Fucked Up – Live (December 15th, 2007)

Just in case you haven’t had enough of Christmas, and refuse to get back into the swing of things in 2008, I bring you a review of Toronto hardcore annihilators Fucked Up’s in store performance at Sonic Boom which was followed by a surprise show at Adrift Skate Shop/park in the Kensington Market later that night.

Fucked Up’s throat Mr. Damian aka Pink Eyes dawned a Santa Claus suit and posed for photos for all who purchased the David Christmas 7 inch. Nearly all proceeds from the sale of the record were being donated to the George Herman House, which is a transitional housing and life skills program that supports women who are living with mental health issues. The B side to the seven inch has a remix to the title track, which has the band collaborating with artists such as James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), Cole (Black Lips), Davey Havok (AFI), Kevin Peterson (What’s Your Rupture?), Faris Rotter (The Horrors), Mike Fellows (Rites Of Spring), Matt Sweeney (Chavez/ Zwan), Dave One (Chromeo), Jacob Thiele (The Faint), Morag and Ursula, Jay Reatard, Dan Romano (Attack In Black), Trevor Keith (Face To Face), Jason Green (Panthers/ Orchid), Jerry A. (Poison Idea), Shenae Grimes (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Scott Vogel (Terror) and Nelly Furtado.

When Fucked Up took the stage with Pink Eyes still in his Santa outfit, and the band in elf costumes the holiday spirit filled Sonic Boom’s basement. The band instantly broke into Fear, and the crowd got crazy.

There were even guest appearances at the show by none other than Sloan’s Chris Murphy who showed the Fucked Up crowd that he could throw down with some punk rock. He screamed three songs with the band. The first I could not recognize over the mayhem, followed by Bad Religion’s Latch Keys Kids, and Black Flag’s Depression. Truly a unique moment at the show, for sure.

Pink Eyes returned to the stage and Fucked Up ripped out two more songs, and announced the secret show at Adrift Skate Shop/Park later that evening. In the end sweat poured, fake snow was thrown, Chris Murphy got hardcore, and money was raised for a good cause. Is that not what the holidays are all about?

Adrift Skate Shop was the scene of the next Fucked Up appearance of the day. The show took place in the back where the skate park is located. The beer was selling in the back and there was a positive energy among the crowd. This was my first show at the park, and felt like it was going to be a good one.

I walked in as Quest For Fire was playing. I was told they were made up of members from the Deadly Snakes (R.I.P). They had a real guitar driven sound, which reminded me of Sound Garden with more relaxed vocals.

The next band which played was from Detroit and was called TYVEK. They played a raw kind of Elvis Costello inspired punk rock. I was standing at the front and couldn’t really hear them well, so I will stop right there.

Next up was Fucked Up to perform for the second time that day. They did what they do best, and the entire floor turned into an ever-evolving circle pit. Fucked Up played through their set and left it up to the crowd to decide the final song. Black Flag’s Nervous Breakdown was the winner and Pink Eyes handed over the mic to anyone who felt like being Keith Morris. What a show, and there is nothing like getting Fucked Up all day!