New Jersey metalcore legends Deadguy had not played in their home state in quite a long time until finally doing a two-night stand with shows at Asbury Lanes on Friday (3/4) and Crossroads in Garwood the following night (3/5). Deadguy were already local legends when they broke up in 1997, and their stature on a national level increased after their breakup as the band were namedropped as an influence on some of the biggest metalcore bands of the following decade and entered into the Decibel Hall of Fame. So after reuniting to play Decibel Metal & Beer Fest in Philly and Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, this long-awaited homecoming weekend was a much-needed and welcome return.
Crossroads is a great venue that is larger than your typical punk rock basement, complete with a kitchen, so if you want those spicy Buffalo wings whilst breaking necks, look no further. The night opened with Philly crossover crew Honey (whose lineup includes fellow NJ veteran Jay Laughlin of Turning Point) who showcased plenty of what made D.R.I. and more recently Power Trip so viable. The guitarwork sounded crisp among a crowd of people who were just arriving but surely did not go unnoticed by the crowd that was amassing in front of them. NJ hardcore crew School Drugs were up next with raucous sounds that got the crowd fired up with the sounds of hardcore by way of the late 1980s. The openers were chosen by Deadguy after canvassing social media to find the right fit; both did amply well.