Punks vs. Psychos Tour

Tiger Army and the Distillers

March 16, 2002 @ the Palace in Hollywood

 

 

Words and Images by Alex Distefano

Playing to a nearly sold out crowd, the 'Punks vs. Psychos' tour made it's Second La stop on Saturday March 16, at the Palace in Hollywood. Headlining were self-proclaimed 'American Psychobilly' band Tiger Army, and the ferocious punk trio the distillers.

It is a shame that the Distillers had to open for Tiger Army, because the Distillers are just an amazing band in every way. (Not to disrespect the Tiger Army, who is a great band as well.)

The Distillers opened the show, and from the start of their set had the crowd in awe. 22-year-old lead singer Brody Armstrong is such a passionate, gifted and intense signer and guitar player. With the old school punk rock attitude and ethic, the Distillers spit out angry, fast hardcore punk rock, but within the songs and lyrics, one can also hear elements of melody, melancholy, and the struggles of life. Mrs. Armstrong has one of the most compelling voices in punk today. She bears her soul in every song with her ferocious howl and harmonious voice; the audience can feel her pain.

Playing songs off their debut album, as well as their latest release, "Sing Sing Death House," The Distillers revealed their souls and got the crowd swaying back and forth in the pit. With her almost Courtney love like voice, and old school punk rock look, Mrs. Armstrong led the band through a solid 40 minute set of poetic punk rock. With songs like "LA woman" and "City of Angels," the band showed love for their hometown city, and from the looks of the crowd, the feeling is mutual. Be sure to catch the Distillers live again in LA at the House of Blues on the sunset Strip on April 19th opening for Rancid and NOFX.

Tiger Army is more than just a self is proclaimed 'American Psychobilly' band. They blend the classic traditional sounds of rockabily, with the fast energetic grooves of punk. Taking equal part of influence from Danzig, the Misfits, Social Distortion, and the Reverend Horton Heat, the Tiger Army has been spewing forth their horror punk/rockabilly brand of insanity since 1995. The Bay area band has a strong following, which was apparent at the show. With tons of loyal fans chanting 'Never die!' before the lights went out in the palace, the Tiger Army took the stage and let havoc run lose in the pit. Lead singer and guitar player Nick 13's old classic rockabilly guitar riffs, and punk rock chords, kept the floor in a constant circle pit. On the stand up bass, Geoff Kresege kept his cool, while bringing an almost funky vibe to the songs. Mixed with the machine gun drumming of Fed Telles, and the Danzig like voice of Nick 13, Tiger Army played songs off their latest album, "Power of Moonlight," as well as songs off their 1999 self titled Debut, which many of the rabid fans in the crowd knew by heart. This band definitely brings a different, unique and energetic sound to the punk scene.

After a set that lasted nearly an hour, lead singer Nick 13 humbly thanked the crowd and brought a sense of unity, by boldly stating, "No matter what you are, we play this music for you all, you're all part of the Tiger Army!" This ended a fast, furious and emotional night of live music. Be sure to catch the Tiger Army again live at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip on April 24 with The Reverend Horton Heat, and Nashville Pussy.