Rancid Rocks NYC!

So I finally got to SEE one of, if not the hottest contemporary punk band of all time. With their mainstream "hits" drawing from reggae and ska influences, it was their deeper cuts, the pure punk short riffs that got me and the crowd so excited.. and it was an excited crowd. tickets could only be had by scalpers, as all 5 nights at the Fillmore aka Irving Plaza (or visa versa actually) completely sold out. I paid $60 for mine, but did not negotiate. I'm in a generous mood these days. Loaded up on a couple of rancid shirts as well. all in all, a $100 night and no date (rule of thumb for me, no date to punk shows).

See RANCID FOOTAGE HERE:


Anyway, I digress.. Punk is not about the money, but damn, Tim Armstrong is a poster child of how to be a successful businessman and a bad ass punk rocker. His on stage persona is super cool, with an Elvis or dare I say, Mike Ness like sneer while showing his guitar chops.

His look was Ness inspired as well, with a rain coat and top hat laid low just above his eyes and a bandana underneath. But Armstrong bounces and moves, not just sneers and as a "lead" sits back and lets his bandmates show their chops and man do they have them. Rancid's bass player is the best I've ever seen. Rancid is tight, but in typical punk fashion, rowdy, raucous and they have things to say. With a new record coming out on my favorite label, Tim Armstrong's own Hellcat Records, I'll be buying that one and all the other songs I don't have in their catalog... All of them.

As I found last night, you have to dig DEEP to get Rancid's true depth. Punk legends in the making if not already there, Rancid fans are a mixture. I was expecting more high stepping, mohawk wearing, old school style street punks, but that was not the case. Lots of girls with guys (Saturday night so it WAS date night in NYC I guess?).. mostly 20 and 30 somethings but definitely it can be said the Rancid fans are not only rabid but diverse. Tim A. gave a shout out to the Operation Ivy fans and they responded... so there is some history there (if you consider 1980s history).

The young ladies next to me heralded from Queens, one was from Chile but of Indian descent. We chatted about some great Spanish rock acts but agreed, that in the U.S. bands like Rancid, they really are getting the young Latin rock fan these days.

Opening for Rancid was Murphy's Law, my 2nd time to see them and 2nd time in less than 2 weeks (see previous post on "The Germs" at Blender theater). I can't say enough about the show these guys put on. Their songs are catchy, and cool but its the on stage presence of Lead Singer Jimmy G. that makes the show. The cat is 43 and celebrating his birthday every day this year. He had his trademark Jaegermester to share with the crowd, defys his age every night by partying hard and he made a hell of very risky stage dive from the speakers high above the stage and just bellow the balcony. You can tell these guys are just happy to be playing. I really love these guys. Check them out on myspace or their website if you get a chance. I plan on buying a cd, maybe even a shirt, just in appreciation for what these guys have to say (i.e. "I love my country, but hate my government" EXACTLY!

It was a great night for Punk Rock and has been a great year for punk in NYC! My next stop is the Psychobilly and Rockabilly Showdown at the Knitting Factory in LA over Labor Day Weekend. Look for photos, videos and more coming to that soon.

The Germs Return - NYC

Blender Theatre on 23rd St. NYC was fairly packed last night as the Germs Return to NYC with a new young vocalist, Shane West, with actor looks but credible pipes.

LES STITCHES:
The event opened with Lower East Side (LES) Stitches playing to maybe a hundred folks spread throughout the Blender. I liked the Stitches and so did a group of young, punks / friends who made it their mission to not the low numbers or early hour disway them from keeping the pit a mosh of elbows and high step strut.

You can check out some video of their performance here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtquNVm0qoI

MURPHY'S LAW:





Had never gotten a chance to see these guys and honestly, they were the highlight of the evening for me. NY Hardcore, also repping the lower East Side, vocalist Jimmy G. came out driking Yagermeister, shared generously with the crowd and then proceeded to smoke a joint, throw cans of bud to the crowd and taunt the observers in the back by referring to them as "meter maids" who he fucking hates!

The crowd onstage was almost bigger than the crowd offstage as their posse consisted of mostly 250lb tattooed bruisers and good old NYC blue collar punks. I like it. This is what Punk is about. NYC's answer to the LA Punk Scene is NY Hard Core. In the tradition of Agnostic Front and similar to Metal heads Madball.. but different, unique.. They have their own sound and they could care less about rules. It was raucous. how somebody didn't get their head split open with a budweiser beer can I'll never know.. they were flying all over the place. The pit floor was soaked, people were falling.. elbows were flying.. punks were punking OUT! It was a convention of misfits that would have made any true punker proud.. except there were just too few of them.. the crowd was there for the Germs.. but Murphy's Law stole the show. I'll check these guys out again.. and wear my worst punk gear.. cause your gonna get soaked AND INSULTED. Your also gonna hear some great guitar (Felpe I think?)

