AFI, The Distillers & Loose Change

The underground phenomenon that fascinates me most these days is the growing cult with legions and legions of black-clothes wearing fanatics that is the AFI fanbase. These fans are rabid in the sense that Morrisey and old-school Michael Jackson fans are fanatics: these kids feel some crazy allegiance to the band and went absolutely ape-shit at the Brick Works.
Opening the show was Bay Area band Loose Change with their new-to-you lineup, Chon, Cliff and Mike. Cliff and Mike (ex-Union of the Dead and Dieselboy, respectively) joined Chon a few months back and this show was the tightest I've ever seen them. Chon's melodic bass-playing matched up with Cliff's punk via speed-metal guitar work and their vocal dynamics - Chon's classic bratty punk rock bark and Cliff's Elvis-like croon - added energy and melody to the mix.
The Distillers are a classic punk rock band, no gimmicks, tricks or clothing sponsorships. Their songs are dirty anthems, perfect for sing-a-longs, and they tear it up live; this time was no exception. Taking the stage after being introduced as The Doors by some guy in an F-Minus shirt, Brody Armstrong and the gang wasted no time playing classic style punk rock. By the time they played "L.A. Girl" they had already won the crowd over.
What I anticipated most as AFI took the stage was what Davey would look like this time (I remember seeing them when Davey wore plaid pants and sported a flat top, which if I remember correctly used to be bleach blonde at one point.) Coming out to the chant of "You are bleeding! We are one!" AFI's sharply dressed guitarist Jade Puget and bassist Hunter Burgan were followed by some sort of Marilyn Manson / Bat Boy crossbreed who took to the mic with commanding force. Hearing the 700 plus devoted youths shout out each word was nearly frightening. Davey could have said, "Bring me the heads of a hundred puppies," and there would have been a canine killing exodus from the Brick Works. One girl at the front of the stage burst into tears as she held Davey's leg. The Church of AFI was in full effect.
Onstage, you've got to give it them, they come out full force. Davey's shouted lyrics were matched word for word by all in attendance, making AFI the kings of goth-core chant rock. Jade and Hunter took full advantage of their wireless rigs on their guitars spinning and jumping to the point of ridiculousness. And Davey - when not overly dramatizing his tortured soul onstage - is a commanding presence on the mic. Half of "This Secret Ninja," one of their best old-school jams, was sung on the mic by some sweaty kid at the front of the stage. Sweat dripped from the ceiling and the cult continues to grow.
- Brian Brophy
- photos by Alyssa Starkey

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