Back when I was restricted to all-ages shows, I remember the anticipation and excitement before a show. Strictly all-ages venues (or all-ages shows for that matter) have long been scarce to young music lovers, and I think that's why the energy surrounding them is always so lively and exhilarating. Kids would move, dance, shove, yell, and the occasional circle pit wasn't an uncommon sight. This activity wasn't limited to hardcore, punk or metal shows—one was as likely to encounter this at an acoustic open mic night.
These Arms Are Snakes, DD/MM/YYY and Constant Lovers delivered an awesome, forceful performance worthy of this kind of enthusiasm. Wrapping up a national tour, The Vera Project was TAAS' final stop and their homecoming show. Not only did they give a sweaty, dramatic performance as expected, TAAS demonstrated their mastery of producing abrasive, rhythmic, noisy, and melodic rock.
You couldn't have guessed it from the crowds' response, though. With the kind of energy These Arms Are Snakes are know to exude and precipitate, I had expected to encounter at least one accidental bloody nose from a stray elbow, but I don't think anyone even got their toes stepped on. At one point near the front of the stage, I was tapped on the shoulder: "Dude, you're standing in my way." Seattle must have passed a no-dance ordinance I was unaware of. Next time I'm at a TAAS show, I'd prefer to be bulldozed by a feverish crowd.
