Fresno Famous

A 21st birthday is a special thing. It's the age of legal drinking and ... well, that's pretty much it. Still, it's a definite turning point, especially for those into music. No more missing out on your favorite band because they're playing some bar and you're afraid of getting bounced by the door man.

Entrez vous my of-age friend, entrez vous. 

So, this was a birthday show for this dude Ubie, who's part of Fresno Pyrate Punx. It was a pretty stellar lineup as punk shows go, with a vide range of styles (plus a ska band to end the night).

Deadbeats: The Deadbeats are under age. They were essentially allowed to play and then moved out front. I've been there. It's a drag. Their set was good. They have kind of a Dead Boys vibe (if not aesthetic), playing fast and loose with a snotty, snearing abondon. They were sans bass player for some reason, but this is punk rock and they made it work. 

Born Loser: Love these guys. Comparable to the Lookout Records bands, but with a little more grit. The dude's vocals are superb. Makes me want to make music.

Our set: We've been playing a lot lately so the shows sort of run into each other. Didn't feel my usual energy levels, but the set felt tight.

Drunk in Public: This is the new band from Chris Carro (local promoter guy who used to be the 32s). It's essentially a party band doing loud, rawkous sing-along anthems like their namesake song "drunk in public." There was another one. Something about f'in yourself or something. I forget. Fun stuff.

Iwanaga: Ska band, or a punk band with horns. I dunno. I didn't stick around the see them (sorry, sorry). Had to get up early to be on the TV.