And that is it for 2023. We wrap up the year with one last show put together by the folks behind Punk Rock Tacos. It is time to bring the community together one more time before the end of the year at Cobra Lounge.
The lineup for the show was an eclectic mix of very different bands in terms of genre and sound. Surprisingly that was not an issue whatsoever; once each band got on stage the music spoke for itself, regardless of what kind of sound they were producing.
The first band for the evening was one of Punk Rock Taco’s own x.Oracles.x. If there is one thing to reiterate about this band, it is their consistency to put on a killer show.
Ms. Lynch, the lead singer, likely delivered the strongest vocal performance of the evening. With strong support from the rest of the musicians, her voice is the key that makes their punk rock sound work seamlessly with blues riffs and rhythms. The scratchy guitar riffs add some grunge elements to the music that are supported by the walking bass lines that create an uncompromising mixture of both blues and punk.
Their set consisted of a mix of mostly original songs and an incredibly fun rendition of Talking Heads’ classic track “Psycho Killer.” Their song “Shotgun Blues” from their EP “Gitcha Gitcha” is a certified banger.
Is Party Punk a genre? That is probably the best way to describe The Reaganomics’ sound. Vocal harmonies, some ridiculously catchy riffs, and speed summarize their music. These guys did everything you want a punk band to do, and they did it well.
The self-described “sweaty dads playing punk” truly were, and did just that. Whether the songs were played in between banter or the banter in between songs, it was funny, enjoyable, and showcased solid musicianship from all four band members. The bassist and both guitarists took turns as lead singers throughout the show keeping each song fresh, and worked super well together when doing gang vocals or harmonies. The drummer, sporting the coolest shirt there and a groovy sweatband, did a stellar job as the driving force behind the constant rhythm changes and aggressive sound of the band.
The Reaganomics are definitely worth adding to your playlist. Their music is just so much fun, and a must-see live for sure. Take a listen to their song “Don’t Worry. We’ll Play First” from their album Lower the Bar. This is a great place to start if you are not familiar with this band.
Next on the ticket was Disinfo. The three-piece band took all the harmonies and catchy riffs that the previous bands had played and threw them out the window. There’s no need for vocal harmonies or complicated guitar solos when you’re trying to make a point, and Disinfo did just that, and very effectively.
This band is confrontational as hell, and they are not shy about it. Playing a mix of hardcore, d-beat, with some thrashy sections in some songs. These guys have one mission only and it is to send a message loud and clear – emphasizing the loud part.
For a healthy dose of whiplash, check out Disinfo’s song “Verbal Abuse” from their brutally blunt ep Nothing is True. Pay attention to these guys if politically charged, contentious punk is your thing.
While the lineup seemed eclectic at first, there was some genius behind the order in which these bands were scheduled to take the stage. As the show went on, the bands also got progressively faster, heavier, and more aggressive. So when the next band, The Dennies, got on stage I was caught off guard.
The next thing I see is a small army of teenagers getting on stage setting up their instruments. Not knowing what to expect I do have to admit that I had really low expectations, but then Noah Corona, the mastermind behind Punk Rock Tacos, grabbed a mic and promised us that the next band was going to “rock our socks off,” and oh boy he was right.
Despite their young age, The Dennies put up a performance that was easily on par with their more experienced counterparts on the ticket that evening. Their music sounded like some sort of amalgamation of punk, alternative, grunge with a bit of metal sprinkled all throughout. What an incredible combination. Jumping up and down, their lead singer had everyone up front moshing and slamming, and at one point even joining the moshing themselves.
The crowd requested an encore and The Dennies ended their set with a powerful rendition of “Raining Blood” by Slayer.
Overall, the band put on a great performance. I was honestly somewhat embarrassed at the end for making assumptions based on their age but they really did rock our socks off. It was teenage angst that got us all into this scene in the first place. that some of us somehow forgot along the way, and The Dennies are here to remind us of it. It is angst straight from the source. If you do not believe me, check out their song “Flesh,” Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
To end the night, the headliners, playing high-quality hardcore punk as Eske (short for Los Eskeletos), granted us the perfect ending to the year. While 2023 is over and 2024 may not be much better, at least we have some awesome music to get us through it all.
Their songs were short – as most Hardcore Punk songs should be, if you ask me – but they made up for the length by playing some of the best hardcore I have seen live in a while. I am pretty sure they played their entire set in 20 minutes, but honestly if they were to play their set from start to finish again, I would not have complained.
While I do have to admit that I have a soft spot for specifically Latinx hardcore punk bands, Los Eskeletos is such a great band that I highly recommend it to anybody that is into that specific subgenre, and if you go to one of their shows I can guarantee their music will make you want to jump into the mosh pit. Their album Sobras is a must-listen.
Head below to check out the full photo gallery of the show!
Pit Shots