TERROR and CHAMPION @ Toads Place, New Haven CT. 8/19/04 Show Review by Guest Contributor
A lot of things can be said about hardcore shows – it’s easy to write them off as nothing more then a time and place to vent your frustrations on anyone who dares attend – but that shouldn’t be the case, and I’m glad to say that it wasn’t.
This was my first show at Toads Place, and to be honest the only reason I attended this show was to see Champion and With Honor. After a hectic day my cohorts and I managed to get to the show a few minutes before the opening band took place – it should be noted that my opinion on this show might be tainted. I had worked 8 hours, only to drive 2 ½ more (thank you rush hour traffic) to get to the show, and find out that With Honor had been dropped.
With that said, the turnout was beyond what I was expecting and I think it’s safe to say there were well over 250 kids there, the floor was packed, as well as the back walls and area near the bar.
Dead By Wednesday was the opening band this night; they were filling in for With Honor and did a pretty admirable job. I’m sure that under these circumstances they didn’t have too much notice that they were playing the show – and I’m not so sure that they were the right band for the occasion. Although they managed put on a hell of a show and put everything they could into, when I’m getting myself ready to see a band like Terror I’m definitely not in the mood to put up with a Rap Rock hybrid band. If they were a hardcore band though, they’d definitely be positive – these guys were all about getting the crowd ready for the amazing show that was sure to come, doing there best to get everyone riled up, and they were more then ready to put on a show, and they did. Featuring dual singers with some amazing rapping abilities the band's 30 minute set was filled with energy, precision and messages. The biggest problem though with Dead By Wednesday was the fact that all their songs sounded alike. The choruses, the lyrics - even the breakdowns – it all sounded the same. Their entire set consisted of 1 really long song with several breaks before continuing the mediocrity – or at least that’s the impression that I got.
All was not lost though, after the band had exited the stage – and after a reasonably short set change (13 minutes) out came the band I had come to see, out came Champion.
Before I say anything I just want to say that Champion is one of those bands that have had a huge impact on my life – helping me always find the good in things as well as making me strive to be a better person. I respect and appreciate everything they have done and I will be vocally supportive of this group from now until I die.
Champion came out and managed to get everyone pumped and ready in less then a minute – within the opening chords of there first song a circle pit had formed that took up about 70% of the floor. They played with enthusiasm, dedication, and passion, and put on one of the most amazing sets I have ever seen. The set contained a mixture of some new songs, off the upcoming album "The Truth," as well as a lot of older songs such as "Harrison Broadway," "Insider," "Assume The Worst," "1 to 2," "A thank you note," and "Left Your Mark." Throughout the set Jim Hesketh spoke loudly about his appreciation for everyone coming out to see his band, and about being positive within the scene.
The biggest response Champion received was when they started playing “The Truth” off of their upcoming album "Promises Kept." The place went nuts and there were bodies flying everywhere. All in all Champion put on a very memorable set and did just what I expected them to do. They brought the show to another level.
Up Next Was Terror. After witnessing Terror for my third time, I learned something very important. Words can’t express how important and energetic Terror shows are – it’s not something that can be explained, it’s something that has to be experienced. Scott Vogel has got to be one of the most charismatic leaders of any hardcore band past or present. His ability to dictate the crowd into doing what he says is simply unbelievable.
Vogel was very appreciative of the turnout for the show – he was more then happy with how many kids showed up, but he was also more than happy to be back playing in front of people again. A short while ago Vogel found out that he had 2 bulging discs in his neck, if I’m not mistaken, so he had to have surgery to repair the damage he had caused after years of abuse at shows. This is why Doug Weber (guitars/backing vocals) had filled in for Vogel on several shows over the last few weeks, but Vogel is back now, and he’s better then ever.
Terror is one of those rare bands that come along every once in a while and managed to turn the smallest events into one of the most memorable experiences, be it by speech, song, live show, or just pure energy. Walking away from a Terror show without a new memory seems so unlikely to happen.
Terror put on a blisteringly fast set, filled with mayhem, destruction, and positive words. Many positive words. In the past Terror had been one of those tough guy hardcore bands that was all about fighting, and moshing, and just causing havoc – however tonight things were different. Vogel kept talking about how hardcore music changed his life, how it helped be the man he wanted to be, and how thankful he was to be in the position he’s in now. It was definitely a change of pace.
The highlight of the set though had to be the last song Terror played, "Push It Away." The crowd went absolutely nuts and, I kid you not as I type this, the entire floor went crazy. Everyone was moving and everyone was getting into it. The sing-alongs were intense, and there was finger pointing galore.
This has got to be the absolute best set I’ve ever seen live – and that’s saying something.
Unfortunately, it was close to 11:30 at this point – so I had to leave before seeing Sick Of It All, we knew there was going to be roadwork along the way home, and a couple of us had to work pretty early in the morning. So driving along, stuck on 95N – we talked for hours about Terror, and Champion and we came to the realization that we had just experienced one of the most insane shows in our lives.
