10-9 Buried Alive, Sanction, Too Pure to Die, One on One, New Kensington @Preserving Underground

Buried Alive for free? Give me a freakin break. Yes, we're going. HB AJ, thanks.

Combust - 3 bands were added last minute. They're touring together, but we only made it in time for Combust. Good hardcore band, I enjoyed watching.

One on One - Their first show. Old HC heads playing good tough shit. Former members of Ten of Swords and other Pittsburgh HC staples. The crowd was into it big time.

Too Pure to Die - I like this bands older songs. You can tell the new jam aren't quite the same. They're always a good show though. Straight edge tough and heavy shit.

Sanction - They played very well. I like this band. Heavy, aggressive, and raw. I'm glad they didn't use the super bass extra loud effect that they used at I think the Rex a year ago or something. Awesome set, tons of energy, the mosh was on. Good time.

Buried Alive - I'll support pretty much anything Vogel from Terror is involved in. Always seems to be good. But I'm not new to Buried Alive. Hardcore punk metal grand daddies whose breakdowns are faster than you'd prefer and the chorus pretty much doesn't exist. They're raw as fuck and blasted everyone there for about an hour. Great set and probably the most intimate setting I'll ever get to see these guys.

Highs - the venue, all the bands, good company
Lows - nada

Punk in Drublic, NOFX, Pennywise, Sick of it All, Less Than Jake, Get Dead, Stolen Wheelchairs

Had just got back from our Furnace Fest trip and night before. Was lucky enough to get to go to this for free so of course I went. I love all of the beers. I wish the tastings continued to later in the day because after that it was $9 cans. Ou-fucking-ch.

Stolen Wheelchairs - from Philly. Punk rock, not hardcore. They were ok.

Get Dead - I think they said they are from Oakland or bay area. Fast punk with easy ska parts. Very good band. I actually liked them more than some of the later acts.

Sick of It All - the best band of the day by far. I don't know how much of what was going on behind me, but they killed it from where I was at. Played almost a perfect set. So much music to choose from, they hit a little bit everywhere. Sanctuary, Take the Night off, Scratch the Surface, and more good ones too. Injustice System.

Less Than Jake - pretty much killed it until I got very distracted and pissed off. I'll explain at the end. Great band, the best in their sub genre.

Pennywise - I really like this band. I did not like them on this day. The banter was mundane and the music sounded off at times. The vocals were pretty spot on for the most part. I didn't like the set, it was a downer. They were much much better with Rancid.

NOFX - I really like this band. I like the borderline or worse commentary and banter. They played a few songs that I know.

So there was at least one Nazi at this show. During Less than Jake some beefcake dude came in front of me for a handful of songs. I didn't mind because I'm about the same height and the stage was plenty high off the ground. During a song he raised his phone up to record some of the set. Fine again. Then I saw on his left forearm and right inner forearm one really big and one small swasticka tattoo. I got pretty mad at this. I wanted him to stay put until after the set so I could say something to him. Maybe I'm a bitch for not picking a fight with him right there, but I wanted him to know with words why he's fucked up. Dude was wearing a Suicidal Tendencies hat and a black shirt that said something on the back like 'Life Sucks Scum Fuck'. Something like that. Ugh, so offputting. Makes you wonder how many other down low nazis were there. Only way I sniffed this one out was him literally putting it right in my face.

Also I got confirmation from my friend who agreed, yes 100% swastikas.

9-25 Furnace Fest, Evergreen Terrace, Living Sacrifice, Misery Signals, Poison the Well, Shia Hulud, Stretch Armstrong, Touché Amore, many more, Birmingham Alabama @Sloss Furnace

Day two, and our last day of Furnce Fest. What was once the day I sought to see the most fell off a little when Poison the Well and Misery Signals dropped off the bill. Oh well.

Got there just in time for Evergreen Terrace.

Evergreen Terrace - Killed it. I haven't seen them for over a decade easily. Last time was at Forward Hall in Erie, and that place has been gone for a grip. I really liked the singer's crowd interaction and energy. I was super happy about the set. Taaake thiiiis moooomeeeent...

Shai Hulud - The goal was to get food and be back in time for Shai Hulud. It was a success. They have a new singer again. No one who I recognized. He was good though, no complaints. This band is pretty hard to get into, but I like them and always go see them.

Living Sacrifice - Killed it. In my opinion the best Christian Hardcore band. The set was a banger for sure. Got the tour shirt from 1992. Sweet find.

Deafheaven - I like this band, and their ambient perhapy style of metal. I can't get super into it, but the live show is good to watch. I like the singers odd body language. He reminds me of a character in the episode of Always Sunny where Dennis gets a new roommate who is some European party boy who promises Dennis impersonal sex parties. That guy a little bit. Head banging shit fast as fuck then when they finally go into a softer or different rhythm it just sounds great.

