This blog is going to be a little different--meaning quite a bit different. A good friend of mine who is also passionate about both music and writing, Imelia, will be writing this. So, I leave this post in her capable hands as I continue working on my backlog of blogs and other projects. See you all soon.
I have decided to keep my introduction brief. I am not the focus of this article by any means, though I figured an introduction and explanation for the absence of your usual author would be necessary.
My name is Imelia Saunders. I was born in Phoenix, AZ, and have spent the majority of my life in this state. I moved to Flagstaff in August of 2021, where I was only more recently introduced to the music scene here. I’ve always had a passion for music as well as writing. I have asked to join forces with Foster on this blog as a way to further explore all that local music has to offer.
If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at [ imelia.saunders@gmail.com ] or on Instagram.
This was my first time seeing a show at The Museum of Contemporary Arts Flagstaff, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with this introduction. The main room of MOCAF was permeated by the cold air creeping in from the late-December night outside, only disrupted by a ray of warmth from the single heater hanging above us. We took turns trying to warm ourselves beneath it, huddled in small rotating groups and holding our hands above us in an attempt to thaw our cold fingers. However chilly, I found this setting quite appropriate for the night’s activities, which would soon enough bring more warmth into the building.
Going into this show, I knew it would not be like others I had previously attended–a promise that was well-kept. The proceeds from ticket sales were being donated to charities benefitting the people of Palestine. I was pleased to see a good amount of like-minded individuals filling the venue in support of local music and Gaza.
The three charities benefitting from this show include Anera, Palestine Children’s Relief Foundation (PCRF), and Doctors Without Borders (in support of Gaza). If you would like to donate directly to any of these charities, visit the following links:
Anera is an organization determined to provide humanitarian assistance and sustainable development to refugees in communities in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Palestine Children’s Relief Foundation provides free medical care for sick and injured children affected by the on-going conflicts in Palestine regardless of nationality or religion.
Doctors Without Borders provides access to medical care to the people of Gaza while also advocating for the protection of medical facilities and personnel as well as ceasefire.
A short-lived hush fell over the crowd as Cohen and Nathan of Foisopod took to the front. After a moment of the band members adjusting themselves to their respective instruments under the gaze of the silent spectators, sound kicked in. Immediately, the crowd erupted and a few eager punks pushed to the center. They began gradually moving around in a blender-like motion until a full-blown mosh pit formed.
Needless to say, the music was loud with a palpable sense of frustration and fury. Cohen's guitar and Nathan's drums were perfectly in sync with each other, playing to match the rhythm of the audience. Cries for Palestine to be free were sandwiched in each gap between songs. After the show had ended, Foisopod announced that this had been their last performance and, thus, my first time seeing them happened to be my last.
Next to take the stage was No Wrong, another band I would be seeing for the first time. The sound wailed from the band as cute cat videos were projected behind them, a comical visual and audial contrast. The band was clean chaos--Greyson's wooshing bark, Joan's pumping riffs, and AJ's loose snare. Each played madly while still maintaining harmony with their bandmates. Nate toyed with the audience, dipping into the outskirts of the ever-moving pit. Their songs were like swift kicks, short yet powerful.
During this set, I found the audience to be just as much fun to observe as the band itself, each party perfectly complimenting the other. The pit was filled with more bodies swinging wildly in constant circular motion. Even I was left dodging fists and kicks.
The crowning jewel of the evening took the stage last. I had seen tokillafly about two or three times before and consistently enjoyed their performances. This show did not let me down and, in many ways, exceeded my expectations. They began their set with a more mellow song, taking a departure from their usual sound which came as a bit of a shock. The song came to a halt, then bursted into an explosion of classic tokillafly sound.
Their songs raced with Kaden's bolt cutter guitar, scraping and chugging while never once losing time. Rio's drums pounded like a relentless hammer to nails, securing their structure of concentrated gutter-noise. Somehow, they give the feeling of classic, hardcore punk while treading into new territories of sound that many have not explored. Some things about the band remained consistent such as Dazey’s emotional performance. Watching Dazey perform is similar to watching a tragedy. Through her screams of anguish, it feels as though you can hear a whole story unfold through the powerful twists in expressions. These stories have never once failed to move me.
There were a few noticeable changes to the band, however. tokillafly seems to have rapidly progressed and improved, developing a rather unique sound. I only recently had the pleasure of seeing them live for the first time. In the few months I have known them, though, I have seen them achieve new heights that tend to take years to reach. If you get the chance to see tokillafly perform live, don’t pass it up. This band promises an entertaining, emotional, and exhilarating show for every member of their audience, whether you find yourself in the center of the pit, or choose to remain a fly on the wall. Stream Bedlum.
Get out there, support local music, small venues, and up and coming artists. Thank you to Foster for the pleasure of writing for The Greener Side Blog and thank you for reading! I hope to see you all at some more local shows!
-Imelia
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