TSOL / BAD SAMARITANS / THE DIFFS / DOOMSDAY 1999; The Loft; Ventura, CA; 09/18/04
Reviewed by Spudbeast
If you've ever been to The Loft, then you know how small it is. If you haven't, I'd say it's only about 70 feet by 25 feet. So, when I walked in shortly after Doomsday 1999 started and saw the normally crowded space between the stage and the sound booth clear, I knew I was in for a crazy set.
Doomsday 1999's frontman (who bore an uncanny resemblance to Dave Grohl) was running around the middle of the floor, uttering his guttural and screeching vocals to some speedy grindcore. This was a great way to start the show.
Next on the bill were The Diffs, a rather typical and uninspired group that pleased the crowd well enough. The highlights of their set were their two closers, both covers of the legendary Germs.
The Bad Samaritans, a band I've been familiar with for some time, were up after The Diffs. If you've never heard the Bad Samaritans, they're fairly quick punk with a little bit of hardcore (reminiscent of Toxic Narcotic). They put on a good show and had a strong stage presence.
The headliners that evening were punk legends TSOL. They played some of their classics, such as "Change Today" and "Abolished Government" and the show was kept fresh by frontman Jack Grisham's dark comedy. To close the show, not surprisingly, was the famous "Code Blue."
A TSOL show is suggested for fans of punk or those just looking for a good time.
Copyright © 2004 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06 Oct 2019 11:48:56 -0400.
