Left Alone – Viernes 13 – Black Rose Phantoms – Gamblers Mark – at The Knitting Factory – Hollywood, CA

Left Alone finally came out of hibernation this Saturday at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood, and hosted a CD Release Party for the debut of their new self-titled album. During the event, tattoo artist Jeff Page was tattooing the Left Alone logo in the Alternknit room for the mere price of 20 dollars. Also invited to the CD Release event was Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds, who played an acoustic set in the Alternknit room. Along with Left Alone, Viernes 13, The Black Rose Phantoms, and Gamblers Mark all played as well.

The first band to commence the night were Los Angeles natives, Gamblers Mark. Gamblers Mark differentiated themselves from the rest of the line-up by maintaining purely a Rockabilly Rock-N-Roll sound. A few of their songs also maintained Ska influences, which was to easy to see why they were included in the line-up. During the band's set, few people were present, but those who were present could be seen dancing and shaking around their bodies. Gamblers Mark may not have had a large crowd, but their stage presence was abundant in energy and fervor.

Second in the line-up were The Black Rose Phantoms, who at first glance based solely on appearance, seemed like your typical Psychobilly band. Upon playing, the sound of the band was so oddly unique, it blew you away. The band managed to incorporate the fast paced double pedal beats of Thrash Metal with Psychobilly, and it was the strangest but most interesting sound they developed. Upon closer inspection of the band, drummer Marc Death appeared to be a Metalhead himself! The band's mesh of the Psychobilly styles of upright bass with the fast paced guitar influences of Metal was a fascinating collaboration to experience and listen to. The Black Rose Phantoms were certainly one of the most impressive performances of the night.

When Viernes 13 took the stage, The Knitting Factory was full of eager energy and people. When vocalist Juan Pulido introduced the band and first song, the entire floor became a giant dance floor full of kids skanking and dancing wildly in circles. Throughout the entire set, the floor was never void of Rude boys and Girls skanking the night away. The band's sound is purely composed of Ska, with the majority of the lyrics sung in Spanish. Viernes 13 had the entire audience mesmerized with their music and their musical performance. The band's set was cut short due to timing issues, but the band saved their most popular song for last and played "Johnny Pistolero" for the audience. When the band finished the song, audience members begged for an encore in Spanish by shouting "Otra! Otra!" Band members showed up briefly to bow in gratitude, and went on to leave the stage instead.

The curtains drew to a close around the stage before Left Alone went on, and it was a short wait before the curtains drew open to reveal the stage ready for the band. Left Alone went on and were greeted by loud cheers and applause on behalf of the crowd. The band played most of their Ska fused classics and provided skank worthy music for the audience. The band included a couple of songs from their newest release, including "Sad Story", which vocalist Elvis Cortez made sure to state that the song was about their native city Wilmington. At one point during the set, the band paused to each receive a shot glass, and made a toast to the completion of their latest release, and each took a shot of Jack Daniels Whiskey. The audience whistled and applauded, and showed their support for the band's latest success. The floor was full of people skanking the entire time, and the crowd appeared to constantly be enjoying themselves during Left Alone's set. The band played for about an hour before finally retiring themselves. After the audience's plead for an encore, the band came back to play "I Hate Emo" and the crowd started a mosh pit in the spirit of Punk Rock. The band left the stage right after, and finished off the exciting night at The Knitting Factory.

Left Alone's CD Release Party was a successful and lively event that provided many memorable moments for the night. People of many different sorts of crowds came to take part in the event, and everyone was moved by the music played during the night. All of the bands brought different scenes to the venue, yet all joined together to appreciate and experience the live music of the night. Left Alone's debut has been anticipated for a long time, and they have finally brought back their talent and musically stylings for all to enjoy. Left Alone's self-titled release arrives on April 7, and if you missed the exciting CD Release Party, take a listen to the new release on your own, and experience Left Alone's DIY artistic philosophies and they'll make a fan out of you too.

-Stephanie M.-
Big Wheel music scene reporter

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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