Not Afraid
09-05-2005, 02:44 AM
Well, it is almost 3 am and I'm tired, but I'm also smiling. BIG TIME smiling. I got to see The Knitters tonight.
The Knitters are John Doe, Exene Cervenca, DJ Bonebrake, Dave Alvin and Johnny Ray Bartel. If those names don't sound familiar, take a look (as listen) to X and the Blasters.
Both X and The Blasters were two of the BEST bands to come out of the LA original punk scene in the late 70's early 80's. I saw both of these bands many, many times. X remains one of my favorite bands of all times. The Blasters were equally important to the scene really flushing the roots/folk influences on punk ruck at the time.
The Knitters is a combination of players from both these bands. They put out their first album 20 years ago. They just released their 2nd. Their first LP was one I knew so well I could sing every word. But, it wasn't punk rock - in sound - at all. It was roots/folk music done with a punk rock influence or attitude. I know of no other band that does music like this. It is notstraight anything. It just is. And it is AMAZING.
So, I was at the Belly Up, standing one place back from the stage, smiling at John Doe, in awe of Dave Alvin, amazed at Exene, wondering how the hell DJ looks so good and laughing with the new stand up bass player. They had such a good time on stage and I have a better time watching them. I've seen a lot of music, but this show left be with the same feeling of joy I used to get after leaving the cool little shows I frequented in the 80's - and past of that was probably drug induced. This was totaly sober joy and I want MORE of it. I will be watching their schedule. I WILL see them again.
I'm not sure that really expresses how I am feeling. It was a great night. REALLY great.
I'll have to cover Phranc and Cindy Lee tomorrow. They're both a blast from the past - although I don't seem to remember Cindy Lee. Did I really do THAT many drugs?
The Knitters are John Doe, Exene Cervenca, DJ Bonebrake, Dave Alvin and Johnny Ray Bartel. If those names don't sound familiar, take a look (as listen) to X and the Blasters.
Both X and The Blasters were two of the BEST bands to come out of the LA original punk scene in the late 70's early 80's. I saw both of these bands many, many times. X remains one of my favorite bands of all times. The Blasters were equally important to the scene really flushing the roots/folk influences on punk ruck at the time.
The Knitters is a combination of players from both these bands. They put out their first album 20 years ago. They just released their 2nd. Their first LP was one I knew so well I could sing every word. But, it wasn't punk rock - in sound - at all. It was roots/folk music done with a punk rock influence or attitude. I know of no other band that does music like this. It is notstraight anything. It just is. And it is AMAZING.
So, I was at the Belly Up, standing one place back from the stage, smiling at John Doe, in awe of Dave Alvin, amazed at Exene, wondering how the hell DJ looks so good and laughing with the new stand up bass player. They had such a good time on stage and I have a better time watching them. I've seen a lot of music, but this show left be with the same feeling of joy I used to get after leaving the cool little shows I frequented in the 80's - and past of that was probably drug induced. This was totaly sober joy and I want MORE of it. I will be watching their schedule. I WILL see them again.
I'm not sure that really expresses how I am feeling. It was a great night. REALLY great.
I'll have to cover Phranc and Cindy Lee tomorrow. They're both a blast from the past - although I don't seem to remember Cindy Lee. Did I really do THAT many drugs?