Check out the insults first hand here:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDdi_F69ys

THE GERMS RETURN:
Mixing old with the young is The Germs. Pat Smear came out smoking his guitar and hasn't lost a beat. not a lot of energy from the guy but he can play. The music was fast, furious and the stage set was much slicker than Murphy's Law.. I mean they are legends, so I guess they deserve some trappings of success. The crowd was into them and it was a mix of young and old there as well. Shane West is the new lead singer and he looks too damn pretty to be a punk singer but its encouraging.. you don't HAVE to be a MESS to be into punk. It helps, but you don't have to be.

Check out some of their performance right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XG7VLOvYLI

All in all, a good night for Punk Music in NYC.. do I smell a comeback?

Hootenanny 2008 Off the Hook!

It was hot.. It was dusty... it was inconvenient... It was Hootenanny 2008. In other words it was perfect. Big props to Derek @ Golden Voice for the press passes and KROQ for the All Access Backstage passes. The backstage passes allowed me and my crew (Rich from Black Cat Entertainment, DJ Rockin Vic and his girl Roxy) to eat, drink and most importantly hang out with my idols, the guys from Social Distortion (who are also the guys for Mike Ness, sans Drummer Charlie Quintana).

I could have thumped Mike Ness on the ear (but would have been nuts to do so) as he drove backstage on his Harley. Hung out by his trailer a bit and got some decent views of Mike with his wife and surfer dude kids, a charming looking family and I have to say I’m happy for the guy (and maybe envious?) considering all he’s been through.

Eventually worked up the nerve to say hello to Brent Harding, Social D. bassist and in true form stumbled around verbally like some silly teenager, but he was mad cool... and though I never worked up the nerve to bother Johnny 2 Bags Wickersham, or Mike Ness himself, you could tell they were damn cool dudes... the whole lot of them. Somebody you’d be happy to drink a beer with, laid back dudes and it’s great to see, because I’ve met tons of famous folks via my day job (TV producer) and I could give three shits about 99.9% of them… some are cool and some are not, you just never know. Social D. is different, I’m nuts over the music, their history, the fact that that band single-handedly changed my entire perspective on life and helped me become a successful entrepreneur..

Yes, that is probably unintended but when I listen to Social D, I am indeed, invincible and some little pencil neck lawyer or banker or pussy New York Ivy leaguer media guy has got nothing on me. I’ll put my brain and certainly my ethics up against them all! Yet, I digress, back to the Hootenanny!

Big Sandy came on early and I got to chat with him a little backstage, and Rockabilly legend Glen Glenn came on to a packed crowd and this guy didn’t let the heat get to him one bit!

First time to see Cadilac Tramps and I liked em! they rocked.

Tiger Army’s fans were out in full force as the band had to do a re-start due to “technical difficulties” but once they were on stage they rocked the place. This band is blowing up, but Nick 13 pissed off some fans backstage by refusing photos with them. He seems like an introverted cat but he needs to remember his fans, they are die-hard loyal. I’m sure he does but looks like he might have had better days, not sure what was up. James Meza the drummer was mad cool as always, hanging out with his boys.

Johnny Knoxville made an appearance and the OC girls were off the hook. I live NYC but man; the OC has got a vibe that brings back childhood memories of true California blondes... something I haven’t seen in a long, long time. One hottie at the lemonade stand was NUTS! Wow! Incredible and she likes Social D... I think I’m in love. A hottie that understands me... if only it was reciprocated.

The car show was hot, stopped by some booths and my good friends at SpitFire Interiors and made some new friends at the legendary clothing store Greenspans. Can’t wait to get down there and get hooked up on some real, authentic gear.

A photo of the Hootenanny are on the gallery and on the myspace page so check it out... and video is coming soon. Awesome weekend.. one for the record books, now if only my other problems would go the hell away!

Hootenanny 2008! Look for us!

We'll be rocking out with Mike Ness, Tiger Army and the whole gang on July 5th at the annual Hootenanny. Look for us there and for tickets go here:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900405BCA617490?brand=goldenvoice

Pennywise Rocks NYC!

Went to the Pennywise show at Fillmore (Irving Plaza) last night and it was hot as hell in more ways than one.. At one time Fletcher screaming for some "fucking air" for the fans.. I thought, maybe, maybe we'd all riot.. but all in all it was a hell of a good time.. and the band played just a few songs off their recent CD "Reason to Believe" opening with my favorite "Western World" which is as radio friendly as any Pennywise song I've heard.

The pit took up almost the entire floor, you couldn't run or hide without going upstairs or standing all the way in the back.. this 80% young, 20 something guy crowd was nuts from the 1st song until the last with the stage becoming flooded for the finale "Bro Hymn".

My favorite thing about Pennywise, is they don't discourage stage dives and crowd participation.. they are one of us.. they are punk personified. This is what punk is about... rebelling, speaking your mind, but not putting anybody up on a pedestal.

When reviewing our current presidential choices, Obama got the biggest applause by far among this 99% white crowd and Pennywise responded by saying it would be cool to get a "brother" in the white house.. but later on, basically saying we're fucked anyway.. until the young people at that concert can get in office and change things. I tend to agree.

