As of late I have been at a loss of words about the state of the GR punk scene. Not really digging a lot of shit and just kinda bored with a lot of the going on’s. Then fucking boom this weekend happens, and once again I get fucking stoked! So I got a couple show reviews for this site. Fuuuuuck it’s been a long time, but I feel like I am back!

THE SUICIDE HOUSE

DEAD ATHEISTS

CHIT CHAT

WRINGER

THE DOCTORS WIVES

So we have not hosted a show in THE SUICIDE HOUSE in forever! So why not clear out the living room and have a rager! So thats what we did took the house made it rowdy punk safe, and the bands set up right in the living room. The first band of the night was THE DEAD ATHEISTS who consist of all the stars of the GR music scene. I will keep it a secret incase you missed it. They played catchy punk with a 90′s alternative edge. A lot of the stuff sounded like shit you would hear on HATE YOUR FRIENDS from THE LEMONHEADS. You got some straight forward rippers and you got some weird corky kinda stuff. All in all it was rad. Up next was WRINGER from Bloomington IN. Total 90′s throw back pop punk like THE INVALIDS or SCREECHING WEASEL. I have a huge soft spot in my heart for this kinda shit fucking awesome! Next on the list is the east Michigan band CHIT CHAT holy shit did this band fucking rule! Take THE SCREAMING FEMALES and some more strange guitar parts toss in Xiene from X style vocals and boom! Truly awesome vocals from the male and female, but remained totally punk as fuck. Got the tape it rips! Ending the night was DOCTORS WIVES this band gets better and better every time I see them. Totally awesome 1 2 punk with all the right hooks and anger. This local band will be one to remember long after they are gone. Please please out something like a tape!

All in all this was a breath of fresh air for a lot of us. Just a fun show with awesome people! It’s been a Bummer going to shows seeing fights or stupid drama all the time. I felt alive again after seeing these bands, and hanging with friends! Punk was a place I went to get away from all the shit that society put in front of me. It was my release from the day to day shit. We all have to step back some times and say hey lets kick all the sexists/racists asshole jocks out of this place and have fun again!

THE DAAC

RADIATOR HOSPITAL

THE HIGH DIVES

MAX LEVINE ENSEMBLE

CHINESE TELEPHONES

Off to the DAAC for a show, and am I truly worried about the turn out of this show. Since the DAAC can sometimes have some pretty bleak turnouts. The only bands I heard before this was one song from THE CHINESE TELEPHONES and RADIATOR HOSPITAL. So RH played first and sadly I missed most of the set, but they were back with there original drummer Jeff Bolt who I always felt did this band so much justice on drums. What I did see sounded awesome. Along with an awesome amount of people in attendance! Up next was the biggest surprise for me MAX LEVINE ENSEMBLE from D.C. They played ripping basic pop punk with killer lyrics. Right on riffs with tons of energy to say the least. If you are a fan of traditional pop punk then please please check out this band they fucking rip! Then came THE HIGH DIVES more fucking killer punk just catchy and awesome! Finishing the night was THE CHINESE TELEPHONES who fucking ruled! Another pop punk ripper to finish the night off! I ended up buying all three bands records, and went right home to listen to them, and every one fucking ripped! But the winner for me was MAX LEVINE ENSEMBLE I can’t stop listening to them! Thanks so much to Bob and Lorie for doing this show! Lets keep it up more fun shows more fun times!

GRASS WIDOW

PINK REASON

SWIMSUIT

Getting out of a long day of work at 5pm made for a hard choice to make the drive to Detroit for this show. Luckily I bought tickets in advance so it was go or else! I got into punk and hardcore in the late 80′s and early 90′s. This time also had a strong indie rock scene. You know the deal SONIC YOUTH/DINOSAUR JR/PIXES all the greats where putting out records, and a lot of my friends at the time loved it. Whether I liked it or not it became a soundtrack to my growing up. Over the years I have not been to a lot of indie rock shows. I got heavily into punk and hardcore and that scene just did not mean as much anymore. So this show for me was a huge flash back to say the least. I have always loved THE RAINCOATS but as far as younger up and coming indie bands I don’t know much. So I went only hearing a small amount from each band and so i really had no idea what was to come.

