Saturday was the big 30 years of punk show over at Stage 83 in Lemont, IL. This day-long festival was put together by some of my best friends, the guys from Destroy Everything. It featured a mix of old and new bands spanning nearly every decade of punk rock, though it was much more heavily weighted in the newer punk department.
The club has two rooms, big and small, each with its own stage. The show was set up in such a way that as soon as a band finished on the big stage, the next band in line started on the small stage, this meant there was no waiting around for the next bands to start, you simply walked into the other room to see the next one. However due to the show getting off to a late start thanks to some tardy sound men, the show ran late and there ended up being some overlap between bands playing on both stages simultaneously.
Since getting sick and still not being out of the woods yet, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it out for the show. Conventional wisdom should have dictated my staying home, but I figured the place was so close and we all worked pretty hard to promote the thing, that I didn’t want to miss it totally and if I felt worse, it wasn’t far to go back home or back to a hospital should things go really south for me. As it turned out I was able to make it through nearly the entire show, but it sure took its toll on me as everyone I talked to said I didn’t look like I was feeling well. And they were mostly right.
My pattern of the show was to take photos of a band, then go outside and sit down. This meant that I felt more like I was working rather than just listening to the music, and as a result, I honestly can’t remember details about many of the bands since I only witnessed full sets by a few of them. I will say that there wasn’t a bad band on the bill, and with the exception of a few bands doing uncalled for cover songs of old punk songs (such as SLF’s, “Suspect Device”) that made me mad at them, I enjoyed something about each band. The range was average to great.
So since in many cases I can’t recall specific details about the bands, I’ll just make with the photos and inject any notes I can recall.
Trike
Trike
Trike
First up were Trike, a band from my home town. They were rather straight-up hardcore and these young dudes could go! I thought they did my town proud.
The Groodies
The Groodies
The Groodies
Next up, and the first for the small stage were The Groodies. They are an all-female punk band who were quite enjoyable. That and they are certainly very easy on the eyes!
Nor ILL skate demo
Nor ILLskate demo
For the first part of the day, Nor ILL Skateshop had a skate demo going on out in the parking lot. I watched the skaters go for a little while and it made me wish I never quit skateboarding when I was like 18.
The Jerkwads
The Jerkwads
The Jerkwads
Next up on the big stage were The Jerkwads. I honestly can’t recall what flavor of punk they sounded like but I remember them being OK. Chalk up the lack of memory to the pain and vicodin intake.
Squared Off
Squared Off
Squared Off
Back over on the small stage were Squared Off. I was actually really enjoying them until they played a Stiff Little Fingers cover. My stance on new punk bands covering old ones is well documented. Needless to say I was instantly against them because of it and I went back outside.
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
On the big stage Hotlips Messiah was next. It was shortly before that when Thor showed up and we got some food from the bar and were swapping camera information (in fact it was he who suggested the Canon camera I now use, which was some fine advice). I really like the addition of Traci Trouble as the new singer in Hotlips, she is a perfect fit. HM play some 70’s inspired experimental art-punk. I’ll forgive them for their Nuns cover due to the fact that they have pretty good taste in more obscure old punk rock.
The Frantic
The Frantic
The Frantic
The Frantic played next on the small stage. They were pretty much the same as I saw them a month ago at this same venue, which was good.
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected followed back on the big stage. They play a very metallic hardcore, sort of like you’d hear in the late 1980s when all that crossover stuff was all the rage. I like them in small doses but a full set of them is a little more metallic noodling that I’d prefer. That aside they do have a couple songs in their set that I enjoy and they are all nice guys.
The Scarred
The Scarred
The Scarred
This brought us back to the small stage again where The Scarred took the stage. I honestly don’t remember anything about them but had they been bad, I would have remembered that much.
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects were next. I vaguely remember them reminding me of a UK punk band. I took some pix and then went outside to sit down right away to get fresh air and to rest because at this point I was in a fair amount of pain.
The Hollowpoints
The Hollowpoints
The Hollowpoints
The Hollowpoints were next over on the small stage.
