6-25 East Coast Tsunami Fest, Reading PA @Reverb

We went to the second day only of a three day festival. It was pretty bad fucking ass the entire time. The drive there was long, but we made it. The weather was hot, partly cloudy. Drinks were "cheap", by that I mean $3 for a 12oz beer. I guess thats acceptable. I spent maybe $45 on drinks for me. Tons of legendary bands played. I bet this particular day of the fest sold out. I'm thinking just over 1000 people were there. That's a good crowd.

Get Railed - This was pretty easily the worst band I've heard in a while. Fat guy beatdown. Pretty much everything about them sucked, especially the hypeness about being on internet pay-per-view and the fat man's tits bouncing around.

Line of Scrimmage - This band was suprisingly good. But why were they so hype about Shattered Realm playing? Blood for Blood anyone? Either way, this was indeed not a Ten Yard Fight cover band. Middle of the road beatdown hardcore. They played well and are good showmen. They brought some Wig to the set. I'd see them again, but I can't see myself getting too into it. Though they did play a Life of Agony cover. Out of the first four bands that played, this band was the best.

Bulldog Courage - This band isn't hype, that good, or anything. The singer is so fat he's boring as shit. They're kind of like an oi hardcore band sometimes, but their sing alongs aren't that good. They're also kind of like a beatdown band at times, but they're not that tough. They need some inspiration I think. Not as bad as the first band, but not good. They were better on this day than they were the last time I saw them, which I think was at the Smiling Moose in the Burgh.

Lionheart - This band isn't very good either. Beatdown shit from Detroit. They're just not my type of band. I watched two songs then watched through the window at the bar. If you've been to a show before, you've seen this.

Steel Nation - They killed it. Complete destruction. I had a great time during the set. I knew almost all the songs except for the new one they played. One of the day's bright spots. They didn't play Deliverance of the Devil, probably for the better, since I get hurt during that song. Forever Wounded slayed especially.

Ashers - This is a good band, but they were largely ignored by the hardcore crowd. The few punx there got into it, but for the most part the crowd took a nap. The band was pretty good, just on the wrong day of the fest.

Sand - Japanese hardcore. I didn't watch any but word is they were average.

Colin of Arabia (CoA) - This band was suprisingly entertaining and good. They played both songs that I know. The singer's a real character. "We'll trade merch for drugs." "Women should be held on a pedestal and respected." "Ask her if she wants ice cream instead of beating her up." "Drugs for merch." Fast hardcore, tough at times. I'll go see them again for sure. Best song title: 50 Bag of Hate.

No Redeeming Social Value - GREAT set. I had absolutely no idea they would be so entertaining. I'd only listened to them a few times before the fest, but I'm going to get all their albums now. They had a guy in a pussy costume on stage. A dude in a chicken costume. Good stuf. A very great time. Top 3 sets of the day. Pro-beer. Very very fun.

The girl in the van next to us - "I hope someone wants to trade weed for PBJs." Yikes. The PBJ to weed ratio gotta be like 50-1 based on demand and cost.

Sworn Enemy - When they played old songs it was hype. When they played new songs the shit sucked. I guess all in all it was a good set. They trick you by saying they're going to play old shit, then play a middle of the timeline song instead. Anything after Negative Outlook and As Real As It Gets just isn't that great. Too thrashy, lame lyrics, just sucky. It's sad to see my once favorite band unable to make new songs that are good. Also, by looking at the new lineup, anything to come out in the future is going to be bullshit.

Shattered Realm - This band sucks. Didn't watch.

At about this time in the day the police showed up at the fest. Not sure what was going on. Perhaps because a real real drunk guy got his nose completely smashed up. Either way, the presence of the popo didn't completely kill the fest. They left shortly.

Death Threat - Extra decent set. I was so tired at this particular point I didn't have the energy to get into the set. But it was good, and it woke me up and set the tone for the rest of the night. They played all songs that I know. The sing along and the mosh were in effect.

Skarhead - They're always good. The backup singer is the dude from Leeway, who is very very strange. Dancing all goofy. I think i liked the guy from Shotblockers better. They didn't play Drugs Money and Sex like I had hoped. But the set was fulfilling. Enjoyable. What you come to expect from DMS crew anything. Ezec's wife is bangin, but he needs to keep her off the mic.

Wisdom in Chains - Set of the night. Sing along city. Moshing in effect. They played all the bangers and some more. I enjoyed this set as much as I've ever enjoyed any set.

Hazen Street - I'm suprised they played this set, being they don't play shows very often at all. Bringing the pop punk rock music. It was very enjoyable. They played all the songs they have, 1 cd worth. Good stuff. I'd have rather seen Madball.

Blood for Blood - Very good set. Played all the super popular songs. Would have liked to hear Can't Heal, Maldito, or a few others. White Trash Rob wasn't there, but Billy Biohazard filled in very well. I was left a little disappointed by the set, probably because they've been mt fav for such a long time I was expecting too much. Still well worth getting me out to the fest.

Best to worst

1. Wisdom in Chains
2. No Redeeming Social Value
3. Steel Nation
4. Blood for Blood
5. Colin of Arabia
6. Skarhead
7. Death Threat
8. Hazen Street
9. Sworn Enemy
10. Ashers
11. Line of Scrimmage
12. Bulldog Courage
13. Sand
14. Shattered Realm
15. Lionheart
16. Get Railed

Great show. Great time.

What's up with girls feeling like than can just stand on the stage? Fuck that shit. That one fat bitch who was up there all night sucked. That chic who was standing on the stage during Hazen Street sucked. Those two bitches in particular sucked the weener.

5-29 Converge, Burning Love, Trap Them, Kim Phuc, Code Orange Kids, more, Braddock @UnSmoke Systems

This was the first time I had been to Unsmoke Systems in Braddock PA. It's a sweet spot for shows. But I have a feeling that there wont be too many shows going on there.

I think there were supposed to be 6 bands playing. But the show started mad early and I missed the first three. Code Orange Kids played, Kim Phuc played, and another band who I missed. All locals.

Trap Them - I like this band, but only a few songs especially. They didn't play Sleepwell Deconstructor. Their set was good. Some mosh went down. Their merch is brutal. Good set.

Burning Love - They were much better than last time, when they played at the Shop. They have the hardcore rock and roll sound. No beatdowns, no real fast stuff. I like the frontman for this band, but before one song he was talking about 'the pornography of society' and he sounded like an idiot. He bounced back from that by goofing on Craigslist ads for sex at that show. Good set, dumb merch.

Converge - An interesting set by them. Most of my favorite songs didn't get played. No When Forever Comes Crashing, or Locust Rain, Concubine, or Saddest Day. They did play the two best tracks off the new cd, Dark Horse and Axe to Fall. It was a great set because they put on a great show.

Hi's - Show spot, last 3 bands.

Lows - Early start, missing bands, going by myself.