The Scene: Lagwagon’s show at Summit Music Hall had a huge turn out from all over the state as well as surrounding states. The usual show junkies showed up, as well as the once-a-year show goers. The Summit was packed for this one and even though the balconies were open there was not much space to move around, especially during the main act.
Opener: This Legend. The Los Angeles, California based four-piece Pop Punk band This Legend started out the night’s lineup. The band is newly formed, (made up members of Yellowcard, and Hey Mike!) and has recently signed with Aaron Abeyta’s (El Hefe from Nofx) record label Cyber Tracks. The packed crowd cheered loudly when appropriate, but was unfamiliar with the band. Joe Raposo and Chris Flippin from Lagwagon appreciated the show; both came onstage to watch the bands’ last performance of the tour and visibly enjoyed themselves. The band played great; Longineu Parsons III’s (“LP”) navigation of the drums was impeccable and the band definitely left with more fans they when they arrived.
Opener: Swingin’ Utters. The Santa Cruz, California band $wingin’ Utter$ started their set with a song off of their popular 1996 release A Juvenile Product of the Working Class, “Windspitting Punk.” Singer John Bonnel (aka Johnny Peebucks) was his usual odd self, seemingly having too much energy and no outlet for it. He swung his microphone around violently, smacked himself in the face with his hands and the mic, and danced in a strange fashion. The crowd definitely got into the set, but the band didn’t have as many fans as they deserved. $wingin Utter$ are a prolific Punk Rock staple and have been around for over twenty-two years and put out nine albums (three of which were released in the past four years), two live albums, and numerous splits and compilations. The prolific band finished their set with the song “Agonist” off their latest album and fans did not contain their smiles of anticipation for Lagwagon.
Lagwagon: The prominent band from Santa Barbara started their lengthy set with two tracks off their latest release Hang: “Obsolete Absolute” and “Made of Broken Parts.” Hang was released this year, a mere nine years since their last full-length album, and it has been wildly heralded (read my review of Hang here). The album has a much darker sound and a slightly Metal edge when compared to earlier releases from the band. It was a delight to see the band play several songs from this latest masterpiece. During the next song, “Island of Shame,” an excited fan ran onto the stage and sort of danced around singer Joey Cape. The fan hugged Cape, but the hug quickly turned into a chokehold and the kid had to be removed from the stage. They played a sped-up live version of “Violins” next, and bassist Joe Raposo was dripping sweat from jumping around and playing with voracity. Next came “After You My Friend” followed by “Falling Apart.” During the latter there is a line asking for a smoke and a hail of cigarettes rained on the stage. They then played two oldies, “Sick” and “Angry Days,” followed by two new ones “Western Settings” and “The Cog in the Machine.”
During “Coffee and Cigarettes” the crowd surfers went rampant and Joey Cape poured a Budweiser on guitarist Chris Flippin’s head. “Burning Out in Style” was next, and then Cape picked up a guitar for “Alien 8.” Flippin and Cape were both hitting Flippin’s foot pedal during this one, and the contrast between their feet sizes was almost comical as Flippin is a good foot taller than Cape. They played “Making Friends” next and the entire crowd screamed along, followed by another crowd favorite, “Razor Burn,” during which all three guitarists showily jumped around together. After this Cape quickly said his thanks and goodbyes. No one left after this abrupt ending, and fans screamed waiting for the band to come back onstage.
When they finally came back onstage, Cape rode on Kody Templeman’s (Teenage Bottlerocket, The Lillington’s) shoulders while singer Ray Carlisle (Teenage Bottlerocket) watched and laughed hysterically. During Cape’s solo during “Burden of Proof” Flippen handed several beers offstage to lucky fans. After this a fan got a note to Cape, which he read. It was a birthday wish for a young fan. Not only did Cape wish the kid a happy birthday, he pulled him onstage, hugged him, and had a heart-to-heart moment with the kid. Cape dedicated “One More Song” to Tony Sly (No Use for a Name), his best friend who died in 2012. Watching Lagwagon is almost a religious experience, every nuance was majestic from Cape’s sweet voice, Raposo’s impeccable bass playing (the man can play just as quickly without a pic as he can with), Flippin’s outstanding lead guitar solos, and most impressive was Dave Raun on the drums. Raun somehow manages to evolve with age and is amazing at what he does and continues to do. Lagwagon finished their incredible set with “May 16th,” and the fans went nuts for the familiar song. It was an amazing performance by one of the greatest Punk Rock bands of all time.
Energy: A+
Musicianship: A-
Sound: A
Stage Presence: A+
Set/Light Show: A-
Overall A
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