Teenage Bottlerocket / The Great Awake / Radio Rejects / Padre

Cookie Sep 30, 2024

Last night was frickin' awesome...
Everything seemed to fall in place for a punk rock gig.
I presented my "Collectors ticket" at the door in return, I got the obligatory stamp on the upturned wrist, which I still have as I write this review.

I missed the opening act, Padre but reports say they were very good. I headed to the merch stand toward the back of the room. I definitely wanted a t-shirt with the tour dates, 40 bucks well spent. then I spotted the Australian tour poster, signed by the band for a cool $10, Thank you very much.

I caught the second bands full set Radio Rejects, an Aussie punk band that goes HARD!! If you're in for a bit of melt your face off punk rock, go see these fellas, and girl killing it on guitar in a Rancid singlet. Very cool.

Next band was Great Awake, kinda in the same vein as The Wonder Years or Spanish Love Songs, who I absolutely LOVE... These guys lifted it to the next level.

At this point, I was down the front on the barrier, to the left of the stage where the bands bring in their gear and prepare for their sets.

Ray was preparing his guitar, grabbed a small bag of picks, looked in my direction. So, I put my hand out, he smiled and handed me a red guitar pick, so cool.

Then, with a band group hug, side of stage, the band Teenage Bottlerocket hit the stage to the thundering sounds of Slayer, Reign in Blood, we all knew this was gonna be good.

My first time seeing the 'Teens did not disappoint. They go hard, fast and loud and they barely come up for air as they blister through their opening gambit, In The Pit, Don't Wanna Go and Bigger Than Kiss. Other killer highlights were Steve, Commando, a Ramones cover, Headbanger and the belter that kicked off my love of this mighty band Skate or Die. I don't mind telling you, I lost my mind...
Towards the tail end of their set, I was hoping to score the set list that was in front of bass player extraordinaire Miguel Chen whose comical antics onstage were reminiscent of Dee Dee Ramone, even the way he stood with his feet soooo far apart, but loving every minute of his time onstage. But I digress, The set finished and the set list I was keenly eyeing off was torn to pieces after being twisted under foot, oh well, there were 3 other chances to score one... then, from behind the kit, emerged Darren Chewka. Set list in hand WITH a well used and cymbal-beaten drumstick. he came directly to me and placed both in my very grateful hands!!! Fuckin' killer!!

They prove rock and fun can mix. They certainly don't take themselves too seriously but deliver a seriously good night out. I WILL DEFINITELY GO SEE THESE BLOKES AGAIN