Bane, Mob Reality, Have Heart, Free Spirit, Outrage
Club Hell in Providence, RI
April 29, 2009

I really need to get my eyes checked. I found a good spot to lean against and was staring off into space when I heard the sound guy tell the drummer of the first band to play a beat. I looked up and thought he was making out with himself, even though (upon further examination) he was just talking on his phone. While it would have been more intriging to watch someone make out with themself, I did find it funny that he was completely oblivious to the fact that the sound guy was trying to get his attention, even when he deafeningly blasted the music.

I got bored waiting for Outrage to take the stage, and then annoyed when they took their sweet ass time getting ready once onstage, but they quickly redeemed themselves in my ears. There was a lot of tight musicianship and the singer danced around like a Street Fighter character, leaving him quite out of breath in between songs. The music sounded like a cross between older Throwdown, a small amount of Modern Life is War and the Hope Conspiracy. They were definitely able to win me over.

I found Free Spirit to be on the boring and generic side. Their songs were a throwback to early 80s Boston, but I wasn't feeling the passion. A good chuck of the crowd felt it, but it seemed like they were just going through the motions of writing short, fast hardcore songs.

Watching Have Heart and the bodies of fans that were surrounding them, was akin to sitting at the beach and peering at the waves crashing on the shore. There was so much movement and energy throughout the venue, and Have Heart made sure that things stayed that way, not dropping the intensity even a smidge during their set. Bodies were everywhere and people were reaching to get to the mic during the many sing alongs. Nothing stopped or even slowed down as they, musically speaking, smashed the shit out of their instruments. I was more than impressed, almost forgetting how good they were.

Mob Reality was okay. They were at a disadvantage because they had such a tough act to follow, but I found them very middle of the pack. They had some really good parts and some really mediocre parts. Nothing was great. They reminded me of a bit of Minor Threat mixed with Cro Mags with an Iron Cross mindset. I've heard better but I've certainly heard worse and wouldn't mind hearing these guys progress.

Aaron Bedard may not have the best singing voice in the world (you're not gonna find many classically trained vocalists fronting hardcore bands), but he has the unique ability to come in singing at mid syllable. Its what I look forward to most about a live Bane performance (the dancing is also entertaining). I know the songs and enough people are singing along to negate the need for him to be singing constantly, so I usually just watch in awe at this talent.

I've seen Bane enough times to pretty much know what to expect: sing alongs, hardcore dancing, stage drives (there doesn't have to be much of a stage) and a flat out fun 45 minutes of action packed energy. They delivered to a happier than swine crowd, playing favorites such as "Count Me Out," "Superhero," "Can We Start Again," "Speechless," "Swan Song" and a bunch more. Another damn good time from a damn good band.

Written by: RF
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