10-25 Crunk Witch, Brzowski & DJ Halo, Sneaky Mike, Pittsburgh @Garfield Artworks

This show was a trip from the getgo. We arrived like half an hour after it was supposed to start, and we were the only people there. Got so many laughs at this show. All in all it was a great time. A total of three people paid at the door. We were two of them.

It's not often that I go to shows like this, so it's a bummer that turnout was so completely horrendous. Hip-hop and electro pop aren't my normal, but as long as they're ethically sound underground groups it's within my realm.

Sneaky Mike - He's a hip-hop/pop artist from Pittsburgh. The only local who actually played. He was EPIC. Just a dude rapping and singing to the music being played on his laptop. He is a complete goofball weirdo. He had a song about being a weirdo, which was fitting. None of his songs were especially good, but the badness of the tracks is what made him great, combined with amazing energy. He would be the Weird Al of pop and hip-hop if Weird Al didn't know he was a goof. Some great things happened during the set like him stripping down, gyrating the mic stand in such comical ways, and getting his hair caught in the mic stand. I really hope he keeps his act going because if I never see him again I'll die a little bit inside.

Brzowski and DJ Halo - DJ Halo is a good DJ. He was spinning stuff with skill using a few cd tables and a laptop. But he wasn't just playing tracks, he was mixing and cutting with skill. I enjoyed watching him for sure. Brzowski is a rapper with a gruff voice. Pretty distinguishable. I didn't so much like when they were paired together because they were putting down some ambient drum and bass tracks and rapping over them, but it was good and entertaining anyway.

Crunk Witch - I'm just a fucking pumpkin. I liked this group. A eletro pop/screamo type group made up of a young husband and wife, which made it all kinds of cute I guess. The singer has very good vocal range. Sweet couple. They were talking to us and gave us free treats because we were 2/3 of the people there. Super nice, and if they come around again it'll be awesome and I'll go see them for sure.

Hi's - My company, the night in general was great, bands/groups
Low's - turnout, that the night had to end.

10-19-2011 Drug Lust, Barren Scepter, Elitist, Salvation, Mower @Kopecs

Kopecs is such a great place for shows like this. The regular patrons of the bar are black folks and older guys. It was funny going from the heavy punx going on upstairs to the rap and jazz fusion going on from the jukebox down at the bar. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

It was good to see a bunch of hot chics at the show. The bike punks were there in effect. Turnout was good but not great. This was the cheapest show option for the night. There was an Earth Crisis/Path to Misery/Gutrench show at the Altar Bar that cost $30 to get into because it was headlined by the Cavalera Conspiracy and Otep. Glad I didn't break the bank going to that show and drinking $5 beers. There was also a ska show going on at the Rex for $15, but I stand by our decision to hit up the cheap punk show. Good call.

Some girl gave me a nice compliment on my Homewrecker long sleeve right before we left after Drug Lust. "Pure filth. Nice shirt." Sweet. Thanx!

Mower - Opened up the night. A two piece fast punk band from Pittsburgh, drums and guitar. The two guys in this band look like they're probably brothers. I enjoyed the songs they played. Perhaps the volume was up a bit too high, but I like that most of the time.

Salvation - I didn't know at the time who they were when they played, but after reflection I do remember the singer for his antics and energy. He gets those crazy eyes when he's rippin up the mic. I liked this band and will probably go see them the next time they're in the Burgh. Fast and heavy at times. Hardcore punk.

Elitist - The best band of the night. They were probably the most riff heavy band of the night. Were lyrics audible I suspect we'd have been assaulted with a bunch of anti-Christian ramblings. I liked this band's merch, of which I got a back patch and a t-shirt. I really liked all of this band's songs and I'll be getting whatever of their material I can get my hands on.

Barren Scepter - I loved this band too. Female singer who was hot and good. Sweet riffage, heavy punk. The best Pittsburgh punk band that I've seen in a while. Upstaged Drug Lust in my opinion. I'd like to see more of this group. I was very impressed. Often hardcore punk bands end up all sounding the same, but I felt their songs were a bit better than your standard fare.

Drug Lust - Supposedly the last show for this Pgh band. I wasn't too impressed. The set was good but not too good. The singer spent half of the set trying to get you to not like the band. "We all hate this song." "I hate this song." "You should hate this song." Oh well, I didn't hate any of the songs. Great band name though.

Hi's - The bands, the bar, turnout was ok, I'm thinking 40 people paid and everyone stayed until the end, Primantis beer and pizza was good, we had fun all night goofing and etc. Punx

Low's - Rain, my fire didn't catch.

