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Bouncing Souls / 7 Seconds / Street Dogs

live in Los Angeles (2005)
Epitaph Records

Reviewer Rating:

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Contributed by: joeg
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 18th 2005

What a great lineup. The Loved Ones, Street Dogs, 7 Seconds and My Chemical Romance…um, I mean Bouncing Souls. Or at least, that’s what the lead singer from the Loved Ones was saying just as I entered the sold out show at the El Rey Theatre. I had been looking forward to this lineup for months. I was a little surprised tickets were still available a few days before the show, but nonetheless, I was expecting a good one. And there’s nothing better than when all the bands deliver on those expectations. Onto the review.

The Loved Ones are a band I’m just getting into, so I was planning on catching their set, but I got there late and only caught the last 2 songs. And the Philadelphia three-piece was rocking out, drenched in sweat while having a blast on stage. Playing tight and melodic punk rock'n'roll, they were solid openers and got a good reaction from the crowd. Before finishing, they proceeded to thank all the bands on the bill (soon to be a theme for the night). I’ll be sure to catch these guys again soon.

After a short 15-minute wait, the Street Dogs were next. The band had added a second guitarist and was now a five-piece. The band, sans lead singer Mike McColgan, walked out on stage and started playing “In Defense of Dorchester.” Seemingly out of nowhere, Mike jumped out and leaped right into the song. Skinheads in the pit started going crazy. Right off the bat I busted my lip open, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying their energetic 30-minute set. Seeing the band for the first time, I was impressed with Mike’s commanding stage presence. Whether it was talking proudly about his hometown back east, dedicating a song to some Belgium skinheads (trapped here for the cancelled Wasted festival) or continuously shoving the mic in kids’ faces, the guy knows how to put on a show. The good vibes between the bands continued as Mike individually thanked all the bands for such a great lineup. The rest of the band was playing their hearts out and the crowd responded accordingly. The dedication to Joe Strummer in “Fighter” was one of my favorites. About halfway through their set, Mike tells us since this was the last stop on their tour with the Bouncing Souls, we would get to choose which cover they would play -- the Ramones, the Clash or Black Flag. Naturally, being in L.A., the crowd picked Black Flag. The opening beats and riffs to “Rise Above” had the whole floor flipping out (myself included) as the band ripped through the song with Mike doing a damn good Henry Rollins up front with the kids. The band finished off their set with their cover of Sham 69’s “Borstal Breakout.”

With the Sex Pistols blaring in the background, the next 15-minute set change may as well have been an hour, at least for me. Reno/Sacramento hardcore legends 7 Seconds were next and I’ve been waiting to see this band for years. Troy, Steve, Bobby and Kevin (proudly wearing a Street Dogs shirt) walked onto the stage. The band quickly dove into their first few songs. I don’t know if it was just me or where I was standing, but the crowd reaction seemed a bit lukewarm at first, possibly because the band was playing mostly new songs or maybe there were just a bunch of kids who weren’t too familiar with the band? Whatever the reason, this prompted Kevin to ask the crowd if they were tired, which just left a shitty taste in my mouth. With an emphatic "No!," the crowd started going crazy as the guys broke into their cover of Sham 69’s “If the Kids Are United.” The steady stream of hardcore classics, one after another, were amazing to hear and even better to sing along to. I gotta say for guys who’ve been playing since the early `80s, they could still school a lot of younger bands. Troy was an animal on the drums, and Steve and Bobby were killing it on bass and guitar, respectively. Kevin was great charging through every song. The night of positive vibes continued as Kevin thanked all the great bands on the lineup. The classic “Walk Together, Rock Together” was without a doubt the highlight of the set for me. And with an extended version of “99 Red Balloons” having the whole floor shredding their throats in "whoa-whoas!," the set was over before I knew it. It looks like Kevin and the guys still live by the motto “I’m gonna stay young, until I die” and it was great to see.

Set list:

The Crew
Definite Choice
Sooner or Later
Young Till I Die
Panic Attack
Remains to Be Seen
Regress No Way
One Big Guessing Game
Your Parents' Hardcore
If the Kids Are United
Here’s Your Warning
You Lose
Walk Together, Rock Together
99 Red Balloons

