The Undertones – at the Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA

The Undertones played Thursday night to an explosive crowd in Los Angeles right off the back of another tremendous show a few days prior in Las Vegas at Punk Rock Bowling Festival. The newly fronted Undertones are a band that is most definitely the better of reformed bands from the original punk era sans original vocalist. The bands performance was a bouncy pogo party led by vocalist Paul Mcloone who has really taken on his own in this band and put the energy back to where it needed to be.

Before The Undertones could take the stage I had a chance to look around the dance floor and main bar, and what I noticed was what I had hoped to see. Many of the fans in attendance at the Echoplex were fans Big Wheel had bumped into at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas; it was a continuation to the party! Everyone and their mom was there to see The Undertones and from the very first song it was apparent The Undertones were more than glad to be playing to a warm and receptive Los Angeles crowd. The playfulness of the band preceded any ego or status. They were surely all there for the right reasons and they wore it proudly on their sleeves. The music did most of the talking, and judging by the set list we picked up from their sound guy it’s apparent the Undertones brought their arsenal of classics.

The old and young crowd alike were both taking part in all the singing along and dancing which is always a nice sight. Instead of the usual Punk rock circle pit, there instead was old school pogo hopping which brought the excitement level to new degrees of awesomeness. Paul himself would often jump up and down hopping around stage and spin in circles in between verses which only aided in their stage performance. Fan favorites of the night were Teenage Kicks, Male Model, Here Comes the summer, Mars Bars, Tear Proof and Jimmy Jimmy.

The Undertones were on top of their game and proof enough that the older bands still got what the younger bands don’t, and that’s hits galore and the right to say that they’re punk as fuck. Go do yourself a favor and catch The Undertones as they tour across America, they are worth every penny and you’re bound to get your teenage kicks all through the night!

 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Music Staff Reporter

 

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