My first first knowledge of a band called Reagan Youth was hearing them mentioned in a NOFX song back in 2003. When they played as part of Sound Fest back in 2011 I was overwhelmingly impressed, so when I learned they were playing again, I knew that this show shouldn’t be missed by anyone considering themselves a punk fan. I wasn’t disappointed.
Sadly this wasn’t a well attended show, but in a way I was grateful as the few who were in attendance managed to slam me into the stage and stomp on me just as adeptly as a show with much larger attendance. This was particularly evident when they sang United States of Anarchy. Singer/front man Trey Oswald barely stayed in one spot for more than a couple seconds. He often thrust his mic into the crowd, getting them to sing along, or he would stage dive and prance about on the dance floor before leaping back onto the stage again. Meanwhile,Paul Cripple, the only original member, churned and ground away on the guitar while drummer Stig Whisper slammed away on the skins in true punk fashion. Tibbie X, very diminutive and the only female member, plunked away on the bass strings like a pro though she appeared dwarfed by her bass. She also didn’t even look like she was 25.
After Reagan Youth finished their set that whole club should have been on fire. The dance floor in particular was left smoking hot from the constant circle. This was a punk rock night in the purest fashion and I’m so glad I was a part of it.
Preceding Reagan Youth was the Northwest’s own 13 Scars. While Reagan Youth may have poured fuel on the flames that night,13 Scars had already set the blaze. They played hard core punk the way hard core punk should sound with a vocalist who half growls and half screams while darting about the stage and riling the audience into a frenzy. There was a mosh pit and circle pit non stop during their revved up show. Any punk fan must check these guys out. They’re incredible. 13 Scars are, Shawn Durand- guitar, vocals, Brian Fritts- guitar- vocals, Matt Shuttle – drums Bradley Petrovich – vocals, Josh Stallsworth – bass.
Load Levelers was the first set I saw, having gotten there late. This was my second time seeing Load Levelers and they blew me away this time as well. Load Levelers are a six-piece Seattle outfit that includes Michelle Thurston on backing vocals and some incredible moves and Keenan Lynch on an electric banjo (though he showed up half way through their set) and he shredded those banjo strings. Add Kurt Colfelt – guitar, John Wooten -guitar and Tim Aynardi – electric bass. Noa Mahoney on drums looks like the boy next door but slams the skins like a mad man in true punk fashion.
This is the band that really started the fire that raged through the night. I left a bit battered and bruised, but that’s what a good punk rock show should be like. The circle and mosh pits started with Load Levelers and never slowed down.
