Live review: Pam and Mark Schaff
Photos: Pam and Mark Schaff
When this show was announced for Buffalo, we were stoked to have a chance to see Bloodclot on their first tour. The venue provides an up close and personal feel for a show and we love going there to catch bands live.
The first act up on the night was the local Buffalo band No Grave But The Sea. This was the first time we had seen them and they rocked out the early crowd. A stoner metal band that fit right in and gave way to the second band of the night Black X. Another Buffalo band and their debut 7 inches came out last October, and we recommend you pick it up! These guys hammered out a great hardcore set that paved the way for Bloodclot to hit the stage next.
Time for Bloodclot to take the stage. From the moment they announced their formation, we’ve been waiting to see a record and more importantly, a tour from them. The Supergroup, featuring Hardcore pioneer John Joseph (Cro-Mags) on vocals, Joey Castillo (Wasted Youth, Danzig, Queens Of The Stone Age, Zakk Sabbath) on drums, Todd Youth (Danzig, Murphy’s Law, Agnostic Front at the age of 12) and Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Dwarves) on Bass and vocals. These guys did not disappoint anyone in attendance that night. They knocked out a hardcore set that blew everyone away. The energy that Joseph performs with is intense and from the heart. He leaves it all out on the stage. Joey Castillo is one of the best drummers around period. He plays with power and precision that is unmatched by many of his peers. Seeing Todd Youth again is an absolute treat. He plays flawlessly and fluidly. Rounding out the band is Nick Oliveri, he’s an amazing 4 string slayer but his vocals are just as good. He adds another dimension to the bands sound. This is a stacked a line up as you can get. They played nearly every song off their debut album ‘Up In Arms’ and they sounded amazing. We cannot wait to get the chance to see the band again and hope everyone that has a chance goes as well. You won’t regret it!
Headlining on this night was another pioneer of hardcore from Detroit, Negative Approach. These guys formed in 1981 and broke up in 1984, but reformed in 2006 and have been crushing skulls ever since. Negative Approach needs no introduction, they are one of the most beloved and influential hardcore bands of all time. By the time they got onstage, the crowd was just catching its breath form Bloodclot’s performance, then Armageddon all over again! From the first note they struck, the crowd went crazy. John Brannon has a way with the crowd he can work them up into a frenzy and doesn’t let up. Guitarist Harold Richardson, spends the night facing his amp, he never faces the crowd during the show. Ron Sakowski pounds the bass and Chris “Opie” Moore plays drums. This was the 4th time seeing NA and they are truly one of the best hardcore bands around today. They have never let the crowd down, you can always expect a great performance from them. They slammed our ears with 22 songs before finishing up the night with a great cover of Iggy And The Stooges ‘I Got A Right’. If you never saw NA live you are missing what old school hardcore was and should always be.
This was one kick ass show and Negative Approach is still out on the road for a few more dates. You all need to check them out! And go out and grab a copy of the debut album from Bloodclot ‘Up In Arms’, you won’t regret it! We’re hoping Bloodclot will continue as a full-time gig as a hardcore “Supergroup”, and not just a side project, which you see so much nowadays, that will put out one album and call it quits.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Negative-Approach-252596481434952/events/?ref=page_internal
https://www.facebook.com/bloodclotofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/BlackXStraightedge/
https://www.facebook.com/nogravebutthesea/
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