Tag: Seth Johnson

The Radolescents at Shovelhead Lounge on 1/3/2020 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Seth Johnson

Radolescents 2

It’s been a minute or two since the last time I made it to a really good (or “rad”), old school punk show, especially one that represented as many sub-genres as the recent Radolescents show I caught at the Shovelhead Lounge this past Friday, January 3.

For those who don’t already know, The Radolescents are made up of former members of classic Orange County, CA punk outfit The Adolescents (who are still active to this day as well), centering around core members Rikk Agnew (guitar), and Casey Royer (drums), who also shared time together in such legendary punk acts as D.I. and Social Distortion. The two have also enlisted Agnew’s nephew, Frank Agnew, Jr. (also the son of former Adolescents guitarist, Frank) on vocals, and original Adolescents guitarist John O’Donovan (who was briefly a member of the band during their inaugural period back in 1980).  But before I get to their set, there was a host of other bands who played beforehand in support.

Orlando’s own Grave Return opened the show with much enthusiasm. Their slightly-snotty sound was reminiscent of early punk acts such as The Dead Boys, noticeable on tracks like “Night Visions.” It’s clear these guys should be around for awhile.

Tommy Frenzy’s Hard Drive were next up in line. Originally hailing from the New York punk scene of the mid/late ’70s, Frenzy’s set list consisted of classics from his time fronting the Tuff Darts, as well as brand new numbers off his latest release on Violent Breed Records, You Yeah You. Backed by the husband and wife rhythm section of Roger (bass) and Suzy Lamoureux (drums), Tommy & co. ripped through a set of tracks that included “”That Girl is Stupid,” “Hottest Thing,” “Don’t Play Shy,” “She’s Dead,” “Phone Booth Man,” “Businessman,” and “Here Comes Trouble” (among others).

Hard Drive bassist Roger then pulled double-duty, performing next with the more hardcore-influenced local act Swift Knuckle Solution. Aside from regular members Tony Marks (drums/vocals), and Lance White (guitar), Roger was also joined by guitarist and former Suburban Lockdown band mate Mike Roberts. The guys plowed relentlessly through tracks like “Spinning Sides,” “Loss of Control,” and “One Wrong Step” before making way for Radolescents tour mates The Hajj.

I must admit, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from The Hajj. But as soon as they started their set, I totally got it. This two piece act, lead by brothers Freddie and Phil Al-Hajj, played more laid back, ska-influenced jams. It was clear by the time they finished their set they had left an undeniable impression on the central, FL crowd.

And finally, The Radolescents finished off the night, running through their 1981 self-titled debut album (a.k.a. the “blue” album) in its entirety. From the album’s lead off track “I Hate Children” to album closer “Creatures,” every track got its due, with classics such as “Who is Who,” “Kids of the Black Hole,” “No Way,” and “Amoeba” of course receiving the highest praise. The band then played the first two tracks from the Welcome to Realty EP, including the title track and “Losing Battle,” before rather unceremoniously ending their set.

Still, the band sounded as spot on as can be, and every note played felt like it was right off the records themselves. I’ve actually seen the “other” version of The Adolescents live before (back in 2013), then-consisting of vocalist Tony Reflex and bassist Steve Soto (rest in peace). But I think this version of the band not only sounded tighter than that one, it somehow felt even more authentic (especially now without Soto remaining in that band). Those in attendance last Friday night were lucky enough to witness a night of some epic, old school punk. Truly a trip down memory lane that I’m glad I took.

Rewind It Mag’s Jesse Striewski (right) and Seth Johnson (left) with Radolescents/Former D.I./Social Distortion/45 Grave guitarist Rikk Agnew after the show.

D.R.I. at Bombshell’s Tavern on 12/10/17 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Seth Johnson

Crossover thrash legends D.R.I. (a.k.a. Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) recently blew through Orlando’s Bombshell’s Tavern on Sunday, December 10, taking zero prisoners in the process.

 

Local horror punks Disfunction kicked off the night with a fury. After beginning their set with the theme from the TV show “Tales From the Crypt,” they went into some of their own tracks such as “Til Death” and “More Than Meets the Eye.” Vocalist Josh Whitman thrashed about on both stage and floor with an endless amount of energy seldom seen these days.

Another one of Orlando’s own, Sift Knuckle Solution, were up next, and commanded the crowd’s attention with their brand of old-school punk. Songs like “Ruby Red,” “Stalker,” and “Money, Power, Greed” got the room moving even more, and a cover of the Misfits’ “Death Comes Ripping” (with Disfunction’s Josh on guest vocals) topped off their set.

D.R.I. tour mates Kaustik took over next, and showed no mercy with their brutal mix of groove/thrash metal. “Scars of Violence” and “In Bastards we Trust” were just a couple that stuck out, while other highlights included D.R.I. drummer Walter “Monsta” Ryan sitting in for an Agnostic Front cover, and Kaustik’s guitarists joining in on the action on the floor during closing track “Reign in Ruin.”

Finally, D.R.I. took over with a nearly two hour set which covered their entire 30-plus year career. “Hooked,” “I’d Rather Be Sleeping,” “Mad Man,” “Violent Pacification,” “Slumlord,” “Dead in a Ditch,” “Abduction,” “Acid Rain,” and “Syringes in the Sandbox” were just a few that got things going before they segued into newer tracks like “Against Me” and “As Seen on TV.” After a very brief (and very Spinal Tap-ish) break that saw vocalist Kurt Brecht exit stage in order to move the band’s van, the guys got back to business with more classics like “All For Nothing,” “Suit and Tie Guy,” “Beneath the Wheel,” “I Don’t Need Society,” and “The Five Year Plan.” By the time D.R.I. left the stage, they had completely annihilated what was left of the exhausted crowd, thus confirming their ability to still bang some heads this far into their existence.