Cru Jones Society

 

When we last off, we had just gone to two of Denver’s premiere punk rock venues. But there are still two more I frequented over the past 12 or 13 years. We have had a long enough intermission, so without further ado here are the other two venues where I learned what life was about.

The Fillmore

The Fillmore was initially built as a roller skating rink, which explains the big ass floor they have. Eventually one owner decided he wanted a rock venue that mimicked the Fillmore in San Francisco. And that is the one we have today, more or less.

Best Show at the Fillmore

Green Day with the Gamits. Actually the Gamits may have open for Weezer when I saw them at the Fillmore. I really can’t keep track of these things. Considering I don’t care for their latest two singles. I can’t even listen to “Know Your Enemy” without thinking of Drunk Girl from SNL whenever Billie Joe sings the chorus. But this show was several years before American Idiot came out, and I wanted to cross Green Day off my music bucket list.

At the time of the show Green Day were several albums removed from Dookie, so they were huge rock stars. Because of this the show felt like a cross between a punk show and a rock show. The best part was Green Day played for two hours straight. And not like two hours straight with a bunch of jibba-jabba, but of pure rocking goodness. Sure there was some talking to the crowd, that is only necessary, but they didn’t do a lot of bullshitting. Just said their shit, and got right back to the rock.

And like any good multi-millionaire punk band, they laid waste to their instruments and the end of the show. It was like I could only imagine a classic Who show would be like. Mike Dirnt threw his bas right through Tre Cool’s bass drum. The first time I had seen that kind of destruction at a real life show.

Honorable Mention

Rancid. What would a list of punk shows be without a mention of Rancid? A list not made be Lee S. Hart, that’s for sure. I have seen Rancid a lot, but this show was a little special because they played a lot of their songs that were unreleased or could only be found on compilation discs. So it was like no Rancid show I had seen before.

Worst Show at the Fillmore

Rise Against with the Bouncing Souls. Now you may be thinking, “What the fuck? How could this show be bad?” Well, let me tell you. First I want to acknowledge that both Rise Against and the Souls tore it up. This show sucked as it was a local radio stations “Not So Silent Night.” Rise Against had just blown up, and their crapactular acoustic song, “Swing Life Away” was getting crazy air play. This turned a lot of teenie bopper jerkfors onto Rise Against, or at least that kind of mellow Rise Against. This also caused the show to be turned into in all ages show. Now I don’t know if this is a state law or just the policy of the Fillmore, but no alcohol can be sold at all age concerts. Not that I need alcohol to enjoy punk rock, but I do need it when I am surrounded by a bunch of underage kids. Due mainly to my own shit going on in my life, I just about engaged in fisticuffs with one lad. Then I was sour the rest of the night.

I will say this about being at that show with all those teenie boppers, it was fun to watch them as Rise Against played there loud, fast, political music. The kids were frightened and suddenly not enjoying themselves. Most of the girls looked bored and upset as they waited for “Swing Life Away.” Also there were a lot of parents there, and it was easy to pick out the republicans.

Honorable Mention

Flogging Molly. Again not because the band was bad, but because of the situation. It was the opposite of the situation above. This time I had too much alcohol. It was New Year’s Eve and I was having a good time. My stomach however was not. I lost my booze, my dinner, and the girls I was hitting on. Fortunately I wasn’t thrown out. Though it didn’t much matter since it took me most of the song to figure out what song Flogging Molly was playing. Alcohol is a hell of a drug.

The Gothic Theater

The only venue on this list not found on Colfax. Located on South Broadway, the Gothic is by far my favorite venue that is not Red Rocks. It has only been doing concerts for the past ten years, but they are doing them right. The venue history on their page is a fantastic read, be sure to check it out. Also it answers my question about the booze at all ages show.

Best Show at the Gothic

Every one of the times Zebrahead or Less Than Jake has played there. Zebrahead has never let me down in concert, except this last time when they had to postpone their shows and instead of rescheduling in a timely manner they did a tour of Europe. Assholes! But their shows reach that all important next level when their music echoes through the rounded walls of the Gothic. It’s as if the Gothic Theater has the ability to increase the bands energy output as well.

This same phenomenon happens with Less Than Jake. The Gothic has this amazing ability to bring out the best in bands. The last time I saw Less Than Jake there, they had an opening band by the name of Suburban Legends. I had never heard of these guys before and didn’t know what to expect. Then they took the stage I goofy costumes and had a whole boy band-esq. dance routine planned. They then proceeded to rock the place in typical ska fashion, only to set the stage for Less Than Jake to that thing they do, Oneders style!

Honorable Mention

Bouncing Souls with the Street Dogs. Again it’s a band I love, the Bouncing Souls, somehow being more awesome from the magic that is the Gothic. This was also the first time I saw and heard of the Street Dogs, a band that would quickly climb the ranks in my awesome band ranking. Uh what? While listening to the Street Dogs on my drive home I thought the vocals sounded very familiar. When I got home I looked it up and found out their singer was the original singer of Dropkick Murphys. A man I consider a hero of mine.

Worst Show at the Gothic

Reel Big Fish with Zebrahead. I know this kind of contradicts what I wrote above, but I had a hard time finding a show I hated at the Gothic. I chose this one because at the time I was not a fan of Reel Big Fish. Zebrahead had already blown me away and I was set to go, but all my friends wanted to watch this ridiculous ska band. It would still be few years before they rubbed off on me, so to me it was just another ska show. But like the old saying goes, I wish I knew then what I know now, I think I would have really enjoyed the show. Oh well, such is life.

Honorable Mention

Well, as I stated I had a hard time choosing a worst show, so I really don’t have an honorable mention. In my eyes (and ears) the Gothic can do no wrong.

I now wish there was a band coming to the Gothic I want to see, but alas I will have to wait. As the show is over. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.

See ya in the pit, from the balcony…

lee.s.hart@crujonessociety.com