8-4 This is Hardcore, Youth of Today, Burn, Code Orange, Down to Nothing, Maximum Penalty, Protester, Free, Line of Sight, Stand Off, Nation of Wolves, Philly @Union Transfer

This is Hardcore Fest is always a week that I look forward to all year long. My favorite vacation ever, every year. This year was no different. There was a little bit of disappointment leading up to the fest due to the fact that Scott Vogel is recovering from neck surgery so World Be Free and Terror couldn't play. Also Done Dying wasn't going to play either. Despite all that there were still enough bands playing to make this one of the top shows ever. In the end I wasn't disappointed at all.

We went a day early to Philly and stayed in a luxury-ish hotel for free, it was pretty bad ass. But really we belong in shit hole hotels.

When we got to the Union Transfer the line was crazy fucking long. Like way down around the building. So unfortunately we missed a few bands.

Nation of Wolves - Standing in line.

Stand Off - Standing in line.

Line of Sight - We got into the building about half way through their set. They were really good. DCHC, straight edge. They had an old school vibe like Bold or something like that. They were good and the crowd was appreciative.

Free - I was excited to see this band because of the connections with Have Heart. In the end I guess I was a little bit disappointed. They didn't blow me away, but were still super good. They had some microphone issues for pretty much the entire set. I remember not being able to hear the vocals very well. Still a good band and I hope they end up coming to Pittsburgh at some point.

Protester - This was the sleeper band of the day. Straight edge and angry hardcore from DC. They kicked ass. Their sound comes from old time Boston and NYHC bands, just faster and louder. They were super good. The singer had good stuff to say. It was motivating.

Maximum Penalty - We had to go outside to eat at some point. This is when we decided on. I was upset at the lack of food trucks outside the venue. Kung Fu Hoagies was there and that's it. So there were mad people eating there. We ended up going across the street to the chinese spot. The food was really fresh and good. Somehow we ate and got back and still saw the last song for Max Pen. They are good, and it seemed people cared a lot more than they did the last time they played TIHC.

Down to Nothing - DTN is a solid candidate for the band of the day and band of the fest. Their set ripped. They played all the jams, Save It for the Birds, gorilla crew fuck you, all of it. They have the best style of hardcore, groovy mosh and get low. This is the first time I've ever seen them, and they are awesome. Maybe in the next 5 years they'll play another show.

Code Orange - They always slay TIHC fest and this year was no different. They absolutely demolished shit. So good. Another solid contender for band of the fest. Their style on recordings doesn't seem to translate properly to the live show. Twice as good live as on recordings. Great band, great show. Burn was bound to be disappointing after these two bands back to back.

Burn - I liked this band, but they weren't one of the better of the day. I'm sure back in the day they probably had wild shows, but in 2016 that wasn't the case. I thought they were a little boring, but it was worth watching.

Youth of Today - For some old mother fuckers, they owned shit. Not disappointed at all. Ray Capo is still one of the best frontmen ever in hardcore. He has good shit to say and great energy. YoT played all the hits, everything you would want to hear from them. I hope they play again with this lineup before they all turn 50. Honesty is the best song.

Hi's - Even the lack of food truck situation turned out good. Down to Nothing, Code Orange, Protester, Youth of Today.
Low's - No merch was purchased on this day.

A great end to day 1. On a side note, TIHC proved to be a great place to play Pokemon Go. Pokestops at both venues. After the show we went back to the telly to lay around in luxury one last night.

8-2 Blistered, Jukai, Path to Misery, Steel City Firm, Resistance Wire, Pittsburgh @Mr. Roboto Project

This was the This is Hardcore warm up show. The next morning we were going to leave for Philly, so it's only right to jump start something like that with a show at Roboto. Unfortunately Roboto is either closing or moving because the landlord isn't renewing the lease for some reason. So this might be the last hardcore show there.

Resistance Wire - Just saw this band a few days ago, but they were better on this night. Ripping hardcore, heavy, moshy. There was way more mosh on this night.

Steel City Firm - I don't dislike this band, but I dislike the ultra violent crowd destroying mosh. In a larger space I would have watched them, but at Roboto with them setting up on the side of the room I really wasn't trying to be pit fodder for an average super heavy hardcore band. They sounded ok from outside.

Jukai - From New York. I really like this band. They were way better this time than when they played at Sincerity Fest. Heavy, very distorted, and good.

Blistered - From Florida. They were on their way to This is Hardcore too. They killed it. I liked them way more than the last time I saw them, which I think was last year at This is Hardcore. After Jukai, the guitars of Blistered seemed way more clear. It was nice. Real crisp and heavy as fuck. Lots of energy.

Path to Misery - Such a good band. For some reason they've written new songs, and the one they played was kick ass. Great frontman, great beatdowns. PTM kills. I guess they're voting for Johnson.

Hi's - All the bands.
Low's - Roboto maybe being no more.

8-1 Michael Graves, The Big Bad, Chud, Sheldon Vance, 30 Caliber Corpse, Huntington WV @V Club

We were down in WV visiting friends. This was going on, so we went. We got there like 30 mins after the show was supposed to start. We were there at least an hour before they started. Fuck.

