Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

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.

The English Beat setlist

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.

Bratmobile setlist

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.

Stiff Little Fingers setlist

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.

Gogol Bordello setlist

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.

Quicksand setlist

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.

Madness setlist

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.

Quicksand are the 593rd band I’ve seen.

This is my 2nd Madness show.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

The late morning started with Erik & India at Eggworks for breakfast.  Another old favorite breakfast place from our days of living here.  Afterwards we just took it easy until we headed downtown in the late afternoon.

We got down to town earlier than predicted.  Enough time to catch Niis.  A few songs anyway.  I felt like I was being yelled at.  During and between songs.  We left the sunny main stage area to grab a water and head over to the side stage.

This was the reason I had to be hear early today.  The mighty Cosmic Psychos.  Saw them last October for the first time in 31 years, and here they are, back in the US.  Just for Punk Rock Bowling.  Not more an appropriate band.  They only get a 20 minute set, but they have set a standard for the day.  A Nice Day To Go To The Pub lets the crowd know they are dealing with Australian rock royalty, and leads into a crowd singing Fuckwit City.  All 7 songs are what they played back in Asheville, and just as great.  The finale sees Macca do his famous shirt-off belly roll with a guitar over the back of the head during David Lee Roth.  Fun set.  Wished they'd played longer

Cosmic Psychos setlist

Back over to the main field for Destroy Boys, where a majority of us preferred the Golden Nugget's shade to standing closer to the band.  A good set of songs that I didn't know, except for the Should I Stay Or Should I Go cover.  Destroy Boys had a good energy and did their best to pump up the crowd, which was not an easy task this early in the day, and in this heat.

Destroy Boys setlist

We took a break for an early dinner (missing Snooper) before heading back into the now majority shaded main stage area.  When that sun is gone, it feels so much better.  And when it sets, it feels perfect.  The Subhumans then gave us 40 minutes of old school English punk.   Alot of political and social commentary from another band that I had not heard before, even though I'd heard their name for years.  Too Fat, Too Thin was a favorite of the night.

Subhumans setlist

The first chords of Starcrawler were ringing out as we reached the side stage.  Singer Arrow de Wilde has a unique stage presence.  Her tall figure stalking the stage really fits the music.  I had seen de Wilde walking around earlier, not knowing who she wa.  But she is a lot taller than I am and her distinguished mane of hair makes her hard to miss.  Her stage presence makes her seem bigger.  And the crowd love them.  Maybe some LA people who know the band, but they were deservedly well received.  As usual I didn't know any of their songs, but quickly joined in to the recognisable Ramones cover Pet Semetary.

One of the reasons I came out for this show was Rocket From The Crypt.  It had been 25 years since I last saw them, opening for Mudhoney in Sydney, though I have seen other John Reis bands in the meantime Hot Snakes, The Night Marchers & Me First & The Gimme Gimmes).  Hoping to hear some of their RFTC album, we got 13 songs from other albums instead.  While a great rock band, they weren't like any other "punk band" on the line up.  A mid set On A Rope was my favorite.  Not quite as I remembered all those years ago, but still glad I got to see Rocket From The Crypt again.

Rocket From The Crypt setlist

Back over to the small stage as The Chats arrive to a thunderous applause.  No talking tonight, just ripping through as many songs as possible in 50 minutes.  Pretty much the same songs as the Neighborhood Theatre 2 weeks ago, but definitely at a faster pace.  6L GTR amped up the crowd sufficiently, and it never settled down after that.  The Smoko / Pub Feed ender was fantastic and had the crowd exhausted.  Another great performance from this band.  I'll happily see them anytime they come around.

The Chats setlist

Another reason for the trip out was for Devo.  It's been a while since we saw them at the old Joint, and it seems like they are wrapping up touring after 50 years, so I got to see them while I can.  The show starts with a Devo video introducing their career by "manager" Rod Rooter, before the red dome hats hit the stage.  It was a slow start, but once they started Girl U Want, the crowd whipped into a frenzy.  Quickly followed by their most recognizable song, Whip It, Devo showed they are still ahead of their time.  So good!  A costume change after Planet Earth - into their yellow plastic Devo suits - saw them play 5 awesome songs til the end of their set.  Uncontrollable Urge was a song I knew but didn't realize was theirs, and Smart Patrol/Mr DNA was a definite highlight.  We only got Freedom Of Choice as an encore, but what a way to end.  This show was just as good as the first time I saw Devo in 1997 at Livid.  It was worth the trip to Vegas on it's own

Devo setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 506th concert.
This is my 6th concert at The Downtown Events Center.
This is my 152nd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 152nd concert in Nevada.
This is my 307th concert in the USA.
Niis are the 586th band I've seen.
This is my 4th Cosmic Psychos show.
Destroy Boys are the 587th band I've seen.
Subhumans are the 588th band I've seen.
Starcrawler are the 589th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Rocket From The Crypt show.
This is my 3rd The Chats show.
This is my 3rd Devo show.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

This morning we got up earlyish and drove down to the Punk Rock Museum.  We only decided on this last night, and opted for an early start, given the weekend.  Dave met Erik & I there and we had the place to ourselves for the first half an hour or so.  Dave is an annual memmer, so we had our own personal tour guide for the first hour, til he had to leave and meet Dee. The museum is great, plenty of memorabilia from the last 50 years of punk (mostly American).  Dave says they rotate stuff through their regularly, he sees new stuff every visit.  I liked the Pennywise garage.  If we'd known we'd have stayed longer, as Guitar Wolf played and hour after we left.

