Fresh from the release of their new album "New Wave", Against Me! continued their European tour as they took to the stage of The Garage to show Glasgow some folk-punk music from Florida. It was an enthusiastic show with a set list jam packed with all the hits from the new album and had the fans bouncing from start to finish.
The energy levels in the venue took a while to build up as openers Steriogram played to the mere 70 or so people that had lined the perimeter of the club. The 5 New Zealanders seemed to enjoy themselves during their half hour set rocking through their most popular songs like "Walkie Talkie Man" and "White Trash". As the band wrapped up the set, lead singer Tyson Kennedy left the stage for a beer leaving the rest of the gang to circle drummer Jared Wrennall and pound out a heavy rock instrumental with a bass line that thudded through the distinctly restrained audience.
The venue started to fill as Future of The Left rocked their way through a screamer of a set. In old school fashion, the band offered little verbal communication with the fans and let the ripping chords, sliding bass, tapping keys and heavy snare do the talking. The only words heard between songs were "We hope you all love your pets." from vocalist/guitarist/keyboard player Andrew Falkous. However, the band danced merrily through the set rolling from one song to the next and really put the effort in to make it all work.
Finally when Against Me! took the stage, it became obvious who everyone was there to see. As the band tore into their set, it took only seconds before a solid mosh pit erupted in the centre of crowd. The energy these guys pour into their live performances is unmatched, and the crowd echoed it right back to the band. Every song was accompanied by fans belting out the lyrics and a mass mashing of bodies. It is this energy during their live performances combined with smart, politically charged lyrics that has carried the band to their first major label debut "New Wave". "Americans Abroad", was more than appropriate for the evening as the foursome out of Gainesville, Florida express their political and social consciousness through lyrics like "…here we are, a rock band looking for new audiences. Wherever we go, Coca-Cola has already been." Lead singer and songwriter Tom Gabel delivers his lyrics with real passion and conviction. With such a good response from the audience it is no wonder the band chose to play in Glasgow for a third time. "We've been here a couple times before and it's always a great show. It is a really good scene. Actually just before the gig we had a little jam session with Franz Ferdinand and Belle and Sebastian. It was great", said Warren Oakes, the drummer. After the show bassist Andrew Seward described the night as "Fucking scorchingly hot!" My thoughts exactly.