30 Caliber Corpse - Punk band. Not too good, not too bad. Covered the Ramones and shit. Real normal.

Sheldon Vance - A solo artist guitar player I think from the Huntington WV area. He was ok. I think he was trying to be real heartfelt or something.

Chud - Somehow Chud was the best band of the night from Charleston. Some of the lyrics were super obvious, but that's ok. Music was good. Fast punk maybe bordering on hardcore almost but not quite. The singer talked about being in jail for 7 years, but unfortunately the song about that was the worst one they played. He took his shirt off.

The Big Bad - They are a rockabilly type band. They were pretty good. Played way too long and many of the songs in the middle part of their set weren't very good. They lost me after a few songs. I liked their death punk style songs though.

Michael Graves - Didn't know what to expect from him, but didn't realize he was also a solo acoustic artist. He covered a Misfits song. Obviously that was the best song of the night. It was ok. We stayed for 20 mins or so then left.

Hi's - Chillin
Low's - A few of the bands I guess.

7-22 Old Accusers, Resistance Wire, Nullum, Pittsburgh @Cattivo

I wasn't going to go to this show but at the last minute I found out that my old friend from North Carolina was in town. We had gone to shows back in the day before he enlisted, but hadn't for years. This was the only night that he was in town that there was a show, so we went. This show was a benefit for a guy named Dakota. I didn't know him, and don't really know anyone who does, but evidently he died recently. Some of the bands seemed against anyone who was there just to see the bands. Saying things like, if this is just another show to you fuck you. And that's ok. Not mad at them.

Nullum - I remember during the set thinking that if they're a band for a while longer the live show will probably be good. Newish band, I think they've been playing for a year or so, but this is the first time I saw them. Heavy hardcore. Nothing fast. Growly man vocals and screamy man vocals. It was ok.

Resistance Wire - This band rips. The bassist from Code Orange is super entertaining. This band is heavy and inclines one to mosh. They might be the next good hardcore band out of Pittsburgh.

Old Accusers - It's been years since they played. This band was pretty good back in the day. This is the last time they'll ever play. Heavy and choppy at times, slow and a little less aggressive at times. Good stuff.

Hi's - Just about everything.
Low's - Nothing.

6-5 Pro-Pain, Submachine, Path to Misery, Hand of Zeus, Pittsburgh @Altar Bar

I didn't think we were going to make this show on time, but we did. After work it was a hurry, but it worked out well.

Path to Misery - They opened the night, surprisingly. They were the best band not named Pro-Pain. The set was cool, very heavy, politically charged. I felt there might be a little tongue in cheek when AJ said "This is for the gun grabbers and the Obama Administration." I'm pretty sure the song that followed was about guns being taken away. I think the song might really be making fun of people who are always complaining about Obama taking their guns away. Which hasn't happened yet.

Hand of Zeus - I like this band, but only so much. I liked their last song, and the song that dude from Erie sings on.

Submachine - Pittsburgh halfway hardcore punk. They didn't get any type of serious response, but the set was good like always. Good energy from old fucks.

Pro-Pain - I had been listening to this band for a while, but not listening a whole lot. They put on a real good set but way too long. I liked pretty much every song, but after 12 of them bitches I lost interest. The crowd was disappointing because of how few were there, I'm thinking 60 to 75 paid. But the promoter might have done well because it cost $18 to get in. New York City, old style crossover. I can see Pro-Pain playing This is Hardcore and killing it.

Hi's - The bands.
Low's - The price, not eating beforehand.

5-3 Bane, Expire, Killer of Sheep, Killing Thing, Hand of Zeus, Pittsburgh @Cattivo

So Expire had to drop off of the show because of family issues I think. That was a bummer, because they're good and this show needed another non-local band to get the juices flowing. Or maybe I'm just old as fuck and need to be more like the two kids who came in and danced like maniacs the entire time. Talked to them before Bane. They were pissed that no one else was into it, but they were cool as shit. Probably me like 15 years ago.

Killer of Sheep - Local hardcore punks opened up the show. They're a good band. Their style isn't complicated. Good for banging your head fast and such.

Killing Thing - Local band that kicks ass. Fast and heavy and good. If they keep playing I can see them as relevant in the future.

Hand of Zeus - I liked this band, but not extremely memorable. Hardcore.

Bane - Kicked all the fucking ass. They rule hard as fuck. Played all the bangers, didn't disappoint one single bit. Calling Hours was killer. It's sad that this will be it for them. I'll miss this band that got me super into hardcore.

Highs - Everything
Lows - Last Bane show in Pittsburgh

4-4 Radiation Risks, Eel, The Sicks, Pittsburgh @The Rock Room

We hadn't been to a show in a bit. This was a great one to go to.

The Sicks - Pittsburgh fast punks. I really like this band. Climbing on the pinball machines, getting crazy. Great band.

Eel - This band is fast and distorted as shit. Love this band too.

Radiation Risks - This band kicks ass. They have the sound of a surf punk hardcore band or something. Very much enjoyed the set.

Hi's - All the bands and the venue
Low's - Nothing