A Weekend of RVIV'ing Punk's Glory Days

It’s unusual for me, outside of a festival, to do multiple shows in a weekend. But the weekend of September 29-30 was special, and I went to a show each evening. And special shows they were. So special that I thought I would share them with you.

A friend who has been quite active in booking shows in Southern California for some time (he’s booked shows for nearly 800 bands over the years) hit a significant milestone in his life recently and decided to throw a party to celebrate. Party Marty wanted to fly RVIVR down from Olympia, WA to play this party, and didn’t have the funds to do it. He came up with the idea of using indiegogo to see if, perhaps, his friends would be willing and able to chip in enough to make this happen for him, and he had some local bands lined up ready to play. He needed about $1600 to make it happen. In a matter of only a few hours, he had more than enough raised, and by the time he closed it down, he had raised around $2500! The excess funds are being used to support and maintain a DIY venue that hosts some great shows, with some being used to outfit the place with a great new sound system. I was honored to be invited to this private celebration, which began with a huge BBQ and two different pony kegs of homemade root beer. And then the music began.


Bonsai

First up was BONSAI. I’ve heard them a couple times before, and written about them in my Awesomefest 6 write-up here in the virtual pages of Jersey Beat. But there was something about this night. I don’t know if it was hearing them through a quality PA for the first time, or maybe because it was a great big party with lots of friends, but they were great! They play a fast, furious punk music, intense, with tough, gravely vocals. You can check out some of their music at bonsai.bandcamp.com/.

HORROR SQUAD were up next, with a cool post-pop-punk sort of sound. Huh? It’s got a poppiness to the music, but it’s not pop-punk. It’s no anthemic, either, though there are parts that can be used as sing-alongs. And I won’t call it emo either. It’s just good. It pounds and throbs. Lead vocalist Damien is quite a lively character, too. Check them out on-line at thehorrorsquad.bandcamp.com. I just wish they had more than two songs there, as it’s good stuff!

Following were DUDES NIGHT, who I also wrote about in my Awesomefest 6 review. They’re from SoCal, but they have a big Chicago buzz-saw guitar sound. Blend that with pop-punk and emo-ish melodies and you’ll get an idea of their sound. They have four tracks you can sample online at dudesnight.bandcamp.com.

A band that’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite local bands was next, AMERICAN LIES. This band blends the best aspects of pop-punk and emo. I know the term “emo” has taken on some negative connotations, but I am referring to the best type, the sound from back in the 80s and 90s, when emo meant simply that the music was imbued with an emotional content. This band is really tight and intense, very melodic and incredibly enjoyable. I strongly recommend you try to catch them, should they tour your way. And definitely check out them at americanlies.bandcamp.com. One of the songs from their set at this show can be viewed on YouTube .

RVIVR

Finally, RVIVR! This band is so damned posi! They are such nice people! And they smile when they play! They, too, have a great blend of pop and emo. The music seems to glide and soar effortlessly. The songs are upbeat and can be sung in an anthemic sort of way without coming across as trite. I just enjoy listening to their music so much. You end up feeling so refreshed and aglow after experiencing one of their sets. And, did I mention how nice they are? Check out their music at http://rvivr.bandcamp.com/, and their song, “Seethin” from the night can be viewed here.

After the bands were done playing, some people pitched in to help clean up from the BBQ, and the arty continued a couple more hours with music and dancing. I was up until 5am, the latest I’ve been up for some time! What a great night!


Beside Myself

But it continued! RVIVR took advantage of being in SoCal and played a few more shows in the area, including Sunday night at Che Café, on the campus of UCSD in San Diego. The Che Café is operated as a collective, with members and volunteers running the place. I think they operate as an actual café, serving natural foods and such, and they book like music a few nights a week. Opening the night was BESIDE MYSELF. I saw them at Awesomefest this year, too. They play cool dark power-pop. Not too punk, not too pop, it’s an interesting listen. Check out besidemyself.bandcamp.com.

The next band to play was the two-piece YOU ME & US. With just guitar and drums, they have a very stripped down sound. But lest you think it’s just another White Stripes rip-off, You Me & Us are much poppier and less garage-like. I credit guitarist/vocalist Carlee Hendrix, who has a gorgeous voice. Listen and learn at youmeandusband.com/.

Eskera

After this was ESKERA, one of the more unique bands I’ve encountered recently. Imagine melding ska with good old-fashioned thrashy hardcore. Call it ska-core, if you like, and you get an idea of the sound emanating from this four-piece. This was the band that got the whole place sweaty and inspired an honest to goodness mosh-pit to form. As I was in the midst of trying to capture quality photographs, I did not participate – at least not voluntarily. As is always the case, these things spill over to unwitting show-goers, and I was jostled on more than one occasion. But, I’m used to it – such is the price we music journalists must pay to bring you the real story! You simply must listen to this band to believe that ska-core is real! Check them out at eskera.bandcamp.com.

Finally, RVIVR took the stage, this time at the fully public all-ages show. Like I said, these people are so nice and so caring. The first thing that was said by guitarist/vocalist Erica Freas was a reminder to the crowd that not everyone was into being shoved around, so please be sure to check your neighbors’ faces. If they’re smiling, you’re OK, but if not, you should probably stop. Pretty darn awesome. The show itself was pretty much like the night before, with a mix of old favorites that had everyone singing along, and some new songs (one of which they had played out for the first time the night before and this set was the second time). Two videos from this set can be found on youtube here and here .z

RVIVR

All in all, it was an exhausting but fun weekend. And I am sure that I’ll be having more such weekends to report on in the future, should our esteemed editor deem it acceptable to publish west coast live reviews a little more often.

MORE PHOTOS

American Lies



Dudes Night




Horror Squad





You Me & Us