Brooklyn Monarch unofficially turned into the P.W.A.C. on Saturday (12/2) with an all-day, seven-band show made up primarily of rare reunion sets by bands from in and around the ’90s Long Island hardcore scene: Silent Majority, Indecision, Mind Over Matter, Milhouse, CR, Cleanser, and an opening set from younger, newer band Autumn Rhythm who went on at 3:30 PM.
Cleanser, who just put their late ’90s sophomore album Monster… With Eyes of a Boy on streaming services for the very first time a few weeks ago, were the first of the many ’90s-era Long Island bands, and they played songs that stretched back to their ’95 demo. They had former/longtime Glassjaw guitarist Todd Weinstock in the band, plenty of good stage banter from vocalist (and one of NY’s busiest show promoters) Christian McKnight–including the first of many shoutouts to Long Island-based show booker John Scanlon, who put together this show–and got people moshing before dinner time.
Then it was the highly entertaining Staten Island powerviolence crew C.R., followed by Milhouse, the chaotic, impossible-to-pin-down band that released a split with C.R. in ’97. Milhouse vocalist Artie Philie played about half the set in a ski mask with an upside down cross on it and a white button-down dress shirt (that he later took off to reveal a vintage-looking Jaws tank top), perfectly suiting the provocative absurdity of the music and banter.
Milhouse were the first of three bands with Mind Over Matter‘s Scott Martin on bass–who Mind Over Matter’s Arty Shepherd joked is “apparently the only bassist on Long Island”–and up next were Mind Over Matter themselves. George Reynolds introduced the set by saying “we’re gonna do it, and we’re gonna do it right,” and they put on a totally mesmerizing set that lived up right to George’s promise. They had no lack of moshy shoutalongs, but also plenty of parts you could really get lost in. Brooklyn metalcore ass-beaters Indecision were up next, and they definitely had moshy shoutalongs. They tore the place apart.
Silent Majority wrapped things up (by the 9 PM curfew), and they were everything you’d hope for. The place was packed, everyone was going nuts, and for a band who’s only played five other shows in the past seven years, they were super energetic and tight. A painting of late SM guitarist Rich Jacovina was on stage all night, with multiple bands paying tribute to him, and in his place was Joey Saccente of Tommy Corrigan’s post-SM band Capital, who was smiling and singing along with Tommy as much as everyone in the crowd. Classic SM members Ryan Heyner (also of more recent project Small Black) and Ben VanDyke (currently of SAVAK) rounded out the lineup on guitar and drums respectively, and the whole band really gelled and felt like a powerful, present force, not just an act of nostalgia. Silent Majority had already been one of the most underrated and influential bands out of Long Island since the early 2000s, when the bands they paved the way for blew up on an international level, and with the new reissue, rising new bands like Koyo singing their praises, and awesome shows like this Monarch gig, it feels like we’re in the midst of a true Silent Majority renaissance.
Watch video of SM’s full set and some other clips from the show:
