5-17 Comeback Kid, Lions Lions, Featherlight, Tuesday's Too Late, maybe D&C, Pittsburgh@Smiling Moose

I like going to shows at the Smiling Moose, but I don't like it all. More aggressive shows like this are hindered by the shape of the venue. The shape is very narrow, and very long. So when the pit gets going it splits the crowd into 2 sections, up close to the stage and way in the back. The people way in the back have a shit view, there are merch tables and the sound booth in the way, it just sucks back there. So that really ruins the show experience for most of the people there who get caught towards the back.
Regardless, I hindered my own freedom on this evening by forgetting my wallet at my friend's house. So I couldn't drink. I was denied re-entry privileges. I had to wait up there by myself while shit bands played for my friends to get in there. It sucked.

I missed Tuesday's Too Late and if Divide and Conquer played I missed them too. Not mad about it.

Featherlight - Evidently they've been a band for a while. Melodic hardcore that tried to get heavy at times. I wasn't into it. Too soft and not good. Nice people with some nice things to say. But shit band.

Lions Lions - From Boston. They were disappointing, but with a name like that I was expecting what I got. They were all singy and then all tough and then all singy again. It was whatever. They were all spinning around with their guitars and in general were real fun to watch. All younger guys. I'll most likely never go to a show just to see them.

Comeback Kid - They played all the good shit except Hailing On Me. I love that song and didn't get to hear it. But they did play Wake the Dead and Operative Word and lots of stuff from their Turn It Around album. Great energy. Great crowd participation. I was a little irked by big guys being rough in such a small space. But when Terror played there and Steel Nation I was doing the same shit. So whatevs. Chauderman got slugged in the nozzle, that was cool. Join the club. I'll for sure go see this band every time they're in town.

Hi's - Comeback Kid
Low's - leaving my things at home, douchebags, shit bands

5-16 Tragedy, Ratface, Zeitgeist, the Crazy Scorpion Group, Pittsburgh@the Shop

Before going to this show we were a bit worried that we might not get in. Mind Cure sold out of all the pre-sale tickets that they had, which worried me. Turns out the show was running on extra punk time and we got there a bit early and got in fine. There were close to 200 people there, which was fantastic. And seeing Tragedy for only $10 is great all the time. The crusties were in the house. The accompanying smell was also in the house.

My friend CousCous, who I went to the show with, recalls a conversation/confrontation he witnessed between two punks. He is certain that the chic with the big hair is a hooker, and the drunk blonde chic was not a hooker. And the hooker thought the blonde was a hooker invading her space. There was no fight, just some funny dialogue. Also, he witnessed me being hit by an airborne beer can and didn't punch the thrower.

Crazy Scorpion Group - I wasn't into this band real much. They're not very serious, which is ok. The singer wore his backpack the entire time and looks like a real wise guy with some kind of smirk on his face. But that's ok too. It's just the songs weren't very good. Also, they meant to bring demos to sell, but they didn't bring the demos.

Zeitgeist - They were the surprise group of the evening. Local band. They were really good. I enjoyed the set. Fast punk, a little heavy, a little riffy. Chic singer who was good but pretty standardly unoriginal, though mobile and good to watch. I bought a patch that I'll put on my jacket.

Ratface - For sure the best I've ever seen Ratface. The crowd was into it. Shit was going on, and lots of people were inside to watch. Good times. I still like Zeitgeist better, but the Rat was good. They also have a decent little flag that they hang up and it looks cool.

Tragedy - Ripped the shit out of the place. They played mostly old jammers, and a few newer ones. They all killed. The pit was going. It was dark and spooky in there. They're the best d-beat influenced punk band that I've ever seen. At one point in the set the drunk guy with no shirt and dreads fell onto the guitarist/singer's guitar pedals. The guitarist attacked the dude prompting a bunch of people to throw the dude out. I'm not sure if that's all there was to the story or not, but that's what I remember seeing.

All in all, lots of beer was thrown around. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Hookers and all. There was an aftershow with Torch Runner playing in the South Hills afterwards. We made an effort to find the place, but when we determined we had failed, we just went back home.

Hi's - the whole show, the venue, turnout, byob always
Low's - it got a wee bit chilly out

4-29 Murphys Law, Wisdom in Chains, Race Riot, Ensign, Basement Boys, Cleveland @NTC

So the drive to Cleveland is always a long one, but for a show like this on short notice it was completely worth it. Even considering all the time we spent driving around trying to get home. Now That's Class is an especially sweet spot for punk shows. Cheapish beer, great ambiance, good crowd last night. Last night evidently Chubby Fresh was in the house and wanted to kill the guy who runs Now That's Class maybe? Also learned that the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh may be a hangout for a resurgent scene of Nazi fucks.

