P.A.W.N.S., Facedown, Inverted Nines & Kakistrocacy

Ok kiddies, now let me just start off by saying, while it’s common knowledge that I excel at photography and beer swilling, not all my fans know that I am a professional procrastinator. So, having said that, I am sad to confess that I miss the first two opening bands due to my tardiness. I did, however, catch the band Facedown. The first couple of songs into their set were pretty cool, but you could obviously tell the lead singer had a problem with facing the crowd, since he sang damn near the entire set facing the drummer.

The bassist and guitarist both were very tight in their playing and I’ve seen them at many shows selling audible goodies and that shows a great deal of dedication, so keep it up boys.

Next up was one my personal favorite rock bands, P.A.W.N.S from Santa Cruz. I always love it when I get assigned to cover a band that I really dig because it makes my job that much easier. Now, if you have not heard of Power And Wealth Needs Slaves, then you, kiddies are missing out. It has been awhile that a rock and roll band has yanged my twang like these guys. The band relocated to Chico a few years back and have established themselves amongst the punk community as a band that not only rock but they stand behind their beliefs. For a few months now the band’s singer / guitarist Ray Dehated has booked bands from all over, and in true do-it-yourself fashion has had the bands perform in a basement on Normal St. (the kids that hung out there were far from normal), or recently in the band’s backyard.

There was a cool turnout for Thursday’s show show, it even had a couple of freshman-looking girls that seemed like they were searching out the crowd for a kegger. Who cares as long as they pay, right? Hopefully the girls took something home with them other than "what are you doing here" stares. The crowd was pretty mellow for the majority of the show, until of course the P.A.W.N.S started, then all heck broke loose. Punkers were wrestling in the dirt and having a grand ole’ time. The band pretty much played the entire split EP that they share with Political Science, and managed to throw in a cover of theirs. But the highlight of the night to me was when they played "Badge of Stupidity." In my opinion that is the P.A.W.N.S’ best song, and I seem to go ape shit every time I hear it. One part of the song the drummer (whom I heard the band discovered while he was playing drums in a Bon Jovi cover band) even sings a chorus or two.

At the end of the set, the band called it quits — until the crowd gave them enough shit that they decided to go ahead and do a few more numbers and then call it a night. All in all, it was a cool night, and I cannot believe it only cost my dog and me two dollars to get in.

- Floyd Pinkerton
- photos by Lloyd Herrera

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