‘The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years’, originally released by Equal Vision in 2006 – and now Bridge Nine is to release it on vinyl – the first time it has been pressed on vinyl in the US. The release will get the deluxe B9 vinyl treatment – colored vinyl, bonus download code, poster insert, and more. It will be available in stores and online as of January 13th, 2015.

Local punks Gnarwolves [4/5] kick matters off in fine style with a typically strong performance, bring a few more nodding heads to their strengthening cause. Not long after, a tired and jet lagged Off With Their Heads take to the stage for tonight’s second engagement. With sarcastic remarks between songs, they don’t let the fatigue stop them from doing what they came here to do – telling everyone that “this is how you play shitty music”.

Apparent from the moment they take to the stage, BSF are now in their 40’s (or near enough) having formed back in 1994. Knocking into versions of ‘Requiem’ and ‘Bleeds No More’ with enough energy to match bands half their age though, you can’t really say they’re losing they’re flair for playing live. That said, it does seem that the band haven’t moved on that far from the very of-the-era post-hardcore of their early noughties output, with new songs like ‘Bring Back The Fight’ not really pushing the band into any new territory.

As the set proceeds, a few raised eye-brows incur when the soundman sets a weird atmosphere by somehow dropping inter-band music (i.e. inappropriate bass-heavy dance tunes) between two of Boysetsfire’s songs. Things get stranger when the band have the intro to ‘Walk Astray’ played over the PA, rather than just playing it themselves, which was a little odd at the very least.

Later, a mishap involving one man head butting another leaves vocalist Nathan Gray in an awkward position without any security to help the situation, resulting in the band nervously losing their footing for a couple of songs.

Eventually, they gather things together to finish off their set with stronger songs ‘After The Eulogy’ and ‘Rookie’, which, of course, go down great. The set was was long, but the years that BSF have under their belt make it a dynamic one that doesn’t drag, at least not too much. At times you had to ask yourself just exactly what was going on (and not really for the right reasons), but if all you wanted to do was transport yourself back to 2003 and not much else then tonight served its purpose duly.

JAMES FOX