Outlaw Order
Jun 06  2010

The night was humid, with a slight calming breeze. The moon was full, illuminating the sky, painting the setting for a night in the quarter. Amid the dark empty streets approached the banter of cheering voices and horns of a jazz band blaring from Jackson Square. The Zulu floats all stood towering over the crowd, dancing. Mardi Gras beads and drinks could be seen from a mile away. Shuffling past the gathering we approached One Eyed Jacks, the site of tonight’s entertainment. Fans gathered outside the venue, talking while sipping beers and inhaling cigarette smoke. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood, calm but in lively spirit. With shirts supporting the scene and beyond intact, bands like Graveyard Rodeo, Arson Anthem, Black Flag, Burzum and many more were scattered through out the crowd proving once again the diversity that Outlaw Order and the other bands draw.

            Punks & metal heads alike lured inside the venue when opening band Face First hit the stage. Face First is a local favorite band, and after seeing there set, there isn’t a doubt in anyone’s eye as to why. There ferocity is captured when pummeling the audience with old school hardcore riffs and vocals, matched with heavy percussion.
The room became a who’s who in the Nola underground. Pepper Keenan showed up, and I raised my drink for a cheers with him. Following that I saw members of  The Pallbearers in the pit stirring up chaos. Jimmy Bower was hanging out with fans and band members enjoying the punk rock that was being slammed out onstage. Even Phil Anselmo could be seen in the balcony above nodding his head in approval.

            Face First seemed to blend the stylings of Discharge, D.R.I., and early thrash metal. After the first set, I stepped back to the bar. One Eyed Jacks makes some of the best drinks in town, and the bartenders are always courteous and have smiles on there faces. Up next was Memphis shredder Evil Army. This band has made quite a dent in the metal community in this past year; they work hard and it shows. Recently signed with Phil Anselmo’s Housecore Records, it’s only a matter of time until this best kept secret in the underground achieves international acclaim. Firing into Edge of Destruction, from there self titled release, Evil Army brings all of the elements we love of early thrash and make it there own. Rob Evil delivered every solo and lyrical grunt to perfection and the band is very tight live. Fans of early Metallica, Slayer, and Bathory will enjoy this band.
They are so young, and they can blow away a lot of other bands trying to imitate this particular style that they play. Fans going to see Nola’s own Down this year will get a chance to see Evil Army, as they are slated to be the tour’s opener. Be ready to head bang until it hurts!

            Finally, the main event... Outlaw Order took the stage with Joey Lacaze making most of the wise cracks for the evening, taunting the audience with his hatred for Guitar Hero and Rock Band. He blurted out obscenities as he stated that some kid is going to go home, upload their songs to rock band, and play the game, verses actually learning a real instrument. The band hammered out tracks from there new album, Dragging Down the Enforcer, on Seasons Mist, a French label who signed the band last year. As mentioned in my review of the Raise the Dead Festival, this band shows a lot of promise. They have endured criticism claiming that they sound too much like Eyehategod. But the band members play what they like, and don’t give a damn about what people think. Personally, I feel the members helped define and influence the style of New Orleans metal. So why shouldn’t that be represented in their other projects? This band offers the slow, toned down groves, as well as the hardcore element and grind. Brian Patton is amazing to watch live, as he has a stillness. He doesn’t even seem to watch himself on the frets; his fingers just move and make the notes happen. Mike Williams never stopped moving onstage and broke the mic stand a couple times, screaming “Fuck the NOPD” as a circle pit erupted on the floor of One Eyed Jacks. Pat Bruder (of Crowbar) was back onboard for this show, and did a excellent job. Gary could be seen on the side of the stage rounding out the devastation.

            By the end of the set, people could be seen throwing change and dollar bills to the band as they shouted at us once again to “Give us money”. By the end of the show, everyone exchanged handshakes, hugs, drinks and laughs. Then as quickly as the night began, it ended in the Louisiana fog. One quick drink at 13 in the Marigny, and I was off to Baton Rouge. On my mind, without a doubt, was one of the best shows I have been to.

I’m Ryan McKern,
For Neworleansmusicians.net


For more information on these bands and other events in the city please check out:

www. nolaunderground. com
myspace. com/facefirstignorantassholes
myspace. com/evilarmy
myspace. com/outlaworder