Todd Barnes Tribute - Destroy Radio

I first heard TSOL in 1982. Frontier Records had an incredible list of releases during a
short span including TSOL, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, China White and Christian Death. All are now deemed classics and worthy of repeat listenings for years to come. But the one release that has been the most played for me is Dance with Me from TSOL. To me this album is a masterpiece. Fuck Led Zepplin 4, this was and is still the shit. A perfect blend of Punk Rock energy with a gothic and creep field presentation. So many people that I played the album for seemed most interested or horrified in the track Code Blue, maybe for the shock value they had never been exposed to in the past. But to me this song seemed the weakest link to an incredible journey. After years and years I am still undecided about the strongest song on the album. My vinyl wore thin and was eventually retired for a facless CD although the message never lingers.
Taking bong hits by the side of the river on foggy nights, the taped copy would play over and over again out the car doors of my friends Pontiac Firebird. Riding from party to party in another frined's VW Van, the tape would blast from a cheap $69 car stereo. Fucking around with my friends at night in the oldest cemetery in town, Dance with Me would cover the stillness of death from a boombox covered in duct tape to keep the batteries from falling out. Basically what I am trying to say is that everywhere I went for quite awhile, some version of Dance with Me rode along for the journey.

The memorial show was a dedication to Todd Barnes. The memorial was set up by Paul McFadden who is the lead singer of a Long Beach band called All Day. It was held at the Lava Lounge in Long Beach, California. I had hoped to film some of the show including the performance by All Day and TSOL for Destroy Radio, but the gigantic old school VHS camera crapped out and that was that. I had to deal with watching history and not filming it. All Day probably has to be one of biggest secrets in the Punk Rock world. This band mixes old and new schools sounds into a driving force that would even get grandma into the Pit for some action. I have been playing this band on my radio shows for years and many of their songs have trampled their way into my Top 10 shows. One Way Ticket, Spain, Kim's Dead..., the band has so many great songs. Recently they opened for NOFX on a US tour and reportedly scared the hell out of a bunch of little punks. Maybe people just aren't used to this type of energy anymore. They smoke, they drink and they look like they would like to fuck your shit up. The band played a great set with the crowd responding accordingly. Paul gave a noice tribute to Todd as well. Don't miss this band if you have a chance to see them live.

The Vandals came on to play a stinky show due to some idiot letting off stink bombs throughout the show. Poop and rotton eggs are not my idea of a good time. I was out the doors for a smoke and ran into the Ditch Bank Okies hangin' outside. I hadn't seem them in awhile so it was nice to hear the latest news on the Ditch Bank Okie front. A few laughs and shared Metal signs with DJ John Ritchie and it was back inside for the defining moment.

TSOL took me by surprise since I didn't think they were coming on when they did. After ditching the broken video camera, it was off to the stage for musical tribute. Little was said about Todd's passing because they music was all that needed to speak this evening. The Lava Lounge was so packed (way beyond sold out). Everyone was singing along as a haunting backdrop too the darkened stage. The show appeared to have been cut short for some unknown reason although understandable due to the circumstances. Code Blue closed it down once again. A packed house of drunken and sober souls paying their final respect.

Thanks to Paul McFadden, Albert from Know Records and Jack from TSOL for saying yes to my requests.