Opposition Rising / Ancient Filth / All Torn Up / Slow Children / Crystal Methodist
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 4/4/15
The following review was from a punk matinee show at the Midway. Well, no new news there. But it was hosted by Opposition Rising and it was a free show. Opposition Rising being not only one of the best Boston hardcore bands but one that keeps true to the feelings of community, political awareness and good wholesome fun- for all ages and for everyone!
And if they keep one eye squinted in a cynical glint be assured the other eye is open to the idealistic, humanistic idea that what one does can matter and have affect. And that’s what this show and others like it, are all about.
The following is a dual-texting live review. As always we warn folks of the perils this may cause. If you feel you have any aptitude, skill or intelligence in anything, please do not attempt this as our staff has worked years in eradicating any of the above attributes.
So sit back, relax. Sip another Dr. Pepper or puff on those fake cigarettes that I don’t know what they’re called and prepare yourself to experience, all life and all adventure, all the tragedies and all the ecstasy, all the virtual pleasure that is known as dual texting.
Slimedog- Wow it’s really great how they made these new lanes for us.
Andy- What lanes?
Slimedog- The giraffe lanes. The ones on the streets. They have two circles (our heads) and a long line (representing Simon, my pet giraffe and our mode of transportation to shows). I just wish the stupid bikes would stay out of them.
Andy- Seems like an awful lot of trouble for one giraffe.
Slimedog- Not really, these lanes are provided for all reviewers who ride giraffes to shows. I put my request for this to happen, long ago. But bikes need to stay with the cars. It’s been proven that it’s perfectly safe for them to be in traffic.
Andy- I see. Well then I’m sure the thousands of giraffe riding reviewers will be ecstatic. Perhaps, we should turn our attention to today’s exciting hardcore show.
Slimedog- Oh, I thought this was a symposium on city transportation.
Andy- I think that was last week. This week it’s a cool hardcore show.
Slimedog- And the first band is one of my favorite new young bands- Crystal Methodist.
Andy- Yes I think they’re from New Hampshire. They have a grungy hardcore feel to their tunes.
Slimedog- They have tough, short angry tunes and play short sets. The last one I timed at twelve minutes.
Andy- Cool. Short and sweet just the way hardcore should be.
Slimedog- Yeah this is just great straight ahead hardcore. In May they’re going on tour with The Cryptics. The next band is on tour from California called Slow Children.
Andy- For slow children they sure play fast.
Slimedog- I just checked where they’re from and it’s Riverdale. Isn’t that where Archie and Veronica are from?
Andy- Hey didn’t Archie just die?
Slimedog- I thought they were eternally teens.
Andy- Eternal teens? That would certainly piss off a lot of parents. Maybe some irate parent killed him.
Slimedog- I wonder if anyone even knows who we’re talking about. Anyways, this band plays well but a bit too all over the place style-wise for me.
Andy- I think the next band is from New York and likes to either tear things or be torn up.
Slimedog- They are All Torn Up and they are from New York. They have a more traditional style of punk in their hardcore than a lot of New York bands.
Andy- Yeah, straight ahead with good action.
Slimedog- Good political hardcore. And now the next band is another political outfit called Ancient Filth. BTW I had Simon tied outside but he got loose and wandered down toward Green Street way.
Andy- Maybe he thinks Green Street Station (the club) is still open. That was a fun place. Hey wasn’t everything filthy in ancient times?
Slimedog- You mean in the eighties? Yes, but delightfully so. These guys sound great. Fast hardcore that stops on a dime.
Andy- Yeah these guys are awesome. Hey Simon is back. Looks like he’s eating a burrito.
Slimedog- That’s not Simon, that’s Rocky the pug. These guys are unbelievably tight. I predict their EP will be reviewed by the time this gets on-line. Great set and now it’s time for Opposition Rising.
Andy- How’s that? Unless Rocky has seven foot legs I’m pretty sure it’s Simon. But I think the burrito may be Rocky. Yeah the crowd is pumped for another great Opposition Rising show.
Slimedog- Of course when you talk about political Boston hardcore no one does it better than them. Very popular band that always draws a crowd and is nice enough to have a free show today.
Andy- Not to mention great tunes and style. Too bad they don’t book more shows.
Slimedog- But they always sound great. They started with their theme song and then my favorite by them, “The Rich Are Killing The Poor.” Oh no, this is the part of the review when something horrific happens!
Andy- Maybe we should leave before it happens.
Slimedog- Oh no! Smilin’ Dave told me Simon was at a crack house and set himself on fire by mistake!
Andy- That’s impossible. I just saw Simon eating Rocky and he wasn’t on fire. I think Smilin’s been spending too much time at the crack house.
Slimedog- Well I always thought Simon and Rocky were straight but what do I know? But what I do know is I’m staying for tonight’s show.
Andy- Why, who’s playing?
Slimedog- OC45 tour send off with The Radicals, The Black Cheers and Stray Bullets.
Andy- Cool have fun. I gotta go. I’ll take Simon home and see if I can get him to cough up Rocky.
Slimedog- Make sure to ride in the giraffes lane.
