The White Wives Tour Preview: at Alladin Jr Café – Pomona, CA – December 10, 2011 and at The Echo – Los Angeles, CA – December 11, 2011

Pittsburgh PA is home to many bands who’ve politically charged the punk scene over the years with anthems of rebellion and social uprising. The steel city will soon be remembered for spawning The White Wives, a band who’ve quickly made a name for themselves with their ultra modern take on college rock over the better half of 2011.

Chris #2 and Chris Head of Anti-Flag acclaim started the White Wives in 2010 and are about to embark on the bands first full North American tour this winter. Their debut album Happeners dropped recently and has quite a buzz surrounding which is leading me to believe that their 2 local shows next month will be an intimate peak at a band who are sure to grow over the next few months and years. Fans of both alternative rock and Anti-Flag will sure want to catch The White Wives this December.



We’ll see you at the shows!
 

 

 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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7th Annual Wreck The Halls Tour Preview: Featuring The Street Dogs, Off With Their Heads, and Murder the Stout

Well, as retailers refuse to let you forget, Christmas is coming. The goose is getting fat, grandma is finishing the new fetching holiday sweater for you to wear this year, your over-achieving sister is hand printing 150 cards with her perfect children in them, and you've already started secretly drinking when your mother calls.

But amid all the forced holiday cheer comes a ray of actual happiness, the Street Dogs' seventh annual "Wreck the Halls" tour is coming, and this time they're taking Off With Their Heads and Murder the Stout with them. No, this isn't a dream brought to you by ghost of Christmas future, this is real and it's happening soon.

Fronted by the wildly energetic Mike McColgan, the Street Dogs have been everywhere lately, from labor protests in Wisconsin, to touring Europe this summer, and even doing some time on the Warped Tour, this is a band who not only play great songs, and do it loud, but also go the distance to give their all to their fans. Case in point, this holiday tour, which started as a few dates around the band's native Boston has now grown to span 4 weeks, and some 15 states.

As always, the band is putting their money where their mouths are, so to speak, and backing their message 100%. The tour kicks off November 26 in Houston, with a benefit show for the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity that provides support for returning soldiers and their families, and seeks "To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history." Throughout the rest of the tour, the band will also be collecting for Toys For Tots, which collects new, unwrapped gifts for needy children in the community.

The tour starts in Texas, and winds its way through Chicago, New York, and a slew of other cities before finally arriving in Boston December 16 and 17. If you are made of stone, and still unmoved, these are also the last announced Street Dogs dates for the US, as the first quarter of 2012 sees the band in Australia and Japan, so you won't want to miss these shows. Treat yourself, after all, it's Christmas.

Full listing of Street Dogs tour dates, as well as links to purchase tickets can be found here: http://street-dogs.com/

More info on the Wounded Warrior Project is here: www.woundedwarriorproject.org

More info on Toys For Tots is here: www.toysfortots.org
 

 

 

 

-Jo Problems-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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Steve Ignorant – The Last Supper – Final Ever Show – at Shepherds Bush Empire – London, England

They walked on going straight into “Do They Owe us a Living” and the venue erupted – along with the first beer of the evening to hit me plush on the head. Beer in these venues is not cheap, so why they throw them is beyond me! Steve was singing in an angry looking style and cupped his hands behind his ears after he sang the line “do they owe us a living” prompting the crowd to respond back with “of course they fucking do!”


This was going to be a special evening indeed. The band carried on with “End Result” and “They’ve Got a Bomb” in full swing. Gizz was on guitar, Pete on bass and Spike on drums, all smiling and playing immensely putting their all into the last show.

There was a screen at the back of the stage showing photos of Punks from back in the day along with slogans. Before we got “Big A Little A” some of the band member’s children came on to sing the opening verses. They did a great job! They then headed off and the band got into it at a fast pace.

This was followed by “So What” - one of my all time favourite Punk songs. I sang along knowing it would be the last time I heard it live, and I felt a bit emotional. Was it really 29 years ago when I first saw them play in Aberdeen? How we have all come on since then but are still united by music, with politics and religion still a problem. “Banned from the Roxy” was another classic from the “Feeding of the 5000” album, an album that must be in the top10 all time Punk albums in my opinion.

