Now after all the festivities are almost behind us, I've decided to write my own recap of the musical events I attended during 2010. I'm happy that I was able to go to more than 30 shows and to see bands from far and abroad that I won't probably see again (still hope dies last). I have to admit that for this past one year I went to some great concerts, some decent and some not so good and saw things that I liked and things I didn't like. Our so called "scene" is small even after twenty years we still have relatively small underground scene compared to some other countries. However there are many dedicated people working hard to change that and somehow to elevate it to a higher level and to make it more acceptable by the general public. There's also a handful of bands that are trying to further develop our scene and that I found admirable. Because of them our music can be heard outside the country and hopefully will bring the attention to what our local bands are capable of. We have some really great bands that deserve recognition and more exposure than they already have. Within those twenty years the foundations of a firm underground scene have been lay. This led to the formation of a small but dedicated group of people who grew up with the right mindset to appreciate styles such as hardcore, punk and ska. Those people as different as they might be are united by the idea of being part of something which identifies them as persons and where they fit and feel free to express themselves. It's the kind of thing that makes an underdog feel like a topdog. Those people go to all or most concerts, they know why they're there and what to expect. It's because of them that even a mediocre concert might feel like an awesome one. Sometimes they make it all worth it. No matter of their number, with the right people you can have a great gig anywhere, anytime. Attitude is all it takes to make the difference.
Within this one year I've met some really great people musicians and fans alike. I've discovered bulgarian bands that I've never heard before or had heard only on TV or on the Internet. Now I know that we have an underground scene which we can be proud of consisting of small but dedicated individuals. It's because of them friends, known and unknown persons that I had one of the best years of my life. No matter who you are I thank you for being there and making all of this one unique experience. Also I salute all bands new and old alike for making this year so memorable for me. It's because of all of you that I keep coming back each time. All this will leave a lasting mark in my mind and in my heart, one that is most dear.
We are in the pit together. There is where I feel alive. There is where all differences seize to exist. There is where one can found true freedom. The pit is my church, my home, my shelter. It is where I feel whole.
Speaking of the audience i have to admit that there were some things that I didn't like. Things that should be there. Things that are simply wrong. Well at the venues one can see all sorts of people, the dedicated die-hard fans, those that just want to be noticed and those that simply want to cause trouble. I personally don't have problems with the attention-whores as they're just kids trying to look cool (but sometimes to no avail). Most of the time I don't even notice them as I'm far more concentrated on watching the bands play. However I have problems with the other ones, the kind that is looking for a fight, the far-right scumbags. Going to hardcore concerts made me realize that they attract fairly often boneheads a.k.a. nazi-skinheads and that's something I can't take lightly. They don't have a place at those concerts and I'm constantly surprised that they are somehow tolerated especially in one particular club that seems to favor those kind of people. It's the kind of thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth even after a good hardcore concert. I simply think that politics, racism or other kinds of prejudices don't have place in our scene. Sadly less people are on the same opinion as me. The others are just ignorant. I also didn't like the pseudo-straight edge mentality of some people. I don't like that in-your-face attitude which I find completely dumb and ignorant as well as unnecessary aggressive. Ok, so you wanna be straight-edge, vegan or God knows what else. It's fine with me but please don't try to persuade me how beneficial it is to eat grass or not to eat meat, to recycle or to save water because it is good for my health or for my planet. Please, your ignorance is insulting to me. Did you honestly thought that I'm not aware of the things around me? Simply because you chose to live your life one way doesn't mean that I have to follow it. I choose to have my own opinion and I do not agree with you all. Some of your ideas I found wrong, others are worth thinking about but forcing me to live my life according to your views is simply calling for an act of aggression. Besides I cannot be a part of people whom I regard as terrorists like Greenpeace and ALF. So next time when we meet please keep your opinion for yourselves. Thank you.
Also in contrast to what others are saying this scene of ours need more people even if they're not exactly into it. I mean how can you create a scene if you are willing to invite only people that share your ideas about music, life and everything else. You can't have a scene with 30 people nor with a hundred. A thousand sounds better but for that to happen you have to be more user-friendly. Aggressive stances and strong language doesn't make anybody a favor. You speak of acceptance and tolerance and yet you are ignorant of the others around you and even within your own community. That's not the way to grow a music scene, that's how you kill it. Be more open to other people's opinions, see different perspectives, be positive. That's our way.
Now on to the real thing or how I saw the year by months.
January was damn cold so I basically stayed away from any gigs.
February was cold too but nevertheless I went to my very first concert for 2010 by the metal band ODD CREW. It was a charity event in help for Vicky. First time watching them and I have to admit that live they kick-ass. Damn good metal band that play more of a southern type metal pretty much like Down which by the way ODD CREW covered with "Stone The Crow".
