L.A. Rising Festival Featuring Rage Against The Machine, Muse, Rise Against, plus guests – at the Los Angeles Coliseum – Los Angeles, CA

Thousands of Angelenos flocked to the enormous LA Coliseum on Saturday to witness the largest rock concert to take place in our city in years! Headlining the appropriately titled LA Rising Festival were hometown political rockers Rage Against The Machine who were playing for the first time in LA in over a year. Not only was LA Rising to be a historical concert, but it also was set up as an enlightening event with a re-education camps set up for fans to get involved with both local and national organizations.

The day began with an early door time as there were already thousands of fans lined up along the blvd anticipating a full day of music ahead of them. By 3 pm an estimated 10,000 fans were up front in the general admission pit and scattered around the stadium in time to welcome the first band of the day. Hailing from south of the border, El Gran Silencio brought a Mexican flavored style of music blending elements of Ska, Reggae, Ranchero and hard rock with a vocalist often rapping over their up tempo cuts.

Fans may have not been familiar with their material, but outbursts in Spanish directed towards the crowd gained the fans approval throughout their set. It didn’t matter that it was a sunny 80 degrees out either, thousands skanked away and circle pitted to El Gran Silencio’s songs like they were long time fans. Silencio’ walked off stage Saturday afternoon with a much larger fan base than they had originally arrived with.

Following Silencio’ was hip hop phenom Immortal Technique who quickly silenced nay sayers as he won over thousands of rock fans with his political hip hop attack. Hailing from New York, Immortal Technique brought with him powerful stage banter like never witnessed before. In between every song welcomed an issue in which he felt the world needed to deal with and more importantly all who were in attendance needed to be informed of. His set had the crowd swaying and bopping around which could not be duplicated around the time Lauryn Hill hit the stage.

Her performance from the very beginning was marred with sound problems that ultimately reflected in her less than top notch set. The hits were played, but it wasn’t enough to match the energy brought forth by the 2 previous acts.

By the time Rise Against arrived with their gigantic yellow American flag banner, thousands more had poured into the venue to cheer on KROQ’s newest Punk heroes. Not ones to waste any time, Rise pulled out a number of their radio hits to rally on the growing crowd. Circle pits broke out in all zones as their up tempo songs touched the hearts of thousands of teenagers who made up a large percentage of the crowd. An acoustic number may have slowed things down in the pit, but not once did their momentum halt during their near hour set. There were many factions of Rise Against fans in the crowd, it’s obvious they’ve become punk rocks largest band since The Offspring.

As night fell, thousands more made their way into the stadium which for the first time was now filled to capacity. Muse took the stage following the grandest intro any opening band in recent years has called their own. Their stage production made the band appear to be much more than just 5 guys on stage, in fact they seemed to be giants from the future playing a style of rock music unlike any other from this planet. Their light show beamed the deepest reds and bluest of blues while large video screens displayed images of both the band and their videos mashed together. Lead vocalist Matthew Bellamy was the first front man of the day to hold power over the entire crowd as every word he sang and every movement he made dazzled the enormously huge audience.

Muse’s show was that of a headliner and an impressive one that never let down as every hit they’ve become known for in the last 8 years were played back to back. Super Massive Black Hole, Uprising, Map of the Problematique were among the many hits that set the place off, and are reason enough to call Muse the heaviest non metal band in existence. Being the talented bunch of musicians they are, they creatively worked Led Zeppelin riffs into their songs and did a cover of The Animals classic House of the Rising Sun, the crowd loved it! It began to look like Muse’s show as the crowds roar after every song seemed to hit decibel levels unheard of for an opening band. It was obvious to everyone why Muse are Kroq’s biggest hit of the last decade and why their synth heavy Depeche’ inspired operatic rock is so addicting.

To add to their already impressive production, hundreds of inflatable beach balls painted like eyes were distributed throughout the stadium which literally made for a tremendous spectacle and a sign of Muse’s grand finale. Hardcore Rage Against The Machine fans were won over as Muse put on the best show an opening band has ever put on since Guns N’ Roses opened for The Rolling Stones 4 nights in a row at the very same stadium in 1989.

