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Against Me Show Review

Elena Bottles

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Against Me!

Mr. Smalls, Pittsburgh, PA
10/8/17

By Damien Bottles
Photos by Elena Bottles

Music is personal. and all music, performance art, and acts of creativity have their place and a right to exist. Not everything is for everyone, and not everything hits its stride every night. This is a single review, of a single night, in a single venue, stacked with variables, expressed through a single person doing their best to give an honest opinion of what was experienced.

The air is tense with excitement as the lights dim. The capacity crowd is as excited as any crowd I’ve ever seen, and it is truly genuine. The sneering, snotty punks are few and far between, and the crowd it self is decidedly more mixed with punks, hipsters, and commoners than expected. The music starts, and the room explodes as the band takes the stage, a writhing ball of energy barely contained by the stage. The audience and musicians seem to have a connection far beyond the music and lyrics, something devoid of labels or judgement. The fearless, but very human, leader of the Against Me! movement welcomes all, and the show takes off.

The band itself is very well rehearsed, seemingly never missing a beat, each musician having a light and a place without crowding or undermining the lead. The set, in it’s entirety, was carefully planned, each tuning break, each song introduction, down to the last cymbal crash was nearly perfect. Special props go to the stage hands, as there were instrument changes a plenty, seemingly every other song. The stage crew were ready for every one, leaving no delays or dead air that can bring a show to a grinding halt.

The lighting was good, the sound was good, the set was good, but there was something more going on. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know what to expect with this show, would it be preachy because the singer/guitarist is transgender? Would it be pretentious and unwelcoming to someone like me, a straight male punk? Would it be contentious, with one group only there for the music, and the other only there for the message? It was none of those. It was just fun. The few talking points that were present were concise, and were not divisive but inclusive. The band held true to the old school punk adage “be yourself” and be happy. In the end, the show was impressive musically, and visually, but the intangible sense of community and belonging was what took the show to the next level. I would suggest anyone with an open mind attend the show, and just watch. Watch the band, watch the crowd, watch the eyes of the younger kids light up because for just a little while they can be themselves, they can dance, they can mosh, they can feel safe.

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Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl 

Ron

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I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life. 

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Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Ron

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I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

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WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Ron

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Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.

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