Shows of 2003

RUNAROUNDS & THE TENNESSEE BEATS- Gentleman Jim's, Murfreesboro, TN, November 1, 2003: So we start the weekend on Halloween by taking the Norwegians (The Tennessee Beats) to Music City. Everybody that comes to Americs must see the great sites of Nashville, or at least hit a few bars on Broadway and 2nd Ave. So, that's exactly what we did. We had a grand ol' time on Hallow's Eve and hoped it would carry on into the next evening for the show at the local shithole bar. Well, no such luck... First there were problems with the PA, then barely anybody showed up to what was to be probably the best rock show to hit this town in all of 2003.
At least the few and proud who did show up got to see Norway's TENNESSEE BEATS and Virginia Beach's RUNAROUNDS rock it out. I thought it was on one hell of a show, especially considering the circumstances. It basically ended up like we were throwing a private party at a bar. The BEATS were clowning with us, yet still hitting us hard with their driving rock n roll. They even threw in a great cover of AC/DC's "Touch Too Much," which complemented their style quite nicely. In between songs they humored us with little IRON MAIDEN and GNR riffs. Ahhh.....great stuff. So, if the BEATS ever make it back to the States, you best be checking them out!!!!!
On to the RUNAROUNDS. They've changed quite a bit from the days when I was back their behind the kit with them. Their sound has gone more towards the classic rock end of things. They've slowed the tempo a lot, but without losing the balls-out power, mind you. For the tour, they had Sambone of HOREHOUNDS and NIGHTCAPS fame backing up Johnny Sonic on rhythm guitar. This proved to be a good decision. Even with the shortened set, they still won over the few Tennesseans who got off their asses to see a rock show.
There's talk of a split 7-inch with the RUNAROUNDS and TENNESSEE BEATS, so keep your eyes peeled for that! In the meantime, enjoy their full length CD featuring yours truly on the drums.....-Ronnie

SLEAZEFEST 2003- Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC, August 17, 2003:Ok, I didn't make it to the first night, which was upset about because the DIRTBOMBS were supposed to play, but I was relieved when I got there saturday and heard they couldn't make it because of the blackout...I didn't miss anything. Everybody else was pissed off cause they paid $25 to basically see the DIRTBOMBS and they didn't show. Well, I lucked out and here's a few reasons why: Saturday's Line Up: THE REAL KIDS, WOGGLES, DEXTER ROMWEBER, LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS, BLEED, SUBSONICS, COWSLINGERS, MONDO TOPLESS, and THE LITTLE KILLERS. I've got a review for each below...
LITTLE KILLERS- I'll give these folks credit for starting off the night quite all right. One lanky boy on guitar and one lanky girl on bass with a scary girl on the drums. They played simplistic rock n roll that was pretty damn good. I don't really know who to compare them to, but if you see them opening up for somebody, you won't be disappointed. Not sure if I'd shell out money just to see them, but they're a nice addition.
MONDO TOPLESS- Now here's where it picked up. These guys were truly ace!!! They were fuzzed out garage-romp mania complete with a Vox Continental organ with rotating speakers and all! They had the 21+ crowd a dancin'! (especially this one really really drunk guy who just so happened to pick the spot right in front of me to do his arm flailing) This was my first TOPLESS experience and I want it again! They were great from start to finish. They've got a new record out on Get Hip, and I think it will be well worth your time and money, young man.
COWSLINGERS- These guys are exactly what you'd expect them to be. A bunch of dudes in cowboy costumes playing rock n roll with a "country" twang to it. This was the perfect opportunity to go next door and get a slice of pizza, and I took that opportunity. When I came back they were finishing up their set with a pretty rockin' version of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" which got the crowd screamin'. I asked around and that was the highlight of their set, so I didn't miss anything yet again.
SUBSONICS- This was a bit of trickery I'm afraid. They had two overly skinny guys up front manning the bass and guitar and a snarly, yet pretty girl on the drums who stood while she played. It had all the makings of a great set, and with a name like the SUBSONICS who could go wrong? Well, apparently these three figured out the way. They had a couple of good tunes here and there, but they mostly played really boring, long VELVET UNDERGROUND inspired tunes, that really turned me off. Two bands in a row that did nothing for me... All I could think of now is the REAL KIDS.
