August 2005 Live Reviews

(scroll down to read all of them)

SOUNDS OF THE UNDERGROUND TOUR
July 22, 2005@ the Los Angeles Sports Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
Review and photos by Mark A. Whitaker

As I made my way in, I was able to catch the last few songs of Madball's set. Straight-up East Coast hardcore. The crowd got going once the first chords of "Behind These Falls" came roaring out of the amps. Madball's singer only had to ask "Where you at, California?" once before the crowd started moving with circle pits and sing-alongs.

With a name rooted in black magic and witchcraft, Devil Driver took the stage. It was an awesome set of full-on head-banging fury. Dez's voice rang clear and loud as he sang accompanied by the thundering crunch of the bass and blistering wail of the guitars. I really liked the music. One of Devil Driver's songs was really good. One of the guitars was tuned slightly higher and may have been run through some kind of effects, because it had a really cool eerie tone.

Terror was up next. With their lifelong devotion to old-school hardcore, Scott's heavy anthems quickly got the fans going circle-pitting and singing along. Scott was busy running from one side of the stage to the other keeping the crowd energized. I had seen Terror perform before, and it was good to see that the band still had the drive to do things their way. Their in-your-face music gets your blood pumping and your head rushing as you sing along.

Terror

Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Every Time I Die hit the stage with a fast-paced rock sound and screaming hardcore vocals. Towards the end of the set, I think a fight broke out, because out of nowhere a whole lot of people went running towards one of the merch booths. But who knows? Maybe it was GWAR warming up by chopping some of the fans.

With the sound of records being played backwards and subliminal messages commanding the gathered masses to rock out, Norma Jean came on with solid, heavy, churning breakdowns, with the guitar and bass harmoniously complementing each other. The bass player wasn't going to let his fellow bandmates show him up, and he wowed the crowd with his rock-star skills, roundhouse kicks, and the legendary bass-around-the-world technique (i.e., swinging his bass around his neck 360° and catching it again to join in perfect synch with the rest of the band). I really enjoyed Norma Jean's music, too, and not just the crazy enthusiasm with which the band plays.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Strapping Young Lad, but I really liked them. I especially liked Devin's profanity-laden proclamations. The bass player looked like he could seriously turn his bass around 360°, too, as he rocked, his long hair flying around him as he played. One of my favorite proclamations by Devin was, "Buy shitloads of our records, and then fuck the fuck off!" How awesome is that? Strapping Young Lad's guitar player noticed I was shooting pictures and then rocked out harder, putting me to task to make sure I documented the full onslaught of his performance. Right on!

Strapping Young Lad

I remember seeing Throwdown play at Lazerstar in Oxnard many years ago. For all the bands struggling to make it out there, Throwdown is an example of what hard work and persistence will do for you. Heavy breakdowns and tuff-guy lyrics. Yeah, mosh it up. The pit was packed, and people were waving heir fists in support. I was excited when Throwdown performed Sepultura's "Roots", which really got the crowd going.

With the monitors and all the sound equipment being covered up with plastic sheeting, it could only mean one thing: those psycho mutant aliens from outer space had left their base in Antarctica and made their way to L.A. to slaughter some "maggots" (i.e., GWAR fans), as well as several leaders, such as Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan. Even George W. Bush wasn't safe from GWAR's blood-soaked reign of terror. In between and during songs, GWAR did battle with their enemies, hacking them to pieces, their blood spraying into the crowd. GWAR was a great band that provided thrilling visual entertainment and some good heavy-metal tunes.

Chimaira was up next and tore it up. The band had a really intense sound. The two guitar players and electronic keyboard really added depth to the band's music. Head-banging guitar solos, screaming guitar leads, and blistering guitar solos. I was having a great time rocking out. Look for Chimaira to return in October with a Halloween performance with Danzig.

Chimaira

After Chimaira, I went and got some vitamin water. I pounded it, then found out that Lamb of God was signing autographs at the Jagermeister tent, so I headed over and waited in line to get myself a signed poster. The only problem was that Opeth was playing next. I figured, "Fuck it-I'll do both." I got my poster and made it in time to catch Opeth play an eerie song, it was good. Mikael's vocals and guitar playing set a good tone for the show. As I was thinking that Opeth was a cool harmonic metal band, the band tore into a really heavy song that just roared with power. It was an excellent surprise and really impressed me.

Opeth

Hailing from Boston, Unearth came tearing on stage like two freight trains colliding. Guitarists Ken Susi and Buzz McGrath ran around the stage shredding with a fierce intensity. That's why I like Unearth: the band is nonstop from that start, with a raw sound that just fuels your adrenaline. I don't know the set list, but it was a good show. The energy coming from the band is what makes the music so good. It just drives you to head-bang in time to the music, fists raised high.

The last band was scheduled to play at around 10 p.m. That was too late for me, so I headed home. All of the bands played great sets. I regretted leaving without watching Lamb of God play, but you live with your decisions. I had a great time at the show, and hopefully there will be another Sounds of the Underground tour next year. You get your money's worth, that's for sure.

Throwdown

KILL FAST CASINO
GINGER SLING
FAULTER
NEW YEAR'S DAY
THE START
July 29th@ The Alley (Fullerton, Ca)
By: The Wise Guy

Playing first was Kill Fast Casino I must apologize to the band cause I didn't get the chance to see them play but from what I was told by the crowd was that they played a really good set.

Second to appear on the list of acts that evening was Ginger Sling This female fronted rock band had an outstanding performance, they all played well together like the veterans later to come, but lacked the stage presence of their fellow music cohorts. The singing was precise and creative and on a few songs Hunter from AFI filled in on bass adding yet a little spice to Ginger Sling. Ginger Sling is a band that rocks your socks all the way to the end. The third act was the five piece named FAULTER. The guitars were intense, the bass was chest pounding, and the lyrics were just as perfectly distributed amongst the musical fray. Faulter is a wonderful mix of three sounds in one (Thursday,Goo dolls, and Jimmy Eat World) which they so methodically mix in their musical blender. They knew how to play together and knew how to let their presence be known on stage. GO and see Faulter they will deliver the rock for your dollars.

The following act really caught my attention. NEW YEARS DAY not only has an ex HOMEGROWN member in it but has one the best female rock singers I have heard in long time. Stage presence and rock are the only things that this five some brought with them. I loved every minute of it and if the crowd hadn't been so dead (it was like standing scare crows) I would have been jumped into a nicely formed mosh pit…..notebook and all. The instruments were creatively played with the tightness of a fresh pair of socks from the dryer. The vocals were perfect, the back up vocals had perfect harmony while the lead singer in her cute yet intense performance only added to the aesthetic flow. I will say this is another act I would strongly recommend you pay your money to see.

After NEW YEAR'S DAY heated the crowd up THE START came out with a strong performance that proved their veteran status in the music scene. The music was well played and made me want to put on my dancing shoes. The music was perfectly crafted as were the crazy stage antics of this female fronted four piece rock fest. Even though the crowd was still dead I still couldn't help but want to put on my dancing shoes.

THE APEX THEORY
OPUS DAI
CRYPT ORCHID
KNOWLEDGE THE WORDSMITH
ALTERNATE SOUND OF LIFE
FAIR TO MIDLAND
A JUMPSTART

JULY 29, 2005 @ The Key Club (Hollywood, CA)

These days I'm at the Key Club in Hollywood almost every weekend. I see a lot of local and national bands play there. Usually the national acts are the ones that fill up the place. With THE APEX THEORY as the headlining act and OPUS DAI to play right before them the club was packed early in the evening. Taking a good look over the crowd I saw a good mix of people there which tells me that these bands are pulling from every demographic in the Los Angeles area. I like to see that. A good mix makes the show that much more interesting.

The first band to hit the stage is called A JUMPSTART. A band originally from Lyon, France now currently/temporarily residing here in Los Angeles. Aren't all bands residing in Los Angeles temporarily? A JUMPSTART have been here for about six months soaking up the California music scene. Yet they did bring with them their very own style from France. They're basically a commercial rock band trying to make here in the states. I liked them. They got my attention. While I would not go out and buy their CD I would see them live again. They put on a good show. Their presence on stage didn't go unnoticed and they may have made a few more fans and friends this night.

