The Star Bar is one of my favorite venues to see a show. Not only is it located in the heart of the coolest shopping area in town - yeah, that's right, it's Little 5, my big dog East Atlanta - but it is across the street from the best pizza in the area. At the Star Bar, you can get caught up in a big crowd, and still have room to escape. What's better than an old bank vault decorated as a shrine to Elvis to hide out in? The drinks are cheap, and in some cases, so is the music. This is the case for Shaved Christ. What a pile of crap to my ears.
This show - Bukkake Boys, GG King, Manic, Hawks, Wizard Smoke, and Shaved Christ - on Thursday, January 5, 2012, was so hyped. I was pumped for a great night of punk rock/face blistering rock. Why, oh why, did you guys let these little turds on the bill, and why did you wait so long to get started??
Pushing 11 pm, the room was packed. Everyone was thriving on the same energy - we wanted a show. Shaved Christ takes the stage, and down to the lounge we all go. Another good thing about the Star Bar, if you don't like the act upstairs, head to the lower level. It's a lot smaller, but the cool factor is nice.
The Bukkake Boys started up and I couldn't contain my excitement - yes! Finally, something worth coming out for. Bukkake went Bucrappe. They should have been upstairs. You couldn't see the act, and the music was that sort of washed out garage stock that you hear in a low budget B-movie during the teenager make out scene. If that's what you're going for guys, you have achieved it. Way to reach for the bottom where the floor's the limit. I know you can do better.
Out to the patio I went for some air. A guy next to me was smoking some spice and ran off all the girls. That stuff stinks.
Manic was up next, but after hearing some pathetic screams of "music" I decided to stay put. When you choose physical stink over listening to stink, that should say something.
Time was passing rapidly, and I hear Wizard Smoke take the stage upstairs. James, WS's front man, was already dripping with sweat and glaring his crazy eyes into the crowd behind masses of stringy hair. The music was decent, but I've heard better from them. I think stupid Shaved Christ sucked all the goodness out of the room. Wizard Smoke puts on a good show, but at this point, the hype was gone, and it just felt too late to be out on a Thursday night. I was not the only one who was feeling this way...as I walked out, I watched the room begin to clear and people poured into the street. How disappointing. And the worst part??? I didn't even get to see GG King, or Hawks.
For the reviews sake, I will say that Hawks can be hit or miss even though they have a big following. Maybe it's the name. GG King is great. They have a big, buzzy drone sound that really makes you feel like you're out on the town and making the most of your time and money. They are the real deal.
Note to the bands - stop dragging your ass. Pick some bands with real punch to open up. Then get ye butts to the stage. Ease up on whatever you're doing in the back room and entertain me. Otherwise, you're just a word on the page.
Music Monkey gives this show one banana...because I'm feeling nice.
Thank you to latestdisgrace.com for the Wizard Smoke pic.
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