AFI, Tiger Army, Explosion & Union of the Dead

I hope the chucklehead from The Orion was at The Brick Works last Sunday. This guy has been claiming - in print - that Chico has no scene and all the bands suck. More or less. Well, besides knowing more than a few people that want to kick that guy's ass, I saw hundreds of people having a great time, seeing a great show - in a scene that doesn't suck. Union of the Dead started out the show en fuego! Cliff could barely get a drink of water before Gerardo was scralping away at their next tune. These guys were definitely psyched to be playing on this bill and you could tell. Once they settled down into their high-energy groove the real UOD shined through. I've heard comparisons to The Misfits, but I don't think anyone can play like The Misfits. UOD plays like UOD. Evil rock 'n' roll. Go tell Fred he's destined for Southern Rock success if he keeps growing his hair.
Next up was Explosion. I have no idea where these guys are from, but they fucking kick ass! I will go see them again if I ever get the chance and I suggest you do the same. I didn't see the whole set because I was in the back with a few friends.
That's one thing I like about shows at The Brick, you can mingle with the kids downstairs in the back patio. It's a nice break from dancing or drinking upstairs. Maureen said this about Explosion: "Rage off the stage bro!" She was a little buzzed by that point, as normally she wouldn't say anything that stupid, but you gotta love a girl that's that hot and will still stay in the pit for most of a show.
Cruising back upstairs to have a beer with my new friend Karen, I was getting primed for Tiger Army. I just heard them for the first time that weekend. I know it's about time I got out from under that rock, but at least I wasn't smoking one and complaining about our scene. Here are the facts about Tiger Army: they are good, really, really good. Judging by most of the girls' reactions in the crowd, they could've been playing Tiffany's set (which wasn't THAT bad) and they would still get just as many hoots and hollers. Neck tattoos and picnic-table shirts be damned - these guys can flat out play live music.
It's gonna be a good show when just as many people are wearing the supporting bands' shirts as the headliners'. This was the first time I've seen AFI. I've heard some CDs and I didn't think too highly of them, but I thought I'd give them a chance playing live - and boy, am I glad I did. The pumpkins they had around the stage were a cool effect. Kinda matched the singer's get-up. Leather pants are back! I don't mean to poke fun, but then again it's fun to poke fun and I don't really think the guy could give a shit what I think of his wardrobe, as long as I get the point about the music. Friends, fun and standing up for your beliefs are what I saw that night and I applaud anyone willing to say that.
There was no crowd-surfing that night, which I was really bummed on, but I gotta give The Brick Works security props, they handled a big show perfectly. There is no way you can stop people from surfing or stage diving when they really want to. These guys recognized that and actually worked with the crowd to keep them safe. I can't remember seeing security at a show help people to have fun while still enforcing the rules, ever.
The Brick Works is fast becoming the place to see bigger shows and that's a good thing. Justin's bringing in good bands, the security is not bunch of meatheads and the drinks are cheap and served by good bartenders. What more can you ask for?

- Marcus Dorin

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