We hid from the heat back at Erik's house before we headed downtown to the show at around 3pm.  Erik dropped me off, as he was going to his godson's graduation first.  Within moments of getting through the gate, I hooked up with Dave and we went into the smaller stage to see Teen Mortgage (he'd already got in early to buy merchandise and see a couple of bands).  Teen Mortgage was a great start.  This 2 piece had a fantastic energy and sound, and the lucky few that were there early enough really dug it.

Into the main stage area to catch The Skatalites.  In the early afternoon heat, the Jamaican band bought a very mellow vibe.  Like the Specials 5 years ago, The Skatalites left everyone relaxed - not in a frenetic condition like the rest of the days punk bands.  After running into Ricardo from Trader Joes, we disappeared, before the end of the set.  Though we could hear a ska version of Viva Las Vegas in the middle of the Guns of Navarone.

The Skatalites setlist

999 were on the small stage next.  Old school English punk from the late 70s.  Dave knew of this band, but I'd never heard of them.  It was basically a half hour of hard driven rock.  Good show that would've been better if I was more familiar with the content.

Back into the main stage for Lagwagon and the first relatively big crowd.  I never got into this band.  They have the Fat Wreck Chords sound that is only best used by NoFX.  Most of these unknown to me songs, sounded the same, and yeah I can tick them off a list of bands I've seen, but probably not again.

Lagwagon setlist

Back at the smaller stage, Madball united a crowd not only out from, but on stage as well.  I don't knw who was watching from onstage, but it seemed like family and New York Hardcore royalty hanging out with friends.  I don't know any Madball songs, but like Gorilla Biscuits and H2O at Riot Fest, this band put on a show.  And the people loved it!  Lead singer, Freddy Madball, was having a great time.  As was his 8 year old daughter.  Watching on stage, she knew the beat of every song , and joined dad for a song, and played it like she'd been on stage forever.  She had all of dad's moves down and was not afraid to come to the front of the the stage for the crowd.  Freddie's son also joined dad for a song, though he seemed a little more reserved - hanging back as dad covered the whole stage.  This may have been the most fun set of the day.

Madball setlist

Billy Bragg was definitely a big drawcard for me.  I was supposed to see him 18 months ago in Raleigh. But I got Covid and had to miss out.  He labeled himself pretty well.  As much a punk, as a folk hero, or great story teller.  I thought it brave for him to be up there on his own, mixing great stories both with and without music, which really suited the audiences beliefs.  Erik finally joined us just after the start of the set.  Sexuality was great to hear.  Woodie Guthrie's All You Fascists Are Bound To Lose got the biggest cheer of the day.  Waiting For The Great Leap Forward was the song I wanted (and got).  It was perfect.  And the closing A New England was a song I forgot I knew, and a great end to his too short set.

 

Billy Bragg setlist

Back to the smaller stage for the ever ready Gorilla Biscuits.  Again their positive message and hardcore beats were a great mix for a good show.  From the opening trumpet of New Direction, Civ came to dance.  He had a blast, and was in the crowd as often as he was skankin' around the stage for the entire set.  And the band's energy was matched by an enthusiastic crowd up front, and an out of control pit.  While this set didn't reach the heights of Riot Fest las September, it was still a damn good show.

Gorilla Biscuits setlist

Too many people at Gorilla Biscuits means we didn't get back for the start of the Descendents closing set.  Of course we got our spor and I went to get a drink of water and they played the 1 song I knew, I Like Food.  All 17 seconds of it.  This is my 4th time seeing them, I should probably get better at knowing their songs.  They are short and sharp.  The loyal Southern Californians were soaking it up, but just after halfway through, Erik & I had had enough (Dave had gone after the Gorilla Biscuits) and made our way back to the car, listening to the rest of the gig walking through the streets.

Descendants setlist

On the way out I picked up the obligatory festival shirt to add to my collection of too many black shirts.  I good first day.  Hot, but not Las Vegas extreme, and I enjoyed all I heard.  Looking forward to continuing tomorrow.  I was in bed within 10 minutes of getting back to Erik's, and asleep within 2 minutes of that - still on East Coast time.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 505th concert.
This is my 5th concert at The Downtown Events Center.
This is my 151st concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 151st concert in Nevada.
This is my 306th concert in the USA.
Teen Mortgage are the 581st band I've seen.

Teen Mortgage are the 250th time I've seen a band in Las Vegas & Nevada.

The Skatalites are the 582nd band I've seen.

999 are the 583rd band I've seen.

Lagwagon are the 584th band I've seen.

Madball are the 585th band I've seen.

This is my 2nd Billy Bragg show.

This is my 2nd Gorilla Biscuits show.

This is my 4th Descendants show.

Las Vegas

After 5 years it's back to Vegas again. Again, Punk Rock Bowling has sent me back to my former home. The appeal of Devo, Madness, Billy Bragg & Rocket From The Crypt have once again bought me out of festival retirement and into the realm of 3 days of rock.

I fly out early Thursday and Erik picks me up for the airport. Lunch is at Sickie's Garage at Town Square with Hogie, one of my oldest friends in Vegas. Great to see him, and all is well with him. He's out of the hotel industry and all seems well with him and family.

