So last night, I had to cover the Smashing Pumpkins concert at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, California. One of only Northern California shows for Smashing Pumpkins so I was sure not to miss it. I was determined to get early to the Phoenix and check out the opening band. I had several friends from Chicago tell me I was in for a real treat when they heard Bad City was the opening band......
So, after Ryan my 12 year old Rock and Roll Prodigy son research Bad City and determined within 1 hour that he LOVED them and couldn't wait to see them... I needed to see for myself. So we went to the show and Ryan brought a spare drum head in case he could get some autographs like he did with Against All Will in Santa Rosa (his all time favorite band - mine too~!) While we were waiting in the front after a 3+ hour wait to get in, we were gathered by the stage staking our position for the Smashing P's! Then Ryan pointed out, "there they are!! There is Bad City! Mom, get them to sign my drum head!!" So I went over to Josh Caddy (lead vocals for the band) and asked him if he would be so kind, etc. He was so nice and made sure the whole band signed it and Ryan was ecstatic!!
We then waited for the show. Well, we were in for a ride because when Bad City came out and played their first song, I was very impressed! I remember thinking when was the last time I went to a show and watched an opening band and think to myself, "Damn this band should be headlining somewhere!!!!" That is how I felt. Watching Josh Caddy's energy reminded me of watching Guns N Roses for the first time in a dive bar in Los Angeles in the mid '80s as they were an opening band and thought the same thing!!! Then I realized I was watching a band in the making and it was going to be made into something really nice and sweet.
The vocals of Josh were complimented by the intense lead guitars of Tom Schleiter and Max Perenchio both who shined on every note! Then you will hear Jake Serek who is all business on Bass, he keeps the beat going hard and steady! To wrap it all up, you got Kevin Kane on drums who displays his charismatic energy with every bang. These guys are ready to deliver. When you listen to them, depending on your age, but if you are like me in the early 40s you will reminisce about 80s bands and the good 'ole days. I think these kids will bring back Rock and Roll and the fun times will roll again.....
Now to open up for the Smashing Pumpkins, is quite a tall order to fill but when Bad City came out and gave a great show, it was no wonder that they were the talk of the night. I overhead a couple kids who were with their parents talk about how Bad City was their "New Band!!" and they had to go get a T-shirt and CD! My son was the same way. Within days after the show, he was having all his friends listen to his new CD from Bad City and you know what; they all liked it! Some of these kids are hard core Slipknot fans then to the pure Skater Limp Bizkit kids but all of them across the board; liked Bad City!! It was fun to watch a new band bring such excitement back to music. I think these guys have something and can't wait to see where it leads!
Rock on Bad City!
Now go and check them out for yourself! Below are some videos from the concert with Smashing Pumpkins:
Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQnuZq4dZxQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQrhDEfw3As
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66fe0KXTXzo
~Marisol
More Links for Bad City:
www.badcitymusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/badcity
MySpace: www.myspace.com/badcity
