Hardcore: Gorilla Biscuits, Negative Approach, and RZL DZL.
Gorilla Biscuits at The Tangent Gallery, Detroit Michigan - all photos courtesy of Paul Holstein
This was the second consecutive Sunday night hardcore show at The Tangent Gallery, and I hope they continue them. Normally I would have come late to just catch Negative Approach and Gorilla Biscuits, but a friend of mine had recommended The Sissy Boys (from Muskegon, Michigan), so we showed up early. It was raining, so we went right in (The Tangent Gallery has a great outdoor area to hang out, so when the weather is nicer we mull around outside for a few before heading in).
We were expecting The Sissy Boys to go on first, but they must have added Terminator to the bill as they were taking the stage when we came in. I bought my buddy a double Tito’s and lemonade at the bar, and we headed right in to the main hall to check them out. This was a hardcore show so I was expecting it to be a bit crazy, but I was not expecting a crowd this early. Terminator had a lot of fans, and the entire floor was filled with moshers doing the two step. For a minute they were in such perfect formation that it looked like they were line dancing at a country show. I wasn’t able to find any information about them, but I assume they are a newer local band. I’ll keep an eye out for future shows.
The Sissy Boys were up next, I had talked to (I think it was their Moms) at their merch table and was given a second hint that they are good. The crowd continued to fill out even more, this was a packed show. As with Terminator, the crowd was crazy energetic and I could only get up to the stage for short periods of time (and even then I took a few shots from moshers and stage divers). They had a cassette tape for sale, DGR104 on Delayed Gratification Records, titled “We Want To Fight”. I was also able to download it from their bandcamp site (I don’t have a cassette player). If you haven’t heard them, check out “Looking Down The Barrel”.
RZL DZL (pronounced Razzle Dazzle) is another local band, this time from Detroit, Michigan. They play “party” hardcore, so definitely not straight edge but still positive. The song “Ignorance Is Bliss” was a standout at the show, and I tracked down a decent YouTube video for it. It reminded me right away of The Beastie Boys, but many of their other songs are closer to straight up hardcore. It doesn’t look like they have put out anything new in a few years, but I’m glad I got to catch them live, and I hope this may lead to some new songs.
John Brannon of Negative Approach
Negative Approach never disappoints; I know every word to every song. They are technically a local band as well, but so legendary that I consider them a touring band whenever they play. John Brannon was wearing an Iggy Pop T-shirt, drinking Lite beer, and as angry looking as ever. He scowled and growled and screamed through a set that included nearly the entire original EP and songs from Tied Down as well (including the title track).
There was a long pause in the action before Gorilla Biscuits took the stage, so once they did, we were more than ready. They opened their 20 song set with “New Direction” and closed with the classic “Start Today.” We got both of my favorites, “High Hopes” and “Big Mouth,” along with a slew of covers. The covers included “Sitting Round At Home” (Buzzcocks), “Do Something” (CIV), “Minor Threat” (Minor Threat), and “As One” (Warzone). They told a quick story of playing “Minor Threat” recently with Brian Baker (from Minor Threat), and there was a massive sing-a-long for that one. Another great night at The Tangent Gallery.
