The Everymen Opened for Titus Andronicus at Brooklyn Bowl, January 30th, 2013

New Jersey. Hardcore.

Last night, Mike from Speak Into My Good Eye and I traveled into Brooklyn to catch the Titus Andronicus show that popped up on the schedule right at the end of last week.  The show took place at the beautiful Brooklyn Bowl; and it marked the third time that I'd gone to see Titus Andronicus in less than twelve months, the first time outside New Jersey.  As usual, Titus Andronicus were great; but two show reviews and a relatively long album review are enough for this site I think.  I'm sure you'll be able to head over to SIMGE to read Mike Mehalick's review, so definitely do that.

I did want to say a few words about openers The Everymen, though.  The Tuckerton, NJ band came on at around 9 and opened with "With the Boys" from their debut full-length, New Jersey Hardcore.  The band powered through a set that included other standouts from that album including "Boss Johnny and the Get Lucky" with its can't-help-but-move-you bass line and one of the best tracks of 2012, featuring the impressive Catherine Herrick on lead vocals, "Coney Island High."  Frontman Mike V. introduced "Dance Only, Only Dance" by calling it both a song and a "mild request" of the Brooklyn crowd who did look like they needed a little encouragement.

The set included two excellent covers.  The band did a really great rendition of Midnight Oil's "Beds Are Burning" that mystified much of the crowd, Mike V. commenting, "most of you kids don't know what the f*ck we just played."  They also dipped into Bruce Springsteen's The Promise for "Ain't Good Enough for You." Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus later expressed how impressed he was at the choice of the deep cut.

The whole set was the sweaty, all-out display that you'd expect if you've heard their album.  The Brooklyn crowd played it a little cool for most of the set, but The Everymen eventually brought them around.

The state flag of New Jersey was on display behind The Everymen's merch table.  Mike V. brought it out towards the end of Titus Andronicus's set and draped it across the shoulders of Patrick Stickles.  It eventually made its way into the crowd, and I'll admit to a desire to rush into the pit to rescue the flag from all of those grabbing Brooklyn hands before it was torn.  Stickles got it back onto the stage before it endured any serious damage, promising to return it to The Everymen.

You've got another chance to catch The Everymen on February 9th at Asbury Lanes as part of Tiny Giant's Winter Beach Ball.  I, for one, can't wait to see what they do in front of a hometown crowd.