Compassion Over Fashion Tour Review

PETA2's COMPASSION OVER FASHION TOUR Most Precious Blood Dead To Fall Remembering Never It Dies Today Bottom Lounge 12/18/04 Reviewer: Karma E. Omowale Photos: Erika Kristen Watt

Hardcore is a movement that strives to stand for something positive and to uphold humanity. On December 18, 2004, hardcore went a step further, with the solidarity of four prominent bands in the hardcore community: Most Precious Blood, Dead To Fall, Remembering Never and It Dies Today joined forces with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal) as the animal rights organization sponsored this tour entitled, “Compassion Over Fashion”. Unfortunately due to inclement weather/traffic we missed IDT, however if you are looking for pictures of the band, click here.

Chicago's Bottom Lounge was transformed into informational central for the ethics of hardcore and much more. Any and everything you ever wanted to know about veganism, vegetarianism, the straightedge community, amongst a host of other topics like human and animal rights, etc was readily available. Any queries could have been answered right then and there on the spot; they had a table set up in the back of the venue chock full of books, pamphlets, etc. In my interview with Pete Kowalsky, vocals for the straightedge/vegan group, Remembering Never, commented on how he thought it was a great idea to have a traveling caravan of literature that speaks on the organizations they proudly support. The sold out crowd of curious on lookers frequented the info area, satiating their thirst for knowledge.

Infused with a lot of passion, this show was a real treat for all in attendance, there was a little something for everyone, which was cool since the holidays are just around the corner. Although this tour was short-lived (a 3 week run), the bands felt a special kind of kindrance towards one another. In my interview with Jon Hunt, vocals for Dead To Fall had this to say, “It's strange because it's only a 3 week tour and it takes about a week or two for everybody to start to get to know each other on the tour. We're just finally starting to get along really well and having a good time and tomorrow's the last show…so it kind of bums me out!” I must say that it was a show well worth risking pneumonia over especially considering I had never seen any of the bands on this bill before. It was so unbelievably hot in the Bottom Lounge to then be exposed to the 5° weather that was waiting to attack all that exited the sweltering venue like an attacker awaiting its victim in a dark alley. But hey, again, it was well worth it!

Lineup: Justin Brannan - guitar; Matty Miller - bass; Rachel Rosen - guitar; Rob Fusco - vocals; Drummer #12 - drums

Trustkill’s Most Precious Blood hails from New York City, the Godfather of Hardcore! This band is as serious as their music which reflects their attitude towards life. I love to see women in metal/hardcore, being a chick myself, but the band's guitarist, Rachel Rosen, takes womanhood to a new level. She raises the bar! She is one busy gal according to the band’s bio. She and co-founder of the band, Justin Brannan, designs and Rachel screens most of the bands t-shirts, she also runs the band’s website, and plays in the band Wages of Sin. Like that’s not enough but to fill her days, she has an even more impressive job where she just so happens to be employed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where she does autopsies in NYC.  Holy shit, Batman, Gotham City’s Rachel Rosen is a mistress of all trades!

Back on the ranch, during the set Rob said, “This ain’t MTV mother fucker!” said in reference to the band keeping it real as he then points to the X on the back of his neck, his symbol of solidarity for being straightedge. Rob spoke out against the trend of apathy and why the crowd was, “Fuck apathy! Fuck the trend of apathy. What’s really punk rock to me is the almighty circle pit!” The place exploded! He then went on to say that, the bands on the bill had a lot to say. In true hardcore fashion, all the bands on the bill preached to their flock. Rob being the obvious card he is, announced that it was Colin’s, birthday, “Buy him a drink…” The “Drunk German girl” in the front gave him a kiss instead. It was the funniest thing I had seen at a show in quite a while.

The band experienced problems with their mics however, the staff at the Bottom Lounge rectified the issue expeditiously; the band went on to play an amazing, energy filled set. This is definitely a band to catch; I am convinced they will impress you as well.

Lineup: Jon Hunt - vocals; Logan Kelly - guitar; Justin Jakimiak - bass; Matt Matera - guitar; Tim Java - drums

Chicago’s very own Dead To Fall played to a packed house as they filled the rafters with friends, family, fans and a lot of haters. Before the band took the stage, there was noticeable dissension in the crowd. Many fans in the audience were full of rancor. After the second song in their set, the crowd started to chant, “Quack, quack, quack…” over and over. Annoyed by the disruption, singer Jon Hunt quipped, “What the Fuck?” The band quickly ignored the hecklers and launched into “St. Martyr”, talk about irony?! It is most unfortunate that I lost my notes for the show before my interview with John. I would love to have gotten his take on the disruptive occurrence.

