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Riot Fest: Day 2

live in Chicago
2005
live show

Review by: TheOneTrueBill
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Riot Fest 2005 (link)

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Published on November 15th 2005

Riot Fest day two, the one I actually paid $30 to see. And in the end, it was worth just about every penny.

I walked in a little bit before six o'clock as Secret Agent Bill were finishing off their set with a cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law.” If the rest of their set was as entertaining as this cover was, then I’m a jerk for not getting in fifteen minutes earlier.

The first non-local band of the night was Channel 3. Unfortunately, the Hot Topic Brigade was out in full force to see the fake Misfits, so no one really seemed to care about Channel 3. It was their loss though, because CH3 were great. They started the set with what seemed to be new songs (outside of “Indian Summer”), including one absolutely amazing slower song that I didn’t catch the name of, but according to the singer it’s a Billy Idol song? I don’t know, but it was great. If anyone knows what I’m talking about please tell me so I can search out the album it’s on. About halfway through they were given the signal that time was running out, so they busted out all the older hits like “Catholic Boy,” “Manzanar, “Mannequin,” and “I Need to Know” before ending triumphantly with “I Got a Gun.”

Next in line were the Effigies, who played much earlier than I expected considering it’s their hometown. They were introduced by the guy who booked the whole thing; I wish I could remember his name, but it escapes me. They played just about the same set as the other two times I’ve seen them, mixing in new songs like “Night Train” and “Baby Sleeps Alone” in with the classics like “We’re Da Machine,” “Strong Box,” and “Below the Drop.” Seeing them in such a big place like the Congress Theater can’t match up to a classroom or the Bottom Lounge, but they still played a great set. The Effigies ended with “Body Bag” and an extended “Security” before exiting to raucous applause.

Originally, the U.S. Bombs were supposed to come up next, but in the wake of their cancellation the Tossers were added to the bill. I guess this was alright because it gave me an opportunity to sit down in the balcony and rest for a little while. The crowd seemed to be eating them up though.

I moved back down to the floor for the start of Agent Orange’s set. The band walked out and opened their set with the instrumental “Miserlou.” Surprisingly, the kids went nuts for Agent Orange, which I definitely wasn’t expecting. I was expecting another Channel 3 type reaction, but I was dead wrong. As expected, the majority of their set was taken from the Living in Darkness LP, but they also played “Tearing Me Apart” and “Secret Agent Man” from their later records. Unfortunately, Mike Palm’s vocals were so lost in the mix that it was difficult to tell what song he was singing until it was almost over. Some other highlights of the set were “El Dorado,” “Living in Darkness,” “Too Young to Die,” and “Everything Turns Grey.” They saved “Bloodstains” for second to last before closing with “Pipeline.” Despite the sound problems, Agent Orange delivered the goods.

Next up were the Bouncing Souls, who, to be honest, seemed a bit out of place on a bill like this, but it didn’t faze them one bit. They played a sloppy but spirited set which covered just about all the bases of their career. Greg was adding in a bunch of extra moans and instead of singing just shook the hands of the kids in the front row at several points. Pete pulled off the funniest move of the night though. Brian introduced “Lamar Vannoy” as a request, but Pete started playing the chords of “Private Radio” and didn’t notice until fifteen seconds in before it dissolved into chaos. No matter whether it’s a headlining slot or not, the Souls never disappoint.

Bouncing Souls set list:

Private Radio
Say Anything
That Song
Kids and Heroes
The Something Special
Punks in Vegas
Argyle
East Coast Fuck You
Sing Along Forever
Hopeless Romantic
Kate Is Great
Lamar Vannoy
True Believers

After the Souls finished, a pang of trepidation hit me. The Germs, with Shane West on vocals, were up next. Trust me, I was as skeptical as all of you when I heard about this move, but it all disappeared when the music started. Right in front of my eyes were Lorna Doom, Don Bolles, and Pat Smear setting up their gear, waiting tensely to begin. The drum intro to “Circle One” starts and out runs Shane, who grabbed the microphone and hurled the mic stand at the security goons below and managed to start right on time all in one fluid motion. My friends, all my fears melted away. I was utterly amazed at how good they were. The Germs managed to steal the show from all that came before them. Though I wasn’t alive to see the Germs in their time, I have seen a decent amount of footage, and Mr. West effectively channeled the spirit of Darby Crash for this set; the only difference was that West was able to sing into the microphone. He spent a good sixty percent of the setup against the barrier writhing around inside the crowd. Several guys started chanting “Mandy Moore” at him, so he “aggressively pushed” the microphone right into their faces and asked for more abuse. Don thumped away at the drums like he was going to explode. Lorna stoically plunked away at her bass. Pat had a giant grin plastered across his face while he played. The place was going absolutely nuts for them. I was able to grab the microphone and sing the entire ending of “We Must Bleed” while West writhed around on the floor before the song fell apart. At the end of the set a pumpkin with “the Germs” carved into it was brought out. West filled it up with beer then hurled into the crowd as the band left; an appropriate ending. I’m having a hard time describing this set in words, but trust me; it’s one hundred percent legitimate.

