|
Sign up now for a FREE Citygigs listing. No strings, no bull, just
free unlimited self serve access to your info on the site.
New User? Click here!
|
|
Teens Rock Out With A Festive, Less Than Jake
Vancouver
August 21, 2000
Croatian Cultural Center, 08/17/00
There is something unnerving yet comforting about all-ages shows at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Sure, the smell of sweaty teenaged boys and the din of foul mouthed young ladies can be a bit much, but at the same time, it is endlessly reassuring to see that the younger generation is still keepin' it real.
 Friday evening's punk-ska extravaganza at the Centre saw about 1,000 kids getting down to Zebrahead, The Atari's and headliners, Less Than Jake. Though the acoustics were less than spectacular, the show rocked at full tilt from 7 to a parent-friendly 10:30pm.
 Opening act Zebrahead, promoting their new release, ‘Playmate of the Year', worked a shtick much akin to that of the Barenaked Ladies. They're wacky! They do punk versions of Spice Girls songs! They have audience dance-offs! They do not, however, seem to have any proper songs. No matter, Zebrahead served their purpose of working up the crowd for Orange County punkers The Atari's.
 The Ataris, who have been championed by such punk veterans as NOF/X and The Vandals, delivered some no BS hard rock, interspersed with newer, more, uh, romantic work. The Ataris seemed to be the favorites of the older (than 16) members of the crowd, probably performing the most old-skool music of the night.
Headliners Less Than Jake are the musical equivalent of a party hat. As soon as they're on you feel a bit silly and a bit festive. Appearing on stage amidst a sea of dry ice and flashing light, the eight-piece ska outfit turned the Centre into a bouncing nexus of teenage energy, raining confetti and demo-cd's on the crowd.
 Outside the Centre, about three dozen tired mums and dads waited patiently for their blue-haired, eyebrow pierced sons and daughters to finish rocking out to non-threatening punkers from the Golden State. When they finally appeared, allowances freshly spent on Atari's shirts and Less Than Jake stickers, it was apparent, that blue hair and all, the kids really are alright.
|
|
article search
|
