punk | TAKE COVER AND SHOOT!

Posts Tagged ‘punk

Oct

* The Vibrators, The Flying Guillotines, The Handsome Scoundrels @ The Handlebar. 10/11/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: Alabama, florida, Mobile, pensacola, punk, the flying guillotines, The Handlebar, the handsome scoundrels, the vibrators

As soon as “The Beav” strutted on stage, raised his trucker-cap covered head into the microphone to unleash heaven, hell and all things primal at the start of The Flying Guillotines set, I knew that my night was going to get a little wilder. Sometimes when you get the blues, only a hit of punk will do. A trip to The Handlebar and a rowdy trio of trios were just the cure for a day that could have previously taken a suicide swim in a fiery toilet.

On this night, The legendary Vibrators, led by lone, original member John “Eddie” Edwards came to town supported by two area bands, The Handsome Scoundrels (Mobile, Alabama) and The Flying Guillotines (Pensacola, Florida).

The last time I saw The Handsome Scoundrels, the trio (Robert Giles (vocals/guitar), Michael McAuliffe (bass/vocals) and Andy Scott (drums/vocals) were opening for The Independents as the horror-punk masters landed on their home turf at the Alabama Music Box in Mobile. Driven by old school and surf punk, the gentlemen warmed up the night for the craziness to begin.

Somewhere between The Handsome Scoundrels and “here,” life kicked into crazy/wild. As the frontman of Slowpoke Rodriguez and founder of Bangover Booking, “The Beav” made his way to the center of the stage next The Flying Guillotines frontman Jim Clark and the place blew up. This was the first time I’d seen the Pensacola trio of by Clark (vocals/guitar), Rob Mcrory (bass) and Micah Horn (drums) and their wild array of well-crafted blend of catchy, ass-moving punk, humor and…snakes…yes…Snakes. Any problems that I had from a horrible day were quickly erased thanks to The Flying Guillotines. With an upcoming show at The Handlebar’s Punk Rock Halloween Extravaganza, the group are a definite “do-not-miss” adventure.

Even with snakes taking over the stage, The Vibrators closed out the night. The latest incarnation of John “Eddie” Edwards original, British-invasion punk group led the Pensacola crowd through a non-stop journey of nearly 40-year-old catalog of punk history. Barely taking a second to breath, each song’s finish was met with the next song’s start and another wave of bodies crashing throughout the night.

- Michael L. Smith

About these ads

Sep

* Nekromantix, The Howlers, Nik Flagstar & His Dirty Mangy Dogs @ Vinyl Music Hall. 09/02/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: dirty mangy dogs, florida, horrorbilly, lashan, michael, nekromantix, nik flagstar, pensacola, punk, rockabilly, smith, the howlers, vinyl music hall

It was an evening tryst with the Devil. As the sun ran like hell from the ivory moon and her black shadows of night, rock fury descended onto the stage as the Nekromantix had their pleasure with the Vinyl Music Hall crowd.

If Jerry Lee Lewis, Dally Winston (of S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”) and Ludwig van Beethoven got in a bar fight, Nik Flagstar would be the product of their battle royale. Pushing buttons and punching a sound that smells of the road, rough women and hard-livin’, Nik Flagstar and His Dirty Mangy Dogs (Pecker (bass), Isaac (drums) make no-apologies for their content and make a hell of a rockin’ sound that got the night started right.

Next on stage were The Howlers (Eli Misery (vocals), Josh (guitar), Peter Panic (upright bass), Vince (drums), Horacio (guitar). With a switchblade sharp cut of pure-punk energy and rockabilly dipped in the pools of hell, the San Gabriel Valley, California band cranked a sound that was reminiscent of Danzig-era Misfits courtesy of Misery’s growl and stage presence. The band loved every minute on stage and even carried their energy into the venue after their performance as they joined in the pit and hung out with the crowd during the Nekromantix set.

Touring in support of their lasted album “What Happens in Hell, Stays in Hell” the Nekromantix began their set in near darkness which gave way to a burst of white lights throughout the first few songs.

Formed in 1989 by Kim Nekroman after a stint in the Danish Navy, the group have toured the world converting the masses onto their psychobilly sound. With Nekroman leading the charge on bass, Francisco Mesa assaulting the night on guitar and Lux calling the demons of hell with her drums, the trio worked the Vinyl Music Hall audience into a ghoulish frenzy well into the night.

