Steve Ignorant sells out Crass and Punk Rock!

So this weekend my girlfriend and I went to see Steve Ignorant preform his old Crass songs for one last tour (amusingly enough called “The Last Supper”). Not a bad way to spend a Good Friday if you ask me.

Before the show there was an interview and book signing at Hits and Misses, a small little shop on Queen St. Now before I get into the interview, and meeting Steve Ignorant, let me just say Rotate This has some of the best stock of 7 inch vinyl that I have seen at a store in a long time.Sham 69, Condemned 84, Elvis Costello, Bad Manners? Yep, you can find them all there. So I will soon be broke again, but on the brighter side my record collection will have grown, just making me more correct in saying that my music collection is better than yours. But that is for another post...

Steve Ignorant showed up, and chatted with fans for a bit, and signed a poster for a friend of mine, which was pretty cool. Then the record store clerk started the interview, and Steve did his best to answer all questions tossed to him, telling the odd joke, and basically having a good time. He talked about songs and bands that influenced him, oi music, the Business, his admiration of skinheads who get it right, band fights, growing up in the UK and writing his book. A book which by the sounds of it should be a cool little read, one I will be picking up when I have a few extra bucks... or considering my birthday is in June, if anyone wants to grab me a copy and put a pretty bow on it, that'd be a cool little gift.

Half way through the interview, a young peace punk girl asked Steve some interesting questions. She was asking about how he felt playing without the rest of the Crass, playing in larger venues, and charging 20 bucks a ticket (plus the extra ticket master tossed on to sell the tickets). All were legit questions I thought, and Steve started to give his answers. Not a big deal really. But what did bug me is this little punk girl started to cut him off when he tried to answer all of her questions, accusing him of selling out, betraying the Crass and blah blah blah...

This girl tried to put Steve in his place, and was quite rude and insulting to him, and the unfounded lack of respect bugged me. But Steve, to his credit took it in stride. She told him how he should have made this a DIY (do it yourself) tour, and not play in large “corporate” venues, and the ticket prices were too high. Steve countered (or tried to, she kept cutting his answers down, because she was more “Punk' than him, and she knew it) that he was coming over from the U.K. plane tickets are not cheap, hotels and buses were not cheap, and he wanted this to be a quality tour, and booking agents, sound men, etc etc would all want to get paid for their time and effort. We all have rent to make, bills to pay, mouths to feed (Steve as it turns out has a dog he misses very much), and as great as it would be to tour like it was the 80's all over again, the world has changed, and it just costs more to do things. And you know what? He is right.

The girl then bitched him out about how she wants to remember the Crass as they used to be, as a peace Punk political band, and not a “corporate” one man show. Steve said if she didn't like it, no one was forcing her to go to the show. She then said that she was not... and this bugged me the most.

Now before I go on about my thoughts on this, and why she pissed me off, I'd like to say for the record I've never been the biggest Crass fan. This is not meant as an insult to the Crass, I've just always been in the boss reggae camp, and even a little bit into the older oi sounds. There are Crass songs that I do like however, and for the most part I have always respected a lot of the bands morals and such, so please do not think that what I am about to write comes from some uber fan response. This is not a “you insulted my idol, so I hate you and feel the need to tear you down” posting.

The first thing that bugged me about all this was that Steve was trying to answer this girl 30 something years younger than him, showing her nothing but respect, and treating her as an equal. She did not treat him with the same respect, even though she claimed to be a big fan.

The second thing that bugged me was her going on about “corporate” venues and such. The Opera House (a venue in Toronto) is a far cry from the Rogers Center (or SkyDome as all of you older people reading this might remember it.) or any other big stadium. Yeah we would all love to see the bands we listen to play in our basements or backyards, but for some of the older and more popular bands, this is just not possible. 2000 people will not fit in your backyard (unless you are a rich kid, and if you are having any Punk band play your place might not be the best idea you have ever had). So a medium sized venue is the best bet for fans. And make no mistake, this tour is actually for the fans. Also, I'm looking at the ticket stub right now, and it doesn't say “Coca-Cola presents Steve Ignorant's Crass”. The man is in his 50's and singing Crass songs at the top of your lungs is hard enough on a young persons vocals. Give the guy a break.

