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Halloween is the one day of the year many people feel compelled to wear strange makeup, add shocking accessories to their outfits and look as frightening as possible. Of course, there are certain folks who do that every day as a matter of habit: punk rockers. This year, in an odd case of supernatural synchronicity, All Hallow's Eve coincides with several concerts by legendary hard-core acts--so for all those who missed punk the first time around, this could be your last chance to pretend you're old school before you finally age into a bitter old fool. (Then again, as the Dead Kennedys once sang, "Why not every day/Are you so afraid/What will people say?") The festivities actually start a day early at EJ's. New York's primo shock-rock troupe, the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, bounds into town ready to wreak havoc on the weak-hearted with its mix of chesty female vocals, testy metal-tinged guitar and wackos-on-whippets costuming. Opening up for this scream team is Portland's own Goth-noise act Popeworm and those neat, neat, neat zombie rockers, Anti-World. Drop the eggs and toilet paper, pick up a PBR and make it a Mischief Night to remember at everyone's favorite Punk Rock Ski Lodge. (Suggested costumes...Girls: Vampirella, Frankenhooker. Guys: members of Marilyn Manson or Gwar.) For mellower (but no less unique) entertainment on Oct. 31, land at LaLuna for Man...or Astroman? It may not be punk, but what's cooler than sci-fi surf from a buncha B-movie geeks dressed up as robots and astronauts? For appropriate costume ideas, Wacky Willy's at Northwest 24th Avenue and Vaughn Street can provide you with all the 50-in-1 science-kit parts you'll need to transform into an electronic freak. (Techno Threads...Girls: the robot from Metropolis. Guys: Tom Servo or Crow from Mystery Science Theater 3000.) More meaningful and political excitement can be found that night at the Maul, where San Francisco's hyper-cool Tribe 8 and our own Third Sex are setting up shop. It's a good bet all the hip dyke-punks will be there to witness the Tribe's Lynn Breedlove illustrate with a chainsaw what castration anxiety is all about. (Don't worry, as long as you're not a rapist or other scum, it'll be a great show!) And the Third Sex gets more than its fair share of same-sex attention with its "I'd act cute but I'm too busy rockin'" take on the riot grrrl revolution. (Swinging Garb...Girls: easily removed shirts--a common occurrence at a Tribe 8 show. Guys: anything except baseball hats, athletic shoes or fraternity apparel.) If being a tough guy is your thing, the best option is the Suicidal Tendencies show at the Salem Armory. Remember back in the '80s when "Institutionalized" was all the rage? So do these SoCal skate stars, who just released a new "best of" collection with all your favorites. Of course, Suicidal Tendencies are a bit more metal now, but I know you'll hit the pit when they launch into "I Saw Your Mommy (and Your Mommy's Dead)." You might even be able to get an old-fashioned circle-slam going. (Clothage...Girls: will there be any? Guys: gangsta doo-rag and football jersey, or dress as any character from Repo Man or the original Suburbia.) Going back even further in time at Satyricon, Dead Moon and Napalm Beach are about as old-school as you're gonna find. These acts have been burning up local stages for as long as anyone can remember, and they both put the "Rrrrr!" in "Rip City." Hard rock, garage and Lower East Side punk collide in a sweaty, swirling cacophony that'll make anyone think they're gutter-bound. (Drunken dress...Girls or guys: motorcycle jacket, beer-soaked hair, black nail polish, silver rings, an empty bottle of Jack Daniels [chugged on the way to the club].) Perhaps the most famous veterans of our soggy city--Poison Idea--will attract a nostalgic crowd at EJ's with their "new" old lineup. All the Death Wish Kids may be grown up, but they'll surely drag the old leather coat from the closet for the chance to hear their heroes one more time. Add to the bill Epitaph's latest score, the Humpers--whose Heartbreakers/Stooges/Stones punk rock 'n' roll always elicits a macrobrew toast--and you've got a guaranteed Halloween winner. (Junkie Chic [not to be confused with "Heroin Chic," which is about malnourished teens moping because their expensive designer clothes aren't getting them laid enough]... Girls: ripped T-shirts, enough bracelets to set off the metal detector, spray-colored hair. Guys: belts around boots, black bandanna on pant-leg, skull earrings, scars.) Finally, if you usually suffer from post-holiday depression, keep the spooky vibes going Nov. 5, when the Misfits creep into LaLuna. Glenn Danzig may still be crooning "Mother" with his heavy-metal friends, but recruited screamer Michale Graves can still ask the famous question, "Mommy, can I go out and kill tonight?" As if the kings of horror-core weren't enough, one of the oldest and most-respected New York hard-core bands, Sick of It All, adds more roar in the opening slot. (Devilish Duds...Girls: the pierced, brain-eating babe from the third Night of the Living Dead movie. Guys: Meat Loaf in The Rocky Horror Picture Show or any dead punk rocker [Johnny Thunders, Sid Vicious, etc.].) Man, with all these shows, you'll wish you had one of those NXNW wristbands to see it all. I guess you'll have to make do with a spiked bracelet instead. |
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