The Bronx
31st May 2022
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Cameron Miller. Photography by Doug Peters.
“We bring it in for art, we bring it in for music, we bring it in for love, we bring it in for equality, we bring it in for each other.”
Words like this, spoken by a friendly screamy fellow over a bubbling pit of sweat and elbows, backed by loud guitar distortion – this was exactly what I needed, and what I’d been missing. LA hardcore legends The Bronx at the Powerstation last night were my first time back to the iconic venue in far too long, my first time in such a large crowd of punks, music lovers and beautiful weirdos since the pandemic. It was bound to be an emotional and exciting night in any case, but The Bronx were my band of the hour, and they put on the perfect show to celebrate the live music experience itself.
I hadn’t caught who the openers were until I arrived, and I was stoked to discover it was one of Auckland’s premier feel bad noise merchants, Long Distance Runner. This was a treat in itself; they’ve been a favourite to catch at Whammy Backroom for years, and the jump in sound system size lent their material a new feeling of enormity and menace. It still felt like a local bar show at the start though, with vocalist Simon laconically greeting by name a few of the scattered die hards up front for the very start. Long Distance Runner specialise in scraping, dissonant guitars, anguished screamed vocals, and stop-start blasts of snare and distortion that crash into you with palpable violence. The night was young, and my neck already sore.
Full disclosure: The Bronx’s early career passed me by, and this gig was the first I had heard of them. That’s always an odd feeling when the crowd fills out and you’re surrounded by hyped and passionate fans. And these were long time, dedicated fans, filled with anticipation as the band took an Auckland stage for the first time since 2006. Opening newish single White Shadow got heads bopping and hands waving, but it took beloved hit Shitty Future, from their 2006 sophomore album, to really fill the mosh pit with flailing bodies. From there the show hit and hit and hit again, with relentless exuberance. The songs themselves are no nonsense punk hard hitters, that do what they do well and don’t outstay their welcome.
Frontman Matt Caughthran was the attention grabbing star of the show, warm and funny and always encouraging the crowd to further and further chaos. I appreciated the nuance and sensitivity he brought to his crowd work. He made eye contact and sang with fans who knew the words in the front row, and he took the time to acknowledge the fans preferring to chill against the pillars who are just as valid as those tearing up the floor….while in the same breath demanding still more sweat and effort from those inclined. These little touches spoke of authenticity, as did his blunt and no frills vocal delivery. But anyone who took the lack of pretension for lack of talent would be a fool, especially once you’ve seen him effortlessly release and hold his trademark powerful, raspy scream.
The rhythm section were the most obvious driving force behind each song – pounding kick drums, throbbing bass, and chugging rhythm guitar making my head bang up and down song after song. If you were paying attention though, you’d notice how much lead guitarist Ken Horne was adding to each song, perched unassumingly low in the mix, but weaving so much classic rock character and melody through every single riff. He got his moments to shine later in the set and during the encore, really showing off his shredding chops on an extended solo for closer Around the Horn.
I’ve done my research pre and post this gig, and The Bronx’s lyrics are not exactly happy. There’s drug issues, sexual violence, the poverty struggle, political oppression and relationship woes. Despite that, their show felt joyful, in a way that didn’t try to ignore any of that pain. It felt like solidarity, and I felt weirdly emotional and grateful for the atmosphere they created. There’s plenty of struggle to go round, but we’re all in this together, so last night they gave us the precious opportunity to have some fun and enjoy the fucking ruckus.
Were you there at the Powerstation to witness this LA Punk Rock act? Or have you seen The Bronx perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- White Shadow
- I Got Chills
- Shitty Future
- Heart Attack American
- Two Birds
- Super Bloom
- Rape Zombie
- Curb Feelers
- Unholy Hand
- Knifeman
- 6 Days A Week
- Breaking News
- They Will Kill Us All
- White Guilt [encore]
- History’s Stranglers [encore]
- Around The Horn [encore]
Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission at no cost to you.
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