AGNOSTIC FRONT, ALCHEMY, PROVIDENCE, RI
Ronnie Rock
“A busted nose, a fucked-up shoulder, and a scraped-up knee. Good times.”
I got out of work at 1 PM for a 2PM matinee show in Providence. It was an hour and forty-five-minute drive. I drove like a maniac, but I got to the city. I got to Amelia’s house and
did a quick change from work me to Punk me. Drank a beer and we got an Uber. It was a short drive across town to Alchemy. It felt really good to be back in my home city of Providence, it always does. Unfortunately, these days it seems like I blow into town, see a show, and I’m off in less than 24-hours. This trip wouldn’t be any different.
To me “Alchemy” is a new club. It’s not one of the old clubs, now long gone and I had never been there, So, it’s new to me. The club itself wasn’t huge; it was a good size. Had a bar on both sides and a short stage right at the end of the club. It had a good vibe. We showed up halfway through the first bands set. That would have been Peace Test. They were pretty good, you know your standard hardcore band. The second band was Times X Heist out of Denver. For a straight edge band, they were pretty good. Again, typical of the genre. Combust from NYC was up next, sorry I was not impressed. The songs sounded the same and it was A-typical.
Bold played next. I have never been a fan of Bold, but they put on a good show. I’m just not a fan of that later straight edge stuff. It got to “do what I do”, to authoritarian. In the late 80s and 90s straight edge kids would confront us for drinking, in a bar. It’s like, if you don’t want people drinking at your show, don’t have it in a bar! SO, that’s my issue with That. When Minor Threat started the whole movement in the scene it wasn’t like that. It was I do this, you do you, I may disagree, but it’s your life. That how it should be. Anyway, Bold sounded good and put on a great show.
Agnostic Front came out on stage, had a bit of a chat with the band, and Vinnie. They are really a good bunch of guys. Right out of the cage they were explosive. You would have had no idea that it was 2026 and not 1986. Yeah, I was out there in the pit. Yeah, I was dancing. Yeah, I dove off the stage. Yea, I’m getting a bit too old to do that, but I do, and I will until I really can’t. I was fun. I broke my nose, scraped up my knee, and I can’t lift my right arm without pain. Don’t care, I’ll heal. When they played Crucify the place went insane. Bodies flying everywhere! As far as the dancing goes, it was the Huntington Beach Shuffle, and if you fell (I did) they picked you up. That’s a big deal. That’s how it is supposed to be. The crowd was great. I saw people I had not seen in years. Even people I didn’t know I talked to. It doesn’t get better than that.
After the show, Agnostic was in the crowd outside, hanging out. Again, that’s how it is supposed to be. Punk/Hardcore bands are supposed to be accessible to their fans. We are the scene, and so are they. It was a great time with an old school vibe.
Let me talk about the other bands. Look, I went to se Agnostic Front. Forty years ago I might have thought different than I do now. Look the other bands were good. Musically they were tight. Stage presents, good too. Just typical hardcore. In the late 80s, I would have loved it. Today I just enjoyed it. I was there for what I like. Would I recommend checking out these brands? Yes, I would. And you should.
After the show Amelia and I went for tacos. Right down the street is Xaco Taco. They had some great tacos at a goo price. While we were sitting there a guy from the show came in and walked over to me. He knew me from high school. I hate to say it, I had no idea who he was. He looked at me ans said, “Hey man you lost this in the pit.” Then he handed me my Sid Vicious pin from 1983. He said, “I know you have had this from high school and I didn’t want you to lose it.” I thanked him. Before we left I went over and talked to him again, thanked him again, and we were out on our way home. That’s the cool ass punk shit we need. I know this is yours. I found it. I found you. Here you go. That is the most punk thing that happened all night. I am grateful for it.
Check out the videos from the show. Go see Agnostic Front, don’t miss out on this.
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