Chicken Wings

My Traeger XL has become my grill of choice for chicken wings.  It fits a 10lb bag comfortably.  I set it to 300 degrees and let it get them good and crispy.  They then come off and get dunked in whatever sauce I am using that day, and go back on the grill for another 15 minutes or so.

Ham and Cheese Club Sandwich

The simple things in life.  This was my first taste of Hellman's mayonaisse with Frank's Red Hot in it.  Good stuff.  I also love Mickelberry ham.

Kicked Up Pepper Stout Beef

Here is my second attempt at the pepper stout beef.  The family and neighbors love this stuff.  Some say it is the best food I ever made and they raved about all of the other stuff for years.  This one got kicked up unintentionally by including the serrano pepper.

Cold smoking with oregano pellets for an hour

Cold smoking with oak pellets for an hour

Rubbed with McCormick's Texas hamburger seasoning

Put on the Memphis Elite at 225*

Amazin Tube Smoker with oak pellets.  This thing ran for about 7 hours with temps on the grill between 225* and 350*

The veggies - white onion; red, yellow, orange, and green bell peppers; jalapeno; serrano.  I did not realize the serrano was about 10x hotter than the jalapeno.  It really kicked up the heat on this cook.  I loved it.

Veggies sliced.  I then put on some rub, worchestershire, liquid smoke, and a bottle of Leinenkugel's Nut Brown Ale for each roast.

Chuck Roast reached 150* IT and went on top of the veggies and covered to cook at 350*

Chuck Roast finished and ready to be pulled to sit in the juices with the veggies

My new "favorite" sandwich.

2012 Riot Fest Single Day Tickets

Find out when your favorite band is playing at Riot Fest and get tickets here: http://www.riotfest.org/chicago-tickets/.  Additional bands have been named including The Adicts, Hot Water Music, and Pegboy.

2012 Punk Rock Bowling Videos

Here is a link to videos I took while at the 2012 Punk Rock Bowling festival.

http://www.youtube.com/user/lewdd33?feature=mhee

2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part Five

Since I don't have enough clothing to wear from week to week, I decided to purchase a few new t-shirts during the festival events.  It would be even better if I could wear this clothing to work.  Here are a few photos of what is now hanging in my closet.  Since I don't have the courage to get up on stage, the least I can do is support these brave people who make us happy by buying their merchandise to support them financially and by marketing them.

2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part Four

I was able to see 20 bands play during the three days of events.  Below is my rankings of the performances many of which were very close and could have gone up or down +/- 5 slots.  I will say that all of these bands were worthwhile watching.  Congrats to the Punk Rock Bowling Committee for putting on a great show.  Those who attended the bowling events, pool parties, and other club events may have even had a better time than me.  I'm a 40+ year old man who has been a punk rocker for about 30 years.  If anyone had a better time than me, the more power to them.  If by chance you are a band that played at the 2012 Punk Rock Bowling Festival and do not like my rankings, I apologize.    It was a great event that I will consider attending again, and my assessment may not necessarily be similar to the other 5,000+ that attended.

1 Rancid
2 GBH
3 7 Seconds
4 Adicts
5 Street Dogs
6 Pennywise
7 Cockney Rejects
8 English Beat
9 Agent Orange
10 Dead Ending
11 Avengers
12 NOFX
13 Dickies
14 Hot Water Music
15 Far From Finished
16 Briefs
17 Real McKenzies
18 Beltones
19 Old Man Markley
20 Seriouslys

2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part Three

Monday, May 28th
I got to bed after 3am last night and slept most of the afternoon away.  I think I woke up after 1pm.  Haven't done that for a quite some time.  As I said in an earlier post, the bands made me feel younger.  I guess it took me back in the time machine to my teen years and sleeping the morning the way in my parents air conditioned basement.  Oh, well.  I needed the rest as I needed energy for the last day of the festival.  My legs were already plenty tired of my large frame pushing down on my feet on the make shift blacktop of the venue for the past few days.

I did manage to get up early enough to head down for something to eat and have my room cleaned for the first time during my visit.  After eating, I headed back to my room to relax for an hour or so before I had to leave to make it to the show.  I could not miss Dead Ending play.  As I came off the elevator and headed down the hall to my room, I could see that they were still working on my room.  I was told they would be done in a few minutes and decided to head back down to the casino to walk around ignoring the requests of the cleaning crew that they would be done shortly and I could wait.

I was in Vegas and the gambling sensation tempted me.  I had lost $60 already on the trip and decided that losing $100 would be part of my entertainment for the trip.  I put $40 in a penny slot machine.  Fuck it!

