I'd like to first start off with a big thank you to Upstate Black & Blue Productions for continuing to put out such kickass shows which I honestly don't think we'd get to see in Albany if it weren't for small venues like Bogie's (and Valentines). Although this show would have totally been worth traveling for, it's really awesome to be able to walk up and back on a cool Monday night to see what is genuinely one of my favorite bands. 

If you follow my posts here, you'll remember me getting hyped up about for this event a month prior to it even happening which still hasn't really faded two days after the show is over. So let's get right down to it.

The only negative things I have to say are going to be in the next few sentences. Firstly, the show started at 7pm in turn ending by 11:30. The only reason this bums me out is because I didn't get there until about 8:00, subsequently missing the first two groups (Caleb Lionhart and I was a Hero). The bands took notice as well, Kris Roe from The Ataris made mention of how weird it was playing at 10pm when they were just touring Canada and hadn't been hitting the stage until well after midnight. It's punk rock baby, and in a town where bars don't close until 4am we could easily keep up with our Northern neighbors, ey. I guess it's just a preference thing, but on a Monday I'm just not ready for slam dancing and whiskey at 7pm.. ok, that's a lie, I'm always ready for whisky but you know what I'm saying. 

So I walked in as Far From Finished was about half way through their set, and without knowing much of their music at all, I was impressed off the bat. Too busy getting a beer to a take pictures or video (priorities here) I missed that golden opportunity, but to be fair I wasn't sure how long they had been on for and figured I had enough time for that.. wrong. So I'll clip some of their music off youtube here, have a listen.. it's always nice finding new bands ya dig. 

Up next The Ataris! Kids of the 80s/90s need no introduction, afterall the band made themselves a name by getting on The Vandal's recording label Kung Fu records in '96. Although most will be more familiar with their later album "Blue Skys, Broken Hearts.. Next 12 Exits" and songs like San Dimas Highschool Football Rules and Your Boyriend Sucks. They played those along with (I believe) the following tracks: In This Diary, Unopened Letter to the World, The Hero Dies in This One, Can't Hardly Wait So Long, Astoria, Summer Wind Was Always Our Song, Coolidge.

Check out 1*15*96 live here (sorry about the speaker issues):  

Their awesome set ended with the classic The Boys of Summer:

Shots for everyone cause here comes The Queers! Pounding out a jam packed 45 minute to an hour long set without skipping any of the greatest. If I handpicked their set list myself it would have been exactly what they played.

I somehow managed to dance and sing on top of the half wall without falling over or spilling beer on the audio equipment next to me through the entire performence. Go me.. and the dudes who didn't make me get down after repeatedly telling me to do so (wink). 

I caught video of Monster Zero, I Hate Everything, Love Love Love, but missed Punk Rock Girl and Fuck The World because through my favorites I just couldn't hold the camera and dance my ass off at the same time. 

It went by so quickly but once they left the stage someone (me) yelled out Ursala and everyone began to chant. Out they came playing that, Granola Head, and finished covering Black Flag's White Minority and Everything Sucks.

What more could I ask for after such a great show? How about bullshitting with Joe Queer and getting lucky enough to snap these before we took off:

Punk Rocks not dead, and now you've got the proof.  

The Supersuckers Live - November 19, 2011

On a chilly Tuesday night this past fall, we headed down to Poughkeepsie's one and only Chance to see "the greatest rock and roll band in the world"! You know I like it all, man! And was particularly stoked to be catching Eddie Spaghetti as close to Albany as their tour came.

The show opened with a local rockabilly band whose sound was what you would expect for a group of their stature. Their music was fun, and they played well (which I mean the most generic way possible). The volume was up way too loud for the small venue, and I felt it pushing me out the door. But what did I care? I was here to see what followed. 

Nashville Pussy came up next missing their bass player, Karen Cuda, only to fill the empty slot with Eddie himself. Double score! Ruyter Suys rocked out hard as always. I just *love* watching her play.. and so did all the fellas surrounding her corner of the stage.

They killed a full set of their Southern jams which included hits like "Hell Ain't What It Used To Be" and "Go Motherfucker Go". 

In between acts, Ruyter came out for some drinks. We got to chat and take a few pics before she headed over to the stage and partied with us through the Supersuckers show! 

I really wish I did this post right after the performance since I can't even remember what they opened with. Curse you, Jack Daniels!  

I do know I was majorly drunkenly singing along to my favorites "I like It All",  "Born With A Tail", and "Pretty Fucked Up",  but was bummed not to hear "Bubble Gum and Beer".. which I stated pretty loudly (oops). 

After the show Eddie came out to the merch booth where I was conveniently standing (cough cough) to say hi, and we were lucky enough to snap this little gem:

Seriously such a great night, and an even greater performance by the greatest rock-n-roll band in the world!

If you're in upstate New York and unfamiliar with Chicago native, Kidd Russell, you're probably not alone. That's not to say you haven't stumble across one of his many youtube videos at some point or caught him on MTV Jams Chicago Day, just that the likelyhood of you recognizing him by name wasn't regionally realistic.. untill now.  

I've been sporatically listening to his music for almost three years, since he first contacted me after making E North Avenue. And the same statements I said about that video still hold true; "laidback, catchy, good shit"!

Since then, Kidd and company have been busy writing new songs, making more videos, and playing lots of live shows. He's got two new tunes up, including one sweet tribute to his girl (which I *really* love), and another to his boy DJ Blaze. 

Kidd wrote a little background on the song for you to check out here. 

"DJ Blaze and I recorded this song almost a year ago on a random summer day. Blaze was um....between homes after breaking up with his lady and I was giving him shit about it. I was like dude you live in bus stations, on couches and where ever you can, and you have no money bro.. your "homeless". It was tough times for both of us but especially Blaze. Recording this song made us laugh about his difficult situation and is one of our staples during live shows. It's a true story about John and his hilarious life as the homeless DJ but you do what you gotta do to chase your dreams. If you ever meet Blaze he is the happiest dude on the planet.  If you see him put a doller in his box, some change, cigs, weed, knee pads, your phone number, anythings helps."

Show him some support by liking his facebook page, youtube videos, following his twitter, viewing his website, and of course buying his albums or checking out a show!

I am beyond stoked about this show! It’ll be my first time seeing them play live, and Bogies should be the perfect spot for it.  

Original member Joe Queer will be singing lead and rocking lead guitar, along with longtime bassist Dangerous Dave (1998 – 2002 & 2007 – present) and Lurch Nobody (2000 – 2001 & 2006 – present) on drums.