Touche Amore - sounded good from a distance and people seemed to be into it.

Stretch Arm Strong - Killed it. One of the best bands of the fest. Played all the bangers. Softcore, positive hardcore, melodic hardcore, whatever you want to call it. The merch line of theirs was craaaazy all damn day.

Glassjaw - Emocore at it's finest. I like but not love Glassjaw. Half a set ws good enough for me.

Taking Back Sunday - hung out waiting for my party to come back together. They sounded alright. I barely know any songs.

Highs - Had the food situation figured out, all the bands I really wanted to see were at the same stage, sold out show.
Lows - PtW and Misery Signals dropping.

Best Bands of the Fest: Terror, Stretch Armstrong, Converge, Evergreen Terrace

Birmingham was actually a great city and very accomodating. No problems with anything anywhere. Little italian pizza bar is good. The Furnace is a good place for a fest this gigantic. See you next year Alabama. I hope.

9-24 Furnace Fest, Converge, Defeater, Every Time I Die, From Autumn to Ashes, Seeyouspacecowboy, Terror, Thursday, Walls of Jericho, With Honor, Zao, many more, Birmingham Alabama @Sloss Furnace

Back in the day we didn't ever go to Alabama for Furnace Fest. Young me was just getting on this hardcore punk metal journey. Furnace Fest was pretty much the first festival announced after COVID restrictions were lifted, so we were like IDGAF how far the drive let's go. So we went. 4 hours to Huntington then 8 from there to Birmingham. 3 stages with mostly metalcore and emocore and such all day. 3 day fest, we're going the first two days. Many bands played, I'm only going to write up the one's I watched, obviously.

Seeyouspacecowboy - I liked this band when I saw them with I think Sanction. Good heavyish stuff. Enjoyed watching them in the sun.

As Cities Burn - I didn't know this band at all. This was during the portion of the day where I didn't know any bands. This was inside and in the shade so it's where we ended up. They're a metalcore, post hardcore type of band. No big time mosh parts. I didn't hate watching them.

Cave In - Not a horrible band either. One guy plays with Converge. They played some heavy songs and some softer songs. I like all the vocals and enjoyed the set. Their set was the beginning of nonstop bands I wanted to watch for the rest of the day.

Terror - The best band of the fest, as is usually the case when they play anywhere. They recently released a brand new single that they didn't play. That's ok because with a prime time spot you probably just want to play you're known ragers. They did. And killed it. The crowd was rowdy.

From Autumn to Ashes - I felt like they played heavier than they are on recordings. I liked the set a lot. One of thoe bands where the live set is them at their best. Left there to get drink and whatnot before With Honor.

Stavesacre - It seemed like some people watching really liked their stuff. More of a rock band than anything else. Had good energy and fine to watch and have a rest.

With Honor - I thought they sounded really good. I like the singer and his positive vibes and message. My friends thought they didn't sound so great. I liked the stuff they played from the first album, and was suprised at a few songs they played off the not quite so old albums that people really knew. Good set, one of the bands that I definitely wanted to see.

Thursday - Live they sound every bit as good as they do on recordings. I only watched a handfull of songs because their set bumped up against Converge, and I wanted to avoid pushing through a few thousand people to get to a decent spot. The only song I knew that I watched was Cross Out the Eyes, which is a killer song.

Converge - They are right up there with Terror as the best band of the day. Killed it. The vocalist is supremely entertaining. I like his body language. They opened up with A Single Tear and Darkhorse which was awesome. They played in the middle of the set Eagles Become Vultures and You Fail Me, again awesome. Closed with Concubine. Obviously leaving a few really popular and good songs off the setlist, but that's fine and that's what they do every time I've ever seen them. Great set.

Underoath - Listened from the distance. It was alright.

Highs - Once we figured the place out, the grounds of the Furnace is a great place for this event.
Lows - Food lines, beer lines, at times portajohn lines. Just freaking lines everywhere.

8-14 SMPF, Sloppy Seconds, the Cheats, Mud City Manglers, Idleminds, Subtastics, Middle Age Brigade, Cumberland MD @Mezzos

Day 3 of Savage Mountain Punk Fest. Has been a good time all around. Road adventures, walking adventures, and punk rock mostly with bands I'm not familiar with. This was the best. Fuck COVID and shutting shit down. Punk is back, at least a little bit.

Middle Age Brigade - I really enoyed this band. Middle aged dudes, plenty of tongue in cheek going on. Hardcore punk, but the easy hardcore punk. Nice riffage going on at times. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I'll check them out agian if possible. I hear they have a show coming up in Frostburg and another in Altoona.