Following Muse would be difficult for any band, but Rage Against The Machine were well equipped for the task as 60,000 fans cheered the bands long awaited arrival. It was then that Rage’s siren intro kicked in and sent chills up and down the spines of all. The historical venue’s Olympic torch was lit and the marvelous columns were illuminated a communist red. Video screens with footage of Rage’s numerous protests and newspaper clippings rallied up the crowd and with a moments notice the band kicked into Testify, a protest track off The Battle of Los Angeles lp.

Something went horribly wrong as the front of house sound died only 15 seconds into their set, it was not pretty. Things got scary as the loudest BOOOO the world have ever known was the only thing anyone could hear. Thankfully all sound issues were fixed as Rage could continued on with their monumental set.

Vocalist Zach De La Rocha worked all sides of the stage as he hopped around belting out songs of protest and justice calling for the participation of fans to sing along. He urged fans to get involved and make a change in the world as songs like Bullet In The Head and Know Your Enemy and Bulls on Parade took on a more serious tone. Their production may not have been as fancy as Muse’s, but Rage packed in a number of effects that wowed thousands as strobe and laser beams flowed with their songs tempo’s and breakdowns.

As with any Rage show, things are expected to get a bit out of hand, and with 60,000 fans in attendance how could it not? Fires sprang up throughout the mosh pits as fans gathered around them like primitive war dance rituals, it was obvious that Rage fans were there to let loose and have a good fucking time. Though with curfew approaching, their set had to be hurried so the band closed on the highest note ever with the single that made them the controversial band that they are, Killing in the Name (of)!

There is a feeling of unease that one feels when the masses are screaming “Fuck You, I wont do what you tell me!” over and over at the top of their lungs. Thankfully there wasn’t a riot and fans behaved themselves enough to make LA Rising a concert that locals are going to be talking about for years to come. There isn’t going to be another show to in the area that will match the ferocity and energy of LA Rising for a very long time. I think many realized that too, and it showed in their deafening applause as Rage left the stage.

Thousands then poured into the streets and left the stadium without incident as no outrageous behavior called for the all too familiar at a Rage show swat team. At the end of the day, six very different bands played on the same bill and sold out a venue that only giant dinosaur bands rarely play. There was strength in diversity and a higher purpose than just head banging. L.A. Rising was a success, and every one who attended should feel proud to have been a part of the largest concert this town has hosted in a very long time.

Rage Against The Machine set : Testify, Bombtrack, People of the Sun, Know Your Enemy, Bulls on Parade, Township Rebellion, Bullet in the Head, Down Rodeo, Guerrilla Radio, Calm Like a Bomb, Sleep Now in the Fire, Wake Up.
Encore: Freedom, Killing in the Name.

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

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The Barb Wire Dolls – at The Viper Room – Hollywood, CA

There is a buzz on the streets of LA, it’s loud, it’s nasty and it’s hitting the region like a tornado. You have most likely heard of The Barb Wire Dolls and if you’ve been paying attention you know they are one of the most talked about bands on the rise in the scene. The 4 Grecians who now reside in town have been making a name for themselves while recently headlining the Viper room every Monday throughout July.

The Dolls finished up their residency just the other night and if you were around for the occasion, well you know magic was in the air from the moment they stepped on stage. For those who had missed out you will have a live album to remember it by when it comes out later in the year. The party atmosphere should come across as their live show was exactly just that, a party where everyone was invited.

Lead vocalist Isis Queen is a stand out performer as she works the stage in ways not done so since Wendy O Williams and Siouxsie Sioux. Her shrieks are accompanied by an over driven buzz saw guitar sound not heard in what seems like forever and together they create the sound that is The Barb Wire Dolls. It should be noted that both guitarist and vocalist are married to each other, the chemistry on stage is obvious. I’m not gonna try and kid you, I don’t own any of the Doll’s albums and cant tell you what songs they played or in what order, but I can tell you that the music they played was so refreshing and full of an energy the Punk scene needs desperately.