Steve walked on stage accompanied by Penny to a huge roar. Penny had a one drum and cymbal kit to do the second version of “Do They Owe us a Living” - this time acoustic. Penny looked like he was loving it. Him and Steve hug after wards and Steve stood back a bit while Eve Libertine came on stage to scream her way through “Darling”. Who would have thought that we would see these three band members on stage at the same time, this is what makes music so special.

At one point Steve says there is something he wouldn’t do normally - a cover version of someone else’s song - but they do a version of the Ruts’ “Shine on Me”. This was dedicated to the lifeboat crew that Steve volunteers for and the crew were there in full gear standing behind Steve while he sang it. Donations were made all night for this great cause.

“Punk’s not dead” had the venue singing along with the band’s break neck pace. People were coming over the barriers in a happy non-aggressive mood. When the song finished the band walked off. Steve stayed to pay respect to the fans, Penny, Eve, the band and any one else he could mention. This was emotional and he was choking back the feelings after having a great night.

The rest of the band came back on to do “Shaved Woman”. Carol had been performing well all evening, her vocals are great, but she wasn’t prepared for what happened next (nobody was as it wasn’t in the script!) Eve decided to go on stage and sing along with Carol. I wonder what was going through Carol’s head when she turned around and saw Eve!
They finished the evening with “Bloody Revolutions”, and so it was over. The crowd yelled for more but it was over and the Last Supper had been done.

Punk is Not Dead, it is very much alive and we can hope that Steve is like a dormant volcano and some day might roar again.

My words cannot do justice on how good an evening this was but my photos might.



-Dod M.-
Big Wheel Staff Photographer and Correspondent

 
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Lysolgang record release show with Stab City and Margate – at Cheetahs – Hollywood, CA

The much anticipated record release show for the Los Angeles band, Lysolgang, finally commenced a few Saturdays ago at Cheetahs in Hollywood. Margate started their set by showcasing songs from their recently released E.P., including the title track "Rock 'n Roll Reserve" and even providing the crowd with a unique rendition of  "Eleanor Rigby."

                Margate

Next up was the dynamic trio of Stab City. With ripping guitar riffs and heart thumping drums, Stab City's own staple of hard rock is one that cannot be matched. Blasting through their set with incredible energy, Stab City kept the crowd hyped and left the stage sizzling for the main event.

                Stab City

As Lysolgang took to the stage, the ladies of Cheetahs began filing along, waiting for their turn to strut their stuff.  The setting was quite fitting for Lysolgang to play a show; a perfect match for their flirtatious, tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

                Lysolgang

From the moment they broke into their first song, the band had the audience - as well as the Cheetah's girls - enthralled, as the stage filled with dollar bills flying from all sides. The trio played all the songs from their debut album with unparalleled intensity, while the eager dancers shimmied up and down the pole, without missing a beat. Lysolgang closed out the night with a hard hitting cover of Nirvana's "Territorial Pissings" that stirred the entire club into a frenzy and left the crowd utterly electrified and begging for more. This show was one for the books.

Lysolgang's sound has its roots based in Southern California Punk rock, with a bit of grunge and surf rock mixed in. Songs like "Ride the Bus," "Po-Tit," and "Shine My Gun" are filled with catchy riffs and captivating beats which tend to playfully linger and re-play in one's head. Check out Lysolgang on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lysolganghttp://www.facebook.com/lysolgang as well as on iTunes.


-Jessica West-
Big Wheel Correspondent

   Edited by: Dom

 
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Authority Zero – Ekan Is Dead – By All Means – Under the Influence – Dive Bar Junkies – at Keegan’s Pub – Torrance, CA

On Saturday night Keegans Pub, a small karaoke and sports bar in Torrance, was taken over by punks of varying age and style. Why? Because this was the last night of Authority Zero playing in the states before they head off on their short, but whirlwind, tour in Japan.  In order to enter Keegans, you have to walk through their outdoor patio, which comes complete with fire pits! (The inner pyro in me was very happy indeed.) The prices for beer and booze were relatively cheap, which had the crowd drinking heavily into the night. Before the first band took the stage, there were already quite a few not-so-sober people stumbling around, much to my chagrin.



