The Slackers – The Superspecs – Westbound Train
Bloomfield Ave. Café and Stage – Montclair, NJ
January 25th, 2003

Man was I looking forward to this show, three of my favorite bands with no shitty filler bands. We got there early to make sure that we got in. Unfortunately, they have a no re-entry policy, and for all the smokers it must have been hell, because there was a new no smoking policy in effect and no place to go burn.

To my surprise Westbound Train was first up. Don’t get me wrong, I like the ‘Specs and all, but I think having Westbound right before the Slack would have been near orgasmic. I gave them a hand loading in and anxiously awaited their set. This was the first show with new matching suits and their new drummer Tom. This guy could hardly contain his excitement, and at one point stood up to take a picture of the crowd between songs. Some one (Jeff or Obi I think) called him out on it and introduced him to the crowd. They played 2 or 3 songs that I had never heard before including some of their favorites. I wish I wrote them down because I can’t remember them now, “My Number One” was in there…ummm…damn I totally forgot. Anyway, after they played their “last song” the crowd was chanting for more. So the band checked with the sound guy who said something to the extent of no. Somewhere that no turned into a yes as they broke out with “Donna Blue Eyes”. After they finished out Alex got up and said something to the extent of them being an opening band and that the unwritten book of show etiquette dictates that you don’t ask an opening band for an encore. Well that rule has officially been thrown out the window as this is the second time that I’ve seen them be cheered on for an encore as an opening act.

The Specs were up next and as usual knocked the crowd on their collective asses with their opening audio barrage. They played a good set including, “Dr. Evil Ska”, “More Emo Than Thou”, “Robots in Disguise”, “Up and Down” and their cover of the “Ducktales” theme song. That was definitely a highlight. They pulled some kid out of the audience who looked to be a good 10 or 11 years old and was wearing one of those tuxedo shits. You know the ones with the tux design printed on the front and all? Anyway, that kid sang that song and he did a great job, but he must have been nervous as hell, because after he got off stage he promptly left the contents of his stomach on the floor of the club. That was a definite first and was somewhat amusing. (Yes, I know I’m an asshole)

So after the sweet vibes of that Westbound sound and the knock you on your ass music of the Specs, the Slackers had some big shoes to fill. As I’m sure you guessed, they were more than up to the task. Like Westbound Train, they were playing some new stuff and had a new drummer, (I forget his name, but he used to be in Leftover Crack/Choking Victim). The also played “Sarah”, “Henderson Swamp” and some other ones that I can’t really remember. While the Slackers were playing, I realized what a great stage presence they have. TJ broke a string or needed to tune up at one point in the set and Vic and Q just kept the vibe rolling, just talking back and forth. Small things like that are what make great bands great.

After the show I hung out with the Westbound guys for a little while. Look for Obi playing with Django and friends on the 16th (of Feb.) at Maxwell’s in Hoboken and go see the three floors of ska at the Knitting Factory on Feb. 2nd. We left the show and did the standard after show diner trip. This time choosing to hit up the Seville in East Brunswick for the best hamburger I’ve had in a while.