Michael L. Smith

Jul

* Ballyhoo!, The Bastard Suns @ Vinyl Music Hall. 07/17/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: Atlanta, ballyhoo!, florida, georgia, hard rock, pensacola, punk, reggae, sourthern, summer soundsystems tour, the bastard suns, vinyl music hall

The Summer Soundsystem Tour hit Downtown Pensacola, Florida as Ballyhoo! invaded Vinyl Music Hall with The Bastard Suns for a reggae-vibe induced night of punk sounds.

I missed local group Operation Hennessey’s set and by the time I made it downtown, Atlanta, Georgia’s The Bastard Suns had already drowned the crowd in beer soaked rock goodness. Defining themselves as “Southern Punk Rock,” the group (Clayton (vocals), Wes (guitar), Kevin (guitar) Levon (bass) and Jay Tea (drums) proudly upholds their title, even throwing in some Irish revelry for a crowd that included faithful patrons from Coaster’s in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

With their new album “Daydreams” album to be released soon, Ballyhoo! took the stage and served up a set of reggae/punk n’ hardrock for the Northwest Florida crowd. Formed in Aberdeen, Maryland, Ballyhoo! (Howii (guitar, vovals), Big D (drums), Mista J (bass), and Blaze (turntable, keyboards) were recently signed to Yesod Williams’ LAW Records and have toured with groups such as 311 and Authority Zero.

Ballyhoo! will also be playing the 311 Pow Wow Festival (August 4-6) in Live Oak, Florida featuring 311, Deftones, Sublime with Rome and many more acts.

Jun

* Dick Dale, Laramie Dean @ Vinyl Music Hall. 06/18/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! 1 Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: dick dale, fathers day, fender, florida, guitar, hot rods, jimmy dale, laramie dean, lashan, michael, pensacola, pin-ups, punk, smith, strat, surf, vinyl music hall

Shortly after the strike of midnight, “The King of the Surf Guitar” put aside the instrument that has circled his identity for over half a century, walked over to his son and proceeded to create one of the greatest Father’s Day moments in Rock N’ Roll history while an enraptured Vinyl Music Hall crowd played witness.

The night that ended with father and son sharing their pre-dawn Father’s Day gift with the Pensacola, Florida audience was preceded by a series of events coordinated in celebration of Dick Dale and Laramie Dean’s performance at Vinyl Music Hall. Starting with a display of hot rod classics and pin-up models, the afternoon sky gave way to night as the doors opened for the show and people from all corners of society gathered quickly to see the man who has been revered as a major influence on genre-breaking, innovative artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen and countless more musicians including Laramie Dean.

Born in Troy, New York, Laramie Dean firmly grabs the fire of punk rock with one hand and reverently holds the no-limits explorative spirit of surf rock in the other. During his set, Dean recalled his early punk roots and his journey to study under the surf guitar legend when it was announced that Dick Dale was coming to his town. Fully embracing both genres, Dean dug into his black Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars and led the audience on a dizzying, night flight of pure rock n’ roll. Complemented by the musicianship of Trevor Lucca (bass), Hideki Ikeura (trumpet) and Jimmy Dale doing double duty as drummer for Dean and his father, Dick Dale, Dean showcased a rich mix of sounds, playfulness and skill that were also on display during his first visit to Vinyl Music Hall when he made a brief, yet electrifying cameo with surf punk icons Agent Orange on the first day of the new year. At the close of his set, Dean flashed a grand display of the long-lost art of music showmanship when he handed out his guitar for the audience to play.

In the interim between Dean and Dick Dale’s performance, a pin-up contest was held with the winner to be named after the conclusion of Dale’s set.

Following the parade of beauty, Dick Dale made his entrance to the stage. Joined by his son Jimmy Dale on drums and longtime friend and bassist Ron “The Captain” Eglit, Dale engaged the audience with the music and style that has carved his name on the mountain of music royalty. Accolades and awards aside, Dale put on an amazing show that would humble guitar virtuosos half his age. Branding passion and love on a night full of classic rock n’ roll Americana, Dale approached his extensive catalog of music with youthful excitement will riding the aura of personal classics, as well as, throwing his own creative take on historic music standards including Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say.”