I am a Dolls convert and now a full on fan of the band who by worth of mouth have attracted impressive crowds and droves of new fans weekly. Do yourself a favor and catch a band on the rise as they tour the rest of America and the world this year. You too are soon to be apart of the Dolls growing army of fans.


-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

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Strong Killings – Self Titled

Seattle band Strong Killings know how to get the party started, punk rock style. Their self titled, debut album will be released July 15th, and is totally worth getting a copy. The CD is infused with catchy riffs, driving drums, and sing along punk anthems. Simply put, it is just plain awesome from start to finish. Strong Killings consists of three dudes who seriously rock, without taking themselves too seriously.The lyrics are witty, sarcastic, and all about having a good time. Guitarist Nate even throws in some yodeling and opera for good measure. The songs are upbeat, easy to dance too, and just plain fun. And despite their humorous demeanor, these dudes are solid, tight, and masters of their instruments. Drummer Mike is a hard hitting wild man, and his crazy beats and odd fills bring a hardcore touch to their punk rock sound.Strong Killings started as a side project for Nate and Mike, who were both busy playing in the Seattle pop punk band, Lashes. When not busy working on Lashes, they would hook up with bassist Carlos to create music that was free spirited and hard rocking.  Strong Killings then evolved into a full time band, and they have been busy touring and promoting the new CD. They recently played three shows in Los Angeles, and everyone who saw them live had a great time.  It’s hard to keep your toes from tapping when these guys do their thing. Strong killings are fun and catchy enough to reach a wide audence, yet old school enough to impress the Punk rock elite.  They are technical and talented, and their new CD is sure to find its way into many great Punk rock collections.
   


http://strongkillings.com/



 

 

-Mindiana Jones-
Big Wheel Contributor
 

 

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Interview with Howie Pyro of D Generation

Interview by: Louie B.

Big Wheel recently sat down with Howie Pyro, Bassist of D Generation for an in depth interview retracing the bands history and how the bands reunion shows this summer are concerts you don’t want to miss!

First off, thanks Howie for taking the time to sit down and talk to us, We are big fans of D Generation and are excited about the reunion show taking place at the Troubadour. First off, your tale is an interesting one, you were living in NYC and became a part of the earliest American punk scene as it was dawning in 1976, you saw and became friends with just about every band that matters from that era, and thankfully you’ve survived the long hard decades where many unfortunately haven’t. How did D Generation form out of that very scene?
 Well Jesse (vocals) was from my neighborhood where I grew up, I didn’t know him, but everyone kinda knew me cos I was that one crazy person. We had met in the 80’s at some point, he was kind of that hardcore guy, he didn’t like me and I didn’t like him (laughs), I was like a creepy punky gothy guy into drugs and he was straight edge and had a shaved head, he was in that band Heart Attack. Danny was also in Heart Attack, and I was already friends with Rick, so as time went by basically we had all changed and were neighbors living in Brooklyn. Jesse had a van service where he moved bands equipment around, he had moved equipment for one of my bands, so we had worked together and became friends, then we started to live together. Things became boring in the late 80’s, we were looking for something to do and it seemed like there was nothing, we wanted to play music, things had become kind of crappy like 80’s hair metal bands, uggh! So we threw this new years party in 1990, and a couple of us DJ’d and invited a ton of friends and evidently we weren’t the only ones feeling that way because our parties became massive. I had just decided to play all the records that I liked, and people were dancing to it, now it’s so normal to dance to that music, but then it was absolutely unheard of to be in a club spinning The Stooges and seeing punk rockers dancing. That was a club called Green Door, so it just became very popular and we threw it once a month, it became massive! Early on you could find disillusioned people like us hanging out there, but then eventually others started showing up and hanging around like Joe Strummer, Ray Davies or Johnny Ramone, you had to be there. Me, Jesse and Rick were all a part of that, we started a band that was pretty much the line up of D Gen (without Rick) but that didn’t work out, so me & Jesse started a new band and that was D Generation. Jesse had been thinking Degenerate something. We got the name from an adult movie poster I had, “Love Thy Neighbor and his Wife, the story of the D Generation!” So we were still forming, then I went over to England to tour with another band, The Action Swingers, and when I returned to NYC we started doing things with the 5 members that people know as D Generation.

