Brien Overly
Rock for the ages
Even though it’s not December yet, it’s never too early for gifts. What if one of those gifts was a group of the coolest acts in punk neatly wrapped in a day-long package?
Over the weekend, five bands and one solo vocalist brought the season to new levels of rock for the Holiday Havoc festival. This is the first year of the two-day event in the parking lot of Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The first day showcased such lyrical talents as Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5 and X-Zibit.
Concert attendees in the hundreds also got to experience overpriced concessions in true holiday wallet-emptying fashion.
Skinhead Rob started Sunday’s show off early with his signature gravel-voiced songs and an unusually short 20 minute set. Next up were Finch, natives of Temecula, Calif., who seemingly have overcome the tumult that comes with having new band members, in their case, drummer Marc Allen. Vocalist Nate Barcalow’s vocals were stronger than ever and arguably the most lethally raw of any singer that took the stage that day.
It’s a shame that concertgoers didn’t really get into Finch’s set until the last song, the radio hit, “What It Is to Burn.” Either way, the band shows promise. They tend to shine a bit more brightly in the presence of their own fans. That will happen again soon when they play at the Glass House in Pomona Dec. 4.
Next up were the Distillers, who succeeded in getting the crowd more animated. The fact that they have an attractive female singer may have played some role in the extra enthusiasm, but make no mistake about this band because of it. Australian-born front woman Brody Dalle’s “I’ll kick your ass in heels and a halter” attitude is not one to question.
Dalle’s throwback to ’80s punk vocal style mixed with guitarist Tony Bradley’s modern hand-blurring guitar work showed why the Distillers really are the bridge between old and new in punk.
Speaking of old, aging rockers the Buzzcocks showed the audience why of all the original Brit-punk bands to start a movement in the ’70s, they’re one of the few still around and kicking. If ever there were poster boys for keeping punk ideals alive it would be in this Manchester four-piece. The Buzzcocks still have all the bravado and charisma of any 20-something in leather and spikes they shared the stage with.
Not quite old, but not quite young either, punk veterans Pennywise took the stage next. Bringing their trademarked concussive, testosterone-driven style to the stage, the band played solidly and fiercely for the entirety of their set, only slowing down for occasional quips between songs. At one point, vocalist Jim Lindberg jokingly chastised guitarist Fletcher Dragge for cursing while Lindberg’s kids were within hearing distance. Ironically enough, the band would then launch into “F*** Authority,” as well as many other songs spanning their 16-year history.
Last were headliners the Offspring, appearing a bit grayer, but no less prolific. It was only right that they headline this show in the Orange County home that gave birth to the band 20 years ago. Sticking mostly to singles, the band played favorites from the past — such as the classic “Bad Habit” — to the present — such as “Hit That” from their latest album, “Splinter.” Playing into the cold and windy Anaheim night, the Offspring closed the show with an energy that countless others have tried to emulate over the years.
Looking at the cross-generational show, it truly is a testament to the cliche about age not being anything but a number and proof that rock really is the gift that keeps on living.