Local Hardcore band, Combust played at The House of Independents, in Asbury Park on Thursday, September 15. 

They are a somewhat small band with 7,978 Spotify listeners monthly, usually playing in small local venues. Combust played with headliner, Terror and other similar hardcore openers such as Pain of Truth, and Never Again. 

The doors for the venue opened at 6pm and the tickets were $20. Many local hardcore fans showed up to the gig and shared a night of conversating, catching up and enjoying live harcore music.

 When I went inside, the venue was packed, with a crowd of people on the bottom floor and a swarm watching from the railing. This show was wild. Fans were stage diving, jumping on stage, and even being given the microphone at times by the lead singer of each band including Andrew Vacante, of combust. 

Three days later, Saturday September 18, Combust played another show in New Jersey. They played with never again and a smaller new hardcore band Curate. It was in a small Mexican restaurant called Cinco de Mayo in New Brunswick. A restaurant who regularly holds hardcore shows while serving delicious food. Since it was in such a small place, I stood elbow to elbow with strangers, Making me emotionally and physically feel the energy of the small crowd. 

People were throwing themselves around the pit, swinging their arms, legs, and fists to the rhythm of the bands that performed. In between sets the bands joked with the crowd and talked to some of their fans, which isn’t very common. 

 Combust formed 2017 in New York City. Andrew Vacante put on an amazing show both nights. If you are interested in Combust, check out their new album, Another Life.