I Fucking Love Montreal

I finally had my first good weekend since I've moved up to Burlington. This past Saturday, I went up with a bunch of friends to Montreal to celebrate my friend Ryan's birthday (singer of Unrestrained...which if you haven't checked out yet, then shame on you!). Also in the group was Phil, the bass player from Unrestrained, his girlfriend Annalise, Taylor, Nate, Tori, Mike (is playing drums in my new band) and this guy with huge gauged ear that everybody calls the Reverend. Even before we left Colchester I knew it would be a great trip when Ryan proudly stole a Vermont t-shirt from a gas station and claimed that he was so college.

First off, we didn't get through the border smoothly at all. After we gave the dude our passports, he questioned us intensely about our intentions to go into Canada. He even asked us if we had automatic weapons and cocain. I couldn't stop giggling. It was just so silly. So he took our passports and told us to pull around to the side and come into the border patrol office, where they made us wait for 15 minutes, until they gave us back our passports. They must have been doing background checks or something. Anyways, this was bugging the shit out of Ryan and Phil, because they had made reservations at this place in downtown Montreal to play group laser tag at 9:40 PM and we were still more than an hour aways and it was already past 8. Funny thing was, Nate was driving the other car with Tori, Mike and the Reverend right behind us and they went through just fine, which is weird, because Mike is fucking loud and obnoxious and Nate has huge dreads and looks like he deals marijuana.

So we finally pull into the city an hour and a half later and we have fucking 5 minutes to find a parking space and get to the laser tag place. Ryan kept calling them asking if they would wait five more minutes and they agreed, but even after we finally found a parking space and walked four blocks, we still showed up late, but thankfully another group had cancelled! Fucking luck was on our side that night.

Now onto laser tag. First off, I haven't played the game since I was in middle school and it was some lame ass set-up at Rutland High School and all the 7th graders got to ride up in a bus. Anyway, I got the horribly embarassing score of 88, which was the second to worst score out of the whole group (aside from Annalise, who got a 57, but I don't think she was really into the game). Apparently I only got 8 hits on anybody else throughout the whole game. However, the Vermont group annhiliated the local French Canadian group. I think that had something to with Ryan. He was acting like that fucking drill sgt. from Full Metal Jacket. Anyways, I did hit Nate 4 times, who for some reason was the only Vermonter on the French Canadian team (they had green blinking lights and we had red blinking lights). I think he was pissed, because his name in the game was Battle Axe and second of all I totally fucking suck, and he didn't get one hit on me. The actualy laser tag complex was fucking awesome. It was four floors high and had fucking smoke machines everywhere, so I felt like I was Metal gear solid. There were also flashing lights everywhere and all these sniper holes and shooting glitter. In a way, it reminded me of the Agro Crag from Global guts (does anybody remember that show?). I had such a good time. Mike was fucking crazy too. He kept leaping and making these diving shots at the Canadians (plus Nate).

So after laser tag, we slowly made our way down to Fouf's, which is this awesome Punk Rock bar/club. Ryan wanted everybody to get drunk on his birthday, which is funny because he's edge. The Reverend was edge too. Afterall, who would want to see a drunk priest (actually that would be fucking hilarious)? On the way down, we ran into my new friends from Montreal, Jess and Bex, who always come down to hardcore shows in Burlington. They are so cool. They even sat with the lame-ass vegans of the group, which consisted of me, Taylor and the Reverend. They have surprising plain English for living in the only french-speaking province in Canada. Now that I think of it, I've never seen Jess or Bex speaking french to each other. Maybe because it would alienate us dumbass Americans? Probably.

So Fouf's was really fucking rowdy and loud. The minute I walk in there, they're playing Rise Above by Black Flag. SWEET. I felt right at home until I realized how expensive beer is in Canada. Most of the good beer was near $5 or $6 a glass, so I had to settle for the shitty Molson Dry which was $2.50. And suprisingly, Budweiser was all the rage there, which I totally don't get it. Budweiser is the fucking Wal-Mart to the beer industry. They're a monopoly and they fuck over small breweries. It also tastes like mokey piss, which should stop you from supporting them. Anyways, Canadians seem to love the watered-down crap liquid. I've heard through the vine that Budweiser is the most popular import in London. Really? WTF.

Fouf's is surprisingly massive. Ther are three floors to the place, the 2nd and 3rd floord being smaller bars, with adjacent show spaces, that everybody was just dancing in, because there weren't any live bands that night. Thats a bummer. I would've loved to see some Canadian punk and hardcore. Anyways, the DJ just played a bunch of ska, which was kinda lame, but fun to dance to I guess. Actually Ryan started bumping and grinding every single person he saw, including this poor dude in the corner of the room was puking guts out. It was so funny to see al these meatheads try to do a circle pit to Sum 41. To be honest, it seemed like they were at a football practice. All of us just stood by and watched. Bex and Jess kept mocking them and did surprisingly better!

