Face to Face at Pat Garrett Amphitheater

 FOE's POST-PANDEMIC GIG JOURNAL

Face to Face / Don't Panic / Big Green Limousine

Pat Garrett Amphitheater, Strausstown PA

June 6, 2021

Missed the Less Than Jake show that happened at Pat Garrett Amphitheater on Friday June 4, 2021. Missed the Slackers play at Levitt Pavilion on Saturday June 5, 2021 in Bethlehem for free. Was not going to miss Face to Face!

I have been a fan of Face to Face since Doc Strange first sent me their first LP. I have seen Face to Face multiple times and would see them again and again.

The Pat Garrett Amphitheater has become on of my favorite venues. Great food and drink with reasonable prices. Great sound, atmosphere and the show started and ended promptly. 4 star venue.  

Face to Face killed it. They were excited about the venue too. Played a lot of early material. Announced they will be releasing a new album on Fat! I actually skanked around a bit even though I just found out I am older than singer/guitarist Trever Keith by three years. Time flies. I would go see Face to Face every time they played within driving distance.

My friend Bix couldn't make the show, so I texted him a photo of the Face to Face merch table and picked him up a shirt.

I didn't know either of the openers before the show. Which is fine as I am an old man and do not keep as close a tab on the scene as I did 30-40 years ago. Glad I got to see both bands and have become a fan.

Don't Panic are from Northeast Poconos area of Pennsylvania and play a professional, energetic blend of power pop and pop punk. At times they remind me of Smoking Popes, Hagfish, early Weston and Bowling for Soup. I even bought their "See Through It All" album on vinyl! I've listened to it multiple times this week. Great listen. I will most likely get to see them at least two more times this year. They will be opening for the Queers (name dropped in their song "Summer of 99") in Easton Pennsylvania and then again opening for Bowling For Soup in Harrisburg.

Opening band Big Green Limousine have been around for 20+ years, so yeah, I may be out of touch. Philly or Phoenixville or elsewhere in Pennsylvania is their locale. They rocked. Don't understand why I didn't know about them. They carried themselves like they've been around 20+ years, packing a punch to their punk and rock. 

This was a great day. Met a ton of cool people, including Brandon Gepfer who is assisting with running these shows as is my old friend Frank Phobia. I got to see one of my all time favorite bands in Face to Face as well as enjoying two new bands! I ate the biggest and best street taco I've ever consumed and washed it down with some homemade sweet tea (pretending I was down south, sweet tea is one of my favorite things about the south). The weather was perfect and the Sunday show ended soon enough that I got home at a reasonable hour (Face to Face went on shortly after 7:00 PM) and I didn't have to burn a vacation day on Monday due to missing my eight hours of sleep. 

I got to see the show with my magnificent and lovely daughter. That's the best. 

Life.

Cheers,

FOE

Face to Face

Don't Panic

Big Green Limousine

Pat Garrett Amphitheater

 

The Ultra Kings DuLuxe

 FOE's POST-PANDEMIC GIG JOURNAL

The Ultra Kings DuLuxe

Taylor House Brewing, Catasauqua PA

May 22, 2021

First gig of the post-pandemic era was suitably, the reliable, the always a good time, The Ultra Kings.

This was a spur of the moment gig.

I had just finished up yard work, checked my phone and the event that I liked a few weeks ago came up on my feed. The Ultra Kings, Smokehouse Food Truck, outside... first step, my lovely wife was in as we hadn't eaten dinner yet and she loves the Ultra Kings too. Then the text to Reds UTNG. Reds and Mr. B were down and would meet us there.

Love the Rockabilly Master, guitarist and vocalist Rick. As soon as I show up, he dedicates a song to me and the festivities are under way! 

Next up, brisket on top of fries. So freakin' good. Chatted with they lead man of this family run food truck company (Smokehouse) about the Yankees season. 

Purchased the latest Ultra Kings CD "Lucky Store" plus a sweet XXL t-shirt!

Live outdoor music, family, friends, food, drinks. Perfect way to kick off the post-pandemic live music endeavor!