March started better with a punk concert of now defunct punk band KRIZA with special guest the punk legends NOVI CVETIA. I admit that I went only to see the latter band and didn't pay much attention to the other band. NOVI CVETIA didn't disappoint those that came to see them as they played energetically throughout the evening. I really had a lot of fun while they were playing. As for KRIZA I can say only that if it wasn't for their cute, teen, girl vocalist, Izi, I'd probably won't even remember them.
April was also not bad. One concert that month caught my attention and that was LA MUCHEDUMBRE with the greek punk/ska band 63HIGH. It was a concert I was looking forward to see as I had missed the previous concerts by the greeks and I was eager to attend this one. Great ska night with a little bit of punk. LA MUCHEDUMBRE as always set the rhythm with their funky ska anthems and the greeks followed with a great performance. I really enjoyed the greeks' gig as well as the whole show.
May was the best month of 2010 for me. Full of absolutely great concerts as well as some unexpected but interesting events. That's the month during which I had the most fun of all. The best concert of all not just in May but also for the years has to be the H2O gig in Sofia. Absolutely mind-blowing event which left me exhausted, soaked in sweat and hardly breathing. The best concert I've attended so far. New York hardcore veterans H2O were simply phenomenal. No wonder they're one of my all-time favorite bands. I really can't describe the feeling of watching H2O live, one has to feel it personally. That evening was even better because of the great sets by REZERVEN PLAN, INDIGNITY and BROTHERS IN BLOOD.
Just three days after that went to see a Varna-based ska band called PIZZA. They were nice and the concert was ok giving the fact that there were about a dozen people. The funniest part was the three-guys pogo with me being one of them.
The next day came another big concert. This time it was turn for the NY 2tone ska legends THE TOASTERS to perform. Although not exactly my type of ska, THE TOASTERS delivered a solid gig, one that made me dance all-night long. They were supported by PLASTIC BO who were ok that evening and KAYA which I found simply horrible. Still it was a damn good night.
The next week I went to see a jointly concert by ORATNICA and MERUDIA. It was interesting experience combining bulgarian folklore, reggae and dub/electro elements. After the exhausting hardcore and ska concerts this one was like a breath of fresh air.
Few days of relaxations followed and then came another damn good hardcore concert, the bulgarian hardcore champions LAST HOPE and the serbian hardcore machine HITMAN supported by B.F.D.M. Another great concert full of emotion and good vibe.
The month ended with a charming, brand new festival situated in the heart of Sofia called MELLOW MUSIC FESTIVAL. The program consisted of local and foreign indie bands and artist, some experimental, others electro. Attending it was my idea for a chill-out experience after a month full of hardcore and ska gigs.
June begun with another concert by punk legends NOVI CVETIA. Not a bad start for the summer, eh? And again it was a damn good concert. This time NOVI CVETIA were supported by the almost unknown to me RAZVRAT I POKVARA which were with the same Izi that sang for KRIZA and F.A.Y.D. (Forget About Your Dreams), newcomers that played a combination of old-school hardcore blended with punk.
That month saw another damn good hardcore concert which was also a charity event and included VENDETTA, another well-known local hardcore band that got back together after a couple of years of absence, hc champs LAST HOPE and REJECTION. In overall it was a concert worth going to.
July, a traditionally hot month was even hotter because of one of my personal favorites, LA PLEBE. This was the second time I was seeing them and I must say that every time it's well worth it. Those cabrones definitely knows how to make the crowd dancing and singing, Pinches cabrones I salute you for being so fucking awesome.
August was a lazy month during which nothing interesting happened.
September normally marks the end of the summer and so it's supposed to be more mellow than the previous three months. But this month didn't go quietly. First PLACEBO came to Sofia for the third time to promote their latest album, "Battle For The Sun", released in 2009. It was a concert that I will remember for a very long time. By my opinion one of the best concerts of the year and one of my personal favorites.
Not long after came two great concert by the hungarian psychobilly trio THE SILVER SHINE. They were the fist psychobolly band that I heard live and I must say that because of them I became a fan of that genre. They delivered a great performance that left me drained. Also they performed a great cover of "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by the aussie band Jet. Two great concert that I will never forget.
Last days of the month brought a little unexpected but nevertheless good concert by the local glam-rock band ALLEY SIN. What can I say about them? Dirty, filthy bastards that kicks ass and knows how to rock. Support were the youngsters BOOZE BROTHERS.