Sad to say i missed SWIMSUIT a band from Ann Arbor. It sucks I missed them because I heard they rule and play some simple basic indie punk shit. When i walked in the band GRASS WIDOWS was playing who also played classic basic indie rock mixed with some riot girl sounds. It sucks that I missed half the set, but either way i got a record and what I did see fucking ruled! Up next was a local act called PINK REASON this band kinda through off the feel of the show. They seemed to be trying very hard to be the next JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, but failing to say the least! So I watched a little but then mingled around the space meeting locals and getting more stoked on Detroit then I was already. The locals seemed stoked on the happenings in the big city even though everybody is say it’s fucked they say it rules!

So the wait was over THE RAINCOATS took the stage next, and I have say i did not expect much at all. When ever a band that could not play there instruments gets back together 30 years later I have my doubts. Well because they probably learned how to play better, and they suck now. So they took the stage strapped on the gear and started to rage! To my surprise they still totally sucked in a very awesome way. Each song was just like I recalled from past records. The angry the desperation and the passion all happening before my eyes! Each song was played with high energy, and you could hear people saying “I had no idea it would be this fucking good” I can’t lie I was among the doubters! In all honesty it was one the best bands I have seen all year young old indie or punk this band ripped it up! It is so inspiring to see older bands like this still tour with young bands/rip it up and play DIY all ages shows. Thanks to the RAINCOATS for a night inspiration and fun. You know a band rips when you get out of work at 5 and have to be back at 8am the next day, and the drive is 5 hours. Then you still the think it’s all worth it because the passion from that set was like a great hangover of inspired passion that stayed with me for the entire work day. DETROIT RULES see you all at the E.A.T.E.R. show on the 9th of Oct. at C.A.I.D.

P.S. They never played Lola!

(Dead Alives, The Hounds, and Waxines @ Jukes June 18^th)

Don’t know where to start because every band surprised me on SOME level!  It was suggested to me via Mickey Mcfrenzy from Cangue to make this hum-diggy.  I luv the rockabilly, and it sounded like this show would be a wild homage.  Yes I was a little unsure about Luke’s performance as I raged about earlier, but he proved that he keeps his ego in check with the Dead Alives(at least to the point where you don’t see his “I’m taking a sssssssshhhhhiiittt!” face!)  Last time at Mulligans I could hardly hear or see him and he appeared to be in a desperate haze of scandalous thoughts…This Dead Alives set rocked tho!  The geetar licks that stroke the back of your fuzz neck were present…and although he wouldn’t play any hasil Adkins like I ORDERED, it doesn’t mean he don’t possess the spirit of rocking billy in his lifeblood beating an squirmin’ free!  Since the sound wasn’t fucked this time I heard him do ‘I was a teenage Zombie!’ and you can’t not like that song…your foot gets a tapping and people start to get dance happy…I saw a few swirlin’ dervishes right when he hit the notes in the runny beginnings!  My heart was hopping from my sleeve fer all these crazy, achey tunes…I felt as much passion as when I heard they were gonna turn that ol’ rat-trap on Butterworth into a rockabilly joint called Tip Top!  There’s ads fer it y’know?  Anyways to be there with Nick, Vaness, and Andy was pretty tip top because we started a running commentary, hootin’ an hollerin over Luke’s loverboy antics from the grave!  He possessed the grave this time in his veins and breath!  He didn’t need no goddamn costume!