I guess bands are coming not only from all over the world but even from as far as the great state of Texas to play in Hollywood. After A JUMPSTART has the crowd warmed up FAIR TO MIDLAND from Dallas, Texas comes on like a dreamy champagne buzz on a hot summers day. While they were more mellow than the band before them I found some elements about them that I liked. They reminded me somewhat of Radiohead. I liked the way the band pieced their set together. I can definitely see the influences of some of the greater bands like Radiohead, Tool, and Moby may have had some influence with this band. They were different but very close to the rest of the bands on the bill for the night. They're playing around California all month in August. If you want to see something different in live music check these guys out.

After the set change and all goes quiet on stage, one guy walks out and takes command of the stage like he's the headliner. This guy actually brought me upstairs from the merchandise booths to see what his clamoring was all about. KNOWLEDGE THE WORDSMITH is a semi regular support act when THE APEX THEORY plays. His musings and thought provoking ideas set me into a mad dance of thought as he continued to speak his mind freely. Knowledge (which is his stage name) is one of the first documented rappers in England (where he's originally from). His poems and rhymes are mostly spiritually based but there is a twang of politics there to keep it real.

France, Texas, London, What next? What a mix! These performers definitely brought their fans with them tonight. All in attendance were into the shift and groove of the difference.

When OPUS DAI came on stage it was clear that even those that weren't there to see them were fixed on the band as they hit the stage like a ton of bricks. I really liked OPUS DAI. They have some strong Tool influences and their music is well put together. Their set was defiantly not long enough. I recommend seeing them. I will catch their next coming up soon.

When THE APEX THEORY came on stage it was difficult to guess what these guys were going to pull this time. Every APEX show I see is different. Past shows have included well placed women singers singing Armenian folk songs to open up the set. This time around the band started the set with a song that they usually close their set with, "Get to Work". Formed in 1999 THE APEX THEORY have a very strong following and they even have their own stage crew that helps them put on the light and motion picture show that compliments their music so well. The only comparison to being at an APEX THEORY show is that of a Pink Floyd show from back in the eighties. They incorporate light and visuals well into their show. It's a full production. It's a full experience. Half way through their set this time, the house lights went on and a five-piece drum line marched out on the stage wearing all black complete with black ski masks to play a drum solo that lasted over five minutes! This band continues to amaze me. They are performers as well as musicians. So whether it's your first time or your twentieth time seeing THE APEX THEORY I recommend seeing them. Every show is different. To miss them is to miss this band making their own history.

The Apex Theory

STAR NO STAR
UNDERWATER CITY PEOPLE
THE ATOMIC MISSILES
THE KING CHEETAH
BANG SUGAR BANG
July 12, 2005 @ the Echo (Hollywood, CA)
By Manda-Dex-Punk

I ended up missing most of Star No Star's set, but from what I did hear, they were just a so-so melodic punk band. I was fairly surprised by their lack of energy on stage. The singer was rather lethargic and just kind of dropped the mic and left it there for a while during the last song. Now, you might think this means they suck, but I think it means that I missed an energetic (and consequently entertaining) performance before I arrived. Now I'm going to have to go out of my way to see Star No Star again just to see what the hell I missed. If you are also interested in checking out what I missed, look no further than their Website, www.starnostar.com.

Next up was the Underwater City People, and they were amazing. I really enjoyed them, and so did the crowd. During the middle of their set, Jeff Penalty (one of our writers and also the singer of the Dead Kennedys) busted a move disco-style and hustled everyone out on the dance floor to shame. He got half the room dancing along to this wonderful mix of indie and punk music (although I'm sure the crowd would have been dancing at one point or another, anyway). With bouncing tunes as good as theirs, it would be impossible not to enjoy Underwater City People's music and have a good time. Underwater City People have a CD-release show coming up soon. To find out more on that, visit www.underwatercitypeople.com.

The Atomic Missiles impressed me before they even started playing by the presence of a MS2000 on stage. I love synthesizers! I can't help it! I'm not a big fan of electronica or new-wave music, but synths still hold a special place in my heart, and I love it when bands incorporate them into their music. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed by the lack of synth used here. The band was just alright. The lead singer reminded me of Bruce Springsteen (it was the way he was dressed), with a few punk buttons, for good measure. I really enjoyed one of their songs. The only lyric I remember is "Destroy like a mother fuck" (but I can't seem to find anything on the band's Website (www.atomicmissiles.com) with lyrics matching that. I probably got it wrong). The lead singer from Kill Radio managed to somehow find his way on stage as the tambourine player for a song or two, and the singer/bass player from Bang Sugar Bang was up on stage helping with a song at the end.

The King Cheetah were fairly disappointing. I actually went outside onto the smoking patio and braved second-hand smoke to get away from these guys (and ended up having someone spill beer on my ass. Serves me right). These three London men have some good tunes. If only the singer could sing! He was out of tune the whole time. If his voice were a guitar, I would have wanted it smashed! Maybe they were just off this night. If you like British punkers and you're tone deaf, you can't go wrong with these guys, so check them out at www.thekingcheetah.com.

Finally, Bang Sugar Bang took the stage. This was my first time hearing them live, and I wasn't disappointed. Tonight was special, though: they had the singer from Kill Radio come up on stage for their whole set and play tambourine for every song. The MS2000 was onstage again, but, sadly, did not get played (from what I heard). Their songs rocked, period. "Kill the Radio" was the first song they played (with the singer from Kill Radio on stage with them). They also played some of my soon-to-be-favorite songs, like "Major Label Interest" and "Punk Beat". My favorite part of the night though was when they did a cover of "Go Go Go" and had Jeff Penalty take the stage and sing. This was actually my first time seeing him perform, and he did a great job. I am also happy to say that Bang Sugar Bang brought about the first pit for the night, and it lasted throughout their whole set. And you know it's almost impossible not to like a band that writes songs about their friends ex-girlfriend's vagina. Bang Sugar Bang let it slip (well, actually, they were bragging a bit) that they were now signed to SOS Records, which happens to label one of my most favorite bands, The Toy Dolls. Be sure to check Bang Sugar Bang out at www.bangsugarbang.com and at their new label's site www.sosrecords.us.

AVAIL
PAINT IT BLACK
AMATEUR PARTY
July 23, 2005 @ the First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia, PA)
By Matthew Siblo

If there are circumstances conducive to producing a fun hardcore show, one would have to be the timeless tradition known as the Saturday matinee. Chalk it up to the humidity or the pungent summer stench of a church basement, but the scene was perfectly set for both memorable performances and audience satisfaction. And it was satisfaction indeed that the comfortable, not quite capacity crowd received on this gorgeous summer afternoon. As the ceiling fans furiously swirled, attendees were treated to a refreshing mix of new sounds and old favorites.

Philadelphia's Amateur Party opened the show with a brief yet impassioned set. Featuring current and ex-members of Kill the Man Who Questions, Off Minor, and Limp Wrist, Amateur Party takes a decidedly more melodic approach, sounding like more a rambunctious Ted Leo (maybe in his Chisel days) mixed with a mid-'90s Dischord chaser. The ever-loquacious diatribes of lead singer Mike McKee never fail to entertain, even if this set of particular banter was heavily laden with the phrase "oi." The band played mostly from their latest EP on Cheap Art, SOUNDS AND HALLS TO HOUSE THEM, with the exception of one new tune (said to be about the recent senseless handgun violence in Philly. No jokes there). Expect to hear a lot from these guys in the near future.

Keeping with the hometown pride, Philly's own Paint It Black continues to pummel any crowd willing to withstand the band's simultaneous tongue-lashing and musical brutality. Singer Dan Yemin never ceases to kick ass and take names on stage, constantly employing a learned wit (which often falls on the deaf ears in the hardcore lot). Playing heavily from the band's latest, PARADISE, Paint It Black remains one of the few bands of its genre that continues to impress. A quick non sequitur if I may: Singer Dan Yemin is one jacked individual-and I'm talking vintage Rollins Band style, when Hank started bench-pressing his overweight metal fans. All joking aside, my hat's off to him, as this homeboy not only finds the time to be a practicing doctor, front a band, and reunite two of his former projects, but he's got to be spending hours in the gym. Keep on keepin' on, my friend.

