back-to-school-jam-photo

Scene and Herd: Back to School Jam 2016 Live Review & Photos w/ Title Fight, Superheaven, & more | GameChanger World, Howell, NJ | September 10, 2016

by • October 14, 2016

SCENE AND HERD

Scene and Herd w/ Doug “Doug I Go To” Dresher

WHO:

Title FightTurnstileTurnoverIncendiaryAngel Du$tSuperheavenLifelessBracewarForced OrderNothing Left to MournThe BreakoutTrue LoveProtesterBreak AwaySearch , Warfare

WHAT:

BACK TO SCHOOL JAM

An annual New Jersey Hard Core (NJHC) celebration of the new school year. Although … I don’t think the bands are necessarily espousing the importance of a public school education, in fact they usually push back against “the man” – whomever that might be.

WHERE:

GameChanger World, Howell, NJ

WHEN:

September 10, 2016

WHY:

It might be hard to believe, but there are some really angry kids in New Jersey, and in GameChanger World they have found a venue to call home.  This hardcore anger isn’t the kind of progressive political angst that you might have found during the Reagan years at CBGBs matinees.  This version of hardcore seems put off by all political views, and only participates in this evil version of our world so they can get their message of unity out to those who have yet to realize that hardcore is more truthful than Miley Cyrus.  Current hardcore is an anger having to do with keeping the scene pure, fighting a system that ostracizes them as outsiders, and an unwavering obsession for insisting that the audience think for themselves.

THE GOOD:

At almost twelve hours, it was amazing to see the pit generally well-stocked with energetic youngsters smashing the shit out of each other.  If you were standing in a safe spot it was fun to watch.  If you were near the pit there was a good chance you were on the receiving end of a wild eyed group of shirtless, thick sweated, healthy young men – crowd killing and swinging their arms like a whirling dervish Ritalin fueled MMA fighter.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

The absolute highlight of the show (for me) was the band Superheaven.  A mix of Soundgarden, Weezer, and Chavez, Superheaven was heavy, spot on, and incredibly tight.  When part of the PA cut out, the band played without vocals and the crowd sang the words loud enough to make up for the lack of a sound system.

THE BAD:

Without exaggerating, it had to be well over 110 degrees in the venue.  The sweat poured off the crowd like a viscous lubricant that was pouring down from a newly tapped oil reserve.

THE UGLY:

I still don’t understand crowd killing.  How is purposely hurting other people in the crowd enjoyable to anyone except the asshole swinging his arms and legs?  And don’t give me the excuse that if you don’t want to get hurt, then don’t stand so close to the stage – that is such bullshit.  There is a difference between a circle pit, and committing assault.


Have some photographs:

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Scene and Herd w/ Doug “Doug I Go To” Dresher. Edited by Austin Young.

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