The Adolescents are known and cherished by many Punks, and even some outside the scene. They have also inspired a number of bands both inside and outside the genre. In much a similar way Youth Brigade is known not only for their influential music but for also for their work with BYO Records which still turns out some of the finest talent in the genre. And on one monumental night these two forces of the Punk world joined under one roof!
Not only was the night marked by two of Punk's most legendary names from Southern California, it was opened by some examples of Houston's own finest Punk talent The American Heist, and Molotov Compromise. It's a must see, "Read More"!
Not only was the night marked by two of Punk's most legendary names from Southern California, it was opened by some examples of Houston's own finest Punk talent The American Heist, and Molotov Compromise. It's a must see, "Read More"!
Molotov Compromise put on an amazing start to the show with their Ska-Core songs already known amongst Houston's punk scene goers. Without any hesitation the crowd was at the front of the stage, and once the band kicked into full gear as if they had never been apart, a pit began swirling across the floor. The audience perfectly mirrored the band's fiery set with either skunking or more traditional aggressive moshing reflecting the two-tone style of their songs.
The American Heist got the bill of opening the entire Texas tour, and was obviously in prime shape for their return to their hometown. Playing faster and tighter than ever the band proceeded through some of their Folk Punk tinged Melodic Hardcore songs that their local fans have come to know and love like "22", and "Turfwar"(which featured a guest appearance on vocals by Randy Rost of Blackmarket Syndicate) along with some newer songs leaning slightly more the direction of Hardcore Punk.
Youth Brigade was met by an already rabid crowd, and they wasted no time in beginning their set. With a quick announcement of their first song "Where Are All The Old Man Bars?" the pit began swirling. By the time they reached the next song, the classic "Violence", the crowd was in full swing, with a raging pit, and an onslaught of stage divers, which would continue for the majority of their performance. As is expected from Youth Brigade they were in top form, playing faster than, and Shawn Stern having every bit of vocal power(maybe more, actually), as he ever has. The song selection varied pretty evenly between the band's releases, and they took a number of requests for classics like "Fight To Unite". Highlights include "Spies For Life", "Modest Proposal"(The first being dedicated to evangelists, and the latter to pushy religious zealots), a special rare performance of "Last Day Of The Year", and the classic anti-suicide song "Did You Want To Die?". Having engaged in a bit of short social, and political conversation in addition to the intense onslaught of songs, they began pulling out their final songs. The more recent hit "I Hate My Life" began their final moments and brought the crowd to a state of chaos before pulling out epic sing along finale "Sink With California", which was interrupted by a "certain" crowd member tripping through the microphone chords as it neared its first climactic pause. *Ahem* Aside from that the set ended on a high note, having already been a worthy show, the crowd was well warmed up for the final act.
The American Heist got the bill of opening the entire Texas tour, and was obviously in prime shape for their return to their hometown. Playing faster and tighter than ever the band proceeded through some of their Folk Punk tinged Melodic Hardcore songs that their local fans have come to know and love like "22", and "Turfwar"(which featured a guest appearance on vocals by Randy Rost of Blackmarket Syndicate) along with some newer songs leaning slightly more the direction of Hardcore Punk.
Youth Brigade was met by an already rabid crowd, and they wasted no time in beginning their set. With a quick announcement of their first song "Where Are All The Old Man Bars?" the pit began swirling. By the time they reached the next song, the classic "Violence", the crowd was in full swing, with a raging pit, and an onslaught of stage divers, which would continue for the majority of their performance. As is expected from Youth Brigade they were in top form, playing faster than, and Shawn Stern having every bit of vocal power(maybe more, actually), as he ever has. The song selection varied pretty evenly between the band's releases, and they took a number of requests for classics like "Fight To Unite". Highlights include "Spies For Life", "Modest Proposal"(The first being dedicated to evangelists, and the latter to pushy religious zealots), a special rare performance of "Last Day Of The Year", and the classic anti-suicide song "Did You Want To Die?". Having engaged in a bit of short social, and political conversation in addition to the intense onslaught of songs, they began pulling out their final songs. The more recent hit "I Hate My Life" began their final moments and brought the crowd to a state of chaos before pulling out epic sing along finale "Sink With California", which was interrupted by a "certain" crowd member tripping through the microphone chords as it neared its first climactic pause. *Ahem* Aside from that the set ended on a high note, having already been a worthy show, the crowd was well warmed up for the final act.
The Adolescents began their set with the crowd favorite "No Way" which instantly returned the crowd to the rioting state that Youth Brigade left them in. The band slammed their way through a number of classics from the famous blue album like "Who Is Who", "Self Destruct", "L.A. Girl", and the crowd requested "Rip It Up", but also included a number of newer songs like "Monsanto Hayride", "Lockdown America", "Inspiration", and Operation FTW". While the writing does contrast between eras, the latter focussing more on thoughtful lyrical expression than the all-out assault of early classic songs, the band themselves seem untouched by time with their tight, and break-neck fast show. Even better Tony Reflex till has amazing vocal range, as does the rest of the band, despite some now noticeable scratchiness that actually just adds to the audible intensity. The band was great about engaging the crowd, taking special requests, and conversing with individual audience members. Though the spectators didn't listen quite so well, as the band came to make a single request "If you're over 150lbs make sure when you're stage diving you don't just jump onto these girls in front here. At least make sure they see you coming.", though it was broken about 20 seconds into the next song. After having completed the end of their set with the hit "Amoeba" which obviously had the entire crowd roaring along from the front lines of the stage, to the pit, and all the way in the back a chorus of screams could be heard. "Kids Of The Black Hole" warranted the same reaction, and finally saw the band make their way off-stage as everyone else caught their breath.
However, the band made their way back on-stage to the chanting of the still frenzied fans, and ran through two previously missed classics "Word Attack", and "Creatures". Having already been an amazing encore on its own everyone seemed shocked as a famous two note descent rang out from the amps signaling none other than the Punk classic "Sonic Reducer" originally by the Dead Boys, which worked so amazingly it made one question why it hadn't been performed by the band on a regular basis. Tony did an amazing job on vocals, and the powerful performance of such an unexpected cover wrenched every last ounce of energy out of the audience.
However, the band made their way back on-stage to the chanting of the still frenzied fans, and ran through two previously missed classics "Word Attack", and "Creatures". Having already been an amazing encore on its own everyone seemed shocked as a famous two note descent rang out from the amps signaling none other than the Punk classic "Sonic Reducer" originally by the Dead Boys, which worked so amazingly it made one question why it hadn't been performed by the band on a regular basis. Tony did an amazing job on vocals, and the powerful performance of such an unexpected cover wrenched every last ounce of energy out of the audience.
Well... That was simply amazing. I'd like to thank Willow at Hatetank Productions for another amazing show. You can see it all in the Pictures!
Also, random trivia. In talking with original member, bassist, Steve Soto we learned that Sonic Reducer was in fact the first Punk song he learned to play. Awesome.
Also, random trivia. In talking with original member, bassist, Steve Soto we learned that Sonic Reducer was in fact the first Punk song he learned to play. Awesome.