BLEED- Fifth up was the phenomenal BLEED, who completely turned my attitude around!! They were great!!!! Stripped down blues-influenced rock n roll straight from the notes of Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. This trio was amazing and their singer had the absolute best voice of the night with it's scratchy whisky & cigarette down home southern feel (even though they're from Milwaukee). They were great, and they did a huge tribute to deceased WOGGLE Montague that went well over 10 minutes. BLEED were a definite peak in the evening and well needed after the past two bands. Any chance you get to either see or hear BLEED, you best take it!!!
THE LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS- I've been living in the Nashville area for about 4 years now and didn't see these guys until I was back on my home turf in Chapel Hill... Strange how things work. Well these Nashville boys sure did tear it up a bit down thar at the 506. They got the crowd all riled up and ready to dosey doe. They put on a good show and look like they came from the set of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Their music's along the same lines as well, having been influenced by old timey country and hillbilly music, but of course with punk thrown in to make it modern. So break out yer chewin' baccy and git on gittin' on to the tunes of the SHACK SHAKERS!!!
DEXTER ROMWEBER- Yep, that's the guy from the FLAT DUO JETS, and nope, he wasn't any good. Another break for me to go outside and get fresh air and cool off a little. He was just not entertaining.
THE WOGGLES- Finally!!! It picks back up again in a major way. I was a virgin to the mighty Atlanta-based WOGGLES before this evening and they blew me away! They put on one of the best shows I have ever seen, and now I know why they get asked to play Sleazefest every year...because they are amazing! They played a great blend of garagey type tunes that were definitely dancable. They had the tamborines goin' and coordinated stage movements and everything. They were bit slower and more late 60's sounding than the MONDO TOPLESS, which was great to hear different sides to the same coin. Well, towards the end of their set, I think they had about 2 more to go, the bass player's amp decided to not work anymore so they had to call it quits early, which sucked. As I learned from the singer after the show, this was apparently right before the best part and they didn't get to "bust it out" yet. That sucks, but I'm sure I'll be seeing them soon, as you should also!
THE REAL KIDS- Wow! That's all I can say. I can't believe that after many years of listening to what I understood to be a band of the past, I actually got to see them live!!! They were everyting I expected and a lot more. Their live show was fast, energetic and generally exciting! With new blood like Chris Barnard on the bass, whom you might now as B-Face from QUEERS and GROOVIE GHOULIES fame, and Jimmy Birmingham on drums, they couldn't go wrong. They threw in all the favorites, a new tune and a STONES cover that will be on a tribute on Norton Records this fall. This was the first time I've been star struck in a long time. When I saw them walking around the club I Was like a little kid. It was ridiculous, but it was the REAL KIDS! For those of you who don't know, they were a great power-pop-punk band in the mid to late 70's out of Boston that ruled with songs like "All Kindsa Girls," "Common At Noon," and "She." These guys are definitely worth a listen and of course worth paying whatever to go see them live. You will not be disappointed!! They were so great, they had to come back and do two encores and this was at three in the morning!!! Now that's some dedication and proof that you are a great rock n roll band.
That sums up Sleazefest 2003. Hopefully, there will be a review from 2004 on here next year.... until then, Ronnie!

THE QUEERS, TEEN IDOLS, and ARMSTRONG- The End, Nashville, TN, February 22, 2003: So THE QUEERS finally return to Nashville after two years... They even came to the same place I saw them when they came here with THE INDEPENDENTS and DYNAMITE BOY supporting... I don't know what's going on with Joe Queer, but it seems like he doesn't really pick the best opening bands to tour with. Maybe he does it to make his band seem even better... I do love THE INDEPENDENTS and they did tour with one of my favorites THE EYELINERS, but besides that, I can't really recall enjoying to many opening bands at a QUEERS show....
So I go to this overpriced 10 dollar show already knowing I'm gonna hate one of the bands... the TEEN IDOLS.. I just can't get into them at all. I think it's mainly the vocals that turn me off of that band. But anyways, I had no prior knowledge of the first band ARMSTRONG, whom I believe came from Oklahoma or something random like that.. I can't remember. So they get up there, and I was thinking they had potential, I mean the bass player has the Black Flag bars tattooed on the back of his neck and all the dudes are sleeved... I'm thinking total rockers. Well, of course I was wrong. I stood there in complete boredom while this band struggled to make it through their half hour set. It's bad enough if your songs aren't any good to begin with, but it only makes it worse when you can't play them. These guys need more practice. They bored me.
