Minneapolis is still a punk mecca. The only thing is that most punks don't go to shows... ever? There is a great scene developing though. It's small but yielding great bands like QUESTION, THE AGENDA and now CONDOMINIUM. Winnipeg was fortunate enough to have CONDOMINIUM come up and play UNDER PRESSURE's US tour sendoff show on May 3rd at Ragpickers. Ragpickers, along with the Rocker (both located in Winnipeg's historic Exchange District) has to be my favorite all-ages venue. That's kind of a redundant statement to make because a good all-ages show will always win over any bar show in my book. Anyhow, the bands were great and I hope this Winnipeg/Minneapolis exchange will continue.
THE SWEET NOTHINGS @ Ragpickers in Winnipeg, Canada
BORN BAD
CONDOMINIUM
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Condominium, Born Bad, the Sweet Nothings - May 3, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Rip It Up Fest - April 12, 2008
Rip It Up fest... It ended up being the source of much confusion, controversy and messageboard entertainment the last few months. What was initially planned out to be a convergence of some of North America's finest short, fast and loud bands. There were a lot of misunderstandings and cancellations... What resulted was a single show that ended up being a lot of fun. The bands that ended up playing were (in order): MIND CONTROL, UNDER PRESSURE, BORN BAD, DR BENWAY (BC), THE AGENDA (MN) and THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT HEROES (AB).
Quick rundown: MIND CONTROL were new and played a competent set with a VOID cover (I think?!). UNDER PRESSURE started off okay but then blew some nasty chunks after Mike's amp stopped working. BORN BAD's set was ridiculous was it should have been. DR BENWAY played nondescript melodic crusty stuff and weren't something I could get into. THE AGENDA were sloppy, noisy and terrific. THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT HEROES played melodic sing-along punk really well but weren't my cup of tea at all. Their singer had a ridiculous amount of energy but his antics were kind of cheesy. Seem like really nice guys though and there were folks there who were into them.
Upon arriving at the venue (the Graffiti Gallery on Higgins) I immediately noticed some punks hanging out in an adjacent lot. We were entertained briefly by the junkyard of office equipment.
Da punx hanging outside the Graffiti Gallery.
Cam and I caught up with Tim and Charlie from Minneapolis punk band, THE AGENDA. Unfortunately, most of the out-of-town bands canceled their appearances at the fest but thankfully they were able to make it down.
BORN BAD @ the Graffiti Gallery in Winnipeg, Canada
When Matt (the soundguy) wasn't handling the levels and broken gear, he was nursing this bad boy. Shit...
THE AGENDA @ the Graffiti Gallery in Winnipeg, Canada
DEAD DOGS @ the Lipton house in Winnipeg, Canada
After the show James hooked me up with THE AGENDA's ride to an after show at the Lipton house. I'm glad I was clued in and ended up attending because it was a lot of fun. DEAD DOGS started playing as soon as Paul, Cam and myself got back from an organic munchies raid.
THE AGENDA @ the Lipton house in Winnipeg, Canada
MODERN PROBLEMS played after DEAD DOGS with an altered lineup. Not sure if it was temporary or permanent. Unfortunately, I didn't get any good shots of MODERN PROBLEMS. Steve was quite lively throughout the set and cannot fault him for not putting on a performance.
THE AGENDA were great at the fest but were even better the second time around. Singer Tim has a great explosive energy; you don't know what is going to happen next other than that it will probably end with him plowing into you. They kicked off their basement show performance with a cover of "Manimal" by THE GERMS and it was all uphill from there.
The rest of Jason Penner's photographs from these shows can be viewed here.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Review: BORN BAD - Moron Music EP
Released just in time for the Winnipeg band's 2007 X-mas tour spreading ill cheer throughout the US, Moron Music is BORN BAD's sophomore effort, and a solid one at that. Six tracks of nihilistic mosh-inducing hardcore punk, featuring UNDER PRESSURE guitarist Mike Requiema on vocals and Paul Phillips from SEARCH + DESTROY handling double duty behind the kit. The recording is improved over the first self-titled EP. I was fortunate enough to gt a copy of the tour press, which includes the standard issue sleeve but also a great layout illustrated by Ryan Trudeau (SEARCH + DESTROY). This is gruff and to-the-point shit. The first comparison that comes to mind is DEAD NATION. I think that has to do with its bountiful negativity towards everything. BORN BAD started off more of a studio project but has become more serious and is now a staple of the Winnipeg live experience. If you get a chance, check them out. They throw down with plenty of comedy and tragedy.
(2007, Fashionable Idiots - http://www.fashionableidiots.com)
Track Listing:
A: "Society Bullshit" "Follower" "Kill The Punks"
B: "Intro/Excessive Force" "No Tomorrow" "Washed Up"
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Born Bad, No Fun, Vile Hands* and Modern Problems* @ the Red Road Lodge on September 28, 2007
Tony Two-Fist doing what he does best (taking a fall) during No Fun's set.
Born Bad
More photographs here.
*Not photographed.
L'viv, Born Bad and Modern Problems - October 13, 2007
L'viv @ War On Music on October 13, 2007
Under Pressure*, Born Bad and Modern Problems @ the Mondragon on October 13, 2007
Born Bad
More photographs available here.
*Not photographed.
