Crack Horse Robs Hood in Rampant Steakout

Tom Warne, a senior business major, is flailing as he's pushed back and forth. Ten people are in the center, treating his body like a punching bag. As the sounds get louder, he's no longer able to stand. A blow to the ribs brings him down, and he disappears briefly in the nest of revelers.

He looks up from the beer-stained cement at the blue lights wrapped around heating pipes, as 10 hands grab him and yank him to his feet. Then he continues to mosh, with a smile that stretches the hairs on his chin.

Punk, hardcore, and ska lovers all came together at The Crack Horse's CD release party last Saturday. Copies of their new LP, Peace and Quiet, were available for free to everyone who paid the $3 entrance fee. Joining them were Robin and the Hoods, Rampant, and The Steakouts.

The venue, referred to as The Turnaround, is home to a UB student in University Heights who wishes to remain anonymous. The homey atmosphere was a fine capsule for the bands, which claim to prefer playing in a basement regardless of some of the advantages from larger venues.

Logan Noonan, lead singer and guitarist for The Crack Horse and senior philosophy and psychology major, rests under a purple double-mohawk distinctive of a punk frontman. His years of performing have acclimated him to the rush of hectic atmospheres.

"I mean, I like this basement, and we've played in some basements in Michigan that were bada**," Noonan said. "For me, it's so intimate, it's so there, and there's no nonsense. There's no promoters that got to make their quota, there's no bartenders that got to sell beer. It's just kids who come to hear music."

The night started with Robin and the Hoods performing with a powerful thrash that placed folk roots on an already solid punk battalion. Distortion guitar with strong vocals finagled lo-fi speakers as Robin's brassy trumpet cut through with majestic pride.

Following them was Rampant, a hardcore group that kept the energy high through skillful use of switches and diabolical vocals. As newcomers to the venue, they soon became a crowd favorite and whipped up the listeners' intensity.

The Steakouts, the largest group, took the stage next with their three-piece brass section. The audience skanked, whistled, and shoved to this energetic group until sweaty faces shined on musicians and fans alike.

The Crack Horse took over the hot and humid environment with a vengeance after The Steakouts finished their set. Noonan's intensity was a marvel; he left the crowd bruised and wanting more. They delivered with a bone-shattering double encore that kept audience members packed halfway up the staircase.

The bands had little regard for their instruments in the hostile setting. Chadd Froman, singer and guitarist for Robin and the Hoods, was victim to a human projectile during their set.

This is exactly what they're looking for, according to trumpeter Robin Rosecrans.

"We do aim for fun," Rosecrans said. "We want people to dance. We want people to be shovey...It's the energy that comes out of it. Just to know that people enjoy your music."

Hailing from a town with just three traffic lights and a Burger King, these Albion natives made the 60-mile trek to perform in the stuffed basement.

The band didn't care about making the long trip. They just love having fun and the venue's lax policy on alcohol added to the potential insanity.

"The beer on the floor," Rosecrans said. "Everyone dancing and partying just drunker than hell. It's just like a huge party...We love it; it's worth it."

The crowd's energetic moshing remained constant despite the differing genres. Moshing is believed to be too violent by many, but Warne recognizes the lightheartedness of it.

"Everyone just dances, and everyone dancing turns into everyone shoving," Warne said. "Everyone shoving turns into one really positive group of everyone just kinda shovin' each other around."

But moshing does have a sense of camaraderie.

"Soon you connect through all of that violence and energy," said Ben Baran, 25, of Buffalo. "You throw people down and you just bounce right the f*** back up, you don't feel hurt, you feel connected... How does it feel to be a part of it? It feels bloody fantastic."

This is not the first, nor will it be the last show at The Turnaround. This house is a hot spot for the underground punk scene in Buffalo, and it averages two shows per month. Neighbors are informed ahead of time to ensure that the surrounding houses are aware of the events. The homeowner claims that putting these shows together with his/her roommates became easier over time.

The Crack Horse and Robin and the Hoods are currently signed to Aluminum Records, and their music is available for free online.

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com