Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

ons ale fri, 2/9 @ 10am

The roots of Against Me!'s rousing punk-folk sound lie in Tom Gabel's guitar-and-stool troubadour ship around his native Gainesville, FL, beginning in 1997. The then 17-year-old Gabel performed as a solo act wherever anyone would have him, drawing much influence from early acoustic protest music. The band around him would eventually solidify by 2001 — including guitarist James Bowman, drummer Warren Oakes, and bassist Andrew Seward — and get considerably louder as punk bands often do.

But there would always be some anarchism and Billy Bragg in the raucous braggadocio. After a few initial 12" and 7" releases, Against Me! issued the fan-favorite ‘Reinventing Axl Rose’ in 2002. The underground hit blended elements of punk, folk, and country into socially conscious and impassioned anthems for late-night basement shows and bars.

It's unclear how the vinyl sliver was able to effectively harness the sonic fury that the Riverboat Gamblers legendary UNT house party live act had become; nevertheless, an instant classic was born. The Riverboat Gamblers rocked their way out of the university town of Denton, TX, in September 2001 with the “Jenna Is a No Show “7”. Extensive touring commenced in summer of that year, logging time with MC5, Burning Brides and Flogging Molly along the way. The Riverboat Gamblers signed with Volcom Entertainment in April 2005, spent time on the summer's Warped Tour, and released To the Confusion of Our Enemies in April 2006.