livefreediyhard.com

Tag: emo

  • AFI October 14 in Columbus Ohio

    AFI October 14 in Columbus Ohio

    A year has passed since AFI released their album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun and from it, they’ve run two tours. They’re about halfway through their second leg, and I had the honor of seeing them in Columbus, Ohio. 

    Let’s talk openers- for the Holy Visions 2026 Tour, AFI has brought along Salt Lake City ethereal indie act Choir Boy. If I wasn’t sold by the “Freddie Mercury and David Bowie sing the Cure” first impression (let’s be clear: I was), I would have fallen in love by the time one of the band members pulled out a saxophone. There wasn’t a whole lot of talking and introduction except for a heartfelt shout out to Columbus from the aforementioned saxophonist who spent the first 30 years of his life in the city. Even seeing AFI at the very same venue 24 years before. 

    I’m a sucker for a full circle moment. And I can appreciate just a full set of hit after hit. One of the reasons I love live music is discovering new music via openers of bands I love. There is definitely a reason AFI picked Choir Boy to join them on tour. Their music was the perfect appetizer. Definitely will be adding some of their songs to my playlist rotation, like their newest release “I’ll Always Let You Down”.

    A Fire Inside, A.K.A AFI, have been a band for over 30 years. With no hint or intention of slowing down, they are still wreaking Havok on stage (pun intended). Whether you’ve been a fan of AFI from the beginning or somewhere in the middle, there was something for everyone in the setlist. From their punk roots to their more recent 80s goth rock, AFI delivered a jam-packed set of just hits (not that they have any misses but I’m biased). They even played one song from Crash Love, their contentious follow up to that one album that had Miss Murder on it. You know that album? 

    And while nothing can totally beat out the fact I got to hear “So Beneath You” played in a church turned concert venue last year on the first tour (sorry, I have to brag), there was still the hair-raising, goosebump-inducing euphoria of Silver and Cold. I know it’s not very team-player of me, but there is always a moment in a crowd where the singer stops and lets the crowd sing that I just shut up and listen to. The Newport might not be a stadium or arena but, man, did the crowd sing and put all their heart and soul into it each time Davey Havok pointed the microphone towards them. 

    I have been trying to go to more shows, but I think AFI might forever be on top of my list of most entertaining just for the fact that the set is almost a love letter to their audience and fans. I can’t think of a single other frontman who has the same style and flair when it comes to performing live.

    One more thing- does anyone know how I apply to become Davey Havok’s microphone stand babysitter? Underrated hero, that guy. 

  • The Art of a Fake Laugh by HummusVacuum

    The Art of a Fake Laugh by HummusVacuum

    Artist: HummusVacuum

    Album: The Art of a Fake Laugh 

    Release: May 22, 2026; Self Release 

    You may know HummusVacuum as the guy from that one viral TicTok music video apologizing for all the terrible people Ohio has produced over the years. While this maybe true to some extent, I somewhat disagree with the premise of the song. After all, Ohio has also given us some pretty cool people as well. John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and my personal favorite honorary Ohioan, William Henry Harrison, reigning presidential speed run champion. Just to name a few. Disagreements aside, the song was a bop and now that band has released a new full length album. So let’s take a look at “The Art of a Fake Laugh” to see if it delivers more viral bops. 

    Hands down the best song on the album in my opinion is “Whoops! (I think I ruined my life)” . It’s a fun, self deprecating look at trying to survive in modern times. It’s full of catchy rifts and up beat vocals. It is also, thanks to a successful instagram marketing campaign, a fantastic call out song aimed at silver spoon fed nepobabies. They always seem to have opinions about how you should live your life, but no relevant life experience. The chorus is in fact perfect for that. I have endless love for this song. It is honestly another viral bop. 

    “Salt & Vinegar” is another great song. It commentates on the struggles of being politically active versus the desire of certain types of people to keep it ‘civil’. The song instead suggests that perhaps we don’t owe people who aren’t starting in a place of civility the benefit of civility in return. Again, this is set to some pretty dope riffs. Seriously, the guitar is amazing on this entire album but it is peak in this song. At about two and half minutes in, Kevin Cappy yells “Its time to take the low road” the songs transitions to a screamy emo bit and starts ripping guitar hard. Every time it hits I’m like—Damn, That’s good stuff. 

    “Lexapor Skater” and “Big Bummin’” take on mental health in a relatable way that leans on humor to keep things from getting a little too heavy. These two songs really show the strength of Kevin Cappy’s writing. Sure, its funny to think of  skateboarding as analogy for the process of fine tuning your mental health meds but it also get you thinking about how normal it is to go through that process. A similar thing can be said for “Big Bummin’” struggling with anxiety and its effect on relationships is really a thing for a lot of people. I think if you struggle with that, this song reminds you others do as well and it does it set to sick emo vocals and power pop guitar riffs. A masterclass if you are asking me. 

    Last, is “G-U-I-L-L-O-T-I-N-E” I don’t really need to explain this song it is what it says it is on the tin. I absolutely love this song. It is a song that makes me feel that perhaps the “fake laugh’ isn’t pretending to laugh at an unfunny joke and is more lol maybe this is a threat or maybe its a joke. Who knows. 

    With “The Art of a Fake Laugh” HummusVacuum plays the part of the jester’ holding a mirror up to not only power but also the troubles of the common folk. This is what I love so much about the album. The songs often, on the surface, are silly little bits. Deep down, though, they’re a mix of inspiration, solid advice and searing truths.The album also looks at life in an incredible real way that makes you feel like you aren’t going through the hard times alone.