Filmage: “The Story of Descendents/All” Screening – at Art Theatre of Long Beach – Long Beach, CA

Sunday August 25th 2013 was a day for Descendents/All fans to attend a screening of “Filmage: The Story of Descendents/All” (Filmage). A documentary about the trails, tribulations and successes of both bands, Filmage provides the viewer an insightful and at times comical look into the history of Descendents and All.

 

Filmage took about 3 years to complete, 2 of those years focused primarily on filming and gathering footage for the finished product that was screened to a group of lucky fans at the Art Theatre of Long Beach. The film featured a slew of interviews of music legends like: Greg Graffin, Keith Morris, Fat Mike, Joey Cape and Dave Ghrol; all of these artists gave their unique insight about key moments in the careers of different Descendents/All members as well as how each band member influenced their own lives.

Without giving away too much about the interviews featured in the film: Dave Ghrol had this to say about how Milo Aukerman (Vocalist: Descendents) influenced his musical career when he was a kid “Milo was like our spokesperson. He was a nerd like the rest of us. We weren’t getting laid; we listened to Hardcore.” Illustrating Milo as being a sort of “Anti-Front man” for those who would did not relate to those typically found in the 1980s.

Filmage also featured some well-done cartoons that brought to life moments in the lives of Bill Stevenson (Drummer/ Composer: Descendents/All) and other band members when stories that they had literally just needed to be animated.

On par with all great documentaries about musicians and bands “Filmage: The Story of Descendents/All” will soon be released to the general public once all finale licensing is complete. However once the film is released do yourself a huge service and watch this heartfelt/hilarious film.

This is a MUST SEE film for any Descendents fan... this is why you love them!

Info on the film can be found  HERE

-Ryan R.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Afro Punk Fest: Featuring Death – Living Colour – and more – at Commodore Barry Park – Brooklyn, NY

In Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, I had the privilege of seeing two bands, each of which have punched racism through its ugly face! When Detroit based punk band Death (1973-1980) recorded their first album in the summer of 1975, no one was playing like they were. And African Americans “weren’t supposed” to be playing rock or Punk.

 

But led by their visionary brother, David Hackney II, Death did just that. Nearly 35 years later, their music is finally being given the respect it deserves and its rightful place in the annals of punk history.

So when Death walked onstage, dreadlocks and all, electricity coursed through the crowd. What would it be like hearing one of the progenitors of punk? The photo pit was packed and ready. As soon as they got on stage, Drummer Dannis Hackney, singer/bassist Bobby Hackney, and guitarist Bobbie Duncan dove right into “Keep on Knockin” and Duncan’s guitar solo was raw. People couldn’t believe they were hearing Death play live!

They followed with “Rock and Roll Victim”. But before they played “Let the World Turn”, Bobby dedicated the song to their late brother and band member Danny Hackney II. Bobby said he was looking down at them from the heavens. Then they played and Dannis treated us to a drum solo. Having a blast up there, Bobby couldn’t help beaming and jumping joyfully throughout the set.

Next was “You’re a Prisoner” at the end of which Bobby said “Yes, we’re Death from Detroit. We have a way of rising back up or as we liked to say in 1975…” and then he screamed “Death!” and they played “Freakin Out”. “Where Do We Go From Here” was next with its bass intro.

Finally, Bobby told us “This is the one that started it all for us in 1975. This is called ‘Politicians In My Eyes’.” As they finished the song, happiness radiated from brothers Bobby and Dannis and from Duncan too. They thanked the audience. Everyone cheered. Their story blows me away – see the moving documentary “A Band Called Death” to find out more. Also, listen to their first album DEATH…For The Whole World To See (2009) out from Drag City Records!

Living Colour, an entirely African American band, also challenged racism when they lit up the music world in 1988 with their funk metal album Vivid and hit song “Cult of Personality”. The crowd was psyched and the photo pit was all cameras. W. Kamau Bell did stand up, cracking us up, while Living Colour helped set up equipment (yes, they actually helped the crew!). Soon, Corey Glover joined Bell at the front of the stage and Bell enthusiastically introduced the band. 

