No fun | 11.01.24

11.29.24 | writing and 📸: Penny Piper

 I found them; I found the unafraid and unapologetically authentic. I found the pulse; the electric current flowing through all that we touch and all that we see. These are the Beautiful People.

What I experienced at No Fun in Troy, was not just listening to some “bar bands”, this was art. It was raw expression, and captivating creativity. These are not “bar bands”, but we will get into that later.

To get started, we need to talk about the venue, No Fun on River St. in Troy, NY. It is right in the heart of the waterfront district. No Fun is giving us everything we did not know we needed. They host a delightful circus where the only requirement is that you be yourself. It is the perfect combination of dark and light. I am certain I should not be telling you this, but punks are nice. Try getting in front of a peace loving, rail-riding hippie to get a picture at a show, see what happens. I will tell you, they throw hands. The Beautiful People offered me their spot, every time.

I am going to tell you about all three bands but first I need to tell you about Chris Simple and Shane Sanchez from the Super Dark Collective. Chris was kind enough to explain that the Super Dark Collective is “a creative organization that focuses on empowering artists of all genres to have the freedom to explore their vision of creativity in a way that has no boundaries or judgement. Our goal is to present an immersive experience that will challenge the audience through the exploration of audio, video, dance, and performance that may not be considered the norm by the majority. Co-founded by Shane and myself, the Super Dark Collective has involved many of our creative friends and artists over the years such as the late and great Gary Ziroli and Sarah “Madeline” Darby. “

Chris and Shane introduced me to the darkwave/post-punk genre and I am here for it. These are three very different bands and there is no way that we can shove them all into the same genre. I do not know how it all fit together but it did. I left feeling inspired and sort of mad at myself for hiding in the mountains when there is this cacophony of lights, visions, and sounds happening right here, right in Troy (yes, I used cacophony, mind your business).

Remember when I said these were not just some “bar bands”? Well, they most definitely are not. Each group left me wanting more, much more. Any one of them could have been headlining and I am here to tell you that one set is nowhere near enough. From start to finish these bands were straight fire. They were all original and dynamic, and no cover songs anywhere to be seen here. These artists are the real deal. Now, let me tell you why.

Bloodx3:

Shane Sanchez – Vocals/Synth/Electronics, Chris Simple – Guitar/Synth

Setlist: There are No Simple Solutions, Faint and On Fire, Death’s Pets, Circuitry Girls, Stimulant Rant, The Strength

 First up in pole position is Bloodx3 or Blood Blood Blood, which consists of Chris Simple on

guitar/synths and Shane Sanchez, also known as 100 Psychic Dreams, on vocals/synth/electronics. 

Being the first act up can be daunting. Slicing through the dense silence and anticipation in front of an empty floor would put a lesser man on his knees, but not these two. They went from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye, but let’s face it, Shane probably idles at a 75. Chris explained that Shane writes the songs and lays out the tracks, and that he (Chris) writes the guitar for the songs. There was full energy right out of the gate from the band and the crowd. Before I knew it, the floor was full of the most beautiful people you can imagine. Everyone was entranced, dancing, and fully engaged. It was dark and exciting and I had no idea what was coming next. 

At midpoint, they played Death’s Pets from their 2022 release, Midnight Calls, followed by one of my new favorite songs, Circuitry Girls. It did not take me long to become a fan. They ended with Stimulant Rant (another one of my favorites) and The Strength. This band/project/collective takes you places you didn't know existed. If you want to know what is next for them check back in for my upcoming interview!

The Abyssmals:

Bob Forget - Guitar/Vox, Boris Cahrenger – Bass, Brandon Stewart – Drums, Jarpon Reyes - Guitar

Setlist: Strange Invitations, Visions in The Night, Dig Yrself, El Rey Feo, Good Faith, Out of Time/Out of Mind

*static sounds* “Ladies and Gentleman, please fasten your tray tables, stow your carry-on, and adjust your position to vertical; we are headed straight for bat country”.

Next up, The Abyssmals, who originate from Schenectady, NY. I thought for sure someone was going to advise me as my attorney to take three hits from the brown bottle. When they start playing you immediately get Spocked to another place and time (yes, I know it’s Scotty but getting “Scottied” doesn’t sound as cool). You do not need drugs to see this band. I felt like I wanted a Royale with Cheese and that Marcellus Wallace could walk in at any time. 

They are electrifying and seem to defy the laws of the space-time continuum. Led by Jarpon Reyes, who is the originating member and creative force for them, this band will have you clearing your schedule. The sound, the lyrics, the vibe, it is all original. You really get to know Reyes through his writing. With enchanting lyrics and spellbinding melodies, The Abyssmals are an absolute must see. You need to run and see this band at a small venue before they are playing arenas. Seriously, they are that good. In 2019 they released their first full-band debut album, ‘Gospels, Hymns and Other Trash!’ and they have a new album on deck. Check back for the full interview. You will not want to miss this!

Guerilla Toss:

Kassie Carlson – Vocals, Peter Negroponte – Drums, Arian Shafiee – guitar, Zach Lewelleyn – bass, Jake Lichter – keyboards, Watley – the goodest dog ever.

Setlist: Drip Decay, Betty Dreams of Green Men, Cannibal Capital, Trash Bed, Psychosis is Just a Number —— Human Girl, I Got Spirit, Can I Get The Real Stuff, Future Doesn’t Know, Excitable Girls —— Crocodile Cloud, 367 Equalizer, All Tomorrows Parties, Diamond Girls —— Zum Herz E: Plants

Uncle Les knows best…

Now we get to talk about Guerilla Toss and I do not want to sound like an ecstatic fan girl, but I am an ecstatic fan girl. When Peter Negroponte answered my DM asking for the set list, I have to admit, I was excited af. Usually when I see a band that has played amphitheaters we are not hanging out after the show and DM’ing setlists. I had the pleasure to meet Peter, Arian, Kassie, and Watley, the goodest dog ever, after the show and they were everything you would hope they would be. 

Kassie joined Peter in 2012; her presence on stage is nothing short of extraordinary. She bares her soul and engages the audience with her passionate performance and armada of self-written lyrics and melodies. If you have never listened to them, they sound like the B-52’s on Ketamine. Kassie has all of the star quality of a Belinda Carlisle or Kate Pierson, but she is accessible, current, and relatable. To me, that makes her an absolute rock star. Kassie is not afraid to write about the dirty underbelly of the psyche or struggling with substance abuse. ‘I Got Spirit’, from their 2022 release, Famously Alive, is an anthem to yourself, to

remind you who you are. Kassie makes it okay for you to be whoever you are by being exactly who she is and we love her for it. I saw some of the beautiful people give her a friendship bracelet that they had made for her and she lit up! She’s genuine to the bone. She takes the audience on a roller coaster and we want to go around again and again!

As your attorney, I advise you to get out there and see these people perform. It’s inspiring and it’s what we all need right now. The Waterfront District in Troy is rocking! Don’t miss a chance to get out there. The food, entertainment, shopping, art, and scenery is unparalleled. I’m writing a dissertation on the ‘Italian Cookie’ ice cream at the Dutch Udder across the street from No Fun. They put an actual Italian Cookie on the top, I’m not lying, go see.

Before I go I need to give accolades to “high-vis hat guy”. He won my fan of the night award. He keeps the energy turned all the way up! I guarantee the bands play better with you there! Keep on it, “High-Vis”!

All the best,

Penny Piper