I had been playing my initial $40 for about 20 minutes going from up $20 to down $30 and everything in between.  After all, it is only entertainment someone famous once said.  All of a sudden, I hit this screen where I had to pick hidden squares to earn my free spins.   I hit 20 free spins worth 3x the winnings per hit.  I was a bit anxious as I could not miss Dead Ending play at 4:20pm.  The auto play took over.  Next thing you know, I think I won some money.  It was taking forever for the points to roll thru on the machine (about 10 minutes already and I knew I did not want to miss Dead Ending) so I hit the cash out button hoping it would stop, let me know what I won, and not screw up what I thought I hit.  I sent my wife and my Mom a text letting them know I thought I hit a fairly sizeable amount.  My wife replied thanking me for paying for the dinner of my wife, my mother in law, and my parents :(.  Fortunately, the machine quit ringing up points and showed what I won.  I cash out $40 for $551.  Now, the gambling energy took over thinking this machine was hot and I could win more.  I put in another $60 only to lose it.  After that, I quit, and cashed out my ticket.  Up for the trip enough to pay for my activities and my parking at the airport in Milwaukee.  To the show....

I got there before 4pm and headed to the beer tent to take to the shade.  I met a couple from Romeoville, IL, a southwestern Chicago suburb.  We were both shocked to run into people from the Chicagoland.

Time for Dead Ending.  Why all the hype?  Well, they are fronted by Vic Bondi from Articles of Faith, a Chicago band from the 80's I was fortunate enough to see reunited during Riot Fest a few years ago.  The rest of the band is made up of the guitar player, Jeff Dean, from The Bomb and about 40 other Chicago bands, the bass player from Rise Against, and the drummer from Alkaline Trio.  They are a Chicago punk rock supergroup.  Did I mention this was their first ever show (even though they had a 12in EP released on Alternative Tentacles 2 weeks earlier).  I believe that they drew too small of a straw as they should have been playing later on the bill on any night of this festival.  They brought some aggressive, skilled 80's hardcore to their show.  I hope they play more shows and release more material.  They closed out there set in the 90 degree sun wore out with an Articles of Faith cover, "Bad Attitude".  Vic was reluctant to play it, but did it because the others in the band wanted to play it.  Here are some of the songs they played.

Red White & Bullshit

This Is a Stick Up

Wasted

Bad Attitude (AoF)

Up next were Youth of Today.  I never got into the NYC Youth Crew scene so I opted to go back to the shade tent.

I am glad I got well rested for the next band, 7 Seconds.  Holy shit!  These guys have been playing for 32 years.  The first time I saw them was at the Antenna Club in Memphis on their Out the Shizzy Tour.  They were reluctant to play a lot of their first releases during that show.  My how times have changed.  Almost all of their set was from pre-New Wind material which was very welcome to me.  I have seen them play a few times since then at Riot Fest which was always enjoyable.  Well, this set was the best I have ever seen from them. They were awesome, complete with a call out to Penelope Houston from the Avengers on "Not Just Boys Fun" and a good luck wish to Jimmy Pursey on "If the Kids Are United".  Don't miss them if they play anywhere within hours of you.  I remember hearing the following tracks from their discography.

Here's Your Warning

Definite Choice

Not Just Boys Fun

You Lose

Young Til I Die

Regress No Way

99 Red Balloons

Walk Together, Rock Together

New Wind

If the Kids Are United

Here We Go Again Kids

Parents Hardcore

Hot Water Music out of Florida were next.  I have seen them play a few times.  I have enjoyed their live set, but have never been able to get into listening to them after the shows.  I think it is something about the vocals not being very clear, but I have also never listened to their recordings while reading along to the lyrics like one would have done back in the days of vinyl.  They did play two songs that I wish the rest of their discography would sound more like - " Wayfarer" and " Our Own Way".

Like the previous two evenings, a classic punk British band played before the headliner.  This evening, it was GBH.  I saw them play about 10 years ago at the House of Blues in Chicago with the Bronx and the Circle Jerks.  I was disappointed with the sound mix at that show.  It would take almost till the end of the song to recognize what they played because the bass and kick drum were so much higher than the vocals.  Not tonight!  The sound was awesome, the vocals were clear, and the set list was great.  The setlist was mostly from the classics with a few very good songs from their lastest release Perfume and Piss splashed in.  I gave them the #1 seed of the UK bands for the weekend (which is quite incredible considering the theatrics of the Adicts and my 30+ year wait to see the Cockney Rejects).  I've been listening to them since I was in 6th grade at dances at local churches.  Almost 30 years later, they over delivered on the experience for me.  I am going to see them whenever they are anywhere close to me again.  Here is what I remember them playing.