While the afternoon had certainly had its fair share of highlights, Virginia's favorite sons came out with their guns a'blazing. Proclaiming early on that they "would be playing no new material" and "for far too long," Avail's live show remains one of the surest bets in punk rock. Never to be outdone by the next wave, their gritty yet melodic attack had the entire crowd wishing that they were back in '98. The band played a healthy mixture of songs from their best releases (such as DIXIE, 4 A.M. FRIDAY and OVER THE JAMES) but sprinkled others in throughout. The band's energy is still their biggest selling point, and Beau Beau's incessant cheerleading doesn't hurt. Although the band has recently put out a string of less-than-memorable releases on Fat, I can't help but be optimistic for a resurgence of inspiration after witnessing a performance such as this.

SAVE THE BOOBIES BENEFIT SHOW

EYES OF FIRE
DUDE FUCKING HELL YEAH
THE SPOOKY
THE VAGINALS
STAND AGAINST
THE BADBEATS
CLEVELAND STEAMERS

July 30, 2005 @ Ferns (Long Beach, CA)
By Travis Poole

ALL MONEY GOES TO BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

It's not often that I see punk rock pulling together for this type of charity. Lisa the bartender at Ferns Bar in Long beach has helped out her sister raise money for the Avon Beast Walk in the past. This year she was determined to make the forty mile, two day walk and make her contribution to the cure. Being a part of the punk scene in Long Beach and having a bunch of bands as clients and friends was the start of the formula that made up the Save the Boobies Benefit Show. The day started early on a Sunday afternoon at 4 pm with fans and bands arriving to a pink and black decorated Ferns Bar. As people came in, most bought the I love (heart) Boobies shirts in addition to the five-dollar cover. The shirts were the best sellers of the day. There was also a potluck with so much food that it was still there at eleven pm when I left. Most of Ferns restaurant and vendor neighbors contributed food and most that walked through the door early had a plate of something to contribute. With seven bands to play the music was a constant stream through out the day and with quick set changes it was easy to see that the bands were enjoying their contribution to this event.

First band to kick off the day was DUDE FUCKING HELL YEA. Just another punk band, nothing about this band stood out for me. They were a great way to start the day off though. It got the small start out crowd in the mood.
The set change to bring on EYES OF FIRE was kind of long and I was getting bored when EYES OF FIRE finally started. It was like a five-ton bomb hitting the bar. Now these guys are definitely not punk rock but they are a seriously hardcore band. I was blown away. Their set was shorter than most of the other bands. See these guys if you like seriously hardcore music. My hand was in the devil prong position for their whole set.

Eyes of Fire

One of the highlights of the day was THE VAGINALS. An almost all-girl band that delivered some good old fashion hardcore punk rock complete with a great amount of screw ups that made them laugh at themselves and made their music that much more enjoyable. I liked the fact that they were there to enjoy themselves and support a good cause. If you get a chance to see these gals don't pass it up!

The Vaginals

As the day wore on more people came in to support the cause. THE VAGINALS got their gear out and THE SPOOKY from Long Beach came out and played some really good horror style punk that made me feel like I was back in a Misfits concert in the eighties.

The Spooky

CLEVELAND STREAMERS is funny enough to consider by name alone. Watching them play was even better. They're another wild punk rock band from Long Beach that a lot of the crowd was there to see. Their set started out with the crowd spraying the band with beer and egging the singer on to do stupid tricks for the crowd. Like a mad carnie he obliged. I was waiting for the ghost of GG Allen to come out and teach these guys about showmanship. By the end of their set I think GG had made an appearance. All was present except for the poo. CLEVELAND STREAMERS are a fun band to watch. I can't wait to see them again.

After the all the beer, blood, and broken glass were mopped up from the STREAMERS, STAND AGAINST started playing and I was relieved that they were mostly a straight ahead punk band. They came all the way down from Lancaster to support the cause. The band has been together for almost seven years with a few lineup changes and it feels like they have grown and play as a cohesive unit.

The last band of the night was THE BAD BEATS from Long Beach. This show got a lot of local punk support. It was really good to see all the local bands out to help Lisa out. THE BAD BEATS were a good band to end the night with. They're a well-oiled machine that left doubters out in the cold.

All monies earned are being donated to The Avon Walk that will be happening September 17th and 18th at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. So if you're in Long Beach, come down and cheer Lisa on as she represents the punk rock community in Long Beach for this awesome charity.

Take the Crown
Love Hate Hero
He Is Legend
18 visions
July 30th @The Showcase Theatre (Fullerton,Ca)
By: The Wise Guy

Grab your brass knuckles and your favorite hardcore dance cause its hardcore night at the showcase theatre!!! This night is not without fresh jump kicks to the face and punches to the jaw. It was a packed show.

The first band that was to play on this badass night was TAKE THE CROWN in the same family as 18 VISIONS this six piece set the stage on fire. The music was intense, the guitar riffs were clever, and the let me tell you that the drummer paved the way with above and beyond talent. What disappointed me was that the crowd's response to this band was less then warm. Almost every person in the crowd stood still as if we were at an acoustic show. There was an occasional hardcore dancing session but nothing to persuade the rest of the crowd that is would be worth it to do the same. TAKE THE CROWN gave a thumbs up performance, playing their hardest and proving that they have what it takes to rise to the top of the hardcore scene.

Love Hate Hero hit the stage second. Love Hate Hero put on a solid performance. They came with the energy and they sure as hell came with the attitude. The vocals were as accurate as a sharpshooter while the guitars had a in your face attitude that reminded me of the Swedish Metal act IN FLAMES. IT was non stop action on stage and this time the crowd responded but not as heavily as they could have. If I could use one word to describe them it would be the word GOOD!

The south has always been known for its raw attitude, well He IS Legend is nothing short of that reputation. They came right out on stage with face punching guitar riffs and enough energy to power all of Corona. The crowd exploded with raw energy, at one point the mosh pit covered more then half the floor. I saw wicked jump kicks and enough arm swinging to qualify this concert as a boxing match. The lead singers crazy ass stage antics was one thing that kept my eyes glued to the stage, at one point the lead singer walked over to one of the guitarists balled head and licked the sweat clean off of his head!!! This southern hardcore five piece will put enough energy into you to make you get in the pit and start doing jump kicks of your own so go and see them.

The room went black about 20 minutes after He is Legend Got off the stage as the night's most anticipated band occupied the room with their strong musical presence. 18 Visions took the crowds breath away as they took the show a step above He is Legend which is a pretty high step. They proved that they can sit at the thrown with other kings of hardcore. Lights were flashing and there was as much energy as a Jacky Chan movie as the floor was a hardcore dancing free for all. They put on a blazing performance that was the highlight of that night in Corona. All you crazy hardcore fans and other music patrons alike expect nothing short of amazing from this band

THE PARTISANS
THE SKULLS
NEON MANIACS
HOLOKAUST
DETOX
July 23, 2005 @ Showcase Theatre (Corona, CA)
By Marcus Solomon

Detox! That's what I was helping someone do while the band of the same name was playing in the club. I got there on time, but a friend of a friend decided to explore the wonderful world of zymurgy (look it up…it's the last word in the dictionary.) In so doing, this young woman had miraculously discovered her personal blood-alcohol level of toxicity. I spent the time holding her head up as she blew chunks in the parking lot. I entered the club wearing my new cologne…eau de vomit. I then went right back outside because I did not care for Holokaust.

