Face to Face – Teenage Bottlerocket – Blacklist Royals – House of Blues – Anaheim, CA

Due to a mix up on the Friday May 10th show with Face to Face could not get covered properly with photos, etc., but thanks to some extremely nice people, I was still able to catch part of it. Yet Saturday May 11th, I was very fortunate and able to document The Blacklist Royals and Teenage Bottlerocket.

The Blacklist Royals started out with an energy only seen in musicians who love doing what they do. The soulful Punk coming out of those speakers was the magnet that drew me and others in the room towards the stage. You could see the already loyal fans singing along to every word and the new ones who were beginning to fall in love with this band. Nat’s voice along with Brad, Dirk and Rob’s energy carried through the venue and comfortably sunk in to our hearts and souls.

After each set and hearty applause there were old and new fans at the merch tables meeting the band, happy that they saw them play.

Teenage Bottlerocket hit the stage with such power that the crowd started getting caught up in it. After realizing that the older crowd wasn’t as into the pogo party the first night, the band played an alternative sort of set the second night, in which less fucks were given. Between songs Ray told a few jokes, and generally chatted up the crowd. He also told us how Miguel loves girls who pee in his mouth and other such things- Miguel had a huge smile on his face, pumped his fist in the air and they went into the next song.

Kody and Ray’s sweet little voices harmonized together making beautiful, yet loud and raunchy lyrics while Brandon drummed like it was his last day on earth. After their set the guys came around to hang out with fans and friends. Good times were had.


Although I wasn’t able to shoot Face to Face either night, I still can say that as soon as they started playing the whole venue lit up, not just the lights obviously, but the whole crowd got into it and had a great time.

                  (cell phone photo)

The guys still love what they do and it shows. Their powerful music and lyrics, new and old, even for someone like me who has never seen them play (I know, I know, shame on me) got me really into the band and I had a good time even if I wasn’t able to shoot. Every single person leaving those nights left with smiles on their faces, including me. Cheers to successful shows and making friends, and thank you to everyone who were so kind and helped me out both those nights.

 

 More photos of Teenage Bottlerocket - Blacklist Royals can be seen HERE

-Jen Reightley-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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