Everyone at the Knitting Factory was treated to a showcase of great Virginia-based bands on this fine early fall night in September. The styles were rather diverse, as we got some straight-up punk from openers Jericho, death metal mayhem from Darkest Hour, and a hodge-podge of styles from the genre-defying headliners Avail, but somehow it all fit together perfectly.

First up was Jericho, newly transplanted Virginians, who were on the road in support of Worker's Union, their EP that was just re-released on Iodine Recordings. This four-piece's set comprised a bunch of hardcore rockers, and it was evident early on that they play what can best be called plain good punk. Highlighted by great guitar work and strong, emotional vocals, it's obvious Avail is a big influence on these guys' sound. And although their set was extremely energetic, the meager crowd just was not getting into it. The vocalist even had to coerce the crowd to move forward toward the stage. Some people who were in attendance however, were members of the streetpunk outfit The Casualties, including Rick and Meggers, supporting a band they've toured with in the past and seemingly like very much. Some songs we were treated to off the aforementioned EP included "Sunday Pints," "Running in Circles," and the final two offerings "Oxygen" and the intricate "Fifty Cent Hearts," during which Rick pulled down a mic off the stage in order to add his vocal stylings. Happily, as the set wore on, the crowd did start to enjoy themselves more, which is good because these guys definitely put on an impressive set.

Next to take the stage were hardcore/death metal heroes Darkest Hour, who've been around for about eight years now and just keep getting better and better. This was the second time I saw them and their set was just as feral as the first time back in July with Anti-Flag. It's a shame I missed them play Knitting Factory in August with Atreyu, but there was solace in knowing they were coming back in a month's time. The band's first offering was "The Sadist Nation," which is also the first track off this year's Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation, which I simply cannot praise enough. Full of metal riffs, hardcore breakdowns, unfathomable speed, and some of the most incendiary socio-political commentary to be found, this is a great record (other bands who released records this year that exhibit such political awareness are Malefaction, Pennywise, and Cheap Sex to name a few…no doubt Anti-Flag's LP due out in October will be just as fiery, if not more so…). Live, the hellish fury and anger of this band can't be overlooked. All the elements of Darkest Hour stand out - John Henry's gloriously guttural growls, the crashing, intertwining guitars of Kris Norris and Mike Schleibaum, Paul Brunette's pummeling bass, but the major highlight on the record as well as their live set is Ryan Parrish's brutal drumming - is this guy human? I think Jericho's vocalist put it best when he called the man an "octopus." That double bass, baby, oh yeah…

The band performed a slew of songs off their three LPs, from 2000's The Mark Of Judas, including "Eclipse" "Escape Artist" and the follow-up So Sedated, So Secure, to the aforementioned Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation. As should be, the growing crowd had a pit going throughout the set, albeit a pitifully small one with only a handful of kids dancing. And a nice gesture was made when someone in the audience handed the band some money during the set - not too long ago they lost a substantial amount of cash when their van was robbed.

After the aural onslaught that is Darkest Hour, we braced ourselves for a change of pace. As Avail was preparing the stage for their performance, the number of people in the crowd grew immensely. People were packed tightly together and full of anticipation for the boys from Richmond, VA. Avail kicked off their set with the upbeat "Black and Red," the first track off their latest release, 2002's Fat Wreck Chords effort - their second for the label and sixth full-length overall - the brilliant Front Porch Stories that is on a par with 1998's Over The James. Off this record, the band also played songs like the true tour de force "Blue Times Two" and the powerful "The Falls."

Avail didn't let up the entire set, playing about twenty or so songs spanning their recorded career. Every now and then singer Tim Barry was bombarded by crowd surfers looking to get up on stage and share the mic with him, while Beau Beau, the band's now-legendary "cheerleader," who brings to mind The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' lovable resident skanker and "bosstone" Ben Carr, riled up everyone even more (if that's possible). All I can say is that I don't own many of Avail's records and don't consider myself a "diehard" fan like some of my pals (shout out to Maureen and Brian - congrats on your impending marriage!), but damn, if these guys don't know how to rock onstage. They have a great presence and so much sheer energy it's infectious. If ever Avail comes to your town, definitely hit that show. And yeah, go see Darkest Hour too. They will blow your mind.

AVAIL

DARKEST HOUR