Best Of The West Part II Featuring: Harrington Saints – Bricktop – Old Glory – and Custom Fit – at Oakland Metro – Oakland, CA

I couldn't wait to hit this show cause the first Best of The West Tour last year was awesome, lots of great bands and lots of great people so of course its going to be a great time.

As soon as i got there there was lots of alot of people in front of the venue, there was two shows going on at one time, one being a super metal show at the bigger end of the hall, there was scatter of metal heads, skinheads and punks outside some were hanging out, some were smoking and some were eating bacon wrapped hotdogs. I spotted Mike from Old Glory and headed into the show. After an hour or so of hanging out with my buds from Bricktop, Old Glory and Harrington Saints, the lights deemed and it was time for Custom Fit to hit the stage.

Custom Fit are a newish band from Santa Cruz, I've heard about them alot over the past year or so and loved their track from Oi! This is Street Punk Volume III so I was really excited to finally see them live. They ruled, as soon as they hit stage the whole place really got into it, a total breath of fresh air for the bay area music scene. Awesome, and their singer Sabi has one heck of a voice and alot of stage presents, I can't wait for a record to come out.

Reno's Old Glory was next up, I saw them last year and they totally ruled so i was stoked to see them again. I love Mike's harsh vocals and the bands rad rock'roll riffs, their super gritty Street Punk Rock'n'Roll sound is sick and I can't wait to get my hands on their 7” “Battle Born” I suggest you all do the same and pick it up. Old Glory rock. There set was exciting, fun and very energetic.

Then it was time for Bricktop and Bricktop is badass, their mix of street Punk and thug rock is insane, energetic and totally rad. I saw them last year at Best of the West Part One and I got all their stuff since, if your new to these guys I would check out Oi The Boat's “Voice of America Volume 1” it's super good and has them and other great bands on it. Their set ruled and lots were moving and singing along.

Harrington Saints were last to hit the stage, if you've ever read any of my past reviews its pretty clear how much I love this band, not only as musicians but as people, they rule. They opened their show with one of my favorites “OCD” from their 2012 released “Pride and Tradition” and once they started everyone gathered around and there was lots of movement, lots of singing along and lots of beers being splashed.

Darrell and the boys played a great mix from all their releases and an unforgettable cover of Cock Sparrer's “Working”, it was awesome and like always I can't wait to see them again. Harrington Saints are the perfect band to close the night because after they play your generally too tired from singing and dancing that you just want to stumble home anyway.

The Saints will be playing with Rancid and Transplants August 3rd at The Warfeild, San Francisco and for fans across they sea, I know they have some european dates coming and will be playing at Blackpool's Rebellion Festival. So keep an eye out. Great Night, Great bands, Great times, can't wait till next year.

 

 More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Brian McCann Jr-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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