Social Task – Vatican Assassins – Peccadilloes – Vegascendents – at Boomers Bar – Las Vegas, NV

The first band to play kind of threw me for a loop, I saw San-d from The Peccadilloes setting up a drum kit, so I assumed she was helping out her friends.  Well it turned out that San-d and J-sin are in V.A.s as well as The Peccadilloes. They started their set and i was amazed with San-d's drumming. I have a thing for drummers. The whole band was very tight. They played about  30 minutes or so, and they were really good. Good hard Rock n' Roll.




Up 2nd was a band from Huntington Beach Calif. SOCIAL TASK. Social Task originated in Huntington Beach, CA. in the fall of '79 and consists of members of The Idols, China White and Pennywise. Social Task is: Don Snell-Guitar Scott Sisunik-Lead Vocals-Mark Mega-Bass Hank Jacobson-Drums. www.SocialTask.com

From the moment they hit their first notes these guys were full of energy and charisma. They Rocked Boomers for about 45 minutes. With songs like Take Take Take, Nymphomaniac, Bomb Iran, and a plethora of hardcore hits. This is one kick ass band, They will be touring definitely don't miss them if you can help it. I got a copy of their c.d. called "DEMO RELEASE" Huntington Beach. And the most incredible song on this c.d. is a cover song by Old School Punks  "THE EYES" The song is called DISNEYLAND!!!  I thought the eyes version was awesome, which it is but Social Task does their own equally awesome version.

3rd up was The Peccadilloes. Now we have SAN-D on vocals and J-sin on guitar. Tad on Bass, James on guitar and Jarrett on drums. I have this band a number of times and am always amazed by them. It so happens this night they were put on a bill with Some really good bands. This brings me to a point when they were playing and I was Talking with Scott of Social, and said how her voice reminds me of THE EYES, that was when i found out Social did a cover of Disneyland. Not to take away from the Peccadilloes, they played an incredible 30 to 40 minute set. I love this band, they always make me feel good after seeing them play. While in Vegas definitely see The Peccadilloes.

Up 4th was a local cover band called The Vegascendents. They are a Descendents cover band and these guys kick major ASS!!!! Gilbert on drums is just amazing. With Fat Milo on vocals, Gilbert on drums, Tysonage on guitar, and Jeremy on bass, these guys bang out tune after tune and they hit the stage about 1:30 or 2:00 a.m. and the crowd was still full of energy. You can't help but like this band. As a Matter of fact I am going to see them tonight. They are a High Energy band. If you like The Descendents  you will  definitely like this band GUARANTEED.

 

Bob Mandoki
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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Dillinger Four – Riverboat Gamblers – The Arrivals – Toys That Kill – The Knitting Factory – Hollywood, CA

The last time Dillinger 4 played in Los Angeles was at Fuck Yeah Fest in 2005.  Those who were lucky enough to see it never forgot it unless of course they partied a little too hard.  It was chock full of nudity, insults, hilarity, an American flag mu-mu and a Motorhead cover. I was lucky to see them again a few years later in Las Vegas but Los Angeles remained untouched territory for the men from Minneapolis for four long years.

The day Dillinger 4 would play Los Angeles again came this week.  All day my internets were buzzing. Friends of mine from all different social circles were updating their spacebooks and mytwitters with their excitement.  “D4 is coming! D4 is coming!”  You could hear the Punks from miles around echo a collective, “yabba dabba doo” as the whistle signaling the end of the work day blew.

Let me begin by giving you my deepest regrets and apologies. It took me forever to fight Hollywood traffic and when I finally got into the venue, I realized that I left my camera at home and had to use my cell phone camera.  These will definitely not be the best shots you will see from the evening but hopefully, they will capture some of the thrills.

The show began with San Pedro’s own, Toys That Kill.  Guitarist Sean Cole remarked, “We’re from San Pedro where we wear our pants loose” It was the first of many tongue in cheek jibes at Hollywood we’d be hearing from all the bands that evening.  Toys That Kill played several songs I usually don’t hear them play live.  They played, “Something In This Earth”, “Puppies With Rifles” and one of my favorite TTK songs, “Bleeplines”.

After a few “deep cuts” in a row, the TTK fans started yelling for “Greatest Hits”.  At first, guitarist, Todd C. pretended not to understand them.

“Pregnant Racists?” he responded.  Later, TTK shut them all up with crowd favorites like, “Little Bit Stranger” and “Tied Up All Our Lace”.

Toys That Kill can really do no wrong in my book.  I’m a super-fan of theirs.

