Rancid and Cock Sparrer – at The Warfield – San Francisco, CA

When I first heard about the birthday show for Rancid and Cock Sparrer on March 23rd, my Facebook instantly transformed into a countdown and a blog about both bands, it was all I talked about and my employers were told I would be not be in that day, no matter what. I knew tickets would sell fast so the morning they went on sale I banged my digits in straight away getting myself a spot in general admission, lucky I did too because the show sold out in a dayas far as i know and standing tickets were gone within a staggering 15 minutes. Shortly after selling out so quickly another date was added for the 24th, I did the same again and I was even more delighted as it was now a weekend thing!

For me and many others these shows were not only concerts or music events they were a celebration, a celebration of music, a celebration of friendship, a celebration of fun and good times and probably some hard ones too. 40 years for Cock Sparrer and 20 years for Rancid, together  making 60 years of Punk rock and you could tell by the posts on the bands websites that they were just as excited to be playing as the fans were to be there. Punk Rock Party Weekend!

I barely slept the night before these shows, my wife will tell you I was pretty much like a kid on Christmas eve, reading posts from others going and texting friends back and forth, I was charging my video camera repeatedly and making sure I had all my silver markers in tact just in case! Rancid have been my favorite band for as long as I can remember, I grew up listening to these guys and they have influenced me in so many ways I don't even know where to begin. I've been lucky enough to have seen them a few times and they always put on an amazing show, so seeing them on their 20th anniversary was special to me and many others and when I seen Cock Sparrer's name on the bill I was doubly excited because they are a one of a kind band that I really thought I'd never get the chance to see. I first heard Shock Troops when I was about 18 and I've been hooked ever since.

For Rancid San Francisco is home and for Cock Sparrer this place is a second home as they have family here and are on the known and loved Pirate Press. So placement was important for both bands too and made it even more special. I got to the venue really really early because as you can probably tell I'm sort of a nutcase about these bands. By 2 pm or so Market Street and the tenderloin area started to become infested with Punks and Skins and it was cool to see, sort of felt like “Tonight this city is Ours” or something and I quite liked that. It was amazing to see Rancid and Cock Sparrer in huge letters outside the Warfield.

I checked the venue every half hour or so because I wanted to be the first in line but nothing really formed till about an hour before doors opened and two girls and a guy beat me too it. I didn't mind though as long as got my place on the front bar id be in heaven. The line got bigger and bigger and once the staff at the Warfield starting letting people in I ran frantically in the door, gave my wife a kiss and my back pack and told her I'd see her in three hours! Ha. I got my spot upfront and held it with all my power as the crowd started piling in, I also got to meet Gordy Carbone from the great bands The Forgotten and Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards and also Paul Rivas from The Old Firm Casuals which was pretty cool, both great guys. Some people said they saw Jello Biafra too but I didn't get a chance to see him. The place was covered with fans, friends and family of the bands and it really was like one big birthday party.

Then it happened, lights go off, music goes off, Noi!se are about to start. They explode onto the stage with some great songs and good energy. These guys are from Seattle are totally worth checking out. They play great catchy street Punk with really cool vocals, I enjoyed them alot. I didn't know much of their songs but there was lots of great oohs and agghhs to sing along too. My favorite song of theirs so far is called “Living for Today” for anyone that's new to them, They really were the perfect band to start of the night and get everyone pumped. Once Noi!se finished we all knew what was coming and we all couldn't wait, the background music came on and lights were out as the stage was being set up for the mighty Cock Sparrer.

My body was building energy and my hands were shaking with excitement as the minutes between sets ticked by. The mosh pit grew and grew and everyone there could feel the energy. Then bang, introduction music starts and the lads come out on stage, the whole place cheered for them as they picked up their guitars and were waving and smiling. You could just tell how proud they were of their band making it this far and this long and it was great too see.

As the blokes got their guitars and drums ready Colin the lead singer paced back and forth across the stage banging his fist into his hand getting everyone even more pumped up then they already were shouting things like “Come on San Francisco” and so on flexing his arms with a great big smile on his face looking like he couldn't wait to get things started.

