Last night, on Thursday, June 22nd, Newgrounds Death Rugby and Death Ray Robin rocked the Charleston Music Farm. Death Ray Robin is the project of Desirée Richardson. The band is based in Columbia, SC, and has taken to the road for tour, stopping in Charleston to perform MCR’s 2004 sophomore album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. Scroll down to check out some videos and read up on ’em.
Newgrounds Death Rugby, a Charleston-based emo band, has made a name for themselves for their unique blend of alternative, folk punk, hardcore, and noise rock. Their ability to effortlessly merge these genres into a whirlwind of emotion and crack a joke while they’re at it totally sets them apart. Led by the charismatic Danny Jorgensen, the band’s performances are a rollercoaster ride of cathartic energy that leaves listeners in awe. We are beyond lucky to call them locals.
Newgrounds Death Rugby blew out the gate with my favorite song, “The World Ends With You.” I was too busy rocking out to get a video (sorry) but stream it below!
Danny Jorgensen (left) & Dawn Durand (right)
The young rockers hammered the Music Farm with hit after hit, playing their hearts out to a crowd of amped up emos. They pulled out a soft banger with almost 2.6 million streams, “D & D Is Gay (But So Am I So This Tracks).
Danny Jorgensen’s presence on stage is always particularly notable, belting out powerful choruses as he drags the track through heavy noise-rock instrumentals, within which their sound is never once lost.
Now it was time for Death Ray Robin to take the stage and play My Chemical Romance’s Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge from front to back. We all waited eagerly for them to burst into track 1, “Helena.”
And so, as we heard the words we’d heard so many times before, the Music Farm was baptized in an aura of early 2000’s emo. Death Ray Robin brought boundless energy to the stage, honoring the cult classic on their hands as if it were sacred work.
From the intense and brooding “Give ‘Em Hell, Kid” to the explosive and anthemic “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” Death Ray Robin flawlessly executed the album’s tracklist. Lead vocalist Desirée Richardson’s powerful and emotive delivery captured the essence of Gerard Way’s signature sound, evoking a nostalgic sense of longing and rebellion that defined the album’s era.
One of my favorite tracks from the album “It’s Not A Fashion Statement, It’s A Deathwish” ripped through the Music Farm.
As they brought the album to its final moments on “I Never Told You What I Do for a Living,” the crowd screamed, “they gave us two shots to the back of the head.” The performance was a nostalgic experience for both the band and the audience, as they united in their shared love for the iconic emo band.
So they’d finished the album, but the show wasn’t over just yet! The encore was just beginning, and the Music Farm erupted to the opening chords of “Teenagers.” With the crowd’s full participation, the track proved to be the rowdiest yet, complete with a healthy dose of moshing.
Finally, the opening notes to the first MCR song that I’d ever heard began to play, and I knew we were at the end. Enjoy Death Ray Robin performing the end “The Black Parade” as they close out the night.
Overall, this was a fantastic throwback show. I really enjoy whenever there’s an opportunity to hear an album live from front to back. Newgrounds Death Rugby are also just some of the most talented kids out there right now and they’ve got such a cool and unique style. Definitely keep an eye out for them as they continue to make a ruckus in the Charleston music scene.
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for more and be on the lookout for these awesome bands next time they’re in your city! Stay curious, my friends, and keep supporting local live music!
