OFM Show Review and Gallery: GEL, MSPAINT, and Destiny Bond at The O

Show review by Toni Elton, Photos by Ivy Owens

“A Convulse family affair,” is how Destiny Bond frontwoman Cloe Janzen described Sunday nights’ show at The O. That sentiment was reflected not only in the lineup of current and former Denver based label, Convulse Records, artists, but also in the love and support that emanated from the audience through the night.

The night kicked off with Denver based band and of course, members of the Convulse Records family, Public Opinion. The band’s spry and melodic flavor of hardcore warmed up the crowd and set the tone for the remainder of the show. The Mall followed and was met with an enthusiasm that matched the previous act. The synth punk project of Mark Plant was an exciting change in pace that brought in an element of electronic music and goth stylings.

Denver’s finest, Destiny Bond made way next with a set that opened a raucous pit that only mounted in energy with each band that followed. The band played a handful of new songs which felt like a celebratory act for their homecoming show, while also supplying fan favorites that invited the audience to dance and thrash along. Destiny Bond delivered a performance packed with unrestrained rage and equally unabridged fun that proved they deserve all the hype they get and more.

Keeping in vain with the danceable hardcore energy, Convulse alumni MSPAINT got the crowd moving with their vibrant synth punk sound. Vocalist Deedee commanded the stage while working very minimally to garner attention. There was no need for any stunts or antics, the music alone created an atmosphere where the audience was fully immersed in the music, both dancing and moshing along till the end.

The final installment of the “Convulse Records Reunion” came with the main event of the night – Gel. The New Jersey band came in with a bang and delivered a climactic ending to the action packed sonic journey that had been building in intensity with each set. In rapid fire style, the band launched through their set, only breaking to tune before sprinting into the next song. With the same relentlessness the crowd ceased to keep moving until the end. The mosh pit came to possess its own autonomy, becoming a living, breathing entity with one goal – to reflect back the catharsis of the music it was consuming.

All five bands were a blast to watch and made for one of the most vibrant and fun concert going experiences to date. The variety in sound within the stacked bill, despite each band possessing conventions of the hardcore genre, showcased the vision of the label that they hail from. Convulse Records stands for inclusivity and encourages experimentation in a once very rigid genre, which made for a captivating show where the current innovations within hardcore were on display.

And even more gratifying than that, seeing the support and enthusiasm for these bands and the local label from fans was a testament to the power of music as a tool for building community. The hardcore, and specifically the Convulse community here in Denver, is one where people of all gender identities, races and backgrounds can rally around something that they love and have in common. Watching Public Opinion, The Mall, Destiny Bond, MSPAINT and Gel play was a gift alone in what each of these bands represents for Denver hardcore that even if the music and performances weren’t absolutely amazing (which they were), I still would’ve walked away completely elated having witnessing the unwavering support of a community built on the love of local music.