Bad Religion, Social Distortion and Lovecrimes
Tour poster for Social Distortion and Bad Religion
Reporting on this concert might come off as a little rude, or some would say even unprofessional, but I encountered some notable issues with the opener for these two iconic bands, which in this case was the group Lovecrimes. I want to preface this review by acknowledging that I understand it’s incredibly challenging to step up on stage and perform before any crowd, especially as a newer band trying to make a name for themselves. However, if you choose to take the stage and perform, there are certain standards that come into play. Audiences often come with expectations, hoping to be energized and hyped up for the main acts, and it's essential that openers deliver a performance that sets the right tone for the night.
Lovecrimes:
To save a read that might come off as pessimistic, my opinions on Lovecrimes, are quite negative; in fact, I did not like them in the slightest. The first cause of concern that stood out to me was that this was not even the band originally scheduled to perform on this particular tour, as I was initially looking forward to seeing the Lovebombs. I attempted to dig deeper and research if there was any specific reason for this unexpected change since there had been no official announcement made regarding the lineup adjustment. While changes in performances and band lineups happen all the time in the music industry, it feels a little suspect in this instance that the performers who were brought in at the last minute were a very inexperienced band, particularly when one of the members is notably the son of the lead singer from Social Distortion. Personally, this whole situation felt like a bait and switch, leading me to suspect that nepotism played a role in this decision.
Putting aside any feelings of perceived nepotism that might have been present in the atmosphere, the band just had no energy whatsoever, especially for a punk rock show that demands a certain level of intensity. The members of this band seemed to lack any genuine enthusiasm, with the exception of their drummer, who occasionally managed to infuse some life into the act. However, overall, the performance felt so flat, for lack of a better word, that I genuinely lost track of time and did not even realize when the performance had finally come to an end.
While it may seem unfair to assign blame, it really does fall squarely on the frontman for not truly embodying the role of a charismatic frontman. His mellow and seemingly checked-out attitude gave the impression that he believed he was more talented than he actually is. Musically, the group felt like a watered-down version of Social Distortion, which I would argue is not exactly a favorable comparison. The frontman also exhibited a lack of overall professionalism; while it’s not necessary to overly revere the audience or anything along those lines, simply failing to engage with them or make any effort to energize them certainly doesn’t help in winning over potential fans. The only real interaction we experienced was a rather lackluster ‘hey, can you guys move?’ delivered in an equally disinterested tone when the audience was still and not really enjoying the show. Overall, the entire performance came across as an ill-timed leap for a band that appears to be either disengaged from the act of performing, for whatever reason, or perhaps simply too inexperienced to be taking the stage at such a prominent venue. On a more positive note, I genuinely believe this band could thrive in the intimate setting of local clubs or bars. While it might not be as glamorous, it’s a much-needed environment for them to hone their skills and develop their stage presence. If they are to continue performing and not overly rely on their connections or familial ties to secure good gigs, they definitely need to establish a stronger foundation first.
Bad Religion:
Moving on from the energetic and captivating performance of Lovecrimes, the next band up was none other than the legendary Bad Religion. To get straight to the point, they completely stole the show with their electrifying and masterful performance that left the audience buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. This was my second time seeing Bad Religion live, and I can confidently say that I was absolutely blown away by their incredible set once again. Initially, I found myself brushing off some of the hype surrounding their act, as my primary focus for the evening was solely on covering Social Distortion—a band that's not only known to be one of the biggest punk groups to emerge from the vibrant music scene in Orange County but has also played a significant and impactful role in shaping my musical journey since my early teens. However, as the night unfolded, I couldn't help but shift my attention back to Bad Religion. Their setlist was a compelling and expertly crafted mix of both cherished old favorites and exciting fresh material, with their classic hits shining brightly as the main highlight for obvious reasons, stirring a nostalgic wave of excitement that rippled throughout the crowd and brought everyone together. Bad Religion, without a doubt, radiated an infectious energy the entire time, more than making up for what I considered a somewhat disappointing performance overall from the preceding act. From the very first song to the last powerful note, the band as a whole got the crowd moving and fully revitalized for the remainder of the show—an exhilarating experience that I won’t soon forget and will carry with me for a long time.
Social Distortion:
The final performance of the night was undoubtedly a memorable highlight, and it belonged to none other than the iconic band Social Distortion. Having grown up in the vibrant and eclectic mid-90s music scene, I often found myself wandering into my local Tower Records and various music shops, where I would frequently hear all about Social Distortion and the significant impact they had made on the punk rock scene as a whole. The entire performance showcased a diverse selection of their earlier albums, including the fan-favorite "Mommy’s Little Monster." The set was exceptionally interesting and flowed well, as there were no real major interruptions despite Mike Ness’ arduous recovery from cancer not too long ago. Similarly to an act like Iron Maiden, whose lead singer also faced the battle of throat cancer, Ness put on an amazing performance and did not seem out of it in the slightest, keeping the energy of the crowd soaring. Interestingly enough, about halfway through the set, they brought out Mike Ness’ son, and the two performed a heartfelt song together, which created a touching moment that served as a delightful break in the action. Overall, the performance as a whole was not just good; it really left me feeling satisfied and thoroughly entertained by the fantastic show put on by Social Distortion.
