Down By Law, Anti-Flag, Pinkerton Thugs

The Rat, Boston, MA

I know this is unfair to say this, but I don't like all-ages shows. They were cool when I was young, but now I hate being around a bunch of teens with their high-school attitudes and behavior. Granted, the people who get too drunk at 21+ shows aren't any better, but at least they usually stay at the bar.

There, now that I've offended some people, I'll get to the review: I walked in halfway through the Pinkerton Thugs' set — the show started at 4:00, so even leaving work early couldn't get me there in time. (I missed the opening band completely...I can't even remember who it was.) Anyway, the Thugs were pretty good — a harder Clash-style punk, including a cover of "White Man in Hammersmith Palais."

Anti-Flag definitely ruled this show. You couldn't help get but get into A-F: they sound great and have tons of energy. They're what you want in a punk band — if you don't see them next time they come to your town, you're an idiot. The only annoying thing happened towards the end of their set, when singer/guitarist Justin Sane (photo) spend way too long tuning his guitar (something like ten minutes) — I'd rather have heard 3 or 4 more songs not quite in tune. But even still, they played a good chunk of their full-length Die for the Government, so everyone went home happy and sweaty.

Strangely, it seemed that a bunch of people did leave before Down By Law took the stage, which is a shame. DBL seemed a little un-energized, partly due to the fact that there wasn't much energy or enthusiasm coming from the crowd. And since they had to finish up in time for the late show, they only had time to play for a half hour. Still, they packed their short set full, and I for one appreciated the several seldom-heard songs they played from the first two records.

Uploaded December 1997