Keith Brooks Tribute / Emma Fund (Part 3)
The Damn Garrison / Reason To Fight / Progress / Blastmat / Out Live Death / Taxi Driver / Red Mantis / The McGunks / Held Hostage
Firehouse 13, Providence, RI 5/22/16
I wake up in my front lawn with no pants, dandelions sticking in my ears and wearing a Spice Girls t-shirt. I was at both Keith Brooks tribute shows at the Midway yesterday and I don’t know where I parked my car.
But it’s all-right, I’ll just walk the 38 miles to the Firehouse. I hope I get there on time. But look! There’s Big Mike driving his monster truck toolin’ down the highway to the show and he gives me a lift and some spare pants.
Nine bands today and no words to waste.
Held Hostage is a really great Rhode Island hardcore band that was originally supposed to be one of the last bands to play today. But because The Damn Garrison could not have been able to make it here earlier to play, they graciously volunteered to go on early. (“It’s all for Keith, anyways.”)
I haven’t seen this band in a while but it doesn’t take me long to see why they could’ve headlined. This is top notch hardcore that even has the female bartender jumping up and down.
They end with the song “United” which has Viviam, Josh Sievers and others moshing and is a great start to what will probably be a great day.
The McGunks, who are one of New England’s finest punk’n’roll bands, start their set but are soon plagued by guitar technical difficulties. Bands are playing extra short sets today so it’s too bad they have to stop just as they’re getting it rolling.
But they still have enough time to show why I say, they are one of the best live acts we cover.
Red Mantis is a new band led by Jamie from Trans Fat. And they have a singer with growly, death vocals who is in disguise with a ski mask.
Their style is hard to pin down but then I recall Jamie never liking music that was ordinary or predictable and none of the music they play today fits that description. Elements of metal, hardcore and noise join forces to create a sound quite unlike any other band we cover.
My favorite song I’d say is a swampy, experimental blues song- like Captain Beefheart fronting The Gun Club. They play a great set and I look forward to seeing them again soon.
I notice Jay Genoa in the crowd and I saw him yesterday at the shows. I’m surprised seeing him both days as I know he’s a new dad. But when I go outside between bands I see his wife, Stephanie, with him holding their new, young punk rocker Gia, who is very cute.
I offer to play catch with the baby standing several feet away but for some reason my offer is declined.
But back inside it’s the hardcore/metal of Taxi Driver exploding on stage. I know they were a favorite of Keith’s and have roots in South Boston, Keith’s hometown as well.
I thought of them as a “must” band for these shows and they don’t disappoint with their hard driving, hammering (or is that hammered?) hardcore.
Out Live Death is next who grew out of my favorite New York hardcore band Live Fast Die Fast. Though they do play the New York heavy hardcore style I feel they have less of a metal influence, more energetic playing and vocals in a higher range.
And Paul, their singer, has always had great stage patter. I remember him making poignant remarks at The Midway, shortly after the Marathon Bombings, thanking Boston from stopping the Russian brothers before they made it to Times Square. (That was next on their plans). Today they play an explosive set ending with the song “We Ain’t Dead Yet,” and during it he has some nice words for Keith.
One of his bandmates after the set tells me, “We say he should’ve been a politician.” We’ll he, and his band, would get my vote.
Blastmat is a great Connecticut band that sounds a bit like if Keith Morris was fronting The Stooges. This band has hardcore vocals along with lots of garage and heavy psychedelic influence in the music, along with one on my favorite drummers Joe Nettleton.
They’re impossible to pigeonhole and are always great live, like today. And the singer, Ryan, gives a nice shout out to Keith as well- “A righteous motherfucker and a real, cool dude.”
Progress is a young band, also out of Connecticut that we’ve enjoyed before. They play hardcore with aggressive rhythmic and tempo changes, almost a bit like “progressive hardcore” but in a totally good way.
This is another band Keith loved to book and today they do him right.
Reason To Fight is next and in my opinion and a lot others, are Providence’s best hardcore band. They played Joe Moody’s benefit right here the night before but they’re back again today.
They play the heavy hardcore that Keith loved and dedicated their song, “Can’t Get Along” to him. They turn in a fierce, awesome set.
The Damn Garrison from New Hampshire are up to take it out. I consider them one of the best Oi bands in New England and always enjoy them and today is no exception.
They play a great set and during a slight “scuffle” play a song with just guitar and vocals that has the chorus of “I’ll never get drunk with you.”
But it was fine drinking while enjoying all the bands, 21 all together counting the 12 from the shows the day before. And I truly liked everyone of them and are grateful that they played.
But then Keith did book great shows and though all the credit in the world should go to Sean Connery, Viviam Lorena and Ray Finkle (plus Neighborhood Shit and Lyz Red for the shows I didn’t see.) These bands were all here because of Keith and because of their love for him- so didn’t he books these shows, in a way, too?
I know he would’ve loved these shows and everyone did proud by him. Was he in the rooms? Don’t ask me- I just try to get not to end up on my lawn everyday.
But I’m very proud of what went on this weekend and you should be too and it’s just one more reason I say, that this is the best music community I’ve ever been involved with or ever will.
And now Keith, I will do that shot with you.
(Slimedog)
