Straight Ahead at The Brooklyn Monarch, Brooklyn, NY, 4/26/2026.
Straight Ahead was a band that I was never able to catch during their original run, so I felt very fortunate to get two opportunities to see them this weekend and they certainly did not disappoint.
Saturday night I watched Straight Ahead from the crowd, Sunday I found a spot on the stage where I could snap off these photos.
The entire weekend was a blast, so many great bands and great sets and it’s always a pleasure catching up with friends I’ve known for decades, but rarely see.
And wow, how about that Youth Of Today set? That I spent in the crowd, up front, singing along and getting demolished by kids half my age, but it was all worth it.
Until next time.
Straight Ahead at The Brooklyn Monarch, Brooklyn, NY, 4/25/2026
Sorry, the photos aren’t very good, but I can assure you, Straight Ahead were. I was too busy soaking in this set to worry about capturing photos.
Straight Ahead were one of those bands that always eluded me live. Never saw them on their original run or the 89 CB’s reunion and quite honestly, never thought I would. Stoked to get another opportunity tomorrow.
On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I was so happy to spend time with my straight edge brother @doublecrossxx and talk about his life. Tim McMahon is best known for his work in bands like Mouthpiece, Search, Hands Tied, Face the Enemy, and Triple Threat — projects that helped define a generation of East Coast hardcore with urgency, conviction, and emotional depth. But Tim’s impact goes beyond stage dives and singalongs. His lyrics have always wrestled with identity, integrity, self-examination, and what it means to grow up without growing cynical. #straightedgehardcore #childhood #thehardcoretherapist #mentalhealth #podcast
Negative Approach, Gorilla Biscuits and Circle Jerks at the TLA in Philadelphia, PA, April 4, 2026.
Fun one tonight on South Street in Philadelphia. Every band was great and totally dialed in, but the end of that Circle Jerks set with Keith tearing through Depression, Fix Me, Revenge and Nervous Breakdown took things to another level.
Now that the dust has settled a little bit, I thought I’d give a little explanation on why these shows are happening.
Back in January we played a one-off show in Washington, DC. There was no special occasion, we were simply asked and we all agreed that we could do it. A lot of people asked, “Why DC, why not New Jersey”? Well the only reason we played DC and not New Jersey was because we weren’t asked to play in New Jersey, we were asked to play in DC. It was really that simple.
When it was announced that we were playing the DC show, a handful of show offers came in, one was from Andy who does the shows at Cross Roads in New Jersey. I told Andy we had no future plans, but if we do, I told him I’d let him know.
Well a couple of months later, it turns out 7 Seconds was planning an East Coast trip in May and Cross Roads was the venue chosen for their New Jersey date. 7 Seconds asked Andy if he thought we might want to join them for this show, Andy asked me and well, when 7 Seconds asks for you to play with them, you move hell and high water to make it happen.
I think I can safely say, 7 Seconds are a band that influenced each and every one of us in Mouthpiece. They were absolutely THE band that introduced me to a positive side of punk and hardcore. As much as I loved all the punk and skate rock I was hearing prior to hearing 7 Seconds, nothing spoke to me quite like they did. I picked up “Walk Together Rock Together” and I was changed forever.
So that’s it, 7 Seconds asked and the honor was all ours to play. Shortly after the Cross Roads show offer in New Jersey came in, the Metro show in Baltimore came in, so it’s on the road with 7 Seconds for two shows in May. Hope to see you there.
Ticket info for both shows in my bio.
March 19, 1989, thirty seven years ago today, Club Pizazz, Philadelphia, PA. Insted, Vision and Images (Soul Side and Krakdown cancelled).
I hadn’t even turned 15 yet and this was my first show outside of New Jersey. Tony Rettman’s sister’s boyfriend drove us and when he dropped us off, he said, “have a radical time”! When we got to the club, there was a long line out the door. I remember multiple kids in Schism shirts and Youth Crew 88 shirts.
As we made our way into the club and up the stairs, I remember hearing Vision start their set. I was getting super anxious because I didn’t want to miss anything. Just as I paid and walked in the door, Vision were going in to “You and I” and I ran directly into the crowd to sing along. Their whole set was great and made for a perfect warm up for Insted.
Once Insted went on, the club was absolutely packed. From their first song it was total chaos. Kids stage diving everywhere and everyone there seemed to know every lyric. This was one of those shows that resembled the videos I had been watching for years from clubs like CBGB in NYC and The Anthrax in Connecticut. Although I had been pushed up on top of crowds prior to this show, this would be the first show I’d end up doing actual stage dives at.
Once the Insted - “We’ll Make The Difference” 7” came out later that year, I found myself in a photo on the B side label. I’m also in the sixth photo in this post, behind Bear, wearing a YOT shirt.
What a show, still to this day, 37 years later, one of my all time favorites. I still have one of the Insted shirts I bought that night, plus the Axtion Packed Fanzine shirt I bought that night as well.
Hardcore… There’s Nothing Like It.
We’re now playing The Metro in Baltimore on Friday May 8th with 7 Seconds. So it’ll be Thursday May 7th in New Jersey at Cross Roads and Friday in Baltimore. Words can not express how much of an honor it is for us to join 7 Seconds on the road for these two shows. Hope to see you there.
