Show Preview: OFF! at the Whisky a Go-Go – Hollywood, CA – May 8, 2012

The age-old saying "there's a silver lining to every cloud" is applicable in almost every situation in the book- including the Punk scene. Fans moaned and groaned when the Circle Jerks announced a hiatus, and it was at that time that Keith Morris and Dimitri Coats decided to form a new, Punk-super groupalong with Steven Shane McDonald from Redd Kross and Mario Rubalcaba from Rocket from the Crypt -they called themselves OFF!

One of my favorite things about OFF! is the fact that they have the raw energy that's vital to a hardcore Punk group. Not only do they possess raw energy, but they perfect it to the point where it shocks and excites you; it almost makes you feel as if you've stepped into a time machine and traveled to a Black Flag show in the 1980's. Not only can the energy be felt from the band, but the excitement from the fans and the crowd contributes to buzz surrounding OFF!

To paraphrase someone I overheard at FYF Fest, "OFF! is what this generation needs. They're what the Punk scene needs" -And it's true. They were not only one of the best bands to perform at FYF, but they had the most combative pit and a dynamic audience. OFF! is here to help revitalize the Punk scene. They're controversial, they're honest, they're unapologetic, they're intense, and they're here to bring hardcore Punk back to its roots.

OFF! made their live debut at the infamous South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas in 2010 and the band's success immediately took off. Los Angeles had their own chance to experience OFF! a few months later at the 6th Street Warehouse - the show was reportedly WAY over capacity, illustrating how desperately our generation needs a band like OFF!. For the band, it was much more than just another show. The songs that Coats and Morris recorded in 2009 and then some, they released a 7" appropriately titled "First EP" in Fall 2010; this EP, along with three other EPs, was released as a box set called "First Four EPs" in which the songs are short, fast and to the point songs that leave you feeling like you got your ass kicked for 17 plus minutes without a break.. Along with extensive touring, including performing as far as Australia, they've managed to find time to write and record more material for eager fans.

OFF! will be hosting a record release show at the Whiskey a Go-Go on May 8th. It's your chance to go out and see what the hype is all about- trust me, it's definitely worth it. Providing support for the show are Spider Fever and Fidlar, these are two bands that will equally blow you away, so make sure you show up when the doors open so you won't miss a thing! This show will sell out, so go get your tickets NOW.

OFF! - Official website to stay up to date on the band: offofficial.com

 

-Sarah K.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

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