After this revelation The Hounds took the stage, and I believe that like the Waxines they weren’t from Kansas anymore!  They claimed an outta state allegiance, and most importantly they claimed that all their merch was free…their demo, their record on cd, and their pins!  So daring!  I was inspired!  Right now my bands in the process of slamming out a 7”inch that were gonna use to help us make money for our 12” with the Doctor’s Wives…it’s hard to give things away for free when you ain’t even got a pot to piss in!  Anywayz Hounds was rockin’ my socks tumble dry!  The gruff male singer really embodied that natural rockabilly southern sound.  He didn’t feign any happy faces, and that always makes it more enjoyable for me!  Stop trying so goddamn hard you musicians!  I’m gonna give you a rock lesson coming up…but any which way the Hounds rocked and they ended up the set with The Cars song “Just What I Needed”, which my brother and I love, and performed without keyboards which was nice cuz I’m so tired of bands trying to get their shit to sound exactly like the fucking cover!!  Funnily enough the song in their encore had bass lines from the Dario Argento horror band ‘Goblin’!  The bassist knew who they were, but he said he wasn’t referencing them!  Pretty cool he knew ‘em!  I wouldn’t be saying anything if I didn’t mention what a heart-throb and powerhouse their female drummer was!  She really tore the drums a new tin-can asshole!  I luved how she literally would slash down on the drums like a victims wrist…no mercy!  Yes!  The most attractive element of the band rilly!

I saved this little space for the Waxines because that’s how little I liked ‘em!  Ha!  They were surprising ‘cuz the female lead scorched the air with her vox!  Unfortunately that was all she was touting: hot air!  Taking a quick glance at this gal grease the stage I sighed a sigh, glancing back at all the females in the crowd that felt empowered by this rock ‘n roll mama.  Too bad for them that it wasn’t someone unique, just some wannabe soccer mom who watched too many Joan Jett music videos!  It was for shit because she kept doing these gang signs everytime she’d jump up, and down, and let me tell you right now…I ain’t into that!  Anyways this comes down to the rock lesson I was gonna espouse on the public eye real quick because it seems like people keep fucking up and making bad bands like this, and watching this sleazy skank-woman dry hump her oafish guitarist who wasn’t digging it drove the point home:  rockers are meant to be UGLY!  For some retarded reason people like this wench have it in their heads that when they’re rockin’ the rock makes them look more attractive…not true!  Think of all the best rockers(here are some): The Cars; The Ramones; Edie & the Eggs; Wayne County & the Backstreet Boys; Pere Ubu; Captain Beefheart; Richard Hell; Lydia Lunch….all had this wild man ugliness that you couldn’t wipe away…so if your attractive, pleez for the luv of God don’t play rock’n’roll, and if you have to, pleez accentuate your ugly side not your pretty side!  When you accentuate your ‘pretty’ side I just want to throw up in my hat!  For fucks sakes!

–cryptic joshy

JUNE 10TH THE DAAC

DSS

POSITIVE NOISE

CHUM/SHALLOW BREATH

LOTUS FUCKER

SEE YOU IN HELL

SOSPEEHOSOS

JUNE 12TH

THE THUNDERDOME

CRISCO THUNDER

MOTHERCOUNTY MOTHERFUCKERS

and a showing of the film NO FUN CITY

JUNE 16TH

THE PYRAMID SCHEME

ROYL SPACE

TOKYO MOROSE

STEPDAD

Ok this past week has been awesome and crazy with shows and life in general. As some of you may know some people from this site are also opening BarterTown diner in downtown Grand Rapids. So we have been a little busy to say the least. BUT I still made it out to 3 shows in the past week by some kind of miracle since we have been pulling 15 hour work days at the diner. No punk means no life and that would be death so moving onto some killer show reviews from the past week.

Ok MICHIGAN MELTDOWN was a fucking blast this year. Bands coming from all over including the Czech Republic. This may have had the highest quality of bands yet. Starting of the show was a combo set from SHALLOWBREATH doing Minor Threat covers, and done well. Then the new band CHUM who fucking killed it this time around. I only got to see them in a basement and I only got to see one song so this was a real treat. I really hope this band continues because already they rip fucking hard. One of my all time favorite bands is THEY LIVE from Buffalo NY and this band sounds just like them on the Blurred 7” they did back in the late 90’s. Cannot wait for more ripping hardcore from them. Next was DSS who just put out a tape at this show with 9 rippers. This was a killer show for them Dylan the drummer blasted through the set with pounding beats. Next was POSITIVE NOISE another one of my bands so it’s hard to talk about it, but it was a fun fucking show. We did the entire first 7” recorded 4 years ago. Kevin my best bud and guitar player has real back probs. So we all hope he gets better so we can see him back and PN playing more shows.

