Done With You/Loser's Circle/Damn Kids

live show in Albany (2015)

AndyPonch

The weather seemed to get the best of everyone but the bands on February 7, 2014 as the storms geared up for another pummel in Albany. It's too bad because the bands who took the stage and performed for a small, but enthusiastic crowd, were fantastic. The Like It Rough Weekend was originally intended to hit Boston, Albany NY and Brooklyn with Done With You, Loser's Circle, Damn Kids and Order of the Circle so there was at least one local at each show to help with the draw. With the exception of the snow storm and Order of the Circle breaking up after the Boston show, Albany was a lot of fun.

New York City's Damn Kids kicked off the night with a solid punk/rock n' roll hybrid that complimented the other acts perfectly. The four members of Damn Kids are NYC music scene vets having performed in Hammerbrain, PigPen, Psychotica, Youth Gone Mad, White Zombie and Dead Heavens to name a few. Damn Kids are far from kids but they've given fresh enthusiasm to a genre that can go either way, which is punk n' roll. When it's done well, it's awesome, when it's done badly, it's barely a step above "dad rock". It's not even really fair to call this punk n' roll, it's just damn good. The live mix was a little light on the backing vocals, but all it all, it was a great set even if they felt they were a bit sloppy.

Loser's Circle were quick to take the stage as everyone wanted to get on the road due to the impeding storm. Stage banter was kept to a minimum as this Boston three-piece ripped through a great set of upbeat punk rock. Bands like Loser's Circle are keeping the punk rock flame alive and they're just a lot of fun. They've been making a name for themselves outside of the Boston region and after seeing them, it's obvious as to why. Loser's Circle have a slight street punk element to their sound, but it's not overpowering like a ska-punk band might be without a horn section if that makes sense.

Brooklyn's Done With You was the third band of the night and the singer along of Done With You along with a couple of guys from Loser's Circle were all in Boston's hardcore punk rockers Refuse/Resist who split up a couple of years ago. The split was amicable as they're all still friends and in fact Refuse/Resist played a reunion for a friend in 2014, but the guys have all moved on and it's quite possible that both of their bands are many steps ahead of their previous one. Done With You aren't a hardcore band as there are so many musical influences flying all throughout their sound it's exciting to watch. The rhythm section is influenced by everything from punk to glam to metal to hardcore, it's almost like they threw everything against the wall and it stuck, successfully. Done With You don't play too often, but they're certainly one band you shouldn't miss.

Albany's New Red Scare graciously closed out the night with a set who's key focus was to have fun and show this small but appreciative crowd, a great time. They succeeded wholeheartedly. Since dropping to a guitar, bass, drums and vocal four piece, the band has gotten over the loss of the second guitar like troopers. Some of the chaos is gone with the dropping of the other guitar and they're having to do more with less, but wow, they've done it. Their new recordings should reflect their current sound and it's something that should be looked forward to. They play a lot and it's obvious as to why, they're that good live.

The Fuze Box was previously known as the legendary QE2 and the current owners have reconfigured the stage (thank the rock gods for that decision) and you can actually see in there without an issue. The QE2 had a rather unique set up and this is much more conducive to live bands. It's too bad the local scene really missed the boat on this one, what a great night!