Agnostic Front New York Blood U.S.A. Tour 2025
Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein.
It was a rainy Saturday night, but we wanted to get their early enough that we wouldn't miss the first band (even if that meant standing in line, in the rain, before doors). The night actually started even earlier with a Roger Miret/Vinnie Stigma book signing, something that they were doing as part of the current tour (and this was the first stop). We missed the book signing, but I still got one of my photos from 03/28/1993 at Todd's (Detroit) signed by Roger before the show. We did stand in the rain (with over 100 others) for about 15 minutes, but it was no problem at all given what the night had in store.
Nick Terlecky of Violent Way
Violent Way was classic boots-and-braces, boot stomping Oi! Music, and I loved it. They put out a couple of albums ("Bow To None" in 2022 and "Oi! This Is Violent Way" in 2024) and a few singles as well. All of their releases are great, and this 10+ song set nailed it. They do a great cover of Blitz "Someone's Gonna Die" on their EP "Release The Skins". This set, however, included a cover of The Buzzcocks' "What Do I Get?" that Murphy's Law later poked fun at (but also acknowledged how good it was).
Jimmy Spliff of Murphy’s Law
While Murphy's Law was setting up, they brought out two large tubs of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer on ice. It was easily over a case worth, so I expected them to be drinking heavily throughout the show. They actually gave most of it out to the audience, who were more than happy to accept. They kicked up the speed a notch from Violent Way, and there was a solid mosh pit going for nearly the entire set. At one point they brought up a kid to sit on the stage, who happened to be Jack (that I reported on last year, when he took the mic for Terror at The Tangent Gallery show). It wasn't long before Jack took the microphone from Jimmy Spliff and was belting out some Murphy's Law songs. In one of the most memorable moments of the night, a member of Violent Way came out and snuck a beer from their stash, and they improvised a new song “The Skinheads Are Stealing My Beer”.
Roger Miret of Agnostic Front
I first heard Agnostic Front back in the 1980's after they released their classic "United Blood" 7" (1983) and "Victim In Pain" LP (1984). They have been a staple of the NYC Hardcore scene ever since, and many of their songs feel more like anthems. This was an 18 song set that included the classic "United Blood", and saw the entire audience singing along to "Crucified" and "Gotta Go". Members of both Murphy's Law and Violent Way came out on stage to guest vocals on various songs, and Vinnie Stigma took the mic for a song or two. They finished with a nod to The Ramones, covering "Blitzkrieg Bop" and then posing for a photo with the audience. What a night!
