I approached the gates of Hell and strode confidently up to its two guards, peeking into its dark interior that glowed with hints of red. Apparently I wasn't on the list, and for a minute it looked like I wasn't getting into Monty Are I's sold out homecoming show at Club Hell in Providence. The bouncers cut me some slack, and let me in for 12 bucks. I was turned away at the gates of Hell, but paid my way in.
You'll have to excuse the Hell puns, but not even the band could resist, saying during a radio interview earlier," I love that we're playing there, because when my mom asks 'Where are you playing tonight?' I get to say 'We're playing in Hell, mom!'" It had been a while since Monty Are I, from nearby Cranston, had played in Rhode Island, after recording a new album in a Hollywood studio and some label changes. [1] They were thrilled to be back; at one point the lead singer Steve said "Thank you so much for supporting us, it means a lot to us. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. It's been a bitch being away, but it's good to be home." But was Providence as eager to have them back?
The band's time away has opened up a lot of questions, related to changes in the band’s sound, effects of being on a major label, relevancy of their style of music, interest of listeners/fans, who their fans currently are, any changes to their status as a "local band," and the effect of being away from their home state for so long. This show provided insights to some of these questions, but left others up in the air.
The venue seemed packed at a first glance, with people sitting on the railings of photographer platforms, but once I navigated to the back of the venue, there seemed to be a surprising amount of room. The capacity of Club Hell is around 200, but it seemed like the rain that day might have kept a few people at home. The venue, usually a house/techno club (except for Sunday goth nights) [2], tonight was filled with about an even mix of (almost entirely white) males and females - the males a bit older, mostly ranging from 18-25, whereas most females were around 14-18. There were a large amount of couples at the show, many lingering around the two side bars, drinking. Parents, some still with kids at their side, watched from the back. Supporting act Penrose acknowledged this fact, saying "Let's give it up for parents! If it weren't for your parents... I can't finish that because my parents are in the room." This has become rather common in the emo/post-hardcore scene, due to its young fanbase and their reliance on their parents for some combination of transportation, permission, or money.
Though "post-hardcore" may conjure vivid dress imagery, it is actually not the case. Many older fans are dressed as they would be in a normal bar or club - striped button-ups for guys and nice shirts for girls. The younger end of the crowd was split between a t-shirt and jeans whatever-I-happened-to-be-wearing look, and the slightly harder-trying tight zip-up hoodie and band t-shirt look (or lumberjack type plaid shirt). Monty Are I fell under this section of the dress code as well. In terms of guys' hairstyle, a significant portion had rather long hair, parted to one side - the "emo look." There were a few outliers with mohawks, bandannas, and baggy pants with bondage straps, but overall no one seemed to be trying too hard.
The band opened with "Anchor and Hope" off their most recent album "Wall of People" to uproarious applause. The band's sound features aggressive distorted guitars, high "emo" male vocals, some technically difficult guitar riffs, lots of dynamic changes, and occasional synth samples and horn parts, due to their origins as a ska band [3]. As was the case for most of the show, the front 5 rows were really into it, jumping, raising hands, singing along, starting the occasional small mosh pit, but people further back seemed not to be moving as much. I moved back to investigate to see that most were still interested, taking pictures, singing along, some while nursing drinks. Further back there were kids texting and to the sides older people stuck to the bar, but most of the crowd seemed engaged. The band also took this lack of movement as unusual, Steve saying at one point, "I'm not seeing enough movement, the people in the back aren't feeling it, so all you up in the front gotta help them out. The opportunity is knocking, right now." Fan response to new material was about as good as one could expect for unfamiliar songs, though the sound seems to have changed slightly, both becoming slightly more poppy and at the same time more eclectic, with one song featuring a danceable salsa intro.
Overall, the band's attitude and rapport with the audience was casual, funny, and extremely grateful. In addition to the earlier thanks of support, the band introduced "Just in Time" by saying, "We love playing this live, because we always get to play it for people that really care and connect to it.” However, the audience as a whole did not quite seem to reciprocate this affection. To be certain, there were definitely people who expressed displeasure when the band spoke about their time away (Steve: That guy just gave me the finger, that guys giving me the thumbs down...") and had heard of "Powdered Toast," the band Monty's guitarist had played in with members of Penrose at age 16. But many in attendance seemed to be casual listeners, who, despite constant urging by the band and a great performance, didn't rock out anymore than they did at the beginning. Maybe this means the band has reached a more mainstream audience who don't partake in typical show behavior, or maybe old fans have lost interest after the band's time away.
One thing is for sure, however, despite a major-label deal, time away, and another national tour coming up, the band will always be considered local, hometown favorites. It's inescapable, due to their devoted hardcore fans and even their name alone. Not only does "Are I" abbreviate their home state, "Monty" is the name Cranston High School West's band instructor. [4] The band also cares deeply about putting on a good show for their home state, Tombonist Andrew saying in an interview before the show, "We wouldn't normally practice four hours a day for a month straight, but home shows are special.” [1] The loyalty of old fans, and the commitment of casual fans will be tested with the release of their next record. Some question the music's relevancy: Adam, age 23 and an active member of the post-hardcore scene in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, opined, "It's too bad their music is three years too late." But the band's hard work and focus that went into the new record seems to be a promising investment, with Andrew saying, "We have really high hopes for this next record and taking a legitimate shot at the 'big time."
References:
[1] http://thephoenix.com/Providence/Music/77221-Interview-Monty-Are-I/
[2] http://www.venuevents.net/event/234
[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Shift
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_(band)
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