The Missing 23rd

Bad Religion / Sparta / The Missing 23rd: live in Ventura, CAlive in Ventura, CA (2003)
Bad Religion

Reviewer Rating: 5

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Contributed by: BrandonSideleauBrandonSideleau
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Published on April 8th 2003I got to the Ventura Theatre at about 4pm on a rather breezy afternoon at the beach. This being my third time seeing Bad Religion, I knew what to expect, and knew it would rock. After a long and chilly wait out in front, which consisted of chatting with Jay and Hetson for a bit, the doors were open.

I got to the Ventura Theatre at about 4pm on a rather breezy afternoon at the beach. This being my third time seeing Bad Religion, I knew what to expect, and knew it would rock. After a long and chilly wait out in front, which consisted of chatting with Jay and Hetson for a bit, the doors were opened at 7pm. I got in and after an hour long wait, The Missing 23rd came on at 8pm.

I wasn't sure who they were as they had just been added to the show the day before and I was hoping for the best. They took the stage like a hurricane, the first beat and their singer jumped right into the crowd singing. Whoa. I could tell this was gonna be a great live show, the band reminded me of a Minor Threat as far as their live show. It was intense as hell and their singer is almost as physical as, say, H.R. of the Bad Brains or Henry Rollins during his Flag days. They played "Hate", "Know Justice", "On Your Knees", and a few others. I decided I'd pick up their CD at their merch counter and on album they sound a lot like raw, aggressive Good Riddance.....which is a good thing! Well, anyway, after starting the night off with a blast the Missing 23rd left the stage to a pleasantly surprised audience.

Next came Sparta, and I knew something was weird about this match up from the start. Sparta being an "emosih" band from Texas I had a feeling from the start that the audience wasn't gonna dig it, and neither would I. They took the stage and immediately were hit with insults from the crowd. A guy with a mohawk behind me was flipping them off and another person threw some shit at them. The guitarist was getting all bitter and was yelling back at the guys. It was funny, but the band brought it upon themselves. I mean, the singer kept yelling "I'm from Texas" and kept making heart hand motions. Overall I didn't enjoy their set and the only applause heard when they left was in rejoice for their set ending.

Finally, at about 10pm, Bad Religion took the stage and I thought I was gonna get smashed into the barrier. There must have been 600 people trying to reach the front and I was getting the brunt of all of it. But that didn't ditract from the show. They started the night off with "Kyoto Now". The band played alot of newer songs like "Supersonic", "Prove It", "Can't Stop It", "Epiphany", "The Defense", and "Sorrow" of course. They also played "The Grey Race", "Parallel", "Stranger Than Fiction", "Inner Logic", "Suffer", "Do What You Want", "The Handshake", "Struck A Nerve", "Fuck Armageddon..", "Recipe For Hate", "American Jesus", "Heaven Is Falling", "21st Century Digital Boy", "No Control", "I Want To Conquer The World", "Get Off", and, fittingly, "All Good Soldiers". So, as you can see Bad Religion knows how to put together one hell of a set.

Greg said some funny things during the performance about Michael Jackson and some talk about the war in Iraq before they played "Heaven Is Falling", which was written in contrast to the first gulf war. Brett did not attend the show, so Hetson had one whole side to himself. Jay is one hell of a character, he was smiling and yelling as much as possible.

Overall it was an awesome night, the surprising first band and the always amazing Bad Religion made the rather boring Sparta and long wait all worth it. If you haven't seen Bad Religion yet or have only seen them at the Warped Tour, then you need to see them at a club soon. And check out Missing 23rd if you dig Good Riddance style hardcore. Another funny fact, I have never seen so many hot girls at a real punk concert. It was kind of alienating since they all seemed to have guys with them. Oh well, once the music started I thought nothing of it.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (February 20, 2004)

"He was kidding... And they will never play Shattered Faith, The Positive Aspect of Negative Thinking or Hooray for Me. I can guarantee that."

How do you know that?

Anonymous (May 6, 2003)

I'm going to see this show tomorrow night, except the casualties will be opening. I don't think sparta sucks... there music is just hard for me to get into, like most "emoish" stuff. I know I won't hate sparta, but I'll probably fall asleep while checking my watch.

Anonymous (April 15, 2003)

Didn't at this concert Greg say something along the lines of "If you need to throw up, throw up into the pit." I guess Greg realizes that there are a lot of numbskulls that come to any concert just to act like idiots. I mean, expressing yourself violently is great, but "moshing" has just become ego flexation, it doesn't mean jackshit anymore.

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

skinheads are pussys. I saw a few and they were just either wayyy too skinny or wayyy too fat to do a damn thing. They only think they're tough when they have 20 of their friends with them. laughable. they'd be murdered at an LA show.

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

FUCKING AWSOME SHOW...to the guy who said VTA attracts skinheads...your right. but i was at the show at cal poly and the kids were way worse.

M23rd is the best band ever.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

"They played "the fast life"...god-fucking-damn it."

He was kidding... And they will never play Shattered Faith, The Positive Aspect of Negative Thinking or Hooray for Me. I can guarantee that.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

I didn't stay 20 minutes later

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

the ventura theatre definately attracts a larger boneheaded skate-nazi crowd than the usual run of the mill show crowd, as to why I am stumped.

sickboi (April 10, 2003)

They played "the fast life"...god-fucking-damn it.

Does anyone know if "Part 3" is part of this tour's setlist?