I stood there shouting and cheering and thinking “I hope im even half this cool when im his age, what an amazing guy” and just as all this was happening the iconic intro to riot squad kicks off and the place goes crazy! Mickey, Steve and Daryl start swinging from side to side and everyones going wild! I was right up front singing along to every word and It was just brilliant. They played songs from there newer album “Here We Stand” right back to the “Runnin Riot” days. They played for an hour I would say and the energy never let down. They even left and came back to do three more.
   Cock Sparrer video from the 40th Anniversary Show

Between songs Colin and the gang were talking about how happy they were to be in San Francisco celebrating their 40th ,it was not only an amazing show but a touch emotional in a good way and by the end of their set the entire place was covered in sweat and beer. Cock Sparrer highlights I think were “Riot Squad” “Get a Rope” Take em All” and “England belongs to Me” everyone went the most nuts for those ones but every song was quality.

With two bands down and only one to go, it was time for Rancid to tear the roof off the joint. Again as before the lights went black and a moment later a small silhouette shined over Tim Armstrong and his guitar that hung well past his waist. He leaned into the microphone as Lars and the boys took there places and in his distinctive and all around amazing voice sang the intro to “Radio” then bang! the rest of the rancid pack joins in and the lights come back! It's on.

Lars is running back and forward and in and out of the crowd! Matt is playing his heart out and Brandon is giving his new custom build 20th anniversary drum kit an awful hammering. I have seen these guys a few times and their side projects and every time they blow me away. They played so many great songs from all of their albums and just like Cock Sparrer the energy was intense.

One of the things I love most about Rancid is they have really mastered every genre of Punk over the years, there set is a perfect mix of Punk, street Punk, Ska, Oi, everything, if you don't like a song as crazy as that sounds just wait 2 minutes for the next one. There wasn't a dull moment during the entire show, between songs Frederiksen took the mic for the most part and thanked everyone for coming and other bands for playing. Tim Armstrong also said Happy Birthday to his mother who was at the show!

The 2nd thing I love about this band is the different voices that run through the songs, Lars, Tim and Matt all have different and unique voices, that mixed with great guitar riffs and one of the best bass players ever calls for an amazing life performance, and that they delivered. After there set the band all posed for a photo and it was a special moment! 20 years of playing their hearts out in a band they love. It was special, everyone cheered. Another thing I forgot to mention that was really cool was the unexpected appearance of Skin head Rob from The Transplants for his part in the song “Red Hot Moon”. I can remember everyone going crazy for that, it was awesome.

My highlights of the set were “Radio”, “Black and Blue”, “Red Hot Moon”, ”Roots, Radicals” “Tenderloin” and “Journey to the End” oh, and when Lars came to the end of the stage and said “hey Brian, how you doing” to me! as I filmed, that was definitely pretty cool.
   Rancid video from the 20th Anniversary Show

The 2nd night was the more of same, some changes in song orders but sets were just as brilliant as the first night, the opening act was different though this time around we got to see a great band from the San Francisco bay area, Factory Minds. They were great, the play catchy Punk with a UK post Punk kind of sound. The songs were really good and unique and there was lots of great gang vocals, I'm for sure seeing these guys next time they play my area.

As the night ended it was kind of sad to know it was all over but I made sure to make a merch stop before I went home, they had lots of scarfs, t-shirts etc with both Rancid and Cock Sparrer on them and many with anniversary stuff included if your ever at a Rancid show make sure you say hi to Jesse, she's sometimes at the merch area for Rancid and she's cool as hell.

Also on the 2nd night Rancid wished Matt Freeman's wife happy birthday and Lars congratulated her for putting up with Matt. ha. Other memorable moments were during Rancid's set when they stopped a song so some guy could find his house keys in the pit. Lars and Tim thought someone was hurt, “bring your keys in the pit and we stop this shit” Lars said proud of himself for rhyming. 

The night and whole event, weekend, birthday party , whatever you like to call it all ended beautifully when Rancid got Cock Sparrer to come out on stage at the end and they all posed for a photo. It was a perfect ending to an absolutely brilliant weekend. Everyone was cheering and it was great. It's been a few days since and my ears are still ringing and my body still isn't right after the pit but it's still all I'm talking about and probably will be for a while.

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Brian McCann Jr.-
Big Wheel Special Correspondent

 

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