I have Erik's car and decide to just drive around to all the places that bring back memories. Out Desert Inn Road to the old apartment, and the house in Summerlin where we bought the boys home. Went to the Golden Knight's practice facility, where there was nothing when we lived there, to pick up a couple of souvenirs for the boys. After lunch I just drove straight up The Strip. The first thing I came across was the Pinball Museum. I loved this place when we lived here. It has moved, and is 3 times the size it used to be. I did pretty well to limit myself to just an hour here. Driving up the Strip is surreal. I find it hard to grasp I used to live in this town, and worked on The Strip for a long time. I drove all the way to downtown and just marvelled at how I thought he town was physically bigger that what it was when I lived here.

For dinner Erik & I went to Frank & Fina's, an old favorite of A & I's (actually the first restaurant the boys ever went to). Great meal still. I'm glad they survived the pandemic and can still dish out a great meat and great service.

On Friday, Erik had to work.  India drove him so I had his car again.  I started the morning at Jamms, another Vegas favorite from way back.  A great breakfast with the same server who was there when we left 11 years ago.  Did some more just driving around, mostly on the east side near UNLV and ended up driving west out to Red Rock Resort, and got out to have a look.  It looked the same, though I don't think any of the restaurants were the same.  All casinos look alike to me, so there was no need to be there, besides nostalgia.  I drove out to Red Rock Canyon, waiting for Erik to call to pick him up from work.  I thought I'd drive through the park and enjoy Vegas' surrounding mountains.  But now you have to have a reservation.  Wasn't ready for that, so I just drove back to Erik's.  Of course as I'm pulling in to his place he calls to come and get him, so I turn around and do so.

That evening we meet Dave at Firefly, near our first apartment, for dinner.  The food is as good as I remember, even though they are in a different location.  Great to see Dave, who I haven't seen since last Punk Rock Bowling.  It's great to see him doing well, and that his spa business is back on the up.  We'll spend the next few days with him at PRB.  He recommends going to the Punk Rock Museum, so I think we'll check it out before tomorrow's show.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

One more night in Vegas, and my 150th concert here, it's been a great weekend but feels a little weird to be back in Vegas. Driving around earlier in the day, I was finding it hard to wrap my head around the fact that I lived here for 10 years. I went to visit Aria earlier in the day to see some old friends at the Concierge desk and I had an amazing first-ever Thai massage at Dave's new business (well new since we left) Luxury Thai Spa. Holy hell! I felt fantastic and beaten up at the same time. Things are going well for Dave and I hope they continue as this place is beautiful and the massage excellent.

After a late lunch at Capriotti's, Erik and I are at the venue and in with ease today. So much so we watch Ravagers play on the smaller stage. Not quite fitting in with the punk theme of the festival, Ravagers play more of a straight ahead rock. But still get the crowd enthused early.

Back into the main stage for the Undertones.  I knew nothing about this band and wasn't particularly taken by them..

Left the Undertones early and walked back to the second stage to go and see the Toasters.  This band always comes through Charlotte and plays at the Milestone, but I never get around to seeing them.  So tonight I was a good opportunity to see what I'd been missing.  This New York ska band pulled a good sized crowd a the small stage and repaid the loyal following by putting on an energetic set.  I will make an effort next time the Toasters are around because I enjoyed the set.

I did leave during the last song to get back into the main stage to see The Stranglers.  I knew I wanted to see this band but on the night couldn't remember songs as to why.  Not until Peaches.  Of course!  From there the band played song after song I knew.  Always The Sun, Golden Brown, Hanging Around and the set closer No More Heroes, were great.  The Stranglers were tight, sounded as good as they did on 40 year old recordings and seemed to be having a great night.  My dad will be jealous that I've seen The Stranglers.

The reason I picked this festival to make return to Vegas was the next band. The Hives.  Possibly the best live band I've seen.  It is for that reason I didn't leave the main stage for food (especially after the Vandals fiasco last night) or to see the band on the other stage.  Instead I defied my old man tendencies to stand back, and pushed near the front of the stage.  I secretly hoped, being Punk Rock Bowling, The Hives would come out and play a ton of Barely Legal (the blistering 14 song/27 minute debut album).  Alas they played nothing off that album (as per the other 2 times I saw them).  They did however put on the set of the weekend.  As always, Pelle Almqvist owned the stage and demanded the love he deserves from the audience.  Erik & I were well placed between Pelle and his brother, Niklaus.  While I'm surprised they only played 9 songs, Pelle's crowd banter was extensive.  Walk Idiot Walk, Main Offender and Hate To Say I Told You So were the best.  Tick Tick Boom was the set finisher.  And I wished it had of kept going.  Not since I last saw The Hives in September 2012, just down the road at the Cosmo Pool, has a performance had such great energy, though Cage The Elephant goes close.

The Specials were the anti-thesis of The Hives. Where The Hives tore Punk Rock Bowling apart, The Specials mellowed everyone out before finishing the weekend. While Pelle of The Hives owned the Stage, I felt Terry Hall looked like he'd rather be elsewhere. The highlight came mid-set with A Message To You, Rudy. I also knew and loved Too Much Too Young to end the night. Again I might have swapped The Hives & The Specials, but Punk Rock Bowling sees fit. Now I just have to wait for the next line up that will get me to travel.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 453rd concert.
This is my 4th concert at the Downtown Events Center.

This is my 150th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 150th concert in Nevada.

This is my 256th concert in the USA.
Ravagers are the 524th band I've seen
The Undertones are the 525th band I've seen.
The Toasters are the 526th band I've seen.
The Stranglers are the 527th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Hives concert.
The Specials are the 528th band I've seen.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

While we arrived at the same time as yesterday, a shorted line and a chance entry through the VIP line get us in in enough time to check out Drug Church on the 2nd stage.  They played here on Friday before Sick Of It All, but we were too late to see them.  Seemed like a good set, from a band I know nothing about, though the singer seemed a bit upset that the crowd wasn't into it as much as he'd like.

