Harrington Saints Video Premiere – at The Oakland Metro – Oakland, CA

The Harrington Saints are a hard working bay area band that consist of five long-time friends. Their sound is fast oi! Punk and and their passion is real and intense. I have been lucky enough to have see them many times and have written about them in previous reviews.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL STEVENS

I first heard about this music video last friday night at The Oakland Metro, while The Saints were busy blowing the roof of the joint with their fast and exciting set, I was chatting to Paul Stevens a well known photographer in the area and a friend of the band. who filmed, edited and directed the entire thing.

PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL STEVENS

I got a sneak peek of the video and was instantly very excited for it too be finished and released. The music video is for a song of their still pretty recent album “Pride and Tradition” that came out earlier in the year and was produced by Lars Frederiksen of Rancid and The Old Firm Casuals and released by Pirates Press, Longshot and Contra Records.

PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL STEVENS

Here it is the Harrington Saints “The Kids Want More” music video. I know after seeing this awesome video anyone new to booted boys will for sure want more and director, photographer and rad person Paul Stevens will probably have a string of other bands knocking at his door.

   Enjoy the video



-Brian McCann-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

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Show Preview: The Aggrolites – The Revivers – and The Delirians – at Alex’s Bar – Long Beach, CA – December 31, 2012

What a way to end a marvelous 2012 with none other than The Aggrolites. 2012 has been an amazing year for the fellas who have spent most of it on the road around the U.S and a majority of it overseas. Playing Along side with some of the industry’s best and brightest from 311, Slightly Stoopid and just recently No Doubt. The Aggrolites seem to never disappoint and are constantly mixing up their catalog to provide a unique set on any given night. 

December 31st in Long Beach at Alex’s Bar will be no exception to that rule, sure to bring that dirty reggae sound and aggression The Aggrolites will also be bringing along two very familiar acts in The Revivers and The Delirians. Iv had the personal pleasure to see and cover both The Revivers and Delirians on numerous occasions this year alone and take it from me with these three acts next year will be rung in the right way.  With all three acts centered around roots and tradition mixed in with their own unique styling it’s a definite must see for any fan of rocksteady ska and dirty reggae.

One can only speculate as to what to expect as far as song selection from The Aggrolites but one thing will remain clear its going to sound amazing. Mix in the festivities of a New Years Eve party with their raw enthusiasm and one can see why this year will be sent off with a crash, bang and possible banana? Be there to find out.

Go HERE to get your tickets to this show before they are gone

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

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Mau Maus – The Gears – Billy Bones – The Stains – Underground Alliance – at Weber’s – Reseda, CA

In an effort to bring you a prospective of the show, this report will give you video of the show last night that was really fun. All of the bands were great. There wasn't a single bad note played by anyone!

   Enjoy the video overview of the show that you missed

   Underground Alliance - The Stains   VIDEO

Underground Alliance started off the night. These guys are a very good band and were a nice way to kick off the evening! Underground Alliance is a band I wholeheartedly recommend people check out, you'll be glad you did. The Stains were up next. These East L.A. Punk Rock pioneers tore it up! They were ferocious but fun at the same time. The crowd loved them and they got the dance the floor moving.



Taking the stage next was The Billy Bones. We love this band! Great songs to match a great stage show. Billy Bones is an amazing front man and super fun to watch play, with Bad Otis on the sax and the rest of the band are great too.


   The Gears - Mau Maus   VIDEO

The Gears were next. They said when they arrived they almost cancelled because their bass player Mike Manifold was in the hospital. They got a last minute fill-in and The Gears are such a fantastic band and they played an awesome set and the crowd loved it. The crowd was definitely not "afraid to pogo"!! The Gears kick ass! It should be noted that Los Angeles' best go to drummer, Sean Antillon was pulling double duty, not only drumming in The Gears, but also in The Stains tonight.

The Mau Maus closed out the night. Rick Wilder is the ultimate Punk Rock showman. The Mau Maus are not only one of the first L.A. Punk bands yet they are still one of the best. The band tore through a super fun set that was so good no one wanted it to end. They were an incredible way to end an epic evening of Punk Rock, at our home away from home Weber's in Reseda. I would be remiss if I did not give a big thanks to Kervin Linton, Jr, and the entire of staff at Weber's for continuing to support Punk Rock and Independent Music!.

-Eric Lara-
OG Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Stab City – Chotto Ghetto – and Hard Girls – at The Mint – Bakersfield, CA

Friday night Stab City made a guest appearance on the Chotto Ghetto/Hard Girls California Mini-Tour at Bakersfield's favorite dive bar, The Mint. It's been near 2 years since Stab City last graced this town, needless to say, many were stoked for this show.

