Free the Witness Album Release Rocks Asbury Lanes
Free the Witness’ new album, Dead Man’s Tale, dropped on October 4th, and they threw a release party on October 19th at Asbury Lanes. The venue was packed with fans ready to celebrate, and the night’s lineup made sure no one left disappointed. Lost in Society, Circle Drive, Vanity Score, and Poison I.V. each brought their own energy, setting the stage for a killer night.
Poison I.V. kicked things off with a bang, blasting their hardcore punk sound across the room. They didn’t waste a second, tearing through a wild 30-minute set that had the crowd moshing from start to finish.
Next up was Vanity Score, a pop-punk band with a throwback vibe. Even though it was only their second show, they played like they’d been doing it for years. Their five-song set, featuring their new single "195," was full of hooks and catchy lyrics. It felt like a time machine to the early 2000s, and the crowd was loving every minute of it.
Then came Circle Drive, delivering a mix of original songs and some crowd-pleasing covers. Their set was tight, and they clearly knew how to keep the energy up. The crowd sang along to the covers, rocked out to the originals, and fed off the band’s enthusiasm. They definitely knew how to own the stage and left a strong impression.
Lost in Society took things up a notch, bringing a raw and unfiltered intensity that had the crowd fired up from the first note. They played with a relentless drive, pouring everything they had into each song. By the end of their set, they’d clearly won over a lot of new fans, myself included, and the room was buzzing.
Finally, Free the Witness took the stage, and the room exploded. They launched straight into their new album, Dead Man’s Tale, and it sounded incredible live. Every song hit hard, blending classic punk grit with a modern edge. The band’s energy was infectious, and frontman Jake Bedel was a natural showman, cracking jokes and hyping up the crowd. At one point, he climbed on top of the bar and led a chugging contest—classic punk rock chaos!
The set ended, but the crowd wasn’t ready to go home. After some serious chanting, Free the Witness came back for an encore. It was the perfect ending to a night packed with unforgettable moments.
Live punk shows are all about making memories, and that night was no exception. Poison I.V. brought the raw aggression, Vanity Score delivered catchy pop-punk goodness, Circle Drive showed off their versatility, and Lost in Society brought that raw energy that makes punk so thrilling. But it was Free the Witness who capped the night off in style, playing with a heart and energy that left everyone wanting more.
Do yourself a favor and check out these bands live. They’ve all got something special, and I can't wait to see where they go next.