Easton Underground's 2016 Opening
Easton Underground. March 25th. 8pm. My friend Scott, my boyfriend  Kris, and I.
Five dollars each got us a black sharpie “X” on our hand and entrance into one of New Brunswick’s many weekend basement shows. We sat on a very sketchy couch that had probably been the sight for many drunken hook-ups and waited for the opening act. Despite the fact that we were sitting on indoor furniture, we were indeed outside. The night was only slightly chilly but everyone knew it would be hot and sweaty for the show. Amongst us were smokers, hipsters, and people drinking cups of what was most likely low quality beer.
Soon we headed inside for the opening act, The Idea of We, an acoustic singer who performed covers for various pop songs in a low sultry voice. The chill vibes were starting to seep in. The lone strum of a guitar, one earthy voice, the low lighting, my boyfriend and best friend beside me. The connectivity of being surrounded by people who shared our interest in music and beanies. The connectivity of the couple groping each other and making out in the corner.
As the first performer left the “stage” and by stage I mean the small area of floor space designated for the performer, the mood started to change. The next act was an alternative punk band called Just Waiting whose lead singer sang raspy covers to songs like I’d Still Pick My Friends Over You by New Found Glory. The crowd was jumping and singing along, the room was getting excessively hot and humid,  the strobe lights were illuminating what I hope was neon paint on the walls and support beams. They played a few more covers and a couple of original songs before their set ended and everyone streamed out for fresh air.
We took this chance to check out the advertised “one dollar for a cup of beer and free refills”. Upstairs in the kitchen was a very long, slow moving line past a bathroom, a closet, and a very drunk and belligerent asian gentleman. After about fifteen minutes of inching forward and shooting potential line-cutters death stares one could indeed get a cup of beer for a dollar. The wait was so long though that I doubt many people suffered it again for a refill.
We returned to the basement where the next act was setting up. People quickly started filling in the room and we somehow were pushed from the front to the semi back by crop-topped girls and sweaty “studs”. As the minutes ticked by the crowd started to chant “MSP” cueing their enthusiasm for the next performance. The Modern Sound Proposal finally did come on and led the way with a few original songs. The crowd was feeling it, especially the two muscled guys trying to start a pit in front of us. It was right after they played abanging cover for a Twenty-one Pilots song that I realized 3 hours had passed, my phone was dead, and my ears were ringing. We left the show at that point, enjoying the cold breeze of the outside. Of course no night of music is complete without a midnight snack, so we made our way to Cookie Rush and indulged ourselves with ice cream sundaes. It was a Friday night perfectly spent.
