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June 2, 2002 |
Team Goon Network |
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On Sunday after a session at the Torrance skate park we headed south on the 405 freeway to go see the only “true” old school Punk band that is still playing today. The Skulls are a rad band that go back to 1977. As one of the original acts that came out of the famous Masque club, they helped shape the early Los Angeles Punk scene. Billy Bones the front man at 47 is still a hard charging dude that showed no signs of stopping. |
| The Skulls are: Billy Bones - Lead Vocals, James 'Hardslug' Harding - Bass Guitar, Kevin 'The Kid' Gorman – Guitar, Sean 'Daddysteaks' Antillon – Drums. |
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| This is the second time we had seen them recently since the show in Hollywood at The Martini Lounge on Melrose that we figured we better share the experience with everyone. The show starts with Billy Bones taking the stage in a black jacket and trademark red stripped shirt and the show opens up with the song "Models" and the set gets started. Everything about the band rocked. Kevin on guitar ripped out some of the cleanest leads making the overall sound very tight that you would have sworn there was a rhythm guitar in there somewhere. Sean on drums can pound the skins without mercy. This former Gears drummer makes the overall tune of the band very thick with flawless tempo. On bass is James, a former member of the wildly popular 80’s Punk band, The Adicts. The rhythm he adds ties the sound of the drums and the guitar in perfectly that makes this band loud, fast and tight |
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The entire set is a constant punch in the face and never lets up. Billy Bones’ passion for the scene he helped create back in 1977 comes through very clear to the audience. He puts on a show that you will not forget. He does not waste his time on a lot of in between song banter with the crowd, he just stays focused on why people came to the show – loud, fast Punk Rock. The set has a lot of depth to it with songs that each have their own personality. The even do their version of a Johnny Cash classic, “I walk the line”. |
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| As the show comes to an end the crowd was still hungry for more. The Skulls are professional and stayed within their time allotment so that the gig can continue on without a hitch. The crowd broke out in applause for this band that 25 years after their debut, still have their razor sharp edge. After the show we had a chance to visit with Billy Bones. We found him to be very real and approachable and his Punk Rock never die attitude is quite contagious. |
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Click on this link to hear a
sample song – Life ain’t so pretty |
| The Skulls have a new CD coming out soon on Dr Strange Records and we were lucky enough to get a demo copy of it. Make sure to go visit the Skulls website and check out all their stuff http://www.suburbias.com/skulls and stay up to date on what is going on with the band and all their shows. I do have to mention that we were also given a limited edition vinyl single of The Skulls that contains a booklet inside that has a history of the band and photos. |
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| It even highlights their appearance as the first LA punk band to play in Orange County at the Cukoos Nest. Don’t miss the chance to see this OG Punk band when they play in your area. | |
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