Photographed by Jennifer Di
Published by ABORT Magazine
I walked up to the venue around 6pm, which was supposed to be the time the doors open, and I notice an ever growing line of people outside. Now for those of you who have never seen of heard of Astorinos, it doesn't look like much from the outside. A plain beige building on the corner of Commercial and Venables with a maroon coloured awning and the name printed on it simply in white. On the side of the building was an ad about planning your next wedding or family function. A simple building on a corner in East Vancouver, and I'm sorry to say but the drapes matched the curtains! Â The doors opened roughly around 7pm (almost an hour after the time advertised) but the line of people around the side of the building never seemed to go away. I walked past the outdoor line of smokers and socializers and made my way through the front doors of Astorinos where I was greeted by the ticket checker and a sign reading âNo Drugs or Alcoholâ (fantastic... a dry concert! I was also informed no one was allowed to âloiterâ out the front of the building or the cops would shut the show down, hence the ever growing group hanging around the side) I got my wrist stamp and headed into the hall.. which at this point kind of felt like I was heading into a high school dance, random hall, no security, no real ticket booth, and lots of high school students running around. As I walked through the hall doors I found my self in a rather large, rather empty hall. There was a merch table off in the corner but nothing else, everyone seemed to be flocking to a smaller room connected to the main hall. I made my way to the crowd of people and could see several stacks of chairs about 3 rows deep lining the walls. A small sound board was off to the side and a stage was situated at the end of the room being lit by about 3 florescent red light bulbs.
The first band up was the Greenery from Long Beach, CA with their blend of snotty, metallic hardcore punk rock. They started playing about the same time the doors had opened, and wasted no time diving right into their set. They were edgy, amped up, and in your face, proof that the hardcore scene is alive and well these boys had no problem captivating the crowds attention. Backtrack a New York style Hardcore band out of Long Island, NY were the second band on the bill. With more metal influenced and melodic riffs accompanied by the hard New York attitude this band was dominating the stage creating a mosh pit the faint of heart would not want to mess with! Its interesting to see two hardcore bands from opposite sides of the country back to back. Both part of the same genre, both with the same heavy undertones but with completely different styles and execution.
Counterparts, a melodic hardcore band from Hamilton, Ontario was the final act before Comeback Kid graced the stage. Having just released their third studio album last July, these boys have been hard at work promoting the hell out of it and it definitely shows. Now I may be slightly biased as I always get a little excited when I see a Canadian band on the bill, but these boys were hard hitting with an electric energy. Melodic riffs, catchy chorus', and a sound that collaborates all the best parts of the Ontario hardcore scene. A band that I would strongly recommended adding to your music library!
Around 9 o'clock at night the tiny side room, now packed with people forcing some to spill over into the other hall, it was finally time for Comeback Kid to take the stage. The band one by one slowly made their way onto the stage tuning their instruments and situating themselves. Andrew (singer) was the last to make an appearance. He spoke to the other band members and grabbed the microphone. The audience was bustling with energy, reeling in the excitement of the night and anticipating what was to come. Just then over the hum of the audience the vibrations of a guitar riff filled the room, it was the intro to the first track off of Comeback Kid's new record âDie Knowingâ. The song has a gradual build up at the beginning and the chaos of the crowd matched it perfectly. The vocals and the full force of the song hit, like a head on collision with a herd of buffalo, hard and powerful. Even with the less then fantastic venue and sound system the vocals were flawless and heavy, the guitars and bass were hard and angry and the drums hit like a clap of thunder. Comeback Kid at its finest. They powered through there set taking a few breaks to reconnect audio cables that had been ripped out by the mosh pit, and to connect with the audience wishing one fan a happy birthday to which he replied âCOMEBACK KID IS THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD!!â. They played a healthy mix of older crowd favourites and new releases, rounding out the night with their single âWake the Deadâ to which the crowd always kicks it up a notch and looses their minds even more.
I'm sure to a passer by this would have looked like a scene of pure anarchy. People climbing on top of each other, bodies flying through the air, the side monitors swaying side to side with the push and pull of the audience all under dim red lighting. But these are all just the signs of another epic Comeback Kid show. I have been a fan of this band for roughly 10 years now, back in the days when âWake the Deadâ was first released, and judging by their live set and their solid new record is safe to say these boys won't be slowing down anytime soon. So the next time Comeback Kid is in town, lace up those chucks and get your ass to the venue I guarantee you wont be disappointed!