Basement Boys - This band is made great by the singer. He's one of the 'tower skins' who live in 'the tower.' And this big fat guy is fucking funny. He went off of multiple rants about pro wrestling, getting in fights, sports, the tower, getting in fights, being a pussy, tower skins, 'worldwide', and lots of other things. The band was good, but the singer took the cake. I'd like to see them again, because this gentleman is a good time all on his own.

Ensign - This band from NJ has been playing for a long time. Well over a decade. Evidently they had to get back to New Jersey asap so they played second. They were good but not great. They didn't play the only two songs by them I know, Day by Day and Tourniquet. I enjoyed watching them for what it was. But what it was is rushed and in front of not many people. I'd like to listen some more, and see them again.

Race Riot - Dudes from SOSF and Crowd Deterrent. They were really good. All in all they were my second fav band of the evening. I learned from Samoan Rob that Nazis are on the up and up evidently. Sucks. RR is fast, sing alongish, hardcore punk. Not so much different from Crowd Deterrent, but definitely more friendly. I enjoyed seeing them, I think it was my first time.

Wisdom in Chains - They didn't play for all that long, but the set was a banger for sure. Great great set from PA's finest hardcore band. Sing along city. A good bit of dancing going on. A found out after the fact that right behind me during their second song some dude got the piss beat out of him by like three dudes. I'm thinking SOSF kicked his ass for something or other, but that's not a fact. Either way, both of the new songs WiC played were fucking sick. I'm sure the new cd is fucking sick. I'm ordering it when I get paid again. For sure. I'll drive three point some hours to see this group any day.

Murphy's Law - It was great to see this band finally. Their style is right up my alley, I'm pissed that I haven't seen them before. Also, it was great to see Jimmy Gestapo perform. A hardcore legend right there. To get the idea of what was going on, Jimmy G drank most of two bottles of Mad Dog 20/20 while on stage. One blue. One red. And he liked it. Old English was drank. They played Cavity Creeps and the Murphys Law Ska Song. Those are the only two songs I know but I'm going to have to give the rest a good listen again because this band was good. I especially liked the saxophone player, that little black dude was grumpy as fuck looking all the time. It was cool. Everything was cool.

Hi's - NTC is sweet as fuck always happy to go back there, all the bands.
Low's - the driiiiive, it did get a little bit chilly, the late night.

4-27 Urban Waste, Oh Shit They're Going to Kill Us, Ratface, Killer of Sheep, Heartless, Pittsburgh @Mr. Roboto Project

Going into this show there were lots of unknowns that I felt positive about. In the end everything ended up as best case scenario. Turnout was very good. The weather was tolerable. The bands all ripped. And funny things were happening every now and again to keep it interesting. It now seems like part of the Mr. Roboto Project experience, we went to Spak Brothers before we went into the show. It was super freaking good.

First band - I THINK a band played before heartless but we just missed them. I think this happened because when we were paying for entrance, the chic with dreads taking our money said her band played first and she pissed herself while playing so she had to change her pants. Nice. The crusties were in the house tonight.

Heartless - I've seen this band a bunch of times now. It seems like they're changing their style to more of a punk/metal thing from what I used to perceive as a hardcore band. I guess what I mean is less beat down, more fast and grindy. Still some great head nodding shit going on.

Killer of Sheep - Originally I thought this band was going to suck because their name is terrible. By the end of the set I love the name and can't wait to see this group again. They fucking ripped the shit out of their set. I enjoyed it very much so. The guitar player with dreads is funny as fuck. Fast hardcore. I'm not sure if they reminded me of Bad Brains because they're 3/4 black dudes, or if they really do sound a bit like it from time to time. Either way, their songs ripped. The CIC cover ripped. Everything was sweet as fuck. Can't wait until the Sheer Terror show to see them again. Hopefully they're on a show before then because they ruled.

Ratface - Easily the worst band of the night. But they were still pretty good. They play fast, but pretty standard hardcore punk. I like watching them, but wont ever be able to get too into them.

Oh Shit They're Going to Kill Us - The only band of the night I'd classify as a metal or thrash metal band and not a punk/hardcore band. I thought they were good though. The singers voice was pretty high pitched compared to what I was expecting. But they ripped it up. They didn't play long. I thought it was all very good, very thrashy.

Urban Waste - I never really listened to UW a ton, so it doesn't bother me that the new lineup only features half of the original members. They were super fucking good. My fav song was their title song, Urban Waste. Fast hardcore punk. I guess they started playing in the early 80's. Its interesting to think that they started up in NYC playing with bands like the Ramones and NY Dolls and shit. Though, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the Ramones and NY Dolls were too pretty to play with the likes of UW. Especially since UW is considerably more rough and shit than those other early bands. Bottom line is that they killed the set. The crowd was into it. And they're supposed to come back for Skull Fest. Can't wait.

