Not going to lie, when I saw the announcement that the New York Blood Tour 2025 was coming to Dunbar, WV on April 1, 2025, I wondered if it was an April Fools Day prank. Violent Way, Murphy’s Law, and Agnostic Front performing at Live at “The Shop” in Dunbar, WV with West Virginia’s own Violent Convictions seemed like a fairytale. However, I soon realized that this dream show was indeed happening. I immediately reached out to Violent Convictions to get them on my radio show, Radio Smut on WTSQ 88.1FM, to talk about not only their Live EP released on Valentine’s Day and future releases but also the upcoming show and how it came about. Tom and Steve from Violent Convictions joined me at the WTSQ studio on March 1, 2025 and the audio from the interview is below.
On March 25, 2025, Violent Convictions made a post that the show was officially sold out. To say that I was ecstatic to hear this announcement, knowing all the hard work and effort that went into making this show happen, is an understatement.
Finally, April 1st was here and it was time to pack up my camera and get to the venue. I waited in line to enter, discussing music with others standing in line. I even met a young couple who were both attending their first concert ever, and man what a show to pick. Once in the building, there was Vinnie Stigma meeting with everyone and posing for photos. I got to speak to Stigma, and he was one of the most down to earth coolest dudes ever, and of course I snapped a selfie with him.
The venue was filling up quickly, so I went back to where the merch booths were set up, where I ran into my friends in Violent Convictions and other friends that I haven’t seen in awhile. It was like a family reunion, and honestly that’s what the entire show felt like. Those that play and listen to hard and heavy music tend to be viewed by others in a negative light, but the whole night was filled with nothing but positivity and love. This show will always hold a special place in my memory and in my heart.
First up on the stage was Violent Convictions. They kicked of the show with fervor. Song after song, they performed with everything in them and it showed. Tom, Corey, Steve, Nacho, and Ricky took command of the stage and set the show off with a bang!
Next to take the stage was Violent Way. If you weren’t seeing it with your own eyes, you would never guess that much raw energy was possible from a three piece band.
The party really kicked off when Murphy’s Law took the stage. Jimmy not only performed on every inch of the stage, he also left the stage and performed in the crowd. At one point he even sang Country Roads, which amped up the crowd even more than they already were.
The crowd was energized and was eagerly anticipating what was coming next. AGNOSTIC FRONT!!!!! Stigma at one point was playing in the middle of a circle pit. Members of Violent Way and Murphy’s Law even joined them on the stage towards the end of the set, showing what an amazing music community they have with other bands and audience members that is truly like chosen family. The love this community has for each other, bands and fans alike, was really felt throughout the night. I will always remember this show as one of the greatest that I’ve been able to attend.
I couldn’t end this post with saying we all owe Tom Martin from Violent Convictions, all of the bands, and all of the people that worked to make this show happen a huge thank you! What an amazing night!