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.

Moving in the archives.

So I'm trying to move all my blog posts from Myspace over to this blog.  There doesn't seem to be an easy way to do it so I'm going to have to repost each one.  Sucks, but I'll be working on it. 

*update 3-15-11*  I'm not sure I'm going to move any of the posts over.  It's just a hassle that I can't find the time for right now.  I'll work on it.  If you wanna see my old reviews, google 'neil chafin myspace.'  That should put you in the right place.

Starting up the blog in a new spot.

My name is Neil Chafin.  For years I've been blogging on Myspace, keeping a record of most of the shows I've been to and giving a review of those shows.  Myspace has practically forced me out the door.  So I'm getting started again on a much more user friendly space.

Hopefully this works out well.

Go to shows.

1-13 Sick of It All, Outbreak, Mother of Mercy, A Vision Within @Altar Bar

I was stoked to go to this show. I'd have rather seen Alpha and Omega instead of Mother of Mercy, but all is well because MoM is sweet too. The Altar Bar is a good place for shows, and this show went off well.

A Vision Within - Hot Water Music wannabe frat boys. I hope they disbanded after this show.

Mother of Mercy - Played a sweet set. I don't know any of their songs, but they bring good energy.

Outbreak - seen them many times and this time was another good performance. I dont know what it is, but they could be playing my favorite song and I'd never know it because their songs live are hard to recognize. Does that mean they suck live? I dont know, I enjoy it.

Sick of It All - Been a grip since they were in Pittsburgh. About half of the songs I didn't know, and that surprised me. They didn't play my fav Potential for a Fall, or Disco Sucks Fuck Everything. But they did play some great tunes. I enjoyed the shit out of their set. Great showmanship.

Hi's - SOIA rippin shit up, good supporting cast, good company.

Lows - jock band, the cold, parking too far away.

12-21 25 ta Life, Gutrench, xRepresentx, The War is On, Pittsburgh @Helter Shelter

This is the first show I've seen at the Helter Shelter where mosh was going on. Can't say I was feeling it especially.

The War is On - Tony and I missed them. I wanted to see them too.

Gutrench - Sweet Pittsburgh veterans, playing the shit out of some hardcore. I thought they especially killed it on this night. The guitar player is a true wise guy. I was feeling gooood.

xRepresentx - I don't like this band much. sxe jock shit.

25 Ta Life - Rick ta Life lost the dreads, wears a full body extra warm style jumpsuit, and cut the distro way down. I was ok with it. They played Fight Dirty, Wise to the Game, the Agnostic Front and Warzone covers and other bangers. I enjoyed this show.

Hi's - 25 ta Life, the innebriation.
Low's - venue too small for the mosh. I didn't want hit, I got hit a few times, I'm ok with it.

12-14-10 Madball, Bitter End, two locals, Pittsburgh @Altar Bar

This was my first time to the Altar Bar. Overall the club passes the general tolerance test. The sound was good, the beer wasn't cheap by any means but meh, the bouncers didn't start trouble, good floor space, nice blacony. Kenny had to park 3 blocks away, but I was super lucky and was able to park about 10 feet in front of the steps to the club. Great luck. We got there at about 9:00, missing the first two bands. Lionheart didn't show up, but I don't care because I don't like them to begin with.

First two bands - a bunch of kids and Shai Hulud wannabes from PA. We missed them both.

Bitter End - I thought they were good. Didn't sound like Madball at all, as my friends swore they were practically the same band. Tough, fast, good energy. They got shit moving at times. I liked them and would like to see them again.

Madball - slayed it. I haven't heard the new CD yet, but I'm going to get it. They played a few songs off the new album lat night and they were bangers. They never play long enough, I can't wait to see them again already. The mosh was good in a completely nonstupid way.

Hi's - Madball, mosh, super fun
Low's - The cold outside. Not much else.