Met up with Dave again and went back to the main stage to see Fucked Up.  Straight forward heavy rock with a growly-voiced lead singer.  I preferred when other band member sang, as their songs  then seemed more melodic.

We decided on dinner after Fucked Up.  Turned out to be a big timing mistake.  I thought 20 minutes would be enough time to get dinner and get back for The Vandals.  So wrong.  Our order took so long we only got to see Vandals do their last song, I Have A Date.  Not cool.

In order to have a good spot for the Refused, we stayed at the main stage and watched Sloppy Seconds on the video screen next to the stage.  It looked like they, and the crowd, were having a raucous time.  Some great song titles (You Got A Great Body, But Your Record Collection Sucks & You Can't Kill Joey Ramone).  I wish we wandered over.

I knew nothing of Refused either.  But they had been touring with the Hives, and any heroes of theirs has got to be good.  And from the moment Refused got on stage you can tell Dennis Lyxzen is a huge influence on The Hives' Pelle Almqvist.  All  the moves and swagger I've seen before obviously originated from their fellow Swedes,  Refused were great!  Until after the show I found out about their history, and how long they'd been around, I was surprised I'd not heard of them before.  I hope they keep going as this is a a great live band.

After another great day it was going to be fun to finish the night with the Descendents show.  An old school band that every So-Cal resident that comes up to Vegas for the weekend loves (like Social D).  You'd never know we were in Vegas - it's Memorial Day weekend and only 49 degrees, windy, and some rain during the Descendents set. Erik & I were uncomfortable enough to seek shelter under the tent at the back of the venue and see the set from there.  I've seen the Descendents 3 times now, and am still am not familiar with their stuff.  I Like Food is a favorite, and once I heard that and Wienerschnitzel, Erik & I called it a night, listening to the rest of the set on the way back to the car.  One more day tomorrow - let's hope it's warmer!  

The Crap Facts:
This is my 452nd concert.
This is my 3rd concert at the Downtown Events Center.

This is my 149th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 149th concert in Nevada.

This is my 255th concert in the USA.
Drug Church are the 520th band I've seen
Fucked Up are the 521st band I've seen.
Sloppy Seconds are the 522nd band I've seen.
Refused are the 523rd band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Descendents concert.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

After a lazy day driving round to the old haunts, Erik and I land at Punk Rock Bowling at about 5pm and meet up with Dave in a spot not far from the front of the stage to the right.  The festival has come a long way since I was here in 2012, when it was a one stage show in a parking lot off 6th Street.  It has now taken over the Downtown Events Center (which wasn't even here when I left), has 2 stages and is shaded by the Golden Nugget across the street.

After a quick look around at merchandise and food trucks we find our spot for Fear.  I'm not sure how well this set translated on a big stage in the sunny climes of Vegas.  While Lee Ving was in full joke mode, and the band played their heart out, you get the feeling this would've been better at midnight at the Double Down, instead of mid-afternoon in a vast venue.  Regardless, the beer-themed songs were great, Beef Bologna killed it, and an Aquabat playing on New York's Alright If You Like Saxaphones, was a great way to kick off the festival.

The Damned were a drawcard for me.  Having never seen them before, and although I know only a handful of songs, the opportunity to see these punk legends.  So today we get the whole Machine Gun Etiquette album from start to finish.  Dave Vanian stalked and ruled the stage, with Captain Sensible providing the energy, and Monty Oxymoron the fun.  The set got better and better as it went along and the last 5 songs would have been enough to call Punk Rock Bowling a success.  The MC5 Looking At You cover was blistering.  It was an honor to hear Smash It Up live after being introduced to it many years ago the golden years of JJJ's Hottest 100's.  New Rose was as good as I thought it would be and Neat, Neat, Neat to finish was just fantastic.  Now I have to hope that one day they'll play close to Charlotte so I can see them again.

Yeah, I've seen FLAG before, but this has to be a punk's ultimate band for this festival.  4 ex-members of Black Flag and a Descendent playing nothing but Black Flag songs with a ferocity that would have matched back in the day.  From the moment Keith Morris screamed "It's not my imagination...I've got a gun in in my back" FLAG were on fire.  FLAGs' passion and intensity for these 30 plus year old songs translates to a crowd, who are left in a frenzy.  Great song consistently followed great song and for those of us who weren't old enough to see Black Flag the first time this is definitely a show for the ages.  23 songs in a 45 minute set is what you want and all your favorites will be played.  Gimme Gimme Gimme, Rise Above, Dez singing Thirsty & Miserable & Six Pack, and Keith's return to stage for Nervous Breakdown was phenomenal.  I just read recently that Greg Ginn is doing a Black Flag tour this Fall, but given when I saw them in Charlotte in 2013 - they will have their work cut out for them to match FLAG.  And what about a real Black Flag reunion? Given Keith Morris' "Fuck you Gregg Ginn" chant at the end of a song, I find that highly unlikely.

