Sick of It All

Sick of It All was the first act that I ever saw do “the Braveheart.” (I was at the Bottleneck, and I was 19.) For those unfamiliar with the term, the Braveheart splits the audience into two halves, leaving a large gap in between. Each side must then attempt to wrestle through the opposing group, like an especially aggressive game of Red Rover. The band counts down, then launches into a fast and heavy song, tracking each side’s attempt to pummel the other. Sick of It All’s brand of New York hardcore is ready-made for the Braveheart. A fan strutting into the club and attempting to make it to the front of the stage finds the band’s intensity blasting him back toward the door. Sick of It All celebrates its silver anniversary this year, but the scene veteran’s power hasn’t diminished one iota.