NOGOODNIX, Gruk & Smeat

Due to some confusion, the show started a little later than it was supposed to, but everyone seemed to be in a good mood as Smeat began. Smeat sounded good as they ran through their set. Loud and fast with some yelling and a truly impressive number of effects pedals. Some people stood on stage with the band for the usual bit of push and shove, and some lingered out in their seats to take in the whole event. Smeat rocked, rocked and rocked some more and hit just about everyone in the audience in the face with a free t-shirt — but the crowed was still hungry for more.
I love bands with good a good frontman / woman. A singer who actually has stage presence can make a band’s live show. For Gruk, Rachel is exactly this. Sweet and innocent looking, this girl is a monster onstage: yelling, screaming and barking out lyrics all over, all the time with style and energy. Of course, this is not to take away from Ryan and Brad, the guitar and bass players respectively. They too bring their own energy, style and antics to the stage (sometimes at the expense of the quality of the music and sometimes at the expense of good taste. Next time guys keep your pants on… nobody wants to see that). Gruk pounded through their set of fast, loud and angry punk rock whipping the crowd on stage even further into a frenzy.
Finally the band of the hour, NOGOODNIX, took the stage to celebrate the release of their self-titled album. Jimmy Lo is another example of a great frontman. Aside from being able to belt out the lyrics, he doesn’t have a problem with getting in peoples faces, jumping in the crowd or whatever else it takes to get the crowd moving. Of course, the crowd never needs much convincing to get moving to the frantic pace of songs like “Land of Poverty” and “Father of the Year.” The guitar work of Lo. E. Lang stands out as cause of the fast pace and clean, precise sound of the NOGOODNIX. Honestly, I don’t understand how he can play that well going that fast. Of course, recent additions Saint Ann and Twelver on bass and drums respectively deserve their share of the credit. I think this was probably one of the best shows I’ve seen them play. If you weren’t there you missed out. So, finally after having endured three great punk bands, the crowd had had enough. Everyone left tired and bruised, with ears ringing and content.
– Scribles

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