Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg at AAA-Chicago 10-9-11

Photos: Suicide Machines-Secret Show at AAA-Riot Fest 2011

Suicide Machines killed it last night at a secret, late night, after show at the AAA Warehouse in Chicago.  It was great to hear lead singer, Jason Navarro, expound on being a dad now.  His own next gen of punk kin already love The Ramones.    He may be somebody's parents now, but he's still a skater and an old school Detroit punk at heart.  And Suicide Machine's high energy, political ska/punk had everyone skankin' like 1991 all over again.


The crowd was stage diving and screaming along, even when an inebriated Navarro forgot some of their songs they haven't played out in 15 years and improvised.    The drummer and bass player exchanged a few quizzical looks and mouthed expletives, but didn't miss a beat and went with it, for some sweet, improvised mayhem.    The band played their landmark LP, Destruction by Definition (more or less) in it's entirety, then branched out into Black Flag covers and requests for more of their originals.  
We can't wait to see them again tonight at Congress Theater where they open for The Descendents.

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band-Congress Theater-Riot Fest 2011

Rock N Roll Redemption For All Seasons With The Reverend Peyton

Our summer was bookended by rockin' sets by Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band.    We first shot them Memorial Day weekend when we did press coverage for Summer Camp Music Festival.    Those gorgeous, spring, outdoor shots can be seen HERE.

Then we caught them again for a fall appearance at The Congress Theatre, where they opened for Social Distortion as part of Riot Fest 2011.   The aging, crumbling theatre was darker, and so was the crowd...despite the amazing, warm weather and riot of autumn color outside.    The Rev. and his wife again got the audience well warmed up with some wild riffs, the flaming washboard, and hot guitar and drums.

Social Distortion at The Congress Theater-Riot Fest 2011

Despite some poor audio and lighting choices that made for a subpar show, Social Distortion got the crowd going.   We were hoping for some harder hitting set choices, rather than the "frat boy" punk we were served up, but thanks to Groupon and half price tickets, there was a capacity crowd at The Congress, and the energy was palpable.   

We're hoping tonight that the lighting is fixed and no longer blasts the center of the floor audience with a blinding white spotlight for long periods of time.    That kind of harsh light is annoying in short pans and completely inhumane for the bulk of a show.    The guy next to me had his sunglasses on the whole night, and I'm seriously considering doing the same.   

You'd think they'd get a clue when a wide swath down the whole center of the audience has their hands over their eyes and can't even see the show for being blinded.  Miserable!  The audio was poorly mixed and left a lot to be desired as well.  We'll be back for more the next 3 nights, so hopefully Riot Fest can pull it together with the technical difficulties and do the remaining bands justice.   

Otherwise, we may just head straight over to the alternate venues like Bottom Lounge, Cobra Lounge, Double Door & AAA.   They get it right with the sound, and the light shows, if not spectacular, are at least aimed at the bands and not the crowd, so you can see and hear who you came for.

X LIVE at Bottom Lounge 10-5-11

It was a rare pleasure to see X in a relatively small venue.    We've seen them at Double Door and Metro in recent years, and they always impress.   Bottom Lounge hosted an avid and enthusiastic crowd for the sold out show, which kicked off the first night of Riot Fest 2011.

First , the crowd was treated to a Film Screening of “X:The Unheard Music”.   Then around 9:45, the real band took the stage to perform their album, “Los Angeles” in its entirety.

Then they continued the show with many more of their timeless hits.    Here's the set list:

Pig Champion & War Brides Open for D.R.I.-10-2-11

Pig Champion & War Brides open for D.R.I. at Reggie's Rock Club 10-2-11

D.R.I LIVE at Reggies-10-2-11