So This Band Called Agnostic Front Came to Pittsfield and.......

they packed Chameleon's, a club who has quickly become Berkshire County's answer to CBGB's, the legendary club on the Bowery responsible for launching thousands of music careers.  One never knew what to expect when walking through those hallowed doors and here in the Berkshires, one never knows what to expect when walking into Chameleon's.  To date they've hosted bands from across the globe including China (Shanren), Canada (The Real Deal), Japan (Misled Balds) and throughout the United States in addition to DJs, comedians and even magicians!

It was certainly a real treat to witness NYHC legends, Agnostic Front, in a club that holds about as many people as CBGB's once did.  When the show was first announced, local fans were in shock and were in disbelief a band who headlines major festivals across the world were play here in Berkshire County!  Well, it proved to be true, it happened and it was incredible!

Fans came out from under the woodwork to support the three local acts on the bill who brought their A game to tonight's show.  With the exception of some minimal vocal mic issues during The Damaged's set, the night was flawless.  Malicious Tendencies kicked of the night in fine fashion ripping through a 30 minute set that got the crowd moving early on with no intention of stopping except for the break in-between sets.  Chris, Arron, John and Dave showed no signs of letting up and were just as intense from the first note to the last!  Don't miss Malicious Tendencies as they don't play locally all that often, but you can be promised a good time.

After a short changeover, local hardcore heavyweights Bloodwar took to the stage and ripped through a classic set of hardcore!  This current line-up of Jerome, Matt, Kevin and Dave are a force to be reckoned with.  Agnostic Front has such a huge influence throughout hardcore, punk and metal it was a nice to see a local band that also embodied all of those styles in a different way.  Bloodwar's influences are without a doubt something near and dear to each member as they bring something unique to their performance, putting them above much of the current hardcore bands out there today.  This is another case of another locally based band that hasn't played around here all that much in recent years, it was great to have them play this show.

The Damaged took the stage after Bloodwar's wild and chaotic set and they brought a little melody and punk to the party in a big way.  They just released their first official album in almost 15 years and its great to see them play these songs live!  "Cracks in the Sidewalk" kicked off their set featuring songs from all three of their albums and while many in the crowd weren't familiar with the punk band at the party, by the end of their set, they had quite a few new fans throughout Chameleon's.  Kevin, Jay, Mark and Colin are one of the hardest working punk bands in the Berkshires and are probably one of the best kept secrets in the area.  Their working class anthems resonated throughout the packed club and even with some minor vocal mic issues, The Damaged played one of the best sets I've seen them perform.

It's hard to imagine the anticipation of everyone in the audience of seeing Agnostic Front in such an intimate setting as Chameleon's.  Even the band was excited to play the show after a minor technical bass guitar issue.   However, as professional as they are, Agnostic Front didn't let a technical delay in entertaining the crowd.  Stigma was telling jokes and he was an animated as ever!  He's one of the greatest characters in all of hardcore and he was certainly a crowd favorite.  He was even gifted a half pepperoni/half cheese pie from East Side Cafe by Mike Pigott of Mass Tropicas!

As they finally started the first notes of "Victim in Pain", you could tell they were into this show more than one might expect.  Agnostic Front has headlined festivals throughout the world and here they are in Pittsfield, playing to almost 200 kids going bananas without bouncers, without barriers and without a stage, just a simple drum riser.   This chaotic caccophany was perfect.  There was respect given to the club, the band and the fans gave respect to each other.  At times it looked like the end of the world, but then the song was done and everyone stopped moving.  Roger called for a classic circle pit a few times during their set and everyone obliged.  When Agnostic Front played the classic Iron Cross cover, "Crucified", the entire club sang along as they did with the closers "Gotta Go" and "For My Family".

This concert event surpassed all expectations of the opening bands, Agnostic Front, the Chameleon's staff and everyone in attendance.  For those who happened to miss this historical fact, if success is any indication, Agnostic Front will be back sooner than later!

Some Reviews of Recently Enjoyed Music and Books

Thoughts on "Commando"

On the way to the annual pilgrimage known as Punk Rock Bowling, I scrambled to find something to read for the flight there and back.  Even though I was wielding my new smart phone, I didn't want to be tied to it more than I currently am.  I made the trek to the only actual bookstore in Pittsfield and snagged a copy of "Commando", Johnny Ramone's autobiography.