When you think that Fear, The Damned and FLAG were great, you realize there is no such thing as a bad Rancid show.  The crowd is bouncing from the first notes of Roots Radicals and don't stop for the rest of the evening.  Rancid are in fine form, as Pirates of the Caribbean outcast Tim Armstrong makes his moves across the stage, while Lars engages the crowd between songs.  Tons of a great songs including Old Friend, Olympia WA, and Fall Back Down to finish the set.  Of course the encore ended with Time Bomb and Ruby Soho, which left the crowd buzzing.  I know I'm old and left for home after the show, but I bet downtown Vegas was a buzz once that crowd spread out for the night.  A great first night for the festival.  Looking forward to coming back tomorrow. 

The Crap Facts:

This is my 451st concert.
This is my 2nd concert at the Downtown Events Center.

This is my 148th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 148th concert in Nevada.

This is my 254th concert in the USA.
Fear are the 518th band I've seen
The Damned are the 519th band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Flag concert.
This is my 6th Rancid concert.

Pennywise & Sick Of It All @ Downtown Events Center

I'm back in Vegas.  6 years after moving away (after 10 years of living there) I'm back for the first time.  Drawn in by Punk Rock Bowling.  It's good to be back!

I landed mid afternoon and went to the Mirage and Caesars Palace to catch up with some friends before heading out to Erik's to settle in for the afternoon.  With so many good restaurants to chose from, we decided to meet Dave at India Palace for dinner.  This is the original favorite Las Vegas restaurant as Dave took Amy & I there on our first night in Vegas back in 2003.  Food was as good as I remembered.  It's definitely worth risking your life to go into this neighborhood to eat here.

With the festival came a bunch of side shows.  Pennywise and Sick Of It All being one of them.  Originally scheduled for the Bunkhouse, the response was so overwhelming they moved the show to PRB's 2nd stage and replaced the Bunkhouse show with Flipper & Killing Joke - where Dave went.  Good for us as we were able to now get tickets.

We arrived just before 11pm (2am my time) as Sick Of It All hit the stage.  Hard, fast and loud is how I remembered SOIA at The Cockpit, a small club in Leeds 18 years ago, and while the atmosphere is never the same from a bigger stage, the intensity was the same.  The crowd were in a frenzy from start to finish but for me it was all about Step Down, the last song.  It's a personal favorite and a great finisher.  It also set a high standard for Pennywise to follow.

Pennywise made it clear that being in Las Vegas....for Punk Rock Bowling...that they were ready to party.  Actually it seemed as though they had already started.  Ironically the last time I saw Pennywise was when they headlined Punk Rock Bowling in 2012.  Back when Jim was on hiatus, so it was good to have him back up front.  It wasn't long before they played Same Old Story.  This song is in my top 30 and is a killer live song, and a good way to get the crowd fired up for the rest of the set.  The band seemed loose (or lubed maybe) and we heard plenty of bits of their favorite songs - TNT, Same In The End, Wild In The Streets.  But still it was the great So-Cal surf/skate punk sound that makes them crowd favorites.  Society was great, as was Perfect People and Fuck Authority and even at 1.30am when it was all winding down (and I couldn't stop yawning - it sucks to be old), Bro Hymn had the crowd in a raucous sing along, invading the stage, as though they were just getting their night started.  Bro Hymn is easily the best final song to any set of any band, and it was an honor to see it for the 8th time.

Really looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 450th concert.
Downtown Events Center is the 124th venue I've seen a concert.

This is my 147th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 147th concert in Nevada.

This is my 253rd concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Sick Of It All concert.
Sick Of It All are the 50th band I've seen in 2 different countries.
This is my 8th Pennywise concert

Band Of Skulls & Vintage Trouble @ Vinyl

There is nothing better than going to see a show on the strength of one song (in this case Band of Skull's Sweet Sour) and getting to see two bands just kill it with a small enthusiastic crowd.

Erik and I arrived just as Vintage Trouble were starting.  Apparently this LA band have done a bunch of shows in Vegas in the past, but I had never heard about them.  They were awesome!!  In the style of old school R&B this band tore it up.  Singer Ty Taylor has a stage presence that makes you want to move.  And  the sound from the rest of the band was fantastic.  I don't know any of their songs but I picked up a few names of stand outs, like Nancy Lee, You Better Believe It and Total Strangers.  To think that either side of this show they are opening for The Who in the Joint - I believe that in the near future we will be seeing Vintage Trouble headlining their own big venues - much in the vain that I saw Black Keys play a 2pm slot at Coachella 2009 and today.....  So impressed was I with this show that the moment I walked in the door I downloaded  The Bomb Shelter Sessions and spent half the night looking for clips of the band (it's been a long time since I've done that).

To their credit, Band Of Skulls had a tough act to follow, but did a fantastic job in their own right and style.  They kicked off with Sweet Sour - the song I wanted to hear - and then delivered a rocking hour plus set of blues riffs and four on the floor rawk!  Again I knew nothing else, but some songs that really stick to mind include Death By Diamonds And Pearls, Hollywood Bowl and Devil Takes Care Of His Own.  Another thing that stood out for me was the sound of the voice of singer Russell Marsden.  His singing voice sounds so different than when he spoke to the crowd.  He'd finish a song and then a booming Southern English accent would come out of his mouth to speak.  Sounded weird.

Overall a great night with at least 1 (though I'm sure many more) new fan for both bands.  For any future bands I see this year, you have your work cut out for you to put on a better show than this.

The Crap Facts

This is my 350th concert.
This is my 2nd concert at Vinyl.
This is my 146th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 146th concert in Nevada.
This is my 158th concert in the USA.
Vintage Trouble is the 415th band I've seen.
Band Of Skulls is the 416th band I've seen.

