MORE COWBELL.
That’s what the audience got as Las Vegas’ seven-man alternative/reggae band One Pin Short started off the evening at the Catalyst on September 13. They put on quite a show for a modest crowd, including not only plenty of cowbell, but also a daring spectacular by guitarist Jesse Magaña, who climbed atop the second tier patio to strum a solo. The band provided a surprisingly harmonious sound for the sheer number of members in it, and managed to get the sparse crowd clapping along to their punk/ska/rock melodies about peace and revolution.
Orange County natives Suburban Legends then graced the stage, and, as always, the crowd was temporarily stunned by what can best be described as a first grade sing-along and boy band infusion. Though their style may be childish, they are undoubtedly professionals. With choreographed moves you haven’t seen since the likes of N’sync and a level of energy normally only attainable by chugging 12 consecutive cans of Redbull, these boys really know how to work a crowd.
Drummer Derek Lee stopped to chat with City On A Hill Press before the show, and mentioned with much sadness that tonight was the last leg of the tour, which had made its way across the U.S. and Europe. They went all out for their last show, playing classics from their impressive 11-year-span that only the two fourteen-year-old girls in “Suburban Legends” t-shirts recognized, as well as an extremely well-received ska rendition of Little Mermaid’s ‘Under The Sea’. Though its safe to say that many members of the eclectic crowd there wouldn’t jam out to a Suburban Legends album alone at home, there was not a single soul who could help but chuckle and groove with the boys as they goofed around on stage. The younger and rowdier attendees even started a mosh-pit while the horns sounded and the rainbow lights flashed.
Reel Big Fish finally burst on stage after a bit of a lull, and they got the crowd going straight away with a spunky fast-paced version of Aha’s ‘Take On Me’. The crowd was all warmed up at this point, ready for anything, so there was a huge cheer when the familiar riff of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ crept into our ears. They played popular crowd favorites such as ‘Ban the Tube Top’ and ‘Don’t Start A Band’, and equally exciting covers like Van Morrison’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and most notably, a hilarious adaptation of ‘Beauty School Dropout’ from Grease. The mosh pit grew steadily, and practically exploded with the onslaught of “Where Have You Been”, and a guest appearance by Suburban Legends guitarist (and roommate of RBF singer Aaron Barrett), Brian Wayne Klemm, which featured a wild guitar battle between the two men, and ended with Barrett jokingly schooling Klemm.
As the evening reached its pinnacle, they busted out the much-anticipated ‘Beer’, transporting all in attendance back into the nineties (perhaps Barrett never left, what with his impressive sideburns and Hawaiian floral button-up). And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more epic, they announced that they were “masters of all musical styles”, and proceeded to play multiple renditions of ‘You Don’t Know’ in a “punk-rock styling,” “bluegrass styling,” “disco styling,” “country western styling”, and “screamo styling”. They consoled the audience about the show’s imminent end with some words of wisdom: “bad news is we only have one song left, good news is you can’t get herpes twice.” They ended the night right with their most-famous song, ‘Sell-Out” and a taste of the classic rock gem ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane.’
An undeniably successful evening, if not simply for flashy dance moves, epic guitar battles, an unbeatable venue, and good old-fashioned ska, then for trumpeter Scott Klopfenstein’s adorable thigh-high blue sailor shorts and nerdy glasses. Oh, and of course the cowbell.
Suburban Legends pose for a photograph backstage before the show.
Suburban Legends frontman Vincent Walker calls for some audience participation.
Aaron Barrett of Reel Big Fish pulls a face on stage.
Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish.
Publication on UCSC's City On A Hill Press website pending editorial approval.
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