It isn’t a Bouncing Souls show unless you’ve got the crowd chanting "OLÉ OLÉ OLÉ!" at the top of their lungs before the band takes the stage. And without a doubt, this was a Bouncing Souls crowd. The Loved Ones were appreciated, the Street Dogs and 7 Seconds got huge chunks of the crowd going off, but it was the Bouncing Souls the overwhelming majority of the crowd was here to see. You couldn’t move the floor was so packed. As for the band, what more can be said about these guys that hasn’t already been said before? Just genuine guys playing music they love and still going strong after 15+ years. As usual, the crowd was relentless during their set. It was hard to hear Greg singing half the time as the crowd was doing it for him. The set seemed to lean a bit more toward Anchors Aweigh and How I Spent My Summer Vacation material, but they also played a bunch of older songs as well. Brian took some time to thank all the bands but especially his heroes, 7 Seconds, to which appropriately “Kids and Heroes” was dedicated to. They pulled out the instrumental “Moon Over Asbury,” which was a surprise but also gave the crowd a welcome breather. The highlight for many I’m sure was an unbelievable version of “True Believers.” It brought out the Street Dogs, one of the guys from Flogging Molly, and Timmy Chunks on stage. And that was when you could really sense the feeling of unity and respect amongst the bands. And this seemed to translate to the crowd as well. All night, there was no fighting, no assholes in the pit, people helping each other out when someone fell down, and everybody singing along. The guys finished with “Night on Earth,” but by that time, I was exhausted, so I left early and called it a night.

Set list:

Apartment 5F
Born Free
Anchors Aweigh
Hopeless Romantic
Cracked
Kids and Heroes
The Something Special
Say Anything
Moon Over Asbury
Kate is Great
True Believers
East Coast Fuck You
That Song
Private Radio
The Guest
Quick Check Girl
Ballad of Johnny X
Night on Earth

A few gripes about the show: The sound was just off for chunks of the night, especially with the bass and vocals for the Souls set. For my first time at the El Rey, I’ve never seen so much wasted space at a venue. The security seemed to be guarding the walkway around the dance floor with their lives. And for a huge club, the dance floor is too small and cramped, especially with the steps leading down to it. Can’t win 'em all I guess. Waiting for the bus home, I was deaf, had a busted lip, covered in sweat, and could barely stand. But in the end, it was all worth it.

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Anonymous (October 22, 2005)

Let Al have the Mike and shut up!

Anonymous (October 22, 2005)

The guitarist in the Dropkicks wanting to sing all the time has ruined the band.

Anonymous (October 22, 2005)

it would make sense that mark hoppus was more recognizable, seing as how he's on tv and what not

Anonymous (October 21, 2005)

"and i didn't know he was dropkick's first singer, but the whole time they played all i could think of was that he sounded way too much like him...then i kind of figured it out"

If you've been going to shows for 10 years, why the fuck don't you know this?

I'm betting Mark Hoppus is more recognizable to you.

Anonymous (October 21, 2005)

boston is a great city, but here are 25 reasons why l.a. is better than boston

1. the descendents
2. the germs
3. x
4. fear
5. the dickies
6. the weridos
7. black flag
8. the circle jerks
9. bad religion
10. nofx
11. the weather
12. the beaches
13. the diversity
14. lacma, moca, the getty center, musuem of natural history, california science center
15. desert, mountains, oceans, city, suburb within 2 hours of eachother
16. we don't say "wicked"
17. indie 103.1
18. coachella, the fuck yeah fest, the arthur fest, the sunset junction
19. spaceland, the echo, the king king, zen sushi, the whiskey, the roxy, the key club, the viper room, the el rey, the wiltern, the troubadour, the avalon, henry fonda, h.ob. etc.
20. silverlake, los feliz
21. the griffith observatory
22. the l.a. scavenger hunt
23. did i mention its never cold here?
24. when we say "park your car" it sounds like "park your car"
25. i'd take magic over bird any day

p.s. in case anybody wants to count l.a. out of the modern punk rock scene::::::::::::::;

the bronx, 400 blows, the drips, nantucket suicide, your enemies friends, autolux, wires on fire, the icarus line, toys that kill etc. etc. etc.

Anonymous (October 21, 2005)

Canadian comedians are not that funny. Just look at Kids in the Hall. That shit is terrible

Anonymous (October 20, 2005)

I would argue the funniest people on the whole planet come from Canada. 80% of american comedians are, in fact, canadian. Now if we're just talking accents, you may be right, but lets not forget Newfoundland.

Anonymous (October 20, 2005)

"talk as much shit about l.a. as you'd like, but i guarante los angeles has produced more art, music, culture, and progressive thought in the past year than what ever flyover state you're from ever has"

Hmmm, Boston was a city 220 years before California acheived statehood. It's one of the birthplaces of this failing democratic experiment and commonly known as the Cradle of Liberty. Los Angeles cannot hold a candle to the history and cultural worth of the city of Boston.
Art, music and culture? from LA? hahahahahahahahahahaaha.
This is where good ideas and intentions come to rot.
Progressive thought? do tell. So many of the great thinkers have been raised in the Southland. lol
Boston has the greatest universities, the most advanced hospitals, the leading edge of tech companies and the funniest people on the whole planet.
LA is a ghastly example of the worst of our society.

jamespastepunk (October 20, 2005)

Bill, you were at the Briefs/Street Dogs/Brain Failure show?

