Hardcore...
The end of last week, Tegs and I did a little trip to the Sunny Coast on our own. We ate great food, stayed in a nice Air BnB, I got some good runs in and got tattooed. The main reason for the trip however was to go and see some hardcore/metalcore bands play. There has been no live music for SO long, I was super pumped to have my ears ring, see some heads stomped and just feel the electric energy that a heavy show and crowd creates.
I was a bit disappointed, as the two bands I mainly wanted to see had to pull out from the show due to the lockdowns in Melbourne. We decided to still go though as we had tickets and heck, it was LIVE music! A ghost that hasn't existed while the other ghost (COVID) has reigned free on all things fun. So, who cares who is or isn’t playing, lets have a rad night out!
Before the event, Tegs and I went to Go Pals, Hare Krishna food. Delicious. Kinda ironic…putting peace in our body before proceeding to the aggressive energy hardcore can sometimes create! The gig was at Sol Bar which I haven’t been to before. The venue was small but perfect for bands like we were going to see.
The first band up was average and the second hilarious. The vocalist should have been in a tough guy hardcore band but instead, the leader of a metal core band of bangers. Some of his comments were hilarious and after him proudly and publically announcing he was from Southport, Gold Coast, everything began to make sense! They were super fun and ol mate in his tracksuit pants, tight shirt and bum bag made for a memorable set. Well-played sir.
The next two bands were really good. I thoroughly enjoyed their music, stage presence and general vibes. I didn't know their music but man, it was good to be in the throes of heavy beats, people enjoying themselves and seeing a group doing what they do best after not playing a live show for 18months! To the headliners Justice for the Dammed, well done. Its gotta be hard being in a band and trying to make a living when your livelihood (touring) gets taken away for such an extended period of time! Sending all the musos much love! Stay strong friends!
Going to this gig was such a great experience. As most of you know, I was the front man in a hardcore band for five to six years. Being at the show brought back a flood of emotion, memory and general good feelings. I miss it. Life is SO good right now but I have often thought about starting another band just for fun. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day though and I just honestly don't have time to do that. I do truly miss the release, the joy of creating something out of nothing and just feeling the satisfaction of hearing a heavy beat down or rad piece of music you and your band mates created. It truly is something special.
For the foreseeable future though, hopefully live music will continue. I look forward to seeing more brutal bands, breathing in the energy and smiling through a whole set cause I completely feel at home. I look forward even more to the day one of my favourite bands does an all ages show and I can take my girls and let them experience a part of my world I hold so dear. That is going to be a special day!
Life is good. Music, particularly heavy music is SO good. The simple pleasures in life, which COVID took so many away, can once again be enjoyed and cherished. Who knows how long gigs might or might not be allowed going forward. Love the little things friends. Put your favourite band on today, turn it up real loud, throw down for a while and after a bit of physical and emotional release, just stop, listen and smile. Music is beautiful and life is good. The little things. Enjoy them, that's what life is all about. Much love friends.