Fangbase - Reviews

Vic Theatre, Chicage, IL

Saturday 9th August 2003

After horrible traffic and a four plus hour drive, we made it to the VIC theatre in Chicago for Fiendfest. I made the same trip last year to see the Damned at the Metro, and both shows were well worth the long, shitty drive.

Fiendfest, as a whole, was very enjoyable. I enjoyed all the bands on the bill, Agnostic Front was a bit too hardcore on some of their numbers for my tastes, but I was into a few of their songs. D.I. was very good, as good as a Bad Religion clone can be. I love Bad Religion so I was into D.I. too. Balzac and the Dickies were also very entertaining. As far as Jerry, Marky, and Dez, they put on a very good show playing Old school Misfits, Graves/Chud era Misfits, and Classic Ramones songs. People can say what they want about Jerry Only and what he is doing to the Misfits name, but they played a tight, energetic set and I commend Jerry for keeping this music alive, and cashing in on it whenever he can. It might not sound "Punk," but so what! The place was sold out!

The Damned!! What can be said other than "Breathtaking!" The Captain came out in a pink too-too and a Dame Edna mask with sun glasses. He looked ridiculous, but no one cared. The Captain is so good on guitar and back up vocals I don't know how the Damned survived for those few years without him. Of course, Pinch, Monty and Pat took the stage first and they received a great ovation. "Ignite" was first and it was great. David Vanian, in a full suit, came out on stage and the Vic theatre lit up. DV is the greatest singer and showman in punk rock history, and he proved it again tonight. The set list was solid but I was sad not to hear "Disco Man" "Wait For The Blackout" or "Plan 9, Channel 7". They did play "See her Tonight" "Street of Dreams" and "History of the World part 1" After "Smash It Up" the Captain walked off stage saying he wouldn't play "New Rose" for the 2,000th time, so Stanley from the Dickies came out and played the song with the Captain, who was still in his too-too dancing around and singing back up.

My only real complaint about Fiendfest, and this will sound funny is, there were too many bands. Shows like this one are so high energy that by the time the Damned or the "Misfits" took the stage, the audience was beginning to get tired out, too drunk, or just plain "spent." I would rather have seen the Damned/Misfits co-headline with just one opener. The Damned could have played longer than too.

Overall, this was a great show. The Damned were, for me, the highlight of the night. I hope they come back for a tour to promote the new DVD, or get their arses back in the studio for the follow up to GRAVE DISORDER. BTW - Come to Indianapolis next time so I don't have to drive so damn far! The Vogue theatre would be the perfect venue!

Peace - Out!
BEN