This morning I went downtown to catch up with Claudia, Denise & Jesse from the Hyatt/Loews Lake Las Vegas. We had brunch at 1228 Main, a cool spot that Claudia likes. What a morning! We spent 3 hours laughing non stop, about everything and nothing. I hadn't seen these guys since we moved from Vegas 11 years ago, and catching up was like we had seen each other last weekend. I didn't like how they said life was working in the hotels these days. Sounds like Covid made management forget how to treat employees in the Concierge industry. But otherwise all three were doing and looking great.
We were at the venue just before 5pm in order to catch the English Beat. I saw them here in 2012 and really liked it, and today it added a mellow start to the day. Mirror In The Bathroom was the only song I recognized and got the crowd riled up at the end of their set.
Bratmobile were up next. I was surprised to find out the had been around since the early 90s and from Washington. They would have fit perfectly into what I was listening to at the time, but is seems they have slipped through the cracks. They put on a good show. I knew none of their stuff, but picked up a bit of Cheap Trick Record, and their Cherry Bomb cover to finish the set was a pearler.
Old school punk back on the main stage, with Stiff Little Fingers. Again, not sure why I've never heard of this band, but that is the beauty of coming to Punk Rock Bowling - to find new, and new to me bands. I liked their message of community in their songs and their between song banter. They looked like they were appreciative of the crowd, and blown away that they had the opportunity to play for so many years. Hate Has No Home Here was a particular favorite mid-set.
I watched a little bit of Scowl, but wasn't taken in by them. I used the rest of the time to seek out food. Then it was back to the main stage for Gogol Bordello. I will tell you now, Hell will freeze over before Gogol put on a bad show. The whole bands energy from start to finish is an amazing way to convey their message to the crowd. And there was no one in the crowd standing still. I Would Never Want To Be Young Again started it for me. Straight into Not A Crime & Immigrant Punk and the crowd was on fire - matching the band for energy. While only a 9 song set, it fit Punk Rock Bowling perfectly, and Start Wearing Purple was the finisher you'd expect. That song was stuck in my head for days.
Sounds weird to say, but to wind down after Gogol Bordello, the small stage had the powerful Quicksand. Their singer/guitarist looked familiar. I looked him up an realized it was Walter Schreifels from the Gorilla Biscuits. Then I remember them talking about that back at Riot Fest (though I missed Quicksand there). More heavy and angular (think Helmet) than punk, Quicksand continued the energy push and the crowd was into it. I need to look into them more - I'd never heard their stuff - and they were good.
Another reason to come out this year was Madness. Their show back at the House Of Blues in April 2012 is still a highlight from living in Vegas. Tonight it took a little longer to get that feeling. Sound issues meant they were delayed getting on stage, the crowd becoming restless - as you do on the last act of a 3 day festival. The band finally arrived behind the Star Wars theme and, predictably, launched in to One Step Beyond, much to the roar of the crowd. They then played a bunch of songs I didn't know, including 3 off a new album, and started to lose the crowd (I thought). A poor attempt at humor had a band member badly singing a shit version of Livin' On A Prayer, under the guise of a casino audition. But straight after they launched into House Of Fun, and all was forgiven. From then on, it was all the good stuff. Baggy Trousers, Our House and It Must Be Love. The delay at the front end didn't allow for an "encore", so the band played pretend, we cheered ike it was a stage return and they finished off the set with Madness and Night Boat To (Cairo) Vegas. Dave and I even got in the pit for the last song. It's been years since I've done that, and afterwards I remembered - cause I'm 51, not 21.
A great weekend's music was only outdone but getting to hang out with some old friends. The boys keep asking to come to Vegas, to see where they were born. I've only been back twice in 12 years. We'll have to do it sooner, if just for them. That and I didn't get to visit my old work-wife, Lisa. SHifts and shows didn't allow us to cross paths. Next time.
The Crap Facts
This is my 507th concert.
This is my 7th concert at The Downtown Events Center.
This is my 153rd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 153rd concert in Nevada.
This is my 308th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd English Beat show.
Bratmobile are the 590th band I've seen.
Stiff Little Fingers are the 591st band I've seen.
Scowl are the 592nd band I've seen.
This is my 5th Gogol Bordello show.
Stiff Little Fingers are the 591st band I've seen.
Scowl are the 592nd band I've seen.
This is my 5th Gogol Bordello show.
Quicksand are the 593rd band I’ve seen.
This is my 2nd Madness show.
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