Senor Citizen giving the accident story to “the man”
Rev. Infectious Rex – post head-trauma repair
It was about this time that Thor and I went outside to get some air. We walked over to the parking lot to see a group of people crowded around someone. That someone turned out to be Rev. Infectious Rex of Hotlips Messiah and Lady of 2 was digging into a first aid kit and tending to him. He was holding his head and bleeding profusely. It turned out there was an accident where someone in a car ran over his head! Luckily the wheel didn’t go over his skull or he likely wouldn’t have survived, but he was still pretty messed up. The driver and Traci Trouble took him over to the closest hospital to get stitched up and x-rayed. Luckily all that was required was some stitches and they returned a couple hours later. We were all really worried about him and I was really glad when I saw him walk back in the door. This was the only bad thing of the entire day that I was aware of, other than that it was a pretty smooth operation with very little problems.
Street Brats
Street Brats
Street Brats
When we got back in, Street Brats were playing on the big stage. Last time I saw them was at Riot Fest. They were pretty much the exact same as when I saw them then.
I Attack
I Attack
I Attack
I Attack took the small stage before the Street Brats were done, due to the show running behind schedule. They are a south-side hardcore band with an old school skatecore sound. I really like them and they never fail to deliver the goods. They definitely were one of the highlights of the show.
The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones were next up on the big stage. They play melodic pop/punk that because of the singer having been in Sludgeworth, remind me a lot of that band, but just even more melodic. They have some catchy tunes and the three times I’ve now seen them, I’ve enjoyed them a pretty good amount.
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
As we are heading down the home stretch, Destroy Everything took the small stage, a selfless act considering they were the reason this show was even happening. They were as good as they always are (which is always very enjoyable and I’m not just saying that because they are some of my best friends), but the sound was rather sub-par and not mixed properly. They blazed through their half hour set without missing a beat.
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons followed on the big stage, and the rest of the show took place on this stage. Which version of Toxic Reasons was it you ask? Sadly it was the “metal one”. No Ed Pittman on vocals. They started off with some slow metal numbers that quickly bored me and I went outside to sit down. I could hear them still out there and they did start playing some older numbers after awhile, but I much preferred the Toxic Reasons original lineup and only the hardcore songs.
The Effigies
The Effigies
The Effigies
The Effigies
The Effigies played after Toxic Reasons, and they were as good as the last half dozen times I’ve seen them in the past two years – which is rock solid. They really don’t deviate much from the set list these days, but they did play a fair amount of new songs from the new record they keep claiming to be working on. Those new songs fit in nicely with the old, and I really hope that record happens sooner rather than later.
The unconscious couple
As the last band was about to take the stage, I made my way to one of my photography spots and passed by this couple who appeared to have passed out on each other standing up. They didn’t move for what seemed like a really long time, then they seemed to come to and started making out.
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
This just left the headliners for the day, U.S. Bombs. I wasn’t really much of a fan of theirs, mostly for the fact that I haven’t owned or heard many of their records. What they do, they do well and the crowd there seemed really into it.
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
After I took a bunch of photos, I was so wiped out and not feeling so well that I made my rounds to say my goodbyes and went home early. It was no small miracle that I made it as long as I did through the show, which surprised everyone who knew my current health issue as much as it surprised me. I went home in a really good mood, though worse for wear. The show was a really fun time, the only bummer was that more people didn’t attend. It certainly wasn’t for lack of promotion! I don’t know why so many people didn’t bother to make the trip out to the show, for they sure missed a fun day. Destroy Everything, Rose Red, and all the bands should be commended for a really fun day with almost no incident.
Lots more photos after the jump! (And I do mean lots!)
The Groodies
The Groodies
The Groodies
The Groodies
Squared Off
Squared Off
Squared Off
Squared Off
Squared Off
Squared Off
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
The Frantic
The Frantic
The Frantic
The Frantic
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected
The Infected
The Scarred
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
Dead City Rejects
The Hollowpoints
The Hollowpoints
Street Brats
Street Brats
I Attack
I Attack
I Attack
I Attack
I Attack
I Attack
The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
Toxic Reasons
The Effigies
The Effigies
The Effigies
The Effigies
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
I didn’t know that guy had his head run over. My brother told me there was some sort of fight. Poor guy.
Get well soon.
I’m wondering if Toxic Reasons played anything from Kill By Remote Control LP?