Living Colour slammed into “Cult of Personality” – which was awesome to witness live (since I grew up with it)! Then Glover was in the audience, screaming and climbing the stage! Next, they rocked through “I Want To Know” and lead guitarist Vernon Reid killed his guitar solo so hard. Glover ended the song hitting crazy high notes that blew everyone away with the range of his voice - because it’s still totally intact!

Vernon Reid, his face expressive with emotion throughout the show, looked out over the audience arms open and said into the mic, “I’m fucking overwhelmed”. Then he dove into “Middle Man” with blazing guitar work. Glover told us “I used to get into a lot of trouble in this park, I did shit my parents still don’t know about.” Then he went backstage and reappeared with a video camera, shooting the audience and then himself while he sang “Desperate People”.

After “Open Letter (To A Landlord)” Vernon Reid said “How many of you all get stopped by the police? [Some people raised their hands] Well this song was written while they were still fucking with us.” Slamming bass from Dough Wimbish took the band into a great cover of “Fight The Power (Soul Power)” and the audience totally loved it.

Shredding guitar work and a throbbing bass opened “Memories Can’t Wait” and kept the energy going. They followed with “Broken Hearts”, “Glamour Boys” and “Which Way To America,” during which Reid said, “some of you all have never seen a VCR in your life!”

Throughout their set, Living Colour demonstrated their skilled musicianship: Reid’s virtuoso guitar work and Glover’s soulful and high vocals. There’s a reason they’re on tour through 2014. Check them out!

 

   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gabriel Barbaro-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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Afro Punk Fest 2013: Featuring Wicked Wisdom – Unlocking The Truth and more – at Commodore Barry Park – Brooklyn, NY

Day one of AfroPunk, my press pass in hand, I swam to the front of the packed crowd. It was time to see Internet sensation, Unlocking The Truth, play perhaps one of their biggest live shows yet.

 

 

A heavy metal band composed of 12 year-old guitarist Malcolm Brickhouse, bassist Alex Atkins, 12, and 11 year-old drummer Jarad Dawkins. They’re shockingly young.

Opening with a prickly, slightly off-key rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” I started to doubt the hype and the sea of photographers freaking out in front of me. Then the band tore into their first song and I understood what makes them special. They’re literally just kids who love to play heavy metal. They don’t have stage antics or affect, it’s just the three of them, shyly playing.

Stomping drums and bass led into blazing speed metal. Suddenly, Brickhouse and Atkins threw their heads back, staring up while continuing to play sightless for several minutes. I tossed my doubt away. Playing another instrumental, “Faces You Wanna Be” they next launched into an unnamed speed metal song. 

Malcolm, the most self-aware of the trio, shredded the first minute of their last song, leading the way into the band’s rocking finale. The crowd roared and Malcolm looked out, wide-eyed. Jarad stood up and threw two of his three drumsticks into the crowd. They had proven themselves. But what really sets them aside from most bands today is their simple lack of affect. They are whom they are onstage and off, and that’s something to witness. 

I saw Wicked Wisdom next, because I liked a track I had heard online. I didn’t know anything else about them. So I was completely thrown off when Will Smith suddenly walked by. What the hell was going on? A white-haired madam of metal kindly informed me this was Jada Pinkett Smith’s band. Well, I’ll be damned! 

Suddenly, a high voice began calling out from backstage, “AfroPunk, are you ready to play? Are you ready to play-ay”. And then Jada Pinkett Smith ran onstage, like a banshee, hair flying and launched into “Yesterday Don’t Mean”. The crowd drank it up. The band’s skill and Pinkett Smith’s expressive energy was an awesome combination. She didn’t even care when they took away her dead mic and she had no amplification for a minute or two. She just kept singing and made fun of it.

Next was “Something Inside of Me”, a staccato song about sexual abuse. Wicked Wisdom wasn’t pulling punches. “How do you make this thing shorter?” JPS joked, adjusting her mic stand. “We haven’t played together in 6 years, but when AfroPunk called us we were so happy, because when we started in this game there was no AfroPunk (Festival).” 