The U.S. needs to be more like a Pennywise show. Democratic, opinionated, fun and cool! why is the u.s. inundated with such assholes at the present time? so many assholes and so little space to put em.. Until last night, i think they were dumped mostly in NYC.. as I often say, its really, really hard to meet another cool guy.. one whose not gay, trying to fucking pick up on you.. or one who is a fucking metrosexual baby, mama's boy, jealous little bitch.. or a goddamned thug wanna be...

Last night, Pennywise gave me faith.. faith in the greatest city on the planet.. and faith that maybe, just maybe there are some pretty cool cats out there after all.. they just happen to all listen to punk..

If you haven't seen Pennywise live.. you need to.. bring your padding.. its going to get rough but it will be a blast! These guys are mad cool.

See you at the Hootenanny and the NOFX show in NYC!

Mike Ness - Tiger Army Rock

I'm really behind on my writing.. but hell, its not a job.. its a hobby. Checked out Mike Ness at Fillmore the other night.. It was slightly different than your typical Social D. show (is there one? even after all these shows, I'm not so sure). Down in the "pit" which wasn't so raucous to the countrified, punkabilly sound.. but hot and sweaty none-the-less.

Bottom line, great show. Came out strong, hitting "don't think twice" really quickly then slowed her down a bit with some "Solitaire" and an acoustic version of "Ball and Chain"... a cool spin on that classic.

He skipped "Six More Miles" at the Tuesday show, not sure about Thursday, but there was no fiddle so maybe that was why. Also, I was hoping he'd do "Ring of Fire" since the vibe was very Johnny Cash, but no dice. He closed out the encore with "I fought the Law" and at that point the punks had overtaken the "pit" and it was a nice bit of moshing and slamdancing by then (only a couple of tempers flared, the crowd was cool).

TIGER ARMY: Sunday night was a totally different scene.. but they came out strong against a backdrop of 40s or 50s country classic. I didn't recognize it but I love Nick 13's continued tip of the hat to class country, the good stuff before Nashville became so GD silly and stupid. Worse than today's hip hop or emo pop, the music industry will f..k up anything I swear.

I digress... it was pure 100% psychobilly though with the New bass player doing most of the talking.. and Nick 13 filling in some gaps.. he seemed to have some guitar issues but he carried on like a pro and ripped through the old Tiger Army classics and the new stuff.. including my favorite "Pain" which he says has a video coming out soon.. that should have been a single long ago in my opinion.

"Devils' Garden", "Outlaw heart" "Atomic" "Cupid's Victim" and the songs from "Regions Beyond" were cool.

I like the new bass player, Jeff Rofredro (who is really the old one, forget his name) as he's a big, bad ass psychobilly MF but I have to admit I miss the previous dude (his name: Jeffry, how is that for confusion). Jeffry was mad cool, when I interviewed him and the Tiger Army gang at the 2007 Warped Tour. Nick 13 was aloof, the drummer James Meza, quite... the gang's management at the time was disorganized and a bit difficult to work with, they said I could shoot the performance, then backtracked on day 2 (after I had already shot on day 1) and in general, were difficult.. but what band isn't, I still respect the band, their vision and most importantly their unique sound. Nick 13 is a talented, passionate dude. He knows exactly where he wants to go and has overcome alot to get his band there.

Last night you see he's a seasoned musician, playing through issues, smiling, happy to be where he is.. you can feel it and the crowd responded. The mix of punks, psychos, skin heads, goth rockers, black, white, Latino, Asian and young and old was a testament to the band's diversity and unique sound. They fu..ing rocked.. the crowd rocked.. and I think back to how far the band has come from when I first saw them and had no clue who they were when they opened for Social D in 2004. Four year's later, shot drummers, musical bassists, and incredibly diverse sound for a 3 person band and they are bonafide in my book... i wish them the best.

If you want to see the segment I produced on them from the 2007 warped tour, check out www.PunkOutlaw.com

NEXT UP:
Pennywise then NoFx.. I'm losing my mind.. is punk making a comeback in NYC??!

Mike Ness On Solo Tour!

Mike Ness band is BACK!!!


05/02/08 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach Festival
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/09004044C1BE76B6?artistid=735228&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=2

05/05/08 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=51665

05/06/08 – Houston, TX – Meridian w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0C004072A51B6C27?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/07/08 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B00406EEA38B329?artistid=1206044&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

05/09/08 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E00406EBAE88350?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/11/08 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://tickets.ramsheadlive.com/default.asp?SearchText=mike+ness&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

05/12/08 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero Theatre w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004071B885665A?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/13/08 – New York, NY – The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004071B32F9612?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/16/08 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004072C0C28376?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/19/08 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrews Hall w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/780380

05/20/08 – Chicago, IL – Park West w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/04004071DA073A3D?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/23/08 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1E0040710983D53B?artistid=780380&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

05/25/08 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.bellyupaspen.com/home/search?q=mike+ness&commit=Go

05/26/08 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot w/Jesse Dayton
Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.smithstix.com/

07/5/08 – Irvine, CA – The Hootenanny at Oak Canyon Ranch Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900405BCA617490?artistid=865683&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60