Mouthwash Enema, Sars, Mindcell, Dropout Theory, and Aftermind
6/9/2004 Hazel Dell Grange in Vancouver, WA
By Robin Steeley
The grange was uncharacteristically empty today as the show got started but the bands didn’t miss a beat as they set out to take advantage of the time that they had on this hot and humid Friday. Mouthwash Enema was up first and I would have to say they were loud, raucous punk rock with a heavy beat and abrasive vocals. They opened their set to about ten people but they played on and didn’t seem to care.
As the second band takes the stage a tiny army of leather and stud clad punk rockers ring the stage in preparation for SARS who are playing their last show as the band is breaking up. They start their set with a song called “You Fuc*&ing Bit&h”, a song that stopped and started several times as the band continued to have technical problems with equipment. Every time they start a furious mosh pit starts up, a fitting goodbye for their last show. The band is unintelligible, loud, energetic punk rock.
Dropout Theory is up next and they instantly changed the energy in the room as they took the stage. Maybe it was because the hot sun had finally began to set and the lights came on, or maybe its really because this band is so solid, a tight unit with a heavy low end and clean melodic vocals followed by aggressive back up provided by the drummer. As they played the room finally began to fill up as people wandered in from outside. The band has a mainstream but infectious sound that is hooky and engaging.
One of my absolute favorite local bands, Mindcell is up next and they are as crushingly heavy as always. They give their balls out amazing set no matter when or where they play, this band is consistently good and I am happy to say I get to see them twice this week.
Closing out the night is Aftermind, a band I have been hearing about for some time but hadn't got a chance to see. I was more then pleasantly surprises as they offered up a set beginning with a guitar led intro that gathers speed before becoming their first song, melodic, edgy, and metal tinged rock, they definitely command the largest crowd of the night with their well developed songs and tight musicianship.
Overall it was a very empty show with some great bands. The Hazel Dell Grange could be a terrific venue with the right advertising there has to be hoards of bored Clark County youth who cant get to Portland and would appreciate the huge P.A. and nice stage that the place features. The line up was interesting overall, with the first couple of bands being really young, loud, and inexperienced, followed by some of the local favorites to top off the night.