Around 8:15 Dive Bar Junkies took the stage. This was their first time playing together in over 4 years, and probably their last as well (unfortunately). The quartet opened their set with their song called “Dirty Old Tweeker”—I was hooked, and not just due to the name. Shortly after they played a song that had some ska beats sprinkled throughout, called “Man Whore”. Their sound is old-school, with none of the newer pop-punk sound. The lead singer went from song to song, cracking jokes and pulling faces, and jumping all over the tiny, tiny stage.  (Joke in question: “How many emo kids does it take to screw in a light bulb? Who the fuck cares! Let the pussies cry in the dark.”) They closed out their set with a couple of different covers: one by NWA, another of GG Allin, and then F.Y.P’s “Allergic”.

Sadly, we probably won’t be seeing any more shows from these guys, otherwise I would fully suggest you check out Dive Bar Junkies.



Next to take the stage is a local Maywood band, Under the Influence. After Authority Zero, this band was my favorite of the night! The crowd was starting to grow larger, so I’m glad that there were more people in the audience to catch this band. From start to finish, they delivered fast. They delivered loud. They delivered high fucking energy! The lead singer was all over the place, rarely standing in one place long enough to capture a photo, which made for a fabulous set. You can find them on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Under-The-Influence/195609333804522
If you see that Under The Influence is playing near you, definitely go catch their show—these guys are heading places, and you want to be able to say, “I saw them when”.



The third band of the night was By All Means. Apparently it was becoming a theme, as this was their last show ever to play as a band. People came out of the woodwork as soon as they stepped on stage—apparently their fans are incredibly loyal! The crowd was singing along to each and every song; one guy spent most of their set with his fist over his heart, eyes closed, and singing along. As this was their last show, it turned into a reunion of sorts, when they invited Sean Woo, who used to play with them, to join in for the remainder of the set. About halfway through, a mini-pit started, which continued to grow throughout the night. Their first couple of songs didn’t capture me, but that changed by around the 4th song. I think it had to be due to the intensity of emotion as they continued to play, and the fact that there was a bit of Propaghandi in their sound. Again, this is another band that you won’t see playing anywhere, which is unfortunate.



Fourth on the agenda was Ekan Is Dead (say it like wreck, not eek). The lead singer, Chris, was also the man running the sound board for the evening, so when he first got on stage, he had to give instruction to the person who was filling in for him. I don’t know why, but that struck me as funny and I giggled to myself, like a crazy person. (It could’ve also been because of the cheap beer, who knows.)  After their first song, Old Crow, Chris reminded the audience that Keegans was pit friendly, and they needed to “start to circle that shit”. (Apparently, Keegans really IS pit friendly. Whoulda thunk it? Go Keegans!) The crowd all seemed to be fans, but I wasn’t one of them. Don’t get me wrong—Ekan Is Dead put on a great show, and they are all fantastic musicians and live performers, but their style is just not my musical cup of tea. If you like a more metal and thrash sound, definitely check out Ekan Is Dead. You won’t be disappointed. (Especially since Chris actually gets off the stage, and into the pit, all the while continuing to sing. That, right there? Is full of awesome.) You can find them on Facebook here (and they seem to play a LOT of LA-area shows) http://www.facebook.com/ekenisdead.



Last, but certainly not least, Authority Zero took the stage. This was the band the crowd was waiting for all night. I really only have four words to sum up their show: Dude. Dude! HOLY FUCK! If you haven't been to a show, and just know Authority Zero by their CD's, let me tell you—their live show is off the hook. Their recorded sound is more ska/reggae/punk, but the live show is nothing but blood, sweat, tears, movement, energy, and hardcore. This is not the sound I expect to come out of Mesa, Arizona; formed back in 1994, each year just makes Authority Zero that much better.

They opened their set, after accepting shots from the crowd, with “Break the Mold” and just kept going, with almost no break between songs. Their cover of “Mexican Radio” is a favourite of mine, and they did that about 3 songs in (yay!) Throughout the entire night, people were being slammed into (and onto) the stage, and then once up there, stage diving. [Thank you to the dude standing next to me who stepped in and was the buffer between me and the crowd surging towards the stage—I really appreciate it! (Sorry that things aren't going to work out with the Katy Perry girl ... but then again, you knew that. C'mon, the chick likes Katy Perry!)]