Toward the end of the set, Dale, sans guitar, rounded the edge of the stage and made his way to his son’s side for a blazing moment when father and son were shoulder-to-shoulder playing away on the drum kit. In a night full of memorable moments, the highlight for me occurred when the artist, innovator and King of Surf Guitar humbly presented his most important title of all…Father.

-Michael L. Smith

Jun

* The Turbo A.C.’s, The Arkhams, Swim With Sharks @ The Handlebar. 06/05/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: florida, lashan, michael, new york, pensacola, punk, rock, room ten26, smith, surf, swim with sharks, take cover and shoot, the arkhams, The Handlebar, turbo a.c.'s

The Turbo A.C.’s are dangerous at any speed. The last time I witnessed the group unleash their New York punk sound on Pensacola, I ended up in a wreck minutes after popping their CD “Automatic” into my deck after leaving a Thursday night show at Room Ten26 nearly 10 years ago.

Fresh and gritty from their set as openers for Kansas City, Missouri rockers The Architects show in Pensacola, the crew of Swim With Sharks were the first to hit The Handlebar stage. The group helmed by music veterans Leer Baker (vocals/guitar), Aaron Taylor (guitar/vocals), Nicolas Pauwles (bass), and Dave Myers (drums) are hitting the road with upcoming shows in Mobile, AL, Austin, TX, and Oklahoma City.

Showing their respect and admiration for the men in The Arkhams, The Turbo A.C.’s went on second, giving the final knockout curtain slot to their touring buddies. Many years have passed since I saw the Turbo A.C.’s perform. In fact, the last time I saw them play, they were a trio playing the Pensacola venue Room Ten26. Owner Jason Holstein (former Woodenhorse and current 60 Cycles of Sound bassist) had just completed the stage area of the venue that featured a bar, lounge and a very popular photo booth that played host to a slew of touring and local bands. Cockfight opened for the Turbo A.C.’s who were just about to embark on a tour of Europe in a few months. After opening the “Automatic” CD that featured a young, leopard print clad lady behind a steering wheel, I proceeded to drive home with the opening track “Mafioso” tuned up. That’s when all hell broke loose.

Fast forward nearly a decade with years that included label changes and the departure of bassist Michael Dolan in 2005. Facing adversity that would crush most bands, Kevin Cole (vocals, guitar) stayed strong and rebuilt the group. Originally formed in 1996, The Turbo A.C.’s marched on with Tim Lozada taking on bass duties while Jer VonDuck and his guitar were added to round out their Punk N’ Surf sound. During their set VonDuck thanked Swim With Sharks’ Baker for his hand in getting the musician involved with the Turbo A.C.’s.

Marking the last night of their road adventure with The Turbo A.C.’s, the psychobilly group from Queens, New York closed out the night. Led by Matt Goldpaugh (vocals/upright bass), Mad Arkham (guitar/vocals), Seanzi Dirtbag (drums), and Johnny Beernuts (guitar), The Arkhams playfully mixed humor into their set of rockabilly goodness; offering their “sweatlist” to anyone willing to accept the gift.

- Michael L. Smith

Jun

* Face To Face, Strung Out, The Darlings, Blitzkid @ Vinyl Music Hall. 05/31/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: battle of the bands, blitzkid, california, ernie ball, face to face, fat wreck chords, florida, lashan, michael, pensacola, punk, smith, strung out, take cover and shoot, the darlings, vans warped tour, vinyl music hall

“Eyewear in the pit…don’t mix.” Lessons learned like a G.I. Joe cartoon public service announcement from the 1980’s. I’ve known this lesson ever since I first lost a pair of glasses at an all-ages show when I was 16 years old. I don’t remember the name of the bands from way back then, but I know they didn’t compare to the Face To Face show in downtown Pensacola, Florida.

The first band on the Vinyl Music Hall stage were Blitzkid from Bluefield, West Virginia. With Road Warrior determined touring that has taken them around the world to play intimate stages and large festivals, the group consisting of Argyle Goolsby (vocals/bass), Nathan Bane (guitar) and Ricko Mortis (drums) propelled their horror-punk metal madness on the Vinyl Music Hall crowd.

