Southern Discomfort

Southern Discomfort, The Spooky, Mr. Firley, The Bolides, Soul Rebel
October 14th @ The Stage Door
Apple Valley, CA

I have to start this review out by saying it had to be one of the funnest shows I have been to in a long time. May be it was because of bands that played or maybe because the show was actually a huge birthday party for front man of Southern Discomfort, Dave Heft. Most of the bands were from the Orange County and Long Beach areas and the show was way off in Apple Valley so Dave chartered a bus jam packed with booze to take the wild crew and friends to the venue. What a way to kick off a party! I'm just sad because I was already in the area and didn't take the bus, but from what I heard it was a party in it's self! When I saw the bus arrive,  people literally were falling as they made their way out of the bus! So as the 40 or so people got off the bus and entered the bar I couldn't help but notice the look on the people's face that ran the joint. See, The Stage Door really isn't a place that puts on shows of this sort, so they were in for a surprise as we piled in the bar.

After we all got a round of drinks, The Bolides took the stage. I have never seen or heard of this band before so I didn't know what to expect. This foursome of bandits were dressed up as if they had all just got out of some sci fi lab movie set! So the tough part is saying exactly what The Bolides sound like because there really isn't a genre that suits them. If anything I would compare them to an early Devo meets punk. And man, they kicked out some crazy shit! With strong pounding beats and killer sounds coming from the keyboard, The Bolides gave the drunken crowd something to cheer about. Right off the bat their music and moves got the rambunctious crowd knocking down shit and spilling beer! This gave the so called bouncers of the place a bit of a stir! If you haven't done so already you should really check out this spectacle they call The Bolides! Check out their webpage! 

So after about 45 minutes of unique music from The Bolides and some cuts from DJ Supcardoid  (who, by the way you can hire for your own parties by sending him an email by clicking here)  it was time give it up to Mr. Firley. Mr. Firley is a band that has been around for about 6 years and started out as a 3 piece. Later they added 2 more members. But tonight they were the original 3 piece. Something they haven't done in years! This was a real treat for long time fans like myself. They ripped out mostly songs from their old set and really got a pit going! Half way through their set the bartender grabbed the mic and reminded the crowd that there was no pitting aloud and that we were spilling way to much beer on the floor. A hearty "FUCK YOU!" is all the crowd had to say about that and continued to tear shit up as the Firley boys did their thing. Mr. Firley is a great example of real melodic punk that still rocks, no Blink shit here! Check them out at www.mrfirley.com.

After joining Mr. Firley for a kick ass rendition of the Misfits Skulls, Mike Monster and The Spooky were ready to rip it up horror rock style. Their high energy and pit provoking tunes got the crowd off their feet with out pause. Knocking down tables and chairs, the people responded with a lash of slampit moves. This made the bouncers even more nervous. Mike jumped up on the table during a part of the set and had to be coaxed down by one of the security. After that it was mic stands fly'n and shouts out to the crowd. It's always a good time when the Spooky are up. Mike is always all over the place. Weather it's on tables or sprawling out on the floor, Mike makes sure to destroy every inch of the stage. If you are a feind of dark lyrics and dark music ala horror punk then you might want to check out these guys when you get a chance. Be sure to read our interview with The Spooky DeadOnTheWeb.com did in July 2000!

So after a few minutes to clean up some of the destruction of the stage it was time for Southern Discomfort, the cause for this whole party. Southern Discomfort is a very talented band that has the grooves of bands such as Sublime and the guitars of performers like Dick Dale. I think the bouncers like them because instead of a pit, the now drunken crowd engaged in a more festive style of dancing. And with songs like Surf The LBC, Stoned Love and Punk Rock Girl it was hard not to get on the groove bus with Southern Discomfort. Fully armed with funk beats and super cool DJ Supcardoid these guys just couldn't go wrong. I have seen them jam once before but I really didn't get a chance to full enjoy them. But tonight was very different. In the full charged state of mind, Southern Discomfort kept every drunken soul in the bar that night in a party mode. As the beers sank down the songs kept coming. Check out www.dirtyqueenrecords.com and find out more about the LBC's Southern Discomfort!

It was about 12am when the final band came on, Soul Rebel. I was able to catch a few songs from them before my ride told me it was time to retire. Soul Rebel reminded me of a rasta meets Fishbone. They were very good and very tight. Hell they even did an excellent rendition of Black Flag's Drink and Drive! I'm not sure if they have a web site or not so keep an eye out for them! 

So that was my drunken night with the bands. It was a great night of diverse bands, beer, drunken people, sober people, stoned people and did I mention beer? Thanks Dave for the good time and Happy Birthday!

- Frank Rizzo