Ryan ChartrandIt looked like the opening night of a “Harry Potter” film, with hundreds of fans lined up around the block, eagerly waiting to escape the chilly night air. The cause: Tiger Army headlined a show at Downtown Brewing Co.
Tickets had sold out early Wednesday afternoon. Those with tickets were considered lucky; the unfortunate fans without tickets had no alternative but to negotiate with scalpers outside.
After a long period of setting up and adjusting audio equipment, the opening band, Orange County’s The Dear & Departed, warmed up the crowd with their blend of dark, poppy emo-punk. They were met with a positive reception during their brief set, but it didn’t compare to what was to come.
Next up was Revolution Mother, aptly named as most of the band looked like they were plucked straight out of the ’60s Vietnam era. Having a much more rugged, dirty. and heavy sound than the previous band, Revolution Mother injected a healthy dose of energy into the crowd, which by this time had doubled in size. The self-proclaimed “older than most of you” vocalist was about as loud and abrasive as they come. Off to one side, a small pit began to pick up steam. All in all, it was a surprisingly raw set from a relatively unknown band.
Finally, Tiger Army was up. By this time the room was packed like a sardine can with people squished from wall to wall. The great thing about a Tiger Army show is the crowd it attracts. Looking across the tops of heads, one could see representatives of almost all genres of punk rock: rockabilly pompadores, long-haired metal heads and just plain, average-looking kids. Everyone was there for the same reason – the love of both Tiger Army and punk rock.
This show marked the return of original Tiger Army stand-up bassist, Geoff Kresge, who recorded several albums with the band before departing in 2004 to pursue side projects. Fans offered a warm welcome when the members took the stage, and the band immediately started their mantra “Tiger Army Never Die.”
At this point, the center of the room literally erupted into a circle pit, with arms and legs flailing in every possible direction. The chemistry between Kresge and singer/guitarist Nick 13 was obvious, and this only fueled the crowd. The pit only spread from its vortex until, by the fourth or fifth song, it took up nearly the entire room. The crowd took on the form of an ocean crashing upon a cliff, or in this case, a stage. It was hard for anybody not to get engulfed in the surge of bodies.
Many fan favorites were played, both from old and new albums. It seemed like everyone knew the words to every song. The show peaked, however, with the performance of the ultra-fast, anthemic punk track “F.T.W.” that basically left the room decimated.
After a lengthy and generous set, the band stepped down. Fans were not satisfied, however, and began chanting for “one more song!” Minutes later, the band returned, to the obvious delight of the crowd. As a special treat, they performed a Misfits cover they had not played in years, according to the band. The crowd once again burst into a frenzy with circle dancing, windmill kicks, floor punches, flying elbows, and crowd surfers. The heat was stifling; you could scoop the humidity from the air with your hands.
Finally, the band retired, and fans quickly headed for the bar or outside for a smoke or some fresh air. By all accounts it was an amazing show – just like always. Let’s face it, Tiger Army is the crŠme de la crŠme within their style. If you like this genre of music, chances are you’ll go ape-nuts over this band.
Seeing Tiger Army live does not disappoint, and Wednesday night was no exception. Come invade San Luis Obispo again soon, Tiger Army!