Pissing off Scenesters Since 1995
International Noise Conspiracy, Walter Schreifels, Young Lords
November 11, 2008
Webster Hall Studio, NYC
Watching the International Noise Conspiracy take the stage at the newly minted Webster Hall Studio was a bit surreal. On one hand, the band rocked with the same anarchist-leaning, punk-as-fuck steadfastness that has made the former-Refused band members icons in both the hardcore and indie rock movements. There’s only one problem – The crowd (err, leaches) at last Tuesday’s show were the same douche bags the band have been ranting against for half a decade.
The opening act, the Young Lords, were the type of band you just want to heckle. Perfectly shaggy hair – check. Pants too tight to fit – check. Overachieving swagger – check. Good thing they rocked their asses off, pumping out riff after riff of pure ’70s style garage rock in the vein of The Heartbreakers. Definitely an early surprise to the evening.
The next surprise came in the form of an acoustic set by hardcore punk legend Walter Schreifels of Quicksand and Gorilla Biscuits fame. I had heard that he was making the rounds performing new and old songs, but wasn’t sure if it was true. Standing center stage with nothing but an acoustic guitar, Walter started his voyage through the last two decades of his life via the songs that made him a cult icon.
From the Quicksand classic “Thorn in My Side” to a medley of Sick of it All and Smiths’ covers, his selection of songs were both mind-boggling and insightful. The cover of Agnostic Front’s “Society Sucker” was a tribute to the current economic mess, although much of the song fell upon deaf ears as obnoxious, drunk floozies chatted it up throughout the set. “Forget a quantum of solace,” Walter chimed in during one of his songs. “What we need is a quantum of silence.”
After a short break, the International Noise Conspiracy stormed the tiny stage as if they were in town to tear seize the city and rattle some cages. The band didn’t hesitate for a moment, slamming through new tracks and classics like “Smash It Up.” The tiny venue was so crammed that you could barely get a glimpse of the Scandinavian misfits preaching to the impeccably styled crowd. Like The Hives on crack, INC are the personification of rock & roll excitement and madness. They look like dapper young fellows, but explode into this cacophony of musical styles that can only be described as punk insanity.
The band rocked – The audience didn’t. Ignoring the diehard fans in the front row that still talk about the days when the Refused rocked Rutgers main campus, the crowd at Webster Hall reminded me of what screwed up Rage Against the Machine and Chumbawumba. On one hand, you have a band that is trying to spread their message through music, but the audience they are reaching cares more about not scuffing their Prada shoes than starting a rebellion. Luckily, the band could give a crap and proceeded to rock the foundation of Webster Hall’s new studio until the crowd was down to the true fans – the ones that might actually want to smash something up.