Race Against Time

Lycanthropy

Generals

Freak

Alcohol

Time Bomb

Sick Boy

Maniac

Gunned Down

City Baby Attacked By Rats

Diplomatic Immunity

Drugs Party in 526

City Baby's Revenge

Kids Get Down

Dead Man Walking

Pennywise were up next to closeout the event.  I have seen them several times with their original singer Jim Lindberg, but only once with their new vocalist Zoli, from the band Ignite.  That time at Riot Fest, Zoli sounded like an attempt to impersonate Jim on vocals.  Tonight, he was himself.  The crowd loved him/them, and I quite enjoyed them too.  They played a lot of classics with a good mix of tracks off of their newest and first release with Zoli on vocals.  On stage, Zoli and Fletcher acted like a married couple trading barbs back and forth inbetween songs.  I headed toward the exit when they played their customary closing song, "Bro Hymn Anthem", to avoid the crowd.  I was able to witness the crowd that jumped up on stage during the tribute when I walked through the alley adjacent to the venue.  Here is what I remember them playing.

Stand By Me

Rules

Living for Today

Pennywise

Every Single Day

Society

Nowhere Fast

Bro Hymn Tribute

Greed

Alien

Nervous Breakdown

All or Nothing

Let Us Hear Your Voice

The weather cooperated all weekend.  BYO (primarily the Stern Brothers) put on a world class event.  If next year is anything close to the line up from this year (which history indicates has been a great lineup the last 3 years), be sure to head to Vegas during Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the memory of our dear soldiers who have dedicated their lives for our freeodom, and to memorialize the punk rock bands who have helped us through our lives over the last 30 years.  This is a top notch event not to be missed!!!

2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part 2.1

Sunday, May 27th - Club Show
After the festival show, I was headed to my first (and only) club show of the trip.  I did waste money and blow off the previous two evenings club show events that I had paid for in advance.  Ben, my new buddy from Daghouse who I had spent Saturday thru Monday with at the festival shows, and I headed over to the Country Saloon for the event.  This place is on the second floor of a semi Irish Pub complete with escalator or elevator to take you there.  Even better was that it was on Fremont St. a few blocks from my hotel.

We got there in time to hear a few songs by the opening band, an all female punk act, the Seriouslys.  They were enjoyable.

Next, Agent Orange!!  I had seen them a few years ago at the House of Blues in Chicago opening for the fuex Misfits fronted by Jerry Only.  Unfortunately, on that night, the crowd did not realize how good this band really is until about 3 songs left in the set.  That was much different tonight.  The crowd was well aware of what they were about to get and the band delivered.  If Agent Orange comes to a town near you, get off your ass and go see them.  Here is what I remember them playing.

Bloodstains

Too Young To Die

Everything Turns Grey

Miserlou

The Last Goodbye

America

Tearing Me Apart

No Such Thing

Up next were a band who played at Winterland Gardens on January 14, 1978 opening for the last ever show (in San Francisco) of the Sex Pistols before they broke up - The Avengers.  I had yet to see them play as I missed the 1st Riot Fest event that they played.  They have been playing periodically throughout this century.  I am glad that I finally got to see them play.  After the show, I bought their 2CD re-release of the Pink Album and Penelope Houston, their lead singer, signed the cover insert for me.  I really enjoyed their set and would enjoy seeing them again.  Here are the tracks I remember them playing.

We Are the One

Car Crash

Open Your Eyes

Thin White Line

American in Me

White Nigger

Teenage Rebel

Cheap Tragedies

The Leonard and Stand show was the final act for the evening.  When the Dickies hit the stage the crowd at this small, crowded venue went nuts and rightfully so.  I had seen the Dickies a few times before and was always appreciative of their stage props.  They did not disappoint tonight.  I did leave before they finished, and from what I have read elsewhere on the internet I missed quite a melee between the drunk slam dancers and the tired bouncers.  Here is what I remember hearing.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

My Pop the Cop

You Drive Me Ape

Waterslide

I'm OK, You OK

Got It At the Store

Manny Moe & Jack

Nights in White Satin

This was the 50+ age tour and they made me feel like I was a teenager again.  It was great to see all of these bands still playing with a ton of energy.  As long as they keep playing, I keep feeling young.  Go see them if they play near you.

