This was the first show at the Webster that I have reviewed where I really felt something for the band. I have seen Agnostic Front before, and their partners in crime, Roger Miret�s brother�s band, Madball. I must admit I truly hold hardcore dear to the heart, so my opinion may be biased! I was saddened to see the poor turnout for such a heart felt night of music, but it still left me leaving, feeling a better person. The show held a blatant attack on the condition of music today, Roger himself was quoted as saying, �Don�t let emo take over our scene!� Damn straight. Dashboard Confessional was a great show, and an emotional one, but this music is really from the soul. The first band I caught was Stinkbomb. Their songs were promising and in the vain of the night, held a traditional hardcore punk feel. I think they lost it somewhere in the stage presence area. The singer was very into getting into the crowd, and he did, singing a few songs from the pit. However, the rest of the band did not exuberate much passion for the music, and left me with a sour taste in my mouth. May I also say that not every band can just start singing about Guinness now because it�s the thing to do? I lived in Ireland for more than half my life, give it up guys. Not everyone can be the Dropkick Murphys, so please don�t try. I sometimes think to myself that these bands that sing about whiskey and real beer go home and drink strawberry daiquiris by themselves. Just a thought.
Next up on the bill, with seemingly less people in the club mind you, was The Deal, a California based religious hardcore band. Now this band had the presence to turn heads. Unfortunately there weren�t too many heads there to be turned. This singer really got into what he was doing, and so did the musicians. There is nothing worse than a lackluster performance from a hardcore or punk band. It�s all so wrong. The Deal revived my faith in the scene however. The added move of ending their set with a Warzone song led nicely into the night of NYHC to come. There were a few different kinds of kids at this show. I myself have given up on trying to �look the part�. There is no point; I know what I am. The punks came out this Wednesday night though. Mohawks, bondage pants, leather jackets and AFI patches? I know, funny stuff. There were the few and the true as well, such as lead singer, Pete, from the now defunct Brass City band hardcore outfit, Forced Reality.
There is much to say about a band like Agnostic Front. First of all, they truly prove that there is still integrity in the scene today. Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma, Mike Gallo and Jimmy Colletti are the members of a quite seminal band. I don�t think AF gets the credit they deserve for their contribution to the underground scene. Gallo is the newest member to the group, just in time to contribute to the �Dead Yuppies� album and tour.
AF took up where the Deal left off. Late singer Ray Beez of Warzone was AF�s original drummer. All of these bands are family! This band came out ready for action and just as fresh as ever. Stigma still bears his name on the back of his Gibson SG as he storms out on stage. Mike Gallo brings a lot of extra energy to this band�s table as well. The few and the true really got into this show. The AF classics were proudly turned into sing alongs. �Gotta Go� and �Crucified� were spit ferociously from a passionate Roger, whom is much more fit from the last time I saw them on tour. Donning his Kangol cap, Dickies pants and workshirt, he looks about 10 years younger and ready to rumble. Stigma was also in rare form, and did a rousing solo rendition of �Paulie the Beer Drinking Dog� from �Something�s Gotta Give�. He has a lovely voice, really. One word can be used to describe Stigma, character. This is a man who usually wears rosary beads around his neck. This band is no flash in the pan. NYHC is about about family. Record labels and clothes don�t matter to the proud. It is a state of mind and a way of life, and this band exuberates it in their live show. As Roger Miret rants, don�t let this scene die, it�s the only true scene left.