2000 Tons of TNT - Labor Day Weekend 2012

This past weekend, I attended the 2000 Tons of TNT fest in Hartford, CT at the Webster Theater with Earthdog and Pakky aka Gumby Legs.  We had a blast.  Here is my ranking of the bands from the weekend. 

1 Infa Riot
All the way from London, these guys made their first ever appearance to play on USA soil; and they started playing in 1980.  I thought I was going to enjoy their set, but they overdelivered.  I forgot how many great songs they had on their first LP.  It was a great way to close out the weekend.  I picked up an Infa Riot t-shirt.  Here is what I remember them playing.

Emergency
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Five Minute Fashion
Each Dawn I Die
The Drug Squad
Still Out of Order
Power
Bootboys
The Winner
In for a Riot
Kids of the 80's
School's Out
Riot Riot
We Outnumber You

2 Anti Nowhere League
The Anti Nowhere League made their trek across the pond to play the festival too.  The night before they played with The Meatmen in Philly.  They were Saturday night's headliner.  They too did not disappoint.  I picked up an ANL t-shirt - So What?  We each were able to get our picture taken with Animal on Sunday as he was hanging around the bar area during the sets.  I remember the following tracks from their set.

We Are the League (opening and then later closing song)
Animal
Woman
Can't Stand Rock n Roll
Snowman
Streets of London
I Hate People
So What
For You
Fucked Up and Wasted
Pig Iron
Dead Heroes
Never Drink Alone
My God's Bigger Than Yours

3 The Meatmen
Hailing from the Detroit, MI area, the Meatmen made it out to the festival.  Tesco Vee is 57 years old and still going strong (although he joked he may die from a heart attack on stage because it was so hot in the venue).  This was by far the most hilarious set of the weekend.  I missed these guys play on a few occasions when they came through Chicago over the last few years.  I am glad they were a late addition to the bill to replace Lee Ving who was too busy re-recording The Record with Dave Grohl.  Tesco thanked and humiliated him for those shenanigans.  He also did his renditions of "Beef Boloney" and "I Love Livin in the City" so we did get to hear some Fear after all.  They also covered my favorite Gang Green song "Alcohol".  Their bass player was funny as shit too.  Here are the songs that I remember from their set.

Meatmen Stomp
Toolin for Anus
I've Got a Problem
Orgy of One
2 Down 2 to Go (remake of 1 Down 3 to Go as another Beatle has died since that song was released)
Dumping Ground
Crippled Children Suck
Shut Up and Suck
We're the Meatmen & You Suck
I Want Drugs
Rock n Roll Juggernaut
Lesbian Death Dirge
Alcohol
Beef Boloney
I Love Living in City

 

4 The Warriors
Another UK band, The Warriors played with the original singer of the Last Resort, Graham Saxby.  They treated us to a few Last Resort songs in addition to tracks by the Warriors.  I bought their new CD Never Forgive Never Forget.  I remember the following songs from their set.

Violence in Our Minds
King of the Jungle
England
Never Forgive, Never Forget
Marlon Brando
C.S.A.
The Future Is Unwritten
S.N.A.F.U.

5 Noi!se
This 3 piece hails from the state of Washington.  They were the surprise of the weekend, and are relatively young band in comparison to most of the headlining bands.  I really enjoyed their set, and need to re-listen to their limited discography.  They did play "This Is Who We Are" a track that I put on a compilation CD I made of bands playing at this festival.  I was glad to hear that song.

6 The Bruisers
New Hampshire's The Bruisers played a one off reunion show and were Friday night's headlining band.  They were lead by Al Barr, current Dropkick Murphys lead singer, and Johnny Rioux, current Street Dogs bass player.  I was not sure if I was going to enjoy this set or not, but they did not disappoint.  I am glad I was able to be there to see this reunion effort.  Near the end of the set, the crowd was passing a guy on a wheelchair over their heads crowd surfing.  That was quite a sight to see.  I remember the band playing the following tracks during their almost 90 minute set.

Till the End
Borrowed Time
The Way It Goes
All Messed Up
Work Together
These 2 Boots of Mine

7 Forced Reality
These guys were part of the Friday night 80's reunion band set, and hail from Boston.  I somehow got into listening to them within the last 10 years and new some of their songs.  I was glad they played my favorites.