Subtastics - Not a good thing, I honestly don't remember anything about this band. Not even what they look like. Maybe if I ever see them on a bill I'll go just because I want to pay pennance for this debauchery.

Idleminds - They're a localish band, and sound exactly like Pennywise and Bad Religion mixed up together. I didn't love it, which is somewhat odd because I love Bad Religion and like Pennywise. They sounded good, just not my fav.

Mud City Manglers - A very entertaining rock and roll metal punkrock type band. Good beats, good show. I'll prbably listen to them more. Some band members looked very familiar, I suspect I maybe have seen them before or seen other bands they're in.

The Cheats - Rock and roll deathpunk style from Pittsburgh. They're a good band. Lots of eye makeup. I've seen them a few times before, and I'm sure I'll see them a few times again. I would have preferred a more up tempo band before Sloppy but the Cheats were fine too.

Sloppy Seconds - They were great. The singer has a bum foot, or maybe it's a bum body. Doesn't matter because he still sounds awesome. I know the band wasn't pleased with the sound because they coudn't hear shit right, but when you've been banging these songs out for as long as they have, you can tell they don't need the monitors really. They played a ton of good songs. Opened with Black Roses and played bangers exclusively from there on. I didn't expect them to play Nightmare Theater, and they didn't. Oh well. Had a great drunk time.

Highs - Savage Mountain Punk Fest was a really good time. It seems like they've been having it every year and if they have it again next year we'll have to go.

Lows - The hotel wasn't extremely cheap, but should have been because we were on like the 7th floor and when we got back to the room there wasn't any power and no elevators. The walk up the stairs was balls.

Best bands: Sloppy Seconds, Submachine, Typhoid Rosie

8-13 SMPF, Reno Divorce, Submachine, Reckless Threat, the Downstrokes, Typhoid Rosie, the Lousekateers, Cumberland MD @Mezzos

Second day of Savage Mountain Punk Fest. All three days are at Mezzos, which is fine by me. Cool place, all ages type situation.

Pop Tarts hooked us up with a local place to stay. This enabled us to screw around all morning and day. Got breakfast at Klines Restraunt. Good call, the breakfast was reasonable and good. Then we went to Rocky Gap national park. Another good call becasue this place was empty and we got to chill and explore for a while and get in the water just right.

The Lousekateers - Easygoing lady vocal style punk band from New York. Cool band, set thing off right.

Typhoid Rosie - I loved this band. From Brooklyn, she singer lady was wearing some sort of Xena outfit and was doing karate shit and whatnot. She was really funny too, enjoyed the band thoroughly. Punk rock and roll done right. They said they have a new album out, I'm going to listen to it right now.

The Downstrokes - the dude putting on the fest, this is his band. Cool band. Medium tempo punk rock. I didn't hate this band, and it was pretty obvious that people support this band somewhat. Love the dude putting on something like this.

Reckless Threat - Three piece from Tennessee. Good band. I didn't love many songs, didn't hate many either.

Submachine - Classic Pittsburgh hardcore punk band. I'm stoked they're still playing. They pretty much killed it. During their set this dude fell and hit his head on the floor busting himself open. Dude was fine and in attendance with stitches the next night as well. Submachine played great in my opinion. Played some bangers. Was too drunk after to pick out a decent shirt, but thats ok, I'll wear the ok one. Bull in a China Shop is my favorite song.

Reno Divorce - They've evidently been playing for a long time. Rock and roll, rockabilly, punk rockish band. They were good. Good songs. Not quite something I get excited about, but worthy of support.

Highs - Submachine, Typhoid Rosie, good vibes all around
Lows - I can't remember what we had for dinner.

8-12 Savage Mountain Punk Fest, Beatnik Termites, the Jasons, the Nuclears, McRad, Wayward Brigade, the Wasted, Cumberland MD @Mezzos

Well, if there's no This is Hardcore in Philly and no Skull Fest in Pittsburgh, then the next best things are Furnace Fest in Alabama and Savage Mountain Punk Fest in Cumberland. This weekend, it's Savage Mountain. We had never been to Cumberland before. But when we saw that Sloppy Seconds was headlining a fest, we knew we had to go. Sloppy is pretty much the best.
Either way we decided to go to all 3 nights of shows, just cuz shows are happening again.

Turns out Mezzos is a completely fine place. The upstairs portion is a nice open concept bar and restraunt with great temperature control. The downstairs is a small/medium music space with a poorish layout and cheap PBR. We didn't try the pizza here, and that was probably a bad call.

We got pizza at Jacks before the show. Good call, bomb pizza.

The Wasted - They have an EP or something coming out on AF Records soon. This was the perfect band to open up more or less any fest. The variety of punks we were hoping to find at SMPF. Two piece punk band. Smelled like a 2 piece punk band. It was perfect. I'll listen to the album when it drops.

