Antibodies – “Live Fast, Die Old School”
“Excuse me, I’m here to visit my brother.”
“Of course, please sign in and I’ll bring you to see him.”
Mr, Johnson writes in the ledger and follows the nurse down a long, dimly lit hallway. Above the synchronized clatter of their echoy footsteps can be heard faint screams and other strange rumblings.
Odd how institutions for the mentally insane can illicit such a fearful uneasiness. Surely there must be an escaped deranged psychopath lurking in the shadows. Or perhaps a malicious, sadistic doctor searching for his next unwitting victim. More likely its the realization that our own simple fragility paints a thin line between the worlds of sanity and insanity. A line which we find ourselves teetering upon with an all too often alarming regularity. Goose bumps and shivers creep to the surface. The hairs on the back of your neck tingle. Only one remedy will sooth the savage beast of impending fear. Whistle a happy tune, you say? Fortunately, this tune happens to be old school and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Mr. Johnson and his brother…
It’s been 13 long years since he last visited his brother. They stop in front of a metal door with a tiny viewing hole. The nurse gestures towards the viewer. Mr. Johnson bends forward and peers into the room. The room is shaped like a perfect square from floor to ceiling with minimal lighting. It’s completely empty except for a slumped over individual sitting on the floor in one corner wearing a stock confinement jacket.
“Can he hear me if I say something?”
“He can hear you through the intercom, if you press the button. But don’t hold out much hope. He’s been completely unresponsive for the last 6 years.”
Mr. Johnson presses the black button. “Hello, Billy. It’s Dave. I have a gift for you.”
Mr. Johnson bends down to the ground and opens his briefcase. He produces a music CD and hands it to the nurse.
“Please. Can you play this for him. I know it’s an unusual request, but I think it will help.”
The nurse takes the CD and looks at it. The title is “Live Fast, Die Old School”. It’s by a Cape Cod hardcore band called the Antibodies.
“Well, we’ll have to use headphones so we don’t disturb the other patients, but I think we can accommodate your request.”
The nurse disappears and emerges a few minutes later carrying a portable music player and headphones. She opens the metal door and places the player on the floor next to Billy. She gently puts the headphones on his head, inserts the CD into the player, presses play and quickly leaves the room. Mr. Johnson peers through the viewer to watch his brother…
The Antibodies are a four piece band sporting two brothers of their own; John and Pete Santos, who play guitar and bass, respectively. And then there’s Tony DeBaggis on vocals and D Silver on drums. The Antibodies have been playing hardcore rock music since the early 80′s, starting out with the bands; Crash Course and The Freeze. Their 2010 album “Live Fast, Die Old School” was recorded by Jared Reviler (Revilers), and mastered by Stephen Egerton (Descendents, ALL).The Antibodies and their album are truly the antidote for whatever ails you.
The first tune on the CD is affectionately called, ‘Fuck You’. Rough, rowdy and abrasive, it smashes into your senses like a bus running a stop sign. Just what hardcore is supposed to do.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01-fuck you.mp3|titles=Fuck You]
This is a tune called, ‘In My Eyes’ and if looks could kill, we’d all be dead.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/06-in my eyes.mp3|titles=In My Eyes]
‘Oi To Your Motha’. One of my favorites.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/07-oi to your mutha.mp3|titles=07-Oi t\To Your Mutha]
There are two bonus tracks on the CD, one of which is called ‘Penis Intravenous’. Whatever you do, don’t feed Mr. Penis.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/14-penis intravenous.mp3|titles=Penis Intravenous]
There’s a total of 15 incredibly awesome tracks on the CD ‘Live Fast, Die Old School’ and if you love hardcore, you’ll cherish each one of them. You can download the CD from several places including Amazon.
Glancing at Mr. Johnson’s face, the nurse notices a rye smile pursing his lips as he continues to gaze into the room.
“What’s happening? Has anything happened?”
Mr. Johnson steps away from the viewer and gestures towards the nurse.
“See for yourself.”
The nurse momentarily stares at Mr. Johnson and then hesitantly steps over to the viewer to peer into the room…
(Andy Bang)