It's good to know that the Inland Empire is starting to produce more bands of the punk/thrash/alternative variety, but I am not a big fan of grindcore…or crust…or whatever you want to call it. Granted, this band sounded better than most groups of this ilk, but that "Grrraaahhh! Growwwlll!" stuff irritates me because it sounds like a large primate with the dry heaves. Maybe I didn't give this band a fair chance, because I was already speckled with barf and the parking lot experience put me in a bad frame of mind. As I walked through the club on the way to the bathroom sink, I was somewhat pleasantly surprised. "Hmm, that's a lot cleaner than I thought." On the way back out, I stopped and listened for a moment, but the vocals again hit me like big ball of annoyance and pushed me back to the sidewalk. Maybe I will like this Fontana three piece better next time.

I heard Neon Maniacs onstage and I rushed back inside. It was weird. It sounded like guitarist/vocalist Gnat had a sex-change. This is not true as far as I can tell, and it was the plastic spaceman helmet that was causing the interesting vocal modification. Neon Maniacs is always a good time. It's another three piece punk unit of loudness, but one with an uncomplicated sense of humor. It's kind of like Devo on espresso in a Ramones vein. Over time, Gnat and his two fellow Maniacs have tightened up the delivery. Not that the band was extremely sloppy in the past, but it was a bit muddy in the mix. I was amazed by the phenomenal bass work, until someone pointed out that it was pretty much the same bass line for each song. Even though Neon Maniacs' songs tend to sound alike after a while, I still like this new-wave dorkcore.

Just before the Skulls went on, I saw former guitarist Kevin Preston sweltering in the steamy, upstairs "backstage" area with his new, amazingly hot girlfriend, the beautiful Ms. Vicki. "What are you doing here?" I asked him. "I'm playing with The Skulls again." What a pleasant surprise! A few months after two attempted replacements with mixed results, the irreplaceable Kevin has returned to where he belongs. The place was packed with the temperature steadily increasing. Upstairs, I completely dunked my head in a tub of ice and then ran down to catch the semi-rebirth of The Skulls. Fuck yeah! The other guys were good, but Kevin is clearly the best. Back at home with voiceman Billy Bones, bassman James Harding, and drumman Monster Matt, Kevin was the extra spice that took everyone and everything to a higher level. I honestly believe he is one day going to rip his shoulder out of socket with his Pete Townsend-like windmill guitar strikes. The kids were a thick, shouting, roiling mass of sweat and aggression as a steady stream of people launched themselves into the air from the stage. Meanwhile, I put a pink butt-plug necklace on James as he played with the Elvis rubber mask on his face. It was hilarious! He put the butt-plug in his mouth causing people to laugh and point. Good thing it was clean…it was an extra item that came with my girlfriend's vibrator. The true punk spirit of fun and frantic frivolity is alive and well with The Skulls.

I had previously asked The Partisans guitarist Andy Leland about the turnout for this recent U.S. tour. He informed me with a smiling shrug that it was okay, but not what they had hoped for. Well, it seemed apparent to me this last show of the tour was what they were hoping for. It was wall-to-wall fans of The Partisans shouting, chanting and bouncing off the walls even before the show began. This Welch four piece was formed way back in 1978, long before the majority of the people at this show were born. The shouts of anger and approval from decades past have carried forward and have been joined by those of the present. Heavily influenced by The Clash, The Partisans would make the late Joe Strummer proud, with its many supercharged songs of knowledgeable buzzing protest infused with hard reggae riffs. My notes became a mushy mess on the floor, so forget the song list. Suffice it to say that the wonderfully exciting show can be encapsulated by these representative lyrics from the song "5 AM:" "We don't want your cause! / We don't want your wars! / We don't want your laws! / We don't want you! / We don't want you!" Thanks you pale, Limey bastards!

J-CHURCH
KLIPSPRINGER
JULY 7, 2005 @ the Conservatory (Oklahoma City, OK)
Text by H. Barry Zimmerman
Photographs by Scott Mellgren

J-Church emerged out of the ashes of Cringer (Hawaii's greatest punk band) in 1992. Since then, the band-which is Lance Hahn (guitar and vocals/guiding light and writer for MAXIMUM ROCK 'N' ROLL), Ben "Snakepit" White (bass and comics), and Chris Pfaffer (drums)-have became a full-blown cult sensation (which means their discs are critically acclaimed and their audience is small but enthusiastic). J-Church is a songwriter group. Hahn is a clever-as-hell lyricist. The music is simple and super rocking. Hahn's guitar style is slowhand cool followed by passionate rhythmic parts. White is a solid punk rocker with a vet's fret skills. Pfaffer is a beast, an amazing drummer. J-Church is a fantastic group.

J-Church

Tonight's opening band is a similar band, in that Klipspringer is a songwriter-oriented pop-punk outfit with balls and cleverness. Revolving around guitarist/songwriter/rock dude Ty Kamm, Klipspringer has been a major player in the Oklahoma music scene for at least a decade. At his side, Matt Babich, one of the greatest bass players ever, wears a black turtleneck and black jeans. It's July, baby. The humidity is as thick as the space between here and there. Matt tells me before their set that it's never too hot to look cool. On drums is Ed Van Buskirk, who has played with The Mimsies and :40 Minutes of Hell (among others) and who is sitting in for the gas joker Alan Hiserodt (who is in Kentucky playing Mr. Workforce). Ed is a straight down the pocket rocker. On keyboards is newest bandmate is Chris Bourland, who has played with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, as well as with local weirdo avant group Deluxe Vortex. Chris adds a texture and thickness to the sound that makes Klipspringer a professional pop-punk group ready to conquer the world. They performed mainly songs from their last two discs, SLEEPWALKING AND THE MARRIED VIRGIN and MY KNEE HURTS. (The latter disc should be on the charts. It's every bit as good as the new Weezer. www.sprocketrecords.com) Some of the highlight moments of their 45-minute set include "Put It Out", "She Just Wants to" (as good a punk/pop song that's out there), "T Shirt Baby" (featuring a justified shout out to Husker Du), and "I Don't Like People" (which was dedicated to W. and 51% of America). Klipspringer had an especially good set. With the set-ending crash, Ty Kamm announced, "J-Church is next. I hope they do a lot of songs from ONE MISSISSIPPI." (They would.) The crowd was won over, and as the lights came up, there was a flood of movement towards Klipspringer's merchandise table. www.klipspringer.net

Klipspringer

The last time I saw J-Church, they were a four-piece (with an additional guitar), but I swear the three-piece's sound was much bigger and more rocking. Their demeanor on stage was casual, with the jam-room feel of a living-room party more than that of a bar scene. The tightness of the instrumentation was powerful. The Conservatory gig was towards the end of a long tour for J-Church, and the hard work was paying off big time. They sounded great. Lance is just so cool and smart, and his guitar playing is minimalist shred with a pop song on top. My favorite moment was a Lance-only version of "Diet Coke" (from ONE MISSISSIPPI). From talking to J-Church afterwards, I found that those guys are such nice and interesting people. www.j-church.com. The night was a total blast. Cheers.

UNDERMINDED
NO BRAGGING RIGHTS
July 22, 2005 @ the Alley (Fullerton, CA)
Photos and text by Todd Markel

I've haven't been to downtown Fullerton in quite a while, so I was surprised by the nightlife that was in full swing. There was music was emanating from a number of buildings in the area, with large numbers of people milling about outside. I was here to see a show at the grand reopening of an all-ages club poised to give Chain Reaction a little competition. The Alley (formerly know as the Back Alley (not to be confused with the Back Alley Bar & Grill, which is about 100 yards down the alley)) is the place. The Alley seems like a nice place. It has a large outside courtyard that allows ample room for the crowd that loves to stay outdoors smoking and talking, with plenty of room for the merchandise tables. Inside, a large dance floor with the stage in one corner and a semi-high ceiling made for a nice, intimate club. Check out the venue's Website at www.thealleyclub.com.

By the time I arrived, a number of the opening bands had already played, and setting up onstage was Riverside, CA's, No Bragging Rights. They have a heavy metal sound with a driving rhythm and hot metal licks. They seemed to have a lot of fans up front familiar with their music and singing along. Vocalist Mike Perez has an aggressive hardcore singing style, with alternating screaming and melodic singing. Take a listen to No Bragging Rights at www.myspace.com/nobraggingrights.

