Images: My Iron Lung, Trey the Ruler, Lost Wages October 2, 2012 at Zia West

Zia West was home to two of Pure Noise Records’ finest last month – Troubled Coast and My Iron Lung. They brought along spoken word artist Trey the Ruler and the bill was rounded out by locals Alaska and Lost Wages.

This was the first show put on by the newly-formed Vegas Venue Activists (VVA), and I really wish they’d had a better showing. The night was fun, but the turnout was low and there were last minute lineup changes with the local bands and large gaps between set times. I wish more people had shown up because the touring artists are all fantastic and I can see this becoming one of those shows that people regret having missed when these bands break big.

It’s always great seeing Trey the Ruler, his thoughtful words brought to life through his powerful performance. I have virtually no experience with spoken word and I got the impression that many in attendance were in the same boat, but people were in silent awe of him. He put everything he had into the performance, even injuring his hand after punching the ground too hard during a particularly emotional bit.

Up next was San Diego’s My Iron Lung. The hardcore band is no stranger to Vegas, and having recently released the excellent EP Grief on the fast-rising Pure Noise Records, they will likely start to get a lot of attention. Their sound isn’t far removed from bands like Touché Amoré and Pianos Become the Teeth and despite the short set caused by van problems delaying their arrival, it was well worth the wait to see them.

I was working on a Stripped Down Session with My Iron Lung following their set, and as such, had to miss a good chunk of the rest of the show, but what I saw of Troubled Coast had me mightily impressed with their spin on post-hardcore. I hope to see them come through town again soon.

-Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/