Which brings me into point three. I'm in my 30's. Sleeping on a friend ratty old couch or dirty hard floor is really something I'd rather avoid. One night? Not so bad... A weekend? Hard on the back, but it can be done. But for every night for more than 5 months? To hell with that! Even when I was a teen that would have been horrible on my back. Steve Ignorant had to do that back when Crass toured. Do you think that your father could do that (or god help me, depending on the age of whoever is reading this, your grandfather)? Of course not. Let the man have a tour bus and hotels. He has earned it.

Now we get to point four... This tour was not about the money. And it was easy to see that it was not by Steve deciding to hold little book signings at smaller indie places. Anyone and everyone was welcome to come in and talk to Steve. He was autographing anything he was asked to (my girlfriend asked him to autograph a Crass Poster she bought, and commented how she was amazed that he spelled her name right, most people adding extra letters... so under her name he wrote 'mouthy bitch' as a joke, and then signed my name to her poster and wrote 'nice bloke' to everyone's amusement). He posed for photographs with anyone who asked for them, and talked to anyone who wanted to have a quick chat. This is a man who enjoys his fans. And it showed during the book signing, the entire time he was on stage, and the time he spent off stage after the show chatting up fans.

Last but not least, point five. This girl asked some interesting questions. And if she had let Steve answer them, I'm sure she could have asked a few more interesting ones. Then maybe we all could have had a good time at the show. But she wasn't even going to the show. She just stopped by to cut Steve down because he was not as punk anymore in her eyes. When you are passionate and stand for something, this is fantastic. But when you decide to prejudge something before you give it a chance and just show up to prove you are better than everyone else, I have to say, that's not punk, not by a long shot. That makes you a jerk. But you did show us all that Steve can handle jerks, as he easily brushed you aside when it became clear you were just arguing to be a jerk, and continued to amuse everyone with tales of being the singer for the Crass.

I suppose I should mention something about the actual concert itself. Pretty damn good. What, you want to hear more about it? Go buy a ticket and find out for yourself, you wont regret it (unless you are too Punk to enjoy yourself)!

 

 

-Kyle Trojan Murphy-
Big Wheel Contributor - Canada

 

 

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Ninja Gun – Roman Nose

Placed under the Sabot Productions catalog along with names such as Against Me!, Lucero, and Gaslight Anthem, Ninja Gun has released their 4-song LP titled "Roman Nose".

Although this LP would not be classified as pure Punk rock, it proves to maintain an interesting style consisting of alternative rock and power pop, although trying to place them under a specific genre would be nearly impossible. It consists of very soothing and mellow tracks, such as the tranquil and thought provoking "That's What I Heard" and the folk sounding rural song "Hot Rain". Ninja Gun offers stellar songwriting and storytelling with his latest release that is complimented by a smooth and catchy style. According to the group's vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Coody, "we just want to make the best music possible". Mission accomplished.

 

-Sarah K.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

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Stench Radio music play list for the week of April 24, 2011

Top 25  - In no particular order -

Clare Misstake - Animal Behavior
Kim Fowley - Emergency Room
Trashy & The Kid - Pole Dancers Circus
Kira - Fun With Needles
Doom - Antisocial
Fang - Drunk and Crazy
Bitchfits - We Bit
45 Grave - Spooky 2010
Napalm Death - Instinct Of Survival
Siouxie And The Banshees - Love In A Void
Subhumans - Religious Wars
Big Youth - Marcus Garvey
Minutemen - History Lesson - Part II
Shattered Faith - Trilogy
Toxic Reasons - Somebody Help Me
Symbol Six - GQ
Hepcat - Rudies All Around
Jesus And Mary Chain - April Skies
MDC - No More Cops
GG Allin And The Jabbers - NYC Tonight
TSOL - Come Into My NightMare
Lower Class Brats - Saftey Pinned & Sick
Scattergood - Where's Mark?
Soul Trash - Your Day Will Come
The English Beat - Ranking Full Stop

The above list are some of the top played songs on Stench Radio.

 

 

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Shows and events calendar for Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino, California and states all over the United States and the world. Complete and extended listing covering Punk, Indie, Rock, Psychobilly and more.

