Social Distortion

Dennis Danell Benefit Show
• Social Distortion • The Offspring • X • Pennywise • TSOL • Agent Orange • Punk Rock Karaoke
May 6, 2000 @ Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA
By: Scott Harding
Pics by: Scott Wulfestieg

For those that don't know, Dennis was a founding member and guitarist of Social Distortion. He enjoyed a prosperous recording career with the band since its inception in 1979. Unfortunately Dennis died of a brain aneurysm on Tuesday February 28, 2000. Dennis had a wife, Christy, a 3 year-old son and 6 month-old daughter. This benefit show came about in response to the overwhelming support from friends and fans. 100% of all the money made off this event was given to Dennis's family. It never ceases to amaze me on how tight the punk community is when it comes to true friends. Earlier this year you might of heard about benefit shows for Keith Morris, singer of Black Flag and Circle Jerks. Although Keith isn't dead, the benefit shows helped him to continue to be here with us. For the top bands in punk to join together and do this for a friend is a spectacle in it's self. And again bands joined in unity to help out another great punk legend! As you walked into Irvine Meadows you were handed a brochure that had quotes from the bands that performed that night on their thoughts and memories of Dennis. (To see the brochure, please click one of the following:)

 Also handed out was a business card sized picture of Dennis with touching quotes on the back. (To see the card, please click here.) Another thing that I thought showed even more respect was the fact that only one t-shirt was available to purchase. A t-shirt that showed an image of the flyer from that nights show, and all proceeds from  these also went to the family of Dennis. 

The first band I saw for the night was TSOL. I have seen TSOL about five times this year and seeing them again was just as exciting as seeing them for the first time! My only disappointment was when I realized that I wasn't used to seeing high caliber punk bands in such a large setting. My seats kinda sucked, and the fact that I couldn't go down to the front to start a pit up, because there was no pit just seats, pissed me off even more! Jack said it best when he said "This next song is going to be a fast one so you can sit in your seats a bit faster!" But that didn't effect TSOL's performance one bit. Shredding through all their best songs like "Code Blue", "Sounds of Laughter", "Poverty is Theft", and a shit load more, made me know that this was going to be one of the best shows I have ever been to! Great job TSOL and I'm sure 'm going to see you again when you come out with your new CD later this year!

Next up, Pennywise! Oh shit, did Pennywise kick some ass that night or what? I haven't seen these guys since the toured for their album "About Time" and I have to say this was a much better performance that I have ever seen from the boys. First of all they got all the people in the lawn area to bum rush to the stage, knocking over fat ass bouncers by the dozen! Then when the sea of people hit the orchestra section, they engaged in the first slam pit of the night, ripping out the first few rows of chairs to make room. The destruction of property ceased when Pennywise front man Jim Lindberg reminded the spastic crowed that the price tag for the wrecking of the seats was gonna come out of the proceeds to Dennis's family. Pennywise then continued to kick ass. And then when I thought they couldn't impress me anymore they busted out with some mean cover songs. Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown", Circle Jerks "I Don't Care" and Minor Threats "Minor Threat" was the cover block they played, and they played it very well. Buy the way Pennywise ended up paying for the damage done to the theater out of their own pockets.

I missed most of X's performance because I had found out that Agent Orange wasn't playing on the main stage, (What the fuck was that about anyway!?!?) and I was flowing myself through the huge crowd to find the second stage during this time. What I did see of X was great! The kept the audience going as if X were still in their prime. 

So now I found myself in front of the small second stage were Agent Orange was setting up. As I looked around I noticed that half the people in Irvine Meadows was there to join me. Agent Orange was one of the first shows I remember going to and It seems like they get better and better each time. Each song had so much power and aggression I just had to join the pit! It wasn't long before I realized that slamming on a concrete surface isn't always the best idea. But the scars will forever remind me of the influence Agent Orange has on their fans! I also learned that they were planning on releasing a new CD later this year and they played a few cuts from it. Mental note - buy the CD when it comes out, the songs ruled! After they ended their set I was able to get a few words with the bass player of Agent Orange and he told me that he was privileged to be playing at such an event. Even though a part of me was upset at the fact they were playing the second stage and not the main one, the other part of me was glad I was able to be close up to witness Agent Orange.  

Still upset at the fact they had two stages for this event, I then made my was back to the main stage knowing very well that I was going to miss the other second stage bands like Punk Rock Karaoke and Rock Star Barbecue. Damn Irvine Meadows! But I did want to see The Offspring. Now, being a long time punker and musician, I get tired of hearing people bitch about the Offspring selling out. Well I have this to say to them "Fuck you , I don't care!" I loved The Offspring when they first started out and I love them to this day! So what if they made a few cheesy songs and made a million dollars doing it, they continue to write that type of music that keeps you coming back for more. One main reason for this is their stunning live performances. If you haven't seen these guys yet then you are missing out big time! The Offspring have an aura about them that captures the viewer's full attention. Every seat in the amphitheater was filled and every eye was focused on The Offspring. Bonfires could be seen in the lawn section as they riddled through a mind blowing set. From the oldies to the newies they played it all! The only song I could have done without was that "Pretty Fly For A White Guy" song. I guess I just heard it way to much in the last year. But the rest made up for it. The Offspring showed all that attended, they will continue to be one of the best bands to have come out of Orange County!

Now it was time to witness the reason for being at Irvine Meadows, Social Distortion. the Amphitheatre went dark. Then a spot light illuminated Mike Ness and his acoustic guitar. Ness started his musical eulogy to Danell alone, with a sparse but wrenching performance of "When the Angels Sing," written several years ago after his grandmother died. With more emotional power than all the high-wattage thrashing that preceded him, Ness sang straight from the heart and to the heart about inconsolable loss. The crowd went ape shit. The only other light to be seen at this time was that of thousands of lighters lit above the screaming fans heads. Mike proceeded to push out acoustic versions of "When Angels Sing" and "Ball and Chain". During the performance of "When Angels Sing" I noticed a few teary eyes in the crowd. Then the rest of the band came to stage and joined Mike for the rest of the night. Now I'm not to sure but I think it was Charlie Quintana on drums but I know it wasn't Chuck Biscuits, and Johnny Two Bags, who recently left US Bombs, proudly stood in for Dennis. It must have been hard for the band to play for the first time without Dennis, but I think that knowing Dennis was up there somewhere proudly looking down on what his friends and family have done for him, made Social Distortion play with more feeling and power than ever before. From "Mommy's Little Monster" to cuts from more recent albums, Social Distortion gave us the performance we were hoping for in full Social Distortion flavor. As I watched them jam out the set I couldn't help but look around and see how Dennis's life effected all of us. Every single person in my view was entranced with the melodic sounds that Dennis and Social Distortion gave to us to help us through this madness we call life.  After the show I had gained a new higher respect for all that contributed to the show. The unspoken message was that the best way to honor Danell's memory was to serve up the music he played and loved full throttle. The friends and family Dennis who put on this show in his honor are they type of people we should all keep in mind when it comes to our very own actions to our friends and family.

R.I.P Dennis, you will be missed.

Scott Harding

X