Memorial Weekend >> came and went in a flash. Typical. An extra day out of the office to kick off the summer with the traditional trip to a beach town for some fun in the sun. Standard stuff. But this week started and ended with a few atypical shows in the valley of the sun: Pennywise at Marquee Theatre and Reggie Watts at Crescent Ballroom.
Pennywise rocked our faces off on Thursday to send Tempe off in punk rock fashion with an opening set from Guttermouth donning basketball shorts and heinous Hawaiian shirts [fitting for my Memorial getaway I guess]. The last time I saw Pennywise was in college and I haven't been much of a rebel since then so I was confused to see someone other than Jim Lindberg on lead vocals. Apparently, he left the band in '09 so that was the new frontman on the mic. I was a little disgruntled with that at first but eventually got over it not too deep into the set when 'Society' and other classics got some play [of course, they closed it out with 'Bro Hymn']. It's strange to hear a different singer but nonetheless he did a pretty good job and his style still fits the essence of the band.
Tuesday evening featured Reggie Watts at Crescent Ballroom doing his ludicrously genius improv music and comedy act. I, not unlike most of everyone else, was such a hungover deadbeat after a rough weekend so it was perfect to be sitting down at Crescent for a change [they lined up about 5 rows of folding chairs in front of the stage for this performance].
I've been a chronic insomniac for as long as I can remember and during my most sleep-scarce days 4 years ago is when I first discovered what Reggie was all about on the late night Comedy Central fillers just before the channel goes into full-on infomercial mode. Thus, it was such an ironic treat to see the marvel that is Mr. Watts being in a jet-lagged state and on just a few hours of autistically interrupted Airbus upright slumber. I love how he gets down on the loops and puts the gaters and mod wheels to work with his nonsensical flow and vocals. Reggie is pretty fucking out there but his craft certainly deserves the utmost propers. A great show of awe and haha at my favorite venue made for a solid nightcap to tackle the looong, short work week.
Check out all the vids from these shows on the zBORED YouTube channel. Do it.
