't believe it's taken me so long to see these guys.
The band have recently released third album 'On The Possible Past', and preview a few tracks from it tonight, like 'Casey', a slightly slower track then their usual fast paced tracks, along with other new track 'Good Things', giving the crowd a quick breather (not that that stops many). Sadly after this show the band reported that they have had $10,000 of their stuff nicked. If anyone saw anything please let them know, and catch these thieving bastards.
The venue is a small underground basement, and man it is packed literally to the rafters. You cannot move. I have been to a gig here before and it was not this busy. The stage could do with being higher so people can see but the ceiling is too low for that. The spacing makes this a very intimate gig, but this does not stop circle pits forming.
The Bouncing Souls know how to put on a great show. Singer Greg Attonito has his usual smart attire and quite young crooner but smacked with punk delivery down to a tee. Bassist Bryan Kienlen and guitarist Pete Steinkopf provide the punching and catchy melodies backed by drummer Michael McDermott. For a band of 22 years these guys are tight as owt, musically and as people, having a great time on stage. Antonito greats everyone at the front, you can tell they really care for the fans and the happy go lucky punk tracks that they come up with are well appreciated by many. Not one song (even the newer tracks 'Baptized' and 'Static') are dismissed by the swelling and sweat pit of a crowd; every single one is backed up by the 700 voices present.
From the start of 'Sing Along Forever' its non-stop classics; plus the previously mentioned future classics of course. 'Lean On Sheena' (original by Avoid One Thing but made a whole lot better here) really gets the crowd going, as does 'East Coast! Fuck You!' (for the East Coast if you are wondering). The crowd are given a choice of songs between 'Late Bloomer' and 'Kate Is Great'; the heat must have been affecting them as the cheer-o-meter was very low for both, but the latter won in the end. 'Here We Go' with its recognisable football chant has already been started by the crowd but is played in full later on. 'True Believers' is a right anthem that always rallies those in attendance.
I really love this band, their close knit community, friendly approach, tireless touring and above all great punk songs. I hope it-s not too long until their next visit, three times in one week isn't enough!
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article by: Danielle Millea
photos by: Danielle Millea
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| published: 03/05/2012 16:48 |
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