Hi's - Turnout, Spaks, beer, cw, all the bands, everything en totale.
Low's - The smell (though a real punk show just smells like that so we didn't mind)

4-19 One Win Choice, Astpai, Westboro Bastard Church, Homeless Gospel Choir, Pittsburgh @Mr. Roboto Project

The weather was amazing for a punk show. Me and pop tarts went down to this bitch, without ever having heard any of the bands. It was a good call. Show was sweet. Sandwiches from Spak Brothers was even fucking better. PT had tacos, I had the philly cheesesteak. Yum fucking yum.

So there was this human there. We couldn't figure out if guy or girl. Looked just like a dude, but a very strange dude. Sounded like a natural female, in a way that was too real to be faked. Was there with a significant other who was obviously a dude. Hairy legs and sideburns and all. I'm not trashing this person, but we were baffled.

Homeless Gospel Choir - I enjoyed the set. This is one guy and an acoustic guitar. I was expecting a whole band, but thats ok. He played what he called protest songs. I liked them all. He's a bit socially odd, but that could have been an act for the sake of the set. He was humorous too. I'd like to go see him play again.

Westboro Bastard Church - This band was good. One of the better local bands I've seen recently. Jodi from Sarcastics was there, it was nice to have Fayette County in the house on that night. Westboro is pop punk/punk rock. A lot of good shit coming from there. I enjoyed the set and I love the name of the band.

Astpai - The second time they've played in Pittsburgh, they came all the way from Austria to tour this country. Hardcore pop punk. They were very good. Great energy. I liked it all.

One Win Choice - I dont like the band name, but the band itself was real good. The best of the night by far. I little rougher around the edges than the other band. The only band of the night where the singer didn't play an instrument. The set was short, but awesome. We both enjoyed it greatly.

Hi's - Weather, food, cheapness, bands
Low's - turnout probably 25 people in the building including bands.

4-11 Say Anything, Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band, Fake Problems, Front Bottoms @Mr. Smalls

Going into this show it had been forever and a day since I went to a pop punk show that had shit tons of people there. Mr. Smalls was sold out, that means a few thousand were in the house. We were running a bit late because we're no good at getting places on time. We missed the Front Bottoms and half of Fake Problems.

Front Bottoms - Didn't get there in time to see them.

Fake Problems - We missed half of their set. I enjoyed the songs we heard. But I thought the last time we saw them the singer didn't sing so much in that super high pitch as he did on this night. I also remember the singer being a bit more entertaining. I guess I just liked seeing them in a much much smaller venue. They were still good though.

Kevin Devine and the God Damn Band - This group was ok. Dude can sing well enough but it's all a little bit weak. Lots of whiney vocals and feelings involved. They didn't have any songs that I thought, damn that's a good fucking song. Nope, didn't happen. He's a good showman, but I wasn't all that into it.

Say Anything - Great set. They played most of the good songs and a few songs from the new cd. They were all good. I liked their energy, and especially the crowd response. Good stuff. I wish the Swellers or Set Your Goals or something was on the bill but oh well. "You were listening to my band in 2004 though you claim you were reared on the Stooges." I love the songs where he goes off on a 'spoken word' rant in songs.

Hi's - we had a good time.
Low's - it was fucking hot in there, it was fucking cold out there.

3-19 Shai Hulud, Path to Misery, Forbearance, We the Gathered, one more @the Hideout

Going into this show I was lukewarm. I like Shai Hulud, but not enough to know every song or find them moshable. I like Path to Misery, but since they are 500000x better live than on CD, I'm not mosh comfortable with their stuff either. And the other three bands I don't know much about at all. But we went anyway and I'm glad.

First band- I wish I knew the name of this group becasue they were on some clown shit. The music wasn't bad, then the Jesus speech came out. About 5 minutes of how Jesus died for us and we're all going to hell. It wasn't even a compelling Jesus speech, it was bad. And the dude's voice sounded like he was going to cry at any second. Why do Jesus freaks so often sound like that? Egh, poop band.

We the Gathered - From PA, they're pretty heavy, and pretty good. I'll give them a listen again sometime. Their last song was a banger for sure. A little heavier than Terror, but no Devil Driver. This was my first time hearing of them, but I guess these first two bands are touring with Hulud. So good for them.

Forbearance - This band is ok. I saw them once before at Garfield Artworks. They were better this time. On the fast side of things, but not so catchy that I had to dance. They are a decent band. Good filler.

Path to Misery - This band is pretty sweet. They only play once in a while and only in Pittsburgh it seems. They're heavy as shit and good as hell. The mosh is never brought the way it could or should be, I suspect it's because on any recording I've ever heard of theirs they are kind of bland. The extra percussion, I dig it every time. Smashing a drum with a metal pipe, I like that shit also. AJ's the best frontman in Pittsburgh.

Shai Hulud - The best sing along set I've ever seen from this band. Usually there is way more standing around. It's so hard to mosh to this band because their songs are so choppy. I don't get into it, but I'll always come out to check this group out. Played mostly old, but a few new.

Hi's - turnout, beer, everything was good pretty much
Low's - Nothing