The OKC of Punk
It is rare an illness keeps me out of going to see music. Having a cold didn’t keep me from seeing Beck last year. However, when it includes a triple digit fever the body says different things on how long you’re going to make it on your feet. Getting that behind me was a blessing, and out to see the three bands tonight was one of the best things I’ve done in five days.
However, before I even get to the first band of the show, let me first say how unfortunate circumstances kept one of the best local Arizona bands, C:28, from playing tonight. Shreddy, their lead guitarist, had a work accident costing him a couple complete fingers. Right now there is a Go Fund Me setup to help him pay expenses while he is out of work due to the accident. He has already said he will be able to play again once healed up. So Godspeed to him, and hope we see Shreddy back on the local stages soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out the Go Fund Me and help out if you can.
The Reason Unknown set may be the best display on why sharing a show with No Gimmick could be the best dynamic in local music. The banter exchanges between Johnny Gimmick and Reason Unknown were some of the funniest exchanges of the night. This is down to Johnny turning over Pat’s setlist mid-song, throwing Pat off on singing lyrics. In a cool show of support, Pat was adorned with a C:28 shirt for the entire set too. Reason Unknown sit one of my highest recommendations for a band to check out as soon as you can.
Predictably from my last paragraph, No Gimmick was the next to grace the stage. The sarcasm exchange between the two bands was less, but continued on a good quantity. Of course, it isn’t a No Gimmick set without the comedy trademark between songs. Add in the regular quality set of songs they play, it makes for another fun set. Be sure to go check out their next show with the Bombpops.
Last, but the amazing least, was Red City Radio. These high energy punk stars out of Oklahoma City are full of fun. They were not to be outdone by our locals, with some of funniest conversational exchanges with the crowd. They dedicated the performance of the song “Electricity” to Shreddy tonight too. In case you thought Johnny Gimmick and Pat had any malice from the exchanges in the first two sets, they were mostly arm in arm singing along to every song of Red City Radio. There was a solid turnout for a Tuesday night for Red City Radio. These guys are one of the best bands I’ve discovered in the past year, so be sure to go check out their music after you finish reading this.
