Good lord does it ever take an essential show for me to make my way into a place like the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, California. It feels like I’m going into a Gap or another retail outlet of equal shallowness. But hell, I’d probably go see a show in a Scientology center if it’s Dillinger Four, The Arrivals, Riverboat Gamblers, and Toys That Kill. A line-up half that good could probably make me do outrageous, regrettable things, but this isn’t the place to discuss that.
For those who have never been to the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, let me elaborate: it’s every preconceived notion you have of Hollywood. And why you hate it.
Toys That Kill opened up the show. Which got me to thinking. The first time I ever saw TTK and Dillinger Four was in Hollywood. At the Troubadour, which resides a couple miles west of the Knitting Factory. Same with the Riverboat Gamblers, but a couple years later. And here we were, back in Hollywood. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Toys That Kill are always great. I don’t know if they played new songs, or some covers, but there were songs I had never heard before, which was nice. Hopefully this means they have some new recordings on the horizon. They also played a lot of old songs and yelled jibberish about pregnant racists. It was as amazing as ever.
This was the first time I've seen the Arrivals play in Los Angeles. And they seemed kinda nervous, which was slightly amusing considering how kick-ass of a band I consider them. They seemed to play their songs faster than usual and it raged! Not like, blast beats fast, but faster none the less. And Issac was wearing a Young Offenders shirt. Awesome.
Riverboat Gamblers took the stage and jumped and sweated and even bloodied themselves a little bit. Totally uncontainable, a band you can always guarantee to give it their all. Mike, the lead singer, has a habit of climbing on stuff and sadly the Knitting Factory did not provide him with an adequate jungle gym, but he persevered none the less. Running up the wall at times. The Riverboat Gamblers are stylish looking chaps, but when it comes down to it, they can play the shit outta their instruments. I think if I was ever that animated I'd have a stroke.
And then after a long, consuming delay Dillinger Four played and everyone had a grand old time. With outta doubt, they're my favorite band in the entire world. And I know I’m far from alone on that one. Before they played I pondered how many people in the room shared my sentiments. I hypothesized the result to be a lot of people. Which is exciting! Thinking that a large portion of the room was about to see their FAVORITE band play. Which for us on the west coast, is not even a yearly activity.
They didn't play as many songs off of CIVILWAR as I would have hoped, and there was a lot of jibber jabber, but it was still so damn good. So god damn worth going to the Knitting Factory. And in the end, I'm really glad I wasn't that guy who let Paddy shave his head.