Wild Oak Records Benefit, featuring

I showed up late again. I walked in just as Damelo were starting their last song. I really wanted to see them, too. The song I did hear was bad-ass, though. I’m not sure what to call them: are they emo, are they punk, your guess is as good as mine. I know I like it. I wish I could have caught the whole set, but I’ve been told they were on-point.

Up next was Hit By A Semi, a little more sober than usual, and a bit pissed, it seems a writer for a local publication took a few jabs at the local punk scene, alleging the bands sang about nothing and blah, blah blah. Anyhow this idiot (who says he prefers Dave Matthews) seems to have no understanding that punk rock is more a state of mind or a lifestyle choice than most forms of music. It’s not about lyrics, it’s about fucking unity; you can’t be a half hearted punk, you either are or you’re not.

Sorry about that little rant. anyhow Hit By A Semi rocked. They played a handful of covers, and of course had the Harmless Cherries come up for a song, minus one Cherry. They ended the set with a rousing cover of Mötley Crüe’s "Kickstart My Heart," featuring guitarist Stevil on vox.

By the time Buffalo Creek played, the crowd had grown and looked decidedly less punk; I saw lots of Dockers. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this band. They play well, but they massacred my favorite Stones song, turning "Dead Flowers" into a huge lump of shit. The rest of the set was good; they’ve got a sound that’s comparable to Wilco. I guess I liked them, but it’s not very punk to admit it. I just wish they hadn’t killed my song. They played a great Faces cover, and a really long set. They are playing at LaSalle’s soon. If you like that kind of hippie shit you should check them out.

Last to grace the stage was Magdalena, who I pretty much hated. I think this is adult contemporary music, completely lost on me. It’s not that they couldn’t play, they just played crap. The worst part is the crowd loved them, I was in hell. I’m lucky I got out alive. If it had gone on longer I might have found myself in some Haggar slacks, sipping a Stoli martini and discussing the value of true conformity. It sucks when you see talented musicians engaged in musical masturbation. I don’t suppose this should have any effect on these guys, as I am far from their target audience, but I hope to never see this band again. I’m sure they will be touring with Duncan Sheik soon.

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