Wayward Brigade - This band was ok. Local punk outfit. The singer, who looked like a former contestant on Daisy of Love (VH1 obv), started the set off saying something like, it's not okay to call ladies bitches. Which I agree with, however, it was poorly done. Meh punk band, not aggressive enough to be dangerous.

McRad - The worst band name on the bill, but the second best set of the day. Another two piece, one lady on the drums and one dude on guitar and vocals. The guitar riffs ranged from metal to rock, and the vocals were fuzzy exactly like you want them. The whole set was a head nodder. They didn't sell any merch, or promote any other shows. The drummer looked super happy and she's the best. Upon farther research I think the singer used to be a pro skateboarder and McRad was a hardcore punk band in the 1980s, and the singer filled in on vocals for Bad Brains at times after HR left that group. I kinda want to write an article about this band.

The Nuclears - They're a 5 piece rock/punk band that has a lady singer who is very good. The energy was great and the people in attendance loved it. From Brooklyn. Not necessarily my favorite, but a good band for most shows.

The Jasons - Probably should have been headlining, they were really good. Second time seeing them. The schtick here is that they all dress up like different iterations of Jason the horror movie serial killer. Jason 3d etc. Good punk rock songs, nothing too heavy, everyone got into it.

Beatnik Termites - From Cleveland, they're a super easy listening band. They sound like something from the beatnik era maybe. Our impression was old ass songs. Ok band, not aggressive enough for me.

Highs - Jasons, McRad, venue
Lows - not much

Met a dude named Robert who was cool. Local wearing a DMX outfit. Super friendly, lit his pocket on fire.

8-11 Death Before Dishonor, Steel Nation, xRepresentx, Contemptment, Pittsburgh @Preserving Hardcore

I hope this trend continues with awesome shows at Preserving. Steel Nation plays and we do pretty much whatever to make it. Last time we came up here we noticed a brewery called Voodoo literally one block away. 3 minute walk. This is perfect becaue I don't really want to disrespect the drug and alcohol free venue by gooning it up. Though I'm not above that. So we got pizza and beer at Voodoo before the show. Perfect.

xRepresentx - They canceled. The singer was still there. Heard someone else in the band wasn't well.

Contemptment - First time hearing them. They were good. Hardcore, not so different from Watcher. Nice set.

Steel Nation - Been so long since I saw Steel Nation. Heavy hitting harcore with just enough metal parts and fast parts. The new album is a ripper, though they didn't play the two best songs somehow. Bloodsucker and Self Defeated. They mentioned they're working on a Forever Wounded front to back set. I hope it happens.

Death Before Dishonor - This was the last show of their tour. The new album is good. You know the old stuff is good. Get your mosh on. Get your sing along on.

Highs - Everything music related and beer and pizza related
Lows - Nothing at all. Didn't even have to drive through a storm.

7-30 Human Animal, Watcher, Hurtpiece, Narakah, New Kensington @Preserving Underground

This was the first hardcore show I've been privy to in a long time. I know they've been going on in secretish, but no one tells me these things. This was my first time to Preserving Underground since they moved into the church. Great space. Awesome for shows.

Narakah - This band was ok. The singer has a baby face. Death grind is what the singer said they are, with some neandrethal parts. New band I think, decent set.

Hurtpiece - Hardcore. I dont think I had seen them before. Ok set.

Watcher - Members of Built Upon Frustration. They played some BUF songs, and some of their own songs. Nice set, heavy band. I know they're not a new new band, but they're new to me. Heavy hardcore, not so different from BUF.

Human Animal - Erie hardcore at its finest. I thought they were exceptionally good. The new album is good too. Fast hardcore, easy on the mosh for the most part.

Highs - The bands, the show space, New Kensington in general.
Lows - Nothing, driving an hour fifteen isn't all that big a deal to us.

7/24/21 Cruces, Lawjaw, Joey Molinaro, KMFD, Flash Thunder, Pittsburgh @Babyland

This was the last show ever at Babyland. Sucks. This place is pretty near perfect for shows in terms of location. Nestled in the middle of some warehouses, noise and funny business aren't an issue. We went to this show just to say goodbye to Babyland. We didn't know any of the groups going in.

KMFD - This guy is an electronic musician. I dont really know what to call him. Not a DJ, he didn't spin records or whatever. He just had a few machines that played sounds. I didn't enjoy this a whole lot, but it was something different.

Flash Thunder - This band was pretty good. No guitar player, bass, drums, singer. 3 piece hardcore band. The bass riffs were awesome. This was their first show. Enjoyed greatly.

