Fresno Famous

To start: This was the most fun I've had at a show in a long time. Like, hip shaking fist-pumping "Oh-my-God! This-is-amazing!" kind of fun. Like, standing-in-front-of-the-speakers ears-be-damned kind of fun.

There was lots of smiling. From everyone. That was the atmosphere for the night.

Basura (or Los Basura is you prefer): A five-peice local ska outfit. Th#mce_temp_url#at's third-wave ska (hints of metal/punk/ and surf rock. More Voodoo Glow Skulls than Madness). The whole set was conducted in Spanish, and by the sing/shout along at the end, it was obvious I should have paid more attention in Spanish 2. Basura is a band I wish I saw more. 

Outernational: This is Outernational's third trip to Fresno and apparently they've created some fans. The crowd wasn't huge, but it was frenzied. Early in the set most everyone rushed the stage and that's where they stayed, dancing and singing along and snapping cell-phone pics (probably some video too). According to the press (myself included) the band does "revolution rock," which is a vauge term, but descriptive of the band's overall message and aesthetic. Musically, they borrow from The Clash (in singer Miles Solay) and Rage Against the Machine (in guitarist Leo Mintek). There was also hints of Chicago riot-punk-jazzsters Blue Meanies, which is a obscure hipster reference if there ever was one, but, what can you do?

Bottom line, a great start to a weekend that includes shows from Blake Jones and the Trike Shop and Continental.