The boys are back in town
Prodigal punkers return with a new band, a recording project and some live action
By Chris Jay 07/09/2009
Dave Hall and Michael Carter have long been staples of the area punk scene, and are best known as the founders of Glass and Ashes, arguably the most successful local hardcore band in recent memory. G&A were signed to the prominent indie label No Idea Records, and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, which is why it came as a surprise to many when Hall left the band, on good terms, and moved to Gainesville, Fla.
“I didn’t move to Florida initially,” explains Hall. “I wanted a change. Something different. I ended up in Florida because I knew it was a place with a great punk scene. Our label was from there so I had some friends already, but Young Livers started more by chance as opposed to me going out there specifically to start a band.”
Once in Gainesville, Hall teamed up with drummer Chris Jordan and guitarist and vocalist Matt Farrell, whom he’d previously met and made friends with during a Glass and Ashes tour. Despite not looking to form another band, Hall couldn’t deny the chemistry, and thus the Young Livers were born. Hall and the band set out to take the different elements of their East and West Coast punk roots of their previous bands and create an original sound in the punk genre.
After rotating bass players for the first three years of the band, Hall reached out to his old friend Carter, who, though still fronting Glass and Ashes and living in Ventura, agreed to join the band despite the obvious location conflict.
“Mike still loved touring and traveling, and we were always great friends. I was always bugging him about it. He agreed, and now he comes out to Florida when we need to write. It seems a little crazy but it’s worked out great.”
Hall is back in town this month for two important reasons; recording and touring. The first is for laying down the tracks for the Young Livers sophomore record, which is being recorded with Armand John Anthony in Ventura.
“We’ve got so much history with Armand, it was kind of a no-brainer,” explains Hall. “He did the Glass and Ashes records, and he understands how to record super-heavy music. He’s doing a little bit of everything: engineer, producer, mixer, mastering.”
The second reason for their return is for a week-long run of California gigs with close friends the F-ing Wrath, which comes to the Bombay Bar and Grill — a somewhat strange venue for the Livers’ and Wrath’s beyond-aggressive riffage.
Regardless of the odd band/venue pairing, the show promises to be a reunion for the local hardcore scene.
Being back in town as the local music scene is experiencing a resurgence, what does Hall, a former scenester, think about the current status of the hometown scene?
“I actually haven’t seen many shows. We’ve been confined to the studio. From what I gather, though, people are still stoked to go to shows. Not much has changed as far as I can tell. There’s quite a few new record stores, which is always a good sign. People have always seemed to appreciate music here. It’s always good to come back and hang and play with friends again. It’s like nothing’s changed.”
Young Livers perform Thursday, July 9, at Bombay Bar and Grill, 143 S. California St. 643-4404, www.myspace.com/younglivers.
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