Photos by Joe Maier
It isn’t everyday that two stellar punk bands from both sides of the Atlantic find themselves joining together to embark on a cross-country journey around the U.S. All the way from the U.K., there’s cult eighties ska punk pioneers Culture Shock, sharing members with The Subhumans and Citizen Fish. Alongside them on this tour is Alternative Tentacles’ cabaret soul punk labelmate The World/Inferno Friendship Society straight out of Brooklyn. Alternative Tentacles refers to this tour as “The Team-Up of the Century” and they wouldn’t be wrong with this claim, especially in the punk world. Culture Shock recently reformed only to release a brand spankin’ new album called Attention Span only to bring it over to the states personally for the band’s first time playing out this way. World/Inferno, a fantastic band in their own right, has been steadily increasing the music they release while keeping the great tunes coming since debuting in the mid-nineties, having even recorded and shared the stage with fellow hometown heroes Leftover Crack. This joint tour found its way to the Phoenix area where local party punks Sad Kid supported the show, taking place at Yucca Tap Room.
Photo by Trevor Read
Sad Kid opened the show with a bang, bringing the kids out early. They’ve had impressive performances before but this one had tons of energy bouncing back and forth between the band and the audience. This was crystal clear with the all ages crowd, moshing in a frenzy and showing their opposition of the fence dividing the venue. Even much of the 21+ crowd were enthralled by the band, whether it was their first time seeing them or not. Drummer James Bohan brought his usual mesmerizing party beat to get the people movin’. Kyle King, as well, kept it poppy and provocative on bass while also rilin’ the audience up by starting an anti-fence chant. Rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Hill got the crowd rockin’ while shouting out his celebratory sermon. Jeremey Scalf also excited everyone between blasting away on trumpet and strikin’ out solos on lead guitar. Sad Kid was one helluva triumphant addition, setting the pace for one killer show.
Photo by Joe Maier
Culture Shock took the stage next, playing a marvelous mix of material from their early years to their current collection. On one hand, they played classics like “Punks on Postcards” and “Civilization Street,” the latter of which they dedicated to the memory of Erik Petersen from Mischief Brew, while also playing new songs like “Private Revolutions” on top of that. Their intensity was incredible for a project that isn’t as popular as The Subhumans or Citizen Fish. Perhaps it’s this freshness of the revitalized Culture Shock that makes for such a vivid experience. Singer Dick Lucas, mainstay over the years with all these projects from The Subhumans to Citizen Fish, maintains his signature vocals while, as always, spreading a sense of urgency. Backbone of the band is the talented Bill on drums, originally from eighties punk band Organised Chaos. Guitarist Alex shreds the fuck out between keeping that good ska rhythm going and rockin’ the hell out. Even Jasper Pattinson of Citizen Fish fame shows off one peculiar poppy performance on bass. Catching Culture Shock was a magnificent golden opportunity.
Photo by Joe Maier
Closing out this extraordinary show was The World/Inferno Friendship Society. They also played a wide array of songs from their catalogue. The band brought down the house with early favorites like “Tattoos Fade” to later sing-alongs like “Let’s Steal Everything” and “Addicted to Bad Ideas.” Having only seen them once before, this particular set of theirs really stood out between their sick song selection and their stage presence. Leading the band was frontman Jack Terricloth from late eighties Jersey punk band Sticks and Stones with his charismatic voice and mannerisms as well as defiant ideas. Even he found himself at odds with the fence. Sandra Malak got the crowd shakin’ between her poppy attack on bass and soothing vocals. Guitarist Frank Morin slayed whether tearin’ it up on rhythm or soloing. Mora Precarious had the audience raging out with her skills on drums. Tickling the keys like mad was Sticks and Stones compatriot Scott Hollingsworth. Modern addition Jeff Young on violin got the people swayin’. Baritone sax player Aaron Hammes from mid-nineties Chicago ska band Deal’s Gone Bad also left the crowd swooning. World/Inferno was a mesmerizing way to end this killer show. Overall, this was an unbelievable affair for everyone in attendance.
~ Garyn Klasek
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