Adolescents / The Bollweevils / Powerflex 5 / Overexposure / No Bling: Live At Haven City Market, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Of course Adolescents tore it up at this event as did all the bands on the bill. The irony of punk rock shows in the heart of politically-conservative Rancho Cucamonga still bewilders me, but this time, I was not expecting the cops to come in wearing riot gear to bust some heads. I was not quite on time (as usual), but I did arrive early enough to catch the last two songs by No Bling. It was pretty good with an uncomplicated but solid delivery of melodious punk rock with a strong dash of ska moments courtesy of the guy on the trombone. They let their super-cute friend sing the last song (no, I don’t know her name or the name of the song), but I enjoyed listening to it. Jeremy King, the special event manager for Dr. Strange Records (and drummer for various bands) described No Bling as: “Suicide Machine meets Fugazi.” I don’t know what that means, but okay. 

The raging 5-piece known as Overexposure took the makeshift pallet and plywood stage, and when the band suddenly exploded, I was truly astonished and said: “Fuck!” Damn, this band is intense, tight and well-worth your attention. Did I get any song titles or band member’s name? No, I was too busy being blown away and taking it all in. I did take a few quick notes and here is what I wrote: “Fuck!” “Good screaming.” “Drums solid and often precisely intricate.” “Lead guitarist rules and jumps a lot.” Overexposure is definitely hardcore, but not in that jockish, straight edge kind of way. This band emanates its own brand of hardcore. I felt like a tough guy during this band’s set. You will too (even if you are a female) when you get the chance to enjoy Overexposure live. 

Skateboarding legend Steve Alba (Salba) and his Powerflex 5 were up next and treated the rapidly-growing crowd to an extended set of surf rock. If you don’t know who Salba is, then let me tell you he is legend. He won the first ever vertical skateboard contest, was one of the most well-known and photographed professionals throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, and at the age of 60, he is still the reigning king of backyard pools. Powerflex 5 was only a trio on this evening, but the sound was full and well-appreciated by the accumulating onlookers of all ages. Accompanying Screaming Lord Salba were the beat-adept Cory Miller on Drums, and the deeply throbbing Bobby Abarca on bass. This may have been a surf set, but the slam pit started churning a bit, and Cory shouted out: “Let’s hear it for Dr. Strange!” The audience responded with cheers as Cory humorously added: “You fucking loser! I went to high school with that guy!” I am pretty sure the set ended with a rousing cover of The Damned’s Neat, Neat Neat. Skate and destroy. 

All the way from Chicago, Illinois, The Bollweevils took the penultimate spot and took the energy level even higher. Before the band began playing, I watched vocalist Daryl Wilson quietly work himself into a performance frenzy. Wikipedia (a name you can trust) says that Daryl quit the band in 1996 when he completed medical school and became a doctor. Before the band began to play, Daryl took some time to thank Dr. Strange (Bill) for putting out the band’s first album, a few more after that, and “Thank god for bands like Adolescents. That’s why I am into punk rock.” I don’t know how these three guys kept going that strong for that long. Daryl reminds me of Chi Pig (RIP) of SNFU the way he jumps surprisingly high and sings with wondrous emotion. He went into the crowd to mix it up with the slammers for Sundown and Liniment and Tonic. Still raging after all these years The Bollweevils released a new album this year entitled Essential on the Red Scare Industries label. be sure to pick that one up. It lives up to its name. 

I had the coveted all-access wristband, so I went “backstage” to see if I could swoop on any free food, but all I could find were multiple cases of bottled water and a few morsels in the plywood cubicle that served as the Adolescents’ room. Tony was standing there alone with his back to me as he silently contemplated the tortilla chips, a plate of vegetables, and a case of Dr. Pepper. “Such is the lavish life of a rockstar” I said and he turned around and smiled. I then told him that I recently found an interview I did with him and the late Steve Soto from about 20 years ago that was never transcribed. Tony said he would love to hear it sometime, so now I have to find it again. Tony still wears one of those turtleneck facemasks that were in vogue during the height of the pandemic. 

Adolescents’ set burst out with LA Girl, and the large slampit immediately churned into existence. This was followed by Who is Who and some comely lass of about 16 felt obliged to sing the lyrics directly into my face. Thanks! Tony said something about guitarist Ian Taylor used to skate the original Upland Pipeline Skateboard Park (so did I, and I worked there for about five years, so there.) Lockdown America from the OC Confidential album was next, and Tony explained: “This is about our old friend Donald Trump and we’re all looking forward to him doing some time.” Then came Losing Battle, Rip it Up, and Losing Again, which bassist Brad Logan humorously sang it as “Losing a Leg.” 

Guitarist Dan Root was looking rather overheated, so I picked up his personal little fan and held it up to his face while he played. He made a display of appreciating it. At one point, Dan took some guy’s cell phone out of his hand and used it as a guitar pick. We also heard Wrecking Crew, Queen of Denial and Kids of the Black Hole. My friend Cathy wrote in my notebook: “They played Amoeba.” Oh yeah, they played Amoeba. It was a great night.

Thanks to everyone who made this show happen and I am really looking forward to A Strange Reunion, the next Dr. Strange Records presentation at The Haven City family friendly, overpriced, hyper bright, food court on October 21st. A Strange Reunion will feature Zoinks!, Rhythm Collision (first show in over 20 years), Cyanide Pills (UK; first US show), Whatever (first show in 20 years) and Mandingo (also first show in 20 years.). 35 years of Dr. Strange Records? Yep. 

Tickets for A Strange Reunion on the 21st October at Haven City can be purchased here