Into Another Live Again

More of my crappy pics here.

It's probably been 15 years since I last witnessed Into Another perform at Irving Plaza, and in all that time dudes still haven't figured out how to mosh to them. Yet the audience at the final installment of the East Coast Revelation 25 shows couldn't help but try when the homegrown act started their set with the underground hit, "Underlord."

Eventually, the pit settled into a sinuous ebb and flow befitting the unconventional band. Richie Birkenhead's vocals, still as screechy and polarizing as ever made for the perfect counterbalance to Peter Moses' stadium-worthy guitar tones. Into Another ran through a tight, hour-plus long set that included "Running Into Walls," "Poison Fingers," "While I Die," "T.A.I.L." and "The Other." The closest I came to heaven was when they dove into "William."

The omitted "Two Snowflakes" and "Maritime Murder" were sorely missed, especially baffling since "May I" was included in the Irving Plaza set. Evidently, their performance was fairly different from their show the night before at Saint Vitus Bar.

Rounded out by ex-Ignite guitarist Brian Balchack and bassist Reid Black, Into Another made sure to pay tribute to their late bassist (and ex-Whiplash metaller) Tony Bono. "We want to send a huge wave of love up to Tony," said Birkenhead. Also announced onstage was their four-day East Coast run in December, including a stop at Bowery Ballroom on December 16. I'll be there. And if you need more incentive to join me, check out some reunion footage from the CA Revelation 25 show, as well as Saint Vitus.

Into Another's T.A.I.L. Video

Not a bad way to cap off the night... and get me excited for their October shows. Below is the recently unearthed video for Into Another's "T.A.I.L." Such wonderful weirdness.

Think Into Another will play a longer set at Saint Vitus the night before their headlining spot at Revelation 25? Still can't believe that event is the same weekend as NY Comic Con.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Memes: Rev 25 Edition

One of the worst kept secrets in music circles has been the planning of the East Coast series of concerts celebrating Revelation Records' 25th anniversary. So although the dates, October 11-14, have been in my calendar for months now, the official announcement from the label was made this week. And while speculation about which artists could logistically appear has had many a hardcore kid abuzz, a few new graphics posted on Rev's Facebook page have hinted at Chain of Strength, Texas is the Reason and my beloved Into Another.

But this is a meme culture, so some creative people decided to make up their own. See if you can spot the fakes. And let's get some info about the on-sale date, please.

Shut Up & Listen To... Into Another

Richie Birkenhead's voice is polarizing. Either you love the Underdog/Into Another frontman's falsetto or you find it torturous and grating (like a certain prick I know). Personally, I adore Into Another. They were emo before emo existed — in those days, they were frequently referred to as "post-hardcore" — and they were truly difficult to pigeonhole; managing to gel the members' various interests into a cohesive, eclectic sound. There was Drew Thomas as the mod drummer, the late Tony Bono was their bass player with a metal past, guitarist Peter Moses who added a psychedelic tinge and some of the prettiest tones ever heard, and, of course, Birkenhead brought the vegan hotness.

Though completely different from one another upon sight, the foursome made it work by creating music that reflected their personalities but defied all boundaries and categories. After three official albums (plus the record only released in Germany) and a handful of EPs, Into Another succumb to the curse of Hollywood Records and split up. And to date, they remain the only band whose logo I'd readily tattoo on my body—if only because they wrote my favorite song of all time ("Two Snowflakes").

Recently, it was announced that Into Another would be performing at one of the Revelation Records anniversary shows in California, with murmurs that they'd be adding an East Coast date to the mix. Good? Sure. But rumors that Moses will not be joining them dampens things as his guitar sound is so unique.

Love 'em or hate em? Can't know unless you try. Shut up and listen to Into Another.