No Bragging Rights

When I got here, I really had no idea who had played already or in what order the bands were playing, so I was surprised to find out that the next band to play was the headliner, Underminded. From San Diego, Underminded prides itself in breaking away from being your typical San Diego band by playing a punishing metal-based hardcore with an intensity that rivals anybody. No pop-punk here. Underminded's singer/guitarist Matt Johnson has an original look and style. With his granny glasses, red army cap, and the way he wears his guitar very high on his body, you don't expect him to be a screamer. I realized tonight that maybe I'm not the right person to review hardcore or screamo shows. I appreciate the heavy-metal leanings of the music, the headbanging, and the fist-pumping, but I just can't get into the total screaming vocals. I try-really I do-but sometimes it just sounds like what it is: screaming. I like bands that actually sing and only use an occasional scream to punctuate a refrain, not making it their only attempt at singing in the song. But I know plenty of people like this shit. Some overzealous fans decided that Matt needed some help screaming and unintentionally shoved the microphone into his face, causing him to recoil in pain and grasp his mouth, needing to take a few moments to regain his composure before finishing what would be their final song. Underminded's latest CD is called HAIL UNAMERICAN! (Kung Fu Records).

Underminded

THROW RAG
STREET DOGS
WRECKING CREW
July 11, 2005 @ Casbah (San Diego, CA)
By Kevin Farr

With twenty stitches recently removed from my right foot, I prepared to embark on an epic journey. From my house to the bar stool was to be the pinnacle of my endeavor. And what was the force, which drew me to the stool? None other then the sinful sailors of Throw Rag. San Diego's legendary indie bar/club was hosting Throw Rag's CD release party. The bands fourth release takes elements from Merl Haggard to the Old Sea Captain. They're a surly band of elegant rockers, who sway and swagger to their own beat. Throw Rag recently released, 13 FT. AND RISING on BYO Records, and began it's tour in the birth place of the summer. Casbah hosted these sultry misfits and their tour mates for an evening of rock, some roll and pints of brew.

As my patience waned, the doors opened and I wobbled over to the bar, where my mate grabbed a couple Stienlager 22's. I noticed the young lads who arrived in Mommy's SUV and Daddy's Audi, where actually in the bar (mind you, this is not an all ages venue). The Wrecking Crew (no, not the late eighties hard-core band), however, couldn't wreck much more then a highschool lunch tray. These kids had talent and a familial road crew, but their sound was generic and uneventful. Despite obvious musicianship, they failed to instigate the crowd, or entice more then an applaud from their familial road crew. But all was not lost, the night had just begun. The Street Dogs began to set-up, unintentionally prepping themselves to show the Wrecking Crew, how to wreck a venue.

Skins double fisted Paps Blue Ribbon, punks pushed forward clutching pints of Anchor Steam, and I soothed myself with another Steinlager, as Street Dogs commenced to rockin'. The venue pulsated with the heartbeat of America's working class. Street Dogs manipulated the crowd. Eyes fixated on them as they divulged life experiences through rhythmic punk rock anthems.

The Street Dogs have deep roots in the scene, with lead singer Mike McColgan (the working class singer who fronted Dropkick Murphy's in there prime), and former Bosstone's drummer Joe Sirois. McColgan's crowd control and energy could be felt by the drunkest of us. He strutted from the stage, to atop the bar. Posing himself on the counter, inundating the crowd with his candid, lyrical content and antics. As sweat beads trickled down the face, band members abused there instruments. Blazing through their set, pausing only to request a beer from the bar tenders. They concluded, prepared the sweat saturated crowd for Throw Rag, and exited the stage. It was time to pillage and plunder with the sinful sailors of Throw Rag.

Street Dogs

Throw Rag indulges in debauchery. They're aesthetically pleasing misfits, who adorn themselves with elegant rags. Stylistically unique, they came clothed in an attire fit for true rockers. They broke into "Swingset Superman" and 'it was on'. The crowd lurched back and forth. Bodies were cooled, as foaming beer were absorbed by the skin, countering rising temperatures. Throw Rag not only engaged the crowd with it's chaotic, antagonistic antics, brash lyrical content and musicianship, but with pure unadulterated showmanship. Clothes where stripped off mid-set, leaving the maniacal washboard wizard a.k.a the cow bell killer, Jacko, stranded in nothing more then his boxers. During "Lil' Danny", dollar bills where hurled at the band, and pasted on sweaty extremities. They instigated a controlled riot in the close quarters of Casbah. I stopped momentarily to absorb the environment. Everyone from the bouncers to the bartenders were intoxicated by Throw Rags dominating stage presence. They exist in a paradigm few live acts can reach. From the depths of the Salton Sea to the drinkin' holes of your town, Throw Rag defines unrestrained artistic integrity.

Throw Rag

BIG JAPAN
DARCI CASH
July 6, 2005 @ the Troubadour
By Aimee Curran

I think the Troubadour is my favorite place to see the indie circuit. It is so roomy and comfortable. There are lots of dark corners to melt into, and of course three bars is never a bad thing for people in need of a social crutch. I arrived and was met by a TIGER BEAT moment. A buzzing crowd was passing the name "Adam Brody" around like a nudie magazine by 13-year-old boys. Granted, the THE OC star is a member of Big Japan, and diehard fans were sure to be there with bells on, but I didn't expect to be faced with a swarm. I managed to tune out the teenying and kicked down for a Corona. I didn't have to wait long before Darci Cash took the stage. I wasn't sure what was about to stuff my ears, but the band broke into an amazing set. Their music was eclectically poppy and fun. At the first song I was nodding my head, by the fourth I was swaying around, and during the last couple songs I was bopping around, grinning and laughing. For once I didn't mind looking at the sweaty musicians, because it felt as if they were connecting with every damn person in the room-a rarity. Unfortunately, they weren't doing the finest job of introducing each song, so I don't know what they played. It was solid musical goodness.

Big Japan started to set up. Now, I am a fan of THE OC, but I got really annoyed with all the girls in the crowd yelling at Adam Brody. I decided to head outside with my show buddy and have a quick fag before Big Japan went on. So I'm standing there trying to talk about how marketable Darci Cash is when this sort of skeezy guy approaches my friend and I asking if we'd seen Mischa Barton or Rachel Bilson. The show had become a breeding ground for paparazzi. It was totally annoying, so we threw out our cigs and went back inside as Big Japan was about to start. Announcing to the crowd that they were an amateur band, the band cut into their set, which was by all means decent. I wouldn't say they were innovative or different from all other music. They had some crackling guitar, solid vocals, and even threw in some harmonica to shake things up a bit. All in all, they whipped up a sweet set that kept the crowd jumping around. I thought it was a bit of a shame that Adam Brody seemed to be the main attraction, as he doesn't want his fame to be the reason for people showing up. Hey, when you are young and famous, it's hard to avoid-kind of like getting lice in grammar school.

LE TIGRE
ELECTRELANE
July 20, 2005 @ the Avalon
By Ana Rodriguez

As far as opening bands go, Electrelane was the most interesting I've seen in a while. They're not great yet, but their sound is promising and something to look into if you're into Stereolab or any other indie drone.

