Cro-Mags – Outbreak – at Chain Reaction – Anahiem, CA

We arrived at the show long after it sold out and the venue was like a tropical rain forest during monsoon season. Outbreak were getting ready to go on and it was obvious that most of the people in the audience were totally stoked even though they were already drenched with sweat. Outbreak has come a long way since they first started. When they first started playing out in their home state of Maine, they were all still in high school and they would sometimes play their set twice since their songs were so short. Now they are a full on touring band with rabid fans all around the world. They certainly haven't ever slowed down and their sets always involve tons of stage dives from the audience and their singer, Ryan O'Connor alike. At this point they are a well oiled machine and they hardly ever even stop between songs. The music is still straight forward hardcore Punk played at a break neck speed.

The current version of the Cro-Mags (sometimes playing under the name Cro-Mag Jam), features John Joseph on vocals and Mackie on drums, both from the "Age Of Quarrel" lineup. They are joined by Craig Ahead (Sick Of It All/Straight Ahead) and AJ Novello from Leeway. To put it simply this band is a complete powerhouse made up of some of the best musicians in the history of hardcore.

Their current leg of shows is their second trip to Southern California within a year and so far they have never disappointed. John Joseph's energy level while on stage is through the roof, putting to shame almost any singer who is thirty years younger than him. Their set included every song off of "Age Of Quarrel," including "Seekers Of Truth," which they did not play the last time they came out. They also played two Bad Brains covers ("Right Brigade" and "Attitude") which were preceded by a short commentary on violence at Punk shows. When a member of the audience chanted "Skinhead!," J.J. responded, "I don't care if you're a skinhead; Just don't be an asshole. Doesn't matter if you have a shaved head, a mohawk, or whatever." The crowd was moving for the whole set and the band's performance was flawless.

 

-Ditch-
Big Wheel Asst. Editor

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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