A funny anecdote:  About a year or so ago, the guys from Toys That Kill told me that I reminded them of Little Dave, the guitarist from the Arrivals.  At the time, I could see our similarities. We both had short dark hair with sideburns, dark jeans, dark t shirts, and black boots.  I took no offense to it and neither did he.  Little Dave has long hair and a bushy beard now so I think we look a little less alike but after Toys That Kill played, this drunk Punk took me aside and asked, “So dude!  You’re on next right”.

I replied, “I wish!”

And he suddenly looked forlorn and said, “You don’t play in that band anymore?”

Suddenly I figure out that this guy thinks that I am Little Dave from the Arrivals.  I had to explain to the drunk Punk that he was mistaken.  Then he clinked beers with me and now we’re buddies for life.

Ok back to the story…

The Arrivals came on next. The first time I saw the Arrivals, they were great but I didn’t know anything about them. All I knew was that Paddy, Dillinger 4’s bassist and head big mouth, played bass for them. This time, Paddy kept his mouth shut.

Little Dave announced who they were (The Arrivals...duh!), where they were from (Chicago) and that Motley Crue kicks ass (The Dirt is a great book).  They broke into, “Sorry for Saying I’m Sorry” and the crowd went crazy.  It is easily the Arrivals song that gets stuck in my head the quickest.

I was right underneath singer and guitarist, Isaac, as he belted them out one by one.  Tight is a word that gets used all too often in reviews but that is exactly what they were.  Chachi from Toys That Kill was having his own personal mini mosh pit and head bang time up front with me during, “Dangerous”.

They ended their set with the triumphant, “Last Lullaby”

Riverboat Gamblers came on next.  This would be my third time seeing them. I don’t own any of their records but every time I see them, they blow me away.  Then I walk away from the show wanting to pick up one of their records and every single person I talk to recommends me a different record to start out with.  Then I forget about them until I see them again.

It is virtually impossible to take a picture of singer, Mike Wiebe, on a cell phone camera.  He never really stops moving.  He is constantly jumping into the crowd, jumping off the drum riser and jumping from one end of the stage to the other.

The circle pit started at this point and both my hand and Mike’s hand came in contact with the broken beer bottles at the foot of the stage.  I had a tiny cut on my left palm.  He was gushing blood from his wrist and he looked like he really didn’t notice or care.  No time for first aid.  There is rocking to be done.

Mike did one last jump into the crowd and asked us all to kneel down and not worry about being cool and as the guitarist spelled out “G-A-M-B-L-E-R”, we all jumped up. They ended the song and now it was time for the legendary Dillinger 4.

So we wait for what seems like a long time. A bunch of people were getting texts and since I wasn’t there I can’t really confirm or deny any of this but the texts said something to the effect of Paddy was in trouble with cops or the security guards for taking his dick or balls out and showing it to people in an elevator or on an escalator.

We were freaking out at the possibilities. Four years since D4 played LA and it could be even more?  A Dillinger 4 show without Paddy (still cool but it would definitely be a let down)?

After a good long time, each member of D4 came out. Paddy came out last and looked noticeably flustered.

“So I got in some trouble” he explained, “We’re going to do as many songs as possible before they stop us.  I don’t know what happened. I took my dick out…”

They do three songs of their new album, C I V I L W A R.  The crowd pushed forward. I ended up with my nose to the floor of the stage.  It was near impossible to take a picture of the band while they played because the pit was so nuts.  Half the night I spent bracing myself on a monitor to keep from eating stage and broken glass.

After a few songs, Paddy seemed to be less flustered and back into his groove. He took off his hat to reveal a patchy reverse lopsided mohawk mange on his head. He took out an electric razor and shaved the sides of his head as he addressed the crowd.

Paddy’s little diatribes are one part drunken rambling but two parts inspirational. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not when he spoke about empathizing with Los Angeles natives who at the age of 18 find that all their friends are leaving their hometown as quickly as they can.

He talked about class war and explained that class war wasn’t necessarily something that crust punks were always spouting about but could be committed at a smaller scale seeing that most Los Angeles residents work in the service industry. Then they broke into “Floater Left with Pleasure in the Executive Washroom”

My favorite Paddy musing of the night was when he said that CDs are dead and so is commercial radio so “Punk rock won”
At some point, Paddy’s mic stand stopped working so he enlisted the help of Matt McCrackin, singer for Madison Bloodbath, to be a human mic stand.  Later he had Matt help him shave a fan’s head on stage to relieve him of his “ironic haircut”

I think it was during “Mosh for Jesus” that I witnessed a girl breaking a beer bottle over the head of one Los Angeles’ premier stand up comedians, Skippy Simon’s head.  We all ducked as to avoid the shrapnel of broken glass.  Skippy was left unscathed except for the fact that he kept shaking broken glass out of his hair. The bald kid next to him had two huge gashes on his cheeks.  Good move, lady.

When they played, “D4 = putting the ‘F’ back in Art”, the crowd swayed and sung along like a choir.  Dillinger 4 exited the stage.  Many encores at shows seem like pretend encores but it seemed like we really had to beg for them to come back and give us some more.  They busted out , “Let Them eat Thomas Paine” and “OKFMDOA”

Dillinger 4 delivered exactly what we were all expecting: a fantastic show that we won’t forget…unless we were partying too hard.   I hope we don’t have to wait another four years to see them again.

 

- Joe Dana -

 

 

                                          Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews
 

 

Anti-Nowhere League Interview

 Interview by: Dod M.
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent

Animal from the Anti Nowhere League kindly agreed to answer some questions about the origin of their name to the controversial “so what” song. They are on tour in October,November,December in the UK.
 
Anti-Nowhere League -What’s the origin of that name?
Animal - The name comes from the late seventies. when everyone was 'anti' something......we were a piss take of all these people....the do-gooders who were so far up their own arses with their own righteousness that they forgot how to live......the Anti 'Nowhere' League...a dislike for the controlled masses...

How much do you think Punk has changed in the last 30 years?
Animal - Its not as violent as it used to be...people in the scene seem to get on a lot better with each other.....not a bad thing.....enjoying the music more than the fighting!!!

What originally attracted you to Punk?
Animal - Got to be the Stranglers....Peaches and Hanging around....they were on our bike 'clubhouse' jukebox...once heard, Punk had a grip on me ......the rest of my club allowed me to indulge seeing I was the youngest at the time......the band was born

So what, was controversial when it was originally released but has since been covered by Metallica, so what’s different now?
Animal - So What.......a song that took 2 minutes to write but spent the rest of my life singing it!....I don’t know the power of the song but a lot on people do...including Metallica.....as Lars said to me...it gets under your skin and you cant put it down.....did buy myself a new Harley with the proceeds from them so I mustn't grumble!!!

Who writes your songs?
Animal - I do....they all come from my 'darkside'.....we all know where that is right?...we all have one...some darker than others.

What’s your favourite Anti-Nowhere League song and why?
Animal - So many from different periods of my life ....but at the moment...Self Harm.....and Chocolate Soldiers.

Are you still fans and of who?
Animal - Yes I am still a fan...I don’t get along to shows so much these days unless its a festival we are playing....and because I know most of the bands now... we sorta talk about the old days instead of me throwing my undies at them!!

Do you prefer playing the likes of Rebellion or small venues?
Animal - Some and Some.....I like the closeness of small venues but I like the stage area of the larger venues.....means I can move around more without stepping on band members.

What’s your coolest band story?
Animal - The best ones will be kept for my book...I will finish it one day before it finishes me.....trouble is most of the stories involve ex band members....and their sense of humour has wained over the years so they would like to forget most of them!!! But like an elephant with a good solicitor!

What do you think about downloading music online?
Animal - downloading......what can I say....destroying small bands quicker than the establishment....killing us slowly....glad I am old!

What's your outlook on the record industry today?
Animal - Shit...always has been always will be...it’s a game that I can’t play.

How does music affect you and the world around you?
Animal - It doesn’t.....I still ride...I still play...I still write....fuck em all.

What are the biggest obstacles for bands?
Animal - Real music is dying....money is the great God...if you not in then you are out...money....I have never been lead by money money money ...if I need it then I will go out an earn it....whatever means........that’s what keeps me a virgin....look don’t get me wrong the punk stage is a great platform for small bands.....good bands ,bad bands and fuckin awful bands.....have a few years playing in a band if you get anywhere then fine...make a few quid if you are lucky.... but usually once on this circuit you are branded.....you may get to the top of the shit pile but shit pile it still is when dealing with the money men....they will never take you seriously so stick two fingers up and have some fun!!

What makes a good crowd?
Animal - Sex drugs alcohol and attitude...crazy people get off on crazy music.....we don’t preach....we do!!

Any last words?
Animal - Its better to die chasing a dream..... Than live with out one..........be bad.....ANIMAL.



Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/animalanwl



 
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Joe’s Garage – Self Titled Release

Joe's Garage's debut full length echoes influences of early Orange County Beach City hardcore bands like China White, the Vandals, and early T.S.O.L. with a sound that is melodic but snotty and angry at the same time. Muscular guitars and fast vocals come into play and the fact that these kids are all in high school is almost an irrelevant point as a band that rocks this hard could stand their own with bands of any age group. In fact if not for the lyrics that reflect a young person's perspective on the world someone who didn't know who Joe's Garage were probably would never guess that they are as young as they are.