The band was tight and played a flawless set. Despite the rude interruptions, it was a welcomed homecoming for the Victory Records’ act as they were pumped! Once the acrid troublemakers calmed down, the band was able to as well. Their set blistered! The crowd lost it as soon as “Torn Self” started. Dead To Fall is an awesome band to see live, they possess a lot energy, like a live wire!

Lineup: Norm - guitar; Grease - guitar; Mean Pete - vocals; Danny - drums; Aldo - bass

Remembering Never’s lead screamer, Mean Pete, started the set with holiday wishes to ALL. I think he covered the gamut by wishing all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year’s, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and my new favorite holiday, Festivus. Well he doesn't sound so mean here folks, in which he is so not, but he does explain a little later on in my interview with him how he got the name. Gotta admire a man that tries to include everybody when he is not necessarily into the whole organized religion thing himself. The band then went into “Grenade In The Mouth of Tragedy” as the meager crowd exploded. It seemed like the audience was louder than Pete was, they knew every word as they happily sang along to the song. I was happy that I made it in enough time to see the bands’ set from start to finish since I unfortunately missed It Dies Today’s set.

Between songs, Pete said, “Go grab some literature at the back table and educate yourselves! Hardcore’s just not about waving karate hands in the air! When I was little, I remember people used to have something to say! They would find out about things!” He implored the crowd to investigate the table in full detail. At this time Rob from Most Precious Blood got on stage to lend his vocals for song #3. Both he and Pete were commenting on how great the tour had been so far. Pete said, “I am one of the saddest human beings in the world, tomorrow will be the last show on the tour!” The song commenced.

Hailing from Florida, I can understand Pete Kowalsky a.k.a. Mean Pete’s disdain for the bitter cold in Chicago thus his comment, “Fuck cold weather, and snow!” Good thing the band had the crowd to warm them up. In return they did a phenomenal job reciprocating as they got the crowd good and ready for Dead To Fall. Speaking of warmth, this band’s performance was a scorcher! It may have been a relatively short set but it was well worth it. I so cannot wait to see this band headlining one day (soon) as it will only be a matter of time. Pete went on a little later about how he was dedicating their set in memory of the recently deceased rapper, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Many members of the audience were stunned and taken aback, not having a clue about the singer’s love for ODB’s artistry. The looks on their faces were more than priceless. He also chose to dedicate a song in their set to the recently slain guitar god, Dimebag Darrell. Pete then stated that Remembering Never likes to keep it real. After the last song, Pete exclaimed, “Next up is Dead To Fall, they will bury your ass!”

Remembering Never is not just a band that “keeps it real” but they also leave all the bullshit behind. They are a  hardcore band that truly stands for something. They also lead the life they preach about though their lyrics. Simply amazing that a band like this has remained in the underground circa as long as they have. ‘05 should be a big year for this band as they amongst a couple other bands should blow the lid off hardcore like a forceful explosion of truth or more like it a pressure cooker, amid the b.s. posers in this under-talented genre; a band that is in it for the right reasons!

COMPASSION OVER FASHION TOUR DATES: Most Precious Blood, Remembering Never, It Dies Today, Dead To Fall
November 27, 2004 Nashville, TN @ The Muse
November 28, 2004 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
November 29, 2004 Jacksonville, FL @ Thee Imperial (w/In Due Time, Casey Jones)
November 30, 2004 Orlando, FL @ Back Booth
December 1, 2004 W. Palm Beach, FL @ Spankies
December 2, 2004 St. Petersburg, FL @ The State Theatre
December 3, 2004 Tallahassee, FL @ Big Daddy's
December 4, 2004 Houston, TX @ Walters On Washington
December 6, 2004 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
December 8, 2004 Phoenix, AZ @ Mason Jar
December 10, 2004 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
December 11, 2004 Fresno, CA @ Big Game Studios
December 12, 2004 Oakland, CA @ I Music Coast
December 14, 2004 Henderson, NV @ The Roadhouse Casino
December 15, 2004 Salt Lake City, UT @ Wagstaff Theatre
December 16, 2004 Denver, CO @ Rock Island
December 17, 2004 Omaha, NE @ Ranch Bowl
December 18, 2004 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

All photos Copyright © 2004. Pictures not to be used without written permission by FourteenG