LOTUS FUCKER took the stage next which was end of the local bands and the start of the out towners. This band fucking rules every time I see them, and this time was no exception. Total noise and distort is what they brought to GR. Please come back soon! SEE YOU IN HELL ripped it up next, and this was a true pleasure for me. I have been listening to this band for over 10 years and been writing them forever. Because of our shitty government bands from the Eastern side of Europe never really get to tour the U.S.  So we are all glad they let these thrashers through the gates. These guys just ripped thats all I can say no mistakes just pure thrash. SOSPEEHOSOS played last which was a pretty hard act to follow. This band is people from the great SIN ORDEN out of Chicago. This is my favorite stye of punk just mid paced punk with tons of hooks and power chords. This is some classic sounding spanish punk rock. I could have watched this band all night. The kids seemed to love it also with the circle pit in full effect.

Thanks to all the bands and people who came straight to BarterTown Diner for a meal afterwords. It was truly awesome seeing all these people in our place after a show just hanging around and eating awesome food. Can’t wait for next year!!!!!

LOTUS FUCKER

SEE YOU IN HELL

D.S.S.

CROWD SHOT

POSITIVE NOISE

THANKS TO 616 ZINE FOR THE KILLER PICS!!!!

Then two days later we did another show at the THUNDERDOME  a little secret venue near BarterTown Diner. This was one of the shows I will remember for a long time. The only bad thing about this event was lack of promotion that I have been seeing at a lot of shows this summer, and that sucks for everybody so get the hell out and fucking pass out flyers if you want to do a show! Bands like this deserve your attention and your hard work.

The show started with a film called NO FUN CITY which I think is a great film that a lot of people need to see in this area. I don’t think that many people really cared too much about it, but I did. I just think the attention span for people is shrinking and shrinking. Americans only care about something for about a half hour at a time hahahaha. Either way see this movie it rules. Trailer is on this site.

So CRISCO THUNDER was up next. While watching this band I was truly bummed out that more people did not come out and give this band a chance. Total crazy inprov dancing with super positive lyrics over it with poppy dance music that ruled. Next up was MOTHER-COUNTY MOTHERFUCKERS who also just ruled it with dirty rocking punk with killer lyrics and awesome political imagery playing behind them. This band just fucking ruled and most of you fucking missed it! Please come back I will do a show for you and promote the hell out of it.

The best part of the is gig was only like 10 people came, but both bands dragged a ton of gear into a small basement and kicked fucking ass like 500 came. Then to top it off they had no merch just fucking lyric sheets that got handed out. Hey all you anarcho kids this is punk as fuck but you missed it! Flyer for shows flyer for shows flyer for shows gas is 4 fucking bucks a gallon!

So moving onto last night at the PYRAMID SCHEME. I really went for two reason one to flyer for a show on the 13th with ROYL SPACE I am doing, and to see the mighty ROYL SPACE. This was kinda of a bummer for me. The reason being I see the non all ages club show kick the ass of the DIY basement show as far as advertisement and organization. The guy doing this show had it together and was a really awesome dude. For somebody like me who will never play a non all ages hates to see this. Since in the underground things are really fucked and unorganized sometimes.

Moving onto the bands ROYL SPACE killed it this time. It was the best set yet from them. They also had a new tape that just came out last night which I have played twice so far today because it rules! This is one of the best up and coming bands, and I really wish more people would have opted for this over the shitty AGAINST ME show down the street. I missed most of the second band which was kinda indie rock stuff that was just not my thing there name was TOKYO MOROSE. STEPDAD ended the show with a fun set of poppy dance music. It was really cool then it got really boring. Just run of the mill dance stuff with run of the mill songs. After a few songs it all just seemed very well rehearsed and kinda of generic. All in all I don’t really like non all ages shows but THE PYRAMID SCHEME has their shit together and do some pretty well organized shows. I just wish it was all ages.

