Punk Rock Karaoke – at The Rhythm Lounge – Long Beach, CA

Punk Rock Karaoke are a punk rock super group consisting of Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, Black President), Eric Melvin (NOFX), Steve Soto (Adolescents, former Agent Orange), and Derek O'Brien (Social Distortion, Agent Orange, Adolescents). At every show that they do audience members are invited to sign up and sing punk rock standards with this power house backing them up. Sometimes the results are impressive, and sometimes the results are just plain funny. At some shows they also have punk rock "celebrity" guest appearances but at Thursday night's gig the song selections were wide open to the audience. The show was free and the band members all appeared in matching suits and Rikk Agblue colored shirts.

Songs in the bands repertoire consist largely of songs from bands that Hetson, Soto, and O'Brien play in (no NOFX tunes), but also other classics from bands like the Dead Kennedys, Ramones, Stiff Little Fingers, Sex Pistols, and Bad Brains. After audience members sign up for specific songs they are given photo copied lyric sheets to help them sing. My personal highlight of the show was joining the band to sing Agent Orange's "Bloodstains."

Overall it's safe to say that fun was had by everyone. The singers all had their punk rock dreams come true, the band was in good spirits, the venue was comfortable, plenty of drinks were bought at the bar, and the security guards were all relaxed. If any punk band is ever looking for a singer a Punk Rock Karaoke gig would be a great place to scout out vocalists.

-Ditch.-
Big Wheel Asst Editor

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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