Jun 17, 2014 7Seconds at The Roxy with CH3
It’s amazing when a young band makes music, hits the road, and stirs up a movement. 7Seconds’ first EPs and albums were not only among the first to fly the hardcore punk flag in the early ’80s but also introduced a humanist agenda (in the face of nihilism) and launched the youth crew concept (that spread to the East Coast). It doesn’t hurt that the songs are as catchy as they are pointed. I still get amped when I hear songs like “Regress No Way” or “Young ‘Til I Die.”
As awesome as 7Seconds were coming out of the gate, evolving a genre of punk that is as positive and politically minded as it is powerful and unpolished, it’s even more impressive that they keep it going more than 30 years later. Not embittered. Not going through the motions. Still friends and still humbly blowing the doors off of small clubs to sweaty masses of slam dancers and stage divers. So I was stoked to discover not only that the Reno-born and Sacto-based band’s brand-new album, Leave A Light On, totally rips but that they were going to play The Roxy in L.A. How could I miss it?
While it’s true that The Boss belts out four-hour shows at sports arenas at 65, nothing beats 45 minutes of hardcore. A packed room with bodies flying everywhere, everyone singing along, and it’s not just boys’ fun. 7Seconds makes a point to address sexism, homophobia, racism, and the like through its songs, and singer Kevin Seconds actually took a moment onstage to address critics who don’t think politics and art should mix. If you don’t like it, well, too bad!
When the middle-aged group caught its collective breath between the rapid-fire songs, Seconds also reminisced about the bad old days playing amongst skins and gangs at the infamous Fender’s Ballroom in Long Beach, explained the band’s love for Sham 69 and apathy toward the music critics that skewered them, and shared how they played “99 Red Balloons” on a whim way back when but had no idea that their take on the new wave song would be a live staple to this day. He repeatedly expressed gratitude to the loyal fans who still attend every show–as well as for having health care these days, even if it’s lousy and especially when he jacks up an ankle early in a set and keeps playing. He was visibly limping while dodging stage divers but never complained.
Along with the great new songs and classic old songs that one would expect, there were some cuts from the band’s more melodic, less popular middle period. I thought “New Wind” and “Satyagraha” sounded great, and it was cool to hear the audience singing along to them just like they did the faster ones. There was a time when they would have been booed.
And if the songs, references, and genres I’ve mentioned so far make no sense to you, that’s okay. You don’t need to have a Mohawk hairdo or an “X” on the back of your hand to appreciate the band or understand its influence not only on a musical subculture but a generation of activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and individuals who have gone on to apply the DIY and progressive aesthetic to all aspects of life–not just music. Getting blown away by 7Seconds’ set after all these years really made me think about how much hardcore punk rock has influenced my attitude, aesthetics, and outlook not only as a writer or a person but as a parent. Even so, it sure is cool to gather with like-minded people from all walks of life and of all ages in the pit.
Did I mention that one of my favorite bands (and my pals who played a Save Music in Chinatown show) Channel Three opened? I arrived just in time to catch most of their songs but missed Fraude, who I saw opening for Limp Wrist last year and liked a lot… Still, what a double header.
I can’t guaranteed everyone will love 7Seconds as much as I do, but the new LP is excellent, intelligent, and melodic punk rock at its best and the first two records are rather perfect. Can’t go wrong with Channel Three, either, especially if you like O.G. Socal punk, The Clash, and Cheap Trick. See the bands live and buy stuff at the merch table to fill their gas tanks when they hit the road. It’s a small price to pay for inspiration and ass kicking.
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