The party truly begins when Le Tigre comes on stage with their usual staples that never tire: the colorful video-screen background with the mouse pointer ready to activate rotation of images and video; and the girls (of course) in matching outfits. It must be an exciting night for the band, as it's their first headlining date after opening for Beck's mellower crowds. Kathleen Hanna points out how "fucking amazing" it all is, and they kick things off with "Hot Topic", a song that praises (name by name) the female bands/artists/activists that influence Le Tigre. The educational party work-out begins. It wasn't long before the whole venue smelled like a locker room, thanks to the day's hot weather. The audience was dancing a little maniacally at first, urging Kathleen to advise us to "push side-to-side" rather than forward; and then, being a good hostess: "If anyone's in trouble, just let us know." The band begins chanting the feminist lyrics of "F.Y.R" (a track off of their 2001 LP FEMINIST SWEEPSTAKES), and the large screen plays the lyrics in loud color backgrounds. It's a cross between the message and the beats that has the crowd becoming as much of a sight as the stage. I'm singing and dancing with strangers, and so is everyone else. Forgot a line of the song? Look up at the screen-no one gets left behind. As far as tracks from the latest album, THIS ISLAND, they're slightly hit and miss: "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo" is lyrically unclear and doesn't seem to carry as much weight as, say, "Viz" (which J.D. always charmingly introduces as "a song about being a lesbian"-as though it were necessary to do so). Midway through the set, the girls run backstage, and we're left watching footage of them at a rally painting peace signs, wearing their anti-Bush outfits (all-white dresses with the words "Stop Bush" written all over them-except for J.D., who wears pants and a shirt) and chanting along with their dance anthem "New Kicks" (which is made up of clips of anti-war speeches). The video has some beautiful images, and the song must have been the healthiest portion of the show, considering that it caused a room full of young people to sing together: "This is what democracy looks like / This is what democracy sounds like!" The excitement extended into their next song: they came back out wearing the wardrobe from the video of the anti-Bush rant "Seconds", then proceeded to play it.

Le Tigre

The whole show was rather therapeutic. An energetic punk dance band is good for the community: the dancing is good exercise, and the activist lyrics are informative without sounding forced or pandering. There was only one problematic moment for the band: the encore song for the evening, "Deceptacon", was cut short when the music began skipping. It was almost worth it just to see the adorable look on J.D.'s face as she stopped in the middle of clapping along with the crowd; but I couldn't help but wish they would start it over. Instead, the final song ended up being "On the Verge"- something upbeat enough for us to forget the mishap. The rest of the show was so fun that it far outweighed even missing the last half of my favorite song.

THE VANS WARPED TOUR 2005
July 2, 2005 @ Piers 30-32 (San Francisco, CA)
By Matt Edmund

Some things only come around once a year, like Christmas or Easter. For those of us who enjoy ear-splitting music and rough-and-tumble slam pits, it's once again time to head out to that traveling freak show also know as the Vans Warped Tour. I attended the San Francisco tour stop on a beautiful Saturday afternoon right along the waters of the San Francisco Bay. This being my sixth year attending this annual event, I was quite curious how this year's event would compare to years past. After a pat-down at the entrance by security, off I went into this one-of-a-kind event.

Like every year, the tour offers concertgoers a chance to hear new music from a wide range of different bands. Perhaps one of the most surprising discoveries of the day was watching Southern California's The Big Pill playing their style of funk with a hip-hop twist. I totally dug their vibe. With a three-piece horn section, a DJ, and a conga player, it was a real treat to listen to what they had to offer. www.thebigpill.com

Playing on the Ernie Ball stage was the Bay Area's own Love Equals Death. This hard-hitting punk band has a sound reminiscent of old AFI. While former Tsunami Bomb bassist Dominic Davi kept the crowd pumped up with intense bass lines, lead vocalist Chon Travis sung his heart and soul out during the entire set. You can visit their Website (www.loveequalsdeath.com) to find out more.

Love Equals Death

As I walked about the massive venue, I began to think back to years past and did some comparing. It seems as if the majority of people who attended this year's event were there because it's more of a trendy thing to do. How can you really appreciate a show like this when you spend most of the day with a cell phone strapped to your dome? I don't get this at all. Why be there if you have no interest in the music? Who do we blame, MTV or Hot Topic?

The Offspring took the stage quite early on in the day. I was pretty excited to see Dexter and the boys belt out some old favorites, and they delivered in a major way. Playing the road-rage anthem "Bad Habit" seemed to have the crowd in frenzy. Seeing them a little over 10 years after they hit it big with the album SMASH, it's clear that they still have what it takes to make a crowd of all different ages rock out. They ended their 30-minute set with "Self Esteem", which had almost everyone yelling the lyrics and banging their heads in a strange, hypnotic unison.

The Offspring

Back over at the Ernie Ball stage, I happened to catch the last three songs from Boston ska outfit Big D and the Kids Table. I saw them in Santa Cruz about four years ago, but their sound has changed since then. What I expected to hear was some ska-core tunes, but what I got was more of a pop sound. The new sound of Big D caught me off guard, but not in a bad way. They still sounded great, and the crowd seemed to be having a great time watching them perform.

Big D and the Kids Table

Possibly the most anticipated performance of the day came from the thug-core styles of The Transplants. Coming hot off of their new album HAUNTED CITIES, they played a mix of old and new material. I was very impressed with their onstage chemistry, as they belted out some crowd favorites like "Diamonds and Guns" and "Tall Cans in the Air". The emotionally charged vocals of Rob Ashton seemed to rile up the crowd in a way I hadn't seen all day. I am totally convinced that Travis Barker is one of the most charismatic drummers around today, actually lifting off his drummer's stool to bang out some really hard-hitting beats. There is something unique about The Transplants. That odd mix of punk and rap and their "I don't give a fuck" attitude that made their performance the best of the day.

The Transplants

As the mist of fog rolled over the bay like a blanket and the search for lost wallets began, the day came to an end. It's impossible to see all the bands in one day. I would love to see the tour go back to being a two-day event like in 2002 (two days of bands like Bad Religion, NOFX, and Anti Flag-how can you beat that?). Overall, this year's tour was decent, though nothing like years past. One thing most lacking was the presence of veteran bands like The Vandals or Bad Religion. Perhaps next year's tour will be a bit more diverse. You can bet that no matter what, the tour will be back next year. Tradition is important. It might not be as good as it has been, but for the price of admission, it makes for a good day of music. www.warpedtour.com

HOOTENANNY:
Social Distortion
Manic Hispanic
Throw Rag
And more…
July 2, 2005@ Oak Canyon Ranch (Silverado, CA)
Text by Richie Wu

For the last 10 years, Hootenanny has blasted away deep in the rural canyons of Silverado. This year was not any different. 18 high-flying groups caused much disturbance over a seven-hour period as the blazing sun beat down on the hundreds of heads of those in attendance. As I set foot on the ranch, Los Infernos were tearing up the side stage. I ran over to where they were rocking, as I knew I could not miss this. Unfortunately, the only space I could squeeze into to catch their set was right next to one of the main speakers. Not a bright move, by any means, but well worth it. They mustered up a ferocious 30-minute set filled with enough violent energy to keep the pit moving the entire time. Rock on, Los Infernos!

I really didn't go back and visit the side stage. It was a tough call. I missed Hot Rod Lincoln and 3 Bad Jacks, among others-but I almost had to in order to see Social D., Cadillac Tramps, and Throw Rag (which are some of my favorites). Once I arrived at the main stages, I was able to catch the country twang of James Intveld as he took everyone on a musical and lyrical journey. Although country has never been my cup of tea, I could not deny how good he really is. His alt-country tunes stopped me dead in my tracks and made me listen up. Songs like "Stop the World" and "One Sweet Letter" were laced with big country hooks, compelling lyrics, and incredible vocal harmonies. As I looked around, everyone was dancing, singing, or trying to find a shady spot closer to the stage. There was no doubt that Intveld was right where he was supposed to be on this hot "Hootenanny" day.

Once Intveld's engaging set was over, I quickly moved over to the next stage to catch Throw Rag's performance. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Their over-the-top antics are always out of control and stimulating. When I think of Throw Rag, I always think of good, clean fun (or maybe not). Their punk and blues/rock 'n' roll brand of sing-along anthems make you want to take another swig of beer, slap your best bud's girlfriend on the ass, and howl at the moon. Yee-haw! Believe me, I saw a lot of that going on at the show. But this picture of the lunacy would not be complete if I didn't mention the white-trash striptease that was on display by some of the group members. For reasons still unclear to me, Throw Rag like to undress during their performances. As one can imagine, the mental illness was undeniably kicking in to high gear, as several members undressed down to their punk-rock underwear and destroyed the Hootenanny stage. I'm still recovering from this epic display of madness.