10-6 Leftover Crack, Plastered Bastards, Scattergun, Hipster Death Machine, more @Altar Bar

Going into this show I was pretty stoked on the Pittsburgh portion of the show. Leftover Crack was the only touring band on the bill, and I'm glad it was that way. Altar Bar was big enough for this show, but I hate that they wouldn't put on the Penguins game until 11 or so and beer there is so fucking expensive. We saw some people there from back home who I didn't expect to see.

Eat the Government - We missed them, but heard some going on from outside.

The Scratch and Sniffs - Half of this band wore makeup. I don't care to see them again. Generic punk.

Hipster Death Machine - Great set. I had not seen them before, but really enjoyed the performance. Metal ska that's good. Not that chaotic 13PFP shit. Rumor is that it may have been their last show or they're going to be going through a lineup change. I hope they don't call it quits. People were into the set.

Scattergun - Mature punks playing fast punk rock stuff. I enjoyed the set. The singer was talking about the occupation of Pittsburgh and whatnot that is supposed to happen next week. People were into this set too.

Plastered Bastards - Loud street punks. I enjoyed the set, though they sounded a lot like Scattergun. They were probably the most polished local band who played. Though, both of the bands playing before them had more interesting frontmen.

Leftover Crack - The only disappointing thing about this set was that So You Wanna Be a Cop didn't get played. Everything else was sweet. Great sing-along street punk. They played all the bangers, and played them well. This was my third time seeing them and I think I'll probably go see them again when they come back.

Hi's - Primantis for happy hour, good company, most of the bands.

Low's - Price, money issues.

8-11 Bane, Forbearance, Sinking Sun, one more @Garfield Artworks

This was an especially cool show because pretty much all my friends were present. It's a rare event to get all three Mancinis at a hardcore show. There was maybe 40 people there. I was suprised at the underattendance, but it was a great time anyway. Spak Brothers hooked up the food beforehand. It was great. Buffallo chicken sandwich.

Sinking Sun - I've been to several shows that they played, but I've been late to all of them and never seen them. This show was no different. I missed them.

Next band, something about honoring hope - This band sucked. Two singers acting tough. I hope I never see them again.

Forbearance - Fastish hardcore. I didn't like the singer. I'm sure I'll see them again sometime, but I don't really care for them.

Bane - Awesome set. Sing alongs. The only song I didn't know was Young and the Restless. They always bring the energy and the good commentary between songs. Like always, can't wait to see them again.

Hi's - Bane, good company, food, beer
Low's - attendance, work afterwards

8-10 The Swellers, Fake Problems, Daytrader, The Catastrophe, Trophies @Smiling Moose

This show didn't have me super excited when the day began. Shame on me because I should have been stoked. This show was extra sweet. One thing I love about going to the Smiling Moose is the food. It's not bar food, it's something completely way more awesome. I got the Habanero Burger, A+++.

Trophies - The show started extra early so we missed them.

The Catastrophe - We got to see one last song. It took us too long to eat downstairs in the Smiling Moose. Hopefully they'll play another show sometime and I'll catch them.

Daytrader - Cool band. Standard pop punk. Like the Ataris. The singer had 'the head jerk' going on, which bothered me a little bit. And his hair wasn't cool. Very New Jersey. Also he had on one of those tank tops on that makes you look gay and way skinny. Sorry dude.

Fake Problems - This band was the fucking shit. Great set. It's the singer that made them so awesome. He has a dirty rock and roll voice and is a great showman. His demeanor reminds me of Rob Thomas for some reason. We all enjoyed the set very much. Set of the night. I'll go see them again.

The Swellers - This was the best performance by them that I've seen. Good energy. Good songs, good crowd. I'll be seeing them again in November when they come back, I hope.

Hi's - Food, company, beer, music

Low's - None

7-13 Reverend Peyton and His Big Damn Band, Stack and the Wages, Pittsburgh @Club Cafe

I wasn't sure how this show would go. Rockabilly like this isn't my style specifically. My company either. But The Rev is the shit and his songs were awesome.

Stack and the Wages - This is a local band with a 12 year old drummer. They were good, but not too good. A nice beat, varying songs. The singer was faking having a real deep voice, like Johnny Cash.

Reverend Peyton and his Big Damn Band - Great set. Sooo upbeat and fast. The band really isn't that big. His wife on the washboard was amazing. The Rev was great on harmonica and guitar. Sing alongs. New album is awesome. Can't wait till the next time he comes to town.

Hi's - my company, turn out, the Rev, cheap beer.
Low's - nothing

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.