It was now about 2:30am Pacific Time and I was really hungry. In my drunken stupor, I attempted to find the 24 hour eatery at the hotel/casino.  After a tour of the place, I found it.  I ended up in line right behind Fletcher, the Pennywise guitar player.  Unfortunatley, he and his party were about 15th in line to be seated.  After 15 minutes of not moving and trying to ease drop on their conversation, I decided I would give room service a try.  By now it is close to 3am.  It took 10-15 minutes to get thru hold to take my order.  After placing my order, I was told it would be an hour an forty minutes before it would arrive at my door.  As unbelievable as this may seem, I cancelled the order.  There was no way I could stay up any longer to wait to eat.  After all, I did think that I would wake up the next day and would be able to eat then.

2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part Two

Sunday, May 27th
I managed to lose $60 on the penny slot and poker machines during the afternoon.  I was in Vegas after all.  I arrived at the venue around 4pm and hung out at the beer tent for a bit as I brought my ID with me this time.  I watched a little of American Heist and then headed back to the shade in the beer tent.  I then came back to watch the Beltones from Florida who apparently have not played for many years.  They played an enjoyable 30 minute set, but I just can't get over the vocals which is why apparently others really like them.

The next band was Old Man Markley, a bluegrass punk band.  While I did enjoy their set, I probably would not buy any of their releases.  The band was complete with amplified acoustic guitar, a stand up bass made from a galvanized steel wash tub and a few 2x4's, violin, an electric harp, etc.  I could only recognize on song - "Party Shack".  I would not mind seeing them as an opening band again.  In fact, if you want to have a real hillbilly event, the bands should include - Old Man Markley, Larry & His Flask, Reverend Peyton & His Big Damn Band, Gogel Bordello, and Flogging Molly.

Up next were Boston's Street Dogs.  I have seen them about a half dozen times.  They continue to get better and better live.  They had a ton of energy.  The lead singer jumped off the stage down in front of the barrier and then lept off the barrier into the crowd with mic in hand a few times during the set.  Remember, this is a 40+ year old Desert Storm veteran.  Fuck, there is no way I could do that.  I need to see more of them. They always bring it.  Today, they had a little extra - they played some early Dropkick Murphys tunes that Mike McColgan sang back in the day as their original singer before joining the military and then the Boston Fire Department.  They were worth the days price of admission alone.  Here are some tracks I remember them playing.

In Defense of Dorchester

Back to the World

Drink Tonight

Tobe's Got a Drinking Problem

Rattle and Roll

Up the Union

Punk Rock and Roll

(Dropkick Murphys songs)

Do or Die

Never Alone

Skinhead

Guns of Brixton

Reggae act, Hepcat, was up next.  The crowd got into them, but I took it as an opportunity to get some more beer and something to eat.

Next, the band I have been waiting probably 30 years to see play.  Originally, I decided to buy tickets to this show, hotel arrangements, and a plane ticket because the original Sham 69 was going to play the event.  Due to an unfortunate diagnosis of cancer of Jimmy Pursey's (lead singer) father, they cancelled their USA tour which included this event.  I was bummed when I read the news about the cancellation as they are probably in my top 10 bands still playing that I want to see that I have never seen.  Lucky for me, they were replaced by the fucking Cockney Rejects who were probably in the top 3 of bands I wanted to see who I have never seen.  How lucky could I be?  I have to admit that they under delivered to my expectations.  However, next to the Sex Pistols, who I saw in the 1990's on their first reunion tour in Memphis, the Cockney Rejects were one of the first punk bands that I listened to all of the time in my teens.  I set my expectations too high.  There was no way they could have delivered against them.  I am glad that I got to see them play, and I will go see them anytime they are playing near Chicago (apparently they are playing at Reggie's in July per the venues website but not yet per the bands website).  The crowd was into them.  Stinky Turner was shadow boxing throughout the set.  I was glad the band had the 70's sound instead of their 2000's sound for the classics.  Well worth the price of admission.  Here is what I remember hearing them play.

Bad Man

Fighting in the Streets

Join the Rejects

East End

Police Car

Where the Hell Is Babylon?

War on the Terraces

Oi! Oi! Oi!

Greatest Cockney Ripoff

Power & the Glory

On the Streets Again

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles

Flares & Slippers

The headliner for the evening was Rancid.  Ba-boom!!!  OMG!!!  Granted, I really like this band, but they over delivered.  This was probably the 3rd or 4th time that I saw them play.  They were off the hook.  There was so much energy in the crowd it was incredible.  You better believe I am going to see them again if they are within 60 miles of Chicago.  I am a bit pissed I left early to get to the after festival show on time.  If I had known that it would not have started on time, I would have surely stuck around to see their encore.  Here is what I remember them playing which included quite a selection of very early tracks.  The only thing that could have been better would have been them playing "White Knuckle Ride".

