FIGHTING CHANCE, EYES OF HATE ROCK NYC

[marveloushagler]

FIGHTING CHANCE, EYES OF HATE ROCK NYC

By Dan Sabater
RASH-NYC/ Northeast

This past weekend, Baltimore streetrock kings FIGHTING CHANCE rocked the
house at ABC No Rio, along with Queens' hardest-working hardcore outfit EYES
OF HATE. The show was organized and promoted by RASH-NYC.

Although attendance could have been better, the crowd that did show up was
solid and enthusiastic to see the bands. Perhaps some people were put off
from attending by the fact that the show was a matinee, and because it was
all- ages there was no smoking or alcohol allowed at the venue. Still, a
good time was had by those who showed up.

Chicago's THE PEDESTRIANS were the first on. They were touring, and played a
pretty enjoyable set of straight-forward Chi-town punk. Thanks goes out for
their effort.

Next up were EYES OF HATE, who agreed to fill in when two other local NYC
punk acts pulled out due to line-up problems the week of the show. These
guys really are what punk is all about. No pretentious bullshit, just a
bunch of fellas who pour their guts out and give it their all every time.
Their music has gotten tighter, and their guitarist was ripping off some
fast and wicked solos ala old-school SLAYER and DISCHARGE. Fuck yeah!
Musically, they recall the thrashy American punk groups of old like MDC and
AF. This is the SECOND time EYES OF HATE has saved the day at a RASH
showcase. We can never pay them back enough. Check out their new CD "All
Around Us" at eyesofhate.com

Finally, on came the NYC debut of FIGHTING CHANCE. These guys took the place
by storm, with a tight set of rock and hardcore. Not only was their music
excellent (as one can expect from any artist on INSURGENCE RECORDS), but the
conviction of the band really shown through. This went down very well with
the NYC crowd who can often be tough on out-of-town acts. But if there's one
thing FIGHTING CHANCE ooze, it's being the genuine article and that earned
them respect. They say that NYC is a tough market to break into for punk and
hardcore bands, but it's obvious that FIGHTING CHANCE (along with their
Montreal label-mates FATE TO HATE) are building a solid following amongst
the degenerates, low-lives and scumbags that make up the NYC skinhead and
hardcore scenes (big up!). Look for FC's return for another RASH showcase in
a few months. They will also be touring the Northeast with Baltimore's
SLUMLORDS (featuring ex-members of the most under-appreciated band in NY
hardcore, BREAKDOWN). More info: fightingchancemd.com

Props especially go out to FC singer Bullseye for rocking the Lonsdale "Joe
Louis" classic t-shirt, which features a list of all of the Brown Bomber's
fights on the back. He might have had a problem keeping that shirt if he
didn't wear an XXL! And FC's bass player Tim brought punk style to a whole
new level when he rocked the patent-leather Air Jordans, and made them look
good. Word is he is changing his name to "Air Jordans" based upon the NYC
crowd's recommendations.

For those that missed the show but wish to hear the band, check out FC's
releases on the Insurgence Records website (www.insurgence.net)

All cash from this show that didn't go to the bands went to ABC No Rio,
which is currently in the middle of fundraising for their highly-urgent
"Building Renovation Fund". For more info on this worthwhile project and
space, check out abcnorio.org

Forward to the Oppressed in Toronto, April 2005!

(03.22.05)

[whitecollarpunk]

Sounds like a cool show.

I was going to try to make it, but I went to the "TroopsOutNow" demo in midtown and missed it. Too bad.

When are Fighting Chance coming back?

Will it be at a different venue?

Truth is, I used to hang out a long time ago, but I kind of walked away from the scene, went to college and I don't really hang out at shows or in the "scene" any more. I guess I kind of fall into the "where have you been all these years?" category. But what the hell. I just thought I would try to reconnect and see what happens.

I've been thinking about checking out some of these insurgence bands when they come around.

Is there much of a scene around left-wing progressive oi! music in NYC? When I used to hang out -- a long time ago-- it seemed like there weren't too many left-wing skins or progressive punk bands in NYC -- except for, like, Nausea, APPLE, and the Radicts. Also there was the Press -- whom I never got to see, unfortunately.

I'm psyched for the possibility that the Stage Bottles might tour the U.S.

Any other interesting music/ stuff going on in NYC that's open to a "regular" "normal" white collar guy like me? My life is incredibly hectic with work, family and other stuff I'm involved in, but I'd like to check stuff out.

[marveloushagler]

There has always been a current of class-struggle anti-fascists in the NYC punk and skinhead scenes. Since 1993, it has solidified under RASH. We never run the big shit in the scene, and we probably never will (anti-capitalist politics are not popular in NYC). But we hold our own, and for that we are respected.

New bands form and old bands stay around. There's a lot of good punk and hardcore in NYC right now. The Press reformed and played a few months ago, and there's always Molotov Cocktail, MDC, Eyes Of Hate, Thought Crime, the Hudson Falcons plus many too numerous to mention.

To be updated on events in NYC, subscribe to the Insurgence Records-run "Urban Rebel" list. New York events are publicized and discussed there.

Also, it's recommend you subscribe to the RASH-NYC/ Northeast zine "Here To Stay, Here To Fight".
$5 for 4 issues from:

RASH-NYC
PO Box 364
Canal St. Station
New York, NY 10013-0364

Venceremos!