Original image by There Stands the Glass.
Where was everyone? Only about 150 people attended Militarie Gun’s performance at the Bottleneck on Wednesday, October 30. I haven’t been able to stop wondering why one of the best American rock bands to emerge in the last five years isn’t more popular.
Militarie Gun’s sold-out show at recordBar last year was my favorite performance of 2024. Bolstered by an underground hit, Militarie Gun seemed like the next big thing. I initially felt lucky to buy a $25 ticket in advance of the band’s first appearance in Lawrence, Kansas. Shows what I know.
What went wrong? The crossover moves on the new album God Save the Gun may have repelled day-one fans while failing to attract new listeners. It’s also possible the band’s primary themes of addiction, anxiety and isolation are too dark for most people. Furthermore, true punks may refuse to pay a $25 cover.
The most probable interpretation is that there’s simply a miniscule audience for non-nostalgic, punk-rooted rock in 2025. Less than half-capacity at a small club on a Wednesday night in a Midwestern college town is the apparent ceiling for what may be the world’s best rock band.
The discovery has to be incredibly disheartening to the members of Militarie Gun and absolutely devastating to its hand-picked opening acts Liquid Mike and Public Opinion. Divine intervention may be necessary to right this wrong. God save the gun.