Starting off the night at 6:30 promptly was Dallas, TX based modern rockabilly/ psychobilly trio Reverend Horton Heat. Performing their most notable hits they got the energy revved up on hyper-drive with their rendition of Motorheads “Ace of Spades.”
From the second that punk legends X stepped onto the stage the amphitheater was dancing, singing, and rockin’. Sounding brilliant and better than ever John Doe was fierce on his guitar, Billy Zoom took a standing applause after serenading the adoring crowd with his saxophone, DJ Bonebreak nailed every beat on the drums with his primal percussion with Exene Cervenka’s vocals harmonizing playfully with Doe’s. The people loved every minute of the raw punk energy that X famously performs with. With a set jam packed with classics like “Must Not Think Bad Thoughts,” “New World,” and “Los Angeles,” to name a few, X proved tonight once again their trademark sound remains ageless and full of energy.
It had been eighteen years since I last saw The Damned. Tonight, these 1976 British punk rock originals commanded. Opening up with ‘Love Song’, and a list of tracks from Machine Gun Etiquette including ‘Smash It Up’, ‘Noise Noise Noise,’ and a slew of others including MC5 original ‘Lookin At You’. The Damned ended the night with ‘Jet Boy, Jet Girl’ an Elton Motello cover. It was a glorious evening at Pacific Ampitheatre.
Tonights concert was an impressive display of what a real punk rock is all about, and left us wanting more!
Article & Photographs: Maggie St.Thomas
You must be logged in to post a comment.