Concert Review: Rancid @ The Fillmore Charlotte, NC 9/10/2013

The up and coming band, The Interrupters, were a great opening for the show.  The foursome out of LA, lead singer Amie Allen and the Bivona brothers, Kevin, Justin and Jesse, were the spark that set the evening off.  They sang songs from their soon to be released debut CD on Hellcat Records.  Two faves of mine were "A Friend Like Me" and the high energy, "Liberty".  They didn't disappoint in getting the crowd warmed up.  Keep an eye out for there CD but until then you can check them out on Youtube.

Tim Timebomb and Friends, led by Tim Armstrong, have been doing a song a day on Tim's site and Youtube. They have done over 300.  They did cover's of oldies and Tim Armstrong's songs.  They brought the tempo up and started the fire with songs like "She's Drunk All The Time", "30 Pieces of Sliver" and the Hank Williams Sr. song, "My Bucket's Got a Hole in it".  Armstrong as always was a music storyteller.  The audience constantly moving to the music went into a frenzy when Tim came down from the stage to the front of the crowd.  Fans clambered forward to touch him and rub his head like a modern day, musical Buddha.

20 year veterans, Rancid, hit the stage sounding even stronger than they did in the 90's.  The fire ignited and the crowd went wild.  Soon the bodies were flying overhead and the pit was in full swing. Songs like "Nihlism", "Ruby Soho", "East Bay Nights" and "Time Bomb" never grow old.  The whole show was high energy and the crowd sang along on several songs, including "Fall Back Down".  The band stood up to their legendary status. They will be releasing a new CD sometime in October. They haven't released a CD since their 7th "Let the Dominoes Fall" in 2009.

Lars Frederiksen

Tim Armstrong

Matt Freeman

Branden Steineckert

It was an amazing event and my second time seeing Rancid this year.  Did not prepare a more in depth review because I went to this concert to dance my ass off.  More than a concert, it was a group of friends doing what they love to do the most, making great music.

See ya in the pit!!!

A funny thing happened on the way to the Rancid concert..........

I had time to kill before the Rancid concert so walked to a little bar close to the venue.  There was no one in the bar but myself and two other guys.  A guy and girl walk in and sit at the bar near me and order Jameson and Coke.  I keep looking at the guy because he looks so familiar.  Blahsie, blahsie, long story short, he turns out to be Kevin Bivona and she, Amie Allen.  I told him I remembered him from Youtube and playing with The Transplants in Norfolk, VA. Soon in walks Justin and Jesse Bivona and all four almost in unison tell me they are The Interrupters.

Amie introduces herself with a friendly smile and they agree to snap a pic with me.  If I had know then I was going to do this page I would have snagged an interview.  I have to say they put on a great show.

Question and Answers with Rob Ruckus of The Vermin

I first learned of Rob Ruckus from the A&E show "Bad Ink". The show follows him and his tattoo artist buddy, Dirk Vermin, searching Vegas for bad tattoos and then correcting them. They are hilarious and keep you laughing the entire show.  Their punk band, The Vermin, is one of the best, true punk bands around.  Watching him play bass is magic.  He can also be found bartending at the Double Down Saloon in Vegas.

Ruckus really cares about his fans, which is evident on Twitter where he seems to reach out to as many as he can. Few celebrities would grant their fans so much attention. He is kind enough to answer my insomnia driven questions about his tattoos and music and has given me permission to share them with you.

Elaine:     May I ask how old you are and who's portrait is on your right forearm?

Ruckus:     Old enough and Vincent Price

Elaine:     Is that a luchador on your arm?

Ruckus:     Yes it is, El Demonio Azul!! The Blue Demon!!

Elaine:     I think your ink is interesting. Was gonna guess one was Bela Lugosi too but can't tell

Ruckus:     Well I got Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, and Vlad the Impailer. But no Bela, Yet!!

Elaine:     So old horror flick fan I see.

Ruckus:     yup

Elaine:     Boris must be the one I see and I got my creepy peeps mixed up
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Ruckus:     It's Boris as Frankenstein. Oh yeah I got Max Schrek as Nosferatu, maybe that's what you see.

Elaine:     Who influenced you the most musically?

Ruckus:     The Damned.

Elaine:        To further my punk education, what are at least 3 bands that would be a must to listen to?

Ruckus:     The Damned, TSOL, and The Specials are great places to start.

Ruckus:     Check my radio shows. http://www.ruckusontheradio.com

Elaine :      Why the bass?

Ruckus:     Started on viola, sat on it, then they moved me to upright. 6th grade. Forward a few years and I found the Ramones.

Elaine:     How did you learn to play? Lessons? Self taught?

Ruckus:     Self taught!! Playing country and jazz stuff taught me when NOT to play.

Ruckus:    In other words when to let 1 nite ring instead of hitting as fast as possible.

Elaine:     Can u still play viola and upright? Other instruments?

Ruckus:     Upright yes, viola no, and a Lil guitar.

Elaine:         What other music genres influence you?

Ruckus:     I play any and everything from jazz to country, ambient gothic to punk rock  Something good in most all music.

Elaine:         Is there some sort of difference or division between Vegas punk and LA punk?

Ruckus:     Not at all. They played here, we played there. Still great friends.

Elaine:     There are so many divisions in punk. What would you consider The Vermin to be?

Ruckus:     Just old school punk as far as I'm concerned. Still don't like labels.

Elaine:     I love the mix of genres on ur radio cast! No metal?

Ruckus:     Not really a metal fan myself.

Elaine:        Your taste is eclectic. How do you find your music?

Ruckus:     I see em live, know the band, cover the songs or just like the record cover. Mostly seeing live though.

Elaine:        Do you listen to radio?
 
Ruckus:     Never

Elaine:        Do u like any of the (for lack of better word) mainstream punk bands?

Ruckus:      Some, not many. I'm an old fucker, I like the older shit or new stuff by old guys.

Ruckus:      If you mean bad religion and NOFX type stuff yes, blink 182, NO!!!!

Elaine:         Lol why dont u like blink?

Ruckus:     Just think its fake. I like my music with soul!! bumps, bruises and all. They seem too polished for my taste. If others dig em that's great.

Ruckus:     Just not MY thing.

Elaine:      You're very sweet for chatting with me.
  
Ruckus:     No worries. Storm in lv screwed my Internet. Everything is slow. You should interview bands.  You got good ?s. chat later. G'nite!!

There you have it, my first, and will always be my favorite, musician interview!  Hopefully, he will answer a few more questions for me later, like why he ends up nekkid on stage!  I urge you to check Ruckus out!  He's irreverent, captivating, and talented

Download music by The Vermin!  If you're a punk you won't regret it.  You will thank me.
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You can check his musical style on Ruckus On The Radio Punk Rock Podcast from Las Vegas Nevada http://fb.me/1bSEsbwZ6

Catch him playing Sept. 29th in Cedar City, Utah with  THE WESTERN BONE CLEAVERS

Oct. 18 - 25th he will be touring Japan with The Bloodcocks UK.

You REALLY don't want to miss Ruckus and Dirk's show "Bad Ink". Sunday nights at 10 on A&E.

Who knows, if you drop in at the Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas, he just might be the one to pour your cubra libra!!!