Coke Bust, HIRS, Melissa, Demonstrate
PhilaMoCA
531 N 12th St.
Philadelphia
May 1, 2026
About seven months ago I set myself a personal goal for 2026 to book a show for my band, Commitment, that would feature DC straight-edge greats Coke Bust. As a Marylander, this band means something to me. When it came time to put plans in motion, capping off our first coast-to-coast tour with this as yet theoretical show just made sense. It seemed like an even better idea to make this our record release show, as Commitment’s first album came out while we were traveling. With the tour complete, we spent a week back in Philly reorienting ourselves to our home lives.
During this short time, our guitarist Jake suffered a serious injury at work while polishing a wine glass that left two tendons in his hand severed, requiring two surgeries. Obviously, this meant that we couldn’t perform, but with healthcare in this country being the way it is, Jake was also placed in a desperate position of requiring two surgeries with no insurance. Naturally, we took to this country’s de facto health insurance policy, GoFundMe. Jake is the kind of person who is known to give away anything that he has to spare to help anyone in need, so Philadelphia and beyond turned around and did the same for him. Below is the link to that GoFundMe, which I’m including because he’s looking at a 12 week minimum recovery period.
It would’ve been a massive let down to cancel the show. Like I said, Coke Bust means something to me. Though it had a much more solemn tone because of Jake’s accident, cancelling the entire event never really felt like an option. Being inside a mausoleum showroom with casket-shaped soundproof paneling on the walls did add a sort of funny funeral-like dimension to the gig. As doors hit, everyone in Commitment happened to be seated in the couches along the back wall in the venue, and a number of people came to greet us and share their condolences with Jake about the hopefully temporary loss of his hand. It felt like we were a grieving family, which I guess we were.
Demonstrate was first. Guitarist Jim Shomo helped provide a venue for Commitment’s first shows and Jake and I’s initial conversations about starting the band in the first place. There also had to be at least one other straight-edge band on the bill; it would just feel weird not to do that. Demonstrate possess the rare power to exist in both Philly punk and hardcore, two very separate scenes in this city, while simultaneously championing unity and standing on their own natural belief in a balance of sobriety and freedom of choice. Additionally, their music fucking rocks, sonically representing this as well. This show served as an unofficial record release for their new 7-inch Prove Me Wrong, which I’ll link below.
New York metal punks Melissa were next, a band I’ve personally enjoyed and have wanted to get down here for a while now. I’ve seen them play some stellar and downright unhinged gigs in NYC, including one Commitment played with them at Brooklyn staple Trans Pecos. The characteristic red lighting was perfect for the trademark evil riffs and demonic ass vocals this band is known for. Not enough slam for this band for my liking but it’s okay we’ll get ‘em next time; likely on some grody outdoor shit.
Having just spent a month on tour with The HIRS Collective, I have their set basically memorized, or at least their song transitions. HIRS delivered the nonstop ear-fucking that they have for the past near 20 years, inciting a response that only Philadelphia could give. This was the set that really turned around the momentum of the show. Despite a two song mic issue (which admittedly only accounted for about a minute and a half of their set) and the stage right PA speaker nearly losing its life twice at Jenna’s hands, HIRS delivered an explosive set, made that much better by the fact that they performed with founding guitarist Scott, who was unable to do the tour with us. As I consider for the first time now, I saw HIRS play over the last month with three different guitarists, one of them being Jake himself for the first half of the tour. It hit the same every time.
Finally, it was Coke Bust’s turn. After resetting my drums for them, all I had left to do was sit and wait for them to begin. Though bittersweet to watch drum legend Chris Moore beat the dog shit out of my kit on a show I was supposed to have played, I was still heartened by the fact that they are the band they’ve always been, which isn’t easy after 20 years. At one point, guitarist James’ amp died, and in the two minutes or so it took to replace it, Moore and bassist Jubert played the same rhythm part without discussion. It’s that kind of ability to cover your bandmate and keep the momentum of a show going that comes with being in a band this long. I heard once at an event for a music school that ended up rejecting me that a great band doesn’t play perfectly, they only appear to because each member can cover for the rest of their group if necessary.
After 20 years, Coke Bust play just as blindingly fast, speak out about state violence, and continue to represent the same traditions of true punk rock that I’ve always admired them for. At this very gig, singer Nick Tape spoke passionately about a free Palestine and how deeply bullshit the entire existence of ICE is, with Coke Bust even selling a special t-shirt whose proceeds would be donated in part to the Immigrant Defense Project. Throughout the 2010’s, they curated a festival in DC called Damaged City that showcased their personal favorites in punk and hardcore the nation and world over, creating numerous opportunities and memories for countless people. Each member of the band was actively involved in booking and promotion for DC shows for years. These dudes literally had the scene on their backs.
Coke Bust Damaged City Fest 2014
Immigrant Defense Project - Fighting for Justice & Human Rights for ...
Demonstrate vocalist Tim talked earnestly during their set about what FBC (Fuck Bar Culture) meant to him and drummer Dan as teens when they first heard Coke Bust, and as someone who has never been or will be straightedge, the shit means a lot to me too, outside my short mention of it here. I’ve been a regular marijuana user for about half my life, and I love to drink, but the bottom line is that bar culture is antithetical to DIY. Because of the way liquor laws exist in the state of Pennsylvania, people under 21 aren’t even allowed to be in a bar to see a show, and this creates age gap issues that are damn near insurmountable without an all ages DIY space.
PhilaMoCA doesn’t serve alcohol but is BYOB, which allows musicians to play there without becoming shills for alcohol sales while also often dealing with shit like merch cuts and venue fees which further hurt artists and communities, but it’s only one venue doing what it can in a city whose culture is largely defined by music. Notwithstanding that, I’d be a healthier individual in general if I was in more spaces to see a show without the option to drink, all ages spaces generally provide a neutral and safe setting for people of various ages to mingle, keeping young and older musicians playing together and socializing.
TLDR: Coke Bust rules, all ages shows rule, we need a new DIY space in Philly. Matter of fact, check out my friend Amy’s survey concerning musicians issues in Philadelphia. It’s created with aims to corrugate information about the interests of local artists in an effort to establish a resource center and potential new venue for Philly musicians.
Thanks for coming to the gig and helping sell it out if you did!
Philly Music Industry Worker Survey
