2008 Woodie Awards
Three nights, one punk show
Issue date: 6/26/08 Section: Variety
Finally, just because you can throw out free stuff, doesn't mean you should. At one point the lead singer made a reference to giving away free things, wound up, and released their new CD, complete with a hard plastic case, into the crowd. The square-shaped guillotine flew across the crowd. The person standing next to me managed to protect his face at the last minute by sacrificing his hand and swatting the spearing disc into the ground.
When Less Than Jake finally hit the stage, I knew I was going to get what I came for. A large banner with bright pastel colors carried the artwork of their new album, titled GNV FLA. The bright pop of the banners summarized their music and attitude while on stage.
During the second song, titled "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts," confetti cannons blasted shards of colorful paper into the air as people danced away to the upbeat guitar and quick, sharp horn riffs. They played for about an hour, including a three-song encore.
After a night's rest I returned to the House of Blues, ready for another show.
The Chuck Taylor's and black-and white-checkered skateboarding shoes of the previous night gave way to old combat boots and Doc Martens. The jackets had more patches. The hair was pushed up taller. The belts were spikier. I was definitely at a punk rock show.
Another striking difference was the age. No longer was I the old guy in the crowd. Apparently, Rancid draws in a much older crowd that I expected.
I will take this space to give a warning to anyone who has not gone to a punk show: Don't mess with the old guy at the show. I know it is a punk concert and fights are bound to happen, but with the old dude is a bad idea. That fragile looking man in his 50s has been going to punk shows since the Ramones were brand new, and at this point is going to be so grizzled that there is a good chance he will not feel the first three or four punches, and you are probably going to be happy for the bouncers when they eventually show up to pull him off of you. Fair warning.
When Less Than Jake finally hit the stage, I knew I was going to get what I came for. A large banner with bright pastel colors carried the artwork of their new album, titled GNV FLA. The bright pop of the banners summarized their music and attitude while on stage.
During the second song, titled "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts," confetti cannons blasted shards of colorful paper into the air as people danced away to the upbeat guitar and quick, sharp horn riffs. They played for about an hour, including a three-song encore.
After a night's rest I returned to the House of Blues, ready for another show.
The Chuck Taylor's and black-and white-checkered skateboarding shoes of the previous night gave way to old combat boots and Doc Martens. The jackets had more patches. The hair was pushed up taller. The belts were spikier. I was definitely at a punk rock show.
Another striking difference was the age. No longer was I the old guy in the crowd. Apparently, Rancid draws in a much older crowd that I expected.
I will take this space to give a warning to anyone who has not gone to a punk show: Don't mess with the old guy at the show. I know it is a punk concert and fights are bound to happen, but with the old dude is a bad idea. That fragile looking man in his 50s has been going to punk shows since the Ramones were brand new, and at this point is going to be so grizzled that there is a good chance he will not feel the first three or four punches, and you are probably going to be happy for the bouncers when they eventually show up to pull him off of you. Fair warning.