The show
Anxiety and exhilaration charged my approach to the burgundy bricked home. In anticipation of a drug-fueled rager, I was surprised by a setting not too dissimilar from the generic university house party. Having established a firm stance as an “outsider” from this music scene, my subconscious anticipated an excessively sensationalized and punk-like atmosphere. But entering through the garage, I was met with cozy vinyl couches and a beer pong table — the familiarity was disarming.
Greeted by O’Meara at the entrance, he noted the show would start in an hour.
“Respect the house, have fun and bring earplugs,” O’Meara advised to anyone attending their first house show.
Bricker would open the set, followed by Hamilton-based pop-punk band, Fighting Season, and then the night would cap-off with a pair of Waterloo-based hardcore outfits, The Hollow Sea and Life In Vacuum.