[Southern
California] Rockboy had vague poor memories of this band – I’d never heard of
them. The lead singer started the set by informing the audience that, yes,
their sound was different, but that difference is what punk rock is. A fine
sentiment, but, unfortunately, difference doesn’t always translate to quality.
They were just boring – more hard rock than punk. They had a song about a mean
guy in high school. As a rule, I hate songs about high school, but this was
more pathetic than usual. The lead singer reminded the crowd that punk is about
making life and the world better, which was so California of him, I got a
little nostalgic for my favorite state. They ended with the hit from The Proclaimers
– what? I kept waiting for the punchline, but, no, they genuinely thought this
was a suitable ending. I even looked the stupid song (which is fine as a pop
hit) up to see if it has a more complicated history than I realize –no. Their
set wasn’t helped by the unpunkness of the venue. As mentioned before, it was a
clubby set-up – but when a guy with a mop appeared to clean up a spilled beer
in the middle of the mosh pit, we knew for certain this wasn’t Emos. Their
moments of ska-ness were their best, but nothing to write home about. Luckily,
the beautiful people kept me entertained. I feel conflicted about all-ages
shows – an uncomfortable mix of annoying and entertaining. The group of high
school age nihilists/punkers in front of us were full of exploits. We sat next
to the two guys in the lounge between sets, and one very painfully took a call
from his mother. It took all of my self composure to pretend not to notice. The
fierce girl in the “DrinkSmokeFightFuck” left her pack of high school male buddies
to slink up to the lead singer of The Nekromantix, who was loitering near the
stage and probably 20-30 years her senior. She maintained her cool, until she
got back to her boys, and screamed liked a girly girl, because she’d talked to
him. Because the Houston music scene is that small, the extremely tall woman
was there. Best of all, the boys who were falling out from drunkenness
collected in the dark corner behind us. One of them, was trying to walk around
a little metal gate, somehow got attached to it and impaled upon it. It was a
sad sight. Another, who had made it clear earlier in the evening that he was a
very gay boy, finally rallied, heaved himself up, and pirouetted into the mosh
pit. It was a beautiful thing.
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