Article by Social E
Photos by Jenifer Hanen

Lars Frederikson, the spikey haired guitar player from Rancid, recently invaded the Troubadour with his new punk-as-hell side project, The Bastards, for what turned out to be an exhilarating show that proved that there is still a lot of piss, vinegar, and fun left to the genre.

Despite a slipped disk in his back that had him hunched over and shuffling about the stage like an old man, Frederikson incited the crowed to have a good time even before the first chord was struck. "My stage is your stage," he exclaimed. "So feel free to get up here and dance around and go nuts if you want to."

And the crowd was more than happy to oblige.

The band lurched through most of its self titled record, belting out songs like "Dead American," "Army of Zombies," and "Campbell, CA." Joined by the ever-present, ski mask-clad "Unknown Bastard," the band's 60 minute set was a prime lesson in the Bay Area punk rock style that gave birth to Rancid, and host of similarly talented and potent groups. Especially heartwarming was that though the average age of the crowd was only around 17, the kids had all the energy, power and love for fun that many of us older, grown-up punks had in our youth, but now often lost [ Ed. - speak for yourself ;o) ].

It's become evident at many shows that a noticeable rift exists between those who were into punk in the late 70s throughout the 80s, and those who only discovered it in the last decade or less. These kids may not have been around to see DI and Wasted Youth play Big Johns in 1984, and they may not have gotten into a fight with five angry construction workers in front of Bogarts or Safari Sams. But what the kids at The Bastards show DID have were plenty of smiles on their faces and a real love for the music, pure and simple. And that attitude is timeless.

This was most evident when Frederikson paused to pay a brief homage to the legendary Joey Ramone. When he noted that without Ramone, no one at the club would even be there, Frederikson was met with plenty of nods of agreement, "fuck yeahs" and cheers. This newest punk generation may be more lost, or even trendy, than the last, but they know their classics and with that, The Bastards launched into a ferocious cover of "Cretin Hop."

"I wanna see a big circle pit for this one!!!" Frederikson would exclaim periodically before playing the next number. And the kids obliged him every single time, without a single fight. I dare say that I didn't even see one kid ejected during the whole show.

During the final song, a young Japanese kid jumped on stage. Clad from head to toe in the obligatory punk rock uniform, he turned to the band (as opposed to the crowd) and bowed, mouthing numerous thank you's in broken English into the mic. With that he jumped back out into the crowd and the lights came on.

The rest of us stood there for a minute feeling kind of old, but also feeling sure that punk rock still has plenty of mileage left in it.