Full Speed Ahead was the band that Manahawkin really adapted as our own. We first saw them in the early summer of 1997. They opened a show for Spazz along with Hail Mary, Black Army Jacket, and some others. We wanted to check out FSA because they were listed as being “ex members of Human Remains.” Expecting something pretty metallic, we got straight forward, 1982 style, hardcore years ahead of the turn away from 1988 style youth crew hardcore.
I remember a few of us bumming out a lot of the emos in the crowd by moshing hard during their songs and going pretty crazy for their covers (Black Flag, DC Youth Brigade). The best part was talking to them after the set. Their bass player Will took all of our addresses and sent their demo to each of us. We ended up at almost all of their shows, often the only handful of people going off.
Their ep came out in early 1999. Maybe March? We got our copies at Black Cat Records when they opened for the reunited, and horrible (seriously…there are no words) Antidote. We got our white vinyl, saw a few of our names listed in the thank you note, and left to head back down to shore to catch a late movie with, I think, a few people’s girlfriends maybe? I am pretty sure we saw the just released Cruel Intentions.
