LipstickStains

I arrived at the show late, because, well, I’m the worst. I like to try and be there for the whole show but if I know I’m going to be late, I don’t give myself anxiety about it. I know ultimately it will be ok. But, this show was different. Even though I didn’t know it when I arrived I would spend the following weeks deeply regretting missing most of the openers. 

This particular show was Boy Named Sue with Overthinker, Last Disaster, and Shy Dog Mountain Resort at a new venue near me, Stanczyk’s (pronounced: STAN-chicks).  

I started my getting ready process with my favorite pregame combo, a Four Loko pregame, and an amber Red Bull, with a bottle of water to feel alive. Between the dopamine rush from money I was going to spend on merch (which I did) and the drink in my system I was feeling pretty good.

I made it in time for Overthinker and thank God I did. They played mostly from their new album “Citrus”. I’ve been streaming this album a lot since the show. Last Disaster also joined Overthinker for a song and I lost– my– mind. I was so pissed with myself for missing his performance and that goes to show why you should always get there for the opening bands.

Since Jaiden had worked with BNS previously I was prepared for your basic punk set. I was not, however, prepared for so-cal punk-a-billy, but I was instantly hooked.  

Sue’s new sounds is jammy, funky, and just fun.

There’s heavy Beach Boys influence, something I speculated in listening that was then confirmed in conversation later with the band. As someone who grew up listening to The Beach Boys with my mom, their sound made the evening nostalgic and free. I even danced, which is something I don’t typically do, but between the vibes and the alcohol I found it in myself to let go and enjoy the night.

After the show I got the band to sign my copy of the “Finer Things” EP I got earlier in the evening and chatted with them about the band and their new direction and sound. All the boys were very nice, except for their drummer who didn’t give me a cigarette when I was drunk and needed one desperately. (I’m just kidding, he was great too. And I shouldn’t be smoking.)

Overall, this show was bouncy, fun, freeing and a tad nostalgic. I loved getting to see these bands play live and I’ll definitely be going to another Boy Named Sue show.