Naked Raygun - The Metro, Chicago - 2011-11-23

Last night, I headed into Chicago after work to catch the Naked Raygun show at The Metro.  I had a feeling that I would be having a few adult beverages so I decided to get a room on Priceline for the evening.  After checking into the hotel, I hit Harry Caray's for a few beers and a Wagyu burger.

The opening band was My Big Beautiful, a Chicago 3-piece.  The guitar player had played bass in the original version of The Bomb.  They have been around since 1993.  They played an entertaining 30 minute set.  I need to go pick up some of their releases.

Up next were Dan Vapid and the Cheats which is basically The Methadones with a different bass player.  They play songs from Dan's back catalog of other bands and some originals.  I saw them at Riot Fest opening for 7 Seconds a few weeks back.  They also put on another entertaining 30 minute set as they blasted thru their tunes like the Ramones.  I look forward to their first release coming out soon.

Next, The Falcon who were a poor man's drunken interpretation of NOFX.  They were a waste of an hour on the stage.

Then what the biggest crowd I have seen at The Metro was there to see - Naked Raygun.  Pete Mittler was once again on bass in the absence of Pierre Kezdy.  This was not the best sounding show I have seen them play since reuniting six years or so ago, but it was still quite entertaining.  I ran into MXV coming into the club.  He was nice enough to take a picture of the setlist and text it to me.  You can check out his pics at http://www.punkvinyl.com/.  About half way through the show, I ran into another friend Bryan who I had not seen for a few years.  It was great to catch up with him again.  Once again, the setlist was a good mix of their back catalog and a few new tracks from their singles they released since reuniting.

01 Iron Maiden (2009 7in Series #1) http://youtu.be/v7NeQ3pHIGA
02 Home of the Brave (1985 All Rise LP)
03 Metastasis (1984 Throb Throb LP)
04 The Strip (1985 All Rise LP)
05 Growing Away (2010 7in Series #2)
06 Surf Combat (1984 Throb Throb LP)
07 No Sex (1984 Throb Throb LP)
08 Vanilla Blue (1988 Jettison CD and single)
09 When the Walls Come Down (1988 Jettison LP)
10 Peacemaker (1985 All Rise LP)
11 Treason (1989 Understand LP)
12 Hips Swinging (1989 Understand LP)
13 Burning Red (2011 7in Series #3)
14 Walk in Cold (1988 Jettison LP)
15 I Lie (1983 Basement Screams LP) http://youtu.be/6iXwgd9sR_k
16 Entrapment (1989 Understand LP)
17 Knock Me Down (1985 All Rise LP) http://youtu.be/uQQ5c3kDLQ0
18 I Don't Know (1984 Throb Throb LP) http://youtu.be/dFJxu07jTHY

Encore #1
19 Wonder Beer (1989 Understand LP) http://youtu.be/vOwbIEmW0EQ
20 Backlash Jack (1985 All Rise LP)
21 Home (1990 Raygun... Naked Raygun LP)

Encore #2
22 Coldbringer (1988 Jettison LP)
23 Rat Patrol (1984 Throb Throb LP) http://youtu.be/Ec_90a2VW_E
24 New Dreams (1985 All Rise LP) http://youtu.be/2EmfQbPTbLk