Bone Crusher – Harrington Saints – Kicker – Sad Boy Sinister – Blank Spots – at Oakland Metro – Oakland, CA

I couldn't wait for this show, I've heard nothing but good things about Bone Crusher and two of my favorite bay area bands Harrington Saints and Blank Spots were also playing. I finished work that day and got to The Oakland Metro asap for what I knew was going to be amazing night.

I got their early and immediately noticed all the very beautiful woman walking around. They were all part of Rabid Magazine, up too that point I thought Rabid was the name of a band on the flyer but I soon learned its a totally rad mag. I flipped through the zines and talked to the very cool girls there, the magazine is classy and very professional. Rabid is filled with cool pin up girls stuff, cool photos of old cars and lots of inked cats. If you haven't heard of Rabid Magazine yet make sure you check it out. I think I'm their new biggest fan.

First band on the bill was Blank Spots, I've been hooked on these guys ever since I seen them at The Hemlock in San Francisco a few months ago. They have a great old school Punk rock sound and sing songs that are real. Talon, Andrew and Cat went on stage at about 9ish and got the show started in style with a classic 1,2,3,4 Ramones style count in. At the start of their set there was still a lot of people outside, either getting that last smoke in or paying for their tickets but a song or two into it a nice gathering was made around the stage and it was a great and fun show to watch.

Talon who is the guitarist and lead singer of the group has a really good stage presence, I really enjoy watching him jumping around and throwing his snotty Punk vocals into the microphone. You can tell he lives and breaths this stuff and in every song he is telling a story. Andrew the bass player also has vocal duties and the mix of their vocals calls for some great tunes. They're style is stripped down and honest d.i.y. Punk. Cat the drummer is totally rad too, she is one heavy hitter. My favorite songs from their set were of course “Spare Change” a music video I filmed and edited for them a few months ago and “S.P.D” a song Talon wrote about his obvious love and passion for his friends and brothers in Skunx, but honestly every song was really good and they were really tight. Nearly everything from their set is available on their s/t CD, you can pick up at a show or on their Facebook page. This band is really good and really real. They are playing Gilman Street very soon and I can't wait to be there.

Then it was time for Sad Boy Sinister, these guys were great, there was a few more in the venue at this point and a nice little mosh area at the front. The Sinisters have been doing this for a long time and their set was fast, fun and very tight. The singer vocals were powerful and the music was fun with lots of chants and the people there were really getting into it. My favorite song from their set was sure “Drinkin” if you don't know it, go on Youtube, it's totally rad. They play Punk with good hardcore influences and I can't wait to get some of their CDs and see them again.

 

Next Kicker came on. I was excited to see them because I've seen their Lead singer Roadie at various different shows in the area and not got the chance to see his band. They were awesome. I don't know what it but an English accent goes really well with Punk rock and these guys have a great thing going. They were fast and snotty and really good. There's no gimmicks with these dudes, what ya see is what ya get, good old fashion stripped down Punk rock. Everyone there seemed really into it too and at this point and the Rabid girls were making rounds, everyone was having a great time.

 

Then it was time for The Harrington Saints to take stage and I was totally stoked because I absolutely love these guys. Darrel, Mike C, Deuce, Jay and Forry all took stage full of energy and ready to go. After a quick tune up the booted boys started their explosive set with a “O.C.D.”, one of my favorite songs from the amazing new record “Pride and Tradition” that is available on Pirate Press Records.

Literally two seconds into the song the crowd were cheering, pushing and shoving and shouting along to every word. The Saints are not only an awesome band but those guys are like brothers and believe in the music they play, they are a True American Working Class Oi! band and one of the best acts around.

Darrel the singer is so rad too, he's one of the most passionate singers ever and always comes out to the crowd, I think I got to shout revolution! in his microphone at least once during the set, and crowd interaction like that always calls for a fun set and adds a lot of buzz to the show atmosphere.

As the next 40 minutes or so went on classics songs like “Boot Straps” and “Jerry was a Skin” rang out and everyone was totally into it, there was sweat and beer everywhere and everyone there was singing and chanting along. so much fun. Anyone who hasn't picked up their albums is really missing out, these dudes are gonna be around for a long long time. Their the real deal and I can't wait to see them again soon.

Last but not least it was time for Bone Crusher, I couldn't wait to see them, before the show I checked them out on Youtube, Facebook etc and thought they were excellent. There fast past hardcore tinged Punk rock was great, as soon as they hit the stage the place lit up. I really liked the singer Raybo, he has a really cool singing voice thats quite unique. Like, the Saints these guys have a brothers feel, you can tell they've been doing this along time and love what they do.

Bonecrusher played a bunch of songs, all of them good, not a dull moment through the entire set. Everyone was singing along and again lots of moshing, a perfect end to a perfect night.

I'm sure the Rabid girls were back on stage after Bonecrusher because throughout the night they were selling raffle tickets for a subscription to their magazine or another prize, not quite sure because I had to leave early. But all in all, a sick night, full of great bands, pretty ladies, a great venue and a fun crowd, perfect ingredients.

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Brian McCann Jr-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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