So that was my week in review. This site is really important to us so please please send us all shows relating to punk and hardcore we will post them and sometimes write about them. GO to the THUNDERDOME Tuesday the 21st for a killer show!!!!

SNUGGLES

CRACK BOX

RADIATOR HOSPITAL

D.S.S.

HENRY STREET HOUSE

When all the bullshit clears punk is all about one thing, and thats trying make yourself happy. In a world of fucked up cops/teachers/bosses and whomever else just screaming at you to be who they want you to be. Sometime we just have to remember the simple basic side of it all. The music the attitude all the age old slogans like this is my fucking life and I want to do what i want. This is the kinda attitude this show gave to me. The basic bare bones side of punk rock. No trends no bullshit just punks playing stripped down basic noise. This is the kinda shit we need to remember, and this show gave me a reminder of just that. When all looks fucked you always have punk to give you life again. For me I felt this show was for the die hards the ones who will always be around wearing their old punks shirts that are so old they are falling apart, because these patches and shirts give them a since of pride that nothing else ever gave them. So in the end thats it just punks playing, and dancing to anti establishment fucking noise, and love it and live for it!

D.S.S. started the set with some raging HC punk. I play guitar in this band, and I felt like we did well, but I only had two strings, but no worries it was the E and the A and thats really all you need. It was a brief set of hardcore noise done fast as possible. Next up was SNUGGLE the band I have been playing in my home for the past two months counting the days till this show happened. They lived up to every dream I had about them! Total old style pop punk with an emphasis on PUNK! They played everything I wanted to hear including a song called HEART BEAT. This is one of those classic punk tunes that will be singing in my head forever. It’s also the first track of their new LP on 123go records so check it out. This band made my week so thank you for coming to Grand Rapids Michigan you gave me life again. CRACK BOX was up next awesome in your face punk rock with some killer vocals that kinda reminded my of Wendy O Williams. The music was basic, and took me back to a time of bands like THE PIST/DEFIANCE and VIOLENT SOCIETY or even older local bands like THE KRABS. Both bands fit one another very well, and went together in a very special way so come back soon!

The show ended with local super group RADIATOR HOSPITAL. This band rules every time they play. Just basic pop punk with tons of catchy guitar parts along with drums just bashing along. They have a new 7″ coming out on Jeff the drummers label on April 12th so try and check this shit out it will be worth it. We are so lucky to have local bands like this in GR, and I have been noticing a greater appreciation for local bands these days. Really the local bands are everything to us they keep the scene alive. So thanks to all who came out and stuck around for the local ragers along with supporting some awesome touring bands! Special thanks to Britty for hosting this show even with all the cop bullshit happening in the area. Check below for some killer pics from Steph!

SNUGGLES

D.S.S.

RADIATOR HOSPITAL

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW!

MARCH 10TH 2011 THE THUNDERDOME GRAND RAPIDS MI

THE GREAT REVERSALS

UNDER ANCHOR

XTRA VOMIT

JOWLS

MARCH 13TH

SHATTERED BADGE

NOTHING BUT WEEDS

DSS

HOT MESS

WHITE GUILT

First off I will send my apologies out to all the people who came to the show on March 10^th at THE THUNDERDOME. We decided to paint the ceiling of BARTERTOWN DINER that night which is located above THE THUNDERDOME. This made a huge mess and a bad smell that leaked down to the show going on below us. Sorry to anybody with brain damage from this event. At least you got to see some killer bands!

I did not see a lot of this show, but listened from above. All the bands played a killer set from what I could hear. The new band called JOWELS kicked some ass to say the least. This is the second time they have played THE THUNDERDOME and both times they sounded great. Also I did get to watch UNDER ANCHOR and they ripped the place up. Rorik the singer is one of the best singers around. He always has fucking awesome shit to say,and is full of energy to say the least.

