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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist / News Live review: Grids
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Grids, Double Negative, Hawks, Chronic Youth, Bukkake Boys
The Milestone
Feb. 4, 2011
The Deal: Charlotte hardcore trio Grids performs final show with a bunch of their friends.
The Good: The night got started with a quick set by Bukkake Boys. The guys from Atlanta aren't afraid to pull punches and put it all out for the crowd to feed off of. The band's singer nearly spent as much time in the crowd as he did on stage, pacing back and forth and unleashing his vocals. The group did a great job setting the tone for what was about to be a long, slam-filled brutal night of music.
Up next was Chronic Youth, a hardcore band from Gainesville, Fla. The band's brief set was focused, determined and intense. Each group member faced inward toward the drums at the back as the music plowed forward. These guys weren't about engaging the crowd and joining in the fun, they were about getting the job done and doing it well.
Atlanta-based Hawks was up next. Vocalist Michael Keenan Jr. was about as intense as they get — shedding most of his clothes only a few songs in after the crowd tried pulling them off. He taunted them saying not to do it half-assed before shedding them himself, leaving a maroon pair of briefs on, his ass hanging out, dirt and mud slathered on his back. He often jumped into the crowd, pinched faces (mine included) and did his best to get every person in the room involved.
Double Negative broke the trend of growled vocals, instead offering a clearer delivery with all of the same intensity and energy. Stage diving, crowd surfing, slam dancing and the singer got in on it as much as he could. The band brought forth an old-school punk ethic that ignited the crowd in front of it and drew out every ounce of sweat that it could.
It was all building up to the final show by Charlotte trio Grids. There was no mention of the band's final performance — aside from a few in the crowd yelling "Don't break up!" at the end. The group hit it fast and furious and the crowd actually seemed to calm down a bit to focus, pay attention and soak in every note being played, every word shouted. It all built up to a simple, "This is our last song," which was followed by the pummeling "Kansas." With that, it was over. A few hugs were exchanged between bands and the crowd filed out.
The Bad: That people still smoke inside The Milestone.
The Verdict: Might as well go out with guns blazing if you have to go out. I expected more from a band's last show, but then again, I think they did it perfectly — go out on top, play the show you want while surrounded by friends and bands you love. It wasn't about tears being shed, or the "end of an era," it was a final, well done show that left the crowd saying, "Damn, that was a helluva fucking show!" — as simple as that. Well done, Grids.
Grids Setlist
Sinked
My Own Parts
Locals Only
Drilling
Bonnie
Suits
Rebel Girl
Headache
Friends
Gone Soft
Kansas
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