Threatening Society 'Zine

[Originally published: Issue #2, circa 1987]

Well, ladies and gentlement. I've seen it -- the best show ever! I've seen many good plans play, but for an all-around strong performance by every band on one bill, this was it.

EPILEPTIC ALBINO BULLFROGS opened the evening. Although they got off to a shaky start by messing up their introduction ("The Munsters"), they started over and bounced back well. Playing their own unique style of thrash, they were hard and fast enough to get a decent-size pit thrashing. It was definitely the best I've seen and heard them yet and I hope they continue to progress musically (and lyrically) as they've been doing. They're young, but there's no denying there's talent there - no matter how raw they may be.

Continue reading "YOUTH OF TODAY / SIDE BY SIDE / PAGAN BABIES / EPILEPTIC ALBINO BULLFROGS" »

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[Originally published: Issue #2, circa 1987]

MOTORHEAD / ANVIL BITCH / SAVAGE GRACE / SHE MALE ENCOUNTERS
April 12, 1987 -- Trocadero
by Sean

I showed up at the Troc without a ticket and saw a really long line outside, and I started thinking that maybe the show was sold out. As I walked up, somebody sold me a ticket for $11. The doors opened about 15 minutes later and as we were being herded in, the big, football-player-like bouncers asked me ever so politely to remove my rings and not to put 'em back on after I got in. Noooooo! I wouldn't do something like this and lie to these nice bouncers. This was my first time at the Troc and I was impressed with the set-up., but I was pissed off that they were selling hot dogs and soda for $1 each, since I knew I was going to buy them.

Continue reading "MOTORHEAD / ANVIL BITCH / SAVAGE GRACE / SHE MALE ENCOUNTERS" »

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[Originally published: Issue #2, circa 1987]

RETRIBUTOIN / SUBURBAN UPRISE / 100 RIFLES
May 9, 1987 / 46th and Kingsessing (Philadelphia)
by Sean

This was destined to be a good show: one skindhead band and two kegs. FUZZY WARBLES and THE CORRUPTED ONES were supposed to play but cancelled and didn't show up. I started sucking up the suds from that keg while waiting for RETRIBUTOIN to go on. Nothing like draft beerm eh!! RETIRBUTOIN went on just as the brew started to kick in, a case of perfect timing. Their 20 minute set included an ANTISOCIAL cover, five or so (I'm not sure how many) strong originals, and SHAM 69's "If the Kids are United". With strong, powerful vocals, a much more than damn good drummer, a great guitar and a perfectly complementing bass, they ROCKED! You could definitely feel the adrenaline rush they were getting from being on stage for the first time. A band to watch, so don't miss their next show and remember, I told you first.

Continue reading "100 RIFLES / SUBURBAN UPRISE / RETRIBUTOIN" »

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[Originally published: Issue #5, circa 1988]

MURPHY'S LAW / SERIAL KILLERS / EAB / NOT DEAD YET / RETRIBUTOIN
Friday, Oct. 2, 1987, Club Pizazz (Phila., PA) [Tony]

What had the potential to be one of the best shows in a while turned out to be one of the worst. Don't get me wrong - all the bands were good, but a few dozen fights ruined it.

RETRIBUTOIN, a local skinhead band, was the first to play. Very good melodic thrash from these guys. I can't comment on the lyrics ('cause I couldn't understand), but judging from the almost all-skin pit, you could pretty much guess what was up. There was some trouble in the pit, where apparently some genius was going around spraying people with mace.

Continue reading "MURPHY'S LAW / SERIAL KILLERS / EAB / NOT DEAD YET / RETRIBUTOIN" »

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[Originally published: Issue #5, circa 1988]

TOKEN ENTRY / KRAKDOWN / THE CORRUPTED ONES (TCO)
Sept. 20, 1987 - Club Pizazz, Phila., PA [Tony]

NOT DEAD YET was originally scheduled to play, but they cancelled a few days before and INRI played instead. I did not get there to watch them play because I arrived fashionably late (yeah, right - I got lost trying to take a short cut from Sean's house).

Luckily, I got there just as THE CORRUPTED ONES began their set. T.C.O. were really cool - tight, melodic thrash with sing-along lyrics. Hopefully, we'll be seeing and hearing sore about this hot local band.