Backbreaker
Never Forget
Blood Is Thicker Than Water
15 Pints (And I'm Still Standing)
Mama Tried
Gang Warfare
Hooligans Shenanigans

8 Menace
Another band from across the pond played the festival, Menace.  These guys started in the late 1970's.  They played as a 3 piece and the drummer and guitar player split vocal duties.  They played a fun set and as I expected the crowd went nuts when they started into "GLC".  I remember them playing the following songs.

C&A
Insane Society
GLC
Screwed Up
I'm Civilised
Last Years Youth
S.O.S.
Monkey Man (cover of The Specials)

9 Pist n Broke
Originally from Detroit, this band played their style of USA Oi! in the mid 1990's.  I am not sure if this show was a one off reunion gig or not, but I quite enjoyed their set.  I am going to have to give their discography CD The Last Call 1992-96 another listen.  I remember the following tracks being played.

Ireland
Boys Night Out
Pist n Broke

10 Close Shave
From Birmingham, England and reuniting recently after playing from 1986-1992, Close Shave were fun to watch.  I am going to have to go back and listen to their few releases including Hard As Nails to see what songs they may have played.  They had a very young guitar player whom I thought was really good.

11 Patriot
Patriot started in Chapel Hill, NC back in 1990, and have recently got a new line up together to play the festival.  I believe they have a new CD in the works too.  They were fun to watch, but I don't know any of the songs that they played.  I wouldn't mind seeing them as an opening act again.

12 Evil Conduct
These guys are a 3 piece from the Netherlands.  They recently recorded a split 7in with the Old Firm Casuals who feature Lars from Rancid.  Unfortunately, I think these guys ended up playing too long.  If they would have cut their set from about 60 minutes to closer to 30 I may have ranked them in the top 10 for the weekend.  They played "Home Sweet Home" a track I put on my compilation CD prior to the event.  I was glad to see them play it live.

13 The Dwarves
These guys started out in Chicago and now reside in San Francisco.  I didn't think I would like them at all, but was pleasantly surprised and found their brand of hardcore listenable.  If I had $1000 for every time the lead singer said "yeahhhh", I could quit working for at least a year or so.  Next to the Meatmen, they had the most vulgar songs.  I can now say that I have seen them play live.

14 Stars and Stripes
Slapshot's Choke fronted Stars and Stripes on Friday evening.  I don't think they have been active for quite some time.  They were a good opening band.  I am upset they didn't play my favorite song of their's "S.T.F.U." aka Shut The Fuck Up.

15 Hub City Stompers
The only ska band of the festival played mostly cover songs.  They had remade versions of "Boys Don't Cry" and "Ant Music".  I did enjoy their cover of Bad Manners' "Skinhead Love Affair".  They ended their set with their female sax player taking the mic for a cover of Journey's "Anyway You Want It."

16 The Uprisers
Another 1980's New England area band making a reunion appearance for the festival.  I don't know much about them but enjoyed watching them kick off the festival on Friday night.

17 Negative Approach
I don't get into these guys from the Detroit area much anymore, but they did play the two songs that I do like "Negative Approach" and "Tied Down".  The rest of their set had too unlistenable vocals for me to get excited about watching them play.  They did treat us to a pretty decent version of Sham 69's "Borstal Breakout" though.

18 Yellow Stitches
I don't know much about these guys, but I do remember them playing "Tale of a Fat Fucking Retard" a track I put on the compilation CD I made prior to the festival.

19 Giuda
This Italian 70's glam/pub rock band arrived late to the venue causing a bit of band order shuffling on Saturday.  They were OK, but not something I would want to see too frequently.  They crowd was surprisingly into them.  I wonder if they would had been if they would have played the 3-4 hours earlier they were originally scheduled.

20 The Templars
Not much of an interest hear, but I figured I would mention them to round out an even top 20 for the weekend.

There were at least six other bands we saw, but not worth ranking.  Most of them played the side stage prior to the main stage starting on Saturday and Sunday.

I am glad that I decided to attend this festival.  The music was entertaining, brought back a lot of memories of listening to some of these bands 25 years ago, and introduced me to some good bands that I had never listened to before.  I will say that I was disappointed in the lack of air conditioning at the venue (many of the performers complained about how hot it was) and the lack of cab service in Hartford, CT.  Both of these complaints may be enough for me not to return to the event again unless the line up contains quite a few bands that I would like to see for the first time.