Joey Molinaro - Hardcore violin player. He was interesting. For about half of his set he had a fucked up cable and too loud stomping. Eventually he fixed that stuff and it was pretty cool. He had some really good parts, and some whatever. Again, something very different.

Cruces - Metal band that was really good. I hadn't heard them before, but I understand they've been playing for a while. The lady singer was very good and the band has good musicians.

Lawjaw - Screamy indie rockish group. We watched a few songs, weren't super into it.

We left before the dance party or whatever started. My feeling was that most people probably did too.

Highs - A nice assortment of music and people
Lows - RIP Babyland

8-15 Skull Fest 11 Opening show, Schizofrenia, VAASKA, Fuckin Lovers, SexPill, Nandas, Charged DIS, Pittsburgh @Babyland

The opening show for Skull Fest. I love Skull Fest. All the festive punks, scumbags, and otherwise. Babyland is the perfect place for a show part of Skull Fest. At the beginning of the day all kinds of people were drinking the Skull Fest poison pouch.

Charged DIS - Pittsburgh punk rock. Dusty Hanna plays guitar and shredded the whole time. The singer was ok.

Nandas - From New York. Slower hardcore punk. Lady singer, lady drummer. Good set.

Sex Pill - A 3 piece. They were good. Some discussion about the gender of the bass player.

Fuckin Lovers - One of the better bands of the day. The singer had an awful haircut, but it wasn't awful too. From Philly, hardcore punk. Very good.

Vaaska - The best band of the show. D beat style hardcore punk with Spanish Lyrics. I think someone in this band is also in Power Trip. Good heavy bang your head shit.

Schizofrenia - Japanese band. Fast and good. Enjoyed the set.

After the show there were just as many people hanging out, but no juice pouches to be found. Either everyone was too hammered too early, or they weren't satisfied with the juice pouch. I suspect the first.

8-2 Stick to Your Guns, Counterparts, Terror, Sanction, Year of the Knife, Pittsburgh @Rex Theater

The first show after This is Hardcore fest is sometimes a letdown. Not this one though.

Year of the Knife - From Delaware. Heavy hardcore. Seen them before, they were pretty good.

Sanction - Very good set. Sometime of their breakdowns were crazy heavy, it was cool. They've been around before a bunch of times, always been good.

Terror - The best band of the night by far. The new songs are good too, like Mental Demolition. At this point they have too many good songs to play them all. They'd need a 2 hour set. But the song selection was tight and Scott Vogel is always the best. The t-shirt game was a little off, that was a big surprise.

Counterparts - Didn't play. Van trouble.

Stick to Your Guns - A little too singy for me. Can't get into it.

Highs - Terror, Sanction, Year of the Knife
Low's - Nothing.

7-28 This is Hardcore Fest, Gorilla Biscuits, Cro-Mags, Breakdown, Death Threat, Old Firm Casuals, Maximum Penalty, Regulate, On Broken Wings, Eyes of the Lord, No Option, Spine, Regional Justice Center, Aggressive Dogs, Gulch, Guillotine, Vatican, Fixation, Philly @Franklin Music Hall

The first two days of This is Hardcore were awesome. Sunday did not disappoint either. Per tradition we didn't get there on time. We picked Aggressive Dogs as the first band we wanted to get there to see. I wasn't feeling very good on this morning. Luckily as the day went on my stomach was feeling better. At the diner late Saturday I had too much sweet stuff. Some berry stuffed french toast and a slice of Boston Creme Pie. It was good at the time, not in the morning though.

Fixation - Missed them.

Vatican - Missed them.

Guillotine - Missed them.

Gulch - Missed them.

Aggressive Dogs - They've been playing as a band since the mid 80s and have a wide variety of songs. It looked like only two members of the band were able to make it, and they played with a few American fill ins. The lead singer is good and the songs were good. Crowd response was mild, as expected. Good set that I'll most likely never get to see again.

Regional Justice Center - Fastcore from Washington state. They were good, I think I like the recordings a little better than the live set. Cool band I wanted to see.

Spine - Missed them.

No Option - Very good band. Saw them at the Smiling Moose a few months ago. They got a really good response from the crowd. Hardcore.

Eyes of the Lord - Not a huge fan of the recordings. Car beer.

On Broken Wings - Car beer. Had 0 interest in seeing this. Did they even play? I can't seem to find a single picture of the set or reference to them actually playing.

Regulate - Good set, not a great set. I really like a handfull of their songs, and they sounded pretty good. But last year's set was killer and hard to follow up.

Maximum Penalty - Good old style band. A little bit rappy. Didn't get a whole lot of respect from the crowd. But that's normal for them at This is Hardcore.