Nashville Pussy & Ditch Diggers @ Las Vegas Country Saloon

At the start of 2012 I set a New Years Resolution to have seen 350 shows before I turned 40.  It meant seeing 27 shows in 15 months - a tall order and not something I'd done since my early 20's - I am i show away tonight with a month to spare.  And all the better that I'm seeing my mate play with the Ditch Diggers for the second time.

A midweek show downtown unfortunately didn't bring a big crowd.  I arrived just as Roman and the boys were loading in, so by the time I had a beer, was joined by Mike & Brandon from work, and picked our spot, the Ditch Diggers were kicking off.  I had seen them a while back at the Double Down, but this show was miles ahead. The new line up was tight, and Roman seemed relaxed and was enjoying himself.  And the sound was also worlds apart.  Hearing them through a PA made it so much better.  They tore through their 40 minutes of rock/psychobilly and won the crowd over.

Nashville Pussy is one of those bands that's been around for ever, and now that I've seem them, I don't understand why this hadn't happened earlier.  It was great 4-on-the-floor rock, with a twisted sense of humor.  Tons of songs about drinking and drugging, but my favorites had to be "Gonna Hitchhike Down To Cincinnati And Kick The Shit Outta Your Drunk Daddy" and "Go Motherfucker Go".

A great night of rock.  But I'm so glad I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work tomorrow.

 

The Crap Facts

This is my 349th concert.
This is my 2nd concert at Las Vegas Country Saloon.
This is my 145th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 145th concert in Nevada.
This is my 157th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Ditch Diggers concert.
Nashville Pussy are the 414th band I've seen.

Black Keys & Divine Fits @ New Joint

The night before New Years.  Have to get out tonight so as to not put up with amateur night tomorrow.

Erik & I got to the Joint early to see the Divine Fits.  A Spoon / Red Kross / Jesus Lizard supergroup.  They had a real Nick Cave feel to them, sort of brooding rock.  I liked what I heard (ultimately a little more than hearing them later on their A Thing Called.. album).  They finished their set with a cover of, appropriately, The Birthday Party's Shivers - an old favorite of mine that I was stunned to recognize.

I had high expectations for The Black Keys.  The first of 2 nights, celebrating New Years Eve in Vegas.  Should be a big show, right?  Not really.  They just seemed to be going through their paces and barely played an hour and a half.  Having said that there were a few highlights.  Things started well with Howlin' For You.  The back to back Gold On The Ceiling and Thickfreakness energized me and the crowd, but generally the setlist relied heavily on Brothers and El Camino which, for me, is less rocking than say Thickfreakness & Rubber Factory.

This comes across as not a particularly good review, but I did enjoy myself and will more than likely try and see them again, but maybe not if New Years festivities are involved.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 348th concert.
This is my 15th concert at New Joint.
This is my 144th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 144th concert in Nevada.
This is my 156th concert in the USA.
Divine Fits are the 413th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Black Keys concert.

Reverend Horton Heat @ Vinyl

I had to wait till the end of the year to see the show of the year.  What a great night this turned out to be.  I've seen the Reverend twice before, once in Charlotte and once doing a double shift after Motorhead cancelled a show at Vegas House Of Blues.  But tonight was something else.

Checking out a new venue - Vinyl @ The Hard Rock Hotel - a great intimate venue perfect for this show.  Looking forward to more shows here.

Reverend Horton Heat came out and explained the layout for the night.  They were gonna play a song from each of their 9 albums (in order), throw in a couple of covers and then have Jello Biafra come out and do some songs.  From the first chords of Psychobilly Freakout the band and crowd were in a frenzy.  I don't know many songs but each of the ones listed below was better than the last.  A holiday tune - Run, Run Rudolph - and the Stray Cat's Rock This Town saw the band make an introduction to their special guest for the evening.  I was somewhat relieved as I though Jello was opening the show and I'd gotten there too late and missed him.  But out came the punk legend to tear through a couple of Guantanamo School Of Medicine songs followed by an amazing version of House Of The Rising Sun.  Reverend Horton Heat then played 2 Dead Kennedys' songs which sent Jello into another atmosphere.  It was hair-standing-on-the-back-of-of-your-neck exciting.  Back to a few more from just Reverend Horton Heat to finish up the night.  But two more highlight in the encore.  An awesome cover of Folsom Prison Blues before Jello was back on stage for an appropriately wild Viva Las Vegas.

What a great show - and a great combo.  Hope something this great happens again soon

The Crap Facts

This is my 347th concert.
Vinyl is the 92nd venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 143rd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 143rd concert in Nevada.
This is my 155th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Reverend Horton Heat concert.

ZZ Top @ House of Blues

So, for the most part, since living in Vegas, I've enjoyed seeing some older performers that I normally wouldn't.  ZZ Top has been in Vegas a dozen times since I've lived here, but the opportunity to see them in a small venue like the House Of Blues was too good to pass up.

Good size crowd - none of which was really the Rodeo crowd, which I expected.  The room was still set up the way they do it for Santana, with tables everywhere, so again I got a great spot standing on the main floor.  I hardly knew any of the songs until Give Me All Your Lovin' half way through the set  but each song was better than the last.  Here is a band who have played together for over 35 years so they are tight, and while choreography was not their forte, every move was on beat and the crowd loved it.

For me it was the hits I knew that were the highlights including Sharp Dressed Man & Legs, but also glad I got to know I Gotsta Get Paid and Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers.

