Fredraiser Day One Featuring: Indecisive Youth, Ballistics, Asskickers & Catlike Reflexes

After speaking with Fred Telles about his accident and hearing the incomparable courage that he lives his life with, I was more than excited to attend the benefit held on his behalf. This being the first day of a two-day event, I anticipated a show of immense proportions to quell the rock ‘n’ roll desires for the often-sluggish Chico populace. And though I did purchase a two-day pass for these festivities, I was only able to catch one of the days thanks to the strict occupancy limit at Riff Raff, thereby missing Fred’s comeback behind the drum kit for the Re-Union of the Dead set. Nevertheless, the first day proved to be exceptionally entertaining with its diverse lineup.
Kicking the evening off was the curiously titled Catlike Reflexes. Expecting a band, I was surprised to find that Bear Hunter frontman Maurice Spencer was in fact performing solo material under the moniker. Though the levels of the PA were not exactly dialed in yet, Catlike Reflexes surged through a set of acoustic originals and covers that delighted the growing crowd. The acoustic rendition of “Radio, Radio” by Elvis Costello was perhaps my favorite of the set, and was only rivaled by a request for Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” which sent the audience into an ‘80s time warp, as a few patrons sung along each word of the hit. Using a borrowed guitar and refined guitar abilities, Catlike Reflexes struck a chord with the crowd and soon made way for another local group, the Asskickers.
The absence of the group’s lead guitarist did not hamper the sound of the music too terribly, thanks in part to the band’s spot-on lap steel / harmonica player. Asskicker mainstays like “Cocaine Keeps Me Regular” entertained the now near-capacity crowd and provided a countrified atmosphere to the mainly punk rock crowd. The band’s seamless jump from punk, to blues, to country-western tunes is always, at the least, extremely comforting and would lie in stark contrast to the rock mayhem that was to be unleashed later on in the evening.
Local punks Ballistics occupied the stage next and proceeded to shred through their unique melding of traditional, angry punk anthems and metal hooks. The group’s drummer stands out as perhaps the best punk rock drummer in town and complemented both the fury of the guitarist, and the outlandish howls of the vocalist. Incorporating the more recognized aspects of old school metal (finger tapping, double bass) helps to distinguish Ballistics from the rest of the pack. The group left the stage to raucous applause and retired to the main floor of the bar to enjoy the stalwarts of the local scene, Indecisive Youth.
IY, besides being one of the most cohesive bands you may ever see, are in fact, one of the funniest bands as well. And though the situation that prompted the humor is really nothing to laugh at, sometimes it’s unavoidable. IY attempted to start their set two times before it came to their attention that a faulty bass wire was hampering their performance. Vocalist Shawn naturally filled the void with jokes and soon invited members of the audience to join in as they were fixing the technical problem. Hilarity ensued, but soon the band was ready to wreak havoc on the full capacity crowd. Indecisive Nick flailed and spun like a man bent on having the best time of his life and Shawn’s vocals never sounded better. The band’s melodic aggressiveness always deserves favorable accolades and Monday night was no different. The group ended the night with a dwindling crowd, but ensured that this benefit was indeed inspiring to perform for.
Many thanks go out to Riff Raff booking agent Katie Perry, as well as Brian Paddock, owner of Riff Raff for putting on an excellent benefit show.

– Ryan Prado
– Photo by Alyssa Starkey

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