Tragedy - Darker Days Ahead

I think Tragedy are ok, but have never really been a mark for them like the hygenically challenged youth of today. The shows I've seen over the last four or five years have been consistently good, albeit with a pretty high stench factor. Don't get me started on the facial tattoos. JS-NYC old guy issues aside, it's been a bit of time between Tragedy records, but there is finally a new record called Darker Days Ahead. Again, I'm not that discerning with their canon, but it sounds like a Tragedy record to me. You get some textural stuff, guttural vocals, a heavy part or four, paired with some anarchy-driven song content. Chances are that if you are already down with the cause, you already own Darker Days Ahead, but if you are unaware and enjoy some grindy post-hardcore with a political bent, you may want to check out a copy.

That said, I couldn't tell you where to get a copy. I enjoy the idea of being 'too punk for the internet', but it does leave a man lacking in suggesting where one keeps track of Tragedy or even goes to get a copy of Darker Days Ahead. Anarchy being anarchy, I bet you can come up with a copy on the web in short order.

R

Live: Tragedy @ Le Poisson Rouge 5.12.12

I had been on the fence about making it out to this show, but the decent time I had at the Watt show and the fact that it was an early show on the island swayed me last minute. The Ian Dickson/Hardcore Gig Volume factor didn't hurt either. I posted up to find that a band had dropped off the bill and that Tragedy were to be up in short order, an eventuality that prompted much rejoicing in the JS-NYC ranks. That combined with the fact that the general population was less hygenically challenged than your average Tragedy show bade well for a pretty aces early evening.

There's a new Tragedy record called Darker Days Ahead that is pretty decent, albeit a tad more doom and sludge driven than previous fare. Most of the new tracks seem to have made it into the set, although Todd's need to deliver stage patter in his Dethklok voice made it a little hard to tell. The crowd seemed more sedate, perhaps owing to the swank LPR environs, but Tragedy put on a good show (and no doubt played three more that night on their way out of town). Tragedy are too punk to have a web presence, but keep an ear out and see the gents if they come your way.

R

Live: Tragedy and Citizens Arrest @ Europa 5.31.11

I was really on the fence for this show, having busted my fucking ass in a serious fashion on the bike a couple nights previously. My back and ribs were (and are) fucked in a pronounced fashion, but then again so is the subway, so on the bike I went to the show.

Tragedy shows are not known to be an olfactory delight in the coldest of climes. It was the first sign of warm weather and that combined with the small portable favela ensconced out front did not bode well for it smelling un-punk for the duration, but it was Tragedy and Citizens Arrest and all. This show was another show coming courtesy of Ian Dickson and his Hardcore Gig Volume. I enjoy his shows there best on weekend nights when the polish disco dance party has shows wrapping up at 11 on the dot, but seeing Tragedy in a place with good sound and ventilation seemed a safe proposition for a Tuesday night.

I rolled up as Citizens Arrest were setting up. I was excited to see them, but had forgotten until the ride over that Ted never actually sang in CA past the demos and wondered how I'd find the gents in their old age. The older stuff did come off a wee bit dated 25 years on, but the new stuff was actually pretty decent for a bunch of old dudes. The crowd was pretty into it and it wasn't just old guys. Whouda thought? The five-piece CA have a new 7" on Coextinction Recordings you can get here. They are playing Chaos in Tejas and limited other dates. Keep track of them here.

Tragedy were up next, as was the mean BO level in the room. The Portland foursome were passing through on their way to Europe. The crushed from note one to note last, egged on by a crowd that went apeshit for the duration. There were some mike issues that did little to make Todd a happy camper, but all in all this was one hell of a double bill. I would have liked to have seen Night Birds, but trust they brought it in their usual fashion. Kudos again to Ian and Hardcore Gig Volume for consistently booking the best shows in NYC.

R