2nd Saturday is my favorite time to go out in Sacramento so when AB Hot Dog called about an early show at Java Lounge, I answered quickly, "Si, vamos!" The line up of punk rock bands, four on the bill for a $5 bill, stirred up a small crowd sporting studded jackets, plaid pants and multi-colored hair, reminiscent of shows in the late 80's/early 90's: refreshing and nostalgic all at once.
Huge smile, favorite t-shirt at a November 2011 City of Vain show
Sacramento's Riot Radio and Bad Ending- entertaining, scream-it-out-loud punk bands with catchy lyrics and cool names - opened the show, followed by late-arriving Los Headaches from Mexico City D.F., MX and finally, City of Vain (Sacramento). Los Headaches, crossing the border to promote their CD Boredom City, are fast-acting, sweat-slinging hombres snarling out songs en ingles; the guitarist, true to punk form, vomited during the last song. I fetched their 13-song CD, boasting hits like "Still Don't Know Why U're Mine" and "I Surely Don't Care About You," for a mere $10 before they vanished into the noche. ¡Que bueno!
¿Los Headaches o Los Heartaches? ¡No se!
City of Vain dominated the early evening, playing a string of powerful songs rift with clever lyrics. The band - made up of Steve Ross (vocals), Drew Boyce (guitar), Mario Maynor (bass guitar), AJ Wilhelm (drums), Newell Dunn (guitar) and Minh Quan (keyboards, who played onstage the night before with The Slackers) - work smoothly, like a well-oiled, alt-punk machine. Judging by the crowd singing/shouting along to the lyrics at Java Lounge, CoV obviously has a loyal fan base and will be playing again soon.
City of Vain opens their set with "City of Vain"
The early evening wrapped up with a stop at Taqueria La Fiesta on Alhambra near K Street. AB Hot Dog and I enjoyed tasty tacos while futbol played on the tele and toasted the best Micheladas in town to City of (Los Headaches) Vain, a resounding salsa-sweat induced salut: "Oi-le!"
MMM Muy sabroso, taco vegetariano sin crema con un Michelada frio