Hot Water Music – Retrospective Vol. 2
The second edition of our Hot Water Music retrospective focuses on the year 2000 “No Division Tour” in Europe which had the Gainesville, FL outfit team up with Germany’s Muff Potter. No disrespect to pre and post eras, but as far as I am concerned the 1999 release of “No Division” marked Hot Water Music’s artistic peak, both studio-wise and in terms of live energy. While many consider “Forever and Counting” their strongest offering, I beg to differ and give my vote to its successor. It was when “No Division” hit the streets that everything about this band was smoking hot, resulting in sold out and completely nuts live shows across the country. Even if it sounds cliché, in 2000 there was a certain honesty in their performances and songs that seemed not so staged, but real. These shows were not just a routine that repeats itself night after night. I am not the type known for living in the past, but I kind of wish I could turn back time for a night or two because the way that these boys delivered remains unmatched to this very day. It was one of those moments in time that you wish would never change and last forever. Below are impressions from said tour including a few thoughts and memories by Nagel of Muff Potter and Joe Readel.
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Zs
Brooklyn based Zs have always been one of my favorites bands to shoot since I moved to New York City. They are an inspiration to use cameras in a way one would have never thought about before. Below is a variety of Zs shows (((unartig))) managed to document on tape, as well as an introduction by the great Hank Shteamer of STATS, Stay Fucked and Aa (BIG A little a) fame. Zs recordings are available via The Social Registry.
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Absolution
2008, a crazy year for live music in New York City. So many memorable shows, so much energy. Fueling this notion as a key player was the mighty Absolution. After 20 years, Gavin and Djinji brought their legendary 80’s hardcore outfit back to the stage. For me these were probably the most highly anticipated shows since Underdog destroyed at CBGB’s back in 2006. Luckily Absolution did the very same at the Knitting Factory. Ripping through their back catalog like it was still 1988, they nothing short of killed it. (((unartig))) is proud to present footage from both the August and December shows as well as an outstanding recollection from Djinji Brown, singer for Absolution. Enjoy!
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One Big Crowd – A tribute to the legendary A7 club
Saturday December 6th, 2008, Complete Control NYC & Guillotine presented One Big Crowd: A tribute to the legendary A7 club @ The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street, NYC. (((unartig))) was there to capture the event for you. Below are clips and full sets of all the bands we caught on camera, plus a recollection by Jeff Terranova of Up Front/Smorgasboard Records fame. Antidote and Urban Waste contributed exclusive blurps. Enjoy!
[Drew Stone – Antidote]
Vary rarely in life can you go back and make something right that for a long time was so very, very wrong. In another words sometimes you can “Reheat the soufflé”. The Antidote set at the A7 reunion show Dec. 6th at the Knitting Factory in NYC was one of those amazing rare times in life.
17 years ago Antidote broke up in a horrible haze of drugs, alcohol and all around bad feelings. The band just bottomed out and it was time to move on. When I finally walked away from the band I was able to get on with my life and among other things become a fairly successful film producer / director. Eventually everyone in the band (with one notable exception) got clean and sober as well.
When we were asked to play the A7 “reunion” show I was somewhat skeptical. Does anyone give a shit about this band at this point? Would there be people there? Was it going to be worth the hassle of pulling it together and rehearsing for the show? These questions and more were swiftly answered as soon as we set foot on the stage of the Knitting Factory that night. Incredibly the place was packed to the rafters with people and the energy was palatable. It was obvious that Antidote was one of the bands that the kids came to see. As soon as we hit the first chords to “Life As One” the place exploded and thru the whole set the level of excitement was ratcheted higher and higher. Kids swarmed the stage going crazy and knew all the lyrics to all the songs including The High & The Mighty songs that we played. It was a very surreal moment and best of all there was an element that the band didn’t have for the last few years of it’s existence……It was a lot of fun.
To be able to get on stage 17 years later and bust it “Antidote style” clean and sober was and will always be a great moment in my life. I am forever grateful to the kids who came out to the show and represented as well as Torsten who had the insight to film the set. Thanks to him this special moment will now live forever thru the magic of the internet for all to see. I must mention the promoter Bryan Swirsky who busted his ass and took way too much abuse but in the end did an incredible job pulling it all together. However the greatest praise is reserved for my band-mates REA, Zum and The Nunz who truly rose to the occasion many years and lifetimes later and fuckin “Crushed it Antidote style”.
Yes my friend sometimes you CAN go back and “Reheat the soufflé”
Be true to yourself.
Drew Stone | Antidote – Vocals | N.Y.C. May 2009
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Hot Water Music – Retrospective Vol. 1
Welcome to Volume 1 of our Hot Water Music video retrospective. Each installment will feature exclusive liner notes, blurbs and of course a shit ton of original video footage. This edition highlights the first two European tours in 1998 and 1999. Especially the 1998 endeavor was overshadowed by plenty of drama, leading to a temporary mid tour break up. Luckily Chuck, Jason, George and Chris could be convinced to finish the tour. Amongst the last performances of 1998 were some of the most memorable and emotionally charged shows I have seen this band play, as the videos below hopefully convey.
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UNARTIG 
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