Jason, the lead singer, was nothing but a moving bundle of jumps and shuffles, running to the front of the stage to interact with the crowd. I think we all ended the evening drenched in sweat, and spilled alcohol, our cheeks hurting from smiling, and no voices left from screaming and singing. The next time Authority Zero plays in Southern California, I’m so there. And you should be too.

Set-list: Break the Mold, Taking on the World, Mexican Radio, Passage, Revolution, One More Minute, Crashland, No Regrets, Liberateducation, Rattlin’ Bog, Get it Right, Superbitch, Big Bad World, Courage, Skys.  

To keep up with the band, and see where they are playing next, head over to their site: http://www.authorityzero.com

-Anni Thyme.-
Big Wheel Correspondent

 
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Interview with Lol Tolhurst of The Cure

Interview by: Louie Bones
Big Wheel Staff Reporter


Big Wheel touched base with Lol Tolhurst to discuss the highs, lows and new found reality of playing in the worlds most successful post-Punk band of all time - THE CURE
 
First of all thank you Lol for taking the time with us, we appreciate your time.

BW: Fans all over the world are extremely excited that you are playing keyboards in The Cure for these special set of shows (Many flying in from all over the world to witness this small run of gigs), can you tell us how "Reflections" came about? Was it something Robert put forth, or were you pushing to work together with The Cure in a live capacity again?

Lol: I wrote to Robert last year and said how much fun I had playing the Three Imaginary Boys songs with Michael on the last Levinhurst tour. We played them alongside our regular set. I have always loved the songs I did with The Cure. Robert had been offered the Vivid Festival in Sydney, so he suggested we could play the first three albums there to make a special event.
He was the motivation behind this tour and he's done an excellent job I think.

You have played either drums or keyboards on every Cure recording from 1979's Three Imaginary Boys to 1987's Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me; your contributions played a role in the huge success the band saw throughout the 80's, which many consider The Cures 'first golden era'. How many years went by before you and Robert began to become friendly again? How did that come about, and was playing with The Cure again something you imagined a possibility?

I think that it was quite a few years ago that we started talking again. I had written to Robert and we met up when The Cure played in LA. I've lived here since 1994. When my first marriage was dissolving and the court case in the UK had finished I wanted to go somewhere, anywhere else!

I've been asking myself recently why I live in LA and I think it's because the first tours we did in the US in the early 80's were some of my favourite times in my life. I felt very happy here so it's a natural progression to live here. I think I found the freedom to be me again here and got rid of some of my demons too. I love to go to the desert because for me it is a very cleansing spiritual place.
Out there I discovered that anything is possible. I believe if you change you, you can change what comes into your life. So as I became more positive and healed so was my life! For instance I now have a wonderful married life and a measure of serenity that I never felt before, or maybe I just grew up a little! It certainly helped me make amends with Robert and others I had hurt and that helps make things right again.

It is known that you weren't at the top of your game musically speaking during the Kissing Tour and making of Disintegration; you had an alcohol problem which led to you exiting the band. When did you begin to overcome your demons and start making playing music again a priority? How was that transition, was it difficult adjusting to normal non rock n' roll tour life?

I have been clean and sober for over 22 years now, I don't smoke and I'm a vegan (I also exercise regularly!) so the polar opposite of my early life!
Robert made the observation to me when we were in Sydney this year that at the time we were living pretty much on the edge and didn't know what might happen so we had to live to the full each day. I still live for the present moment but a lot less destructively!

He also observed that every one around us would party for a day with us in their town then recover but we were on the road doing that nearly every day for years! We never got a break!

I think what happened was kind of inevitable. The intensity of those early days made it almost certain that something or someone would break!
I was mercifully able to find the way out of that particular maze for which I am eternally grateful to many people but especially Robert. I feel he saved my life by firing me. It forced me to find a solution to my problems and join life again. He had to do that to get me to wake up really.