Suddenly JPS was standing on the riot fencing in front of me for “Fakeness”. People went ecstatic. A guy started shouting on the fence, a couple rows back. Then he jumped onto the crowd and disappeared.

Like a wild banshee, Pinkett Smith roamed the stage singing, radiating charisma and sensuality. She seemed to look everyone in the eye. Midway through the last song “Set Me Free”, JPS spoke. “Women, you need to love yourselves and one another. Set us free.” When Wicked Wisdom finished playing, the crowd cheered with excitement.

Jada Pinkett Smith should stop what’s she’s doing and reform Wicked Wisdom immediately!

 

   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gabriel Barbaro-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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Strung Out – Unwritten Law – Sprung Monkey and The Implants – at House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA

SRH Clothing, founded in San Diego in the early 90s, brought together some great bands for their fest this year - The Implants, Sprung Monkey, Unwritten Law, and Strung Out. I decided to get some fresh air before heading into the soon to be humid House of Blues Anaheim on Friday.

 

While outside, I chatted with a girl who drove all the way from New Mexico for the show. She was super stoked to be here, "at a venue I've only read about and seen on TV!" She was amazed at how loud the sound system was, so I handed her my extra pair of earplugs and headed inside to catch the Implants. 

The Implants are a fairly new band, though the members are old-hat. Gathering people from Ten Foot Pole, Strung Out, Pulley, and The Tank, Implants have a very 90s melodic Southern California Punk sound. By the end of their set, the venue was pretty full, with the crowd bouncing along, a few playing air guitar, and the hardcore fans singing along. This band should be on your radar. If you like Skate-Punk, then go grab a copy of their debut album "From Chaos to Order". You can hear clips HERE

Next up was San Diego based Sprung Monkey. These guys were around the local scene for most of the 90s, taking a brief hiatus before reforming around 2005. I had not had a chance to see them before tonight, but their live performance was a lot of fun.

Their lead singer, Steve Summers, was an engaging frontman. I mean, how could he not be since he dedicated the song "Conspiracy" to the San Diego mayor? 

Unwritten Law was one of those bands that, if asked about them, I would answer with a shrug and an "I guess they're okay". After the show, I take back those words. Yeah, that's right. I'm a convert. Rejoined by original drummer Wade Youman, these San Diegans were nothing but all out fucking fun.

"Rescue Me" was the song that got the crowd geared up. Right after, UL broke into "Up All Night" and the fans started jumping up and down, shouting out the lyrics, making it feel like the anthem of the evening. Right before "Seein' Red", Scott Russo toasted the crowd with his beer, and throughout the rest of the song, the crowd was 'cheers!'ing each other with their tall-boy cans of Bud Light and PBR. "Celebration", "She Says", "Save Me", and "C.P.K." rounded out their set. 

Strung Out headlined the night. Before the curtain even opened, the crowd started chanting, "Strung Out, Strung Out, Strung Out!" Hailing from Simi Valley, the Strung Out guys have been doing this for just over two decades, and the intervening years has only tightened their sound.

As soon as the first chords emanated from the stage, until the very last, the crowd went absolutely batshit. There wasn't a lot of pitting or crowd surfing during the first three bands, so security probably expected the same for Strung Out. They were wrong. They started out with a couple of guards behind the barricade, but by the end of the third song, there was a contingent of yellow shirts in the front to handle the people going boots-first over the barricade. It was fucking awesome. 

The band is working on releasing a box-set soon, so their set included old and new songs. From "Population Control" to "CrashcrashRadio", they did it all. At some point the crowd started yelling for "Wrong Side of the Tracks", which then segued into "Unkoil".

(During this song there was an overzealous crowd surfer, and it took 6-7 security guards to get him off the barricade.) As the opening chords of "Velvet Alley" begins, the crowd starts clapping along to the beat. And during "Matchbook", it was nothing but limbs flying throughout the crowd.

