Favorite Live Shows from the Second Half of 2018

Twin Peaks' adoring crowd at Wonder Bar

Coming to You Live

I recapped my favorite live shows as of the halfway point of 2018 back in July. Before we finish out the year, I wanted to put together the complementary, second-half list.

So...

Lyons

Lyons (final show) / The Tide Bends / Lovelorn at The Anchor's Bend, 7/16/18

This was Lyons' last show before two of their members headed out on maternity leave. For the few years that Lyons had been making music, they were always an act I'd go out of my way to catch. Their dark, gothy vibe and those chiming guitars did it for me every time. This was the culmination, I think, of a little week or so "tour" around Asbury with Lyons' good friends, The Tide Bends. It was also a second chance of sorts for Asbury to catch Philly post-punk band, Lovelorn. Just a beautiful night by the beach.

Screaming Females

Paint It Black / Screaming Females / Give / HIRS / Bacchae at House of Independents, 8/3/18

This was one of the "Stoked for the Summer" events for the weekend, and it felt like it had been forever since I got the chance to see Screaming Females in Asbury Park. They brought it as always. Paint It Black's set made for the absolute wildest and most violent photography experience I've ever tried -- and failed -- to endure. It was almost impossible to convey -- much less capture at all -- the energy HIRS brought to the stage. In all, a great night that pushed me to new places.

The Bouncing Souls

The Bouncing Souls / Against Me! / Titus Andronicus / The Smoking Popes / Tim Barry at The Stone Pony Summer Stage, 8/4/18

Between Homes for the Holidays, What I Did on My Summer Vacations, and Stokeds for the Summers, I've been to quite a few Bouncing Souls shows since starting this website. Clearly, I haven't been to anywhere near as many as the band's die-hard fans; but the sense of community at these shows always sticks out as something special for me. Against Me! blew me away on this one, and it's always a treat to catch, and catch up with Titus Andronicus.

The RockNRoll Hi-Fives

The RockNRoll Hi-Fives / The Vansaders at Asbury Park Yacht Club, 8/18/18

THE. HOTTEST. SHOW. EVER.

It wasn't even that hot of a day; but, I guess, the heat from the scorchers earlier in the week had built up inside APYC creating an oven-like atmosphere. Confetti from The RockNRoll Hi-Fives' cannons stuck and dissolved on my skin. After the show, I walked around town with purple and red dye on my face, looking like I'd been through a bar fight. The Vansaders powered through a great, sweaty set. This was the most uncomfortable but also one of the most fun shows of the summer.

Roadside Graves

Roadside Graves (record release) / Lowlight / Coach N Commando at Asbury Park Yacht Club, 9/1/18

What an honor to be asked by Roadside Graves to host their record release at APYC. We'd done some really beautiful shows together in the past, and this is another one to add to the list. Coach N Commando set the mood with their usual wild set, and then it was friends, family, peace, and love from Lowlight, the Graves, and everyone in attendance.

Ex Hex

Ex Hex / EZTV, The Bell House, 9/7/18

My good friend, Angie, and I headed up to Brooklyn for this one. It was nice to have time to chat and hang outside of our usual Asbury haunts. We're both huge fans of Ex Hex, and the band did not disappoint. They had us both singing along with favorites from Rips and pining for another record. This was the second time I'd seen EZTV. Great songs and a great laid-back vibe.

Easy Action

Dinosaur Jr. / Easy Action at White Eagle Hall, 9/19/18

Dinosaur Jr. are easily one of my favorite bands ever. In all the times I've seen the band, I've never had the opportunity to shoot them. Chick and I made the ride up to JC for this one. Got some ramen at Ani Ramen and then headed to the show. It was loud and awesome. I worked hard to get that shot of Easy Action's John Brannon, and it's one of my favorites from this year.

Alvvays / Snail Mail / Hatchie at Warsaw, 9/27/18

Alvvays's 2 LPs are two of my favorite records maybe ever. They synthesize jangle pop, shoegaze, and amazing songwriting in a way that I find irresistible. I got to go to this one and share some pierogies with my good buddy, Justin. Having the touring machine that is Snail Mail along with Hatchie on this bill made it solid from top to bottom. Lindsey Jordan referred to Alvvays's sound as "no mistakes-core" and, damn, if they didn't sound absolutely perfect.

Lowlight

Twin Peaks / Lowlight at Wonder Bar, 9/29/18

My one personal foray out to the happenings surrounding the Sea.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park. I've always been more of a dark bar guy than a festival stage guy anyway, so this worked for me. Twin Peaks' fans are devoted and rabid. They had the place packed already for Lowlight's set, and Lowlight fed off of the crowd's energy. Twin Peaks gave the people what they wanted.

Dentist

The North Jersey Indie Rock Festival at White Eagle Hall, 10/6/18

This was a long day. Something like 18 bands. I ain't gonna lie. That's a lot, and it makes it kinda hard to enjoy every, single minute. I will say that it was great being able to catch friends and favorites like Exmaid, Glazer, Smock, The Vaughns, and Yawn Mower. The main reason I put this here is because Dentist, who I've seen like a million times by now, blew me away at this one. The sound wasn't great, and I was tired; but I just remember saying during their set, "Wow. My friends are really rock stars now."

Screaming Females

Screaming Females, Kitten Forever, Big Huge at Warsaw, 10/26/18

Like Rosi, I've got multiple Screaming Females shows on my list. I didn't bring the big camera rig to this one, and just went there to soak it in. I was going through a really tough time at this point. I alluded to that fact when I was speaking to King Mike before the show. He said, "Well. I hope we can give you what you need tonight." Did they ever.

Titus Andronicus

Titus Andronicus / Spider Bags / The Double Negatives at House of Independents, 11/1/18

Once again, the chance to see Titus Andronicus in Asbury. Spider Bags' Dan McGee doing a little bit of a Jersey homecoming. Oh, also, Patrick Stickles got the whole crowd going on a "Cool! Dad! Cool! Dad!" chant, so there was that.

Shut Up / Shellshag / Spowder / Exmaid / Daddies at Asbury Park Brewery, 11/24/18

Another night without my camera but with CoolMom. Such a great vibe of togetherness at this show. It was J Nixon's birthday. All of Screaming Females were there. Marissa was the coolest to CoolMom. The kind of show that keeps me keeping on.

Heart Bones

Heart Bones / Closeness / Fascinations Grand Chorus at Brooklyn Bazaar, 11/30/18

I gotta say. I wasn't sure about this one. Heart Bones (Har Mar Superstar & Sabrina Ellis) were on tour playing the songs of Dirty Dancing, and I've never really been a fan of that movie. The pair are pure entertainers, though, and they made it an event. Sabrina brought all of the energy I've come to love from her work fronting A Giant Dog and Sweet Spirit to her vocals, her dance moves, her splits. Har Mar's ability to work his fans is second to none. He pressed his forehead to mine as he sang "She's Like the Wind." Closeness were a revelation, and I finally -- finally -- got to catch Fascinations Grand Chorus live. The time of my life.

The RockNRoll Hi-Fives

The RockNRoll Hi-Fives at FM Jersey City, 12/29/18

I guess I've spent the better part of December kind of in show-going hibernation, maybe just catching a set here and there. Once The RockNRoll Hi-Fives' announced they'd be back from North Carolina for a Jersey City show, though, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see my Japan tour family. CoolMom and I got to see lots of people, actually: The Dickmans, Joe Mango, Steve from the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, some Everymen, Tom (who played) & Stacy Barrett, and more. The RockNRoll Hi-Fives launched more confetti than ever, and the whole place was smiling from ear to ear.