Old Firm Casuals - More of oi punk than hardcore. I like the style of music and would like to see more of this at TIHC, but bands leaning a little more aggressive. They were good. It was cool to see Lars from Rancid play, hadn't ever been to a show of theirs or any of his side projects. They didn't get much crowd response, but there were more people standing up front for them than there was for Max Pen. Rumor after the set is that Lars was pissed about the minimal response from the crowd.

Death Threat - Killed it. They played everything from the first release and it was very good. Lots of angel dust stories. Probably the best I've seen them. Oh, they showed up too, that's a plus.

Breakdown - Killed it as always. The old jams are classic. Great frontman, great response.

Cro-Mags - Perfect band to lead into GB. I had seen them at TIHC before to lukewarm reception. Not this year, shit was on fire this time around. JJ and crew killed it.

Gorilla Biscuits - Killed it as expected. They recently had a death in the band, but they're still a great live show. Played to a full house and it was awesome.

Best bands for Sunday:
1 Cro-Mags
2 Gorilla Biscuits
3 Breakdown
4 Death Threat

Best bands of the Fest:
1 Wisdom in Chains 2 Cro-Mags 3 Harms Way 4 Agnostic Front 5 Drain 6 Facewreck

In summation the hooker hotel and the diner delivered as always. The new car was perfect. The parking situation was the best it's ever been, under a tree every time. The bands were awesome. The crowd was awesome. Perfect hardcore vacation. PAHC on top always.

7-27 This is Hardcore Fest, Saves the Day, Off, Agnostic Front, Wisdom in Chains, Ecostrike, Downpresser, Billy Club Sandwich, Into Another, Trail of Lies, Hoods, Queensway, Hangman, Laid 2 Rest, Kaonashi, One Step Closer, Magnitude, Drain, Shackled, Anxious, Section H8, Philly @Franklin Music Hall

Friday was an awesome show. I didn't know near as many bands on the second day, so we weren't in such a rush to get there. At one point we weren't sure what bands we were watching. The catch was Hangman, things must have been running pretty well ahead of time because we missed Hangman and didn't realize it. The goal was to get in to see Drain.

Section H8 - Missed them. I've heard of them before, from Philly I think.

Anxious - Missed them and hadn't heard of them before.

Shackled - Missed them. No idea.

Drain - Hardcore from Cali. Awesome set, the singer looked super happy the entire time. The songs were fun and groovy. Very happy we arrived right on time. Surf hardcore. The Drain swim trunks are top notch.

Magnitude - This was merch and haircut time. Missed them, but my friends said they were really really good. I should have watched.

One Step Closer - They were really good. Not as heavy as many other bands at the fest. Wilkes Barre Hardcore. I think they cover a Linkin Park song sometimes? Maybe?

Kaonashi - Missed them. Beer time. I heard people talking about the set being good and stuff.

Laid 2 Rest - I heard some hype about this band going into the fest but I didn't hear anything about them after they played.

Hangman - Missed them, though I wanted to see them. Poor execution.

Queensway - I like this band but not too much. Ok hardcore, very much in the vein of Hoods. I've seen them before.

Hoods - I thought this set was going to be a dud. It was very good. They've been playing for a long time and they got pretty good respect from the crowd.

Trail of Lies - Missed them.

Billy Club Sandwich - Missed them. Not a big fan of the recordings.

Downpresser - Missed them.

Ecostrike - Straight edge from Florida. They were ok. I think this is the singer from Blistered. Decent set. Decent crowd response.

Wisdom in Chains - This day went from low speed to high gear really quick. The new songs are killer, the old jams are killer. Great music and great vocals. As always the singalong was on, plenty of stagedives. I don't know what the pit was doing because that was firmly behind me.

Agnostic Front - Another band that I've seen at TIHC in the past and get no reception whatsoever. But this year was different. Very solid response for the old heads playing the old shit. The sound was a little shitty in terms of vocal volume for about half the set. Best I've ever seen them.

OFF! - Not a huge fan of the set. It was good in the hardcore punk way, but with the singer from Black Flag and The Circle Jerks, you kinda want to hear at least a cover. The best part of the set was when Jimmy Gestapo came out and made run of the singer. Dude is so funny. I love Jimmy G from Murphys Law. Crowd support was minimal. It's tough to get a fitting band to play before Saves the Day headlining a hardcore fest.

Saves the Day - I had this pegged for a poorly attended snooze fest. I was super wrong. The singalongs were on. The stagedives were on. The crowd response was amazing compared to what I expected. I liked the set and thought they sounded good.

Best bands:
1 Wisdom in Chains
2 Agnostic Front
3 Drain

7-26 This is Hardcore Fest, Code Orange, 100 Demons, Harms Way, All Out War, Jesus Piece, Death Before Dishonor, Inclination, Eternal Sleep, Bloodbather, Enemy Mind, Facewreck, Payback, Philly @Franklin Music Hall

Going into the fest I thought Fridays show was pretty obviously the most stacked. Perfect way to kick off TIHC weekend 2019. I know there was a pre-show on Thursday, but we didn't attend so this was the beginning for us. This was Pittsburgh day at TIHC.

