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Johnny Madcap and The Distractions – Dirty Santa’s – Hands Like Bricks – Ex-Gentleman – Slime Kings – at Old Towne Pub – Pasadena, CA

December 17, 2011

Johnny Madcap and The Distractions - Dirty Santa's - Hands Like Bricks - Ex-Gentleman - Slime Kings - at Old Towne Pub - Pasadena, CA - December 17, 2011Tucked away in an alley in the heart of old town Pasadena is a gritty little place called the Old Towne Pub. When you walk in you'll find it to be dimly lit and you can still smell the good time that was had the night before. Tonight though was slightly different at the pub. Dimly lit gave way to multicolored lights, and that smell, That smell was now Christmas. But not any Christmas, it was "Christmas with The Distractions"!




Walking up to the club this night you were greeted with a giant stack of presents which read Welcome to Christmas with The Distractions. Santa's lined the entrance way into the club wearing sunglasses. When you turned the corner into the club, grabbed a drink and stepped outside into the patio you could not help but become a smiling fool. Snow lined the walls, a cardboard redwood forest stood to the left where snow tipped trees stood tall and just passed the forest was jolly st. nick himself. A white background, a pink Christmas tree and presents all around was the backdrop for pictures with Santa. And if that wasn't enough to get you into the Christmas spirit every hour on the hour you would find yourself in a snow blizzard in the middle of Los Angeles, provided by the fake snow machine mounted on the roof. Now this was a Christmas show!

Your good time was not just had playing in the fake snow or drunkenly telling Santa what you wanted this Christmas, The night provided a killer lineup.

The first band to hit the stage was Costa Mesa's Slime kings. A perfect way to start the night, the band provided ska punk in the vein of Operation Ivy but not pigeon-holed in any way. This band had a unique sound and were very dynamic.

Second up were the Ex-Gentleman. This band brought a power pop Punk energy ala early green day. Not only did they sound good like an early Plimsouls but the look was there as well. Definitely catch them if you hear the name.

Third up on this killer lineup was LA's Hands Like Bricks. Fresh off a full U.S. tour, their set was full of catchy numbers and sing alongs. Definitely don't miss them if they are in your town
which they are sure to be in soon seeing as the band is always playing and you can tell they love it.

As the snow started to fall again Christmas was about to really hit the fan as the Dirty Santa's were now up to rock the Old Towne stage. This band makes Christmas exactly what it was meant to be. Lighthearted, together, and most of all dirty!  The band fully dressed in Santa gear boasts a strong lineup including rock and roll veteran Mr Bill Woodcock a female singer who can really bring the heat. With crunchy guitars, mandolins, tight solo's and songs like reindeer meat (Let's eat, have you ever had reindeer meat?) you are guaranteed to have a great time with this band. Their set is full of rockin' songs and they even throw in a solid cover of ACDC's Hell's Bell's. You can't go wrong going to check out the Dirty Santa's when Christmas comes to town. highly suggested.

There was now a slight tension in the air as everybody waited for tonight's headliners to hit the stage. The snow was falling, in the patio Santa had his hands full with drunken girls and boys all waiting for the same thing and that thing is Johnny Madcap and The Distractions. The Distractions came on stage to cheers and kicked right into high gear with a rockin intro. Johnny had not yet hit the stage but soon came through the crowd waving jingle bells to the beat which he eventually threw into the crowd so the band could kick right into opening song Flashlight love. From then on out the energy only grew. Johnny Madcap and The Distractions provide a foot tapping on the floor, drinks flying through the air experience that is not to be missed. This is a party where troubles are not allowed in. The band has a sound all their own and are reminiscent of Some of the greats like Costello, Petty and The Cars. The band played favorites like 10 names and Distractions to Covers like Rebel yell and The Clash's White riot. Also played were two brand new songs which Johnny said would be on the band's new record due out early 2012. Johnny Madcap and The Distractions are Rock 'n' Roll the way it's meant to be. If you haven't seen them yet, do not wait any longer.

All in all this was a great night for the crowd, The bands and Christmas. looking forward to next year!

 

-Jessica W.-
Big Wheel Reporter

 
            
More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 


 

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