Teenage Bottlerocket – Banner Pilot – at The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

There are plenty of crazy weekend activities to engage ourselves in on a Saturday night, but for some of us the only plan was to make our way down to Hollywood. The Troubadour hosted a highly anticipated show for many on Saturday night. There were a number of people hanging out outside the venue, catching up with friends, meeting new people, and waiting to hear good Punk rock music.

While walking inside, Vultures United was playing on stage. What I heard from the rest of their set was awesome. Those in attendance greatly enjoyed Vultures United, and I’m sure if there were more people inside, there definitely would have been a legit circle pit. After Vultures United it was time to scope out the venue for some who had never been there before. Others waited patiently talking to those surrounding them discussing who they were here to see or who they were most excited for.

It was still mostly empty inside, causing a lot of people to question whether the venue would end up getting crowded. Just minutes before Banner Pilot started, a handful of people walked inside making sure they wouldn’t miss them. Fans hoarded around the stage as Banner Pilot opened with “Greenwood”. A small pit broke out which continued throughout the rest of their set. They didn’t talk much but continued playing one song after another including “Central Standard”, and “Drains to the Mississippi”. Majority of the audience was singing along, bobbing their heads to the music, or dancing in the pit. Banner Pilot continued to play more hits like “Skeleton Key”, “Northern Skyline”, and “Empty Lot”. It was a successful set for Banner Pilot. Fans were pleased.

Not long after, Teenage Bottlerocket was already on stage doing a sound check, tuning, and getting ready to play. The crowd anxiously waited for them to start and within no time a circle pit started as they opened with “Skate or Die” and then immediately followed with “Radio” and “Bigger Than Kiss”. The energy that Teenage Bottlerocket displayed only motivated the crowd to move more, the pit to grow larger, and to sing louder for those who new the words. As they gave us a small break from pitting, the guitarist said, “This song’s about being in your underwear.” They began playing “Down in the Basement” which had a mini circle pit but most people kept a constant pogo pit going. They followed with “Fatso Goes Nutzoid”, a fast song that caused way more people to join in the pit which almost made up the whole floor. They went on to play more songs such as “Forbidden Planet”, “Bloodbath at Burger King”, and “Welcome to the Nuthouse”.

Teenage Bottlerocket announced that they wanted to see the biggest pogo pit for the next song. They played “Bottlerocket” and everyone began to pogo, but still others tried to keep the circle pit going, but failed because of everyone wanting to pogo. They did a cover of Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself” which was fun and caused people to dance. They played a few more song like “Todayo” and “So Far Away” and then called it quits for the night. While some hoped that they weren’t done, others new it was over.

Overall, it was another fun and successful Punk rock show. The Troubadour was the perfect venue for a Teenage Bottlerocket show. It’s a very casual yet intimate venue. Bands just walk around before and after they play, giving their fans a chance to meet them. The stage is so low you’re practically on it, making it more exciting that you’re so close to the band you like. And we can’t forget that Teenage Bottlerocket puts on one hell of a show.
Stay in touch with everything they are up to here: www.myspace.com/teenagebottlerocket
as well as at Fat Wreck: www.myspace.com/fatwreck

 

-Corrina P.-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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