This album has ten songs (twelve including the instrumental intro and outro) about living in Orange County ("O.C.D.," "Our Dirty Streets"), committing presumably fictional crimes ("Vandal," "Premeditated Murder") and just being young ("Kid," "Generation X"). "McNazi" and "The Eye" are political songs that don't get too deep or preachy, but it's cool to see Joe's Garage taking on some meaningful subject matter. "The Eye" is actually probably the band's best song with its mid paced gallop. It is also one of two songs on the C.D. that exceed two and a half minutes in length.

Joe's Garage have managed to outdo themselves with these recordings and hopefully they will have more great recordings in the future. Any fan of early West Coast hardcore Punk should check this out if they are interested in seeing what the next generation is doing.

 

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/joesgarage666

 

-Ditch-
Big Wheel Online Magazine

 

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The Objex – The Pork Dukes – X Girlfriend Experience – at The Double Down Saloon – Las Vegas, NV

This is one gig I will not forget anytime soon!
 
The show started off with a local Las Vegas trio, X Girlfriend Experience. These 3 ladies know how to rock and roll. With Ruby on lead guitar, Emmalition on drums. and Kate 78 on bass, These girls take you through a hardcore journey of crackin tunes!!They totally got the audience ready for what was yet to come. The night started off on the right track with a KICK ASS BAND. These girls never disappoint. THEY ROCK !!!!!!!




2nd on the bill was an amazing band from London, PORK DUKES. Originally formed in 1976, These guys came to play !!!!! With Vilos Styles on vocals, Horendus Styles on lead guitar, Bonk on drums and Vince Santini on bass. WOW !!!!  these guys are just Incredible!  Don't let the fact that are old school fool you. They have been around since the inception of PUNK ROCK !!!  This band is like a fine wine They got better with age. With songs like "Devil Driver", "SOHO GIRLS" Telephone Masturbator, and Throbbing Gristle just to name a few. They smoked through their entire set.

Totally left me wanting more. Guitar player Horrendous Styles walked by me after they were done shook my hand and said "THATS FUCKING ROCK AND ROLL" And right he was. To learn more about this most incredible band check out their website www.porkdukes.com They are out on tour now -Please do not miss them.

3rd up was a band I had heard about and had to see. "THE OBJEX" They are from Las Vegas. with their line up consisting of FELONY MELONY ON LEAD VOCALS, She has the most incredible Mohawk!! Awesome.  ALY 2X on bass, Jim Nasty on guitar, and Chile on drums. This band is so full of energy it is just unbelievable. Melony running all over the place, Jim smokin his guitar strings, Aly just totally rockin her bass, and Chile beating his drum kit like he was in a Fight with it. And He won that battle. All I can say is what an incredible performance!!!  This band just totally rocks.

They are one of the up and coming local bands that people want to go see. I for one am glad I went to go see them, Their performance pumped me full of Adrenalin.  What I am seeing more and more is The Musicians changing instruments, Aly 2x's switched to Drums, and Chile went to her bass. and they still sounded great. "GO SEE THEM"  you will not be disappointed.


 

Bob Mandoki
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
                                          Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews
 

 

 

 

California Calling – A night of story telling with Joe Sib

Here is a night of fun you do not want to miss with Joe Sib. In Los Angeles and points well beyond, you know Joe Sib as the host and founder of Complete Control Radio that originally aired on Indie 103.1 and can now be heard on 98.7 FM. Well, for one night you will get to hear the extended versions of some of the craziest Punk rock stories. Joe has a bunch of them and if you do not mind pissing your pants, come out to the Key Club on October 15, 2009. The donation at the door goes directly to Wheels For Humanity.

Here is Joe in his own words to tell you more about how this all got rolling.

”One night at SideOneDummy Records, I was drinking some beers, shooting the shit, and telling some stories with some friends and these guys from a band. As the night ended, someone in the band said to me, “I wish you could come on the road with us, just to tell us more of your stories.”

The next day I started thinking about what that guy said and decided to take a few minutes and tape one of my stories. At first, I felt weird just gabbing into the microphone by myself. But the more I did, the better the stories came out. So, for the next two weeks I would come in to work early, drink some coffee and just start talking. Four of these stories made it on to a CD called “True Stories and Bad Ideas.”

I ended up giving the CD to all my friends and anyone that I thought would find the stories funny and entertaining. After a while, somebody asked me if I would ever tell the stories “live.” So now, on October 15th at The Key Club in Hollywood, it's time to sink or swim with “California Calling.”

- Joe Sib

For a very small sample of the stories as well as any other up to the moment information on this night
go to: californiacalling.net

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