east coast heart
At first glance, the filthy band dudes that congregate outside of 7/11s, populate local festivals while using all their best material on our dear Andrea (who totally eats it up) are not to be trusted. They are to be judged, once and harshly. They are to be touted as scum of the universe! This theory has been tested more than once, and proven correct, by our calculations, 94% of the time. A phenomenon has emerged on the east coast, among the most unassuming genre, there is a vast collection of bands that have redefined this assumption. They love music, they love creating it, and mostly- they love playing it. This is the defining factor- they love performing. They appreciate their fans. They’re gracious. Humble. They wear these hats along with many others, I’m sure, as we all do. They most likely break hearts, maintain impressively poor hygiene and practice all their vices. But they do work hard, and despite the high possibility that they will never be financially stable, discover fame, or be noticed at all- they continue. And in this relentless pursuit- they are noble characters.
There is something quite magnetic about someone who sees the risks and jumps anyway. East Coast hardcore, punk and metal bands always jump. They know they bear no commercial value, and a large majority of people they encounter won’t encourage their lifestyle, and their day job is a daily reminder that they’re still stuck in the burbs with their parents. But however small, there is a beautiful truth that gleams out of their pores, living inside all the sweat and stink. It is the feeling of being alive. There is no other feeling, really. And what other genres can really capture that better? The energy is palpable and pulsating. It’s supernatural. I have spent the better part of my high school years at these shows, always fascinated, always in the back, watching something that could never be replicated, or faked. Admittedly, it wasn’t something I would listen to in the car, but the live shows were electrifying. There was a hunger for something more in all of those bands, some survived growing up, others evolved into something else.
I’d like to introduce you to some of my friends, and friends of theirs that inspire me in an unlikely sense. I’d always envied these bands, the ones that felt it in their veins, that knowing that nothing else really mattered except friends and playing music. Everyone wants to know their purpose, and I’ve never met people so sure of theirs. There are countless more, but it’s late and my eyes are doing that droop thing.
- My friend Dean (guitar/vocals) radiates with positivity. He’s probably one of my favorite dudes. This whole band, in it’s entirety, loves playing more than any band I’ve ever seen. You can tell. They’ve played shows to 10 people, and never skipped a beat. They are perpetual smilers. All of their achievements within the Toronto music scene have been earned by hard work and talent. Period. They are widely respected dudes, with huge hearts that love music and love eachother. This is a rarity in the industry. They’re huge advocates for Invisible Children, which makes me love them even more. Their acoustic counterpart to Lets Start A Riot (Lets Start a Campfire) is available on itunes (itunes.com/theartistlife) They’re currently on a cross-Canada tour with The Snips and Brights.
- My beloved friend Brooks first told me about this band, and how he was very stoked to shoot them. I ended up watching them at Scene Fest in St. Kitt’s this year in the pouring rain. Their performance was incredible. Their debut album ‘Sometimes Things Just Disappear’ (2008) found its way on a ton of ‘best of’ lists, and received critical acclaim. They’re currently on what looks like a neverending tour that ends in November and spans the globe at least 5 times over. I’m lying. But it’s real long.
I watched this band perform in the rain (it rains a lot up here) on a Saturday night to about 12 people. Rain usually clears a crowd. Downpour ensures it. But they still played, and we still stayed. It’s sad to see such a tight set to a crowd of drunken 14 year olds. With former members of Boys Night Out, Jersey and Grade- this band traces its roots from nearly every musical influence. Ever. They are most definitely underrated.
- The inclusion of The Snips is dedicated to Andrea. She has a crush. More than a crush. Well, nowhere near the degree to which she pines for fellow dirtbags like Gallows and Cancer Bats, but- it’s up there. The Snips are a good band, but you can’t notice it immediately because they seem so silly. But they’re really just having fun. There’s a definite punk rock- I don’t give a shit attitude, but it’s strangely endearing. Ricky on lead vocals has a stache, he also plays trumpet, and they cite influences like ‘hainous jams and reckless boozing’ that sounds like ‘babes getting nekid’. Hmm, I’m mildly offended at myself for continuing to tolerate belligerence for the sake of music.