I looked at it briefly after walking out of the store and the first thing I noticed was that it's a very impressive looking book.  The cover is very heavy duty cardboard and the pages are glossy.  For a punk rock book, it's top notch similar to that of "Fucked Up & Photocopied", except it's not a coffee table book that's currently out of print going for insane amounts of money.  Before driving away, I sat in the car and stared at the book.  A five hour flight was in my immediate future and I didn't want to start reading before I was actually at the airport, I wanted to start this book fresh.  I wanted to read a punk rock book on the way to Punk Rock Bowling. Without looking at too much as to ruin it for myself, I checked out a couple of the photos which were neat, Johnny's criticisms of all of the Ramones' albums and a few other things that didn't spoil the impending punk rock reading marathon.

One incredibly interesting detail that still has me shaking my head to this day is that the book was bound and printed in China.  How anyone involved with Johnny's estate would've let this detail slip by as okay is beyond me.  This is something Johnny wouldn't have been okay with.  Even his words in the book state something along these lines and it's just a shame that this wasn't even a detail that mattered to the publisher or his estate.  The book wasn't cheap and an additional $5 more wouldn't have mattered to me if the manufacturing of "Commando" was actually done in the USA. 

This would've certainly pissed on Johnny Ramone, hell, it pissed me off and I had just walked out of the bookstore with the book.  I actually debated on returning it for this very reason, but curiosity got the best of me.  I had to read it.  I'm glad I didn't return it, "Commando" is a great book.  It's like an early Ramones album, its short and too the point without a lot of fluff within the main story.  Some of the fluff that populates "Commando" is wisely left for the end of the book as it contains Johnny's unofficial Book of Lists.   Johnny always seemed to be the most serious of the Ramones and this book proves that to be case.  He had a tough persona and was all business and while the band didn't get along for whatever reason (which was often), they knew their fans were dedicated and they had to be dedicated to their fans.

I loved the overall presentation of "Commando", the photos and Johnny's perspective on being in a band who changed the landscape of rock n' roll forever.  The book brought me back to a happier time in my life and even though I knew the outcome, I read it as if I didn't know he would pass away upon completion of his story.  "Commando" is something I can recommend without a second thought.

"Just Kids" by Patti Smith

Flight delays are no fun and this trip was filled with delays to and from Las Vegas.  After finishing "Commando" in a few hours in the Albany airport, I started Patti Smith's "Just Kids", which I had picked up upon exiting passenger screening and I'm very happy I did.  Both the outcome of "Commando" and "Just Kids" are similar, major protagonists don't live to see the wonderful written tributes to them in finalized form.   Fortunately (or unfortunately depending upon my mood) I remember the controversies of artist Robert Mapplethorpe and the fear he brought to people because of the art he produced.  In 2012, it seems so ridiculous but at the time hearing about it, it made New York City seem so far away and magical in an odd way.  Living in the isolated hills of far western Massachusetts, you didn't hear too much factual information just random news reports or crazy conservatives like Jesse Helms attacking these crazy artists and their grant money.

"Just Kids" is not only inspiring and magical, but it's also tragic and gut-wrenching.  I wasn't aware of the extent of the connection between Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe until picking up this book.  What started as completely random encounter laid the seeds for a beautiful friendship, sometimes romantic, frustrating, inspiring and always fulfilling.  Smith is one of rock n' roll's strongest lyricists and her talent made it very difficult to put down "Just Kids" when I was finally ready to pass out for the night.  

While portions of "Just Kids" are solely devoted to Smith's story, Mapplethorpe is always on her mind like soul mates out on their own adventures eagerly awaiting their next encounter to share stories with each other.  Interestingly enough, the two never traveled afar together.  They'd visited Patti's family in New Jersey on occasion, but any extended trips were in the company of others. 

One of the more fascinating stories in "Just Kids" is how Patti assembled what was to be known as the Patti Smith Group.  She brings you back into the busy nights of the infamous Warhol hang out Max's Kansas City, the early days of CBGB's and bustling Chelsea Hotel.  From self-conscious poet to one of the most influential female voices in rock n' roll all because of the encouragement of Mr. Robert Mapplethorpe.   All the while during this book, I couldn't get the inevitable ending out of my mind.  What would this world be like had Mapplethorpe lived?

I loved this book and I loved "Commando", but I think I loved "Just Kids" just a little more.