I had fun hanging out for the weekend with Earthdog and Gumby Legs, and got to spend a few hours with my college roommate Stevo on Monday afternoon before I flew back home.

You can find some more photos here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lewdd/sets/72157631413442500/ and some more videos here - http://www.youtube.com/user/lewdd33?feature=mhee.

Yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

2012-07-14 Tonight We Unite! Tour

Last night, my wife and I headed south to Joliet, IL to catch the Tonight We Unite! tour.  On the way, we went to pick up Down by Law's guitarist, Sam Williams III, at the Midway airport.  We chatted with Sam on the 30 minute ride to the venue in Joliet, IL - Mojoe's.  Sam filled us in on the status of Pseudo Heroes, The Spears, and his heavy metal band with the lead singer of The Accused.  Sam was nice enough to leave me a DVD of the Spears who have a new demo complete and are looking for a label to release their new CD.  We then met up with the rest of the band at a Chicago Style BBQ shop.  We spent some time talking with DBL's lead singer, Dave Smalley, before we each went our separate ways prior to the show.

By the time we got back to the venue after buying an air conditioner and spending $175 on alcohol at Kenwood Liquors in Homer Glen, we missed some of the bands - The Horrids and The Sheds.  I did, however, pick up 4 additional flavors of Van Gogh vodka that I did not have.  I will save that for another post.

First up for us was Chicago's Flatfoot 56.  I have had to see this band about 10 times by now.  They always put on a good show for their local fans and seem to be real nice guys.  In addition to older tracks like "Chi-Town Beatdown", they played a few newer tracks including "I Believe It" and "I'll Fly Away" from their newest CD Toil.  We enjoyed their set.

The Lower Class Brats from Austin, TX were up next.  They played their Clockwork Orange style street punk for the fans.  The crowd were into them.  I am not a big fan, but do not mind seeing them play.  They have a lot of energy and can stir up a crowd.

Down by Law hit the stage next.  Their sound does not quite fit in with the street punk or psychobilly sound of the rest of the bands on this tour.  After a few songs, the crowd did begin to get into the band and a circle pit started here and there throughout the rest of the set.  The band was in top form and Dave's vocals were great as usual.  During "Gruesome Gary" Dave pulled up the 14 year old guitar player, son of Flatfoot 56's drummer and member of The Sheds, to play guitar.  That will be a memorable event for the young lad who performed quite admirably.  I was able to meet a new person from Daghouse, the Dag Nasty messageboard, during the set.  Jason was in town from Kitchener, Ontario with his daughter for a volleyball clinic, and they made it to the show.  It is always nice to meet another Daghouser, and once again another stand up person.  Before "Heroes & Hooligans", Dave, the classy guy that he is, personally thanked my wife and I for coming out to the show to see the band play.  Here is the play list to the best of my memory, but not in order.

Independence Day
Right or Wrong
American Dream
The Last Brigade
Flower Tattoo
500 Miles
Punk As Fuck
Heroes & Hooligans
Gruesome Gary
Radio Ragga
No Equalizer

The Casualties from NYC were up next.  The young kids went ape shit for these guys.  Lots of kids running up on stage skanking around and then jumping off the stage over the barrier into the crowd.  I can get into the sound of some of their songs, but could not discern the vocals.  After a while, all of the songs began to blend together as one very long song.  I did enjoy their cover of Motorhead's "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.".

Dave was nice enough to come out and meet up with us during the end of the Casualties set and chat.  We spent about 30 minutes together catching up in between other fans like myself who wanted to chat with him.  He is a good friend.  I wish him and his bands a safe and successful remainder of their tour.  The band has merch to sell on tour.  I picked up an XXL tour shirt and their new CD that is coming out on August 9th on DC Jam Records - Champions At Heart.  Be sure to support these guys when they come through town and by their CD at Interpunk or Amazon if you don't get to see the tour.

Unfortunately for the Nekromantix, about 2/3 of the crowd departed before they came on the stage to play including us.  It was a great day.  Thanks again to Dave, Sam, and the DBL band and crew for spending time with us.

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.

2012 Punk Rock Bowling Lineups

Tomorrow around noon, I head to Las Vegas for my first experience of Punk Rock Bowling.  Here are the lineups for the 3 day festival and the 3 nights of smaller club venue shows.