Continue reading "TOKEN ENTRY / KRAKDOWN / THE CORRUPTED ONES (TCO)" »

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LOOKING BACK: I was a HUUUUGE BEASTIES fan. I have no idea why I slammed them in this interview. I guess the standard they're-too-popular-for-me-to-still-like-them thinking applied. They were pretty retardarded at the time -- not the gentle Bhuddist PC hippies they've become. This show was the first time I ever heard of / saw PUBLIC ENEMY, and their powerful onstage theatrics remain emblazoned into my memory to this day. Note the multiple references to my cutting school to score tickets... was I punk rawk or what? Also note the truly dated adjectives "def-ist" and "b-boy". -- Mickey

[Originally published: Issue #1, circa 1987]

BEASTIE BOYS / MURPHY'S LAW / PUBLIC ENEMY
April 7, 1987 The Spectrum by Mickey

OK. I admit it. I cut school to get these tickets (sorry Mom!). Noqw I'm not so sure if it was worth it cause I'm sick of the BEASTIE BOYS.

The sold out Spectrum went crazy when the opening act, PUBLIC ENEMY, came out. These guys were really great. First off, two uniformed gentlemen with mirrored sunglasses marched on stage and positioned themselves on either side of the mixers. They pulled out fake Uzi macnine guns, which smoked, and just stood at attention, never moving throughout the whole set. Then, another uniformed guy marched out on stage during an air-raid siren's screech. He faced the audience, made a speach, and then PUBLIC ENEMY took the stage. Dressed in designer sweatsuits and stopwatches, they kicked out some of the defist, hardest raps I've heard yet. Total b-boys. They blew me away.

Continue reading "BEASTIE BOYS / MURPHY'S LAW / PUBLIC ENEMY" »

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[Originally published: Issue #4, circa 1987]

July 31, 1987 Club Pizazz, Phila., PA [Tony]

Before the show even started, they announced the bad news: 7 SECONDS' bus broke down in New York and they wouldn't be able to make it. The door price was dropped to $6 (from $8) to try to atone for this loss.

FAIL SAFE and THE CORRUPTED ONES also played on this bill, but we didn't see then because we were in Kentucky Fried Chicken with JUSTICE LEAGUE. Even though I’m not familiar with these two bands, I would've liked to see them. Besides, I think people should support the opening acts on any bill, especially T.C.O., who were not even scheduled to play. We hope to cover both of these bands in our mag in the future.

Continue reading "7 SECONDS / JUSTICE LEAGUE / SCRAM / THE CORRUPTED ONES / FAIL SAFE" »

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LOOKING BACK: The UPRISE scared me. I was always scared of skins. I always thought they would kick the shit out of me. When we put on the FUGAZI show, I had visions of the AC Skins storming the show and trashing the joint. (Why skinheads from Atlantic City were particulary mean, I dunno, but I heard creepy stories. And why the hell they'd want to see FUGAZI play, is beyond me as well). But the UPRISE where actually pretty nice guys. ANYWAY, this show was particularly solid. Even the opening band, VISION, ended up making a name for themselves. I remember being particularly weirded out by UNIFORM CHOICE, whose members wore all black, and whose singer, Pat Dubar, had long ebony locks -- a far cry from his shorn bean on the "Screaming for Change" LP. -- Mickey

[Originally published: Issue #4, circa 1987]

UNlFORM CHOICE / PAGAN BABIES / THE UPRISE / LEGITIMATE REASON / VISION
August 8, Club Pizazz, Phila., PA [Mickey]

Continue reading "UNlFORM CHOICE / PAGAN BABIES / THE UPRISE / LEGITIMATE REASON / VISION" »

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LOOKING BACK: This show review demonstrates many things, none of them good: How easily distracted I was by irrelevant events before and during the show, how poorly I conveyed the raw energy and electric atmosphere of a great live performance like the CRO-MAGS gave, and how my attitude back then was that being in the scene represented a 'contract' among the bands and the crowd. Though cancelling a show without explanation is understandable, I stand by my comments that price-gouging on show prices and merchandise was something that raised barriers to 'scene' participation and limits participation from the younger crowd. -- Tony

[Originally published: Issue #3, circa 1987]

CRO-MAGS / LUDICHRIST / GANG GREEN
June 29th, 1987 Pulsations (Glen Mills, PA) [Tony]

The first show at Pulsations featuring hardcore bands was a success - not as crowded as the ANTHRAX show, but a decent turn-out none-the-less. We couldn't get any pictures of the bands onstage since Pulsations doesn't allow cameras, but we do have some pix of the accident that occured outside the club before the show started. Now you might be saying, "Gee. That's awfully insensitive to be taking pictures of such carnage. You should be helping." Well, you're wrong. The wreck wasn't too bad -- all the passengers walked away from the car unscathed). But everything was hunky-dory, whatever that means.

