Here is a short description of my opinion about these three bands in chronological order.

Casual Victims
Casual Victims from St. Oedenrode was the first band to play. And their big band flag made a lot of promises. Immediately when they started playing, you could hear that they are a band greatly influenced by oldschool hardcore music. However, they mix some newschool into it, which makes them sound more modern. According to their music style, they do a great job.
The singer has a voice that fits well and the rest of the band did a great job too. I would just love to see these bands adding more personal style to the music. That would be a great development for this music which is all starting to sound alike. I think if this band added more personal and musical new things in it, like if the mixed it up a bit more, it would sound more fresh and special. I personally think that if you enjoy this style of music, you would like the Casual Victims. They are capable of producing a good show. All the songs were played without any major break. They just said the name of the song and played farther and that made it look like an energetic show. There were even some dedicated fans dancing and that’s always fine!

The U.S-Dutch collaboration
The U.S-Dutch collaboration is a three-person band, which includes one member from the U.S. that is probably the main reason why they choose this name in the first place. Just guessing! This was their first show ever. And I think it is hard to describe their music because they have their very own style. They use a lot of different stiles in their music. On the flyer their music is called “death rock’n roll by this posikids”. That is a great description and I would say it is a band who combines hardcore, death rockn’roll with punk. However, they just found this bizarre mix of chaotic, intense music with makes it a great music style to get off on. It is a refreshing personal style and it’s even greater when you see them being really enthusiastic and energetic on stage.
This great lump of emotional energy and great music made many people dance like they where having a good time. All this together made it a real successful first show. They can only get better and they are already great to see live on stage.
So if they ever play in you neighbourhoods don’t hesitate but go and listen to this absolutely personal creation of performing music, which comes straight from the heart and goes straight into your heart if you are in to this music.

If I Knew
If I Knew had the honour to be the last band. And they were performing straight metal with some hardcore in it. This isn’t absolutely nothing new, but this band succeeds in having their own style. The main reason why this music sounds good to me is the fact that they make it sound emotional yet raw. They include melodic parts in their music, which makes it a variety. They find a way to keep the structure in their music while other bands may only sound chaotic and raw.
If I Knew includes a singer who has a great voice. The screaming/louder parts and the quieter parts both sound like they are in balance with the music. Just wondering how the drum player keeps his patterns tight. But he does and that’s the main importance.

A serious gig like it should be. Just focus on playing the songs and make it all sound well together. Just did their set and played a professional show, which proved that they had some experience as a live band.
If I Knew succeeded in playing a tight set with a bunch of great music and that seems all right to me!

It was a great evening with three totally different bands. I hope you don’t think I only like bands that discovered a new music style. When you listen to bands a lot, it all starts to sound the same though. That’s the reason why I really like bands that have this personal twist in their music. It makes it fresh and new and it is easier for me to listen to. Sometimes you just have this certain way of making music, which is great, so than it is good to have a lot of bands making that music. But like I said personal influences from a band, the new ingredients, which causes a development in music, mean more to me. For me it is the best way to develop as a band too. And those two last bands made me have that feeling. Well thank you Staddijk for the cheap drinks and the great line up. And however the Staddijk is not in the centre of Nijmegen it still is a comfortable place to spend your time. Also after the show when your just waiting for the right time to cycle all the way to the train station.

(Review & Pics: Rose Nillisen)