Murphy’s Law, Yuppicide, JennCity Rocks Off Boat Cruise NY, NY 7/19/14 (SHOW REVIEW)

Punk rock works best when emotions are heavily involved. It is why teens gravitate to it. The simple aggressive structure allows for a release that they may not otherwise know how to express. Growing up instills even more complex, strong emotions and a scene that you helped build can be a comforting return point. Such was the case for Jimmy Gestapo the face of Murphy’s Law for the last 34 years who is going through a difficult time in his life with the recent loss of his father. Support and positive vibes were abound on this night and those emotions are what tie scenes like this (and countless others) together all across the world.

murphylawposterBefore the headliners played, the air was clear (as East River air can be) and sunset gorgeous for a boozy cruise around lower Manhattan. JennCity the new group fronted by Jennifer Arroyo (Kitty, Suicide City) began playing while the boat was still docked on the Lower East Side as older punks filed aboard. The outfit played an engaging mix of grimy groovy metal mixed with punk and hardcore flashes but the crowd was just getting fired up when their opening set ended.

The Brooklyn based Yuppicide, long dormant, have been reinvigorated as of late and played an energetic set. Their classic stomper “Fistfull of Credit Cards” opened things as the band slammed through their songs focusing on their recent American Oblivion EP. The group is back playing with a ferocity that is exhilarating, exemplified by Steve Karp’s solos flying off the fretboard. Never afraid to speak their mind or incorporate art into their sets frontman Jesse Jones started out in a a full Mr. Goodbody costume only to unmask mid-set into head to toe black skeletal body paint.

When the headliners took the stage it was almost impossible to see them as the pit grew in intensity (even having pieces of ceiling knocked out in the ruckus) but sound was never an issue as all floors of the boat had pristine speakers blaring the chaos for Murphy’s Law set. Dealing with those before mentioned emotions, Gestapo gave a verbal hug to the hardcore family on the ship via honest speeches, singalongs and screaming vocals. Old shout outs like “Beer” and “Care Bear” sent the crowd into a frenzy but it was the deep grooves of “Ska Song” that segued into “Skin Head Girl” which were the set highlight. Longtime sax player Raven gorgeously extended the music as the group moved through various sections allowing the drum and bass team of Vinny Empanada and Dug Donohoe to get loose. When the boat returned to dock, the party continued long into the LES night as a celebratory vibe stuck around clear until morning.

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