So, ARMSTRONG was done for the evening and it seemed as though most of the crowd was in agreement with my feelings as there was very minimal applause.... Now local faves the TEEN IDOLS take the stage complete with their three matching 50's style microphones and two of them sporting the fancy TEEN IDOLS leather jackets... I'm really surprised they all didn't have them on when the show began, but whatever. Of course, being the home team, the TEEN IDOLS got the crowd excited and dancing around. I guess they were putting on a good show for those who like them, but I was basically unimpressed. I didn't feel like they had too much stage presence beyond the matching microphones and jackets... Oh, and of course someone had to yell out "Show us your tits!" to Heather, the bass player. Wow, testerone is amazing. I was really surprised to hear this at a punk rock show in 2003, but then again I am in Tennessee. (by the way, that rhyme was completely unintentional...I'm just a natural..) More boredom for me. After their set.. I was ready to hear some punk rock.......
It was time for the QUEERS!!! Both the drummer and guitarist from the TEEN IDOLS pulled double duty and remained on stage to back up Joe and Dave. It was the typical rockin' QUEERS set right from the beginning. They opened up with an excellent cover of the RAMONES classic "Rockaway Beach" and instantly went into about 3 or 4 more QUEERS originals. There were almost no talk breaks in between songs. It was just bam! song after song, a couple of lines to introduce the next tune, then right into about 4 more straight back to back. I love it! I'm right up front, right in front of Joe's mocrophone and monitor. Of course when the QUEERS play, everybody is going nuts, so I'm getting rammed into the stage which is only a little more than knee high. My knees are still sore and bruised from that, but that's what lets you know you were at a great punk rock show. They went through probably about a 40 minute set mixing classics with new tunes quite interchangably. They played the best stuff of each record it seemed. I think this was the best put together set I've ever seen THE QUEERS play.
After their regular set was done, they of course were called back on with the assistance of ex-TEEN IDOL Keith. They came back on and did tunes like "You're Trippin'", "I Want Cunt", "Nobody Likes" me and another RAMONES cover. "You're Gonna Kill That Girl" was the tune this time around. They did a couple more off the new LP and for a grand finale, they brought their merch guy up to sing a couple tunes. Apparently they started a side project called JON BENET RAMSEY and have already recorded a few tunes. The first one the guy sang was a song called "Cunt Hunt" which was a pretty fast hard punk song. Whoever he is, he's a great lead singer. He was all over the place. They finished up with him singing "This PLace Sucks", a QUEERS classic that they had already played during the normal set... This was the best I've seen the QUEERS since the Hugh and B-Face days... That's been a while... The QUEERS were great! -Ronnie

THE COOL JERKS- The Slow Bar, Nashville, TN, February 8, 2003: All right, so I show up to this show not really knowing too much of what to expect. I've never been to the Slow Bar and I've never heard the COOL JERKS. All I know is that Jack Oblivian of the OBLIVIANS plays guitar and they're from Memphis. My friend Joe told me they were really good and in the update from THE CLUTTERS, they suggested going to this show and said "These guys ARE rock n roll!" Sounded good to me, so I was all game for it.
So these four guys get up on stage, not looking particularly rock n roll in any way. Just some normal overweight (except for Jack) dudes drinking beer and wearing what was comfortable. Well, I was about to be amazed. They kicked into the first song and had everybody dancing..... I mean EVERYBODY... It was great. They rocked out a lot of originals and threw in a couple of cool covers. The lead guitarist was one of the best I've seen in a while. He wasn't a show off at all and he was completely tasteful, but man this guy could fucking wail out a solo when he needed to. They all shared the vocal duties and all had pretty good voices. These guys could actually sing!!! No screaming at all!!
There will probably be a record review of the COOL JERKS on here soon, as I'm gonna be listening to that a record a whole lot now. Just take my advice and check these guys out whenever you can!!! They're heading for Europe in the near future with Stephanie from the CLUTTERS on drums, so if you're over there when they are...go to the show!!!!! That's all....-Ronnie