Hot Water Music/ Thursday/Paint it Black @ Terminal 5 NYC, review, photos

Photos by Ryan Krueger



The spirit of punk rock was alive on July 12, 2008, a momentous day in the city that never sleeps, that hosted one of the best days of music in NYC this summer. Alkaline Trio and American Steel played The Fillmore at Irving Plaza, Trash Talk was at Knitting Factory, F Yeah Fest with Circle Jerks, Dillinger 4, Matt and Kim, and other was at Highline Ballroom, and Hot Water Music, Thursday, and Paint it Black were at Terminal 5, where I was for the evening. Oh, and Bon Jovi was about 16 blocks away playing the free Major League Baseball All-Star Concert at Central Park.

My first time at Terminal 5 proved to be fun, despite the poor sound and mediocre, unenthusiastic crowd during Thursday’s set, maybe it was the sound or that most folks came for Hot Water Music. As I stepped into the venue at 7pm, door time, the venue seemed empty. The floor space is huge, and there are three levels, which give you a nice view of the venue and monitors to see the show. I was snuggled tucked on the right side on the barricade for most of the show with a great view.

Paint it Black from Philly was a fun hardcore band and a nice way to open up the show. Though I’m unfamiliar with their music I enjoyed them and they had a good amount of energy. I just wish I could hear the vocals. The singer explained mostly every song of the set, speaking with such passion. A few of the songs were political and about war. He also dedicated a song to the vegans and vegetarians and went into the crowd a few times, noting how he was going to kill himself over the size of the venue. Overall, tight set.

My friend and I anticipated seeing Thursday, a band dear and near to Jersey kids. It was a shame you could barely hear Geoff’s lovely vocals for most of the set. The band kicked it off with “For the workforce drowning,” a typical starter. Then they surprised a few by playing “Between Rupture and Rapture,” “and “Paris in Flames.” They did the two car songs, “The Other Side of the Crash” and “Understanding in a car crash,” which got the crowd moving. Then they toned it down with “Sugar in the Sacrament,” which was nicely done. Geoff announced that the band will be releasing a split with Envy in October and went into a new instrumental song, “In Silence.” “Tomorrow I’ll be You,” was also played to give the fans their money’s worth, as Geoff said. The closer was “Autobiography of a Nation,” a song Geoff said was influenced by Hot Water Music. You could see the outpouring of emotion Geoff showed and his appreciation for playing with one of his influences. The last time Thursday played in NYC was with Rise Against in November 2006, so this was a treat for the local crowd.

I’m not too familiar with Hot Water Music, but they played a tight set that really got the crowd going and by the time they came on there were a ton of people there. They started off with “Remedy” and played a three song encore. I respect the band and they sounded pretty good, even given Terminal 5's poor sound system.

There were other shows going on this night, but it was great that so many people were at this one. Even if it wasn’t the best show, it was fun and a nice night out.

Paint it Black






Thursday














Hot Water Music