March 13^th west Michigan hardcore stole the show! This was a show when I was super proud to be a part of this area. DSS opened up with a killer set of fast as fuck hardcore getting the crowd ready for an onslaught noise/speed and ugly music! NOTHING BUT WEEDS was next on the list. This was the best show to date for this new band. Kirsten the singer had no voice but still belted out some fucking awesome vocals. SHATTERED BADGE took the torch next and played a set of pissed of hardcore punk. They are back and have a 7” coming out in the near future. They recorded a 10 song ripper that will blow minds! My hats off to west Michigan HC!

Next was HOT MESS from DC. Was the first set of touring bands to start. They sounded a lot like BIKINI KILL and no not because they had all girls. At the start of their set they asked all the females in the crowd to move to the front, and all tall males to move to the back. This kinda through me off. Back about 10 years ago they started a movement in Boston Mass called MOSHTROGEN this was a crew of females who took back the hardcore scene for themselves. They never asked for permission they just attacked the shows with intensity and dedication. At that time it was awesome to see this happening in hardcore. To me this is what hardcore is all about. Never ask for permission just say fuck you I am coming up front. Another example for all the females in the world is Wendy O Williams she is one of the most bad ass motherfuckers that has ever lived! This women said fuck you I am coming right through you if you don’t get the fuck out of my way! So I guess all I am saying to all the females in the HC punk movement in west Michigan don’t ask us males to move just push me aside and start raging! HOT MESS was good and I truly think they sparked something in the females at the show so I will give them props, but we don’t have to make people feel bad that are truly trying to help. But all in all maybe I am just a dumb male with a half of brain! Either way check out HOT MESS!

Next was WHITE GUILT. This band gave me permanent brain damage! Just a wall of fucked up noise soaked in re verb and anger! This band ruled my world, and the record they put is a fucking rager. They came back to my house and continued raging over some beers/weed and hardcore music. It’s nice to see a solid all around killer hardcore band! If they come to your town lend them a hand they deserve it!

Can’t wait for the touring season to get more bands like HOT MESS and WHITE GUILT in GR. Just a reminder to all touring bands you better be ready to fucking rage because the bands from West Michigan are killing it these days!

DAMAGES

ATTENTION SPAN

AGRESS

THE THUNDERDOME FEB. 11TH 2011

First thing I want to say about this show is that it’s so nice when you have a good promoter. Britte whom did this show is a stand up person who puts on great fucking shows. Every since I first meant her through doing shows I was blown away. She is always handing out fliers and telling people about shows. It’s fucking awesome to say the least! So thanks you Britte for putting on yet another awesome show in GR!

THE FLOWERING went on first with some intense slow noise core. I love seeing bands like this just freak out narrow minded hardcore kids. You know the person who has it all figured out and knows just what a hardcore band should look and sound like. This band just played for themselves and it was fucking awesome! Next up was AGRESS a touring band from Iowa. They played heavy hardcore bands like CRO MAGS come to mind. I liked the singers presence it seemed very real and not fake at all. He stared down people in the room witch was fucking intense. DAMAGES played yet another flawless set of hardcore punk. This band is almost perfect every time I see them. Each time it’s better and better and the new songs fucking rip so hard it’s awesome! This band has been through a lot and they still rip it up every fucking time. When the hell are you guys going to record something new! ATTENTION SPAN was the last band to go on. It’s always cool to see ATTENTION SPAN and DAMAGES play together. For me these are the two local bands. They each bring a different crowd, but at the same time each crowd respects the other. ATTENTION SPAN played a ripping set with no covers this time which is a surprise. They did some newer and older stuff all was very tight. This band just plays well together, and it’s fucking awesome to see them keep it up all these years.

I hope all the bands thanked Britte for a killer show she did a great fucking job! Thanks to all the people who respect THE THUNDERDOME it’s not easy trying to keep shit going like that, but we can at least try!. Until next time LIVE THE CHAOS!

