I'm aware that I'm a bit late writing this. Shortly after the show I came down with a sickness of mysterious origin, and was rendered immobile for some time. But I'm back and absolutely ready to talk about this monstrous bill.
I arrived at the venue about 15 minutes early in an attempt to get in the front of the line, as I wanted first crack at merch and barricade. After splurging at Static Dress's merch table, I had a brief chat with drummer Sam Ogden about Riff Factory, a venue he helped build. It was very interesting hearing a first person perspective on something I had written about, and there was something very surreal about it. Following a brief stint playing the Rouge Carpet Disaster tie-in video game the band had available at the merch table, I ventured out into the main room to prep for the sets.
BOLTCUTTER
First up was Boltcutter, a slam outfit from Portland, founded in 2023. Hot off the heels of the release tour for their debut album Still Broke, the band has hopped on the Flesh Stays Together tour. I've never claimed to be slam's biggest fan, but despite that, and despite the band's short set, I'm pleased to say I had a good time. The band incorporates hip-hop sampling, similarly to acts like PeelingFlesh, who featured on a Boltcutter track in early 2024. In the ~15 minutes the band was onstage, they were able to effectively rile up the crowd to the point where I started getting bumped into all the way at the left side of the barricade, and that's pretty sick.
ORTHODOX
Orthodox was up next, and oh boy, they brought their A game. The titans of Tennessee have had a pretty big year, releasing their fifth studio album, A Door Left Open. This year also saw the band's vocalist, Adam Easterling, feature on the track "Tears on Lambo Leather" by The Callous Daoboys.
Coming out the gate swinging with "Sacred Place," Orthodox commanded the audience with a presence unlike any other. Easterling was a man on a mission to walk, jump, and kick his way across every inch of the stage and by the time their set was halfway through, and "Blend In With The Weak" rolled around, he had the audience wrapped around his finger. The band's set was a short nine songs but they seemed to have gas in the tank for way more, and I know I would have loved to see it. Ten billion dollars to Orthodox immediately.
GOUGE AWAY
Gouge Away was the band given the herculean task of following up Orthodox, and shortly after taking the stage, vocalist Christina Michelle would joke about that fact, claiming it to be one of the hardest things in the world. Nevertheless, the hardcore punk outfit made a valiant effort. Opening with "Only Friend", the band took TLA through an eleven track set, going almost 50-50 on albums Deep Sage and Burnt Sugar, save for one or two songs. Gouge Away's hardcore-punk is a big departure from the sounds of the rest of the bill, and it was really felt in the crowd's energy. I noticed pockets of the crowd finding themselves either enraptured in their shouted choruses or disillusioned by the fact that their set wasn't over yet. I wish I could say everyone had as much fun as I did with their set because the energy in the room was a real mixed bag. Philly did not deserve you, Gouge Away.
STATIC DRESS
Those who know me know this one was really special. Static Dress is my favorite band of all time and this was my first time seeing them live. I was also aware I wasn't in for the standard Static Dress set. Vocalist Olli Appleyard had received a concussion during the band's Baltimore performance and would be unable to perform. Fortunately, the band was determined to keep playing shows, with backup vocalist and bassist George Holding taking up the role of lead vocals as well. I remember seeing a video of him doing a vocal cover of Bring Me The Horizon's "Dear Diary" some time ago, and so I had a rough idea that he would be able to hold his own. The band had a few surprises in store as well, as different guest vocalists would join the band throughout their 10 song set. "Courtney, Just Relax" saw Orthodox's Austin Evans join the band, and he'd remain through the "Death To The Overground" live outro, "face.", and "push rope". Despite Appleyard's absence, the band committed to keeping two new tracks on the setlist, the first one under the title "CDP" was sung by Adam Easterling, and following a performance of "such.a.shame" with the redux version's intro, they would launch into their second unreleased track, this time labelled "litrly lad". Following this would come the biggest surprise of the whole night, as the band would welcome Movements vocalist Patrick Miranda to the stage for a performance of "crying", to which I could only echo the statements of the person behind me: "What the fuck." capping off the set, the band was joined by Dying Wish's vocalist Emma Boster for a performance of "sweet.", and closed with their breakout single "clean." . Even as a 3-piece, even without Appleyard, the band managed to rock my fuckin' socks off and throw me for a total loop. A set to remember from the UK rockers and one I'll never forget. Real rock shit.
DYING WISH
Last, but certainly not least, came headliners Dying Wish. From the get-go, the band makes their presence known with "I Don't Belong Anywhere", a blistering opener that showcases the pure wall of sound emanating from the band's outrageous four microphones. Throughout the band's 13 song set, not once was there a moment where they let the energy drop. There was a moment when vocalist Emma Boster hit the most insane harsh vocal, a sound I can't even describe, and one I definitely didn't think I'd hear live and I audibly said "Holy shit". Flesh Stays Together is one of the tightest releases of the year, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it's just as tight live. Not once, save for their temporary exit before returning for an encore of "I'll Know You're Not Around", did the band stop going full send. Frankly, I don't know how the moshers kept up, because by the time the encore was gearing to start, I felt the fatigue creeping in. But lo and behold, the crowd kept pushing forward well into the finale, only seeming to grow in size as they crashed outside the circle pit. The band's set also saw two live features by Boltcutter and Gouge Away's vocalists respectively, with the latter closing off the set. I was a little bummed they didn't play "Prey for Me", but goddamn did they make up for it. What a show. Dying Wish is a powerhouse of sound, both in the studio and on the stage, and seeing them in action only solidified that fact for me. Holy shit indeed, past me. Holy shit indeed.
The Flesh Stays Together tour continues through December 12th.
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