Throw Rag

Cadillac Tramps, anyone? This is what you hear at any Cadillac Tramps show: thunderous screams and hollers from guys and gals shouting Gabby's name from every single section of the audience. It's crazy! I certainly would not want to be a in popularity contest with him…or an ass-kicking contest, for that mater. The show was exceptional, stuffed full of energy and aggression. Charging through songs like "Everybody Needs Salvation", "Should I", and "Untouchable" made everybody start moving. Every Cadillac Tramps show is a good one. When music is played from the heart, HAS to be good. Their performance was one of the many Hootenanny highlights. For 30 minutes it made me forget about how sunburned I was getting.

The Cadillac Tramps

Linx Wray and Jr. Brown also played. Linx Wray: what is going on with that cat? The whole set was bad news, to say the least. This "former" guitar legend created no music, just noise-and not even good noise. As I looked around the crowd, I could see that everyone was just as perplexed as I was. Jr. Brown, on the other hand, was INCREDIBLE. The music was stellar, and he's a MONSTER guitar player.

Social Distortion

Lastly, it was time for the main event. Headliners Social Distortion jam-packed their set with a mix of old and new songs during their 75-minute performance. The opening tune, "Reach for the Sky", set all gears in motion, and sheer Social D. madness was unleashed upon the sunburned crowd that had waited all day to see these O.C. legends. Mike Ness said it best when he said, "I love me a Hootenanny!" The eager Social D. fans responded with so much noise that the canyons started to rumble. The band sounded incredible-probably the best I've ever heard them. As they went into their fourth tune, "Mommy's Little Monster", the intensity in the canyon started to rise, and the fans became more and more fueled with aggressive energy. From the final chords of "Story of My Life", Social D. rocked the Hootenanny once again, leaving a burning in everyone's soul for next year's show.

GOLDFINGER
THE VANDALS
FLOGGING MOLLY
July 28, 2005 @ the Pacific Amphitheater (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photos and text by Todd Markel

The Orange County Fair is celebrating its 113th year, and for the second year in row they've taken the Pacific Amphitheater out of mothballs for their three-week run.

With only a couple of contemporary acts on the bill, when this lineup was announced I knew that I had to be there. The great thing about seeing a show at the Pacific Amphitheater during the Fair is that you get free admission to the Fair before the show, so you can arrive a little early take in a couple rides, try the deep-fried Twinkie (it wasn't as good as I was expecting) or avocado (better than expected), see the show, then go back to the Fair.

It was 7 p.m., the sun was still out. The temperature was around 80, and the amphitheater was only about half-full. I think most people didn't really believe that the show would start at 7. One of my favorite bands was about to take the stage, a stage that was almost bigger than most of the clubs I go to. Goldfinger came out with the customary goose-stepping and delivered what I felt was a very abbreviated set. They started the show with their cover of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" and then went into "Counting the Days" from 2000's STOMPING GROUNDS. I actually got to see the set list and was surprise that they had crossed off songs like "Spokesman" and "My Everything" (the latter from their latest CD, DISCONNECTION NOTICE). They veered from the set list once again when they played "My Girlfriend's Shower Sucks" and then went right into "Miles Away" (which had John Feldman taking over the drumming duties so Darren could head out into the audience for some of his usual funny business). Another omission was that "Mable" wasn't played. It was on the set list-why didn't they play it? They finished their set with their rousing rendition of "99 Red Balloons", then goose-stepped off the stage. I had heard that the bands were told to keep their shows PG-rated and that the amphitheater has a curfew of 10:30 p.m., but I feel Goldfinger could have played another 10-15 minutes and stayed within those limitations. It was good to see them again, but I felt short-changed. I guess I'll have to wait until their headlining tour.

Goldfinger

Orange County stalwarts The Vandals kicked off their set with "People that Are Going to Hell". They were greeted with much love from the hometown crowd. They played their song about the Westminster Mall's food court and a girl who works at Hot Dog On a Stick, "Café 405". Singer Dave Quackenbush led his bands mates through a great and varied set that kept the crowd on its feet the entire time. It doesn't matter that it's the middle of July-you can sing "Oi! to the World" anytime of year, 'cause everybody knows that "Haji was a punk just like any other boy." Josh Freese (the most versatile drummer in rock today) had what looked to be his young son on stage next to him helping him out while he was playing. Joe Escalante is the John Entwistle of the group, seeming humorless and steady as a rock in his playing. Ever the rock 'n' roll clown, Warren Fitzgerald did cartwheels while singing their cover of Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now". It was pointed out that today's emo haircuts are nothing more than mullets in reverse (long in the front, short in the back), which announced their song about the mullet, "I've Got an Ape Drape ". Another Orange County song they play is "Pizza Tran", about a Vietnamese girl who delivers pizza along Bolsa Ave. "My Girlfriend's Dead" was the usual big sing-along, and Warren finished the show stripped to the waist and climbing all over Josh's drum set singing his signature song, "I Have a Date".

The Vandals

In the spirit of The Pogues, Flogging Molly is a band that, like Saint Patrick's Day, gives everyone a chance to feel a little Irish. So hoist your Guinness and sing along if you know the words. They kicked show the off with "Screaming at the Wailing Wall" off of their latest CD, WITHIN A MILE OF HOME (Side One Dummy Records), then busted right into "The Likes of You Again" and "Swagger". Tonight's show became a celebration of the news that the Irish Republican Army had announced earlier in the day that they were laying down their arms and ending its campaign against Britain and Northern Ireland's Protestant majority. Lead singer Dave King announced his hope that this would be the last time he sang "Selfish Man". The show came to a big finish with "Within a Mile of Home" and "What's Left of the Flag". King told the audience, "You know you're getting old when you're starting to play these fairs." In fact, it's really just the opposite. Flogging Molly is at the top of their game, and a concert like this goes a long way in showing just how far they have come from playing small clubs to filling an amphitheater.

Flogging Molly - Photo by Kyle Burlington

CIRCLE JERKS
THE DUANE PETERS GUNFIGHT
TIME AGAIN
THE GENERATORS
July 21, 2005 @ the Glass House (Pomona, CA)
By Marcus Solomon

Backstage before the show, each member of Circle Jerks was pensive. Vocalist Keith Morris was alternating between nervous pacing and sitting alone. Sometimes he barked at people who tried to talk to him. Bass virtuoso Zander Schloss (clean and serene, as per his recent stint in rehab) was social, but his tension became increasingly evident as showtime approached. He soon stopped talking to people and began to pace the floor. Guitarist Greg Hetson was quiet and cordial all night, but he, too, was clearly tense just before taking the stage. Drummer Kevin Fitzgerald was the most relaxed of the four, but Keith's half-serious/half-joking anger was most often aimed at him, so Kevin was starting to get a bit pissed off. Why would these four very experienced musicians feel edgy when they all have performed before a live audience countless times? Because in order to present the iconic Circle Jerks repertoire, they have to get ALL WOUND UP!

The Circle Jerks - Keith Morris

It was a good-sized crowd, but not a sold-out show. What the fuck is wrong with you people? With all this current interest in punk rock, you'd think there would be a legion of Circle Jerks fans (both old and new) lining up around the block. But noooo! This is the REAL THING, not that pretty boy MTV bullshit, so only the true punk fans made it to the show, while the rest were at the mall buying the latest shade of Good Charlotte lipstick.

The lineup was changed a bit, so Time Again was up first. It was a good start to a great evening. This youthful foursome created some real nice Rancid-ish ska punk that was dominated by clean and heavy bass lines. The songs ranged from mid-tempo to somewhat quick, with just the right mixture of melody and grime. The audience responded with the majority casting its vote via affirmative head-nodding. The vocals reminded me of early Ian MacKaye, but just a bit softer and not nearly as anguished. The potential hit single is "You and Me", a strongly energetic and buoyant sing-along. Find out for yourself by visiting these fine young upstarts at www.timeagainband.com.