Continue reading "CRO-MAGS / LUDICHRIST / GANG GREEN" »

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LOOKING BACK: When I was 7, my cousin Johnny brought his KISS Destroyer album to my house. Between their comic-book like appearance, the 'toy' that came inside each album, and the realization that my parents and older siblings hated every note coming from the phonograph (look it up, young boy), I fell in love with metal. Though I later grew out of this horrible phase, I still had some traces of metalhead in me around this time. And I can't lie, Anthrax had some really fun and intense music around this time, and I had a great time at this show, though it IS emabarassing to see what a mark I still am for cheap stage theatrics. -- Tony

[Originally published: Issue #3, circa 1987]

ANTHRAX / METAL CHURCH
June 8th, 1987 Pulsations (Glen Mills, PA) [Tony]
(This review is dedicated to the people who got pushed around by the bouncers and the lone stage-diver who got thrown out)

This was the first of Pulsation's "Metal Mondays" and it was a resounding success. The place was filled past capacity with over 1,500 eager kids who were glad to see more metal shows happening near Philly.

Continue reading "ANTHRAX / METAL CHURCH" »

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LOOKING BACK: Wow, I forgot all about Randy Now and City Gardens. The arch-enemy of the Philadelphia scene. He'd put on these huge shows at a club in Trenton, NJ (City Gardens, in a truly horrible neighborhood). If memory serves correct, the "controversy" is that he'd charge $15 for 2-3 national bands -- and that these touring bands would surpass Philly to play City Gardens. So, for years and years, I'd skip City Gardens gigs to "support the scene." Now I realize I must have missed some pretty killer shows (but, MAN, was $15 a lot of dough!). Who know what's going on with Randy Now and City Gardens... Anyway, I caught up with Life Sentence's drummer for an in-the-parking-lot interview, so putting up with the sardine-like conditions inside the club worthwhile. Oh yeah... I don't think I ever even *heard* DR. KNOW at the time. But they still sucked. And DRI *did* shred. I have no freakin' idea why I didn't stick around for the EXPLOITED. -- Mickey

[Originally published: Issue #3, circa 1987]

EXPLOITED / DRI / DR. KNOW / LIFE SENTENCE / STALIN'S DAUGHTER
June 28, 1987 Club Pizazz (Phila., PA) [Mickey]

From what I can piece together, the billing of this show could almost be considered a mistake: Too many huge bands on one bill, in too small of a place. This is because of an ass proaoter frca New Jersey naned Randy Now who tried to cash in on tne action in Philly to stake lots of acney. well, he dropped the show, but the bands were booked, and Philly promoter Chuck Meehan was left holding the [fill in word of your choice]. This review is dedicated to Chuck for his dedication and determination in keeping Philly shows under control. Randy Now, stay the hell out! we don't need or want you!

Continue reading "EXPLOITED / DRI / DR. KNOW / LIFE SENTENCE / STALIN'S DAUGHTER" »

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[LOOKING BACK: Not much to say about this show, except that the line-up was phenomenal, and the perfomances matched. Stabb's reputation/legend as a dynamic stage presence was validated, and I remember being taken aback by how talented these guys were. -- Mickey]

[Originally published: Issue #6, circa 1989]

GOVERNMENT ISSUE (G.I.) / VERBAL ASSAULT / F.O.D. / MISUNDERSTOOD
Jan. 8, 1988 – Club Pizzazz (Philly) [Mick]

MISUNDERSTOOD opened up the show. This young local band plays loud and fast straight-forward hardcore. Lots of originals and a few MINOR THREAT covers. Great potential here.

F.O.D. hasn’t really played in Philly at all for many months. It was well worth the wait. With a sound system that could finally accommodate their break-neck thrash, they treated the audience with all of their old hits, along with some surprisingly interesting and excellent new material. The crowd response was unusually well-receptive. Perhaps everyone missed the kings of Philly thrash as much as I did. Welcome back!

