Smut Peddlers – Angry Samoans – Circle One – False Confession – Evacuate – Destruction Made Simple – Hari Kari – Drop Tank – Testicle Difficulties – at Los Globos – Los Angeles, CA

Another really good mid-summer fest put on by the cats at GITBAM. This one was at Los Globos in the Silverlake area and was titled "L.A. Summer Skate Punk Fest". The venue kinda looked liked the Whisky from the outside and had 2 stages on the inside, one upstairs and one downstairs.

 

The club also had other rooms for lounging and socializing and also venders at different area's of the club. Something to do at all times even when the bands were not on stage. This show seemed to go smoothly as one band played after the other switching from upstairs to downstairs. 

Killroy was scheduled to play but for some reason did not, instead Testicle Difficulties took their place. Very young, angry, loud Punk Rock. Kinda reminded me of like a young DRI.

Drop Tank played next and I wasn't prepared to see this type of band. Thought it was gonna be a bunch of youngsters playing Crass-type songs, but I was happily surprised when I saw them and heard them play. A power trio with a female guitarist/singer that ROCKS!! Kinda like Suzi Quatro but on guitar and a lot harder. Very late 70's/early 80's hard-rock sounding (the music I grew up listening to) music done right. This trio didn't miss a beat and played a very solid and tight set. I'll definitely check this band out again.

Hari Kari played next with their early 80's type punk rock. Led by original member Alma,this band played with the heavy hitters back in the day such as Social Distortion/China White/TSOL..etc.She's got a new line-up and they sound better than ever. They usually play a few covers such as X's "Los Angeles" and Fear's "I Love Living in the City" which adds a nice touch to their set. Classic band. 

Destruction Made Simple was next and seems to be getting better and better every time I see them. This 5 piece hardcore punk band played a hard set and had that mid 80's sound. Not too many bands could reproduce that sound and do it well. These guys did that. Evacuate played next with their classic mid-90's sounding Punk. From the ashes of The Virus and Cheap Sex, Evacuate was formed. Mike Virus was a main figure in the Punk scene in the 90's and helped build it stronger and better. Evacuate is just as important as his previous bands. Lets hope we see more.

Next...the band I was waiting to see...False Confession. These guys are early 80's Nardcore legends. With 3 original members and Ismael on bass from Dr. Know, these guys ROCKED as they did in the 80's. I like the way they mix early goth and hardcore. Israel and Fred are a great singer/guitarist duo and Harry and Ismael keep the beat/bottom end going. They have a new LP out now and played songs from that LP tonight. They really played well tonight and I thought they were the best band of the evening. They don't play much so check them out when you can.

Next up was Circle One. Another band from the early 80's that seemed to still be playing after all these years. This band still has 2 original members with a young singer and drummer. They did their classic's (FO/GI Combat/Highway Patrolmen) and seemed to get the crowd into it as the pit was fast and furious. 

The great Angry Samoans were next. Talk about classic Punk. Can't get anymore classic than the Samoans!! Metal Mike still is one of the best frontmen in the Punk scene. A great sense of humor and great simple music make up the music of the Angry Samoans. With the original singer and drummer, the Samoans roared through their set with hits like "Gas Chamber", "Hot Cars", "Todd Killings", "You Stupid Asshole", "Im a Pig", "Lights Out", "Steak Knife", "Get off the air"... just to name a few. I never get tired of seeing the Samoans and tonight they were great as always. 

The Smut Peddlers played last to a packed house. From behind the OC curtain the Smut Peddlers bring that 80's sounding Punk mixed with modern-day Punk. Very tight and seemed to play a really good set. The crowd seemed to get into them as they knew all their songs. A very nice group of people and a great closing band.

 

       

    More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Mike Vallejo-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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