BOOMER'S, Las Vegas, Nevada

SATURDAY AUGUST 1, 2009
(ROLLER CON WEEKEND)

Okay, so, last night or this morning for that matter, we passed out in Ruckus' living room. Originally, I had picked a prime spot on a couch but when I woke up around 10am I was on the floor under a coffee table with a dog teabaggin' me. HAHAHAHA... I kid, there was no coffee table.

Anyway, DON, XL and I wake up and head over to some diner to get some breakfast. Afterwards we head over to the indoor Swap Meet across the street just to work the food down. Brian calls me that he and his lovely girlfriend want to hang out but we just too tired. We opt to get back to Ruckus' house and get some more sleep because it's just too damn hot outside but before we do let's head over to BOOMER'S and check out the scene. Don and I play a couple of rounds of pool and we throw back a few beers before heading back to this weekend's DLP HQ. Immediately upon entering the Palace I'm on the floor sleepin' while XL and Don do God know's what... I think XL read a few books while drinkin' beer and smokin' cigs all day and Don probably slept. I woke up to bong hits and to Ruckus saying he was buyin lunch! We ordered up some burgers and then it was time to shower up and prepare for tonight's show. We're all ready by 8pm but hang out with Brian and his girlfriend before heading over to Boomer's.

As we pull up to the club we see a bunch of people hangin' outside but not our crowd. I notice that there's a "private" Hip-Hop show in the room next to the bar, which I thought was where we were going to play. Not so. No matter the bar is good for some punk rock tonight.

TONY LEPRE (All You Can Eat Music and singer/guitarist for SLOKA) meets us outside as does NICK RAZOR (of G.F.I.) who are in the middle of a deep conversation so of course I put my two pesos in to calm the waters. We all decided on the line-up for tonight's show and the show starts a little behind schedule but not too bad...

FROM HERE ON OUT IS HOW THE EVENT WAS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF PHOTOGRAPHER, BOB MANDOKI of Big Wheel Magazine. For the whole article goto: http://www.bigwheelmagazine.com/

The first band to play was a group from California called Close To Broke. I thought it was hot outside but when this group hit the stage with Kelly the lead vocalist wearing a mini skirt and fishnets, along with her female counter part Brenda on guitar, WOW!! my temperature surely rose to the occasion. Not to take away from the rest of the band, They smoked as well, they smashed their way through a plethora of hard core Punk/rock tunes. Not one minute wasted. They totally kicked ass !! a very tight set. Nice Job. I surely was not disappointed.

GFI was next on the bill. The lead singer looked like a Vato from the Barrio of East Los Angeles. Except that they are from San Diego. But once he picked up the microphone holy S#*T all hell broke loose, these guys tore through their set like a bull in a china shop, they Destroyed!!! The bass man was incredible, as was the lead guitarist. The drummer put a beating on his drum kit. I haven’t seen this much energy since a CAT. 5 tornado. I can’t say enough about these guys, they were just pure hard core. Definitely don’t miss these guys when they play in your area. The highlight for me was when they did a cover of "I LOVE LIVIN IN THE CITY" by FEAR. Friggin incredible…. I really enjoyed their set.

Next up on this all star line up was a Band called "Sloka" From Long Beach Calif. This 3 piece group of guys really kicked it up a notch. I wish they had played longer i really liked their music. Hardcore to the bone. they are like a cross between just about every type of Rock And Roll, which became evident when they were ending one of their songs and they went into the entire ending of "FREEBIRD" I thought Lynyrd Skynyrd was re-incarnated at Boomers. Incredible guitar playing!!! Another highlight was when Kelly from "CLOSE TO BROKE" came up and belted out a couple of tunes with this hard hitting trio. During their set the Mosh pit started up, and it was pretty wild. AHH "PUNK ROCK RULES O.K." That is a quote from Leonard Phillips Lead singer of The Dickies. And how true it is.

Next up was the Local Boys from Las Vegas "GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION". These boys really know how to get the party started. Not that it wasn’t already Smoking Hot, The lead singer really got the crowd riled up. he was slamming himself into the crowd. These guys always seem to put on an awesome set!! Especially since they played earlier at an all ages gig out in the Desert. With the Las Vegas heat I don’t know how they kept up their high energy. Lots of RED BULL I Suspect. However they manage to keep up the intensity. My hat goes off to them for putting on such a high energy set. As many times as i’ve seen them I always enjoy their performances. You Guys totally kick ASS.

Next up was another import from Los Angeles called "DEAD LAZLO’S PLACE" with a logo on the back of Gizz Lazlo’s jacket that said "L.A. King Of Beer" I knew I was in for an awesome set. It had been a few hours and everybody was hammered. Gizz was no exception. He kept pounding down the brews and belting out song after song. These guys were definitely hardcore punk rockers. This is another band I really enjoyed. Dynamic, Funny, and a tight musical band. The entire band was incredible!!! Another highly recommended band to see. Put these guys on your list. They Rock !!!!!

Last but not least another band from Las Vegas, they call themselves "BATTLE BORN" By this time it was around 2:30 a.m. Thank Goodness for the 24 hour town we call Las Vegas. The place where the words "LAST CALL" don’t exist. This 4 piece ensemble were pure PUNK!!!! they shreded Boomers with a 40 minute set of pure adrenalin Punk. I don’t know what else to say about these guys but go see them. They are extremely talented and know how to tear a party up. Support the local Vegas music scene, by going to clubs Like Boomers and many others around town. Thanks to Roxie for putting together some great line-ups.

ALL PHOTOS & BAND REVIEWS by:

Bob Mandoki: Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter