“we’re a rock and roll unit”

December 5, 2002 &bull music

So there’s this girl who walks up to the front of the stage about 5 minutes before Avail gets organized and assembled on stage. You can see it in the faces on everyone who’s back in the non-mosh comfort zone. “What the f is she doing up there?” It’s not that there weren’t any girls up at the front — there were plenty. And it’s not like an Avail show is the most dangerous thing in the world. But, this girl definitely didn’t look like the typical Avail fan; she stuck out like a sore thumb. I don’t want to imply that you have to look or dress a certain way to be an Avail fan. I’m not saying that at all. But, this is a hardcore punk rock show, not a Promise Keepers convention or a Paris fashion boutique. Truthfully you don’t see too many polo shirts, dress pants, or khakis. And you don’t see a 110 pound chick who looks like she just left Banana Republic slamming everyone in sight, throwing grown men to the ground on the first chorus of South Bound 95. Er, I guess you do. (I’m telling you, this girl was out of control.)

Anyway, my first Avail show was incredible. I have been listening to Avail since my first year in college, circa 1994. They are currently in a tie with Arcwelder for being my all-time favorite band. Seeing them live last night was something I have been looking forward to for years.

I saw the show on 12/4/02 at a club called “The Scene.” It’s a decent place to see a show — good lighting and good sound. It was grungy and “punk-like,” yet it was very organized and secure. In order to get in you had to be frisked from head-to-toe, which was a new experience for me. They also had a lot of security guards and even a barricade-like thing in front of the stage. Two bars into the first song Tim Barry, the lead singer, jumped the barricade and started slamming into the crowd as he belted out his lyrics. There was a guy on stage who was crouched down, trying to manage the microphone cord so no one would get strangled. It’s weird how something can look somewhat comical and yet so utterly impressive at the same time.

That’s pretty much how the entire show went — loud and energetic. My ears were still ringing when I woke up the next morning. Seriously.

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