"Dear NYC - Rorschach owned you." - Dawn Geary

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Chloe Rice

As part of their short burst of reunion tour dates, Rorschach played TWO NYC shows on Friday night (9/25). The first was at Santos Party House with Celebrity Murders (their last show EVER) and The Degenerics.

It was an early show for a Friday. Santos was packed to the gills, which was amazing to see when I arrived at 9:15 - a testament to the legacy that Rorschach left. The openers had already played, and Rorschach were 15 minutes into their hour-or-so set. The water-tight NJ band were barreling through their classics with unmatched precision. They played like they'd been on the road for 16 years, not dormant as they actually have been. Precision start-stops, wild guitar/bass swings while delivering killer riffs, and tons of energy. This is how all reunions should be.

Not only was it a fantastic performance, the energy in the crowd was palpable. Even Ted Leo got into the proceedings. To kick off the encore, Ted joined the band for a cover of the Black Flag classic "My War" before diving into the crowd. (video below). They closed with "Recurring Nightmare 105".

In the course of an hour, Rorschach tore through nearly every single song they knew. "It's so awesome you're doing this!" screamed one of the faces in the crowd.

It was clear throughout the evening what a special occasion this was for a band whose name has been dropped countless times since their breakup but who received little fanfare during their brief existence.

"If I thanked everyone in this room for the support they've given us," said Maggio in a rare break between songs, "we'd have to cut the set off right now." [Grudge City Activities]

This show was one for the record books, and was only matched by what would happen later that night across the river at The Charleston (pics & review of that one coming soon).

The above-mentioned video, and pictures of Celebrity Murders and Rorschach (we completely missed The Degenerics), below...

Continue reading "Rorschach (and Ted Leo), Celebrity Murders & The Degenerics @ Santos Party House in NYC - pics, video "

by Black Bubblegum

Charles Maggio of Rorschach

June 1993 at ABC No Rio with Assuck & Scrog.

That's the last time that the mighty Rorschach blessed NYC. The band called it quits shortly after, splintering into projects like Gern Blandsten Records, Beautiful Skin, Deadguy, Kiss It Goodbye, and tons more, but those great successes only highlighted an undeniable fact: Rorschach were innovative and before their time.

After deciding to reunite earlier this year in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Remain Sedate LP, Rorschach announced a short east coast tour. The band is currently in the midst of that tour, which impacts Asbury Park in their native New Jersey tonight (9/24) and Santos Party House TOMORROW (9/25, tix here).

We spoke with the mighty Charles Maggio (Vocals, owner Gern Blandsten Records) to get to the bottom of the reunion and what we can expect going forward....

Continue reading "an interview w/ Charles Maggio of Rorschach (who are in the middle of their short run of reunion dates)"

by Black Bubblegum

"I would imagine the RORSCHACH reunion shows also deserve a mention" - [BV commenter frosty]

Charles Maggio of Rorschach circa early 1990s

Rorschach was a New Jersey-based band that existed from 1989 to 1993. The group often blended hardcore punk and dissonant elements of metal providing the inspiration to a number of hardcore and post hardcore bands thereafter.

The first release by the band, Remain Sedate, shows the band's sound at a stage when they played fast, heavy hardcore with a metal slant and raspy hardcore vocals. At this time they also drew heavy comparisons to Die Kreuzen for their bizarre chord progressions and Charles Maggio's unearthly howl. However, as the band progressed, they developed a slower, more sinister, sludge sound that was influenced by fellow New York band the Swans. Additionally, the vocals developed into high-pitched, tortured screaming rather than shouting, due in part to voice problems Maggio was experiencing at the time. This change in sound can be heard primarily on their second full-length release, Protestant. Shortly after issuing this album, the group disbanded, some members eventually joining Deadguy. - [Wiki]

As rumored and discussed, Rorschach WILL reunite. According to the frosty-linked post in the livewire message board, the shows will take place September 23 - 27 in "Boston, NY, NJ, D.C. and Philly". Guitarist Nick Forte confirms to Lambgoat that "all original members will be involved". The message board also says "all original roadies". Stay tuned for more details.

Also of note, Charles Maggio went on to found Gern Blandsten Records, one time home to Chisel, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Van Pelt, Dalek, Garden Variety, Radio 4, and many others.

The Van Pelt reunited for a show at SXSW, AND for one happening this Saturday in Brooklyn as part of the Northside Festival. The Brooklyn show, that the band curated, is at Coco66 and also includes Ghost Gamblers, The Holy Childhood, and Beats Antique on the bill. The entire Northside Fest kicks off today (6/11).

Other recently announced reunions: 1.6 Band and Errortype:11.

Rorschach videos below...

Continue reading "Rorschach playing reunion shows soon ++ Van Pelt Saturday"