Recently The Mint has made some over all improvements to the bar including an extension of their smoking patio and the addition of a large gazebo. As soon as the bands arrived, it was decided that the gazebo was a perfect spot to set up their equipment to play.

Opening up was Hard Girls. They put on a great set. They were the most laid back of the 3 bands that would perform that night and their Idie-Rock sound was received well by crowd as they nodded their heads approvingly to the sound.

Chotto Ghetto played second. Honestly, I felt like the combination of Hard Girls and Chotto Ghetto touring together was some what odd considering their different sounds, however it seemed to work. Chotto Ghetto picked up the tempo and bridged the gap between Hard Girls and Stab City's sets. They played loud and hard.


Around 12:30 Stab City started to play. Almost instantly, there was commotion. I was thinking, "cool! a pit", then I realized it was really a fight between 5 or 6 people. It was broken up quickly and the attention was directed back to the band. Even though there was no sound system (besides a PA and some amps) and it was difficult to hear Dan and Kyles vocals over the pounding of Bobby's drums, they put on a great performance. No one seemed to broken up as they danced around to the beat of the instruments.

They played all new material including "Vacancy" and "Harry O's Ghost". While many bundled up to keep warm, Bobby Vega stripped down to a cut off T, runner's shorts, and ditched his shoes. If his toes were frozen, you couldn't tell as he climbed on top of his drum set and banged on his drums like a wild thing.

Being a fan of Stab City for years, I have to say that I was super impressed with their new material and I can't wait to see them play again soon on a better sound system. You can check them out for yourself when they play Saturday, January 19th, at Cheetah's w/ The Groggs, Unstoppable Death Machines, Ken South Rock & Traps PS. You can even get a lap dance while your at if you wanted to.

Keep up with Stab City on Facebook HERE

  


                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Public Enemy – X-Clan – Monie Love – at Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA

On a chilly and slightly rainy Thursday expecting a typical show—you know, where a band comes out, there’s a short break while the next band sets up, next band plays, and repeat until it’s time for the headlining act. The Hiphop Gods Tour was not your typical show! As I walked through the doors, classic hip-hop was playing through the venues speakers and many of the fans (a great mix of older and younger) were already dancing along and boozing it up and would continue to do so during the 4 hour show.


Throughout the 14-day tour, each show would open up with a locally based artist. Kid Jones was that artist for Los Angeles. As soon as the trio hit the stage, they did not stop moving! DJ Johnny Juice was their DJ for the set, and for most of the rest of the night. Their performance was energetic and worked to get the audience primed for the rest of the evening. When their set ended, who should walk onto the stage but none other than the man himself—Chuck D! He conducted a short interview with the group, iPad in hand, asking for their Twitter and contact information. This is something Chuck D did with every artist of the evening as he acted as emcee, with his questions focusing on connecting fans and performers together via social media.

Next up was Detroit rapper Awesome Dre. Continually moving around stage and keeping the energy level high, Dre’s set included songs from “A.D.’s Revenge” and “You Can’t Hold Me Back”. At the end of his short set, he treated the audience to some dance moves before his Q & A with Chuck D. Immediately following Dre on the stage was Long Island’s Son of Bazerk. Tony Allen (aka, Bazerk) started the show wearing a super sparkly cape with Son of Bazerk emblazoned across the back whilst Half Pint and Almighty Jawhel broke out some dance moves. Their set was upbeat and energetic and I will definitely download their new single “On the Verge of an AssWhippin’”.

Wise Intelligent (of Poor Righteous Teachers) was next on the line-up. He came out on stage carrying a handful of posters that he tossed into the audience during his first song. His set was one of the highlights of the evening for me--he alternated between his solo work, random a capella rhymes, hawking his merchandise, and making (funny) social commentary. Wise Intelligent is a performer that I would readily see again. “Illuminati” and “I Said It” were the standout songs of his performance.

Dinco D was the sole representative for Leaders of the New School as Charlie Brown, who was set to perform as well, was ill. DJ Johnny Juice stepped in for the absent Charlie, and Chuck D himself took over DJ duty for this set! (He looked like he was having a blast at the table.) Though this portion of the showwasn’t as crazy-energetic as the rest of the night, Dinco D brought out some old favourites such as “Case of the P.T.A.”and “Scenario”.