The month came to an end with another great concert. This time it was time for the cult punk band THE REAL MCKENZIES from Canada to rock the city. A combination of punk and scottish folk set the mood for a great evening and a worth ending of the month. As for those who didn't appreciate the kind of music this band plays I can say only: "Bugger Off, You Bastards Bugger Off!".
October came with a nice surprise from the Czech Republic, DISCOBALLS, a charming ska band from Prague. They were really good and left good impression on the local public. One of the best covers of Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire" belongs to them. Really good and energetic band that won't leave you idle. Support was PLASTIC BO who sounded better that night.
This was followed with another damn good concert by the greeks GREEN GOBLIN and VOODOO HEALERS and the locals DAILY NOISE CLUB. Another good show that was attended by no more than a couple of dozen people. Alas sometimes good things are left unheard.
And when the month was almost over came this, GUILD, real japanese rock band had a concert in Sofia. It's not everyday that a real j-rock band comes to Bulgaria so I knew that I had to go. Well it wasn't bad at all. Actually quiet the opposite. It was surprisingly good concert involving a bunch of skinny, heavily made up and with absurd hairstyles japanese dudes. It was fun.
That month brought the annual Hate City Fest with strong performances by CUT OFF, BROTHERS IN BLOOD, LAST HOPE and the headliners from Holland NO TURNING BACK. The only disappointment was the mistake called SEVEN ATE NINE. They should be banned from playing. Awful band. Apart from the whole thing was awesome.
The last two shows for that month came with one of them being MANIFESTATION from Germany supported by B.F.D.M. The germans put a lot of efforts to make a good concert but it lacked the audience as very few people came.
Same night just after MANIFESTATION I made haste to another concert with a slightly different style of music. Same night the puertoricans DAVILA 666 were playing in town alongside the greeks from ACID BABY JESUS. Both bands made an ordinary evening to look like great rock and rock night. Alas they played in front of shamefully small audience. Just a handful of people came to see them. This is the result when an event is not publicized at all. The bands didn't deserve such treatment. Pity!
Halloween came with a nice gig by ALLEY SIN. Did I mentioned that they kick-ass?
November started loudly with FINAL PRAYER from Germany. Really strong show lined with the performances by the greek hc band SENSELESS and local beatdown favorites REDOUND. That was a good night.
Next came a surprising late night show by ALIEN INDUSTRY and BASTARDOLOMEY. This industrial/metal concert was well worth the money mostly because of the latter group, brain-child of Nufri, better-known as the lead singer for Panican Whyasker. This guy knows how to rock onstage.
By the end of November C4 signed-in with an awesome show at The Box alongside fellow colleagues BROTHERS IN BLOOD and REZERVEN PLAN. Really strong night.
The month concluded with a nice show by the indie bands SEPUKO 6 and GRДD.
December begun with the long awaited concert by LA MUCHEDUMBRE supported by SENIOR BUFFO AND THE SYNCHRONIZERS. The latter group was surprisingly fresh and sounded cool but LA MUCHEDUMBRE made me slippy.
December brought one really cool surprise in the form of the duo HANDSOME FURS from Canada, who were part of the Alarma Punk Jazz fest. In my opinion the canadians played a blend of synth-rock with a little bit if punk that sounded damn good. And how could not as the male part of the band Dan Boeckner is also involved with one of the best rock bands to come out of Canada, Wolf Parade. HANDSOME FURS were simply fantastic. Local support consisted of the ambient synth-pop DAVVID PROJECT and the garage-rock THE BARBARONES.
The indie wave was followed by another called Indie Music Fest. The premise of this fest was to brought together bands of the underground or so I thought but instead I saw a strange mixture of commercial and non-commercial music. I mean OSTAVA can be viewed as a indie band from a gloval perspective and in the same time as a mainstream band viewed by a local perspective. NEW GENERATION and REVIEW were the two band I wanted to see the most and the two that disappointed me the most. NEW GENERATION had almost nothing to do with the same band prior to 1992. As for REVIEW it's simply not the old REVIEW. The other two bands were LEEPRA DE LUXE that were surprisingly nice and BABYFACE CLAN that to my amazement was the only band that I truly liked that evening and sometimes I'm hard to please so that means a lot.
The month ended as loudly as it begun with a concert by the greek hardcore/metal band I WANT YOU DEAD with support from F.A.Y.D. and SDX. First of all let me tell you this: SDX suck big time. Second F.A.Y.D. were quiet good (gotta keep an eye for them in the future). And third I wasn't expecting the greeks to be that good. But they are. Their combination of hardcore and metal won't leave you inert.
And the very last show for 2010 was a punk/ska with the youngsters юВка, JUNK YARD, TOY LETTERS and OGI 23. It was fun and a nice ending to a year full of great shows. I only wonder could it get any better than this?
