War on Women play like they mean it — which, if you’ve read any of the lyrics, they do. The Baltimore co-ed feminist punk outfit has been at this for a decade: Warped Tour, Riot Fest, Download Fest Australia, tours alongside Bad Religion, Jawbreaker, Frank Turner, Baroness, and Alkaline Trio. Their sound blends “riot-grrrl energy with progressive guitar riffs and outspoken lyrics,” and one live reviewer described the result as “soaring, incendiary chords” landing “like that rollercoaster feeling.” They bring it to Mohawk Place on Wednesday, December 9.
About the Show
War on Women are touring behind Time Under Tension, their fifth full-length. Released May 8 on Smartpunk Records, it marks a move from their longtime home at Bridge Nine Records. Guitarist Brooks Harlan produced the album at Magpie Cage in Baltimore; Jason Livermore mixed it at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins. New Noise Magazine calls it “more layered and dynamic” than their previous work. The album moves from the familiar punch of opener “Precious Problem” through melodic post-hardcore territory, closing with “Hunger Stones,” a track that folds in shoegaze and emo. Frontwoman Shawna Potter, whom New Noise praised as “a force to be reckoned with” as both songwriter and vocalist, addresses classism, anti-science ideology, and personal loss with more nuance than earlier releases. The live prospect, New Noise says, is “sure to evoke a fever pitch experience.”
The band’s lineup is worth noting: members hold backgrounds as a NASA satellite data scientist, an author, a Girls Rock Camp director, an amp designer, a sound engineer, and a Jawbox guitarist. This is not a band doing punk for lack of options. One reviewer clocked the inter-song chat as “extremely entertaining.” They also appeared on a D.O.A. tribute album alongside members of Guns N’ Roses, Rancid, and Descendents, a measure of where they stand in the broader punk community.
Support is MakeWar, a Brooklyn pop punk trio on Red Scare Industries. Guitarist and vocalist Jose Prieto started the project as a solo acoustic act called Sad and French in 2012; Edwin Santacruz joined on bass, Greg Taylor on drums, and they plugged in and played faster. They have 18 upcoming dates booked.
Venue & Logistics
Mohawk Place is at 47 E. Mohawk St. in Buffalo. Doors at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets
Advance tickets are $18 via Tixr. Buy tickets