Damnation

Damnation
Litmus Green
Bad Samaritans
The Dimwits
Troubadour, Hollywood
Photos: Scott Wulfesteig
Review: Scott Harding

Can you believe it? I actually didn’t get stuck in traffic going to The Troubadour in Hollywood on a Saturday night! I actually got to see the opening band! So when I get there I noticed the lack of people, maybe it was because I’m not used to actually being on time. But anyway the first band that played was called The Dimwits. I have never seen these guys before so I didn’t know what to expect. So as they took the stage it wasn’t hard to see that the singer was definitely taking full advantage of the free beer they had for all the bands backstage! The dude could barely stand on his own two feet! I just remember thinking “Oh great these guys are going to suck” but I have to admit that I was wrong. The Dimwits are very punk! Their sound, attitude and look were all there! As the band kicked out rough sloppy punk riffs as the lead man, although very drunk, spat out the lyrics with full force anger. Flopping his body on every square inch of the stage was only the start of his roaming about while tearing out the set. First he took a few laps around the club, I’m thinking he was just checking out the crowd and trying to get them to pit. Then he did a few dives into the drum set. Did this throw off the drummer? Hell no, that punk ass kept jamm’n like nothing happened! Anyway they were pretty good and fun to watch, check them out sometime!

Next up was The Bad Samaritans. First of all I have to say that I haven’t  seen these guys once before but I do own a copy of cd “Ouch”. I just want to compliment them on their cover of this cd. Nice pic guys! Love it. Anyway, back to the review. So the first thing that I thought when I saw the take the stage was that I was glad more people showed up because this band deserves a good crowd. The place doubled in size since the start of The Dimwits set. But even though there were more people, it took a few songs to get them into pit mode. Soon after about a dozen kids tore up the floor and eachother! The Bad Samaritans singer has a throughty voice that just carries well through any venue. And boy could their drummer tear shit up. Very fast and very on time. The best thing about this band is their warped sense of humor and they funny ass lyrics. If you haven’t heard them yet check out their mp3 site at www.mp3.com and nab some of their songs. Im sure you’ll get a kick, well if you’re as demented as I am anyway. Then go check them out live!

Litmus Green was the next bad to conquer the stage. I missed half their set. At this time I was backstage getting an interview with Damnation. Check it out next issue. But the half that I did check out was just as bad ass as the other times I have seen them live. Rev. Sean and his props make the show one that you can’t stop watching because you’ll miss something. Weather it’s a stick of dynamite, a carving knife or a flare gun,  its always going to help tell the story of their songs and what they portray. With the true fashion that can only be described as “Meatmenish” Litmus Green takes punk to a higher level. I could tell that they had many fans there too because the circle of the pit was getting bigger and bigger! Do yourself a favor, go to www.litmusgreen.com and download some of their sings if you haven’t done so already.

OK, following the stage antics of Litmus Green would suck for some bands, but not Damnation. With the usual high-octane energy that singer Shaun Kama, has flowing threw him during a show it seemed they were up to the task.   Since damnations members are spread out all about California and a member even in Nevada they really are a band with no home. But Hollywood seems to be the natural fit for the outcast of society , and all the cast where here tonight. These dark wandering nomads got the crowd going playing their macabre brand of 80’s style punk rawk!!! fast ,furious, and fucking loud! As usual Shuan was all over the stage never staying still for more than a few seconds, and always singing up  in the crowds facs. He strikes me as a cross between a punk front man  and Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King, ghoulish a and lanky. Bassist AL G. and  drummer Robert always keeping a perfect beat. And as always the frequent flyer and lead guitarist Todd along with new back up guitarist Chris long were in perfect rhythm driving the frantic pace that is A Damnation show. By the end of their set I was battered and tired , and needing of a brew or two so I retired to the oasis in the all ages clubs the bar at the Troubadour to get a little Drunk and Stupid. My recommendation is to get out and see what all the terror is about, check out litmus and Damnation the next time they invade your town or suburb.

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