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

 
More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

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