Jameson (October 20, 2005)

Score is for the 'Souls playing Brian's Lament FINALLY.

the_other_scott (October 19, 2005)

and i didn't know he was dropkick's first singer, but the whole time they played all i could think of was that he sounded way too much like him...then i kind of figured it out

the_other_scott (October 19, 2005)

the fact that i've been going to shows for 10 years wasn't an effort to gain scene points, more to show that i've seen enough bands to know who puts on a good performance

talk as much shit about l.a. as you'd like, but i guarante los angeles has produced more art, music, culture, and progressive thought in the past year than what ever flyover state you're from ever has

Anonymous (October 19, 2005)

awesome fucking review. if all the reviews on this site were like this, this site would become the only site for your punknews.

Anonymous (October 19, 2005)

"dude i've been going to punk and hardcore shows for a good 10 years, been to probably 200 something concerts in my life, i know when someone "kicks ass" or not"

ten years....nice start.....just admit you're an overly sensitive LA jerkoff. Mike wasn't calling you a jaded trendy fuck, he was telling people to have a little pride in their scene, in their towns. Admittedly it's harder for Angelenos to do, coming from such a vapid shithole, but make an effort.
Oh, and why would I bet $ you don't know he was Dropkick's first singer?

rkl (October 19, 2005)

if, when i finally see the souls again, they dont play cracked... someone's gonna die tonight :(

sickboi (October 19, 2005)

At the Jersey Lifetime show, the Soul's played "These are the quotes from our favorite 80's movies".

localh (October 19, 2005)

anchors away sucks all the other cd's are badass though....

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

punks in vegas was played at this show

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

'Punks In Vegas' needs to be played at every show. Ever.

-opivy

TheOneTrueBill (October 18, 2005)

In Chicago this summer McColgan asked if we wanted to hear Black Flag or The Clash. We got the Clash's Carrer Opportunities. I think that song is much better suited to them.

punkpirate17 (October 18, 2005)

For those who say the Souls are getting boring, check out the setlist from the SLC show:

Private Radio
Say Anything
That Song
Cracked
Kids and Heroes
The Guest
The Something Special
Punks In Vegas
Argyle
East Coast Fuck You
Born Free
No Rules
Lay 'em Down and Smack 'em Yack 'em
Hopeless Romantic
Kate Is Great
Gone
True Believers
Sing Along Forever
Quick Check Girl
Night On Earth

There was a lot of stuff there I didn't expect, especially No Rules and Smack em.

Score is for the Souls.

jockmcbored (October 18, 2005)

joeg - so why is it so bad?

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

"anyone else notice the bouncing souls are getting watered down? their new albums are good but they are getting repetitive with their setlists"

the guest is a good start but yeah they need to start learning to play new songs.

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

yeah i wanted to see the loved ones, 7 seconds, and the souls, so i coudn't really avoid it, i didn't even dislike the street dogs music, more just his talking

its not that i want rants to be funny, but if you're going to talk for 5 minutes between each song, maybe you should ease up, it gets old

joeg (October 18, 2005)

as for mike being obnoxious, i honestly didn't get that impression. he's an east coast guy so he speaks his mind. i don't think putting up a comedy act up there like fat mike does was what he had in mind. fat mike is obnoxios because he tries to be funny but just comes off boring. as for calling everyone jaded, take your own advice and deal with it or make sure you avoid them next time they come to town.

joeg (October 18, 2005)

what's wrong with asking the crowd if they're tired? would you prefer them to say "you're the best crowd so far this tour" or "how ya all doin 2nite"?

lots of things are wrong with that. i would've rather him have said "that show i played with minor threat in 82 doesn't touch YOU GUYS! (with finger pointed squarely at ME)" or maybe "you're the best damn crowd i've ever seen in my entire life........by god i think i'm gonna drink to that" or maybe even "damn you guys are great.....if i may suggest an improvement to elevate my mood is if 5 skinheads stand in the middle and beat the shit out of all the skinny guys."

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

to the dude below

i was just worried that the l.a. crowd would for some reason vote for a nyc band or a london band... i love nyc and london and the ramones and the clash...i just was scared that some of these kids wouldn't know their roots

jockmcbored (October 18, 2005)

"i was so scared that the crowd wouldn't pick "rise above"

why? had you bet your bus fare home that 74% of the crowd would recognise the song after 15 seconds?

