Hello, Good-bye

Bands come and bands go. That's what bands do. But it still hurts when a favorite band announces it's breaking up. Think of all the songs you'll never hear again - that might very well never be played live again. Yes, there are the records the band leaves behind. But it's just not the same as going to a show and seeing one of your favorite acts, singing along elbow to elbow with your friends, sharing that music with a community of like-minded fans.

Last night Don Giovanni Records put together a showcase at Maxwells, and two of the bands were saying goodbye. It was definitely the last show by New Brunswick's For Science, and one of the last shows we'll see by The Steinways. It didn't feel like a wake, though; more like a celebration or a party. It was doubly so for me, since it was my birthday and I received not only lots of birthday wishes, but quite a few free drinks. I lost track of the beers, but I definitely had four shots of various alcoholic beverages, so I was feeling no pain by the end of the night.

Even without the booze though, it would have been a great night. Kudos to Joe Steinhardt of Don Giovanni (and For Science) for putting together a great bill, one that actually sold out the night before the show. So there was a mad scramble for tickets at door time, but I think everyone who wanted to see the show eventually got it. Place was packed though... for a local band showcase with no local "headliner." It was one thing selling out Maxwells with the Ergs at the top of the bill; quite another with the Steinways, Pregnant, Cheeky, the Measure (SA), For Science, Groucho Marxists, and Screaming Females - all great bands, all on Don Giovanni Records, but most of them come from New Brunswick (Pregnant is from NYC), not exactly strong local draws in Hoboken.

I was still sober enough to know that the Steinways played one of their strongest sets in a while, even with the Groucho Marxists' Chris Pierce sitting in for the ill (but still present) Chris Grivet on drums. I was in the middle of the mosh pit for For Science's farewell set, screaming along and thrusting my finger in the air, but still managed to get off a few photos. Cheeky, Pregnant, the Measure... gotta be honest, those sets are kind of a blur. Having friends buy you shots all night is great for your ego, but not so much for your journalistic accuracy.

But it was a lot of fun, made even moreso by my nephew Ryan being there to celebrate me. And after the show, the Serlingtons from Binghamton, NY crashed at my place, bodies and beer cans all over the floor, but what's more fun than a punk rock sleepover?

Great show, great weekend, great birthday.


Flickr Photo Set here.