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I was super stoked about this show. Against Me! is one of my favorite bands, making me all too happy to take an hour and a half trip to Hartford, CT. The ride up was a bit of a challenge, as we got a little lost and a rock shot up from another car, through my slightly opened window, colliding right below my eye (it hurt, but it was better than having to replace a window), but it was all worth it once the opening notes of "Cliche Guevara" graced my eardrums.
Against Me! played 14 songs (see below setlist) during their 45 minute set. They barely talked to the crowd, instead going from song to song with little to no break (just a few moments to tune every now and then). The mix was a little off until I removed my earplugs, but they played a really solid set, makking good use of James Bowman's vocal talents (he's got a great voice), as well as Tom Gabel's (who was surprisingly facing the crowd instead of facing his bandmates like usual). Drummer Warren Oakes is so fun to watch that he makes their live set even better. He's always smiling and looking to have a great time, making himself the enjoyable centerpiece to their great music.
Against Me! played a new song that sounded alright, but it wasn't love at first listen for me. It seemed like a song that would grow on me as I ocntinued to listen to it. Every other song they played was fucking amazing, making me wonder why they only played for 45 minutes (the longer set times are on the horizon).
After Against Me! finished, we walked through a hallway and a couple rooms to the Webster Underground to osee some band with Pluto in their name play. They were four guys in their mid to late 20's wearing hockey jerseys and playing oversimplistic pop punk that took influences from The Queers and The Ramones. To put it nicely, they were horrible. They music was generic and the songs were boring. If the band had any musical talent, they hid it well, even though they did play one good song.
I've never been a huge fan of Alkaline Trio, but I watched them with an open mind, though it soon closed. The mix wasn't good and they were really boring. We watched four songs before leaving, me still salivating over Against Me!'s performance.
AGAINST ME!'S SET LIST
Cliche Guevara
From Her Lips to God's Ears
Rice and Bread
New
Those Anarcho Punx are Mysterious
Miami
Don't Lose Touch
Unprotected Sex with Multiple Partners
You Look Like I Need a Drink
Violence
T.S.R.
Pints of Guiness Make You Strong
Problems
Sink, Florida, Sink
Written by: RF