A quick gig report:
I have to say I like the Observatory, pretty cool place to catch a show. It was absolutely packed, this show brought out the usual suspects: old school street punks like myself but I was surprised how many young people where there and how enthusiastic they were. Huge pit, lots of stage diving, just like the good ol' days. But unlike the "good ol' days' I did not see one fight and instead a phalanx of riot cops waiting for us after the show, there were two of three cop cars in various locations with officers casually standing there trading pleasantries with people. One wished me and my pals a "good night" when we passed by.
The bands were in fact "old", as Dave noted, but they were not slow, ok maybe sometimes.
Conflict was, well Conflict, still pissed off and railing against the worlds injustice. They were not as old as I expected, but it must be noted they always had a revolving door as far as band members and outside vocalist Steve Ignorant I did not know who the rest of the lads were. Gone were leather, bristles and braces, gone were the crazy punk rock haircuts. Steve's hair was a little messy but all of them could probably walk down a street and you wouldn't notice them. Two of them wore button up shirts. But they rocked! "Take back what's yours!"
G.B.H. brought down the house. They can still bring it. Outside of one song, everything form the set was from the "Clay Years" (Clay Records was their first label), the early hard street punk years. The crowd was into it, things at times a little crazy, lots of people jumping on stage to stage dive, sing a couple seconds with Colin, take a selfie with one of the band members mid song. Stage security had their hands full but no one got thumped or tossed out. It was pretty easy going and band seemed to enjoy it. A couple jokes were made about how old they are and how they still tour the world and play punk rock shows. Colin still has that stage presence and Jock and Ross still rip it up. Scott, G.B.H.'s longest serving drummer, is awesome. It was good to see them, because at this stage who knows if you will see them again.
I saw three or four other guys in Kings hats and had a good chat with one of them, we both commiserated about the Kings missing the playoffs and how much the Ducks need to lose or our lives will be miserable. A few others gave me kudos for my Kings hat, even the dude working the G.B.H merch booth! He said how different the playoffs are without the Kings. Not one Duck hat or shirt. It could be because they were playing but also I speculate that Ducks fans are simply not tough enough to go to a show like this! Blink 182, New Found Glory, Offspring? Yeah, they show up in the flat billed Ducks hats and Affliction shirts. But a show with G.B.H. and Conflict? No way! Way too scary and rough for them!
Anyway, a good night and a fun show!
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