Too old to die young

That was the text on drummer John Wright's shirt of NoMeansNo.

Too old to die young.

Such a funny quote if you know the punk world. Circle Jerks with "Live fast, Die young", 7 Seconds with "Young till I die" and the many other bands making such statements in their song titles or lyrics, mostly written when they were young punks. To see Victims Family and NoMeansNo in 2009, when these guys are older and greying is just amazing. NMN hasn't stopped touring or making albums for the 30 years they've been around. Their energy is persistent and infective...a true working man's band. With Rob Wright being 55 now, I don't know when they'll STOP so I make every effort to see their shows.

I decided to fly out to see family, and also sneak in a show while the band was in the Bay Area. Met up with SpeedRacer and stayed at the Soulcraft abode. (One thing I know is the next frame I buy will likely be a Soulcraft.) Anyways, after dinner and a pint or two of the local brewmaster's Lagunitas IPA, we headed to the historic Phoenix Theater. The surrounding scene was of old 'retired' punks first at the old speakeasy bar across the street and then with some young punks added into the mix at the show. I was one of the younger people there (at 36) if you can imagine that.

You wouldn't expect it, but Petaluma is home to some very cool things: Lagunitas Brewery, Soulcraft cycles (Salsa Cycles too when Ross was still making bike stuff), and Victims Family. Victims Family are one of, if not my favorite, bands so getting to see them WITH NoMeansNo is unheard of if not impossible. It's kinda absurd really. The last time it happened was over 20 years ago I believe. When VF came on stage i didn't know what to expect. The last time I saw them was at this very hometown theater 7 years ago...and they haven't toured since. Let's just say they have been practicing and they rocked the theater. It felt like a reunion with the local crowd being friends with the band and truly respecting them coming back to play this show, for one night only. The other bands were watching too - it was an historic event. They played a long set, with many tunes off White Bread Blues. I don't understand how Ralph can sing and play some of that stuff at the same time. Larry's bass work is incredible, no pick, just slapping at those strings like the best of them. If you don't know VF, they're a 3-piece band that is the punk version of Rush with pieces of Van Halen crossed with the Chili Peppers. They don't even fit that description though as they created their own genre like the Minutemen.

But simply, it was a night to remember. And I even got a steel toe to the ankle to make sure I remember. Yes, it still hurts a week later.

War wounds