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Notes From the Underground

Saturday Night Fervor:
Yet another weekend in review

By Michael Mechanic

I'M ALWAYS STOKED to hear new local bands, two of which opened for Goodfellas at Viking's Hall last Saturday. Youth Riot, who mix up ska and punk, were fun, though kinda sloppy. They have this funny song where bassist Nate speaks over the rhythm section about walking down Pacific past all the different crowds and then he describes this girl with a pierced nose and pink hair walking out of Pipeline and says, "That girl is alternative!" before launching into action. YR's got potential, but needs an amp upgrade and some practice. Reliance emerged from the starting gate full speed. From the ashes of Illiterit, they picked up a new singer, Stormy, guitarist Tyler and a 16-year-old drummer named Evan, who can really play. It was their first show but sounded like a band that'd been together for years--super tight, super energetic. They'll be opening for Lag Wagon, No Use For a Name and Good Riddance on Feb. 4 at the Redroom.

On Sunday night, the whole building at Cedar and Locust was rockin'. Upstairs at Emi's (amid fireplace, sushi bar and ornate woodwork) Junk Sick Dawn (my band) played with Witchhook Sky, which is a trio y'all should check out--especially if you're tired of punk-punk-punk all the time. These Aptos boys aren't visually too thrilling, but musically, they do some really nice, melodic bass/guitar interplay and their drummer rips. Downstairs at Redroom, a lot of people showed up at the Wynona Riders show. But I think quite a few came just to see Diversion and Lost Cause because a lot of people split before Wynonas played--and that sucks, because they're a good band.

Punk Rock Stars? ... In SC? ... AAAAAGH!

So guess who's gonna be the new singer for RKL (Rich Kids on LSD). Did you guess Guerin? You win a Pocket Fisherman! Wait, you say ... are you telling me that the obnoxious former Stench frontman is gonna be on Epitaph? Sure looks like it. Our antihero was all delighted on Sunday after getting the word from RKL, whose previous singer apparently had bigger problems than LSD. Of course, we can all depend on young Guerin to stay clean and sober.

Tape Review--Riff Raff's Music to Kill By

This tape is pretty cool, albeit pretty pessimistic. Just check out some of the song titles: "Blank," "Regret," "Dead and Gone," "Hate and Unkind," "Forever Blue." Oh well, pain is good--builds character and all that crap your momma taught you. This six-song cassette doesn't shatter any great philosophical or stylistic boundaries, but if you want superfast, catchy roots rock & roll with punk influences thrown in here and there, then you'll definitely like it. Soundwise, it's way, way better than their first tape and it definitely makes you want to jump around.

Upcoming

Check out Spaceboy with Vincent's Ear at the Redroom on Saturday. Drain and (formerly) Dajima play Emi's on Sunday night.

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