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

"Whatever the reason, this prompted Kevin to ask the crowd if they were tired, which just left a shitty taste in my mouth."

why? did you have a shit sandwich in one hand a hot dog in the other and get confused?

what's wrong with asking the crowd if they're tired? would you prefer them to say "you're the best crowd so far this tour" or "how ya all doin 2nite"?

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

"ummm, his name's Mike McColgan. He kicks more ass than you will ever know"

dude i've been going to punk and hardcore shows for a good 10 years, been to probably 200 something concerts in my life, i know when someone "kicks ass" or not

this guys couldn't stop talking, couldn't stop calling us "stupid l.a. jaded trendy fucks" yeah most of us are that, but deal with it or don't play the show

he seriously talked between songs more than fat mike, but he wasn't funny

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

Great show and great review. I was there that night and felt the same way. The bands put on energetic sets, the crowd was unified and all in all, it was a great Sunday night. Souls play a lot of the same stuff, but it's cool with me - as long as they always include "Quick Check Girl."
Mr. Kenzington

joeg (October 18, 2005)

"That lineup is so awesome I don't even think I could come up with words to describe it, so good review. 7 Seconds should really be forced to play "Not just Boys Fun" every show."

-my bad. they actually did play that song, i just forgot to add it to the setlist.

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

"The lead singer of the street dogs was fucking obnoxious?"

ummm, his name's Mike McColgan. He kicks more ass than you will ever know....and he was on fire that night: passionate, driven and working the crowd into a frenzy.

rkl (October 18, 2005)

this is the best show review ive ever read on this site. your indepth writing made me almost feel like i was there for the show, and i like the fact that all the bands got at least a good description, that you didnt just reserve 75% of the text for the headliner.
kudos.

skankin_in_the_pit (October 18, 2005)

That lineup is so awesome I don't even think I could come up with words to describe it, so good review. 7 Seconds should really be forced to play "Not just Boys Fun" every show.

sXenester (October 18, 2005)

HOLY SHIT.
Score is for my boys in the Street Dogs playing Rise Above. IS there a recording of that anywhere?

LMChc (October 18, 2005)

usually i don't hate the west coast

but goddamn it, i hate you west coast

hobbitcore (October 18, 2005)

They closed with Night on Earth and YOU LEFT?!?!

YOU ARE A FOOL

sickboi (October 18, 2005)

Wow, just reading the lineup for this show gives me a boner. Great review too.

2 things though:

1. - 7 Seconds realyl needs to start playing shit from their new album. The first 5 songs are GOLDEN.

2. - The Bouncing Souls have been playing practically the same setlist since 'Anchors Aweigh' was released. Except for at the Lifetime show. They did almost everything pre-Epitaph.

AlmostPunkEnough (October 18, 2005)

i can't wait for Nov 23. this must be the hundredth time i've said that. too bad i don't get 7 Seconds. i'm jealous.

does anyone know who's opening for them that night in NYC?

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

to the kid below

i'd never seen them play "the guest" or "moon over asbury" before, but in general they have a standard set of songs, you're right

they also played "highway kings" and "gone" and maybe a few others that weren't mentioned in the review

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

anyone else notice the bouncing souls are getting watered down? their new albums are good but they are getting repetitive with their setlists. almost every bouncing souls song kicks ass but they always play the same shit. they seem to be getting careless. maybe about time to hang it up.

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

oh yeah and along with everyone joeg mentioned....chuck from HWM was on state during True Believers

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

i saw this show in san francisco. fun times.

the_other_scott (October 18, 2005)

i was at this show, and it was killer

i was so scared that the crowd wouldn't pick "rise above"

the lead singer from the street dogs was fucking obnoxious, although he did get a decent "yankees suck" chant going

gladimnotemo (October 18, 2005)

Huh, I would have left after 7 Seconds. I realized today that on the new CD, the drummer plays THE EXACT DRUM PART on every song, and when you notice that, it's all you can hear; quite a letdown.

Mute98 (October 18, 2005)

i saw this show in anaheim... it was such a great show.. 7 seconds plays one of the most no bullshit sets ever :D

jamespastepunk (October 18, 2005)

Damn, that's an awesome show!

TheOneTrueBill (October 18, 2005)

Damn this looks like an amazing show. 7 Seconds are in my top three bands of all time and I finally saw them for the first time in March. It was beyond amazing.

Anonymous (October 18, 2005)

Good review, but I bet people rag on you for saying you were tired and went home...