Payback - I hate that they open the doors like 5 minutes before any bands play so almost everyone is waiting in line outside missing them. Not usually a big deal for me, but on this day I really wanted to see everyone. Payback sounded good from outside.

Facewreck - The best new band in hardcore. A funny band when you get past all the mosh. We missed the first half of the set because of the line getting in. Singer had a few funny lines about following proper protocol while entering the venue. Good tough guy banter also. Great energy from the crowd for the second band of the day, and one of the best sets of the day. Pittsburgh band #1.

Enemy Mind - A heavier hardcore sound. More metal involved here. I like this band, and they sounded really good. Pittsburgh band #2.

Bloodbather - Super heavy hardcore from Florida I think. They were pretty good.

Eternal Sleep - They've been playing songs from their most recent album for a few years and it's good to hear they are going to record again. They played all the bangers like Red Herring and Dead Like Me, and the new song was good too. A really strong set. Pittsburgh band #3.

Inclination - Heavy straight edge hardcore. They were good. The crowd was into it big time. They have some really good songs. Killed it at times.

Death Before Dishonor - Old heads releasing a new album. The old songs were good, the new songs were good too. They started the trend of bands who I've seen at TIHC to really poor reception in the past who were treated much better by the crowd this time around.

Jesus Piece - When this band plays you can expect the pit to get scary. No difference this time. I really like Jesus Piece but I make sure to stay something like 15 feet back from the edge of the pit because someone is getting wrecked. Bang your head to this stuff.

All Out War - They almost always play, and they almost always kill it. They did it again. More old heads dropping a new album to great reception. So freaking heavy and a perfect band to go together with the rest of the show.

Harms Way - My favorite set of the day. Hulk is a good front man for a band so heavy. The new songs are good, the older bangers are still good. I'll always get down to their live set. Killed it, no surprise I think the whole building felt that way.

100 Demons - There were no disappointments on this day, but 100 Demons was the closest. They didn't sound bad, it just wasn't great. They played with the original singer for the first time in almost 20 years, and evidently those guys for a long stretch didn't get along at all. The songs were good and I very much prefer the old singer to the current one. That first album is a complete banger. Crowd support was good, but not as intense as anticipated.

Code Orange - Pittsburgh band #4. It's amazing to me this band's live show right now versus the first time I saw them like a decade ago in a punk house living room with 6 people in it. The live show is pretty much uncontested in hardcore right now. They walk the line between a hardcore show and maybe an industrial metal feel with the lighting and video stuff. I noticed some of the older songs I really like they played updated versions of the songs. Interesting. No need to say they killed it and are the perfect band to headline Fridays show.

My high expectations for this day weren't let down. Every band was worth watching. The crowd was awesome and reasonably respectful.

Best Bands:
1 Harms Way
2 Facewreck
3 Eternal Sleep

6-7 Sworn Enemy, 156 Silence, Inconsolable Wretch, Circle of Caina, New Kensington @Preserving Hardcore

This was my first time going to Preserving Hardcore. I hadn't ever been to New Kensington before. I was under the impression that New Kens was a dump. After getting there it turns out that New Kens is a dump. That's ok. Preserving Hardcore is in a great basement spot right next to the PJ's. Nice record store, nice little show space. A little tight once people start dancing, but the mosh was pretty respectable all night.

Unfortunately I don't know any of the bands that played before Sworn Enemy. I didn't know them going in, and I don't think even one band clearly said what their name is. So even when leaving I didn't know who was who. After doing some googling I think I might have figured it out.

Circle of Caina - Heavy hardcore metal. Nothing too memorable here.

Inconsolable Wretch - Heavy hardcore metal. The guitarist is the singer. I think other than Sworn Enemy they were the best band of the night.

156 Silence - The best known local on the bill. They are good and heavy hardcore. Again, nothing too memorable.

Sworn Enemy - Pretty much killed it. They played a few new songs too. One of them is real good, it's the song they have the video for. The new album is hit and miss, but the live set was awesome. They hadn't been in Pittsburgh for a decade, it was good to have them back. I should have got the white shirt.

Preserving Hardcore museum was pretty awesome. I wasn't expecting so much. A lot of local band shit in there, which is awesome. Some awesome old jerseys in there like the 25 Ta Life hockey jersey. Great place, too bad it's like an hour and a half from where I live or I'd go there all the time.

Highs - Sworn Enemy, the space.

Lows - Nothing.