Eventually Bex and Jess got sick of the bar scene and said goodbye. They are officially my favorite Canadians. There was also this other girl named Lindsay from Montreal that showed up at the bar, but I didn't know her too well. She seemed infatuated with Phil and Ryan. A few times, I actually felt bad for Annalise, as I watched Lindsay jump on Phil's back, but yeah they were just being friends. So finally, me, Mike, Taylor, Phil and Nate were pretty drunk, so we all left and decided to cause a ruckus in the streets. It first started when we lost sight of Phil and all of a sudden he came out of nowhere holding a door. So Ryan grabbed it and took it to the nearest huge set of stairs, which happened to be a marble staircase in front of some government building, wher Ryan decided to surf down the staircase on the door. It was so fucking awesome to see him do that in the middle of big city in front of all these people. Next, we decided it was time block traffic. We found the massive street cones that were like four feet tall and when no cars were coming, we blocked off one end of St. Catherine Street and then ran behind some bushes to see what the line of cars would do. They all fucking took the left hand turn! Not a single person got out and moved a cone! SUCCESS! We did this several more times and were successful everytime. Serioulsy though. Where were all the Montreal cops? I never once heard even one siren come on in the distance. Must be all the wine shops and eclairs... That wasn't even the end of the tom-foolery. At one point, after I went to the bathroom at a subway, I cam back out onto the street find Mike, Ryan and Phil pushing a huge dumpster into the middle of the street. They started running away and told me to follow them. Yeah, those Unrestrained dudes are fucking crazy.

Eventually, it was almost 4 in the morning and we finally decided to leave to go back to the U.S. Nobody wanted Ryan to drive back, because apparently he says really dumb shit to the U.S. border patrol people....and he really did. When we finally got to the border and the guy asked us what we were doing in Canada, Ryan told him he were buying hookers with counterfeit money and fake credit cards. The guys looked at him really weird and confused. Then he asked what we had in the car and Ryan grrabbed my Snapple and told him I had crack tea. I freaked the shit out at first, but then started laughing when I realized the border patrol officer was really annoyed looking, probably because he was so tired. Then Ryan called Taylor an Oger. Finally the guy was sick of Ryan's shit and gave us back our passports. I really surprised he didn't make us pull over to the side and get out like the Canadian border patrol. So much for Homeland Security!

So we finally got back to Burlington at nearly 6 AM and I went right to bed and passed out and woke up at 2 PM. I had such a fucking good time in Montreal. I really hope they invite me on more trips like that.

Music Review #2: After The Fall/Transitions Split 7"

After The Fall/Transitions - Split 7"

1. Together We Can (Transitions)
2. Speechless
3. Within Reach
4. Escape (After The Fall)
5.It's Her Choice

Raise Your Fist Records 016

Two hardcore bands from Albany, NY offer five songs for this diverse split 7" , which in my mind shows there no confines based on style or execution in the D.I.Y. music scence. Transitions belts out three tracks of in your face hardcore with positive lyrics and heavy breakdowns, like Bane and Verse, while After The Fall contributes two songs of fast, cathchy hardcore punk with melodic vocals like Propagandhi and 88 Fingers Louie.

Transitions starts this record off with a sense of ponderous virulence slowly building up to a musical insurrection. The music is technically profficient in the sense that its rhythm is the driving force behind its intensity. These are seasoned musicians, that are dead on with each other, with the kind of musicianship that is second nature, yet not second to the lyrics, which as vague as they are, have a general sense of hope and aspiration to always be a better person. There is a serious lack of positive vibes coming out of the scene today, but these keep the unity call alive. These lyrics may have been inspired by personal moments, but they speak to a large audience. In "Together We Can," the band writes "When you fall, I will be right there. To help you back up. The sense of community that we have been striving for." Its so uplifting to hear band sing words like these.

Track two, "Speechless" deals with exactly what it says: a loss for words. There is also a self-awareness that says "but still I move on taking the less traveled path. I still can't find the words, the air escapes my lungs. Its almost as if actions are intuitive to people and almost impossible to describe at the same time. As a matter of fact, I think that is called a "gut reaction" I can definitely relate to that.

Track three, "Within Your Reach," is more of the motivational speech of their songs. The song tells us to "set your goals and follow them through. Don't give up, never back down." It really does seem generic, but they're also necessary subjects, amidst all the tough-guy thuggery and separatist behavior that can plague a scene.

Overall, Transitions sound angry, fast and heavy, but provide a positive outlook on life and the D.I.Y. music scene at large.

After The Fall have the same hardcore intensity as Transitions, but with a lot more melody and socially/politically conscious lyrics. Not to say that Transitions lyrics are not also political asethetically, but After The Fall touches on specific subjects such as the shameful jurisprudence of the United States and the attack on a woman's right to choose. Musically speaking, the songs are super fast, but with lots of vocal melody and a hefty fare of guitar octaves and intricate picking patterns and rhythms. I think their guitarist Mikey Moak was really inspired by "Potemkin City Limits," by Propagandhi. This influence is definitely visible in their opening track, "Escape," but fades away to a more angry, straight-forward type of hardcore in "It's her Choice, reminiscent of the earlier Transitions Tracks (although I believe ATF plays in E Flat as opposed to the standard tuning that Transitions stick with.

