The class of 77

Last week I tottered over to the Rainbow for some punk rock action, courtesy of The Diotones, Clash enthusiasts Police N Thieves and The Sonic Defense. The Diotones were on first with a slew of covers from punk rock's first wave and an original or two in the same style. Here's Alex and Steve!



Guitar action with Jay!



Alezz shakes it!



More Steve!



Tonal action!



More Jay!



Jordan hits!



The whole lot!



Extra shaking action!



The whole lot, again!



On to Police N Thieves, and a heap of Clash tunes. Here's Greg (of the Uncooperatives and others) and Omar!



Bass action with Scott!



More Greg N Omar!



Dave (of Manpower and others) hits!



More Greg!



Extra Omar!



Bonus Dave!



Even more Greg!



The whole lot!



Sonic Defense finished the night off with a sharp set, more in the 1990s indie rock style. Here's Ron!



Hugo sings!



Rhythm section action with Dan and Dominic!



Sonic action!



Extra Hugo!



Dominic hits!



Guitar action!



The whole lot!



All entertaining stuff.

The new Friday

This show from a week ago kicked off one of those weeks where I wish I could be in two places at once - even on a Monday. I went to the Rainbow for the first time in quite a while (the last act I caught there was Ol' Savannah in spring 2012) to start the week off right with some rock'n'roll. Chicago's Viet Rahm and Tulsa trio Planet What stopped by, with Boom Creek opening things up. Here's Todd!



Neil sings!



Guitar action with Ian!



Booming action!



Ian sings!



Adam hits!



Extra Neil!



Rhythm section action!



Since it's the Rainbow, there's a mandatory shot from the upper balcony.



Singalong action!



And so on!



Planet What are a trashed-out combo who made me think of a super lo-fi crossing of L7 and Sonic Youth (this probably means I am old). Here's Dylan and one-half of the band's dual Danelectro team, Jeanette!



Dylan hits!



Here's Kylie on Danelectro No. 2!



Planetary action!



More Dylan!



Extra Kylie!



More Jeanette!



Overhhead action!



Feedback action!



Grounded action!



The whole lot!



Viet Rahm closed the night with some serious psych-punk thunder. I'm not quite sure who's who, so here are some photos, starting with some rhythm section action!



Vocal action!



More bass!



And so on!



Overhead action!



More guitar!



More percussion!



The whole lot!



A swell way to head into the week.