Thanks so much for the Effigies photos, I got into them relatively recently and am freaking dying to see them live. Hopefully they are playing around Pinball Expo time so I can see them. Any chance you could post some songs from the setlist?
hell yeah. i’m fine. the doc says i’ll be ok to play next saturday, which by the way is at the mutiny. info up at http://www.myspace.com/hotlipsmessiah
and if you have more pictures, preferably right after the incident, i would love to have them. i know someone was taking pictures of me before i went to the hospital, and i thought it was you, but i couldn’t be sure, for obvious reasons. anyway, the show was a blast, the pics are awesome. thanks.
-rex-
I didn’t get any pix of you before you left for the hospital. At the time I thought it would have been rather sleazy if I would have taken them but in hindsight I don’t know why I thought that, it would have probably been an asset in your favor. I blame it on the pain meds for that strange line of thinking! Hopefully whoever it was who took any pix will see this and get in touch with you.
hell yes. it may have been the folks from punkrocknight.com. i dunno. either way, cheers!
To Avery H.
We did do two songs from “Kill By Remote Control”… “Destroyer” and Junior’s Friends.
Toxic Reasons
Any TR shows planned on the West Coast (San Diego)? I haven’t seen a TR show since the mid-80’s.
THanks!!
haha as for the passing out couple, i was fine, he was passing out. never thought id see that on a website….just a bit awkward.
with so many bands, i couldn’t have done a review. great photos! do you mind if i use some of the jerkwads?
Okay…now the important question MXV – how do you feel about a way old school punk doing a set of covers with a new school(read: excellent) HC band? My punk rock credibility is on the line here. Think before you answer! Take care.
Morgan – I’m glad to hear you were alright. Knowing only one of you was unconscious solves the mystery of how the two of you didn’t just topple over.
MamaJerkwad – If you guys want to use the pix on their site, just make sure to credit the photos as being taken by MXV and please provide the url http://www.punkvinyl.com. You can copy them off this site. DO NOT attempt to hotlink to them, It won’t work anyway. Same goes for Toxic Reasons who asked in another thread, the same rules apply.
Randy – Yr putting me in a tough spot. I consider you one of my punk rock friends and don’t want to offend you! While I have no problem with punk bands covering old rock songs (cuz in most cases, they improve the songs), I consider the old punk songs sacred and would much prefer any punk band not do them and instead do something original of their own, since that was one of the things punk rock was about in the first place – being unique. I do give leniency in the event that say – you were on stage with a new band and sang a couple Neon Christ songs.
a friend of mine posted some pre-hospital pics of me on myspace in my comments section. you can check it at: myspace.com/infectiousrex
It was a great show, nice work MXV. You looked quite busy and a bit run down all day, which is the reason why I didn’t stop by and say hello…
The two bands that impressed me both were I ATTACK and The Groodies. I missed half The Groodies set which was a bummer because I haven’t had a chance to see them live. Awesome awesome band, I wish they were on a bit later…
Only knew I Attack by name and am not really a hardcore fan but they completely blew me away. Tremendous, I will be seeing them again. They didn’t have any records for sale so I bought their latest off Criminal IQ’s site…
It was a great venue, a great crowd, great prices and a well run, thanks to the guys in Destroy Everything for putting it together. The key to the show (unlike Riot Fest) was the fact that they had re-entry and an outside area to chill. Expecting people to stay in one place for 12 hours without leaving is absurd..
I really have no complaints about the show at all. The only thing I didn’t like were the same 5 meatheads who were in or starting a pit every show with no intention of listening to the music, they just wanted to bump into the people outside the circle…
I really, really hope it gets done again – definitely my favorite show of the year. Stage 83 is a great venue for such an event…
thanx Gantry your commentis very appmuch appreciated.We’re playing on the 23rd of July with a band from Germany called Short Fuse. I’ll get you the info later. Props to the Destroy Everything guys for running a solid show. Thanx!!!
Thanks for the review. I`m sorry we were`nt up to your expectations. I`m glad you enjoyed the songs we played off the first album. There is 8 other albums after the first “, That you can find on the internet”. All with Bruce singing and writing. And Bruce wrote most of the music on ” INDEPENDENCE” . Still, It`s good to get feedback from people. I wonder what kind of review our friends from MDC or DOA would get these days. You know DOA did a cover of ” TAKIN CARE OF BUSINESS”. A ROCKIN ROLL song by BTO.So we have songs in the style of our friends from MOTORHEAD ” Metal”. Should work great with a punk show..you would think……….
By the way. Great pics of all the bands from the show…