I made it there before 6pm and was able to grab a water and meet up with Ben in the crowd. No sign of Aquaman today and still didn't get a chance to meet Wretch.
Casualties
I had seen these NYC punks a few times at Riot Fest and on the tour that Down by Law played last Summer. The kids love these guys. I think it must be the haircuts. The sound was better than the club show I saw in Joliet, IL last Summer. I didn't mind seeing them play. They actually have a few songs that I enjoy hearing. I recall them playing the following.
Rockaway Beach (Ramones cover)
Resistance
We Are All We Have
Modern Day Slaves
Life on the Line
Ugly Bastard
Criminal Class
Punk Rock Love
Unknown Soldier
Tomorrow Belongs to Us
Subhumans UK
These old time punks were a hit with the crowd too. Fat Mike stood at the side of the stage with his girlfriend and sang along and played air bass to the whole set. I had not spent much time listening to this band before this show. I was pleased with their performance, and would go see them again. Unfortunately, they did not play "Can't Hear the Words", and waited until I went for something to eat to play my other favorite tune of theirs "Religious Wars". I recall them playing the following.
Religious Wars
No
Susan (with piano)
Forget
Fade Away
Businessman
Society
Peroxide
D.R.I.
I listened through the catalog of these guys a few weeks ago, and just couldn't get into their thrash sound. After watching them live, I can still say I can't get into these guys. They had a great time and so did most of the crowd so they are doing something right for some people. I guess that is all that matters. I recognized them playing the following tunes.
I Don't Need Society
Who Am I
Violent Pacification
Manifest Destiny
Flag
Finally, the festival draws to a close with the headliner, FLAG. They killed it right from the start. I loved the two guitar attack. The crowd was nuts. I was about 50 yards back from the stage, but dead center. The sound was great. Chuck was jumping around with his bass like he was in his early 20's again. Keith was nailing the vocals. Bill was incredible on drums as usual. I guess the 8 or so hours of practice that they had this weekend prior to the show paid off for them. Their work ethic is incredible and it comes through in the live performance. Dez sang vocals on about 5-6 songs. I am now a fan of the song "My War". Keith was awesome on those vox. They were definitely the best set of the festival for me. I would love to see these guys play again. The only disappointment was that the only t-shirt they sold just had the first names of each member in the band on it. I was hoping to get a FLAG shirt. They were selling a Black Flag t-shirt. I wonder if Greg Ginn is getting paid for those sales :). Here is the setlist.
Revenge
Fix Me
Police Story
I Don' Care
Depression
I've Had It
No Values
My War
No More
Gimme Gimme Gimme
White Minority
Jealous Again
Wasted
Clocked In
Nervous Breakdown
American Waste (Dez vox)
Thirsty and Miserable (Dez vox)
Padded Cell (Dez vox)
Spray Paint (Dez vox)
Six Pack (Dez vox)
Rise Above
Louie Louie
Encore:
I Love You
Damaged (Dez vox)
Merch:
Surrounded by Thieves - Prophecies of Greed CD
Surrounded by Thieves - Punk Rock Fight Songs CD
SquidheadRecords.com CD Sampler Vol 2 (free)
Rancid - B Sides and C Sides CD (free)
Rancid pins and stickers (free)
Band Rankings for the Day:
FLAG
Subhumans
Casualties
D.R.I.
Festival Band Rankings (those bands I watched):
| 01 FLAG |
| 02 The Damned |
| 03 TSOL |
| 04 CH3 |
| 05 Bad Religion |
| 06 Shattered Faith |
| 07 The Gears |
| 08 The Crowd |
| 09 Bouncing Souls |
| 10 Angry Samoans |
| 11 The Briggs |
| 12 Turbonegro |
| 13 The Weirdos |
| 14 Subhumans |
| 15 Devo |
| 16 Casualties |
| 17 Revilers |
| 18 Love Canal |
| 19 DRI |
| 20 Lagwagon |
Cool review. My FLAG ticket just came in the mail today for the Boston show!
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