6-6 Ringworm, Unreal City, The Grip, Pittsburgh @Rock Room

This show hadn't been announced for very long. Somewhat of a last minute thing. I'm thinking Ringworm wanted a warm up show for their tour. The Rock Room was a great place to do such a thing.

The Grip - Good band. Good energy. Younger folks playing hardcore punk. More hardcore than punk. I like the singers cross country skiing move. Philly band. Not sure if they're on tour or what. Had nice white hats for sale.

Unreal City - Awesome band. Good songs. Same singer as Eternal Sleep. They really occupy the same space in hardcore as Eternal Sleep but Unreal City isn't as heavy and a little faster. Maybe more friendly sounding. Good set, good Pittsburgh band.

Ringworm - Well known Cleveland hardcore metal. The new album is good, and they played some headbangers off of it. I like it how they're fine with slumming it up at the Rock Room on short notice. Good energy, killer riffs always.

Hi's - Everything, pierogie night

Low's - Turnout was a little bit light.

6-2 Sick of It All, La Armada, Dead Batteries, Pittsburgh @Cattivo

Wisdom in Chains was supposed to be on this show. Unfortunately they cancelled their entire tour because of some health issues. So that's a bummer because they're pretty much the best. Either way, replaced by.... Dead Batteries. Bummer again. Through two bands I thought there were 70 people in attendance. After La Armada people crawled out of the woodworks.

Dead Batteries - Weren't bad. They remind me of Hot Water Music or something like this.

La Armada - I thought this was their best show in Pittsburgh that I had seen. And I had seen them a few times before. Hardcore punk weirdness. The music is choppy and hard to get into. They know this I'm sure. But all in all great performance. The crowd wasn't into it all that much, but they were very good.

Sick of it All - Also the best I'd ever seen Sick of it All in Pittsburgh. They killed it. Some of the new songs are a bit heavier in parts, and it came off really well. They played the old bangers. Opened with Clobbering Time. Scratch the Surface, Sanctuary, no Potential for a Fall but that's ok because they played Injustice System too. Great set. I didn't like any of the shirts all that much, but I got one anyway just because they were very good.

Hi's - Sneaky good attendance, all the bands.
Low's - No Wisdom in Chains.

5-20 Antisect, Behind Enemy Lines, Eel, Destitut, Pittsburgh @Cattivo

Not sure what happened with this show. The price wasn't bad, but turnout was. There was maybe 70 people there, something like that. It wasn't good. Behind Enemy Lines deserves better than that, so does Antisect.

Destitut - Pittsburgh punks. Very forgettable.

Eel - Not sure what happened there. They didn't show up. Rumor is that they broke up, maybe today. Either way they didn't play, and it didn't look like anyone from the band came to the show at all. Skull Records also had a table reserved, it remained empty all night.

Behind Enemy Lines - Killed it like every time I've seen them. Fast Pittsburgh hardcore punk with the best lyrics in the punk universe.

Antisect - They were very good. I expected a lot of the older metalpunk sound, but they played a ton of more modern sounding hardcore punk jammers. Great set. One original member I think, but that's what happens when you play for 30 years. The band was on, the sound was good, the crowd was extra weak.

Highs - Antisect, Behind Enemy Lines Low's - Attendance

5-16 Eyehategod, Sheer Terror, Negative Approach, Phobia, Killer of Sheep, Pittsburgh @Cattivo

Even after Fuck You Pay Me dropped off the bill the show was still stacked. I was a bit surprised though, because I thought the place would be jam packed. I'd say somewhere around 120 people were there. Must be the price that kept some people away.

Killer of Sheep - Hardcore punk mainstays from Pittsburgh. If you've been to a show, you've seen them. Good set.

Phobia - They've been around for a long time and I've never seen them before. Grind hardcore punk. Fast parts, bang your head parts, they killed it. I'd like to see them in more of a Skull Fest type setting, with all the crustys instead of the metalheads.

Sheer Terror - I thought hardcore would come out for this band, I guess not. They were very good, playing all the songs you wanted to hear. I like the lead singers banter, even if the joke about a dog was a dud. Angry depressed hardcore legends from NY. Sidenote, I really thought they'd be on the This is Hardcore lineup this year.

Negative Approach - I thought this might have been the best I'd seen Negative Approach. I like the way the lead singer says 'man'. He got some kind of accent going on. Played Ready to Fight and Lead Song and all the other bangers. Not a whole lot of crowd response, but a great set anyways.

Eyehategod - Not a band I'm super into, but they're worth seeing. It was very odd how the room emptied out about half way into their set. Weird crowd tonight. I don't know any of their songs off by heart. The energy from the band was good, I'd like to see them again.

Highs - All the bands
Lows - Turnout and FYPM not being there.