The Big 4 – Metallica – Slayer – Megadeth – Anthrax – At Empire Polo Fields – Indio, CA

Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax were hosts this past Saturday to the largest heavy metal concert to take place in North America since the historic US festival of 1983. Unlike the US festival which consisted of more than a dozen bands on the bill, this concert only had four, four bands that ultimately changed the face of heavy metal forever. Nearing the 30th anniversary since each of the bands formations, it seemed that 2011 was the best possible time for all 4 of the thrash titans to finally come together and celebrate their pasts, present, and futures together with a crowd just shy of 55,00 fans ready to rock like never before on US soil. The day’s festivities began rather early, mainly to allow time for the masses to settle into the venues grounds.

Around the time the openers hit the stage, a crowd already double the size of the Warped tour had gathered front and center to catch the Joey Belladonna fronted Anthrax. Having the opening slot at a concert generally doesn’t generate the best reactions or crowd turn outs, but with the majority of the crowds fans already very familiar with Anthrax they might as well have been headlining the Long Beach arena! Anthrax’s Scott Ian owned much of the stage as he often jumped around like a gymnast never missing a riff during the classics “Caught In a Mosh”, “Metal Thrashin Mad” and “Indians”. The hour long Anthrax set served as a great beginning to the full day’s worth of metal onslaught that lay ahead. Vocalist Joey Belladonna’s prestige voice is and always will be the perfect for Anthrax, and this concert is proof enough that they should never get another singer to fill his shoes if he decides to retire again.

During the changeover, one couldn’t help but notice the amount of people who enclosed on Indio that day, fans sporting Mexican, Canadian, British, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican and Brazilian flags made up huge populations of the crowd. Fans from other bands known through out the Punk and Metal world were also seen hanging around such as Chuck Billy of Testament, Dez of Devildriver, Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses/The Cult/Velvet Revolver, members of Sum 41, Chino Moreno of Deftones, and Ricky Racthman of MTV’s Headbangers ball. TV personalities from Jackass were also present. The crowd boasted fans from every generation as well as people from different music scene backgrounds coming together for one hell of a time, the power of great music can do that oh so well.

Los Angeles’s very own Megadeth were next on the bill and quickly made it known that they were there to make all heads bang and fire on all four cylinders. Their set opener Trust (reminiscent of Metallica's Enter Sandman) was the first eardrum shattering sing along of the day, causing front man Dave Mustaine to smirk and thank the already stadium sized crowd for coming out so early to be apart of metal history. The majority of their 80’s era set list went over best with the crowd as large mosh pits formed all over the fields starting up a tornado clouds of dust. Though it is to be noted that new track Headcrusher off 2009’s Endgame has already taken a life of its own and is ranked up there with other classic Megadeth hits. It was bassist’s David Ellefsons bass intro riff to “Peace Sells” that caused fan pandemonium and served as a perfect closer to their set. Due to the crowd’s reaction, Dave and co. came out and belted out two more fan favorites before surrendering the stage to Slayer. Dave Mustaine did sound better than he has in years (due to not being on tour constantly like their last 2 LA appearances) and seemed more than grateful to be playing for such a massive crowd along side ex rivals and new found friends.

Perhaps the evilest band of all time to ever play music, and most ferocious as well; Slayer took the stage and burst right into their 2009’ title track “World Painted Blood”. The stage was set, and more perfect than ever before, the desert air had began to smell of burning flesh (food vendor bbq stands were not far!) The vicious impact was felt by all as every area began to form slam pits capable of seismic measures on the Richter scale. The devilish snarl and growls of Slayer front man Tom Araya during the transition from 2009’s “Hate Worldwide” into 1990’s “War Ensemble” sent shivers down my already evil spine and all those in the photo pit. Drummer Dave Lombardo’s blast beats and Kerry King’s sinful riffs offered the perfect soundtrack as the desert sun began to set. Slayers set seemed to be as tight as one could expect, which was quite the feat considering they had a fill in guitarist (Gary Holt of Exodus) as Jeff Hanneman (undergoing operations after being bit by a poisonous spider) sat this show out. All of Jeff’s duties were carried out in perfect notation as Gary belted out solo after solo in the same manner Jeff would have, bravo, seeing as a Slayer set without high pitched evil guitar solos would have been less than stellar. The sets biggest surprise came about during Slayers encore as Jeff Hanneman took the stage and riffed the intro to the anthemic “South of Heaven”. His surprise appearance sent the crowd into a frenzy that could only be topped by the bands closing song of the night; the highly controversial and ever devastating “Angel Of Death”. The stakes had been raised, at this point Slayer had owned the night, would it be possible for Metallica to play a more epic set?

