Irvine, CA - Irvine Meadows
May 6, 2000

Dennis Danell Benefit Concert
Location: Irvine Meadows - Irvine CA

Today is a very sentimental punk rock show in honor of Social Distortion's guitarist Dennis Danell who recently died due to a natural cause. The participants include punk rock legends T.S.O.L., X, Agent Orange as well as the participation of new school waves such as Pennywise, The Offspring and Punk Rock Karaoke lead by NoFx's guitarist.

Pennywise begins their show, waking up the crowd who is laid back and sitting down on the chairs of Verizon Amphitheater before Pennywise gets on stage. It is a pity that the band plays a short 30 minute set that includes cover songs from Minor Threat among others. However, security guards must be glad that their set is so short as the fans begin to rip off the chairs from the amphitheater and carrying them over to the stage. To this, lead singer Jim Lindberg responds "We are doing this for Dennis, and we'll have to pay whatever damage you do." Of course, the respectful punk rockers stop the havock, but this does not stop many from breaking down barricades and running to the mosh pit area of the amphitheater rather than remaining on their lawn seats. Meanwhile, Pennywise plays songs like "Perfect People," "Society," and "Fuck Authority" off their latest, Straight Ahead. As quick as they arrive, they leave, leaving many unsatisfied and up to the task of waiting a long period of time in between band sets.

After the long wait under the heated sun, the next band on stage is none other than legendary punk rockers X, who don't exactly do the task of livening up the show. In fact, few among the crowd even stand up to check them out, and for a reason. The band sounds rather horrid, with vocals not being tuned accordingly and the overall quality of the music not up to the par of the expectations from many fans. Many punk rockers take a bathroom break or go check out surf punk rockers Agent Orange who play the side stage. Agent Orange soars through hits like "Everything Turns Grey" and "Bloodstains" off their surf punk masterpiece Living In Darkness sounding as fresh as X ought to be sounding, and appropiately closing their set with "The Last Goodbye."

Punk Rock Karaoke gets the side stage active while the main stage is being prepared for none other than the Offspring. The Karaoke guys manage to be rather entertaining with pleny of punks going on stage to sing their favorite songs backed by the NoFx guitarist. Songs include old classics, a Social Distortion track and even some Pennywise. As the Karaoke comes to a close, the night comes closer and the main stage begins to emit the riffs of "Bad Habit."

Alternative punk rockers The Offspring opt to soar through their very own old school punk songs such as "Beheaded" off their self titled debut as well as "Session" and "Kick Him When He's Down" off their sophomore release Ignition. The crowd is obviously mostly present for The Offspring, the more mainstream oriented band of the entire line-up going crazy for such smash hits as (pardon the pun) "Smash It Up," "Come Out and Play" and the grand closer "Self Esteem."

However the best is saved for last as after a short wait, Mike Ness himself comes out on stage. The Social Distortion frontman is alone with an acoustic guitar, and the crowd soon becomes quiet after much cheer from his apperance. Suddenly, he begins playing "Ball and Chain" in acoustic quickly followed by "When The Angels Sing." The crowd lights their lighters in utmost respect for the fallen guitarist Dennis Danell, and a moment of raw emotions and feelings hits the stage. After this moving moment it's time for Ness to bring out his band, as the energy more than quadruples on stage as well as among the audience. Roaring punk rock songs are played with great accuracy as Mike Ness gives it all he's got. A truly special moment for one of the most lasting bands in punk rock. Like the previous bands, Social Distortion's set comes short, and the band quickly exits. However, the crowd remains chanting "Social D" for over ten minutes, where most among the crowd expect a return. The lights quickly bring an "awww" in perfect unison and the crowd quickly disperses to their cars. An emotional moment nonetheless, and the end of an era for Social Distortion. However, among the good news, Mike Ness does play a new song which can only mean that Social Distorton will continue to live on. We'll miss you Mr. Danell.

By Arturo Perez, from Kludge Sound