POSION PLANET

RAW NERVE

THE GREAT REVERSALS

NOTHING BUT WEEDS

THE THUNDERDOME GRAND RAPIDS MI FEB. 4TH 2011

Back in 2000 I seen a band called NO TIME LEFT. I was at a hall show and I had no idea what to expect from this band. I knew some of the people in the band, but never meant the singer Nick. So as they took the stage I really had no idea that my new favorite hardcore band was about to be born! NO TIME LEFT took the Buffalo NY area by storm. For me it was the best time in all my years in the hardcore scene. Bands like NO TIME LEFT/LIFES HALT/WHAT HAPPENS NEXT and countless others took hardcore back and gave it to the nerds/fags/freaks and fuck ups. It was truly a special time for everybody involved. As NO TIME LEFT went on trends started to change in the Buffalo area, and soon the 50 person circle pits turned into just a few of us. Well trends change and people move on, but for some us we just stay the same even if the crowds dwindle we remain. This show took me back to a time of circle pits no bullshit hardcore fucking punk! Maybe it was Nick’s new band POISON PLANET and him still having that look in his eyes, and still playing fast music. Either way a fun time was had by all!

Starting out the show was a band called NOTHING BUT WEEDS. A new band out of Muskegon Michigan. They play basic HC punk just fast short blasts from some high energy kids. Sock also the drummer for POSITIVE NOISE beats the drums to death while the rest of the band just rages through the songs. They kinda of reminded me of LOS CRUDOS or that older Italian hardcore sound. BUNNY SKULLS was supposed to play instead of them, but Scott had some family issue’s and we wish him the best. All in all NOTHING BUT WEEDS was a worthy replacement. Next up THE GREAT REVERSALS took the floor. This band fucking rules. They took us on a little trip back to the days of stripped down 90′ political hardcore. If you like bands like TRAIL then please see this band, and get there tape! This band brings so much positive energy to this area, and I cant thank them enough for that. It’s just nice to see a band that fucking gets it because they really do! POISON PLANET was the next one up. I have not seen a singer like Nick that truly has not changed his MO on stage since I first seen his old band NO TIME LEFT. They started off full blast playing 100 mph! Then broke into there killer intro from the first record which set the crowd into an full on circle pit! Nick spoke on few topics that came off very clear direct and to the point. They ended the set with my favorite song bible stories. Also the new record fucking kills so go get it now! RAW NERVE ended the show with a fast as hell noisy set of hardcore. They are the new YOUTH ATTACK heart throb, but these guys are not some arty farty to good for you limited record band they just rip. The singer has a great presence and you can tell right from the start he means what he says, and he loves hardcore! I look forward to see more and hearing from both these Chicago bands.

Thanks to anybody who came out to yet another show at THE THUNDERDOME! Hardcore is alive and well in Grand Rapids MI, and rent is cheap so fucking move here already. The THUNDERDOME is located below the new diner BARTERTOWN opening this spring. For updates and info on that check out www.bartertowngr.com.

CLOUD RAT

OILY MENACE

POSITIVE NOISE

SHALLOW BREATH

XTRA VOMIT

JAN. 4TH 2011 THE THUNDERDOME/BARTERTOWN DINER

The first official show at the new diner in Grand Rapids Michigan called BARTERTOWN! The diner is expected to be open by March if all goes right. When we first found the location for the diner we new the upstairs area was perfect for what we wanted to do, but we had no idea it also came with an entire basement. When punk rockers go look at spaces we look at them in an entirely different way then the average person. When we look at spaces to live or to do a venture out of we look at the entire building and all the crazy shit we can do in side of them. We look at basements and instantly dream of all the wild shows we can have. All the illegal gatherings we can make happen with no body ever knowing any better in the outside world!

