The hardcore punk scene has always been supportive of one another, with a loyalty spanning even the distance between cities. That ethos will be on full display tonight as a crew of Boston and New York City hardcore punk and metal bands will be throwing down together at The Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge. Crossover acts Leeway and Subzero, hardcore/crust outfit Ache and metal squad Damn Your Eyes will be representing NYC, while Neighborhood Shit (pictured above) and Sick Minds will be standing tall for the 617.
Presented by Original Local Collective, there’s a couple of subplots to the bill worth knowing about. First, it’s going to serve as the release show for Neighborhood Shit, whose latest EP, Draw Line Line, drops today via Crime Wave Records. A less celebratory topic surrounds crossover thrash pioneers Leeway, who are headlining the gig. Frontman Eddie Sutton has been battling lung cancer for the past couple years, and he’s currently in the ring with stage III adenocarcinoma but fighting it back valiantly as he takes the stage here and there. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with his medical expenses, which never a joy to begin with but even harder to navigate for musicians who lack insurance.
Lastly, this isn’t a major package tour traveling across the country like some godforsaken punk rock circus; but there will be a sister show of sorts tomorrow night in Brooklyn at Gold Sounds, with Leeway, Neighborhood Shit and Ache joined by Jersey Shore hardcore punks Kirkby Kiss. NYHC and BHC: united forever.
LEEWAY NYC + SUBZERO + NEIGHBORHOOD SHIT + ACHE + SICK MINDS + DAMN YOUR EYES :: Friday, January 6 at The Middle East Upstairs, 472 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, MA :: 8 p.m., all ages, $20 :: Event page :: Advance tickets