The Alt Black

Tour: The Holy Ghost Tour

Bands: Thin Lips, Joyce Manor, Modern Baseball

Venue: Baltimore Soundstage

Date: June 28th

 

Another awesome show that I had the privilege of going all out in. Let me tell you guys why I had been looking forward to going to this show since I got the notification from the bandsintown app. I have wanted to see Joyce Manor live ever since I listened to their album Never Hungover Again and to be completely honest, I had a hard time getting into them. I had two recommendations to listen to them, but nothing stuck until my friend Patrick sent me his cover of Schley. Unknown to him at the time I thought that it was his song and I loved it, I downloaded it to my phone and played it so much that it was in my most listened to tab.  I googled the lyrics one day and found out that it was a cover, after that, I listened to the original version all day every day. Soon I found myself listening to the whole album (it’s less than 20 minutes long!) I was hooked these boys had won me over with their short songs, catchy hooks, and their ability to tell a  story.  (Now for the show)

DOORS OPEN AT 7

 This was my first time going to a show in Baltimore, and believe me, you I planned on having the best time ever! To add to my excitement two of my cousins had come with me for their first rock show ever! (so once again let’s get to the show)

THIN LIPS

A four piece punk band from Philadelphia that consists of Chrissy Tashjian (lead singer), her brother, Michael Paul Tashjian, Kyle Pulley,  and Chris Diehm.  Once Thin Lips began performing, I immediately regretted not listening to their music prior to the show. They began the set with hard hitting lyrics and music that worked up the crowd. During their set the lead singer, Chrissy gave a moving speech that addressed the recent Orlando shooting and as the next song began she said: “This one is for the homos.” Being a black gay male and hearing this issue addressed I was touched. Her speech was well received, as the next song broke the first mosh pit of the night. After their set was over, I knew that I had to listen to their music.

Me, Chrissy Tashjian, Michael Paul Tashjian (brother and sister) from Thin Lips

JOYCE MANOR

(This is who I came for)

   Joyce Manor…JOYCE MOTHER FREAKING MANOR!!! A four piece band that hails from California, Joyce Manor are an indie emo punk rock group, whose signature short songs and catchy hooks rocked the soundstage. Joyce Manor opened their set with their song Heart Tattoo from their album Never Hungover Again. The pit took off immediately and you know I had to jump in on the pushing and shoving action. (If you have never gone in a mosh pit you are missing out!) What set this pit apart from the first pit that I had been in was the energy from the crowd, as the music played on no one gave way to being tired! Clearly, I was not the only one who came to see Joyce Manor, as I began singing, jumping, dancing, and moving crowd surfers along. I do not know all of Joyce Manor’s music, but, best I could tell they played most of their songs from Never Hungover Again.  

MODERN BASEBALL

I know zero Modern Baseball songs, I am not a fan of their music so I left during their set.

CLOSING REMARKS

• Thank you to my cousins who came out to rock… NEXT TIME YOU TWO ARE GETTING IN THE PIT and for being the 2nd person to tell me about Joyce Manor
• To the crowd who never quit YOU ALL ROCK SO HARD THE AFTER SHOW SWEAT WAS REAL
• The girl who recognised me from Knuckle Puck’s set at Warped 14
• The guy who I jumped with reciting End of the Summer Lyrics
• Thin Lips for being the 3rd band to speak on socially conscious issues
• My friend Patrick aka Ponyo for getting me hooked on Joyce Manor
• Baltimore Soundstage for hosting the bands 
• Best show of the summer

My cousins, me,and the crowd

Me, Barry Johnson (lead singer), and my cousin ( I was not ready)