The Lords of Ska and Punk shined down upon us lesser folk this last Monday at The Ace Of Spades. Celebrating 20 Years of the iconic/nostalgic album "Turn The Radio Off", Reel Big Fish and Anti flag are taking to stages around the US playing the entirety of Turn Off The Radio and Die For the Government! This is not a show you want to miss. But just in case you did, here is our review of the show!

Canadian punk rock band, Pkew Pkew Pkew, were the first to take the stage, playing songs from their self-titled album. Watching Pkew Pkew Pkew play was like watching 4 best friends play in their garage. There was not a worry in the world, they were just there to rock out and have fun. The band has a talent for making you feel like you belong at the show, as if you were personally invited to be part of the band. With songs like “Mid 20’s Skateboard” and “Lets order Pizza” the band had a way of transporting you back into the prime days of ska music. Pkew Pkew Pkew is defiantly proving that punk rock and ska is not dead!

Next on the docket, Gods of Punk Rock, Anti Flag! Before we go into just how amazing this band was to see live, we need to know a little context as to why Anti Flag is so influential in the punk movement. Here in the United States of America, we have a large amount of respect for our flag. We show pride by flying it high in the air, face up. There are many regulations, Laws, ext. that pertain to how our flag is to be seen. However, in moments of dire destress including death or threat to our safety, the flag is flown upside down. Anti flag stage includes a large upside down flag, making a strong statement that the US is in dire distress. Racism, Sexism, Bigotry, and Corruption are all topics that Anti Flag will not stand for.

Now that you know the situation, lets continue with the show. Anti flag took the stage with a passion and excitement, Playing “Die For Your Government” in its entirety. With songs like “F@#K Police Brutality” and “Red White and Brainwashed” Anti Flag played their hearts out. Each song was as if there was a connection between artist and listener, each word that came out of lead vocalist Justin Sane’s mouth was like a punch in the gut. You could feel that raw emotion behind each of the songs they played.

As their set came to a close, members Chris Barker (Bass) and Pat Thetic (Drums) took to the crowd. They set the drum set up on the other side of the barrier as the crowd swarmed around them. You could feel the love and passion in the air as the crowd sang to their hearts content, continuing to sing until the band left the stage

 Last but not least, the gods of ska themselves, Reel Big Fish stormed the stage. Their overwhelming positivity filled the air as they broke into “Everything sucks”, a song about rainbows and sunshine. (Actually, a funny song about a breakup) They continued on with songs like “Sell Out” and “She has a girlfriend now”, slowly but surely moving through the list of song on the Turn Off The Radio album. Celebrating 20 year of the album being released, Reel big fish came to party, and party they did. The crowd went wild with people skanking, head banging, crowd surfing, and much more. The night went on to be some of the most fun we here at Grey Fox Live have had in a long time! We raise our glasses to you oh gods of Hawaiian shirts and beach shorts! May you have 20 more years skanking fans!

Want to listen to more of Reel Big Fish click HERE! 

Want to listen to more of Anti Flag click HERE!

Please enjoy this short highlight video of Anti Flag's set @ Ace of Spades!