Face covered with a handkerchief, Schoolly D bounced his way onto a red-lit stage. In between songs, he harangued the crowd about pot, more to the point, about the lack of it. That oversight fixed shortly thereafter and soon Club Nokia was filled to the rafters with smoke. (Any smoke you see in the photos is not from a machine—it’s pot smoke from the crowd.) At some point during his set, he asked for the “bitches to show me sometitties”. (Really? Ugh!) Someone did, and she and her friend came on stage after his performance so that Schoolly could lead them backstage to lord knows what. At least he did “P.S.K., What Does It Mean?” during his set.

Another highlight of the night for me was Monie Love. She too was sick, but if she had not mentioned it we would be none the wiser. Monie, and her set, kicked ass! She performed “Ladies First” and awesomely covered “U.N.I.T.Y.”, which flowed straight into “It’s a Shame (She’s My Sister)”. She mentioned the evolving roles of women in hip-hop, and later in the evening came back on stage with MC Lyte to boost the signal about a Hip Hop Sisters event promoting female emcees. Throughout the set, Monie was full of energy and humour. I felt that her time was super short when she closed out with “Monie in the Middle”.

Brother J of X-Clan was next to pick up the mic. Joining him onstage was a young woman who, we come to find out at the end of the set, is his daughter. I have no idea what her name is, but she had some mad stage presence, so much so I found myself paying more attention to her, than her father.  That’s not to say that Brother J was bad, quite the opposite! Though there was some newer material performed, the audience really perked up when he would do songs off of their first album, “To the East, Blackwards”. There was a huge surge of energy from the audience when he broke out “Grand Verbalizer, What Time isIt?” At the end of the set he called for the audience to raise their fists in unity, and that’s what we did.

Before Public Enemy took the stage, Davy DMX spun a short set before strapping on his bass for PE’s set. And what a set it was! Even though the group has been around for 25 years (and recently inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame), as soon as they hit the stage they do not stop! The air-raid horns were sounding as S1W came on the stage, mixing up military moves and dance steps.

Opening with “Public Enemy #1”, Chuck D’s voice and lyrics made the crowd go apeshit. About halfway through the song, America’s favourite reality TV star, FlavorFlav, came onstage bundled up in a huge hoodie. His iconic clock was nowhere to be seen. That changed as soon as he stripped off the jacket and brought out the clock, just in time for “911 is a Joke”. For over an hour, Chuck D and Flav played off each other, the antics of Flav balanced by the vocal ferocity of Chuck D. (Though Chuck D did let his playful side out, at one point doing a do-si-do type spin with one of the guys.)

It was nearing 12:30 and the group kept playing hit after hit (“Terrordome”, “Bring tha Noize”, Don’t Believe the Hype”, “By the Time I Get to Arizona”).

Guess Club Nokia needed to shut the venue down by a certain time, because shortly after 12:30 they closed out their set with “Fight the Power”. This was the song the audience was waiting to hear, because as soon as the first notes came on over the sound system, fists were pumping and bodies were jumping. This was one of the best shows of the year, and even though it was already 4 hours long, I didn’t want it to end!

This show is billed as the first annual Hiphop Gods Tour. I hope that is true, because I can’t wait to see the line-up for next year!

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Show Preview: End Of The World Show featuring JFA – The Grim – The Voids – Ill Repute – Verbal Abuse – Circle One – Public Nuisance – Naked Aggression – and more- at The Key Club – Hollywood, CA – December 21, 2012

For those unable to make it to Xmas with X next week (which is sure to sell out) there is another great gig with legendary bands in town that just might tickle your funny bone! The show that is being billed as the End Of The World Show is a menacing onslaught of Los Angeles based hardcore Punk bands that could be perfect for ushering in the worlds demise at the stroke of midnight.

Those in attendance should be glad to spend their last moments on earth at a gnarly gig, however should the world fail to fall apart; all will be stoked that they spent their Friday night going off to great live bands! Talk about a fun time, right?!.

The arsenal of bands on this special bill include J.F.A., The Grim, The Voids, Ill Repute, Verbal Abuse, Circle One, Public Nuisance, Political Dekline, Naked Aggression and G.F.P. (Tony Alva’s & Greg Hetson of Bad Religion/Circle Jerks new band) 

All of the bands scheduled to perform are great in their own respects and are sure to bring their best as this could be the last show each of them ever play, though we certainly hope it isn’t because we love them all. We here at Big Wheel have been fortunate to see each of the bands more than a few times and guarantee that each hold their weight as contenders of the hardest bands around town. Whether you dig the surf skate feel or are into classic LA hardcore this show is one you will want to catch. And with admission at a low $15 presale and $20 day of, you can’t beat the amount of awesomeness for your buck.
 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

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