HIVE OF MAYHEM.
Sounds pretty intimidating does it not? So much so that one unnamed writer for this
blog was scared to go, despite it being free.
The Hive of Mayhem started in 2004 by former Buffalo resident Nick
Baran. Nick is best known as the singer of the former Buffalo hardcore punk
band No Time Left and runs the straight edge record label Third X Party. The concept was pretty simple, have a free
show that features a number of Buffalo punk bands that have played few or no
shows, so people can check out what they can look forward to. The Hive of
Mayhem has been happening about once a year ever since, and this past Saturday
was the latest installment. The location
this year was at the Funeral Home, and featured five new bands. For those unfamiliar with the Funeral Home it
is just that, an old Funeral Home. Located in Riverside, it has been hosting
underground punk, metal, noise hardcore and the such for over five years
now.
Cross Stitch
-Cross Stitch is an all-lady four piece that played it's
second show at the Hive. In fact, it was
also each of the members of the band second show ever, as they are all
relatively new to their respective instruments.
While it's clear that they are both individually and collectively
working out the kinks of their performance, when it comes together it's pretty
special. Throwing the “riot grrl” label
on them, while not entirely inaccurate, seems a bit lazy, so I'm more disposed
to compare them to the mid-90s Vancouver band Cub than Bikini Kill.
-Brain Drain is the solo project of Adam McFillin, who also
plays bass in the post-hardcore band Dream Journal. During his short set, Adam utilized a
guitar, loop pedals, a small handful of programmed sound effects, and extremely
sparse vocals to craft sounds that would have been produced if New Order had
given up pop to focus on drone. Based on
this performance, Brain Drain would not be out of place within the burgeoning
Buffalo noise scene, nor at future events put on FOUNDRY.
Big Suze
-A three piece that had a heavy and very driving rhythm
section, which held the songs together over chaotic and noisy guitar playing.
Though there were multiple songs, they followed together seamlessly and ended in
an unexpected and pretty awesome rendition of a Creedence song.
Bad People
-This band features Biff from the recently broken up Brown
Sugar and Plates, along with Nick Reynolds from Space Wolves, new Buffalo
Resident Josh Smith on vocals and a person who I haven’t seen play in a band in
a long while Mancandy. This reminds me of some stuff you might hear on those
old punk comps entitled Killed by Death. Pretty straight forward fast 80’s
hardcore punk with a cool guitar riff thrown in for good measure. The vocals
are snotty and pissed off , and you can tell Josh means it from behind the mic.
- Flood Drinker is a new project that has one of the members
of the recently broken up Beardage. This is there second show, following up one
played a few weeks back at the Jungle Gym. They are a three piece and I felt a heavy
influence of Motorhead with early 80’s metal parts thrown in, though from
listening to the songs, I would say that they have been written by guys who
have listened to a lot of punk in there lifetime. This especially comes through
in the vocals.
What I really enjoy about the Hive of Mayhem is that brings
a big cross section of punkers from the Buffalo area. This year I saw some
folks that have been going to punk shows in the area for 20 years that I
haven’t seen in a while, to some younger kids who I have yet to see at shows.
On top of that everyone seemed to have a great time and brought a great energy.
To top it off I walked out of the door with a stack of fliers for some great
upcoming shows, which had a few of these bands on them. Sometimes the grey of winter gets you bummed
out and cynical, then something like this happens and snaps you right out of
it.
~Dan Carosa & Curtis A. Guy
Photo by Clint Carr
