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Start Slow...End Awesome!
Topics: The Adicts, Concert Review, The Dome, LIVE, Photography, Bakotopia, Bakersfield
Posted by GwyneiraCadwaladr Wed May 28, 2008 23:54:24 PDT
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0 responses 2 comments Location: 2201 V street, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Start Slow...End Awesome!
CONCERT REVIEW: The Adicts and more at The Dome - 5/24/08

On May 24, 2008 the Dome played host to a few punk bands including headliner UK band - The Adicts.

I was excited to be going to the concert and got there around 7 pm, which was the beginning of a slow evening.

I thought I'd be getting there just in time for the first band since doors would open at 6:30 p.m., but no one was let in until around 8:00pm. So for an hour I was outside talking to some friends and observing the gathering crowd. The show line up may have been punk, but the crowd was comprised of different kinds of people like Rockabilly, Punk, Emo, and even one Hip-Hopper.

Finally the doors opened and the first band went one stage about fifteen minutes later. Modern Bombs was the first band to play and I appreciate their efforts. However, their lethargic performance paired with their indifference for the crowd made for a terrible set. Not to mention all their songs sounded too similar.  It's hard being a local band, but you really need to try if you are going to perform as an opening act for an internationally know band like the Adicts.

The second band, Raping White Bitches, was a bit better, and their name is interesting to say the least. They took the stage with their hate-filled music and proceeded to play a rather decent set. The instrumental had variation from song to song, but the vocal flow was indistinguishable from one song to the next.



One interesting thing that happened at the end was that 2 guys from the crowd took the stage and did two songs before being escorted off by security. After their performance the scent of cigarette smoke began to takes over the Dome and the security guards were running about like the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

Finally as the third band took the stage the crowd began to grow slightly and come alive.

Unfortunately I couldn't find out what the name of the third band is, but it was just two people playing the set. The guitarist had some technical difficulties half way through the second song and they were being heckled by someone hiding in the shadows of the bleacher seating. Although the heckler's comment about the guitarist's Rob Thomas haircut was very true and amusing. The set was completely forgettable since most of it was the guitarist fidgeting with his amp.

Thankfully it was over rather quickly and Switchblade 77, the fourth band, began their set. Switchblade 77 is a rockabilly style punk band and their set was the first to have some real energy that night. Their music started up some good circle pits and their covers of the Misfits' "I turn into a Martian" and "Earth A.D." were okay. I also caught sight of a few girls in the pit which is awesome because I rarely see girls brave enough to jump in.

As I finished up my pomegranate rockstar and the next band began to set up, I noticed a man walking around. He'd been walking around the Dome for a while and he looked very familiar. Turns out he is the drummer for the Adicts and either not very many people realized who he was, knew who he was, or were just to intimidated to talk to him, but he kept walking around virtually undisturbed by the crowd.

The Contaminators took the stage with full force. These guys blew the previous bands out of the water with their charisma and music. They had a lot of attitude and actually addressed the crowd. All the songs had a good fast beat you could mosh to without sounding like the same old stuff over and over again.

Finally, after much anticipation the Adicts jumped onto the stage and put on such an energetic performance that I got tired just sitting there taking notes. They started out with a punk version of the “Ode to Joy” instrumental originally written by Beethoven.

The band is dressed in their “droog” attire, well all except Monkey who looks like the love child of Ziggy Stardust and the Joker from Batman. I watch as the crowd begins to sway and start to come to life during the opening. The whole band is dancing, jumping, and engaging the crowd with their antics. Their whole performance brought to mind New Year’s Eve because of all the streamer, confetti, balls, glitter, and playing cards being tossed into the crowd.

The requisite troublemakers were jumping onto the equipment, and then into the crowd. A few weren’t caught as the tried and failed at crowd surfing. Monkey decided to pull a few lucky ladies from the crowd and onto the stage as the band performed “Naughty Girls”. After a costume change, crowd pleasers like “Numbers” and “Viva La Revolution”, and a quirky rendition of “Fools Rush In” they ended their set. Well not really, they came back for an encore of three more songs.

For a band that has been around since 1975 the put on a show full of tons of energy and they audience definitely enjoyed themselves during their performance. After the show I went backstage and took a picture with Monkey. Safe to say even though the night started slow it ended awesome!


Story also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 30, 6-12-08

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Comment From: matt

What a great review. Glad you had a goodtime. Ahhh The Adicts...Bako was lucky to see them before they went back to UK! Thanks! Matt Comment From: photographybyjess

Great job!