About Last Night: Volume Bomb CD Release @ The Tonic

Photo By Mark A Lawrence IV

Last Night the Tonic was bursting with some of the greatest punk bands in Portland, all thanks to Keith Littlefield of Volume Bomb Records. Celebrating the release of Volume Bombs' Portland punk compilation Blown Fuses Bloody Ears, the night was jammed pack with great performances from six outstanding local acts.

Opening the night was the wonderful nerd core of Thundering Asteroids. Always a pleasure to watch the band got the night off right even though initially facing a few technical difficulties. Min and the boys were energetically fun and persevered through the adversities like punk rock champs. This was my wife's first opportunity to see the band and as I anticipated, she loved them.

Photo By Mark A Lawrence IV

Next up was the bombasticly dynamic Dartgun and the Vingnette. Being the first time to catch this band I was blown away. Their unique mix of  soul sister vocals and brit-fluence punk came off as one of the freshest things I've heard in years. Controlling the stage like a power crazed dictator Chuck Thrust boldly captured the audience and led us to the the brink of fanaticism. All the while tempered with the beautiful vocal melodies of the Vingnettes. I recall being drawn to their tracks on the compilation but now having witnessed the glory that is this band's live performance I am a true believer.

Photo By Mark A Lawrence IV

A hard act to follow, the Anxieties did good, continuing the energy with their excitable next wave punk. Like Tom Cruve on coke this band played with a powerfully anxious vibe; sounding like a hybrid mix of the Ramons and the Damned. Fun and lively the set was a pleasure to witness and like Dartgun and the Vingette's I look forward to seeing them play again soon.

Photo By Mark A Lawrence IV

Now, as for the The Thornes I can't tell you for certain  whether they're metal or punk, but hardcore is exactly what they are. With a two guitar attack and a rhythm section that feels like a prison beating this band drives their sound with the power of a fully loaded semi-truck. I was standing in front or the speaker and the amount of air coming off of them felt like a high power fan. Top that off with the wildly unpredictable stage antics of Justin Thorne and you have a live act I won't ever forget. Even it you're not a fan of their style of music I would tell you that catching this band live is a must.

Photo By Mark A Lawrence IV

Even as the night drew long the good music kept coming in the form of  42 Ford Prefect. Roughly aggressive the speed punk of this band has the power to send your body into spastic convolutions of punk joy. While the guttural vocals had a deeply primal nature to them. Most important though was the fact that this night won't have been possible if not for the work of 42 Ford Prefect's drummer Jesse and guitars Keith who's tireless efforts made Blown Fuses Bloody Ears a reality.

Photo By Mark A Lawrence IV

Topping off the night was the whiskey growl of Stumblebum. Raw and rough as gravel this band is all you'd ever want in a punk rock outlaw. Playing as abrasively as they sound this band was aggressively bold on stage working the crowd into a frenzy. A perfect closer, this band carried the night to a strong finish making this an awesome celebration of an amazing compilation.