The Slam at Volcom Park – Costa Mesa, CA

Volcom Park was filled- absolutely filled- with Punks and skaters of all ages for a free event that included ten bands and a skate contest. From 11am to 8pm the park was the site for music, games, food, skating, and high energy fun. Kids with patches all over their clothes were every where that the eye could see and older Punks brought their entire families to check out the festival.

The music started at around 2:00 with the Hindu Pirates- a band of young guns who played Garage Punk in the vein of Black Lips and some 60's influences thrown in. Their sound was dynamic and the band played a flawless set. Other highlights of bands playing early in the day included Craic Haus who jammed on a mix of Rockabilly and Irish Folk that they have dubbed Shamrockabilly, and Joe's Garage who, as always got the young crowd going with their unique brand of Punk Rock.

Cat Party changed the tone of things with their dark take on Punk Rock. They played perfectly even as a gang of young Punk poseurs with something to prove heckled them and occasionally threw plastic bottles at them. Cat Party were by far the most original band playing all day and their sound was apparently just too sophisticated for kids who hadn't been into Punk for long enough to appreciate diversity. They played a full set of original material including songs like "Jigsaw Thoughts" and "Heartache Over Headache" and then Jay Lansford of the Simpletones/CH3/Stepmothers joined the band on guitar to do a hand full of Rik L Rik tunes. Cat Party vocalist Ryan Nichols sounded great doing these tunes and the high point was "Meat House."

Disguster played some rocking tunes in the tradition of the Dead Boys and were followed by Channel 3 who played a vintage set of songs like "I've Got A Gun," "I Didn't Know," "Catholic Boy," and "You Make Me Feel Cheap." After playing mostly Posh Boy Records era CH3 jams, the band invited four of the surviving members of the Simpletones on stage to top things off with a set of songs that had people dancing and smiling everywhere. They played "I Have a Date," "Kristy Q," "I Like Drugs," and ended with "California." The Simpletones set was the most exciting part of the show and definitely made a lot of people's Summer.

The Crowd played last and rocked through a set of "Beach Blvd" era songs mixed in with a few newer cuts like "Max Got Hit By A Car" and "Politics" as well as a great cover of The Who's "The Kids Are Alright." While they were playing young kids were running around the audience and diving off the stage while older members of the audience were dancing. The Crowd's set brought the whole event together and was a perfect end to a memorable day of skating and music. Next year's Slam will be an event to look forward to.

 

 

-Ditch-
Big Wheel Managing Editor

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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