The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, One Man Army & Madcap

The Brick Works has been getting some knockout shows lately. And for punk fans, one couldn't get any luckier. Being in Chico we get every good band that ventures North of San Francisco on the punk circuit (that Dropkick / Sick of it All show in Sacto last week not withstanding). So do yourself a favor and thank the nice fellow who books The Brick sometime for keeping the good times rolling.
Let's talk about Madcap now. These guys are young, and forgive me, ugly. Their playing wasn't ugly - that was good. They're kind of neo-British punk style. It's just the expressions on their faces were like their cat just died or their grandma got run over. It turns out they had their van window broken earlier in Santa Cruz and they were bummed about it. They still put on a good set of dynamic punk and got the crowd moving early in the night with a little good-natured moshing.
Then One Man Army played. People vibed them up to a point, but there were no fireworks. Right before they played their last few songs the guitarist asked the crowd "Are you guys happy to be here?" expecting, I assume, raucous applause and screams. Instead he was met with stunned silence. Crickets chirped. Then people gave way to laughter and applause. I think that guy will remember not to ask that again.
Flogging Molly came out next with an accordionist and a woman on the fiddle. Holy fuck, these guys ruled. Songs like "Selfish Man" and "Worst Day Since Yesterday" got the crowd chanting along in drunken fury, fists pumping and boots stomping. Irish steel flute and mandolin were a taste of the Emerald Isle, as Irish as Guinness and red hair. They finished off their quick set with "Salty Dog" and people went fucking nuts. I began to pity the Souls for having to follow up such a badass set, but that's what you get for taking out an opener that kicks more ass than you do.
Rumor has it that Flogging Molly, on their next pass through town, might play a certain tiny corner Irish pub in town and all I gotta say about that is get your tickets early, and at any price, because these guys are one act not to be missed. You hear me?
What can one say about the Bouncing Souls? They were all right. Their singer had this crooner thing going with his deep, semi-goth voice. Very slick. But these guys seemed tired. They were probably tired of getting blown off the fucking stage night after night. As the venerable Managing Editor of this rag likes to say (all too often); "Sorry 'bout yo luck…"
- M. Cameron Newell
- photos Myles Stenger

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