Apparently, the lineup change was to reflect the fact that The Generators had already collectively put in about a million hours in playing and touring. It made sense to put the kids up first and let the old men hold the later hours. This five-member group was formed from the remaining musicians of the now-defunct Schleprock. The sound is late-'70s punk 'n' roll with big, loud, buzzing guitars operating in the mid-tempo zone. Some boneheads in the crowd kept yelling "Play faster!" but those were merely drunken shit-for-brains who are unable to appreciate the many nuances that comprise this limitless universe known as punk rock. Anyone who did not enjoy the ska-laden buzz delivered with essence de Clash and metallic (but not overdone) solos should go stick their head into some fan blades. That ought to be fast enough. I very much enjoyed the band's tribute to its home city of Los Angeles with "City of Angels". No, it was not a cover of The Distillers' song of the same name. (Maybe I didn't get the title right, but "City of angels" was the chorus, so….) Here is the Website: www.the-generators.com.

Duane Peters has a new band, and I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical. I mean, Duane is a very intense performer and genuine anti-hero, but how versatile can he be? Well, the man is full of surprises. He has assembled an explosive six-member wall of sound that is very reminiscent of Motorhead. In contrast to his other two bands (U.S. Bombs and Die Hunns), this assemblage is more rock than punk. Even so, the energy level is typically Duane, and he often drops to his knees and seems like he is going to have an aneurism while praying to the great god of noise. There is definite melody in that buzzing mire, with some nice wah pedal. These guys live, breathe, sleep, and eat rock 'n' roll, and it shows. Take the band's advice and "Smoke What You Got". Oh yeah, congratulations to Duane and Cory on the recent birth of their son, Clash. Here is the way-too-long Web address: www.alive-totalenergy.com/Disaster.html

Duane Peters

Okay, I am almost out of space, and I still have to recount Circle Jerks' performance. Well, fuck you for not being there in the first place. "Here's a message just for you / When you open it, you'll be through!" Yeah! "Letterbomb" was the first thing to blow up in our faces. We were also treated to "Stars and Stripes", "All Wound Up", "Room 13", "Wild in the Streets", "Wasted", "Coup de Etat," "World Up My Ass", and so much more. It was a long set, and we were basically treated to the majority of Circle Jerks' catalogue. The final quarter of the set consisted of Black Flag covers, as Keith is an alumnus of that band. We got some "Revenge", chanted along to "Gimme, Gimme Gimme", and felt some glorious "Depression". During "Nervous Breakdown", I watched a young girl of about 14 sing all the lyrics from start to finish. The torch has been passed.

The Circle Jerks - Zander Schloss

I Am the Avalanche
Our Rival
The Break Up
Shotblue
Analise
July 8, 2005@ Chain Reaction (Anaheim, CA)
Text and photos by Richie Wu

West Covina's own Analise took to the stage with passion worth mentioning, for sure. As I stood in front taking it all in, I became very impressed with what the band was cooking up. Songs like "Broken Hearts" and "Leaving Memories Behind" were very well crafted and even better live than the recorded versions. Singer Larry (yeah, that's right: it's just Larry. I looked everywhere for his last name and came up short) was obviously the focal point of the show and did a fine job. He constantly interacted with the Chain Reaction crowd and deserves an A+ for his performance. The rest of the group were rockin', as well. Check 'em out on www.myspace.com/analise and Pure Volume to listen to some great tunes and find out where they are playing next.

Another cool band from the L.A. area is Shotblue. Going on right after Analise, they were just as riveting and definitely brought their A game. Their sound encompasses everything that is screamo and hardcore. What's even better than that is that it's done well. Now that the hardcore genre has infected the mainstream, it seems to me that there is an influx of lame bands trying to ride the coattails of the legit. Shotblue is clearly not one of those bands. As I watched them, it became apparent to me that they are the real deal. Every single song was scorched with righteous grooves and screeching riffs. Good stuff all around! Songs like "Heart Attack" and "To Die For" really give you a feel for what Shotblue is all about. Lucky for you, both those songs are on Pure Volume for your listening pleasure. Unfortunately for you, the Chain Reaction gig was to be their last until the end of summer, so you'll have to wait awhile to see them live.

New wave and with a new vibe, The Break Up gave everyone a breath of fresh air when it was their turn to blast. I enjoyed their performance immensely. In fact, I am still grooving to their CD in my car. Nothing but pop hooks and riffage. It's great. I couldn't stop from laughing during their set because they reminded me of that band from SCHOOL OF ROCK. I don't know what it was that reminded me of the movie. Maybe it was their keyboard player's facial expression. Regardless of that, hearing The Break Up was what kept my spirits high while waiting to see I Am the Avalanche.

The Breakup

Once Our Rival stepped up, I knew something was different. Remember how I just stated that some bands seem to be jumping on the hardcore bandwagon? Well, this is a prime example. Screaming for the sake of just screaming drives me crazy when it is not adding anything to the music. Also, Our Rival displayed not one inkling of melody throughout their entire set. Moreover, it seemed like every tune started with the same riff. I hate to criticize someone's life work, but come on!

The moment had arrived: it was finally time for I Am the Avalanche. A new band on Drive-Thru Records, the show was compiled of many great moments. I was glad I was able to check them out, because they were leaving that night to drive back to New York, which meant that I would not be able to catch them for a while. The place was really jam-packed with people by the time they went on. Most of the time, fans banged their fists in unison high in the air. They played many great tunes: "Wasted", "Emergency", "Dead and Gone", "New Disaster"…There were just so many. However, one mishap that killed the show was when bass player Kellen Robson unexpectedly broke a bass string and they had to end the show. Pretty crazy, I know. As people searched for a bass, singer Vinnie Caruana told a couple of jokes. It sucked for everyone, because we wanted to hear their complete set-and I'm sure they wanted to give it to us. However, a member of Whole Wheat Bread jumped up on stage and started rapping, which really saved the day. He played with the band, including bass player Kellen (minus a string), and the night ended well. Soon they'll be coming back to the Los Angeles area, where I plan to catch them again. There are so many places that you can find out more about them, such as the Drive-Thru Records' site, Pure Volume, and My Space. It would be wise of you to look them up to find out how great they really are!

VUDU SUMMER KICK-OFF:
Heavenly Trip to Hell
Blood Star Halo
Koniption Fit
Steve P from Belikose
June 24, 2005 @ Alex's Bar (Long Beach, CA)
Photos and text by Richie Wu

Let's face it: Vudu Clothing's the shit. Not only do they know how to put on killer show, but also their hospitality is second to none. Keeping the spirit of Long Beach blazing proudly is what their all about.

Steve P from Belikose opened up the show. I missed it. But I can no longer beat myself up over this fact. I HAVE TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE.

Long Beach locals Koniption Fit were slammin' down their own style of punk when I entered the club. Keepin' it simple by just plugging in and letting it rip, Koniption Fit delivered a solid set of in-your-face old-school punk. Heck, they even threw in an old Sublime song for good measure.

Heavenly Trip to Hell was up next. I had no idea what I was in for. As they began to set up, more and more people entered the bar. Soon, Alex's Bar was completely filled up. The band began to unload a multitude of props, which looked pretty serious. They covered the stage with lights and other assorted gear. Once they started to play, the place turned into a freakshow extravaganza like I had never experienced before. Hundreds of glow sticks were constantly catapulted into the audience during the band's set. In fact, the only job of one of the band members was to stand off to the side of the stage and bombard the audience with glow sticks, stickers, balloons, floating devices, and many other absurd items. The audience participated in the show just as much as the band does. When it came time for the last song, all the ladies climbed up on stage to dance, shake, and swagger. Really, it was like I was part of a whole other world when Heavenly Trip to Hell was demolishing Alex's Bar with their antics. It was good time, and I look forward to seeing them again.

Clearly, Heavenly Trip to Hell was the driving force tonight. However, Blood Star Halo certainly held their own as the closing act. They were equally crazy. Lead singer Dust Devil covered his entire body in red bodypaint. They were evil-looking enough as it was, but when they started playing their mind-numbing music at lightning pace, it tripled the effect. This group was stuffed to the brim with super evil, dark, underground-type shit. Certainly, the music was not something that jumped out and grabbed me, but their was no denying that Dust Devil was delivering the goods in his own twisted, twisted, sort of way.

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