How did the Green Door scene help propel the band forward?
Yeah that party, we played our first gig there. It was at this legendary building on 24th street owned by Giorgio Gomelsky, the dude who discovered The Rolling Stones, produced The Yardbirds and all sorts of crazy shit. So at his building he had a rehearsal space where bands would practice, an S&M club called Paddles, Murphys Law even played their first show there too! It was this insane place, and its still going on today! He let us open the Green Door there, it was a home base for us as a band.

So you’d been playing at the Green Door and gigging around town, how long was it before you guys would get to record and put out your first album?
 Well we had already written our first album before we had recorded it, we had a lot of songs and we started to get really popular really fast, so as things heated up we got a deal. We eventually signed with Chrysalis records (home of Blondie, Jethro Tull, Pat Benatar)..it was a major label, part of EMI. Before this we recorded an album produced by Andy Shernoff (The Dictators) & Daniel Rey (Ramones) but it never came out, except for 2 indie 45's, one on Gasatanka Records & one on Sympathy For The Record Industry.

Was there a negative reaction when you guys signed to a major label, did that matter to fans in the NYC scene?
 No! No one was in Crass, no one was playing that stupid game, people just wanted us to succeed and represent the NYC scene.

It’s odd that most punk rockers hate bands that sign to major labels and automatically deem them sell outs; though the core Punk bands were on majors ie The Ramones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Dead Boys, and even The Damned! I suppose punks and most 2nd generation punk bands just have a different way of thinking.
Those bands and those fans, they feel that way because they were never invited, just throw a contract their way and you’d see how they’d react and run straight to their bank accounts, haha. The only way to infiltrate and change things is from within, you can’t just preach to the converted.

So what’s the name of your first album and how was that experience?
It’s our self titled album, “D Generation”, though it was a really weird thing, we were really popular and did it really quick and drew tons of coverage, their was this huge buzz. Though at the time of our albums release the guy who had signed us got fired, and our support from label basically became nonexistent. So with no interest from the label, we asked them to drop us from our contract. Our career was going well and we didn’t need anything holding us back, so they dropped us, which isn’t something that bands ask for, it usually happens to bands the other way around, hahaha.

So where did the band go from there?
Well the band moved to LA for the summer of 94’, we came out here and lived in this crappy motel, the same place where Divine died. So we lived there and played around town a lot and threw parties and played up and down the west coast and got a great fan base going. Before we went back to NYC we decided to throw this huge party, it was at this bar where I once hung out with Rozz Williams of Christian Death on Halloween. Joe Sib (now owner of Side One Dummy Records) and the band got together one afternoon and built this stage there, and basically kind of started a venue. We had a huge going away party there, it kind of created more buzz for us once again as a happening band.

How did you guys go about getting picked up by another label?
We were being written about a lot in the New York Post & Daily News & we made a big deal about EMI & being dropped & told the news we dumped the master tapes in the East River & for some reason we always made trouble & parties & music & they loved to write about us, so this bidding war started and it was crazy, we’d get flown to LA a couple times a week and meet up with labels at dinners and take advantage of that fully on their dime, though because we couldn’t visit other labels on the same trip, we'd have to go back home and fly back to LA like the next day, it was insane!
We ended up only talking to Columbia Records though, as they were based in New York so it seemed to make most sense. Their president Donny Einer was really cool, he actually blew off Bruce Springsteen to come see us, we were impressed by them, they were pretty cool....at first...