It wasn't hard so much to go back to normal life as to find away to do music again without the insanity. I think I was afraid I couldn't do it again but I found the truth is you're able to be much more creative when you’re not preoccupied with the stupid stuff and trappings of the rock and roll "lifestyle"!

Of The Cure albums you played drums on, which are you most fond of and why?

Pornography is my favourite because of the great sound of the drums and the whole record! The way we recorded the drums gave them such a big huge sound it was beautiful. The drums on that record are like a monolithic mantra!

Of The Cure albums you played keyboards on, which are you most fond of and why?

I think my keyboard skill is pretty minimal. Both Roger and Robert are able to play keys much better than me! But I do love making sounds and atmospheres. We were lucky enough to have some of the first samplers and new tech for keyboards in the 80’s so on Kiss Me’ and The Head On The Door and( The Top a little ) we were able to use unusual sounds that nobody else had that's what I like to find and do. They are endlessly fascinating to me. I have a mod can modular synth at home and the same sound never comes out of it twice!

Which Cure record after your era are you most into?

It's different for me as I wasn't involved in making them! I like certain songs rather than whole records because of that. Mostly Wish and Blood Flowers songs but 4:13 (Dream) has so ones I like too.

Can you describe what it was like stepping into the rehearsal space with the band for the first time in over 20 years? What thoughts were going through your head, and how emotional of an experience was it? Did you feel the way the band prepares and works together had changed much? Did things come together quite natural and "easy"? Are you currently using a keyboard/synth (what kind) that you used live on previous Cure tours? (All the musician/gear/tech nerds out there would love to know)

It was a wonderful emotional experience to work again with my childhood friends Robert and Simon and good to renew my friendship with Roger and great to get to know Jason better as he is a very good man and drummer for The Cure to have. I think that the work ethic of the band is stronger and more professional now in some ways and in others the process is as it always was! It has been very easy to get used to playing again on stage as my memory on stage is that Simon is always in front of me with Robert so that it feels very natural to be there! We are using nothing that I used twenty years ago keys wise but I do have roto toms!

You have known everyone in this lineup of The Cure for over 24 years or more, having played with Robert and Simon even longer. Jason Cooper (drums) is the only member in which you are playing with for the first time this year (joined a few years after Lols departure). Are there any noticeable differences to you in the way or style he is drumming on songs you originally tracked in studio and played live on?

Jason is a very capable and creative musician and I am amazed by his versions of songs I played on! He has everything down and adds his own style too. Plus he is such a pleasant man. This tour I am facing him on stage and that's a great way for us to integrate together very tightly. It’s a joy to play with him!

If for any reason Jason Cooper had to sit out the Reflections Tour, could you easily get behind the kit and drum all those classic songs again?

It’s like riding a bicycle! But I am very happy that Jason is there to play such a long set as he's younger! But seriously he's The Cures drummer and that's the way it should be.

The Cure have toured through Los Angeles more than any other British band, having played just about every small venue in town to giant arenas and stadiums along the way. Los Angeles crowds have remained loyal to The Cure for years, why do you think The Cure and LA get on so well? What are your earliest memories of touring through LA and what was that experience like for a young band 6,000 miles away from home in your early 20's? Any fond memories or strange occurrences on some of the larger tours where you guys headlined Irvine Meadows or The Forum in Inglewood?

As I said before I realized recently the fact I loved the early tours through Los Angeles etc and I think that is one reason there is that bond. We were always welcomed here. We also played some of the small clubs before we played Irvine meadows etc which makes people identify with you like a local band. That made us like adopted sons and I think that's why we understand each other if you like.

What are your immediate plans regarding playing music after Reflections last show, is there more Levinhurst music for fans to watch out for?

I have been recording some new Levinhurst songs recently and I'm sure they will be out next year with some shows too. I try however to stay in the present, it's pretty dynamic place to be right now!


Big Wheel would like to thank Lol for his time, and most importantly for playing on some of the greatest albums of all time. Much like the 8 thousand or so fans that scored tickets to see The Cure next week in Hollywood, we look forward to witnessing such historic concerts as well as bringing our readers the best coverage possible. See you at The Cure Reflections' shows!

 

 

 

 

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