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Notes From the Underground

By Michael Mechanic

Sunday Night Live:
Pennywise madhouse, punk from hicksville and other assorted tales from the farside

'We all look the same," sang Pennywise's mouthman at Palookaville on Sunday night. Yeah, no joke. That was the most homogeneous crowd I've seen since the Dalai Lama played Tassajara. And the drums sounded like trash-can lids and I thought they could have picked a more appropriate Minor Threat song to cover than "Minor Threat"--the theme song of a band that could have headlined $14 shows, but refused. Enough griping. People were there for the action, and there was plenty of that. The entire hall was a kinetic sweat house. During the final song, stage and crowd became one as scores of kids commandeered the stage, completely obscuring the musicians--definitely a sight to behold.

I missed Blink, the band I'd really come to hear, so I wandered over to the Redroom to make sure the Willies weren't getting in trouble. They were. Singer Jeff Solomon says I was lucky to have missed them because he lost his voice after like two songs. But Stinkaholic made my night. I never thought anything worthwhile could come from Oakhurst, Calif., where the main attraction is a cheesy talking bear that welcomes visitors when you push a button. But if you ask me, they put Pennywise to shame. Super-tight, super-catchy punk rock done with a humorous cynicism that makes 'em fun to watch. And they won my heart by playing "Jaded," by Op Ivy. Afterwards, I snuck upstairs to Emi's to see what the Whistle Pigs were up to. Metal, metal, metal--droning and heavy, churning and thumping with more ampage than Spaceboy and Herbert combined, and all to play a sushi bar, fer cryin' out loud!

The Meanies of Life

The Meanies played their first gig at the Redroom on Feb. 3 with Teen Angels (singer Kelly Canary lives up to her name with her petite frame and squawky vocals). Singer/guitarist Tracy Minicucci, bassist Maya Osaki and drummer Mike Puente (from Local 101) play fast rock & roll that didn't open any new doors for me, but kicked pretty hard for a debut. We'll see how they develop. They might want to consider a new name, since Frontier just sent me a CD by another "the Meanies." Maybe they should compete to see who's meaner.

Not Quite Free Radio Benefit

Sick of hearing Free Radio Santa Cruz DJs gripe about how their equipment is on the fritz? Well, now you can help shut them up! The local pirate station is holding a benefit at the Vets Hall on Sunday to help make ends meet. There'll be an eclectic bunch of bands, including Soda Pop, Fuck You, Funky Nixons, Just Kidding, the Belligerents and Wyrm (8pm, $5 donation at the door).

Upcoming

On Saturday (10pm) at the Redroom, the Bottom Feeders play with Zeke and Witchhook Sky. Purple Bosco plays Emi's on Sunday (10pm) with Herbert. Coming March 8 at the Vet's Hall: D.I., Mock, the Cavities and Reliance.

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