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[Originally published: Issue #6, circa 1989]

PRONG / DEATH RAY / ABACINATUR
December 26, 1987 – Club Pizzazz (Philly) [Tony]

Christmas had come and gone, but there was still one gift left unopened – PRONG’s first appearance in Philadelphia! But, as we all know, good things don’t come easy, and this was no exception.

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LOOKING BACK: Don't remember all that much about this show. Except that Woody Weatherman put on a STUNNING performance. I have no idea what the hell I was talking about when describing HONOR ROLE. And this review provides yet another example of my love affair with LEGITIMATE REASON, chronicled throughout the entire run of Threatening Society. -- Mickey

[Originally published: Issue #1, circa 1987]

COC / HONOR ROLE / HOMO PICNIC / LEGITIMATE REASON
April 18, 1987 Club Pizazz by Mickey

The previous (and first) time I ever went to see COC, I got arrested for violation of curfew (a B.S. law, but I won't get into that right now), and was hauled downtown before they came onstage. That was November '85. So, I figured it was necessary to see them this time.

Tony and I arrived just in tiae to see LEGITIMATE REASON'S set. They sounded great! Each instrument sounded very crisp, and the vocals kicked ass! My only criticism was that there was a measurable lack of energy on the part of LEGITIMATE REASON, though I realize it must be difficult to get psyched when the place isn't full yet. But musically, they're getting very tight, and are becoming a force to be reckoned within the Philly scene.

Continue reading "CORROSION OF CONFORMITY / HONOR ROLE / HOMO PICNIC / LEGITIMATE REASON" »

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LOOKING BACK: Can't remember much of this show, details-wise... First time I saw PAGAN BABIES, who ended up making a semi-name for themselves. FOD is STILL out playing shows in the area (god bless 'em!). And AOD are still one of the most underrated 80s punk bands. -- Mickey

[Originally published: Issue #1, circa 1987]

THE STUPIDS / ADRENALIN O.D. / LUDICHRIST / F.O.D. / PABAN BABIES

Dec. 28, 1986 , Club Pizzaz, Phi la., Pa.
by Mickey

What should have been one of the best shows in Philly in the past year turned out ot be a big disappointment : 2 bands cancelled.

We arrived to catch the tail end of PAGAN BABIES. They were really good, with a slightly metal sound and great songs. Though we couldn't find out much about them but we think that they are from Philly. With a powerful, energetic lead singer, PAGAN BABIES ripped through their last two songs with a raw power and intensity that is missing from all too many bands today. Look for them to be big someday, and remember, you heard it here first!

Continue reading "THE STUPIDS / ADRENALIN O.D. / LUDICHRIST / F.O.D. / PABAN BABIES" »

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[Originally published: Issue #1, circa 1987]

EPILEPTIC ALBINO BULLFROGS / PEER PRESHURE / THUNDER'S WRATH / ANY THREE INITIALS
March 29, 1987, Philly Cookbook by Tony

The first thrash/hardcore show at this place showcased some of Philly's best young talent. The place was small (about 75 people crowded the joint) but the sound system was great and the young talent here was impressive.

ANY THREE INITIALS took the stage first to do their set of slow, rhythmic punk. I didn't really like this band, but I give them credit for having the guts to get on stage. But, their three chord songs were boring. Maybe with a little more work...

Continue reading "EPILEPTIC ALBINO BULLFROGS / PEER PRESHURE / THUNDER'S WRATH / ANY THREE INITIALS" »

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[Originally published: Issue #1, circa 1987]

THE DEAD MILKMEN / FLAG OF DEMOCRACY / RUIN / ELECTRIC LOVE MUFFIN

March 1, 1987 The Trocadero by Tony

The Troc's first hardcore show and hopefully not the last.

Despite the weighty $8 door price and no ins-and-outs, the place is a big venue with great lighting and sound system. But the no stage diving "rule" has got to go!

These established Philly bands are all gaining recognition across the nation, but they still take the time to play shows for their "first" audience.

Continue reading "THE DEAD MILKMEN / FLAG OF DEMOCRACY / RUIN / ELECTRIC LOVE MUFFIN" »

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