Glassjaw

What can be said about Glassjaw that hasn’t been said already? One of the most influential hardcore bands for their role in innovating and perfecting the post-hardcore sound that began to hit its stride in the early 2000’s.
The band is spot on live, ripping through their music note for note as effortlessly as anything I’ve seen. Daryl Palumbo, one of two founding members that remain in Glassjaw, is as good a live singer as there is in the post-hardcore world. From his soaring high pitched vocals, to his eccentric dance moves during the band’s extended instrumental sections, Palumbo is an absolute joy to watch on stage.
I most recently saw Glassjaw at Reading in 2011, and I initially had a fear that perhaps the stage, and the moment, might be too big for them to handle but that initial fear was put to rest very quickly as soon as their trademark sound started bursting through those speakers. I don’t know if the other audience members shared my same fear, but if they did, their fears were certainly destroyed as well. In a crowd of tens of thousands, you would be hard pressed to find a single member of that audience that wasn’t in absolute awe of Glassjaw’s combined musicianship and showmanship.

American post-hardcore outfit Glassjaw have been around longer than most give them credit for due to recent public interest gathering and further critical publicity. The group has always been known for their disputes inter-band and with their record label so despite them enjoying a two decade career, their studio album tally still remains at two. This does not seem to deter the fans though who continually follow the group around as away from the conflicts, you cannot deny this band's prowess as a live outfit.

It is an intense performance from the minute the first guitar kicks the venue into life. It is then dragged kicking and screaming through ninety minutes of the most extreme and chaotic post-hardcore music you can imagine with heightened guitar riffs and a thumping snare drum keeping everything in some form of order. It often descends into utter madness as Daryl Palumbo screams into his microphone with a suitably sweaty forehead yet the more insane the band allows itself to get, the more mental the fans react so its a pretty good two way system.

I will give them the benefit of the doubt seeing as it was the first show of the tour, but...

First four songs were played too slowly. Sad as they were 4 great songs. Then fifth song the pace picks up and they go into some spacey stuff from the last 2 EPs. Just when you think they will burn the place down with some classic jams...sets over.

3rd time I've seen this band and this was the most boring.

Chicago embarrassed me this night.

Glassjaw played an amazing set, Daryl didn't hold anything back.
What was the crowd doing?
Standing around like zombies at a house party.

If this is the reception they get every time they come out here, I'm not surprised they don't do more shows outside of the east coast.

Glassjaw was amazin the venue was great the crowed was a little roudy for my taste, in defense it was a glassjaw show. They were pushing so hard behind us they had to pull me up n i lost a shoe then escorted me out. It was still a show worth going i heart u daryl.

Glawssjaw were awesome
19 tracks, loads of energy, great performance
Mix of old and new tracks, and some rare live gems in there

Pity about the consistently shit Brixton Academy sound, but hey at least they're reliable

Everything I could have ever wanted in a show!Truly a band that must be seen live and delivers. Lets hope that the long awaited album drops this year. Lets just say they brought out "the bastard in me".

Glassjaw is a superb band no doubt about it. Long time fans and new fans alike have enjoyed the show equally and Glassjaw did not disappoint. The venue was great as well.

AMAZING as always!!!! This was my first time at Shaka's and I was impressed with the intimate setting! I can not wait for the next show and the new album!