The Old Firm Casuals – City of Vain – The Toughskins – Bricktop – and Old Glory – at Thee Parkside – San Francisco, CA

I couldn't wait too see this show from the moment I seen the flyer, it's not that often that every band on the bill is totally awesome. The Best of the West Mini Tour. I was totally stoked for this. 

I didn't get Thee Parkside that night until around 10pm thanks to google maps and that dreadful 22, but luckily for me I didn't miss anything and Reno's finest Old Glory were only just taking stage. It was my first time seeing these guys and I thought and they were great, they played a classic mix of Oi! and street Punk and there singer Mike was so damn passionate. I know from own experience  it can be difficult  being the first band on but they did an awesome job of getting the night started and there was plenty of movement from the crowd. I enjoyed all their songs but I think my favorite  one of theirs was “Reno's alright”. I will for sure pick something up from them at some point and look out for their name in future events. 

Second up was Bricktop from Arizona and they were bad ass. Again, It was my first time seeing these dudes and I really enjoyed their whole set. A great mix of street thug Punk rock with heavy vocals and crushing riffs. They played a great bunch of songs and the crowd was really feeling it, cold beers were making their way around the venue and the atmosphere was great. I really liked the singers intensity and the overall feel of this group. Check out their record “Broken Bottles and Suicide Throttles” I know I'm going too. 

And then it was time for The Toughskins, from LA. I've seen these guys before and their really really good. There singer Danny Oi is an amazing front man and his chest out working class vocals are truly powerful. Once they hit that stage the whole place went wild, there was a lot of moshing and a lot of fun. They played a bunch of great Oi! Punk songs and a good few tracks from their killer new 7” titled “Anger Management” that is awesome and available online through Randale Records. If I could say anything more about The Toughskins it would be how much I like their bass players Punk style and how much I enjoy the mix of vocals in this group. Really really really rad band. 

City of Vain from Sacramento was next on and these guys were amazing too. I liked the fact they had an organ player, it really changed things up and made for a great set. They played a bunch of great Punk rock'n'roll songs and were really fun. My favorite tracks were “City of Vain” and “American Nightmare” but every song was sweet. If you haven't seen them yet make sure you do soon. 

Last to hit the stage was The Old Firm Casuals. I've been a fan of the old firm since they started in 2010 and as time goes on they just keep getting better. I could honestly see them every night and never be bored and I heard their was going to be some new songs so I was even more excited than usual. Once they went on, there was a nice gathering made around the stage, and you could see all the dudes from all the other bands showing their support which was cool. You can really tell all these musicians, skin heads and punks and have a real brotherhood thing going on and its totally awesome. They opened their set with the amazing “We Don't Bury Our Dead” and about 10 seconds in everyone there soon got into it. 

There was a nice crowd at the front and many people circle pitting and moshing. Casey the bassist and Lars the guitarist take turns on vocals and the mix of their gravelly voices is just great. They played a great mix of street Punk and Oi! from their early 7”s to their amazing newer stuff. Every member of this band is so talented and they all have vocal duties so there's never a dull moment. I really enjoyed their new song from the Red, White and Blue split, “Doc Martin Dental Plan”and “For The Love of It All” from their pretty new record with Evil Conduct. Lars and Casey's riffs are so intense and Paul really beats the hell out of that drum kit.  One thing I love about The Casuals is how good they are live, it's not that many bands who sound even better live than they do on CD and these guys pull it off. They ended the show perfectly and i can't wait too see them again soon.

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Brian McCann Jr-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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