Life In A Bungalo

Koffin Kats, Speed Crazy, Hand Me Downs
Asbury Lanes, NJ
April 25, 2008

Click for full photolog of the show

The Koffin Kats returned to the Garden State last Friday night for a never ending evening of all things psycho. The band played just about every song in their repertoire during the nearly two hour set, pausing only for a few seconds to chug a beer.

First up were The Hand Me Downs, an adrenaline-fueled punk rock band in the vein of Rancid and equally as punchy. I would have loved these guys when I was 16. Sure, the sound is a bit dated and done many times over, but it was worth it just for the two Operation Ivy covers.

I haven’t seen Speed Crazy since they tore through Connections a few years back. At the time, I was put off by the bands’ mile-a-minute guitar licks and thrashy stylings. I now realize that the off-putting live show might have been due to the now defunct club’s miserable sound system. At the Asbury Lanes, Speed Crazy came off like a powerhouse rockabilly band with mean riffs, cool vocals, and a groove that just doesn’t stop. Erica Kozak and Greg Baby traded vocals sweeter than Exene and John Doe, while Snake pummeled the skins behind a floodlight lit bass drum. This set was well worth the second chance. Read more »

Carbon/Silicone
April 2, 2008
Asbury Lanes, New Jersey

This is an open letter to anyone that is still bitching and moaning that they never got to see Joe Strummer or the Ramones. GO SEE MICK JONES BEFORE HE DIES. Not that he’s going anywhere soon, but at the rate that John Rotten keeps getting healthier and heroes like Johnny Cash die…Well, you get the picture.

And boy, does Mick Jones still kick ass. Life In A Bungalo caught his latest band, Carbon Silicone at the legendary Asbury Lanes last Wednesday and I was blown away. The man can shred like no ones business, and he has seemingly worked out all his B.A.D. dance hall crap and left it in the ’90s. Read more »

Nekromantix/ Koffin Kats/ The Choptops/ Toothless George
Asbury Lanes, NJ
November 24, 2007

Click for Full Photolog of The Nekromantix and The Koffin Kats on Flickr!

It’s rare these days to catch a show so loaded that there isn’t enough filler time for a bathroom break or a second beer. Nowadays, promoters fill up a concert with second rate acts, has beens, and crappy local bands. It’s hardly worth getting to a show at doors let alone 15 minutes before the headliner hits stage. Looks like psychobilly legends The Nekromantix actually wanted to give their fans their money’s worth, because they’ve put together a package tour so ferocious that you barely have time to breath, let alone take a piss. Read more »

Koffin Kats & American Speedway
The Asbury Lanes
July 21, 2007

Detroit’s favorite sons, The Koffin Kats, hit the Jersey Shore one more time for a hell of a romp this past Saturday night. The ghoulish trio pounded out nearly every song in their three-record catalog (including one new tune and a cover), and entertained the packed Asbury Lanes for well over an hour. Read more »