So lets check out the lyrics. In "Escape," the band says "Will you die alone and angry or escape their fucking plan? You'll find a better way of life. Unforgiving court system has left you with no other choice but to run and don't look back, you'll find a better way." I am pleased to see somebody bring up the topic of of our unjust and discriminatory judicial system, which does more to uphold poverty and racism than it does to protect our population. Its definitely not an easy thing to talk about, but ATF doesn't give a fuck, because the world and our human dignity is more important.

After The Fall doesn't rely on poetic verses and lyrical imagery to get a point across. In "It's Her Choice," they say "It's her body and it's her right so fuck off you old white bastards. Let women decide. Let women make the call." It doesn't get much better than that. They don't give a fuck about social constructions of masculinity and are not ashamed of their feminism. And if they were, then why the fuck would they be playing hardcore?

I believe these records are available in green, orange and black vinyl. Mine is orange and its labeled #125 out of 300. Yes, thats right. There are only 300 of these bad boys, so if you want a copy, head over to http://www.myspace.com/afterthefall518 or http://www.myspace.com/transitions518.

After the Fall is also playing at 242 Main in Burlington, VT on September 29th with Energy (Bridge 9 Records). I think Transitions plays the Albany area a lot, as well as Plattsburgh and NYC. Check 'em out!

The Democratic Party: Voting Fraud, Racial Injustice, War and Violence, A Vote Against Healthcare for all.

Music Review #1: Last Lights - Self-Titled 7"

Last Lights - Self-Titled 7"

1. There's No One Good Enough To Be Alone
2. Everybody's Working For The Weak End
3. U.S. Out Of New England
4. The Dream Home Of Insomniacs
5. No Future (The Children's Crusade)

Mightier Than The Sword Records 005

Massachussetts seems to have no shortage of cathartic and nihilistic hardcore these days. Last Lights are no exception and there are few words to describe this hardcore onslaught and thats because Last Lights does not bullshit. The best word I can come up with is "pissed." The ease with which this band goes from brutal breakdowns to breakneck verses and choruses is a spectacle necessary for all current afficionados of hardcore and punk. In fact, Last Lights transcends music all together, with flawless and unrelenting energy that drives you insane. I was fortunate enough to experience this energy live this past Friday at 242 Main in Burlington, VT.

So here is their debut 5-song 7" slapped onto cold, white vinyl (and digital download, for those who have to have an Ipod). Needless to say, the ferociuous and raw intensity of this record has basically melted my turntable. The first track "There's No One Good Enough To Be Alone," is reminiscent of the alienation and despair of Henry Rollin's lyrics in Black Flag, but comparable to the anger of Outbreak. There is no breathing room to get used to Last Lights. As soon as the needle hits the groove, you're on a fast train out of normalcy and comfort. The best part are the intelligent lyrics. For example..."The kids are choking on their own spit. My generation was born controlled. Hope I die before I get sold." Solid.

The second track "Everybody's Working For The Weak End," mocks the complacency of Bruce Springsteen and modern society as we know it, but with a hopelessness and depression. Every kid who ever grew up in the suburbs will understand lines like "every cul de sac is another dead end. Every morning I wake up looking down on a day so shallow that I can't even drown. Tell me, is this all there is?" While the subject matter isn't exactly uplifting, the sheer speed and ferocity of the music will do anything but keep you down.

"U.S. Out Of New England" is the highlight of the record. While it doesn't call for a direct secession movement or anything of that nature, it does accurately describe the constant rebellion against the status quo and indoctrination of our youth, but through the eyes of a New England resident (I suppose). The opening line says " I want to be a thorn in the side of the world, born to bite the hand that feeds the hook down our throats." The delivery of the vocals is pure fucking passion in all of its emotion. It almost sounds like the singer Dom is in pain when he screams the opening line. If this song alone doesn't hook you into these guys, then go buy a fucking Ted Nugent CD already, because you don't get it.

Side B starts off with "The Dream Homes Of Insomniacs," which describes the isolation, boredom and stagnation of small-town life and how people are not willing to step outside of their comfort zone and actually do something meaningful in life. Bravo dudes. You speak my mind. The last song, "No Future (The Children's Crusade)" ends with as much relentless anger as the record started with and will surely leave its print on your record collection. The hollowness of life and the superficiality of its components is so accurately described in lines like, "I've seen wonders of the world, they mean nothing to me. It's a slave trade/war parade/landfill/strip-mall/death factory."

Theres not much else to say, except get off your ass and pick up this 7"! Better yet, if they're playing in your area or near you, go to their show and support them directly by buying some of their merchandise, so they can afford to get home. Oh and don't forget to throw the fuck down while you're at it, because these dudes pour their hearts out into the live show. They live for the road.

Pick up the 7" at www.mtsrecords.com, www.interpunk.com or at www.myspace.com/lastlights.

DO IT!