In a truly inspired tour pairing, two of the indie punk, alt rock, and post-hardcore scene’s most eclectic and critically beloved breakout acts, both of which bear a strong sonic influence from the ’90s, and find an incredible balance between raw and heavy intensity and melodic resonance, England’s Basement and Philadelphia’s Nothing, are set to bring their co-headlining tour to Exit/In tonight, May 22. Both bands released excellent new albums last year, and, while similar in many respects, both land in particularly distinct and constantly evolving musical territory. Fans of shoegaze, noise rock, indie, punk, and hardcore will want to make this show, which also includes buzzy Florida punk and hardcore up and comers Gouge Away, a priority, and tickets are still available right here while they last! Read on for more about the show.
BASEMENT
Formed a decade ago in Ipswich, England, out of the ashes of a prior pop punk project, alt/punk/post-hardcore rockers Basement first rose to prominence just as underground indie punk and post-hardcore was having something of a critical boom, amassing widespread attention for their debut full-length, I Wish I Could Stay Here, in 2011, and subsequently touring around the globe with peers like Superheaven. Seemingly just as they hit their stride, following the release of their critically beloved, unbelievable 2012 effort Colourmeinkindness, however, the band abruptly broke up in order to finish school and fulfill various other personal commitments, leaving us (and much of the planet) mourning their premature demise. Just over a year later, however, Basement began hinting of a return, and by 2014 began to tour once more, giving way to an excellent new LP, Promise Everything, in 2016, and increasingly high-profile attention and tours. Pulling influence from melodic hardcore, ’90s emo, alternative rock, noise rock, and punk, Basement’s sound is unparalleled, a perfect homogenization of the best parts of multiple styles, and their thematic focus, delivery, and presentation puts them leagues ahead of most of their peers, transcendent of the scene that surrounds them. As they’ve attracted a massively loyal following in recent years, as well as matured creatively throughout their second wind, Basement have seen something of an unexpected crossover into mainstream success, nabbing a deal with tastemaking label Fueled By Ramen ahead of last year’s honed, earnest, and resonant fourth album Beside Myself, and even landing tours with huge acts like Weezer and the Pixies. They’ve been no strangers to Nashville in recent years, but every Basement show we’ve seen has been thrilling and unique, and, especially now that they’re such a seasoned live outfit, we highly recommend catching them in person!
NOTHING
Philadelphia rockers Nothing are among the best at way they do, harkening back to classic shoegaze with modern indie and noise rock tendencies, all the while cranking things up unbelievably loud to help reinforce their weighty, emotionally dense thematic focus. More tragedy and misfortune has befallen this band, and specifically singer Domenic Palermo, than most anyone should be able to reasonably endure, but, throughout struggles, they’ve only found more fuel for their trio of fantastic LPs and string of EPs. Formerly the vocalist of punk group Horror Show, Palermo did a stint in jail for aggravated assault (self-dense), briefly taking a break from music before fronting Nothing. While on tour, he was mugged and badly injured, their label, apparently funded by the infamous Martin Shkreli, folded, and his father abruptly passed away, all in a short span of time. Pretty heavy, huh? Whether music is their coping mechanism or just a necessity, Nothing play with an urgency and sense of endurance few bands can match, and their live show is intense, to say the least. With last year’s Dance on the Blacktop, produced by the legendary John Agnello, and written in the aftermath of Palermo’s diagnosis with CTE, the band, after touring the world with a host of legendary acts and becoming an unlikely festival staple, maintain every ounce of intensity and weight, navigating themes of depression, anxiety, paranoia, and the confusion and pain that accompany their frontman’s diagnosis. A bleak and raw counter to Basement, Nothing’s long-overdue return to Nashville alone makes this show a must-see.
GOUGE AWAY
Rising stars of the punk and hardcore scene, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida’s Gouge Away only formed in 2012, but have already received widespread acclaim for their first two albums, 2016’s , Dies, and last year’s Burnt Sugar. Anchored by dynamic vocalist Christina Michelle, the band found an early fan in Touché Amoré’s Jeremy Bolm, soon touring with the group, before early runs with the likes of G.L.O.S.S. and Paint It Black. After nabbing a deal with Deathwish Inc., the band recruited Bolm to co-produce their sophomore effort, with mixing from Deafheaven’s Jack Shirley, landing them on numerous year-end lists last year, and ongoing touring with bands like Drug Church. Hard-hitting, old school in their hardcore, post-hardcore, and noise rock influences, and socially and politically conscious, Gouge Away are a must-know rising act for fans of heavier punk, and are a great sonic compliment to this bill more than up to the task of warming up the stage; don’t be late!
Basement, Nothing, and Gouge Away will perform tonight, May 22 at Exit/In. The show is 18+, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $25.