Overall a fun night of old-school blues-rock.  And while they weren't on any bucket list, I'm glad I got to see this legendary band.

The Crap Facts

This is my 346th concert.
This is my 45th concert at House Of Blues.
This is my 142nd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 142nd concert in Nevada.
This is my 154th concert in the USA.
ZZ Top are the 412th band I've seen.

Shania Twain @ Caesars Colosseum

OK.  This is is the furthest away from the music I would normally listen to, but when work offers a freebie, it is hard to say no.  And this preview of Shania Twain's upcoming Las Vegas residency is just her 2nd live performance in close to 15 years.

Before the show we were invited to dinner at various Forum Shops restaurants.  Amy & I lucked out and got the wonderful Il Mulino.  I don't know why we don't eat here more often.  The food is excellent and the service is impeccable.  I send a ton of guests here all the time, and I'm so glad I do - it is a dining experience everyone should have at least once.  And to top it off, I won a men's Coach bag in a raffle - again, so not me, but who knows?

Our seats are fantastic!  13 rows from the stage and dead center.  Could not have wished for more.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the spectacle.  This is a preview show, so there are things that need fine tuning (like banter with the crowd) but her voice is spot on.  I was actually quite surprised about how many songs I knew.  From You're Still The One to Don't Impress Me Much to Don't Be Stupid to Man! I Feel Like A Woman all these songs had the crowd going.

Again this not an artist I'd normally go and see, but I think Shania Twain will be a success with her Las Vegas residency.  She has obviously worked hard on the show and after a bit more practice it will cater to that Celine, Elton, Rod Stewart crowd that Caesars has captured so well.

Shania Twain Setlist

The Crap Facts:

This is my 345th concert.
This is my 7th concert at Caesars Colosseum.
This is my 141st concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 141st concert in Nevada.
This is my 153rd concert in the USA.
Shania Twain is the 411th band I've seen.

Deftones & Scars On Broadway @ House Of Blues

Even before this show started I knew it would be a good one, as there is no such thing as a bad Deftones show.

Erik & I arrived for the support band - as did everybody else.  A side project from System Of A Down's Daron Malakian bought the hordes out early.  I didn't get into it that much, but more so than Erik, who answered work emails on his Blackberry while the band played.

This is the smallest venue I'd seen the Deftones in, and the best show.  As always they were intense and a collective ball of energy.  Chino Moreno stalks the stage and I love his variations from whispers to blood curdling screams.  The double Be Quiet & Drive and My Own Summer were favorites for the night.  For such a relatively big band this is a small venue for them to play in, but I'm glad they did - it made a great show a fantastic one.  Already looking forward to the next one

The Crap Facts:

This is my 344th concert.
This is my 44th concert at House Of Blues.
This is my 140th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 140th concert in Nevada.
This is my 152nd concert in the USA.
Scar On Broadway are the 410th band I've seen.
This is my 4th Deftones concert.

Zarkana @ Aria

I'll keep this pretty brief.  I went to see my hotel's latest incarnation of Cirque du Soleil - Zarkana.  It was a freebie and after seeing the show, I am going to have to use some creative licence to sell this product. There was nothing in this Cirque that I haven't seen in other Cirques in Las Vegas.  And there was no spectacular pinnacle anywhere.  

Don't get me wrong - these performers are great at what they do but maybe I'm a little biased towards the underrated Viva Elvis that got canned.  Maybe my opinion would be different if this was my 1st Cirque.

Quote of the night came from A.  "Everyone should see a Cirque du Soleil once in their life.  Nobody should see 7!"

Melvins & Hepa Titus @ Las Vegas Country Saloon

Thank God for the Melvins.

I am a fan in the sense that any time they come to a town, I'm in, I will see them.  I own only 2 albums. I know very few song names, and can barely sing along to what they do, but the 5 times I've seen them previous, they have killed it.  Tonight would be no different.

My first foray to the Las Vegas Country Saloon in Downtown.  A great, small venue (a bit larger than the Casbah in San Diego where I last saw the Melvins).  I got there in time for Hepa/Titus to hit the stage.  Containing Melvins bassist for this tour, Kevin Rutmanis, the band played some good rock, enough to get the crowd ready for greatness.

The Melvins are in at the end of an incredible 51 shows in 51 days in all the US' states and territories, and we are show 49 - on Dale's birthday.  They are doing this tour as a 3 piece (Melvins Lite), so the 2 guys from Big Business aren't with them, meaning no duel drum attack.  Bummer!  Still from the get go, the Melvins played their distinct style of rock and assaulted the crowd with their greatness.  As usual it wasn't until Hooch (a Houdini song), halfway through the set, that I knew a song.  This set played heavily on the new Freak Puke album.  A couple of covers, as usual, but a great version of the Wing's Let Me Roll It topped the night.  Overall another solid show from this unique band.  I will back to see them again for 2 reasons.  1) They never fail to put on a good show and 2) I just want to hear Honeybucket once, live.  It is an all time favorite song of mine and they've no played it in the 6 times I've seen them.  Oh well!....any excuse.

The Crap Facts

This is my 343rd concert.
Las Vegas Country Saloon is the 91st venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 139th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 139th concert in Nevada.
This is my 151st concert in the USA.
Hepa Titus are the 409th band I've seen.

Hepa Titus are the 800th time I've seen a band.
This is my 6th Melvins concert.

Peter Gabriel & Jennie Abrahamson @ Planet Hollywood Theater

Wasn't really sure what I was going to be in for with this show.  Peter Gabriel's tour coincides with the 25th anniversary of his So album.  I've never been a fan, obviously songs here and there were liked, but A was keen to see this.

