It had been a long time since I’d seen the Rebels or the ‘Specs, so I was really looking forward to this show. I got there early and found a nice couch in the back. My girlfriend and I had a seat, and aside from her going to pick up her shoes when I threw them across the room, I don’t think either of us got up while the Skeptics or the Foodstamps were playing. The Foodstamps took the stage first. They’re form the same podunk town as the Rebels and whether intentionally or not, seemed to think be copying the rebels style. Who knows? Maybe they were just fans that had realized the ultimate fan dream of opening for the band that inspired them. The lead singer hadn’t yet managed to figure out how to dance around on stage with out knocking his I’m-too-cool-for-you sunglasses off. In fact, he really didn’t seem to have anything mastered, he was bragging about only having been in the band for two days. All I can say to that is it showed because the vocals were not good and by not good, I mean really bad.
The Skeptics were up next and I don’t really have too much to say about them besides if you’re going to cover a Ramones song, don’t take on a fake British accent to do it. The Ramones weren’t even British for crying out loud.
After two uninspiring sets, New Jersey’s own Superspecs took the stage. I’m not generally a big fan of Jersey, but the ‘Specs are one of a few things from that state I actually like. (The others are Catch 22 and my girlfriend) I can’t remember everything they played, but it was a good mix of stuff. Porno Paridise, Fui a la Sauce, Robots in Disguise and Dr. Evil Ska were played and if my memory serves me correctly, so were Pimpin’ in N.J. and Freak, there were more than six songs, but I didn’t get a set list and am becoming forgetful in my old age. The ‘Specs haven’t lost that stage presence, and for being a bunch of guys that jump around on stage, they have an awesome stage presence. Seeing these guys play live is the only way to experience the band. I’m not saying that their recordings are bad, just that it’s impossible to capture the energy of this band on a CD. If you’re ever looking for a show to go to where you will not only hear good music, but have a band that is entertaining check out a Superspecs show.
After the ‘Specs finished up, the Rebels took the stage. They were about halfway through their first song before the crowd realized they were on and came back in from outside. They played songs from all three of their albums and got the crowd going pretty good. At one point, Dan O’day told the crowd that they should be abusing the band, throwing things at them and whatnot. What followed was chaos, for the next ten minutes anything that could be thrown without fear of injuring someone was, cardboard boxes, pennies, plastic bags and pillows. I even joined in the festivities and hucked a pillow on stage right as they were starting up 53rd and 3rd. (For those of you at the show, yes, I was ‘the guy in the blue shirt’) I managed to hit the lead singer and ‘throw him off’ thus making the band have to start up again, but not before they got the whole crowd to give me the finger for throwing a pillow. Ironic? Yes. One thing that was kind of unsettling was the glam/punk fashion statement that the band was making. I don’t really have a problem with people dressing they way they want to dress, but at when the band was trying to kill time to get some equipment straightened out, O’day said the Christmas was coming up soon and that everyone in the audience should ask their parents for a pair of creepers and tight jeans. What’s up with that? It seems very un-punk to think someone is cool just because they’re dressed like a ‘punk’. But anyway, the music was good even if the band was acting like they were big rock stars. After this show I don’t know if I go to see these guys again. The show was fun and all but I was getting a weird vibe from the band, they need to settle down and remember that they’re just a band, not a group of superheroes.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad show, the crowd was a little young, but what do you expect at a non-alcoholic venue on a Saturday night? I took some pictures of the ‘Specs and the Rebels and if any of them turn out good I’ll put them up here when I can.
The Arts Barn – Madison CT
November 23rd, 2002