Opposition Rising / Two Man Advantage / Blackout Shoppers / Penalty Kill / Neighborhood Shit
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 3/1/14
Opposition Rising is one of the best bands on our site. With a style heavily influenced by heavy New York hardcore they do it more than well and deserve a spot amongst any of our top bands that do this style, such as Reason To Fight, M-13, The Enemy Within and maybe a few others.
I’ll let you choose the winner; with any one you can’t go wrong. And in recent months they’ve organized some great shows at the Midway and this was their latest and it did sell out. One of three shows of the many matinees I’ve attended there to do so.
This is a dual texting review, anyone reading such review should be aware of the dangers involved in dual texting. We are required by law to caution anyone attempting this. We are unpaid, unqualified, unprofessional, unconscious people doing this and if at any time you feel you don’t meet these requirements- please turn back.
So sit back, let the tensions melt away, prepare your body and mind to experience that what was once only dreamed is now reality as we once again encounter the modern convenience known as dual texting.
Slimedog- My, I haven’t been to one of these since I was a little boy.
Andy- One of what?
Slimedog- This is a matinee circus, isn’t it?
Andy- Is it? That’s cool. I thought we were going to the pretzel factory.
Slimedog- Well, that’s pretty twisted. Hey, how come Neighborhood Shit is setting up? They don’t play circus music.
Andy- Who you callin’ neighborhood shit? Those guys look pretty tough.
Slimedog- No, that’s their name, they used to be called City Crap. Now Simon is all disappointed.
Andy- Simon? Simon who? When do the circus elephants arrive?
Slimedog- I guess you didn’t notice my pet giraffe standing next to me. His name is Simon.
Andy- Oh, that’s Simon. I thought that was a kid with a really long neck and a bad skin issue. Looks like Neighborhood Shit is starting to play.
Slimedog- Yeah they describe themselves as hardcore but I hear doom and death metal as well. How would you describe them?
Andy- I think they have a kind of funky metallic hardcore vibe goin’ on. Along the lines of Rage Against The Machine on steroids. I really dig them.
Slimedog- They’re still fairly new and get better each time we see them. Now it appears it’s time for a hockey game.
Andy- Really? Circus animals on skates. Wow that should be pretty cool.
Slimedog- Oh, no it’s my mistake; I’m off to the penalty box. It’s Penalty Kill who play hardcore with some traditional metal influence.
Andy- Oh yeah, Penalty Kill. Another great Boston hardcore band that gets better each time we see them.
Slimedog- Yeah I think their style has really come together in the last six months, they’re always improving, excellent set. Oh, no! Simon is being chased by Rocky the Midway’s mascot pug.
Andy- I think Simon stole Rocky’s glass of Guinness. The next circus act is from New York.
Slimedog- Yes, the Flying Zambini Brothers on the trapeze. Or, more likely, the Blackout Shoppers.
Andy- The lead singer is wearing a hood so it could be anybody including Simon or Rocky.
Slimedog- To me he looks like Alan Vega of Suicide. This is more like straight ahead punk, really like skate punk.
Andy- Yeah it’s old school high energy punk rock reminiscent of those other dudes from New York that started it all.
Slimedog- You mean Kiss?
Andy- No I was thinking of The Greatful Dead. Aren’t they from New York?
Slimedog- They’re from wherever I don’t wanna be. I guess you mean The Ramones and like them they play great New York punk.
Andy- Agreed. They’re a fun band and fit right in with this afternoon’s circus theme.
Slimedog- I predict their CD review will be online the same time as this item. Well it looks like another New York band is set to commence playing.
Andy- Yes and it looks like they brought a couple of extra players with them.
Slimedog- Maybe they stole members from the Blackout Shoppers. Perhaps we should alert the authorities?
Andy- Nah, let’s leave and go to the pretzel factory.
Slimedog- More twisted logic. Why in heavens name should we go there?
Andy- Never mind the band is starting to play now. These guys are called Two Man Advantage and have a kind of garage-y hardcore sound.
Slimedog- Yeah they have two singers and have a sound that owes more to early punk like The Dictators than Agnostic Front or Murphy’s Law. But their style is still different than the Blackout Shoppers.
Andy- And they don’t sound like rejects from a toy factory either. I always liked The Dictators.
Slimedog- Since I have Deja Vu I can predict the future and I believe their CD will be favorably reviewed by us.
Andy- Cool. Up next is our favorite hardcore band for the mature audiences.
Slimedog- I would say along with The Enemy Within, they are Boston’s best purveyors of heavy New York hardcore.
Andy- True. And based on all the circus folks in attendance I’d say everybody agrees with you.
Slimedog- Yes, it appears many side show people are here as well. Opposition Rising are great as always; engaging front man, perfect rhythm section and they organized a great show. And they brought New York bands with different styles.
Andy- Definitely an awesome show. I can’t wait for their next one. So is it finally pretzel time?
Slimedog- Oh, No! Rocky The Pug has set Simon on fire and Jill the Drink Dominatrix is pouring Guinness on him to put it out!
Andy- Forget the pretzels, it’s marshmallow roast time!
Slimedog- What a delightful idea!
