When the best punk was the worst punk.

I came to the realization recently that I'm officially not hardcore anymore. There was a show that I should have went to but made lame excuses and didn't go. "My back hurts", "I don't want to hang out in a bar for hours" and the lamest yet "I like to be in bed by 11:30". So yeah, my hardcore days are behind me and I started to reflect back on highlights of my concert going career.

The best shows for me are seeing the classic punk bands who defined punk music in the late seventies and early eighties.  Seeing bands like M.D.C., The Weirdos, The Skulls, Flipper, Battalion Of Saints, The Dwarves and others is truly a magical experience. This is as close to time travel I will get in my lifetime. When these pioneers of punk start rockin' I swear they looked like young men in their prime and there was a vibe in air that punk was something new and exciting.

As amazing and special as these shows were, the most fun ones for me were of a different nature. It was the shows that went wrong that I have the fondest memories of.

The Yucks were on stage for two of these shows. Don't get me wrong, in no way am I calling The Yucks the worst punk band. They're actually one of my favorites and I made a few music videos and a DVD for them. They got a lot of heart and are super legit.  I consider them one of San Diego's legendary punk bands. Sometimes their shows got out of control. Often they got stuck playing last meaning they were all ready wasted when they took the stage.

One time they were on stage rocking when Steve Yuck, the bass player, had the cord to his bass fall out of his guitar. People went to up the stage and started yelling "Hey plug your bass back in!!". Steve just threw his head back and kept on playing, probably stoked that people were so into the music they rushed the stage. Finally someone jumped on stage and plugged back in his guitar for him. Seconds later the cord fell out again and everyone started yelling again.

Another classic moment was a show where like usual The Yucks female groupies, sometimes known as Yuck Sluts, started fighting amongst each other. The cops were called and arrests were made and while were the cops were there The Yucks asked for requests. I yelled out "Career Criminal" and sure enough they played it!

The final show that went wrong memory was from a band I only saw once called "Middle Finger". They were pretty young kids, maybe in their late teens. They handed out buttons before they went on and I still wear the button on my jacket 'til this day. They played two songs and then started fighting amongst themselves, eventually laying down their instruments. The crowd started booing at which time their manager, who was also one of the members Mom, got on stage and started yelling at the audience.

Why are these shows my fondest memories? Maybe they're examples of the kind of chaos and excitement punk always brought. Everyone involved was always on the edge of totally losing control and you never knew what was going to happen. I may be an old fart now but in my memories I will always be at an awesome show, partying with rock stars and having the time of my life.