I hesitate to use the word “epic” to describe anything in 2011 seeing as it’s been overused to death in the last year alongside the phrases “OMG” or “FML”. Though Metallicas set Saturday night was anything but Epic, and an overall milestone by a band not afraid to live in the now and not stray away from its roots. The set opener “Creeping Death” off the 1984 album “Ride The Lightning” accelerated like a jet about to surpass mach speed. Lead vocalist and axe man James Hetfield shined through the night belting out verse after verse and chorus after chorus never sounding tired or hoarse. He lifted his microphone and pointed it towards the crowd as the 50,000 plus crowd shouted “Die by my hand, I creep across the land Killing first born man, I’m Creeping Death!” at the top of their collective lungs, sounding much like a choir of death. Their third song of the night was the first of many to include pyrotechnics which spit out blazing flames on and above the stage. “Fuel” was the only track from their mid 90’s era to find its way into the set, while most songs either came from the mid 80’s and a few off their 2008 return to form album “Death Magnetic”

Not one trick ponies in any sense, Metallica quickly changed the pace of their set by throwing in a variety of songs, an instrumental (Orion, a tribute to deceased bassist Cliff Burton) and differently arranged sets of classics. The ballads like “Fade to Black” and “Nothing Else Matters” would have sent the local fire marshal into a panic as thousands of bic lighters illuminated the crowd looking much like a scene out of some a 1980’s concert video. Metallica's Magnum opus came during their breakthrough hit “Enter Sandman” as the whole venue sang along to the chorus making it a perfect set closer. Though with a crowd of many still hungry for more metal, and Metallica still having a few songs in their back catalogue worthy of being played on such a historic night, it was only right that they’d make their encore one to remember. As roadies made their way on stage, it became clear that whatever was coming next was not to be your typical one-two punch knockout. Guitar amps lined the now lit stage as members of Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth began to strap their guitars on and riff it up. James then picked the riff of Diamondhead’s classic “Am I Evil” and all hell broke loose as the all star jam began. Unlike what was captured on the Big 4 DVD shot in Europe last summer, the jam in Indio featured Kerry King of Slayer and shared vocal duties by every singer accept Tom Araya. As everyone left the stage the band then went right into “Hit the Lights” which was the last big slam pit anthem before the sing along structured “Seek & Destroy” Giant inflatable Metallica beach balls then began to bounce around the crowd as the band jammed through an extended version of Seek. The crowd in unison really showed their display of love as many held each other arm in arm embracing this moment in metal history. As their set concluded, each member of Metallica made their way to the mic to thank the crowd for really just showing their love and support the 30 years of their existence and for continuing to keep metal and heavy music alive. “You’re all apart of the Metallica family now, and a part of history, each and every one of you and were so glad you could be here.” - James Hetfield As the masses of fans made their way towards their cars, it was apparent that everyone had really enjoyed the day’s offerings. Perfect weather and perfect sets by 4 indisputable bands made for such an experience that there was no place to go but down. The high created by the music had really been shared by everyone, and was quite the high that only great music in the company of great friends can bring.

The Big 4 concert was as big of a success as it could have been, which will hopefully inspire the good folks over at Goldenvoice to throw together other legendary billed concerts using the empty Coachella fields and stage for unforgettable concerts just like Saturdays. Could next year see an Iron Maiden - Judas Priest - Motorhead or AC/DC lineup? Perhaps a Rolling Stones - Aerosmith co headline concert ? A joining together of Morrissey and Johnny Marr for that ever talked about Smiths reunion ? Oh the possibilities seem endless! Only time will tell, but one would hope that promoters take notice and continue to do something big for music’s sake!

