Philadelphia Punk Legends Flag of Democracy announce show at Golden Tea House on 12/15

Philadelphia punk legends Flag of Democracy (F.O.D.) recently announced a show at the modern day punk haven Golden Tea House. After headlining the Philly Punx Picnic at FDR Park this past summer, and re-releasing their second full length album 23 (listen below) this past September on SRA Records, F.O.D. showed it is still a big part of the Philly punk scene. Their music has stood as an influence for hardcore and punk bands since the eighties.

Guitarist and vocalist Jim McMonagle plays at breakneck speeds that have not slowed down a bit since the band’s heyday. Their live show is still full of one-minute burners that are a result of swift licks and and barely audible yelling. Alongside McMonagle is Dave Rochon, singing backup and playing equally fast riffs on bass, and Bob Walker, hammering the drums in a way that makes you think he must have some kind of mechanical component to him. Seeing these now forty-somethings play at FDR over the summer was the pinnacle of punk rock sublime for me. The clatter of the tattooed and hair-spiked kids’ skateboards behind the gritty yelling of these punks that never fully grew up was total evidence that this genre is still alive. Make sure to get to the gig, as F.O.D. is not only a legendary Philly band, but one of the fastest bands you will ever see.

Also on the bill, +HIRS+ is a queer thrash band that is probably the heaviest group in the Philly scene right now. In the process of listening to their 100 song LP (listen below), which is totally composed of songs that are shorter than a minute, +HIRS+ brings some of the most brutal riffs I have heard in recent years. Expect a destructive set from these hardcore locals. The night will also feature sets by Regular Adults and Spectrum Disorder (featuring a member of Autistic Behavior).

Find more info on the show on the Facebook event page. You can also pick up FOD’s album 23 here and +HIRS+‘s album First 100 Songs here.