Following Blitzkid were The Darlings who are led by Buddy Darling (vocals, guitar), Chris Kranes (bass), Josh Fasen (drums) and Zacc West (guitar) have been cranking their Southern California style of rock since their creation in 2005. Winning the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands contest and quickly becoming Vans Warped Tour veterans, the group played tracks from their debut album “The New Escape” to keep the venue jumping.

With the crowd moving and ready for more, it was time for Strung Out to take the stage. Hailing from Simi Valley, California the band was formed in 1992 by Jason Cruz (vocals), Jake Kiley (guitar), Rob Ramos (guitar), Adam Austin (drums) and the late Jim Cherry (bass). The group was one of the early artists signed to Fat Wreck Chords by label founder and NOFX lead singer and bassist Fat Mike (Michael John Burkett). With Chris Aiken on bass and Jordan Burns taking over drum duties, the band hit hard during a heavy set that included a quick splash of Pantera’s “Walk” during a rain shower of sweat, punk and metal.

At this point of the night, my glasses were intact and still on my face, but somewhere toward the middle of Face To Face’s set they were knocked off and lost in a rowdy dark, blurry mass of energy. With a history that began in 1991 when friends Trevor Keith (vocals/guitar) and Matt Riddle (bass) formed the punk band from Victorville, California, Face To Face have been considered one of a handful of early, influential, California punk bands. Through years of recording, touring, lineup changes and a breakup, the band regrouped and are currently touring in support of their recently released album “Laugh Now…Laugh Later.”

During their set, Keith displayed quick humor and safety lessons for those in the pit, giving critiques on a few knuckleheads and encouraging everyone to have a good time. Supported by Scott Shiflett (bass and brother to Foo Fighters’ guitarist, Chris Shiflett), Chad Yaro (guitar) and Danny Thompson (drums) ripped through a selection of Southern California punk rock to cap off a night of music worth every crazy second.

-Michael L. Smith

P.S. Dr. Terrezza, I’ll be returning to your office sooner than I expected.

May

* The Independents, The Handsome Scoundrels, The F’n A-holes @ Alabama Music Box. + Evil Presley Interview 04/26/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! 2 Comments

Categories: Interview, Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: Alabama, Alabama Music Box, bazooka joe, benefit, evil presley, handsome scoundrels, horror, lashan, michael, Mobile, punk, smith, take cover and shoot, The F'n A-Holes, The Independents, tornadoes, willy b

***Less than 24 hours after the Independents performed at the Alabama Music Box, many states in the Southern, Midwestern, and Eastern regions of the United States were hit by what the media have called one of the most destructive tornado days in U.S. History. Links on where and how to provide help is included at the end of this article, including information on the benefit concert on May 9th at the Soul Kitchen in Mobile, Alabama***

With the blacktop straightaway leading me home, I nod farewell to the childhood friends who now command the center of Dauphin street in Mobile, Alabama. After my night in the company of The Independents, Evil Presley and Willy B. stand in dark glory amid a Mobile mob.

It’s 4am in the morning and my fourth Independents’ show is notched on the brain. Eight hours as witness to the brotherhood of two friends who met in 3rd grade. Like brothers, they owned that street together. Like brothers, they owned the bar together, and without question, like brothers, they owned the stage together.

Bouncing back and forth on the Gulf Coast leg of their tour, I missed The Independents’ Easter Sunday show in Pensacola as well as the following shows in Ft. Walton and Tallahassee. Their show at the Alabama Music Box hit do-not-miss, priority status and after talking with Evil later in the night, I’m beyond thankful that I made it to the show.

Leading the parade of rock were Mobile misfits, The F’n A-holes. The Alabama trio have been playing their raunch-rock style of music since 2005. Cleverly mixing the sounds of rock, punk, roots and rock-a-billy with their own work-hard, play-hard ethic, the group, led by Joey F’ Stick (vocals/guitar), Chris C. (drums) and Kelley (bass) hit the stage and set the boom-stick meter to bang.

Following The F’n A-holes were the Handsome Scoundrels. Also hailing from Mobile, the punk group of Robert Giles (vocals/guitar), Michael McAuliffe (bass/vocals), Andy Scott (drums) and Jeff Huggins (guitar/vocals) fired away and set up the crowd for The Independents’ entrance to the stage.

