Gorilla Biscuits, Throwdown & More

"Pretending that you care about our scene/ Just because our money's green"

That line kept reverberating through my head as I watched Gorilla Biscuits tear through "New Direction" at the Glasshouse in Pomona, California last weekend.

There were people in the room -- one in particular -- to whom that applied in spades. But I refused to let it ruin my good time. When I heard that GB was plotting a reunion tour, I was skeptical. The countless Youth Of Today comebacks never excited me. I skipped a chance to see 108, who were important to me at one time.

But, man, am I happy that I checked out the Biscuits. Not only were their musical chops even better than back in the day (or so I would imagine; while I ordered "Start Today" from Revelation Records when it came out, I missed their sole US tour in support of it) but they genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves onstage. And I know I had a great time. And so did Sean Vegan Reich, who came with me.

I resisted the urge to yell out Quicksand songtitles although it would have been oddly appropriate.

In 1995 I saw Quicksand support Helmet at City Lights in Indianapolis. I was one of the handful of hardcore kids yelling for GB songs, which pisssed Walter off to no end at the time. I ended up on his bus and interviewing him for my 'zine. I asked a bunch of silly questions about the dangers of corporate rock. He was certainly defensive ("I care more about paying my electric bill than like, South Africa") but cordial. And he showed me the video for "Can't Wait One Minute More" and told me all about Civ, who were about to unleash their debut on Atlantic Records.

A few years later I saw CIV open for No Doubt at Deer Creek Ampitheatre (now one of many "Verizon Wirelss" ampitheatres) and I wore my YOT shirt. I think Sammy noticed.

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A couple of nights before, Throwdown kicked off the "Pure Hostility" tour in San Diego, with Zao in tow. Sinai Beach opened. They were good. Zao demolished. You have to see them close with "A Last Time For Everything," it is astonishing.

Throwdown was joined on stage by Tim from As I Lay Dying for "Unite." Crushing. You'll be able to see Dave Peters doing a guest appearance of his own if you pick up "The Triptych Special Edition" on October 31. He joins Demon Hunter in the concert portion of the DVD for the song "Fire To My Soul." Also crushing.

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Tomorrow, my friend Sean (not Vegan Reich) and I are heading up to Beverly Hills to check out MySpace. Should be a blast.

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In the small world dept: my friend Samah, who I met when he attending film school in Chicago in 1998 or 1999, now works for MTV News in Santa Monica! Same office, same deptartment, many of the same people that I worked with two years ago. He recently edited a piece on the rebuilding effort in New Orleans. You can check it out on MTV's broadband channel, MTV Overdrive.

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Playlist for the last few days:

2Pac
A Life Once Lost
A Perfect Circle
a-Ha
AFI
The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere)