Reviewed on 1st June 2004.

Against Me!

Live at Joseph's Well on Saturday, 29th May 2004

As ever I'm late, it looks like I've already missed 2 bands and I've already missed the first song from Indicator. Well done. Anyways those unfamiliar with Indicator can be assured that these chaps suitably rock the place with some politically charged thrash/punk. The set consists of all songs lasting no longer than a 3 minute machine gun like burst, then a bit of a rant and then off again, I think the word relentless (in a good way) sums 'em up. Passionate, honest and ballsy. The out cold cover is a nice touch too.

After a Quorn butty and several pints later it's time for Wakefield boys come good Dugong. After an initial buggering about session involving guitar player and a lovely light box (which I'm reliably informed was whittled out of some old shelving) the set begins, Mr Broadbent takes to the mic and away we go. There seems to be an outpouring of emotion to this band, like everyone in the room has a personal connection with every word sung and every note played, the whole performance is hair pricklingly good. I take a step back and look round the room and the whole room rocks back and forth rhythmically with the music, it's like there are no borders between band and audience, it's like they are feeding off each other, the more the audience is absorbed into the music the more heartfelt and passionately the songs are played. Oh yeah, about the music, well indie-tinged emo rock or some equally lazy description would fit, but let's not bother with any of that eh? if you haven't heard Dugong yet please do as you are missing out on genuinely one of the finest bands on the punk scene.

Next up are Manchester lot The Leif Ericsson featuring ex-members of the Propaghumbis. From the last time I saw these it seems they have had a bit of a line-up change but I can't tell any difference in the quality of the music on offer, it's still bang on. Upbeat good time tunes with a definite Gainesville melodic rock influence mixed with a base layer of snuff-esq britcore. Nice.

I'm afraid I missed the majority of Vanilla Pod's set but what I heard was excellent, sort of technical fast punk with a bit of a metal edge similar to A Wilhelm scream. Sorry about that.

Pylon are up next featuring ex-members of Wakefield's finest Chopper and if I remember correctly one half of Two Man Cupie and a member of Nathaniel Green. Last time I saw Pylon was when they supported Fugazi bloody ages ago. They were minus the piano, and a lot less polished than tonight's offering, Tonight, as with Dugong, a genuine feeling of anticipation takes to a packed Well, punters baying for emo tinged indie pop and emo tinged indie pop they get. To describe or compare Pylon is no easy task, the sound is what I'd call full. Full of emotion, full of passion and full of thought. From the sometimes Spy vs Spy ish quality of the guitar work to the smooth layered vocal harmonies it's smashing stuff. Probably too heavy for the indie crowd and probably too light for the emo crowd they sit in what seems to be a comfortable limbo, appealing to everyone in some way. Towards the end of the set Mr Charlton does a little ode to Out of Step as really it is them we need to thank for uniting such a quality and eclectic bill today. It's all lighthearted and brings a smile to everyone's face. Final song and it's all going swimmingly until some charva in the crowd decides he needs to release some testosterone which diverts everyone's attention from the game in hand to some fool doing a spot of chest beating. Anyways said charva is escorted out nice and swiftly.

Now for the main event, Gainesville's very own anarchists Against Me! There's something in the water Gainesville way, it produces some of the finest melodic punk known in the shape of Hot Water Music, Gunmoll and of course Against Me! It also had one of the finest labels in the shape of No Idea Records, lucky devils!

On with the gig, AM! take to the stage and off we go, crowd go ballistic, first song done; it seems to be over that quick. Then a moment of teasing, everyone knows what's coming next by the drum signature, it seems they're just teasing then off we go into sing along of epic proportions "Pints Of Guinness Make You Strong". Much finger pointing and singing goes on and everyone is dripping with emotion and sweat. Quality. After much merriment all good things come to an end and it's with spectacular style, stage runnings and crowd singing a plenty that everyone is exhausted. Mint. Then for the encore, with very little coercion AM! take to the stage one last time and end off proceeding with (if my memory serves me right) "We Laugh at Danger (and Break All the Rules)". With bass player firmly placed on the top of the PA stack and singer and drummer in the crowd, the crowd does the majority of the work. Excellent.