Ziplock Takes Clear Skies Meadery

By: Ash Newton

Clear Skies Meadery transformed into an underground music venue, hosting five grind, mince, and powerviolence bands. The industrial brewery's aging mead barrels and festive Christmas decorations created a striking backdrop for an intimate crowd of thirty people adorned in crust pants and spikes.

The night opened with noise duo McMansion, who delivered a powerful fusion of drums and synth. Drummer Georgia, deceptively modest in tie-dye and glasses, demonstrated exceptional blast beat skills. Their set concluded with an unexpected twist - a crunchy, autotuned cover of Olivia Rodrigo's "All-American Bitch," featuring emo hyperpop artist Dan Macey. The performance drew mixed reactions, highlighting the gap between pop and underground music scenes.

Adding to the evening's DIY spirit, zinester and artist Stabs offered complimentary zines, posters, and enamel pins. "I used to work an office job... and they're cool, and let me use the printers for free," they explained. Clear Skies readily accommodated their impromptu request for a table, creating an interesting juxtaposition of anarchist literature beside premium mead merchandise.

Despite the advertised 7:30 start time, the show began at 8:15, with Tartarean taking the stage after an extended soundcheck. This delay, while concerning for a six-band lineup, didn't diminish the guitar-and-drums duo's raw grindcore performance that unified the audience. Vocalist Liam acknowledged the late hour, closing their set with a guttural cry: "I have to go to school at 7 a.m. tomorrow!"

The planned versus set between Aisle 19 and Dope Needle evolved into a collaborative performance. Rather than trading songs, the bands merged, featuring Aisle 19's guitarist, Dope Needle's bassist, and a shared drummer - exemplifying the common phenomenon of drummers serving in multiple local bands. The hybrid group performed selections from both bands' catalogs.

Neckbreather followed with their post-violence sound, delivering technical, shape-shifting riffs in characteristically brief songs rarely exceeding one minute. This efficient timing allowed headliners Ziplock to begin their set before 11 p.m.

Though the audience had thinned considerably, Providence's Ziplock delivered a powerful closing performance. True to their bassist's "DE-EVOLUTION NOW!" t-shirt featuring a caveman, the band embodied mincecore's primitive essence. Often described as "grind with rawer production," their aggressive sound was enhanced by vocalist Nick's (known as "Big Hits" on Bandcamp) effects-laden growls, which created otherworldly vocal textures.

While Washington D.C.'s hardcore legacy remains influential, the current scene often lacks innovation. Clear Skies Meadery has shown initiative by featuring progressive acts like Ziplock, and the entire lineup - including McMansion, Tartarean, Aisle 19, Dope Needle, and Neckbreather - demonstrated that the underground scene continues to evolve.