Adina

Rejected

Radio

Nihilism

Tenderloin

St. Mary

Maxwell Murder

Time Bomb

Olympia, WA

Journey to the End of East Bay

Old Friend

The Wars End

As Wicked
The Way I Feel

Dead Bodies

Fall Back Down

Red Hot Moon
It's Quite Alright

Spirit of 87

East Bay Night

Last One to Die

Off to the Country Saloon for the after fest show...

Check out more photos here. A link to videos will follow in another post.

2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part One

Saturday, May 26th
I arrived in town last night after a 6 hour plane trip via Milwaukee to Phoenix to Las Vegas, and checked into the Golden Nugget Casino Hotel.  I did not make it out to any shows.  I spent the night resting for the next 3 days.

After a short walk down Fremont St. under cover and making a left hand turn, I arrived at the site of the venue - an empty parking lot turned into a stage, beer and merch tents, and food trucks.  I arrived sometime between 4pm and 5pm.  At this point, I don't remember.  After emptying out my wallet to only bring what I needed with me to the event, I also didn't remember to bring my ID so it meant no alcohol for me.  Not that it mattered, the beer lines were lasting over an hour so I would not have been able to have too many anyway.

The first band I manage to see was Far From Finished who play out of Boston.  I had seen them a few years ago at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago.  They have since slowed down their tempo a bit, and I had no interest in their last release.  They play a short 30 minute set that I was glad I got there in time to see.

Then, I saw the Real McKenzies who hail from Canada.  They play their version of Celtic Punk.  Over the years, I have listened to their releases, but never really got into them.  I enjoyed their 30 minute set, and would be fine seeing them as an opening band at another show.

The Briefs were up next.  The last time I saw them was about 7 years ago when they had an impromptu opening for Naked Raygun at the Subterranean during Riot Fest.  I enjoyed them then, and did again.  It was the first time in 5 years they hit the stage in the USA as members of the band play in several other bands right now.  I remember hearing the following songs.

New Shoes

Destroy the USA

Shoplifting at Macy's

Poor and Weird

Silver Bullet

The start of the headliners came with the English Beat.  I was really excited to see them play.  They are the first 2 Tone ska band that I have witnessed live.  They delivered the goods.  I am glad they played the event.  I would enjoy seeing them play again.  Their lead singer, Dave Wakeling, got a little pissed off early as someone from the crowd hurled a bottle at the stage during the first song.  He did mention later that maybe that should happen at every show because it got him amped up.  They played their hits which were quite enjoyable.  Hear is what I remember.

Mirror in the Bathroom

Twist & Crawl

Rough Rider

Click Click

Tears of a Clown

Ranking Full Stop

Save It for Later

Finally, I got a chance to see the Adicts again.  The last time was at a theater in Wheeling about 5-6 years ago.  Like the last time I saw them play live, they were fucking awesome.  They were the highlight of the day for me.  Their stage show is incredible with silly string, confetti, streamers, and beach balls of all sizes.  Not to mention, Monkey dressing in multiple customes throughout the set.  I believe I would actually travel to see them play again.  They are that good live.  They played songs from albums throughout their back catalog.  I remember the following.

Viva La Revolution

Numbers

Who Spilt My Beer?

Chinese Takeaway

Joker in the Pack

(My Baby Got Run Over By A) Steamroller

Let's Go

You'll Never Walk Alone

Too Young

Fuck It Up

Closing out the evening was NOFX.  I was excited to see them play again.  The last time was at Riot Fest in Chicago a few years ago.  The crowd was really into them too even though they had a tough act to follow.  I enjoyed the show, but just couldn't get into the set too much.  I left a little bit early thinking they were going to end the set soon based on what time it was.  Apparently, they ended up playing all of their Punk in Drublic release which is a bummer because I missed "The Brews" and a few other tunes I like from that release.  I do remember them playing the following.

Linoleum

Bob

Quitter

Back to the hotel, and looking for some food.  I managed to pass Mickey Geggus, the guitar player for the Cockney Rejects, in a hallway.  By the time I recognized it was him, it was too late to go chat with him.  I got to eat, and went to bed satisfied with the first day of the festival and looking forward to day two.

Check out more photos here.  A link to videos will follow in another post.