Against Me review photos art by Jessica Buns On October 5, 2005, I made the three-hour journey to Sioux Falls, SD to watch one of my favorite bands play- Against Me!. Unfortunately, the drive was boring and I had to make the trip alone. Anyone who's driven through the plains of South Dakota knows, in the autumn, there's not much to look at besides grazing cattle and quaint gas stations. My misery ended as I arrived to the town many locals call Sux Fux, and I knew I was in for a treat. I parked my car at the Washington Pavilion and was greeted by several old friends just as excited as I was to see the stunning punk show awaiting us. The Soviettes, an outstanding Punk group from Minneapolis, opened the show. Their lickety-split approach was what kept the crowd excited with pumping fists and stomping feet. The Soviettes are a kickass unisex quartet; 3 intense front women who play guitar, bass, and sing, and a maniacal drummer who provides the necessary drumbeats to complete their sound. The second band was The Epoxies, a synth/punk/New Wave outfit from Portland, OR, and Against Me! label mates. This band is not only enjoyable for the fans of the mosh pit; their futuristic synthesizer is enough for the dancer deep down in each punk to throw himself into some kind of bizarre dance frenzy. Needless to say, the first portion of this show was memorable. All the sweat (and a little blood) was not enough to stop the crowd from going berserk when the main event took place; that being the arrival and performance of Against Me! on the stage. Against Me! are the folk punk rock sweethearts from Gainesville, FL, whose popularity has gradually exploded and scattered its debris all over. Tom Gabel, AM!'s songwriter, lead guitarist, heartthrob to teeny punk girls everywhere, and throaty singer, belted out fan anthems "Pints Of Guinness Make You Strong" and "Walking Is Still Honest" to approximately one hundred people in the cramped Schulte Room at the Pavilion; a very small and personal show compared to the huge venues they've performed at elsewhere. As the floor vibrated in sync with drummer Warren Oake's sticks, fans (including myself) savored every moment as they played songs off their latest release, Searching For A Former Clarity. Many people in attendance hadn't heard the new songs yet, but the response seemed good from the way they were getting down. They played a lot of the old favorites from Reinventing Axl Rose, The Disco Before The Breakdown, and Crime, but it was the new songs that really got people excited. On their new album, Searching For A Former Clarity, Gabel and the band have still got that same intensity as on the previous ones. And he's still a chameleon, changing his voice from raw, throaty anger to sensitive crooner. You can hear for yourself how awesome the changes are listen to songs like "Unprotected Sex With Multiple Partners" and "Joy" back to back, and you'll understand what all the buzz is about. Against Me! is not about an image. They are about feelings and beliefs. That's what's most appealing. Catching a live show of theirs is highly recommended. I left the show with my ears ringing, sweat dripping down my face, whiskey on my breath, blood on my ankles, and an appreciation for two bands I'd never heard of before that night and a smile on my face from meeting Against Me!!!! Some of Jessica's nicknames are: Honey Buns, Buns Of Steel, Pain in the Buns, Hot dog Buns and Jethica Bunth.