Have you ever heard of THE SPELL OF THE SWEATPANTS? It’s this thing that happens WHEN AUDIENCES COME TO SEE THE SWEATS and start SWAYING TO THE MUSIC. I’m sure you have observed this unique phenomenon, IT OCCURS AT EVERY SHOW WE PLAY. Two weeks ago, (LATE, I KNOW, BUT WORTH THE READ) the band had an IMPOSSIBLE TASK AHEAD OF THEM. Play two shows in TWO SEPARATE STATES, WITH TWO UNIQUE SETS for TWO UNIQUE AUDIENCES. Take that TOOL. The band did TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. The first stop, our old WATERING HOLE, THE FIRE, where they BROUGHT THE FIRE TO IT’S KNEES.
The only downside to these gigs was the lack of AJ on guitar. He was out due to WORK (ISN’T THAT WHY PUNK ROCK EXISTS, TO RALLY AGAINST THE “MAN”?). We missed our GOOD TIME BOY, OUR ROTTEN SOLDIER. Next time, AJ, NEXT TIME. You will rock with us again.
Even WITHOUT THE MAN WHO COULD ROCK WEARING SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT, the band was HOT IN THE SHADE. Kicking things off with the FIRE, the little venue was our first (of MANY) Philadelphia area venues we are playing this year. Using our pull from our previous TWO DAWSON STREET PUB SHOWS, The Fire reached out to us, offering a FRIDAY SLOT MANY WON’T SOON FORGET.
The band brought the HEAT, BRINGING OUT CERTIFIED BANGER “HOLD ON”. The bands song put the audience under THE SPELL OF THE SWEATPANTS. The opening act ROBBY ROOSTER, who brought the house down before us (more on them later) were VIBING WITH US. Their fans were SWAYING TO THE GROOVES OF “COUCH”, “UPSIDE DOWN”, “STROKES” and RAISING THEIR FISTS TO “NEW MATERIAL”. During MATERIAL, DOM delivered a guitar solo that blew A HOLE IN THE SKY. Check it out, it’s on INSTAGRAM, IT TRULY IS EPIC. “HIGH ON A PLANE” closed out the set, with members of ROBBY ROOSTER rocking out in front row.
The spell was WORKING IT’S MAGIC IN THE FIRE. So much so, that the band got AN OFFER THEY CAN’T SIMPLY REFUSE even BEFORE THEY WEN’T ONSTAGE. There is something special about what THESE FOUR GUYS ARE DOING. The spell is captivating minds on SOCIAL MEDIA, WINNING OVER PUBLIC FIGURES (INCLUDING THOSE IN TOURING BANDS), and taking US HIGHER THAN EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.
Due to the private nature of LIPPIEFEST, I will keep things UNDER WRAPS. Though I will say the festival defied expectations and we can’t WAIT TO RETURN. The set for LIPPIEFEST REMAINED MOSTLY THE SAME. The SPELL of the SWEATPANTS worked once again. ALL OF THE BANDS said that we were THE BEST THERE EVER WAS ON THAT STAGE. A three-piece band brought the SWAGGER AND CHARISMA of a four-piece group. Yes, that line doesn’t make sense, SUE ME. “SPOOKY” and its complicated drum FILLS FROM JUSTIN was added to the set as well as AN EPIC BEER CHUG FROM SEAN. “WHATEVER” was on the printed setlist, but not played for the FIRST TIME SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BAND.
During BOTH SHOWS, “Blitzkrieg Bop” brought punks of all ages together to close out both nights. If “WHATEVER” ever gets retired, the band may have a new CLOSER on their hands.
Special shout out to all the bands we played with that weekend. SUNNY DAY, ROBBY ROOSTER, AGONY OF AVARICE, LIPPIE, THE LOVETAPS. It was an honor meeting and PLAYING WITH YOU ALL. AS FOR ROBBY ROOSTER, see you all at ORTLIEBS on AUGUST 20TH one of many PHILLY GIGS TO COME!