It all started with XSHALLOWBREATHX a new local SXE band. Playing a tough set of heavy heavy hardcore with all the right breakdowns. This band did their homework on 90′s SXE HC. I had to be out front checking sound during them, but I did catch some of moshing going on downstairs. Next up was XTRA VOMIT. This band is fucking perfect every time they play. Fast as fuck angry as shit hc punk. Two guys you know how to play hardcore. I feel it would be like seeing ACTIVE MINDS in 89 or even 2009! POSITIVE NOISE took the floor next to play about 8 minutes worth of HC. I looked at the clock before we started and it was 9:22 and when we got down it was 9:30! DRAIZE from Boston Mass ripped through the basement next. Playing one of the best hardcore sets I have seen in a long time. Just song after song of pounding noise. DRAIZE is a new band with just one LP out on PUNKS BEFORE PROFITS. Watching DRAIZE that night was like getting a shot of life straight into my veins. The great feeling of truly being alive, and the lack of care about anything else going on outside of that room for those 15 minutes. Our local favorites CLOUD RAT played a set of awesome inspirational hardcore that kept the crowd slamming into one another. At this point we all where sore/bruised and tired, but the hardcore kept coming so we kept moving! The final act of the night was OILY MENACE. The crowd was beat up at this point, and I was truly unsure of how we all could handle another ripping band. They started with their standard old school grind core. Total NAPLAM DEATH meets THE FILTHY CHRISTAINS fucking hardcore. They destroyed everybody and ended the night with RAIN IN BLOOD from SLAYER. The perfect end to a perfect show!.

No cops no bullshit some prob with kids tossing cigs in the toilets. I truly believe one thing and one thing only will bring down hardcore CIGERATTES! Yes thats right it will not be the cops it will not be your parents it will be the tobacco companies. Kid drops a smoke half the scene burns up in a small ass packed butt to gut basement. Kids standing out side illegal spaces just to get that drag cops roll and see whats going on, and boom show is over space is dead. STOP SMOKING AT SHOWS! Go Get some fucking gum for a couple hours.

To all touring bands this summer BARTERTOWN DINER/ROC’S CAKES will open in time for the touring season. We have no idea how many shows we will have after being open, but stop while in town. All touring bands will be treated very well. This is all worker owned this is about community. For more info on this growing scene in GR check out grscreamer.com and go to bartertowngr.com for updates on the new space. We will also be doing guest chef’s for touring bands. So if you have a day off and want to set up something with us get in touch. 99% of the punks in this world work in kitchens so come by and we will see what you got!

Bastards of Young, started with a Replacements cover, and ended just as strong. Anyone who doesn’t like the Replacements, should really question weather or not they like Rock N’ Roll or are just misinformed delinquents. For split seconds in the set you think the Young Bastards are playing pop-punk, but as soon as you a hear a familiar melody, you try to think of what it is, (is it Against Me!, is it someone else I haven’t listened to in 5 years?) Nope, it’s the Bastards of Young and you’re dancing along wishing they played more often and you knew the words. And we all can’t wait to hear more from the Westerberg Jr.’s.

The next set was GrScreamer’s set, I mean Positive Noise. They started the thrashing, and kicking that continued through the end of the show, with a brief pause for Deercave. Positive Noise brings activism, aggression and and sweat to the forefront, and don’t really give a shit if your offended by them defending anarchists.

Deercave was positioned well in the line up. Their melodic and ambient sound that built perfectly into thrash was a good way to gain everyone’s attention in between all the hardcore and hating cops. As Grant shouted for his second time of the night (B.O.Y. was his first show) and kept us all anticipating more screams to wake the drunks. In all seriousness Deercave played a very strenuous show that gave the audience allot to nod there head to. Somebody get these guys some serious amps so they can’t play house shows anymore, I’d love to see what the yuppies think of these guys.

I forgot the lineup but I know for a fact Attention Span and Cocksnot played. Attention Span played before Cocksnot, I think I remember that. Attention Span played a bit longer than there normal ten minute set. We were all hoping for more chipped teeth, but at least we got spit and Tim shouting the chorus as Trent passed the mic. This band is something to see and have become very deserving off any credit they get.

“Fuck you, were Cocksnot.” Every person in the GR scene has to bow down to Cocksnot. As Tim reminded the crowd this was his fourth show with the band (and second show of the night), Calvin reminded everyone that Clean Works will supply all your paraphernalia needs(It was also Dereks second performance, he plays drums in Deercave, and guitar in Cocksnot). There’s not much to say about Cocksnot. If you have seen them, they make you a believer. They pound and pound until your sick of it, pound some more, and then they make you sing along. Long live the Dirt City Rockers.

Long live the house show.