OK look, I’m supposed to be impartially reporting on what I saw…and I will, but I just have to say that I love the DESCENDENTS! I’m excited that they’ve released their first new record in 12 years (Hypercaffium Spazzinate) and I’m equally as excited that they are currently playing shows in select cities to introduce people to the new material (and play a ton of old tunes too). And finally, I’m really happy to have heard a rumor that the band is booking shows, possibly a tour, for 2017.
The Hollywood Palladium was sold out and packed with people from all walks of life. There were brand new fans, parents who brought their kids, and die-hard fans proudly wearing their old Descendents t-shirts purchased at shows long ago.
Sharp Shock opened the show. Playing just their second live show ever, they were a sharp dressed power pop trio. Are you thinking The Jam? You should be, in a good way. Sharp Shock features tattoo artist Dan Smith (of LA Ink fame) on bass and backing vocals. With the venue continuing to fill up, Modern Baseball was up next. The crowd absolutely loved these indie rockers from PA, singing along with many of the songs. I even heard some high-pitched screaming reminiscent of Beatlemania.
The Descendents came out to close out the show—and did they ever. They played a 28 song set, plus two encores, and by the end the crowd was still standing there begging for more. Their set spanned their career with songs from 1981’s “FAT” EP to the just released Hypercaffium Spazzinate. Milo (vocals) took a minute to say how happy he was to be playing back in LA—near the band’s birthplace of Hermosa Beach—and said “thank you” to the adoring crowd between songs.
The Descendents hit the stage and didn’t stop. I’ve heard them referred to as the “grandfathers of pop punk” and they definitely deserve the respect due to all family elders—but I challenge any of these young whipper-snapper bands to keep up with the Descendents.
MODERN BASEBALL
SHARP SHOCK
