Johnny Madcap and The Distractions – Lysol Gang – Hands Like Bricks – at The Redwood – Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday the 3rd began the July residency of Johnny Madcap and the Distractions at the Redwood Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. Kicking off the event, the bill also included fellow local heroes Hands Like Bricks and Lysol Gang.

 

For those who have not been to the Redwood before, it is a small yet intricately decorated bar located just off the corner of North Hill and 2nd Street. It has been frequently referred to as the "pirate bar" due to its maritime decor. Thick ropes coil around support beams next to a fishing net draped from ceiling to floor. There is even a ship's steering wheel hanging from the ceiling, acting as a nautical chandelier. In addition to a full bar, they also offer a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. They are the frequent hosts of bands, making it a hot spot for showcasing local talent.

The Hands Like Bricks' set promptly started at 9:30 as singer/guitarist Kyle announced to the crowd that he had explosive diarrhea earlier in the day. He added that the likelihood he would be able to make it through the set was slim. Due to this, Kyle remained mostly sober and lead the band in one of the most cohesive sets I have seen them play. Between crass comments and fart jokes, the band rotated the lead singer of each song as the other members assisted with backup vocals.

This created a resonating gang vocal sound that charged each song with testosterone injected intensity. Regardless of sobriety (or lack thereof), HLB is one of my favorite local bands in the scene. And in the end, the stage and Kyle remained diarrhea free.

Next up was Lysol Gang. Formed from the pieces of The Ignorant, this three piece promises fast paced and catchy tunes. The amount of sound and raw power that radiated from their set was amazing. The sound of the group is hard to nail down; it is almost as if it changed with each song. There is a definite blending of Old School Punk with Pixies-esque Rock. They are reminiscent of a band that you could catch playing a garage or a backyard show. This eclectic sound was the perfect bridge from Hands Like Bricks to Johnny Madcap and the Distractions.

By the time the Distractions hit the stage the bar had filled, drunken smiles plastered on the faces of the crowd. People may recognize Johnny from the Punk band Madcap, which went on hiatus in 2004. However, don't come to a Distractions show expecting the same power Punk sound; they are purely amazing rock and roll. Although there were many at the bar who knew the words to the original Distractions songs, the crowd (and the dance floor) really erupted when the band dedicated the second half of their set to playing 80s covers. Billy Idol, The Ramones, The Plimsouls, among others were all covered flawlessly. Although the Distractions have been on my radar for over a year, I have never seen them live until now. And I can't help but wonder what took me so long.



The Johnny Madcap and the Distractions residency will continue every Tuesday night throughout the month of July. This Tuesday the 10th, the bill will also feature Dangerously Sleazy, Revolution's Pride, and The Three Two Ones.  Doors at 9PM at the Redwood. 316 West 2nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012.

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE


-Kendra Sheetz-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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