September Shows
The Sound of Summer's End
This month’s shows were eventful. I (my wallet and body) decided to go to only local shows and stay for only as long as my mind and body could bear.
Wildwood Skate Shop - Standing on Bidness
Started off September strong with some 20916 hardcore and metal. This was the last show I had the opportunity to mosh at before spraining my ankle, and… I did not take advantage of that. But I still had fun. I always want to show up for shows here but had only been able to go once. Not my exact scene, but the sense of community here is strong, and being next to a CVS is refreshing, especially when the lineup is as long as this show was. Got myself a CD mix that the bands did specially for this show, and it now sits in my car waiting for its chance to be played.
Pour House - The Undertaking!
Furthest south I’ve ever driven, and for a $5 show and 20 wings for like $8, it was so worth it. I was devastated that I couldn’t mosh but so happy to finally the The Undertaking! live, and to finally hear Citrus Jr. Great lineup, sick venue, fun people.
DBZ Books ‘N’ Records - In Which Divides Us
This show was an unexpected favorite for this month. I came across iwdu on my Instagram feed earlier this month and I was enraptured. I tried to look for any releases, only to find out there were none yet, then this show was announced and I made up my mind: I had to see them. They happened to have released their debut EP on the 27th, the day before this show, and I had that thing on repeat as soon as it was out. It was a blast seeing them perform (all, what, 8 members??) but some other bands nearly brought me to tears.
I saw Midst of Grey on the setlist, but didn’t know what to expect from them before I made a typo when searching their name on youtube… oops. I’m glad I didn’t hear them beforehand because hearing them for the first time live was the way I had to hear them, I wouldn’t have appreciated them as much otherwise. I was sitting outside for their set because I didn’t want to risk my injured ankle near the pit (ended up risking it eventually, and my foot got stepped on but not too hard). Talk about RANGE for this band. They’re what I expect from post-hardcore, honestly. Balance and range within songs. And also, two screamers? I love that. Got myself a patch right after their set.
Honestly, I’m still recovering form Ashes at Last’s set. I was going to leave right after iwdu, but I decided to stay because it was only a 20 minute drive back to my apartment. At this point, I’d been up for over 12 hours, dealt with a dead car battery, driving to and from the ocean (shoutout to SoCal beaches), and several near accidents from people on the freeway who don’t know how to use their indicators (shoutout SoCal drivers). Ashes At Last was the perfect way to end such a busy day. I’ve been out here complaining “when is trancecore coming back” and no one told me about them. Technically trancecore, but it’s like Parel potatoes vs Russet. They’re different strains of the same sound. Anyways. I heard the synths and had to resist the urge to jump in the pit (ankle still isn’t healed, not trying to injure it further). Then they played a cover, and of all covers it had to be Stick Sickly. Earlier in the week, I’d skipped that song to prevent it getting stuck in my head, and now it’s set up shop in my brain for who knows how long.
Goodbye summer. You were good to me.