Photo by Tedd Henn
From my perspective, punk died a terrible death in the late eighties and was resurrected in the nineties with a shameless commercial sensibility that I wanted nothing to do with. I wrote punk off as a fleeting moment in history that could never be recaptured. That is until I came across Double Dagger. Finding the video for ‘No Allies’ was like running into a long lost friend that I couldn’t wait to catch up with. Maybe punk never died, maybe I was just cut off from it in the vacuum that is modern suburbia where I spent the latter half of my juvenescence. But for whatever reason, it’s been a long time since I’ve come across the genuine article. I’m glad someone’s still doing it right.
I’ve eaten plenty of ashpalt in my day thanks to the launch ramp and Dogtown Micki Alba deck that my brother handed down to me. One of his best friends also handed me a stack of tapes that included seminal works by influential punk bands including Black Flag’s First Four Years and Loose Nut, the Dead Kennedys’ Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables and several SST Records ‘Blasting Concept’ compilations among others. It was as if he were handing me the fuel I would need to pick myself up after busting my ass day after day. This was the soundtrack to the happiest time in my childhood. And now we can add Double Dagger to that list of legendary bands.
This revolution will not be televised, people. This is What Weekly.
The Big Picture: Double Dagger at The Hexagon A
Double Dagger fan sits triumphantly atop the crowd of frenzied club goers at the Hexagon while the band played music that seems specifically engineered for the cathartic release of pent up male aggression.
Cover photo by Tedd Henn.
Double Dagger at Hexagon
Photo by Tedd Henn
Hardcore music isn’t one of the causes of the world’s problems, it’s the result. It’s shows like this that provide a healthy release for kids who could very well be out on the streets causing real damage.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Photo by Tedd Henn
It appears that singer Nolen Strals felt compelled to get a better look at the crowd on more than one occasion during the show. I’m certain he had an interesting perspective.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Photo by Tedd Henn
You, Sir, are the winner of this week’s prestigious and highly coveted, ‘It Was Pouring Down Rain But You Wouldn’t Let That Stop You From Enjoying Your Tasty Cigarette So You Devised Quite The Innovative Solution’ award. As an ex-smoker I can sympathize with what you’re going through, man.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Photo by Tedd Henn
Kris Hanrahan and Kyle Fritz prove that there’s more to punk shows than sweaty mosh pits. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was tickling him.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Photo by Tedd Henn
The story goes that several times during the show audience members jumped up on stage and stepped on bass player Bruce Willen‘s pedals making it harder to play than it should have been. The band asked the crowd on more than one occasion to give them the space they needed. The way I see it is that if you feel such a driving urge to get on a stage in front of a room full of fans you might want to consider starting your own band, rehearsing your ass off, loading gear in and out of dingy venues in which you may or may not be appreciated and forking over large sums of cash for equipment and recording time. Otherwise, stay off the stage unless invited.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Photo by Tedd Henn
Intimacy is…
Photo by Tedd Henn.
