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The Bouncing Souls, Off with Their Heads open raucous night at Fillmore
Bad Religion seized the pulpit at Denver's Fillmore Friday night, spreading their 30-year-old punk rock gospel to a house full of mosh-happy fans.
The SoCal band, broadly recognized as being instrumental in the '80s punk revival, crackled with energy in spite of the fact that most of its members are pushing 50. The set ranged from modest hits ("21st Century Digital Boy;" "Los Angeles is Burning") to more obscure, politically charged songs ("I Want To Conquer The World;" "Atomic Garden;" "The New Dark Ages"). That some of the latter were actually written in protest of the Reagan administration did little to dampen younger fans' enthusiasm, and the fact that the tunes still resonate seemed a fitting tribute to the band's longevity.
The Bouncing Souls, known for creating upbeat, blue-collar rockers that inspired The Gaslight Anthem and other New Jersey bands, were nearly flawless musically. Famously energetic frontman Greg Attonito seemed subdued, but eventually warmed up to the crowd, calling Denver "a second home" for the band. Opening act Off with Their Heads delivered straight-ahead skate punk — perhaps not the most marketable genre these days, but a hit with the crowd at this show. — Matt Farley, Metromix
