I only discovered Against Me! earlier this year, when I was checking out all the 'Best of 2007' lists I could find to see if I'd missed any great bands. New Wave showed up on all of them. From the first songs I listened to ('New Wave', 'Thrash Unreal' and 'Stop!'), I was hooked and deeply impressed. My favourite band is undoubtedly The Clash, and here was a new young band with the same energy and attitude. It was an easy sell.Speaking as a music junkie, later in the year, I had a real dilemma. The Foo Fighters were coming to town and Against Me! were opening. By the time I found this out, all decent floor tickets were sold, and I had to seriously debate whether it was worth it to pay scalper prices for a decent ticket, just to see an opening band in an arena far too big to appreciate them. After a few weeks of agonizing every time I came across an ad or mention in the Straight, I decided against going. I figured they'd be back in town within a year or so, and I'd see them then.
When I found out about this show, I was thrilled and had my tickets minutes after they went on sale. It seems like I've been waiting forever to finally see this band, when I didn't even know anything about them ten months ago. Such was my desire to see these guys live, undoubtedly the best way to appreciate their rawness and energy.
After that kind of a build up, you'd guess I'd be disappointed, wouldn't you? Me too. But I wasn't in the least. I've already accepted the fact that some of their lyrics are unsophisticated and clunky, and frankly a tiny bit embarrassing. But that is about my only criticism of this band and Tom Gabel. I can forgive some failings of youth because of all the passion he brings to his cause. This is true punk: messy, sometimes stupid, but incredibly rousing. It's the original punk ethic - catchy songs fueled by anger. They aren't as smart or worldly wise as The Clash, but they're a hell of a lot more genuine than The Sex Pistols ever were. You know these guys feel it and live it and love it with all they've got. And that is contagious for their fans. A great live experience.
Needing to brace myself to fully enjoy the show among such a young crowd, me and my boyfriend hit the Beer Garden during the openers, so unfortunately we missed them. Tom Gabel thanked Japanther and the Saint Alvia Cartel twice and said he was sad it was the last date of their tour with them.
From the opening beats of 'New Wave', Against Me! delivered a pounding, non-stop, experience for everyone at this all-ages gig. From the first to the last song, the mosh pit was large and energetic and by the end of the show I was feeling hot and sweaty just being on the edges of that churning soup. The audience were treated to just about every song off the newest album as well as some older gems like 'Pints of Guinness Make you Strong' with the memorable "I'm drinking Irish tonight" line. One personal highlight for me was a trio of perfection 'Piss and Vinegar', 'Don't Lose Touch' and 'Thrash Unreal'. The opening to 'Piss and Vinegar' was cheekily extended by blending in the Pistols "Submission" which just about made me lose my shit. Whether it was intentional or not, I don't know, but would like to think it definitely was. 'Don't Lose Touch' channels the best punk/reggae/dub sounds of 30 years before without losing a scrap of urgency, and who can't love Thrash Unreal? especially when I was feeling that 'Rebel Yell' when it was released too (although despite my young ears, I could still hear Idol selling out his roots).Tom Gabel and Andrew Seward, stage right and center, respectively, looked they were particularly enjoying themselves and seemed to have a nice ongoing banter and rapport going on, with Gabel frequently grinning and holding drinks for Seward who was already beginning the next song. James Bowman on second guitar and vocals was unsmiling throughout the show, which is standard for him, I gather, and took over the Tegan Quin vocal part on 'Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart'
-->. He was painfully off-key on one track, but that was only a minor distraction from the overwhelmingly entertaining show.
My take-away song from this night was "Miami". I hadn't heard it before and it's a new fave of mine, with a rousing sing-along chorus, biting political vitriol, and a unflinching condemnation of one city from their home state of Florida.
Below is the partial setlist for the show. Ironically, I've been recording setlists for all the shows I've been to, coming home and finding that I can easily find a copy online. Because I miss a few moments of each song keeping a running setlist, I figured I was wasting my time and missing the show unnecessarily. I didn't keep track of the setlist during Against Me! and, wouldn't you know it, can't find a setlist anywhere. The following list is pieced together from what I remember vividly being played and the Georgia Straight's Mike Usinger's review. I would imagine they also played 'Animal', 'Stop!', and 'Those Anarcho Punks are Mysterious', but I don't remember clearly, so can't include them. Crap! I do know, however, that they didn't play 'Baby, I'm an Anarchist' which would have been cool to hear.
Against Me!'s Partial Setlist:
New Wave
Americans Abroad
Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart
From Her Lips to God's Ears (The Energizer_
Miami
Piss and Vinegar
Don't Lose Touch
Thrash Unreal
Up the Cuts
White People for Peace
T.S.R.
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Sink Florida Sink
