The Crowd

The Crowd • The Spooky 
• The Smut Peddlers • The Numbers 
July 7, 2000 @ Club Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA
By: Peter Lorre Jr.
Pics by: Scott Wulfestieg

  I just want to preface my review by sending our condolences to the family of Chuck Briggs, legendary member of the U.S. Bombs. Along with the loss of Rik L.Rik made tonight’s show a little surreal. With the loss of two more of Punk Rocks pioneers gone, it made Taking in a set from The Crowd, the local Beach ahhhh… Crowd pleaser. But before that there was some more quality punk rock to take in.

            Up first on the bill tonight was The Numbers. This was the first time I had seen The Numbers, but I had heard that they were pretty good. And they were, although a little more variety wouldn’t hurt though. Their set was angry, fast, and extremely loud, but I didn’t come home humming any of their tunes so maybe I just need to see them a few more times? Who knows?

            The South Bay’s Smut Peddler’s were up next on tonight’s bill. This trashy, raucous four piece got some people up and out of the smoking room. Gish and the guys (and gal) played their smutty style of punk rock, and every body loved it. I hadn’t seen the smut’s for about a year, so I was a little unfamiliar with some of their newer stuff. They have a great rhythm section and their singer strikes me as a seasoned road pirate, that’s totally at ease on the mic. Sorta moving the set along like a punk rock D.J.keeping the crowd interested. And that’s something the peddler’s do keep it interesting

            The club was really starting to pack now, and O.C.’s horror kids were ready to take the stage. The last time I saw the Spooky , they were sporting a couple new members, and they seemed a little rusty. Well they’ve worked out the cobwebs and are spreading their Evil ways again. With new comers Stain and Jack Lantern, getting accustomed to the dark side, the Spooky are at full speed again. They mixed in old hits like “ribcage” along with ghoulishly new songs like “Frankenstein Conquers the World”, and “Unholy Sabbath.” With singer Mike Monster seemingly coming back from the dead, The Spooky are coming at you with the fury of the eternally undead. So if you haven’t seen the new line-up get out and see them. The Undead do tend to rot.

            Jim Decker and Co. were the headliner tonight and a lot of the Beach Blvd. locals were out tonight. Shoeless and ready to go, the Crowd took the stage in the confident manner an old school legend should. Having been a mainstay play on Kroq, when it was actually cool and a little independent. The crowd has been able to stay around with out getting stale and burnt out on performing. I have heard singer Jim Decker described as the equivalent of the punk Fred Astaire. With spins and twirls he keeps things moving , while  his brother and friends do the rest.  There set was mixture of songs some new a few old all a good set and a good finish for the night. Unfortunately due to a couple of drunk skinheads that were taking some of the fun out of the night. I decided to get the hell out.

To get in touch with the crowd.
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/9953/

By Peter Lorre Jr.