The Planet Hollywood Theatre was a lot bigger than I expected but we had a great isle seat about halfway back in the room.  Sitting down for music is a little weird for me, but could be appropriate for this show.  We'll see.

The show started with Swedish pianist, and Gabriel's back up singer, Jennie Abrahamson, playing a few (maybe 4) of her own original pieces.  Very mellow beginning.

Unannounced Peter Gabriel and band walked on stage and he announced the format for the show.  He wanted to do a couple of acoustic numbers before rocking out, then was to play So from start to finish.  Shock The Monkey & Digging In The Dirt were familiar to me, and awesome live.  But the rest of the opening set was great and A - on a rare night out for the 2 of us these days - was having a blast.  Once he started playing So, I knew a lot more songs than I realized.  Sledgehammer, Big Time & Don't Give Up were fantastic, with Jennie Abrahamson doing a super version of Kate Bush's vocals in the latter song.  The set finished with the "Say Anything" anthem In Your Eyes.  The crowd went nuts.  I could only imagine what it would have been like the following night when John Cusack actually walked on stage in Los Angeles with a boom-box to do the classic stance from the movie.  But we weren't done yet.  While only a 2 song encore (mind you this was a 2 1/2 hour show, so I'm not complaining), the night finished with Biko - in my opinion, Gabriel's greatest song.  So glad I got to experience that live

So with his original recording band from So, a great light and staging show, Peter Gabriel has still got it.  A fantastic night was no only had by us, but pretty much everyone in a near capacity Planet Hollywood Theatre.  Glad I took the opportunity to see this great artist.

The Crap Facts
This is my 342nd concert.
Planet Hollywood Theater is the 90th venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 138th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 138th concert in Nevada.
This is my 150th concert in the USA.
Jennie Abrahamson is the 407th band I've seen.
Peter Gabriel is the 408th band I've seen.
This is my 50th concert with A.

Rise Against & Gaslight Anthem @ The New Joint

I keep going back to see Rise Against - even though I am not a fan - because they keep bringing good support bands with them.  This time a current favorite, The Gaslight Anthem.

Not a huge crowd for The Gaslight Anthem, and those that were there were looking to get up front for the main event.  It was an OK set by them, though too big a venue to really enjoy it.  Plenty of songs off The 59 Sound (one of my favorite albums of the last 10 years).  Not sure why these guys don't come to Vegas on their own.  In the House Of Blues or the Hard Rock Cafe they'd be terrific.

Rise Against got another chance because I saw singer Tim McIlrath in the documentary "The Other F Word".  He seems like a good bloke, so why not.  However, I was quickly reminded what I didn't like - that voice is nails on a chalk board to me and the choreographed skipping gets a bit much.  But again, I was in the minority.  The kids in The Joint had a blast and knew every word to every song.  As always my thoughts just revert back to "Maybe I'm just too old for this".  Needless to say we had one foot out the door - gotta beat the crowd, get to your car and out of that nightmare Hard Rock parking lot - when the encore started.

Though this is far from the best show I've seen, I wonder when I will see Rise Against again - and more importantly who will the bring with them.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 341st concert.
This is my 14th concert at New Joint.
This is my 137th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 137th concert in Nevada.
This is my 149th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Gaslight Anthem concert.
This is my 3rd Rise Against concert.

The Hives & Fidlar @ Cosmopolitan Pool

I’VE JUST SEEN THE GREATEST CURRENT LIVE BAND BAR NONE!!! AGAIN! 

The Hives deserve all the plaudits they get for their high energy shows. This is only my 2nd Hives show but just amazing. 

Coming out on stage one by one in tuxedos and top hats, a smallish crowd at the still-filled Cosmo Pool gave the heir of respect was demanded from Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist. The feisty opener, Come On! set the tone for the evening. Things were going to be fast and energetic. Between song banter from the beginning was hilarious (This is the best pool party with a view of the Eiffel Tower we’ve ever played!), with Almqvist making sure what the audience needed to do to fire up the band (When I say something the only 2 responses you should have is YEAH! or THE HIVES!). Walk Idiot Walk was great and Main Offender put the crowd into overdrive. It was from then on that the crowd seemed like they were having a blast. Die Alright and Wait A Minute were fun and it seemed like everyone exploded for Hate To Say I Told you So. Go Right Ahead & Try It Again finished the set and left the crowd dying for more. It wasn’t long before we were graced with the Hives presence again. They launched into a 3 song encore which saw people going nuts in the pool – if you were anywhere near the stage (like me) you did not walk out of that show less than soaking wet. After a grand finale Tick Tick Boom the whole band joined the crowd in the pool – tuxedos and all. And much to the joy, hung around to let people take pictures with them. 

All in all, a highly energetic and wild show. The likes of which has only be equaled by The Stooges at Vegoose in 2007,Cage The Elephant at Wasted Space in 2010 and The Hives last visit to Vegas in 2005. I wish I could see the Hives every week. 

In contrast, openers Fidlar, were a good rockin’ band but just didn’t have the same connection with the audience. If you keep talking about drugs - wanting, but not getting, a big response – try something else. It gets dull after 3 attempts.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 340th concert.

This is my 6th concert at Cosmopolitan Pool.

This is my 136th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 136th concert in Nevada.

This is my 148th concert in the USA.

Fidlar are the 406th band I've seen.

This is my 2nd Hives concert.