Germs set list (taken from the Styrofoam plate but with extra songs added. I did my best to remember them):

Circle One
Lexicon Devil
No God
What We Do Is Secret
Land of Treason
Ritchie Dagger’s Crime
Strange Notes
American Leather
Manimal
My Tunnel
We Must Bleed
Let’s Pretend

I should’ve left on a high note, but I decided to stick around for the Misfits. After the sprawling mess they made of “Earth AD,” I left. Overall, this was well worth the money. I had a great time at Riot Fest despite my initial skepticism. I hope that it actually does turn into an annual thing.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 11:22 AM (EDT)
My Score:

it was a really cool show. i'm excited to see who's gonna play this year. i for one hope the misfits play again. i actually don't mind them.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 3, 2006 at 4:01 PM (EST)

found this under search -- i was at the show and it was a really fun time. the atmosphere was so great. i ran into people who i hadn't seen in really long time. great times!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at 10:34 AM (EST)
My Score:

I saw Minority One and Secret Agent Bill play at Exit a couple weeks ago. It was for Secret Agent Bill's 10th anniversary party. This show blew away the Riot Fest after-party. Both bands were fucking awesome and sounded 20 times as good in comparison to Riot Fest. But, Riot Fest still kicked some major ass. I heard that they are doing it in other cities next year on their myspace site.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 3:39 PM (EST)

Bring it back next year!!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 9, 2005 at 6:04 PM (EST)
My Score:

The fucking best show ever!!! Please let there be a Riot Fest 2006!!!!!!

Kudos to the guy who through this. I saw him on JBTV and it seemed like he really gives a fuck.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 5:18 PM (EST)

fuck you chicago kicks ass. we're just lazy.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 12:51 PM (EST)

I heard from my Chicago friend who went to the show that he was disappointed at the people who came out. He said the show would have been much cooler in like Boston because Chicago's scene doesn't support anything. Too much politics I guess and he says a good chunk of the punks there are in like factions and want to kill each other. So much for untiy.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 12:45 PM (EST)

Take it out of Chicago. Everyone knows Chicago sux. That's why most bands don't want to tour the midwest. Too much of an indie and hip-hp town. Bring it to Cali!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 12:42 PM (EST)
My Score:

Great show. The Souls were awesome and most of the local bands kicked ass too -- suprisngly. Need more Southside representation though for next year. How about bringing in some more ska, hc, oi and metal? Diversify a bit because your excluding a lot of cool people who listen to other cool shit.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 10:18 AM (EST)
My Score:

I saw minority one too. who are those guys? never heard of them before besides seeing people wearing there shirts. they were the best local band there. the other locakl bans were kinda lame. these guys caught my attention. and i thought the misfits played a pretty good set. i like when they play that fast.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 28, 2005 at 4:27 PM (EST)
My Score:

Bouncing Souls stole the show out of the natinals and some local band named Minority One was out of this world. their singer was crazy. i spoke with him afterwards and he was the nicest guy in the world. effigies were really good too. misfits were ok. germs were cool as hell. ch3 were great and agent orange always put on a great show.

i heard fri. night was good specially teh dickies and suicide mahines. will there be another one next year? this is so much cooler than warped.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 28, 2005 at 4:21 PM (EST)

Riot Fest was f'in amazing!!!! I flew in from LA for it and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. My boyfriend -- the skeptical one -- was even impressed with the Germs I hope that they do the smart thing and take it out of Chicago b/c if it were in LA there would have been 10,000 people there. Hats off to the people who pulled this one off.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 28, 2005 at 4:14 PM (EST)
My Score:

the show was unbelievable -- by far one of the best shows chicago has seen in years. i hope there is one next year.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-11-16 18:30:37

the reason for this one is that the doors opened at noon. It was too intimdating to be at the place for eleven hours. If it's a normal four band bill I always try to get there early to see the first bands and get a good spot.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 4:32 PM (EST)

"I went to the show, missed a few bands...."