Some people denigrate the more poppy aspects of Punk, but for many fans, this style was their first introduction. If you have friends (or acquaintances) who seem to be interested in Punk, but they still hold the stereotype that it's all about mohawks, pop-punk is a great gateway music to introduce them to the scene. And this line-up is a great primer for those who are interested, but still trepidatious.

 

   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Dirty Kid Discount – A life Amongst The Ruins

I had heard the name Dirty Kid Discount a number of times over the past year or so but I was first exposed to their music at Punk Rock Bowling a few months ago in Las Vegas where they not only played a packed out show but played on the street for hours at a time and gathered quite a lot of attention from me and other passer byes.

 

Their sound is Punk enough for Punkers and folky enough for folkers with elements of crust and a lot of melody. There are quite a few members in Portland Oregon's Dirty Kid Discount and they all come equipped with many instruments including a washboard, accordion, banjo and my favorite a saw. That's right, A saw, and not only that there's lots of gang vocals and even more catchy dark singalongs that will leave you wishing you started a camp fire and brought your spoons.

After seeing them in Las Vegas, I got in touch with Jay Crash (Screamer, Bass) through a mutual friend and asked him when the record was due out, to my surprise and luck I got the pleasure of hearing it early and had to write a review.

The album is called “A Life Amongst The Ruins” and it's coming out in september through Smelvis Records, Smelvis Records if you haven't heard of it is a label ran by the awesome and talented Elvis Cortez who is responsible for one of Hellcat Record's finest bands Left Alone and who now plays guitar for Transplants. He's a super rad dude and it's no surprise he saw something special in this group because I know I do, and I'm sure you will once you hear this super awesome album.

“A Life Amongst Ruins” is super rad from start to finish, it clocks in at around a half an hour and once it's done you'll want to press play again. The songs are deep and dark and very well written. I really like the collection of voices and sounds and the way these guys incorporate accordions through just about all their songs, every member is really good and every song is very memorable.

I struggled for a few days trying to capture the sound of this record in words, it's difficult because I honestly haven't heard anything quite like it, some tracks remind me of Leftover Crack, while others remind me of Mischief Brew, some parts are slow and drawn out while other parts are fast and sing along, it's like being on a Punk rock haunted hayride, creepy but good creepy, if that makes any sense. The song titles and lyrics are dark and intelligent, and their artwork is awesome, I can't wait to have this record in my collection and see this band get bigger.

Dirty Kid Discount are touring September 12th-October 21st and October 30th-November 1st, so make sure to hit their facebook page and check their dates out, they also have a site on Reverb Nation and a bandcamp.

 

 

-Brian McCann Jr-
Big Wheel Contributor
 

 

 

 

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Show Preview: Mission UK at Nokia Theater – Los Angeles, CA – September 10, 2013

Alright ladies and gentlemen in the greater Los Angeles area … get out your "Nightshade" lipstick and "Midnight" eyeliner because on Sept 10th, the Mission U.K. will be playing Club Nokia. Their first North American tour in over a decade will only be hitting select citiesin the ‘ol Colony (or "New World", if you so desire), and those of us with tickets know how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to see the band. They will bring the original lineup, in it's entirety. On U.S. soil even. It's been far, far too long.

Formed in the mid 80s by former Sisters of Mercy members Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams, the Mission has released 11 full length studio albums to date, as well as a fair number of brilliant live recordings. And we can add one more studio album to that list come September 17th, when "The Brightest Light" is released. Personally, I've never seen the Mission live, though I’ve wanted to for the better part of two decades, but I've never had an opportunity ... until now!

      Check out this Mission UK song

Wayne Hussey is a musical genius, with an amazing voice. Hopefully he'll "Deliver[ance]" the songs "Sea of Love" and "Butterfly on a Wheel". If not, I'd be more than happy to hear "And the Dance Goes On". But if they play "Severina", I'll be the one bouncing like an idiot at the front of the barricade.

Tickets are still available for the show at Club Nokia, so if you don't have one ... GET ONE! Go. Go now. This may very well be your last chance to see the original line up of the Mission. Trust me. You do NOT want to miss this show!

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

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