Cheers,

FOE

Smokehouse Food Truck

The Ultra Kings

Taylor House Brewing

FOE's Post-Pandemic Gig Journal

 FOE's POST-PANDEMIC GIG JOURNAL

I started going to concerts in 1982.

I've always been bummed that I never kept a journal or list of every band I've ever seen.

Well, I've not been to a proper gig in over a year, due to COVID. 

So what better starting point to begin documenting the musical experience than post-pandemic. I can always do a BC (Before COVID) list and try to wrack my brain to remember all the bands I've seen along the way.

Cheers,

FOE

Click the links below for gig write ups!

June 6, 2021 Face to Face @ Pat Garrett Amphitheater

May 22, 2021 The Ultra Kings DuLuxe duo @ Taylor House Brewing, Catasauqua

Bix's Post-Pandemic Gig Journal

 Coming soon!

BIX's POST-PANDEMIC GIG JOURNAL

Cheryl's Post-Pandemic Gig Journal

Coming soon!

CHERYL's POST-PANDEMIC GIG JOURNAL 

MONNIER

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MONNIER

"Monnier"

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Released: April 23, 2021

I love grindcore with alternating guttural growl and squealing howl.

This release combines the band's two eps. The first EP, the first eight tracks, were released in February of 2018. The new ep, the last eight tracks were released in February 2021 through Monnier's bandcamp page. Horror Pain Gore Death Productions combined the two EPs here on CD as one magnificent purifying purge. 

There are a few copies on vinyl out there in the world, but nothing I could find in the US. Halenoise Records and Loner Cult Records, both in Belgium, have them available for those feeling the need to order overseas.

While I know that there is a tremendous amount of grindcore out there, Monnier just does it for me. I love every second of this release. Which means this receives my "Need on the preferred format, vinyl" support. 

Happy grinding!

Cheers,

FOE

Monnier

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Halenoise Records

Loner Cult Records

For Family and Flag Volume 1

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VARIOUS ARTISTS

"For Family and Flag Volume 1"

PIRATES PRESS RECORDS

2020

First off, there is a previously unreleased Cock Sparrer song. So this is automatically a mandatory purchase. Bishops Green, 45 Adapters and Lenny Lashley's Gang of One (reflectively closes out the album) also provide massively enjoyable, previously unreleased tracks. 

Cock Sparrer

I love great compilations. If done right, they bring along unreleased tracks from your favorite bands, expose you to bands you might not have ever heard before and if done properly, you can drop the needle on the record and it serves as a great playlist.

Shuffle and Bang

Shuffle and Bang starts the party off with a big band party that surprisingly works perfectly. I never heard the band before, but my eyes are now open.

The Slackers

The Slackers, The Barstool Preachers put forth uplifting ska and punk blends that I already love. 

The Barstool Preachers

The Drowns, Noi!se, Lion's Law, 45 Adapters, The Antagonizers ATL all provide  raucous, anthemic, melodic, oi and punk tracks.

The Antagonizers ATL

Lion's Law

Charger take the energy up a notch going for the punch in the face punk with a pinch of Motorhead flavored metal thrown in for good measure. Seized up take things to a hardcore, post hardcore anthem about gentrification and taking back the neighborhood.

Charger

Everyone knows the Subhumans and they STILL have the energy, chops and integrity to put forth a full throttle, speedy punk gem.   

Subhumans

"For Family and Flag Volume 1" goes down as a classic comp. Just like the "Punk and Disorderly" comps from decades ago, this serves both as a classic stand alone record and drives the listener to checking out the bands other material!

45 Adapters

Pirates Press takes things a step further by providing a website where you can check the bios, band social media links and lyrics for all the tracks, further exposing you to the music of all of these fantastic bands. 

PRESSING INFO:

950pcs. - 12" Black Vinyl

250pcs. - 12" Blood Red Vinyl

2000pcs. - CD

Cheers,

FOE

Pirates Press Records Shop

Pirates Press FB