Photo by Joe Maier
It can be hard to come across a punk band that dishes out the same level of energy that they brought when they first started roughly 25 years back. But this is exactly what Choking Victim brought to the table as the original line-up reunited to offer up not one or two but three albums worth of material to the dark lord. This offering was presented to the possessed party gods as they embarked on a tour of the west after their hometown bash in NYC. Luckily, Choking Victim stopped off in the valley of the sun to let loose for the masses of desert rats with their homies Rats in the Wall, supported by some killer local bands.
Photo by Joe Maier
Unfortunately, many missed the opening set of Gilbert ska punkers The Linecutters due to a confusion in set times but also the fact that there was still a huge line of punx waiting to get into the show as their set winded down. While it was disappointing to miss them, Phoenix party punks Sad Kid turned the show into one helluva shindig, pool noodles and all, playing with the same level of passion that they always bring, making for a particularly pleasing performance. Even the recent addition of Travis James on guitar could hardly be noticed as new with what he was throwing down. It really is a wonder as to what these kids would have to be sad about as they continue to thrive, lately it seems by way of being signed to fresh local punk label Slope Records, while still being one helluva fun punk band.
Photo by Joe Maier
Setting the mood for Choking Victim was Rats in the Wall out of Huntington Beach. It was great to finally catch this nihilistic post-hardcore band after missing their first show out here. They kicked their set off with Dirt’s “Plastic Bullets”, taking some in the crowd by surprise. The band also played favorites like “Take 2” and “Sinking”. Both guitarist/vocalist Brad Logan of Leftover Crack and F-Minus fame, while thrashin’ hard on guitar, as well as vocalist Eva Hall from Gather have an excellent stage presence and great chemistry vocally. Donny Morris, also from LoC, rages strenuously on drums. Even bassist Farrah Ferguson crushes it so mercilessly that few would realize that she’s a replacement. In all, seeing Rats in the Wall is an amazing experience.
Photo by Joe Maier
Bringing down the house was ska-core sensations Choking Victim. One hears stories of the insanity of a Leftover Crack show but, after seeing them, Choking Victim threw down so hard that their fans never eased up on their hysteria.There was so much stage diving going on that, at one point, a repeat offender was stopped mid-song after running into guitarist/vocalist Stza and clearly upset bassist Alec Baillie so much. It was hard to tell if the fan left the show on his own or by way of security after flipping them off. If that wasn’t enough, word has it that there was a 15 person brawl in the parking lot during the show. Don’t let it ever be said that chaos doesn’t swarm where the crack rock steady flows. The band certainly brought the discord with terrific tunes like “Born to Die”, “Fuck America”, “Living the Laws” and “Crack Rock Steady”. Stza’s formidable fury was a force to be reckoned with. Baillie unleashed his wrath upon the horde rigorously. Drummer John Dolan laid down the beat with brash brutality and veracity as well. On top of that, All Torn Up’s Joey Steel also joined in on the festivities. Overall, Choking Victim trounced 200% upon the throng, putting on one premium performance.
