AWOL 69 – at the Blue Cafe – Huntington Beach, CA

Moments before AWOL went on guitarist, Danny S. ran inside to tie a ribbon around vocalist, Tim Fyke's microphone stand. Members of his band were yelling "Not again!," and "Don't do it!" For their past few shows this ribbon that is sometimes tied around Tim's mic stand a la Aerosmith or Guns n Roses has been a serious bone of contention within the band. There is a strong schism between those who think its funny and cool and those who think it's totally lame. This debate is about as serious as things get with AWOL, who were playing their first headlining show since they reunited a few months ago after not playing together since the early 1980's.

Most of AWOL's songs are about sex, masturbation, or just being punk rock. This became a blueprint for both AWOL and Doggy Style (who AWOL evolved into in the 80's after splitting up and adding Brad Xavier to the lineup). AWOL played their most energetic and musically tight set thus far at their show at the Blue Cafe. Keeping up their legacy, the band crammed as many friends as they could on their guest list and much of the audience was made up of Esperanza High School punks from the class of 1982-1986.

 

They reintroduced an old song from their original set list called "Suicidal Maniac" and also played a brand new song called "Punker's Anthem." Both songs sounded great along with "AWOL," "Beat Your Meat on the Toilet Seat," "Accept It," "Ladies From Neptune," and "Preteens." Everyone in the band was grinning ear to ear and some of the women in the audience were dancing from time to time. Tim Fyke seemed slightly intoxicated but managed to keep his act together and all of the guitars were in perfect time with each other. As always AWOL completed their set with "Donut Shop Rock."

-Ditch-
Big Wheel Asst. Editor

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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