The last post talked about some great bands from San Diego. Well, here's another one. Amenity. Damn they were good. While their records never truly captured their greatness. Live, they produced some great heavy hardcore that you moved you in every way. The smart lyrics. The pounding drums. The moment the bass line to "Impel" started, you just couldn't stand still. And if you were seeing them in their home town, that's when all hell would break loose in the most fun way possible. I was lucky to see them a number of times. (Don't ask me what that number is, I'm too old to remember.) Some of the best times were in the smallest most intimate places. The smallest was probably the time I saw them with Forced Down in a little practice place. There wasn't much room for the band let alone all the kids doing their best to squeeze in and dance around like their life depended on it. But I think the best place to see Amenity (and alot of other great bands) was the Che Cafe. It was a little cafe on the campus of one of the colleges down there. There was no stage, no bullshit. Just great shows.
This photo of Amenity at the Che gives you an idea of what the shows were like. The kids were right on top of the band. Taking part yet also trying to give the band enough room to play. Everyone is on the same level making the music and the words to the songs all the more personal to everyone there.
This past weekend the boys of Amenity got together to play their first show in a really long time. (I'm not going to say how long because it'll make me feel old.) They've also recorded a new song which you can listen to on their myspace page:
Amenity
I'm sad to have missed this reunion show. Would've been nice to see the guys and to hear them live again. The Radio Silence guys were there and I'm sure they will be putting up reviews and photos from the show soon.