So now enter what would become your 2nd album "No Lunch", how does the band deal with a new label and pressure to make an even bigger and better album than the previous.
Well we wanted to test our new label interests loyalty, so we come up with this idea that we’d only sign and go forward with them if they agree to open up Coney Island early, get all their staff and lawyers to get on the Cyclone Roller Coaster, and ride with us and sign us directly on the spot.. They went through with it!
So we decided to get Ric Ocasek of The Cars to produce our album, he was an artist, a musician and he understood where we were at, where we were coming from and let us know he was on our side and not a pawn of a label, we believed in him & he fought for us as an artist with power which we loved.

At this point punk rock is about to make a huge comeback with bands like The Offspring, and Green Day and what not, where did D Generation fit in the modern scene of the time?
We ended up becoming main support for a ton of bands that took us allover the world because they were fans & we were a great party band. We went out with Green Day which we thought would be weird, but it ended up being really cool, we went over to Europe with them and toured with them multiple times. There were also tours with Social Distortion, The Ramones, and even Kiss, their first reunion tour in 96’ when they put the makeup back on, there is a picture of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tim Armstrong and myself floating around the net from that time. We did do our own tours though in large clubs around the country too. We also shot some music videos, it was insane and a very busy time for us as a band. We gained a lot of fans, they varied too because of all the bands we played with, we played to Green Day crowds but also had that hardcore punk crowd as well, there were so many factions of our world there, it was really special, skinheads, drag queens, young punks and older punks like members of the Ramones and the Clash and they were all at our shows.

What came next for the band?
We are back in NYC and the Jesse & some of our friends invested in this big club/building on St. Marks Place so we could have a club 7 nights a week instead of the Green Door just being a once a week night, it became known as Coney Island High. It was insane, there were bands playing upstairs, bands playing downstairs, everyone played there! One night you’d go there and Iggy Pop, The Ramones or Beastie Boys would be playing, it was our home, pretty ridiculous, its unheard of really, turned out to be really successful (but not financially so much as drinks were basically given away endlessly). Though because of that Nazi Rudy Guiliani and his new laws, the city decided to cut down on clubs and fuck up the nightlife for some bizarre reason. In part the neighborhoods were changing, they wanted the undesirable people out, and that killed the club.


You guys would go on to put out another album after No Lunch entitled Into The Darkness…
Well towards the end of the No Lunch tour cycle which ended up being very very extensive, we ended up having some issues with our label, they weren’t listening to us, thing started getting crappy. It frustrated us as a band, Rick ends up leaving the band, were now trying to figure out what to do. Todd Youth ends up being in the band, the label wants us to put out a record, so we decide to go forward with that. We met with legendary producer Tony Visconti (Bowie, T Rex, Sparks, Thin Lizzy, Iggy, Morrissey, etc.), I got along with him great, he was super cool, he had let me use the bass he used on The Man Who Sold The World album. During the recording of the album he actually got a phone call from David Bowie, and it was the first time they had talked in like forever, they had this reconciliation and we had witnessed it, it was pretty cool, he’d later go on and work with Bowie again after that. But things got weird, and we decided to break up as the album came out, mostly due to struggles & frustrations with Columbia Records. Me and Jesse formed a band PCP Highway. Michael & Todd formed a band, Chrome Locust. So we get this huge tour offer from the Offspring, and at the time they were the biggest band around, and they just so happened to be on the same label as us. We didn’t want to, the label didn’t want us to, but The Offspring really insisted we do it, so we scrambled to get a lineup in time to do the tour with a new guitar player & drummer. We would go on and do one last show at Coney Island High, it was not announced as a last show, but we knew it was...there's a recording of it in a box somewhere. I did the band with Jesse for a while before I wound up in Danzig, which was a really great time in my life.

