At the turn of the century, American Nightmare successfully turned hardcore punk into something more adventurous, going beyond the fast and loud rage by introducing dark lyrics and volcanic musical arrangements. Starting in 1998 from a home base of Boston, Massachusetts, the band reached a wider audience with three albums, one EP, and a compilation of earlier released material. The band went through several name changes (A.N., American Nothing, Give Up the Ghost) and many personnel shifts until splitting in 2004. Lead vocalist Wesley Eisold reformed the American Nightmare brand in 2011, resumed occasional live performances and released a third album in 2018 and a two-song Life Support EP in 2019. American Nightmare’s current tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of its pivotal debut album, Background Music.
Blame it on COVID if you like. Attendance at the American Nightmare concert at Irving Plaza was very sparse. Moshers had so much room that it hardly made sense to crash into the two or three rows of non-moshers by the stage railing.
The bulk of the stage lighting consisted of flashing lights from behind the band such that audience members hardly had a good look at the musicians they came to see, instead seeing moving silhouettes. Lead vocalist Wesley Eisold perpetuated a disconnect from the stage. Eisold barely spoke with the audience, not even introducing the members of the band or boosting the bands that supported American Nightmare. During the songs, he was animated when he sang, but when the guitars moved in, he retreated to turning his back on the audience and facing the drummer. Does he know this is rude?
The band sounded very good playing their intense hardcore music. They performed the entirety of its first album in about a half hour and then played seven catalog songs and two covers. The show seemed to end in less than an hour.
Fans pay money and risk health for an experience that is deeper than what American Nightmare offered. This felt like a cheat and a money grab.
Setlist
- (We Are)
- There’s a Black Hole in the Shadow of the Pru
- AM/PM
- Shoplifting in a Ghost Town
- I Saved Latin
- Postmark My Compass
- I.C. You Are Feeling Drake
- Hearts
- God Save the Queen
- Your Arsonist
- Farewell
- Love American
- Dead and Gone (The Trouble cover)
- Sore-Throat Syndrome
- Flowers Under Siege
- I’ve Shared Your Lips So Now They Sicken Me
- Dream
- Life Support
Encore
- Dead Souls (Joy Division cover)
- Crisis of Faith
