It appears that the Midlands got a taste of some of America’s finest in thrash metal on the 30th when Virginia’s Municipal Waste took the stage at the Academy.
This band is synonymous with rowdy crowds and taking the scene of metal to the extreme. And I hear through the grapevine that they hold some kind of record for the most or longest crowd surfing during a live song. Over the last few years, they have toured with GWAR and Destruction as well as a slot during 2009’s Reading festival.
My mate and gigging buddy, Colinholio (named changed to protect the innocent) gave me a quick review of what seems like a kicking night.
“We arrive at Birmingham’s Academy just in time to catch the end of The Victims. Their violent, thrash punk style was a nice warm-up to Municipal Waste and I wished I’d caught the whole set.
“In between bands, we had just enough time to check out the Academy’s new premises. All in all, it’s not a bad place (except for the slow, disinterested bar staff) with a nice sound system and a good lighting rig.
“Municipal Waste take to the stage to the theme of 80s helicopter series, Airwolf and launch straight into Unleash the Bastards.
“Lead singer, Tony Foresta bounces round the stage like a Tasmanian devil, claiming to have been drinking since 5 that morning (and I can well believe it). This is why Municipal Waste works so well. In an age where the government recommend no more than 1 pint a day, Municipal Waste promote heavy drinking, heavy smoking and even heavier music. It’s a total up yours to the PC brigade, even promoting drink driving as a lot of fun!
“From the sublime Sadistic Magician, to the ridiculous Boner City every song seems to get the crowd more worked up. I counted six circle pits before the end of the fourth song!
“Then, apparently it’s time for something called a chicken fight. This consists of people sitting on each other’s shoulders and fighting until the last ones standing. The winner receiving a free bit a merch! After that, the band launch into the anthemic Born to Party. The shouts of “Municipal waste are gonna F**k you up” are deafening.
“The band go off stage, but after some coercion, come back on to play their latest single Wrong Answer and the brain melting Headbanger Face Rip.
“In their own words, thrashing is their business and business is good!”