Big 4 Setlist’s:
Metallica: The Ecstasy of Gold (INTRO) / Creeping Death / For Whom the Bell Tolls / Fuel / Ride the Lightning / Fade to Black / Cyanide / All Nightmare Long / Sad But True / Welcome Home (Sanitarium) / Orion / One / Master of Puppets / Blackened / Nothing Else Matters / Enter Sandman
Encore: Am I Evil? (with all four bands) / Hit the Lights / Seek & Destroy
　
Slayer: World Painted Blood / Hate Worldwide / War Ensemble / Postmortem / Raining Blood / Black Magic / Dead Skin Mask / Americon / Silent Scream / The Antichrist / Seasons in the Abyss / Payback / Snuff / South of Heaven / Angel of Death
　
Megadeth: Trust / In My Darkest Hour / Hangar 18 / Wake Up Dead / Poison Was the Cure / She-Wolf / Sweating Bullets / Head Crusher / A Tout le Monde / Symphony of Destruction / Peace Sells / Holy Wars … The Punishment Due/Mechanix
　
Anthrax: Caught in a Mosh / Got the Time / Madhouse / Among the Living / Antisocial / Indians / Fight ’Em Till You Can’t Play / Metal Thrashing Mad / A.I.R. / I Am the Law
 

 

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

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Movits – at The Satellite – Silverlake, CA

I have been waiting to see Movits since the very end of the last Movits show I saw. Since then they have recorded a new album and are now touring on its release. I went with my buddy Pat, who was the one who introduced me to this band in the first place. Last year they toured with fellow Swedish rapper Zacke, who again accompanied the band on this tour of the U.S.Before Movits took the stage Zacke did a brief warm up to get the crowd ready for Movits. After he finished, Movits immediately hit the stage all dressed in black tuxedos and wearing and matching black Shuron Ronsir glasses. They opened the show with the song "Ta på dig dansskorna" which translates to "Put on your dancing Shoes". Its almost as if everyone in the building understood exactly what they were saying, because the shoes were dancing!

It got hot on stage quick, and the guys quickly shed their jackets, but they heat didn't slow them down, they kept right on going playing hit after hit, briefly explaining the meaning behind the Swedish titles. What is so awesome about this band is that they rise above the genres of hip hop and swing, while thoroughly embracing them.

Though i think the new album is amazing, I'm really glad that they didn't abandon their older songs and just play new songs like many bands do. Song of the songs they played included "Swing För Hyresgästföreningen", "Äppelknyckarjazz", "Skjut Mig i Huvet" "Sammy Davis Jr." and "Huvudvarken" with Zacke joining them on stage for that one.

On stage they told a story about getting handcuffed and almost arrested for running out on a dinner bill because of band service the previous night. One month in the US and these nice Swedish guys are already going down the wrong path...
All in all it was an amazing show, and much like the last time I saw them over a year ago, I am already dying to see them play again.

 

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Social Distortion – Video Premier – Red Carpet Event – The Music Box – Hollywood, CA

Hundreds and hundreds of dedicated fans flocked to the Music Box aka Henry Fonda theatre for the world premier of Social Distortions short film video "Machine Gun Blues". The star studded red carpet event featured the cast of the video including Mike Ness' wife Christine Ness and His son Johnny-Rio Ness, as well as celebrities like Kroqs Stryker and Chris Pontius (Jackass,Wildboyz).

The night also brought out rock and roll royalty Steven Adler and his new band Adler's Appetite and many others.


"Machine Gun Blues" is the first single from Social Distortions new album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, which debuted in January and has been steadily climbing the charts and getting regular airplay on radio stations all across the US . The 1930s film noiresque short was shot at historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. In the video Mike Ness and his gang hold up a bank.

Everything seems to be going as planed until an army serviceman decides to play hero. This results in innocent bystanders being killed in the crossfire. After exchanging glances with a young shoe shiner (played by his son) Mike an his gang proceed to make their escape but are tracked down by the Feds. It all ends in an epic shoot out reminiscent of something John Dillenger himself might have faced. At the end of the video the young shoe shiner appears and picks up a guitar case from the scene of the shoot out and walks away with the sunburst Les Paul that belongs to Mike Ness' character.

The night was brought to a close by a rare and intimate performance by Social Distortion themselves. They start the set with "Bad Luck" followed with crowd favorites "Ball and Chain" "Machine Gun Blues" and "Down on the world again"




They ended their set with their cover of Johnny cash's "Ring of Fire" that had everyone in attendance singing along. The audience hung around far after the final curtain had been drawn, chanting and calling Social D to do an encore performance.

Outside the streets were cluttered with fans and attendees of the premier, each relaying their experience to one another with looks of satisfaction and happiness across their face.

 

 

-Desire G.-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

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