Horror, punk, metal and ska for a fix, The Independents obviously have a hell-of-a-time on stage. The ride is a fast, rocky mosh of energy. With their mandatory standards and covers rip-ready, Evil Presley (vocals)jumped off the stage and joined the madness in the pit. Joining Evil Presley, Willy B. (guitar), and Rob Gilly (bass) on this leg of the tour was Mark Holt who was also the drummer for the 80’s punk band Bazooka Joe.

Smoothly serenading a lady who had curved her way to a more comfortable view near the stage, Evil quickly transitioned from horror-punk lothario to evil-party instigator, rousing the mob with the band’s cover of Van Halen’s “Dance the Night Away.” At an Independents’ show, you can join the ride or watch from afar, but you will move or be moved if Evil and Willy have their way.

After the show, The Independents stepped off stage and took in the crowd. With the same energy and enthusiasm I’ve seen them give to all of their fans, the brothers, Evil and Willy B., continued the party throughout the bar and into the streets.

-Michael L. Smith

—————————————Evil Presley Interview———————————————

Following their show at the Alabama Music Box in Mobile, Alabama, The Independents hung out with the crowd and Evil Presley graciously answered a few questions.

(Warning: Adult language ahead)

TCAS: What are your plans for 2011?

EP: We’re going to try and find some reliable band mates. Are bass player’s a great guy, he’s been with us for awhile. And the drummer we have now is a fill-in guy. I wish he could stay with us. He is a great drummer, but he has a wife and kids….we’re gonna record a lot of f*ckin..we’re gonna go in and record four songs at a time, put them on i-tunes and stuff. I know people love to download stuff. We’ve got a Christmas record we’re working on. We’ve got the f*ckin thing done 10 years ago, but we never had the right musicians to finish recording it. We’re gonna record that, we’ve got a bunch of recordings to do…soundtracks we’re working on. We’re just gonna try and record a lot. Really cut back on our touring, We’re gonna do more bigger shows instead of smaller shows. Everybody’s so used to us always being on the road. It’s hard, It’s hard for us. We’ve toured so much it’s like…you know you wanna…you come back…200 people and it’s like everybody knows you’ll be back in 6 months. So it’s like, you know what? We’re gonna come back once a year. Mainly start recording more, we also got a screen-printing business; we’re gonna do that. Work some soundtracks out. I might work on a solo record. I really want to have a big band horror…I wanna do cool cover songs…12…14…20 covers. It would be awesome. Play some shows. Have a good time. I really think about doing that. Give Will a break.

TCAS: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

EP: Always be yourself and don’t f*ckin’ listen to anybody else. Don’t be sh*tty. It may be hard in the long run to just be yourself and do it..what you really want to do…but….integrity, and your heart’s there and you never sell yourself short. Just believe in what you believe in and have a good time. Don’t settle for anybody else’s b*llshit. The world is already f*cked up. America is the best country in the world, but we are turning to sheep…I’m gonna get drunk and talk crazy shit…all these f*ckin’ news channels are so biased. When you look at BBC America. When I get on my wii…which I bought for the fitness thing. I do that for a month..I swear…I tried it, but my house is so small, I got all of this Chinese, Japanese pottery and stuff..it’s real expensive…it’s all shaking because I’m snow skiing and sh*t, so I just stopped. But I get my wii and look at my news on wii because it’s the only way to get real news…unbiased…just the facts…make your own f*ckin’ mind up…

TCAS: No spin.

EP: No spin. Am I’m getting a little off the wall here?

TCAS: No. How did you and Willy B. meet?

EP: I was best friends with his little brother. And Will said I tried to beat him up in 3rd grade or something. I was always a big kid, but I don’t believe that sh*t. He whipped my ass a couple of times.

TCAS: One last question…Crunchy or creamy peanut butter?

EP: I like…you know what my big thing is? I like almond butter, dude.

TCAS: Almond butter?

EP: Almond butter.

A chorus of people around us: Almond butter?

EP: Almond butter is the sh*t. But Captain Crunch peanut butter…That’s what I’m talkin’ about! (Evil looks me in the eye, grins, smiles and then gives a big laugh)
-Michael L. Smith

CNN article on the devastation caused by the Tornado catastrophe. Including interview with Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox

Link with a list of “resources for the recovery effort: Drop-off sites, blood drives as well as ways to help through national agencies.

