Bad Religion

BAD RELIGION
The Distillers
January 24, 2002 @ The Whiskey, Hollywood CA
Review by: Jimmy Bell
Photos by: Megan Perry

     As you know tickets for this show sold out literally in seconds! And like most true fans out there I was left with out a ticket wondering how I was going to get in to this show. But then a few days before the show I found out that Bionic Records in Huntington Beach was giving away a ticket for each “Process of Belief” CD that was purchased. Immediately I got my ass down there and was one of the lucky punks that got a pair of the 30 tickets they were giving out. Sure, I already had a copy of Bad religion’s new CD, but $15 for another copy plus a ticket to see them at a sold out show where the tickets are going for $100 on Ebay sounded like a steal, besides “Process of Belief” is so good I think we all should have 2 copies just incase one gets lost. So thanks to Bionic and Bad Religion for giving us another chance to see them.

     So I get to the Whisky and I saw that there was a good amount of people in line so I hurried to snatch a place in line before it got too out of control. Everyone around me was talking about how cool it was to see Bad Religion at such a small venue again and not at the Great Western Forum opening up for Boy Band Sensation Blink 182 like they did last year. Yes I do consider Blink 182 a boy band because they certainly aren’t punk. Anyway, as they finally started letting people in I saw a few celebrities there as well waiting to see the show. The singer of The Ataris and the whole cast of Red Hot Chili Peppers minus Anthony, just to name a few. I guess the power Bad Religion has struck more than just the average punk! I have to admit it was a pretty cool site.

     Just as I finished paying for my beer The Distillers took the stage and started tearing shit up! By this time the small capacity of The Whisky was almost to the limit. Right away a good ol’ slam pit started in honor of The Distillers killer set.  And amongst the dedicated punks that were taking advantage of the pit was none other than Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I just couldn’t pass that up. After a few rounds I took time out to sit and just enjoy the music. The Distillers are one of the few somewhat new punk bands out there that still keep to their roots of quality punk. With their hard-hitting beats and crunchy riffs, they kept us all at full attention. Even Mr. Brett himself was down on the floor banging his head to the grooves! At this point people were having such a good time it started making the bone headed bouncers get nervous. I noticed them hollering at each other trying to keep things in order not realizing that this was a punk show and there was no need for schmucks like them to keep us in line. So the Distillers finished their set and the satisfied crowd headed for the bar and the merch tables and started waiting for Bad Religion to start.

     So they start things off with Too Much To Ask and everyone starts to go nuts! I have to admit, you think Bad Religion kicked ass with just 2 guitars? Well you should hear them with 3! It was mind blowing! Now this must have been the millionth time I have seen Bad Religion and maybe it was because I really dig on their new CD or maybe it was because it has been 13 years since I had seen them at a place as small as The Whiskey but this time around they gave me goose bumps just watching them play. Bad Religion has always been on top of their game and shows like this one prove it. There really aren’t words to explain the feeling the whole crowd got that night but if you were one of the millions that didn’t get to see this show well, it sucks to be you!

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