Mystery Machine – with Local H, Salt at The Middle East Cafe – Review April 1, 1996 The band played with a lot of energy, but their music was rather simplistic and repetitive.
Magnolia Thunder Finger – with The Dickies, The Incinerators, 90 Proof at Satyricon, Portland, OR – Review April 1, 1996 These guys take the primal rock ‘n’ roll approach to their punk, although it’s via England, not Memphis.
Lunachicks – with Snuff, NOFX at Avalon – Review April 1, 1996 The Lunachicks looked gorgeously trashy. They’ve always been far better live than on any record yet.
Local H – with Salt, Mystery Machine at The Middle East Cafe – Review April 1, 1996 They had a full sound and played in a variety of styles with nice dirty grooves and beautifully executed pregnant pauses. They even showcased a few ballads.
Free Lunch – with Mephiskapheles, Bim Skala Bim at The Rat – Review April 1, 1996 Free Lunch, a power trio who describe their music as “funky-crunchy-soul,” played some great originals.
Fear Factory – with Iron Maiden at Avalon – Review April 1, 1996 Burton C. Bell’s vocals sounded pretty close to the studio except for some minor crowd-driving ad-libbing. Dino Cazares’ guitar work was ripping.
D.R.I. – with Acid Bath, Toxic Narcotic at The Rat – Review April 1, 1996 After D.R.I. had gotten about ten seconds into “Violent Pacification,” security suddenly gave the boot to about a dozen overly-enthusiastic moshers.
Dead Nude – Review April 1, 1996 God, if I have to listen to one more chest-pounding, grunge-metal band, I’m going to have to crawl into the primate cage at the local zoo.
Dart – 36 Cents An Hour – Review April 1, 1996 A sad philosopher plays his grand piano by candlelight, looking out through foggy glass on a world that has gone to bed.
Dahlia’s Dead – Review April 1, 1996 The cover of the tape (which earns high marks for production value) depicts a she-fiend rising from her grave. They sound like Swank, only heavier.