Benefit for North Alabama Tornado Victims at The Soul Kitchen in Mobile, Alabama. Including The F’ n A-holes and other artists from Alabama and Florida.

ABC news article list and ways to help storm victims.

Mar

* CockFight vs. Daikaiju @ The Handlebar. 02/24/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: battle of the bands, Cockfight, daikaiju, florida, pensacola, punk, rock, surf, The Handlebar

Twisted from the wreckage of iron vengeance and forged in the fire of sonic combat, two bands stand opposed in a ring of beer, sweat, and bodies. Heaven and Hell are for mortals, but victory is forever.

On this night, The Handlebar patrons rocked on edge, dangling off the wooden precipice overlooking the descendant sea born of punk, surf, rock, metal and anything else the flesh of souls and sound could create. The rules of engagement were simple; one band would play a song and then the other band would follow-up with a song, each alternating until the night was over.

With the floor of the bar serving as the pitch of contest, the Cockfight crew set up camp on stage as the men of Daikaiju claimed the back of the bar as HQ for the night. With heavily spun drum rolls announcing each volley, the crowd played witness to the 100 watt monster, triple guitar and vocal attack of Cockfight. Led by Ethan Manns, Chris Cole, Roy Clark and their guardians of rhythm, Mike Lane (drums) and Adam Looney (bass), the band matched up their chord heavy artillery against the melodious, riff blitzkrieg of Daikaiju.

Manning an attack of stealth, speed and agility, the masked men of Daikaiju have no need for words or microphones. The instrumental foursome of fear fired a lightning-quick strike of single note guitar attacks from the duo of Secret-man and Rock-man while Rumble-man (bass) and Hands-man (drums) secured their mobile unit.

The evening textile of music swooned white as the battle of bands quickly turned into a party with dizzying dances from camp to camp as each song was completed. Audience members (and even a few band members) traversed the playing field to watch every retort. Staying up close to the action, instrument-to-face and notes-through-body for every song of the dueling sets.

As quickly as the night started, it soon came to an end. The victor of the evening? Everyone! The contest was ruled a draw.

-Story and photos by MLS

Cockfight site
Daikaiju site

Jan

* Adolescents, Lower Class Brats, Scars and Stripes @ Vinyl Music Hall. 01/04/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! Leave a Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: adolescents, florida, lower class brats, pensacola, punk, scars and stripes, vinyl music hall

On the Vinyl Music Hall calendar, sandwiched between the surf punk of Agent Orange and the outlaw country of David Allan Coe, were three separate generations of punk music gathered on one stage for an energized night of music.

Vinyl hadn’t quite filled up when Scars and Stripes opened the bill, ready to show their youth and power as they opened the night. “It’s good to be back in Pensacola. We’re from Ft. Walton!” announced Mikey (vocals/guitar). With a hearty middle finger on ready display, Mikey sped into an inspired set supported by Nicky (keyboards/vocals), Matt (drums), Donny (bass/vocals), and Dustin (guitar/vocals). Scars and Stripes warmed up the ever-growing crowd and loosened them up for the touring bands about to take the stage.

Formed in 1995 in the American Music Mecca of Austin, Texas, the guys of Lower Class Brats went against the grain of the grunge/alternative sound that saturated the music scene of the time. The title of their first demo, “Working Class Punk,” is a fitting way to describe the band and the sound they delivered to the world and the Pensacola crowd this night.

Looking like a blend of Generation X era Billy Idol and Rutger Hauer’s Roy Batty character from the sci-fi noir thriller, Blade Runner, Bones DeLarge (vocals) immediately set the tone for the night when he noticed the barricade that kept the audience six feet away from the band and told the crowd to push the barricade forward and come closer to the stage. Within a hot minute, DeLarge’s command was fulfilled and with support from original member, Marty Volume (guitar, vocals), Johnny O. Negative (bass), and Joey The Kid (drums), the Austin quartet fired through 15 years of life-driven punk music. Rallying against the follower syndrome prevalent in society, DeLarge promoted self-action and the questioning of authority throughout the set, declaring that they are “Anti-Nazi, Anti-junkie.” After the crowd joined the chorus chants of “Who Writes Your Rules (For Rebellion)”, DeLarge implored the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” to their bassist, Johnny O. Negative.

