The East Coast, F*ck You tour came storming through Toronto on Friday night.
My musical journey/self-discovery started with 80’s hair metal, and very quickly evolved into 90’s punk rock (thanks to my high school boyfriend). We saw some great artists back then, and when we split (as these high school romances often do), I also generally walked away from punk rock. I don’t think it was a conscious decision necessarily, but this weekend has reminded me of the love I had for a “Good ole Punk Show”. From the moment that Jer walked on stage, their singer belting out politically charged speeches with a heated passion between songs, put me in my own little time capsule. The upbeat ska music, complete with a saxophonist and trombonist, had me dancing and bouncing around the photo pit while I was snapping photos.
The night flowed easily with typically short breaks between songs and sets. It’s an undeniable trait of a true punk show; the music really doesn’t stop. There’s no pomp and circumstance to the show, just groups of friends with their instruments and a mic, with little to no other distractions.
Following the highly energetic performance of Jer, we were treated to a great set by the Smoking Popes, a 4-piece group from Chicago, who’ve been in the game since the early 90’s (with a hiatus in the early 00’s). They have a fast-paced ripping electric bass and a vocalist who sounds like he belongs back in the era of the crooners. These two sounds may not sound like they would mesh well, but that assumption would be incorrect, and the Smoking Popes find a way to pull these styles together seamlessly.
The third band of the evening was Suicide Machines, another band that has been on the map since the early ’90s. A band with a bit of a ska tilt and a more hardcore undertone. Lead singer, Jay Navarro, wearing his battle vest, and dancing around the stage with infectious energy, led the nearly sold-out crowd at the Danforth Music Hall through a blistering setlist, even jumping up on the barricade to get the fans at the front involved in the show.
Last up, the main event, The Bouncing Souls, hailing from New Jersey, took to the stage at 9:15, for an hour and a half of their classic upbeat sound, with songs ranging from their 35-year career and 12 studio albums. The Bouncing Souls have survived almost entirely intact over their time together, the only non-original member being their drummer, George Rebelo. Greg Attonito (vocals), Pete Steinkopf (guitar), and Bryan Kienlen (bass) are all original founding members.
I may not have seen the Bouncing Souls since the late 90s, but when they opened the night with “Hopeless Romantic”, I was once again transported back to the early years of Warped Tour and all the punk shows of my youth. This show rekindled a love of punk music for me and reminded me to keep listening to all these bands that continue to pursue their passions and state their opinions (well, *mostly*). When you have the opportunity to see icons of a genre, you do not turn it down. When the Bouncing Souls come through your town, go.
See photos below!
