Channel 3 – Live In California

This is one of those shows where every band kicked some heavy ass, and for some incomprehensible reason, there were not many people in attendance. Hector of Spider kindly put me and my best friend, and ever-present companion Cathy on the guest list, so there I was, frantically navigating the 605 Freeway at 80 MPH trying to get there on time. “Damn! It’s 8:45 and Spider is on stage!” I said aloud as I used my skateboarder skills to foolishly weave around traffic. Fortunately for us, Spider pushed the time forward a bit, probably anticipating my late arrival, or perhaps it was to see if more people would show up. When I finally entered the venue, Spider had just started their set, and there were only about 35 people inside with about 15 onlookers paying proper attention. Of course, I went and grabbed a chair for Cathy, and we went directly to the front of stage left where I high-fived the uber-kenetic Hector as he sang with all his might. Despite the low early turnout, every member of the band gave it their all, just as they do at every show, large or small. It did not take long for the aimless wanderers and newcomers to realize something incredible was happening onstage and it was in their best interest to pay attention. 

Not very many people came forward, because, for some other bewildering reason, people tend to stand away from the stage, in a semicircle during opening bands. It was probably in their best interest, because Hector started swinging the microphone like a medieval weapon. Cathy said it missed my head by about two inches. While the growing audience stood back with accumulating smiles and nods, I entertained myself by getting as close to possible to Karl and his astonishing guitar work and Brian with his bucking bronco bass attack. Newish drummer Chris Ogard was solid and on-point as well. I got the chills when they played “Tabula Raza.” It is always difficult to be the opening band, but Spider does not hold back for any reason. Find out for yourself and see this band live. Why isn’t this band signed? Someone take care of that. Maybe Iggy Pop will take care of it, because the following evening Iggy played two of their songs (“Tabula Rasa” and “Riptide”) on his BBC Radio 6 Music show. 

Next up was Sick Sense from Riverside. I had heard a lot about this band from my skateboard buddies, and was eager to finally hear them play. They churned out some great tight thrash that reminded me a lot of Suicidal Tendencies, but with fewer metal leads. The metal leads were there, but the focus was more on the tight jam and the chainsaw wall of sound. Yeah, this is the kind of stuff we used to skateboard to in the mid 1980s. It was good then and it is still good now. I was thinking these guys looked kinda vato when the lead singer/rhythm guitarist Mando let out with a loud “Orale ese!” (Rough translation: Yeah dude!). These guys don’t waste time with rock star posturing or a lot of onstage jibber-jabber. They just jam. People seemed to have appeared from nowhere and the slam pit got going. In fact, it seems that Sick Sense drew the most people to the front of the stage than any of the bands that performed that night. I was busy being enthralled when a friendly but drunk big guy slammed into me and crushed my ankle a bit. It hurt a lot, but I put the weight on my other foot and enjoyed “We Are The Enemy.” A great set that brought the Stardust Club to life.

Before Latch Key Kids began their set, I decided to walk off the pain in my ankle, so I walked to the corner of the strip mall and saw something familiar that I had not seen in many years. Just across the side street was what used to be Harvey’s Broiler, now a Bob’s Big Boy Broiler, and I realized that was the car-hop restaurant where my dad used to hang out when he was in high school in the late 1950s. Looking to the left across the street was a shopping center where there used to be a miniature golf course and trampoline park where my mom used to take me when I was five-years-old. My dad died last January, so I silently said hello to him and also to the memory of my childhood self. I then limped back into the bar…I mean the Stardust Club. 

Latch Key Kids was just getting started when I got back inside. Again, we were treated to more of the vato-style of skateboard-influenced thrashpunk, but this time, with more emphasis on the shredding metallic leads. Lead guitarist Psycho made it seem effortless and his style is smooth. I really liked these guys and the sparse crowd (an appropriate oxymoron) did too. The few people who chose to circle pit were highly enthusiastic, so I moved away to protect my throbbing ankle. I got a kick out of the song “5150” and thought of all the people I know it applied to. (5150 is institutional code for someone who is on an involuntary mental health hold.) The youngster of the group, the bassist known as Grim, somehow lost his guitar strap but he was able to continue the song while kneeling down. He had a bit of trouble putting it back on, and that was because he had a few. Even so, Grim and everyone in the band played a great set. Vocalist Javier told me he was the only original member remaining, but I can see he has kept Latch Key Kids going since the 1980s! Orlae ese! 

As Roman’s Weirdos were setting up to play, I asked some guy standing next to me: “Where the fuck is everybody?” He replied: “I know…right?” Unbeknownst to us, there were a few other good shows happening that night, so that must have been the reason. (I have always wanted to use the word unbeknownst.) I walked over to founding member of The Weirdos, Mr. Cliff Roman and told him I was really eager to hear him play. With a gracious sweep of his hand toward the stage he said: “We have many wonderful Weirdos classics tonight.” I felt fortunate to have this great band somewhat all to myself for the evening. The set began with “Do the Dance,” followed by “Terrain,” “Message From the Underworld,” and then one of my favorites, “A Life of Crime.” I got to sing one of the “yeaaah” parts and some of the other lyrics too. Karl from Spider joined me up front, smiling broadly, and singing along as Cliff did his thing right in front of us. Midway through the set, someone called out: “How old is he?” Without looking up, as he tuned his guitar, Cliff called out: “I will be 71 this year!” We applauded in happy approval and mutual appreciation. “Solitary Confinement” got people moving a bit, as did “Happy People,” and “Fort USA.” Of course “Destroy All Music” and “We Got the Neutron Bomb” were expertly rendered. I thoroughly enjoyed “Shining Silver Light,” and it all ended with “Helium Bar.” Was it good? No, it was glorious! 

Okay, so Cliff Roman is the only original member of The Weirdos in this particular incarnation, but all the musicians in this group are highly adept, and with the passing of original member, and fellow guitarist Dix Denny in 2023, this is probably the closest you will ever get to seeing The Weirdos again, so take the opportunity when you get it. 

CH3 always delivers and of course, the guys gave us everything they had in spite of the low turnout. That is one of the ways you can tell seasoned professionals from the newcomers and/or egocentric groups. Whether it is 5,000 in the audience or 50, the good ones always give you their best. I see that I neglected to take notes, but that is okay, because I remember hearing “Manzanar”, “The Last Time I Drank” (big, poofy hair version), “Catholic Boy” and that catchy little ditty that Rodney Bingenheimer first shared with the world: “You Make Me Feel Cheap.” Lead guitarist and vocalist Mike Magrann was kind enough to allow Cathy to sing the female part of the song, and she did really well. So much so, that a week later at the 999 show in Los Angeles, two people came up to her and said they saw her sing with CH3 in Downey and she sounded really good. I think I remember hearing “What About Me?” and “Stupid Girl,” but I could be wrong. I will make a note to be sure to make notes. Was there an encore? No. There was no need. CH3 gave one hell of a performance, and that was enough. 

Be sure to check out Mike Magrann’s book “Miles Per Gallon” and find out why some are calling Mike the contemporary version of Holden Caulfield…you know, that guy from “The Catcher in the Rye”. Read a book for a change. You can find my erudite book review of “Miles Per Gallon” here. Shows like this are always the best, and even though I did not get on the No Values Festival media list, I don’t care. I would much rather be at small shows like this