Peter and The Test Tube Babies – The Generators – Guitar Gangsters – Informal Society – at The Airliner – Los Angeles, CA

A show that was anticipated for months once it was announced, tickets began to get snapped up because no one wanted to miss the return of Peter and The Test Tube Babies back to Los Angeles. Even though they played the night before at Alex's Bar in Long Beach to capacity crowd, tonight's show got event more packed since it was an 18+ show.


Opening up the show at 9:15pm were locals Informal Society. This is a band many all over Los Angeles know and they always get booked on some of the best shows. Tonight's appearance saw them without their usual drummer due to changes in the band and the guy behind the kit was laterally recruited 30 minutes before the show. Being a band that never fails to show up at a gig no matter what, they still threw down a set that was just a little off their normally fully charge sets. We have a lot of respect for a band that still goes on with the show even if everything is less that perfect.

Guitar Gangsters played second and the top floor was already relatively full. Its always nice when people are interested in hearing the opening bands, and I'm pretty sure it makes the band members happy as well. The three piece band from London played a handful of sweet sounding '77 melodic Punk songs, throwing in a couple of angrier melodic songs. With constant movement going on, dancing, and singing along, it was surely obvious that the crowd liked what they were hearing. Their set was certainly too short for may people's liking and this show still had two more bands to go before the night ran out.

It is known to many and has been said by the US News that The Generators are "The most underrated Punk band in America". I didn't believe it until I saw them. Never had I known that this band had so many dedicated fans! Now was time for the real fun to start. A bunch more people fled to the dance floor, opening up a sweaty and packed pit. There's always a few bands that don't mind the close up interaction with the crowd, and The Generators are one of them.

Vocalist Doug "Dagger" Kane was letting people hop on stage with them, putting arms around shoulders, and allowing fans to sing into the microphone. Towards the end of their set, The Generators threw in a little treat. That same day Cock Sparrer was playing a show in San Francisco that many people just couldn't make it to. To our surprise, they did a cover of Cock Sparrer's "Runnin' Riot", causing the people to get crazier than they already were. Their aggressive Punk Rock n Roll successfully got everyone rowdy and having fun, leaving their adrenaline pumping for Peter and the Test Tube Babies.

   Enjoy this video overview of this gig - something no other outlet can bring you

It was finally time. Just as I thought that place couldn't get any more packed, it did. As Peter and the Test Tube Babies began playing "Moped Lads", people were all trying to run back in at the same time, making it hard to maneuver through the crowded venue. Although it was attempted, it was nearly impossible to start a pit. Fans were climbing on top of speakers to enjoy the show from up high, others jumping off speakers, and climbing on top of each other. Fists were raised up high and voices were slowly being lost as the crowd sang to songs like "The Jinx", "Up Yer Bum", "Keep Britain Untidy", and "Maniac". It was hot, sweaty, and at times hard to breath but none of that mattered. Not even the pain from an accidental punch to the face or kick in the shin. It was too much fun. There was even an incident where a female skanker put a dude in a full nelson, our photographer wishes they were faster on the draw to have a photo of that.

Peter and the Test Tube Babies stopped playing for a brief moment giving the crowd some rest, but still expecting more. Within seconds, the drummer began playing the ever so famous "Punk beat", and slowly the guitar came in. Once that drum roll hit, the crowd went crazy knowing they were playing "Banned From the Pubs". A violent but fun pit erupted, probably the best one of the night. After wards they played "Blown Out Again", making people think that was their last song. Like most of us know, there is always an encore. PTTB played three more songs which were "Elvis is Dead", "Vicars Wank Too", and ended with the mostly instrumental song "September".

This was honestly one of the best shows that took place in a long time. Even if you don't listen to them, it would have been nearly impossible not to have a good time with a bill this good. Before this show, I'm sure many people felt they would never have that chance to see Peter and the Test Tube Babies, especially the younger generation. The Airliner hosted a Punk show that many of us will never forget. An intense, up close and personal show from the UK's "coolest uncool band in the world". Now that's Punk rock!

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Corrina P.-
Big Wheel Reporter

 

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