DESCENDENTS @ FILLMORE AUDITORIUM | 1/28/12
The Descendents were built with the inability to disappoint -- the seminal proprietors of pop punk brought a tried-and-true energy to the Fillmore Auditorium last night, for a appropriately short, two-encore set. Even if the massive venue was far from capacity, the multi-generational blanket of fans was there to sing with Milo, and sing with him they did.
The four-piece was pushed together toward the middle of the stage, surrounded by only equipment and, just a few feet from the spotlights, a gathering of family. Free from distracting stage props and annoying multi-color lights, Descendents were introduced just after 10 p.m. by local (and recent American Idol fame-elevated) performer Magic Cyclops.
Opening with "Descendents" and flying directly into "Hope," bandleader Milo Aukerman jerked and jutted with one knee forward at the hundreds of mouths mimicking his every word.
Suspending teenagerhood is what Descendents have come to do best over the last thirty or so years, and without a hint of patheticism, the band banged out songs like " I Don't Want To Grow Up" and "Nothing With You." Aukerman propelled himself between the monitors and looked as bratty as ever, leading the sea of fists with his own nervous and positive energy.
The band's kids were pulled from the shadows to read the "All-O-Gistics" off of a prop tablet held by Aukerman, each tiny voice swelling with the broadcast. The barely 45-minute set began to wind down, Descendents shooting out more classics like "Everything Sucks," "I'm The One" and "Suburban Home" before disappearing with little fanfare.The quartet returned quickly with "Sour Grapes" and doled out lots of gratitude to its devoted audience. "Bikeage" and "Thank You" came along before Descendents disappeared yet again from the stage, the crowd now funneling out of the Fillmore's doors. But the group reappeared one last time to round out it's good hour, closing with "Catalina" and "Kabuki Girl."
Openers and Fort Collins'-based, Descendents'-member sharers Endless Monster started the night, a set that was virtually crushed by a muddy mix. Guitars and vocals stuck out of the sonic mess, and the band did its best to warm the slow to filter in crowd with a barely 20-minute set.
Hot Water Music followed, again the sound doing the band no justice. Regardless, the early arrivers seemed pleased with"Rooftops" and "Jack Of All Trades," the band grinding quickly through a slightly longer handful of songs. CRITIC'S NOTEBOOKPersonal Bias: None, really. I mean, I couldn't imagine the show being bad, and Descendents did not disappoint.
By the Way: I came to find a old punk husband, but I left with a Milo Goes To College tote bag instead. Also, the only spot with decent sound in the entire venue was the women's restroom.
Random Detail: Denver music scene sustainer, epic party-thrower and former Westword contributor Tuyet Nguyen was working the merch for Hot Water Music.
Set list for the Descendents @ the Fillmore Auditorium, 1/28/12
Descendents Hope Rotting Out I Don't Want to Grow Up Nothing With You My Dad Sucks Here in My Van Talking Weinerschnitzel All! Pervert Clean Sheets Myage All-O-Gistics Everything Sucks Silly Girl I Like Food I'm the One I Wanna Be a Bear When I Get Old Suburban Home Coffee Mug Get the Time Coolidge I'm Not a Loser
Encore 1: Sour Gapes Bikeage Thank You
Encore 2: Catalina Kabuki Girl
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