The Adicts – The Billy Bones – The Spooky – Informal Society – L.A. Groove – at The Key Club – Hollywood, CA

Round 2 at The Key Club for The Adicts was a night entirely different from the shenanigans of the first night at the Hollywood venue. None of the bands that played the night before played on Saturday night, and the crowd that the local L.A bands which played that night brought a fresh perspective and entirely different atmosphere to the show. L.A. Groove, Informal Society, The Spooky, and The BillyBones all joined in The Adicts' second round in Hollyweird.

The first band to play was L.A. Groove, whose fans felt that their set was not long enough that night. Although the band's set may have been considered short, the band's performance was thought to have been played well and with such a strong drive. The band's sound is mostly described as fast paced Punk Rock with Hardcore influences, and that night the band certainly did not fail in driving the crowd with their energetic music.

Second in the line-up were Los Angeles locals Informal Society, which brought a large crowd following to the show. Informal Society had much action from the audience in the pit, and their music was highly loud and dynamic. Informal Society's lyrics were politically and socially influenced, and the band's sound is best described as Street Punk Rock. The band drew great attention from the crowd and put on a very entertaining performance.

When the time came for The Spookys to go on, the venue was packed and already becoming out of control with anxious people. The band came out dressed in attire that would make Glenn Danzig proud. The band had a sound that clearly distinguished them from the previous bands which had played earlier, and which was similar to the horror punk sounds of the Misfits. True to that statement, the band went on to pay tribute to Danzig, and dedicate and play the Misfits' "We Are 138". The pit for the Misfits cover was perhaps one of the most intense and heavily filled mosh pits of the night. It was incredible to see so many individuals beating the living sense out of one another as tribute to the song. The Spooky's set was unique and impressive to watch, and they were definite crowd pleasers at the show.

The BillyBones played 4th and joined The Adicts once more in their SoCal journey. The BillyBones entertained the crowd with their charisma and dancey Rock-N-Roll '77 tunes, and brought the cheerful feel good times to the table. The band played a set similar to the Anaheim show, but played with as much, if not, more vigor as the previous show. The band covered The Animals' "I'm Crying" and brought the house down with their cover. The BillyBones once again were creative and enthusiastic, and put on one of the best sets of the night.

Saturday was yet another night of experiencing an overcrowded venue filled with people screaming wildly and pushing one another forcefully in order to attain a better view of The Adicts. It is always that brief waiting period before Adicts that the crowd goes insane and neurotic, and it is always a sight to see. Simply watching the crowd's anxiety and inability to contain their excitement is enough to make you FEEL their overwhelming anticipation.

Once the tease began upon the band's low eerie introduction, the crowd's energy reached its peak and foreshadowed just the kind of show we were all about to endure. Fiddle Dan approached the stage with his violin, and the confetti followed shortly after. Monkey arrived on stage and the crowd's energy intensified. One more, the presence of The Adicts caused the audience to fall under a spell, and it seemed practically impossible for them to ever be able to escape from it.

The theatrics of the band are perhaps one of the most exciting and fulfilling speculations to take part in and experience. The massive amounts of glitter, confetti, and other magical decorations that fall around you make you feel like you're a part of something so colorful and beautiful, but also make you feel sorry for whoever's responsible for cleaning it up right after. Nevertheless, the feelings and sensations it arouses causes you to feel like you're in a fictional story. A story filled with lively yet chaotic music, and brilliant colors that grab at you and take firm hold of you. An Adicts experience is the closest thing you'll come to a child-like fantasy.

The band played their set as diligently and forcefully as before, and kept the crowd pleased throughout the entire time. During the song "Bad Girl", Monkey explained to the audience that the women selected to go on stage would have to behave because of incidents on stage the night before. The women on stage went on to behave as well as they could for Monkey, and they entertained the audience with flirty dances with each other and Monkey.

Near the end of the set, guitarist Pete announced that it was Fiddle Dan's birthday that night, and he provoked the crowd to sing "Happy Birthday" to Dan. The audience lovingly sang happy birthday to Dan, and Dan graciously bowed in gratitude. Pete also said that he had joked the night before that it was Monkey and drummer Kid's birthday, but that he had been joking and we had all been duped. The audience didn't seem to mind the fib and they laughed and cheered away at Pete's friendly jokes.

When The Adicts bid their farewell, the audience appeared heartbroken over their departure. When the band came back with their encore and beach balls, the floor went into a riot and maintained a vicious circle pit just for The Adicts. The band finished their encore with grace, and ended their second night at The Key Club.

The second round at the Key Club was far different from the first night, yet just as powerful during The Adicts' performance. The band has such a powerful presence that it causes everyone to become completely infatuated with them. The last night at the Key Club was fun in every sense of the word, and a great dismissal from Hollywood on behalf of the band. Regardless of where the band plays, their ability to astound and amaze audiences is a quality worthy of such recognition and respect, that it's no wonder they've already earned and received it from their loving and dedicated fans; a wonder all on its own.

-Stephanie M-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter
 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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