Why do people always show up late for punk shows? It used to be (back when touring bands actually did this) that they would have a local band open up the gig. Now, the local band was always super-fucking stoked to be playing with the big band (who, a lot of times were their heroes), so they made damn sure that everyone they knew was going to show up to the gig. And when the local band(s) played, they played their asses off because they were not only playing for everyone they knew, but also for their heroes in the touring band. Half the time, the opening band would have way more energy and put on a better show than the touring headliners. I've seen 16 year olds in their first band destroy touring bands due to sheer energy alone. (Seriously, check out Systematic Overthrow from Fort Wayne). I always try to see the first bands for this reason.

-Ken

Posted by greenerton on 2005-11-15 15:07:44

how so? i never said anything like that, sure they're one of my favorite bands, but i never hailed them as godly saviors of punk rock. all i said was that it was the best show i've ever been to (because it WAS), if you know anything about green day, you'd understand simply by reading that set list. and the fact that there were less than 100 people in the audience.

now get over yourself, and fuck off. thanks ;)

Posted by rkl on 2005-11-15 14:08:19

shit. i didnt realize i was supposed to be able to discern through text whats friendly and whats not. my bad, slick.

and no, i havent seen green day live. dont really have any plans to, either. doesnt change the fact that your review comes off as hero-worship.

Posted by greenerton on 2005-11-15 13:18:28

"heres the difference. everything about your review is complete idolatry of green day. its as if you couldnt find a flaw with them if someone held a shotgun to your testes."

here's the difference. you're an idiot and don't realize we're friends and are fucking with each other

and if you'd seen that green day show, you'd agree with me

Posted by rkl on 2005-11-15 12:39:27

Riot Fest: Day 2 - live in Chicago
Posted by greenerton on 2005-11-15 03:05:16
My Score:

man, what a review whore

heres the difference. everything about your review is complete idolatry of green day. its as if you couldnt find a flaw with them if someone held a shotgun to your testes.

Posted by sickboi on 2005-11-15 10:47:42

You should see the Souls' setlist from the Lifetime show at the Stone Pony....ohhhhhhhh man.

Posted by hobbitcore on 2005-11-15 09:27:18

The Bouncing Souls are definitely the best band i've ever seen at covering their entire catalogue in their setlist...The Something Special = niiice...I hope they play that Saturday

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 9:21 AM (EST)

I was there for the whole thing.. many of the local bands were crappy, though it may have just been the sound which was some of the worst I've ever heard at a real venue. However Much The Same was great and Flatfoot 56 after them really tore it up and had the biggest crowd of all the locals that night.

Bouncing Souls were indeed fantastic..

as for the Germs.. I've never listened to them, and after seeing that set I'm thrilled that I will never have to again. Possibly the most boring live set I have EVER seen, and I've seen a lot of 14 year old kids open mediocre shows in my day, and they're all more excited than the germs were. It looked like if they moved more than half an inch while playing their hips would give out. Terrible.

Misfits were bad too.

Posted by Godfather on 2005-11-15 04:38:58
My Score:

score is for how i spent my summer vacation

Posted by greenerton on 2005-11-15 03:05:16
My Score:

man, what a review whore

Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-11-15 01:35:48
My Score:

I've heard Shane West has been doing an excellent job with the movie and live shows with his portrayl of Crash

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2005-11-15 01:15:26

What kind of release is the movie going to get? It seems like they are trying to attract the punks, but a huge release would be pretty idiotic. I would imagine the band (if they had anything in the say) would be against people going to see it to idolize Shane West.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-11-15 01:14:05

I found out that the Channel 3 song is "Didn't Know" which is kind of embarassing, because it's on the Skinhead Years, which I have. Oops.

Man, you still should've come even without "Cracked." It'd been over two years since I'd seen them in a real place so it was great.

Posted by LevitateMe on 2005-11-15 01:09:23

The Germs are probably my all-time favorite punk band, I really wish I could've seen that.

Posted by rkl on 2005-11-15 01:07:35

no cracked? im almost glad i didnt go. im still going to be kicking myself for missing ch3/ao, who were the only bands i really wanted to see.

fuck you bill. give me some money.

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Riot Fest: Day 2