Militarie Gun, one of the hottest bands in punk/alternative, brought their tour package party to the Sinclair in Boston last Thursday. The LA-based band is currently on tour to celebrate the smash success of their debut LP, Life Under the Gun, which was released last June on Loma Vista Recordings. The band is touring North America with Pool Kids and Spiritual Cramp, and the groups were joined by Buffalo hardcore band SPACED on the current leg of the tour.
Militarie Gun was formed in 2020 as a side project for Ian Shelton, who was already the drummer/vocalist for the hardcore band, Regional Justice Center. Contrasting the abrasion and intensity of RJC, Shelton found solace in writing the first Militarie Gun EP during the initial months of the COVID pandemic. Following the release of My Life is Over, Shelton recruited some friends to help round out the lineup, including the secret weapon of Drug Church, guitarist Nick Cogan. The sequel to the first EP was later combined into a compilation, titled My Life is Over (Deluxe), but their first official LP was released to massive success, garnering attention from Post Malone, Taco Bell and leading to collaborations with Bully, Manchester Orchestra and Mannequin Pussy.
Immediately upon taking the stage, the crowd erupted with the kinetic energy that has become a notable staple at Militarie Gun shows. From the second their set started, it would be hard to find an audience member with both feet on the ground; whether they were in the air or climbing the stage to get there, the floor of the Sinclair became a consistent wave of bodies, crashing down with each handful of divers. The energy never let up, especially with guests on several songs throughout the set. Every few songs would feature a new guest from the touring party, including Christine Goodwyn from Pool Kids, Jose Luna from Spiritual Cramp, and a surprise appearance from Crystal Pak of Orange County hardcore band Initiate.
Towards the end of the set, Shelton mentioned they were giving the crowd a choice of two songs to pick from before they wrapped with their two big hits. “You can choose song one or song two,” asked Shelton, before ultimately deciding they were going with “Song Two,” covering the iconic Blur track. Though hard to follow, Militarie Gun played no games while they closed out the night with their legendary one-two punch: “Very High” into “Do It Faster.” Coupling these songs together demands a fair amount of cardio, but Boston did not disappoint, earning the city a gold medal in acrobatics off the stage.
The Life Under the Gun tour continues through early March, ending in Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest.
CATCH MILITARIE GUN ON TOUR HERE!