So more than a decade has passed since D-Generation has played together with its original lineup, how did the reunion come about and where are the shows gonna be taking place?
Well for the last 5 years probably we’d been getting huge offers to play and tour, though at the time they hadn’t seemed right for us. I'm always really busy with my radio show (Intoxica Radio), DJ’ing clubs and parties all over the world doing DJ tours, I play once in a while with Kid Congo Powers, I live for it and always have. Right now I get so much email/messages on Facebook & stuff about D Generation it just seems right to do some shows. I have spent most of my life obsessing on what came before me & going to see bands many years after the fact when they get back together & that is a real thrill for me & I wouldn't wanna deny that to anyone else. We are definitely playing in Spain at the Turbo Rock festival in August, we're pretty popular there. We come back to North America and play Irving Plaza in NYC, a venue we played in the past, which is really cool because I have seen some of the best shows of my entire life there. Then one week later we come to LA and play at the Troubadour which is gonna be really cool. There is also San Diego and Oakland and this huge festival in Chicago. The first gig will now be in Seattle at Seattle Sound Fest on August 18th. Check here for tour dates: http://devildollsbooking.com/on-tour/d-generation-dates/

That’s really cool that you guys are doing this for the fans, how do you plan to make a set list that pleases old and newer fans.
We are gonna definitely play what everyone wants to hear, we’ve already gotten emails from fans who are requesting songs they want to see live, it’s gonna be a good full set!

A huge thank you to Howie Pyro for taking the time to sit down with Bigwheel and do this interview.

 

Make sure to get your tickets now for the upcoming D Generation show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood Saturday September 24th.

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The Objex – Reservation for Debauchery

The Objex recently released their second album "Reservation For Debauchery". If the album cover, name, along with the "Explicit Content" stamp isn't warning enough.... The first track, singer Felony Melanie sings a wonderfully composed disclaimer, that warns those who are easily offended. I discovered Las Vegas natives,The Objex a few years back when they opened up a New Years show in L.A.  for,The Dickies and Agent Orange. They grabbed the crowds attention by the throat for  at least 45 minutes, leaving their live performance at the top of my list. With that being said, to hear their recorded material and be just as blown away,. was a double whammy for me.

If your into the lewdness of Lords Of Acid, the voice of Joan Jett, and the hard hitting sound of Motorhead, RSVP for Debauchery is gonna knock your fucking socks off. The full length EP includes 10 deliciously dirty tracks, produced by Jason Tanzer and mixed and mastered by award winning engineer Dan Broadbeck . Needless to say, the sound quality is great.

RSVP for Debauchery is the full package, no pun intended. The verocity of Mel's vocals along the raw energy of the band compliment each other in a way that leaves you wanting more. If you love Punk Rock pure and simple, and you think you have thick enough skin to handle the lyrics, you should definitely give it a listen and see for yourself!


 

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-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter
 

 

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Backyard Gig – El Monte, CA

This past Saturday was the first of many in a while that there was actually a number of events taking place on the same day. Now the big question was, do we stay in good 'ol Orange County or head somewhere else for an adventure? The decision was made to head to a backyard gig in El Monte where it seemed the real fun would be happening.



The backyard was full of people and it seemed like it was a pretty legit gig, and best of all, there was an empty swimming pool! The bands had to set up in a tight area by the garage with very little room to move around. It was a pretty cool mix of genres ranging from Punk, ska, and even some psychobilly. The pitting took place in the empty swimming pool and with different music genres, people were skanking, wrecking, and of course, they were circle pitting. I wasn't able to catch any of the names of the bands but majority of them were pretty good.

When there wasn't a band playing people were skating the pool, talking with their friends, drinking, or going around meeting new people. There wasn't any drama, no fights, just people trying to have a good time with their friends and those around them. Bands kept playing, but as it got closer to midnight the cops had shown up, shutting it down and surprisingly being very nice as they asked everyone exit the backyard. They were really cool about the whole thing and even left before everyone had even made it out of the backyard.

I kind of wished I had gotten there earlier that way I could have seen the other bands play and catch more people skating. It turned out to be a random yet successful night in El Monte. Sometimes its better and more exciting to drive a little further and check out the scene in other cities especially with a night like that. People, booze, an empty pool, skating, pitting, and Punk rock bands...what more could you ask for!

-Corrina P.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

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