With a history dating back to 1980 and cited as the inspiration for past, current and undoubtedly future musicians of punk and various genres of heavy music, this lineup of the Adolescents made their introduction to Vinyl Music Hall stage.

Needing nothing more than a nod to the crowd, Tony Cadena (vocals), Steve Soto (bass), Mike McKnight (guitar), Matt Beld (guitar) and Mando Del Rio (drums) didn’t need to use any words or statements between songs. Banter was kept to a minimum as it was apparent what the group came to do. With barely a breath between songs, the Adolescents lit song after song, firing the crowd into shouting chorus with every word the band could fit into one night of their 30 year history.

Intensely building on every second, the crowd became divided into three groups, those who stood in front of the stage, jumping and shouting as Cadena stood above them, those who circled in separate masses of rhythmic power and those who collected on the perimeter of the action to watch and possibly catch their breath. A safely contained element of expression where friends celebrated together, mixing with strangers who would soon become friends in this gathering. Songs such as “Rip It Up” served as catalyst for the crowd’s release of energy, excitement and devotion for one of the most inspirational bands of the American punk rock movement.

-Michael L. Smith

Jan

* Agent Orange, It Starts Today, CockFight @ Vinyl Music Hall. 01/01/11

By Take Cover and Shoot! 1 Comment

Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: agent orange, Alabama, Cockfight, dick dale, florida, it starts today, laramie dean, Mobile, pensacola, pipeline, punk, rock, surf, vinyl music hall

Ghosts have to rock too? Maybe the New Year’s Eve downtown celebration wasn’t enough for a roaming spirit on the first night of 2011. Apparently, there is a picture floating around of a smoke filled Vinyl stage and the image of a face can be seen hovering in a cloud. If Casper the “rockin’ ghost” is into metal, rock, and old school punk, he was right at home this night.
I think this may be someone in the audience pulling a prank, but it wouldn’t go out of paranormal reason to believe that something is going on. The building that is now Vinyl Music Hall dates back to 1897. Personally, I don’t believe any paranormal activity is occuring and the only thing I saw go bump in the night were three awesome bands performing on the Vinyl stage.

Cockfight opened the night and raised a little hell for the spirits in the house. Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida have been longtime sister cities for underground music and the current lineup of CockFight is the offspring of a far from holy union. Mixing members from both cities, the boys of CockFight cooked the crowd in raw musical meat. Led by Ethan Manns (vocals/guitar), Christopher Cole (vocals, guitar), Roy H. Clark (vocals, guitar), Adam Looney (bass) and Michael Lane (drums) they laid down the incantation of rock for the spirits to come.

Jumping up second were local outfit, It Starts Today. This was my first time seeing them perform and it definitely won’t be my last. With a sound so heavy and hard, any spirit in the place was probably screaming to jump back into physical form so they could feel the weight of sound and power released by this local force. Propelled by daredevil, Justin Saxton (vocals) and fueled by Rob Kelemen (guitar, vocals), Randy Blackwell (bass, vocals), Tony Johnson (guitar, vocals), and Beau DeMilly (drums), the group moved a Vinyl crowd that included a very vocal It Starts Today following. At one time during their set, I heard a booming voice behind me declare “That’s my brother up there!” As I turned around, I saw the owner of the booming voice, dressed in matching green cap and shirt, rocking out with everyone gathered at the front of the stage. Saxton echoed the feeling of most hungry and talented local bands performing at Vinyl Music Hall when he told the crowd “For a local band like us, it’s cool to have a place like this to play.”

Headlining and immediately launching into their cover of the Chantays’ instrumental surf rock classic, “Pipeline” (Dick Dale released a cover of the same song in 1987 with blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughn) punk veterans Agent Orange guaranteed that every soul (living and otherwise) were going to have a good time tonight. Marking the second night of their current tour, Mike Palm (vocals, guitar), Perry Giordano (bass) and David Klein (drums) crashed their groundbreaking surf punk style onto the shores of Pensacola, Florida.

During the set, the trio were joined by guitar icon Laramie Dean, who honed his surf guitar skills studying under surf guitar pioneer, Dick Dale, as well as performing and touring with punk rock royalty (The Misfits, Fishbone, The Queers, Anti-Flag and more) ever since.

If there really was a ghost prowling around Vinyl Music Hall this night, it’s a safe bet that they had a rockin’ good time.

-Michael L. Smith