Gouge Away at El Cid in Los Angeles – Live Review

If you had asked me where I think a hardcore show could happen, the last place I would think of would be El Cid on Sunset Blvd in Silverlake. But here we are, walking down flights of stairs to get to the restaurant and room where Florida’s Gouge Away return to the Los Angeles for the first time since Sound & Fury Festival, this time for their own headlining tour with Initiate, as well as Cold Gawd. The venue itself is an interesting choice, as it’s mainly been for more flamboyant based acts to grace its small stage. But dive venues are perfect for a night that encapsulates hardcore, shoegaze, and straight up hardcore.

Starting the night off was Cold Gawd, an eclectic shoegaze band that was really big on fuzzy distorted guitars and huge tones. The crowd was super appreciative of them, and glad to see a little bit different style of opener. Being largely diverse musically is really big in the hardcore scene, even when a band doesn’t give off that hardcore vibe. But the energy is still their regardless of stage dives. Sometimes you gotta feel the vibe.

Next up was California’s Initiate. A line-up of musicians from all over the state of California, fronted by Crystal Pak’s ferocious vocals and a solid band that kicks out the jams and got the crowd really moving and engaging with Pak every step of the way. The band kicked off their set with a self titled intro into “Transparency.” The band brings searing guitar and a tight rhythm section that kicks into high gear, and really brings the noise. The band even pulled out a great cover of the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Zero.” Definitely a can’t miss band.

Florida is a breeding ground for bands that push the envelope. Gouge Away, hailing from Ft. Lauderdale, brings a fresh version of an amalgamation of indie / shoegaze / hardcore music and brings it together like a fireball needing to be set ablaze onto the world. The crowd was super hyped once they started their set with the songs “Maybe Blue” right into “Only Friend.” Christina Michelle is a force onstage. Bringing an almost L7 style of energy onstage into a cutesy package, but mainly spitting piss and vinegar until the set winds down to something melancholy and less chaotic. She truly does it all. Crowd surfing and a small packed out room are all you need in this genre bending style of music. Gouge Away will be on some bigger shows sometime soon. Bands like this are destined to be bigger than you know them as today. Count on it.

Check out our favorite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

GOUGE AWAY

INITIATE

COLD GAWD

All Photo Credit: John McCrary