Photo Credit: Deb Frazin
Last Tuesday, Zebulon Cafe hosted a special benefit show featuring Le Shok, Pow!, Ice Balloons and Oh Sees. It’s always a big treat to see headliners like Oh Sees play in an intimate setting like Zebulon. The line-up was solid, and I was really looking forward to this show.
First up was Le Shok (a 90’s punk band from Long Beach). They were a last minute addition to the show, and I’m so grateful I was able to see them. They recently reformed after 17 years to play a reunion show at Burger Boogaloo, and were asked to join the show on Tuesday. They plowed hard and fast through their set in about 15 minutes (I think they played their entire catalog)! I hope they play more shows after Burger Boogaloo, because I’d really like to catch another show.
Next up, one of my favorite local synth-punk bands, Pow! They played a tight set (as always), and the crowd was really into it. If you haven’t heard their music, do yourself a favor and check them out on Bandcamp. I highly recommend their album “Crack an Egg”.
Ice Balloons took the stage next. If you’re into that heavy, abrasive AmRep sound, then this band is for you. Loud, very heavy on the bass, and an added bonus: the lead singer wears a crudely-made fly mask over his head throughout the entire show. Loud, weird and wonderful!
Finally, Oh Sees took the stage, and as usual, the show was an absolute barn-burner! They never put on a bad show (or release a bad album), and tonight was no exception. John Dwyer always gives a wild, frantic performance – jumping, drooling, and lots of sweat. The crowd ate it up like candy, and of course, everyone got a bit rambunctious after a few songs (some people got knocked down on their asses), but that’s the way it always goes down at an Oh Sees show. It’s punk rock, and it’s fun!
