Laura Jane Grace and The Mississippi Medicals Rock House of Independents
As I walked down the stairs of House of Independents, I was excited for my first chance to see Laura Jane Grace perform live. The lead singer of Against Me! was bringing her latest project, The Mississippi Medicals, to the Jersey Shore. Backed by Paris Campbell Grace, Mikey Erg, and Matt Patton, Grace gave the crowd a great night of punk rock. The set featured most of their debut EP Give An Inch, which was released on September 6. The group wrapped up their mini tour in Chicago this past weekend and heads to Europe for the month of November.
Catbite also made its return to Asbury Park with their usual excellent set of high-energy ska. The Philadelphia group joined Grace a few days later at Riot Fest for a set covering the legendary Op-Ivy. They head to Europe in October for their first mainland tour before returning to the City of Brotherly Love on the 25th.
Alabama’s own Taylor Hollingsworth opened the night with his electric folk n’ roll sound. It was a solid solo performance which included Patton joining him on bass to close out the set. His latest album, Yahola, drops on October 4.