3-22 Salvation, Free Clinic, Confidence Men, Drink Dust, Pittsburgh @Helter Shelter

This show started on time suprisingly.  None of the opening bands were into it.  It was a lackluster performance all around.  The last band tried their hardest, but with the poor quality of the pa system there wasn't much to be done.

Drink Dust and Confidence Men - I didn't see them.

Free Clinic - I've seen them before and their live performance is about as boring as it gets.  I like the music, but the vocals were inaudible and there was no emotion whatsoever.

Salvation - They sound like a faster Stop and Think or something.  I liked them.  Tho, none of the songs were especial bangers.  The singer had good energy. 

Hi's - the chill
Low's - Poor audio quality, turnout

3-18 The Trainjumpers, other band

So on this night we wanted to go to the Helter Shelter for a hardcore punk show.  I guess the show was moved to somewhere in West Virginia.  We ended up going down the street to the Thunderbird Cafe because there was some random show going down there.

First band - I dont know the name of this band but they were the best one of the night.  A bunch of old heads playing jazzy ska rock.  Very good musicians.

The Trainjumpers - This was a group of akward 20 somethings from West V that played ska rock type stuff.  It wasn't all that good.  I enjoyed it, but wont go out of my way to see again.

Hi's - after one show fell through we came to other plans, wearing my shirt with the TX Chainsaw dude on it.
Low's - the night kinda stunk

3-14 Weekend Nachos, Homewrecker, Thrak, Broken Neck, Complete Failure @Square One

This is the first show I ever attended at Square One, and the second punk/hardcore show they've had there all together.  It was a nice place.  A little bigger than the old Roboto.  Decent sound.  It's a hip-hop studio, I guess.  It was also my first time ever to Braddock. 

We asked the guy at the door about drinking inside of the venue, they said they don't have a problem with it, but wont allow it because they dont want to check id's or police underage drinking.  Now, me and Paul saw several people inside of there drinking beer very discreetly, but we didn't want to disrespect. 

There was probably 50 people at the show.  Decent turnout.

Complete Failure - I've seen them a few different times.  Good band.  Real heavy.  One of Pittsburgh's better heavy bands.  I'll always be a fan of sorts because last year at Sincerity Fest the drummer gave my car a jump when I let the battery die.  Turnout was good early and they played a decent and long set to good attention.

Broken Neck - Played a very short set.  I enjoyed them less this time than I had in the past.  The singer should have used the stage, especialy since she's pretty short.  This after repeat sightings of this band, they dont' seem to be evolving any.  I never feel like the next show is going to have a new killer song or something exciting happening.

Thrak - They've been a band in the area for a while now.  Despite, this was the first time I've seen them.  I'd call them a powerviolence band more or less.  Sounding like Crucial Unit.  They're good.

Homewrecker - Good as hell.  I've seen them a few times in Cleveland, but this was their best showing for sure.  They didn't play the Biohazard cover, but thats ok.  Got a sweet longsleeve shirt for cheap.  It's extra mean looking, all about filth and the creepy sherrif from TX Chainsaw.  People were moshing and getting hype.  They played just the right length set.  Cool shit.  Best band of the night.

Weekend Nachos - I hadn't heard of this band before a few months ago, but from the way they talked on stage they have been a touring band for years.  They were good.  Middle of the road hardcore in terms of heavy versus fast.  I liked their merch, 'defeat the christian right.'  There was good support from the crowd.

Hi's - cool new spot for shows, chillin with PT, good bands.
Low's - popo scare, weren't allowed to drink in the venue, the cold.