The Riverboat Gamblers, ASG, Fake Problems, Degenerate Elite, and Spirits Down January 10, 2007 @ SPOT, Tampa, FL

Photographic evidence by: Chewy and myself

It’s no secret, the Riverboat Gamblers are one of my favorite bands. I hold them in as high regards as bands like Dillinger Four, American Steel, and Against Me! So when my friend Jamie told me at Danielle’s birthday party that they were scheduled to play at SPOT, a warm feeling went through my whole body.

Here’s the deal, I have a horrible bad luck streak when it comes to seeing the Gamblers play. The first time I was going to see them a few years back was on the “Guinness Tour” with Flogging Molly and Hot Water Music. Unfortunately the show sold out before I even thought about getting tickets. Then I was supposed to see them on the “As the World Burns Tour” with X and the Rollins band, but I realized after I parked my car that I left my tickets at home, so I had to turn around and drive all the way home. The Gamblers finished their set by the time I returned. D’oh! I finally got to see them play at Fest, and they were awesome, but since they had only 30 minutes to play it seemed like everything was rushed. I was so excited to see them headline a show in the intimate confines of Transitions Art Gallery at SPOT.

Fast foreword to the night of the show. We (Shannon, Nathan and I) got a late start on things, and by the time we got to SPOT we missed the opening three bands which bummed me out because I really wanted to see Fake Problems. As upset as I was about missing Fake Problems, I didn’t sweat it too much because I knew in a little more than a month I would be seeing them with Against Me! and Riverboat. Hell, at least I got there in time to drink a couple of beers, and watch the two touring bands.

ASG promptly set up, and began to rip the crowd a new one. I was uber impressed with ASG when I caught them at Fest, and they certainly did not disappoint. For the uninitiated, ASG plays a potent mix of southern rock by way of Black Sabbath with a slight touch of old Metallica creating a new genre of music that I like to call Rifftastic. Also like Torche, Sleep or Floor (other bands that I would consider Rifftastic) the vocals are sung not screamed adding a different sense of melody to the songs. ASG played a very high energy set, to a very receptive crowd. Unfortunately I do not own any music by them, so I couldn’t tell you whether they played new or old songs.

Soon there after the Gamblers, who were sharing ASG’s equipment, took the stage and proceeded to blow my mind for the next 40 (or so) minutes. Kicking their set off with “Let’s Eat” and “What’s What” from Something to Crow About, the Gamblers focused all of their attention to playing songs off of the aforementioned album and To the Confusion of Our Enemies, which didn’t bother me at all since those are my two favorite albums.

What I love about the Gamblers is that their live show is fun as hell.  Everyone in the band is moving around, and they all look like they are genuinely having a good time. One minute Mike, the singer, is on stage and the next minute he is climbing (literally) up the wall to the balcony, or singing from atop of the PA speakers, or making his way through the crowd to sing from the front counter all the while never missing a beat. The band as well was super tight, performing like a well oiled machine. I love shows like this where the crowd is as much part of the show as the band is. The Gamblers effectively tore down that imaginary division between bystander and participant by drawing everyone in.

The audience was very receptive…they sang, they danced, they smiled. There were a couple of situations where the meat heads that stood in front of me made it a bit of a chore to enjoy especially with their display of machismo (note: drunken wife beater wearing Tom foolery) but it wasn’t enough to ruin the night. My only complaint is that the Gamblers didn’t play “Walk Around Me” but eh, maybe they will play it on the 21st when I get to catch them again. There is definitely a reason that magazines like Spin or AP have listed the Gamblers as one of the best live bands, because in all honesty, they are.

 

PS, Here’s a pretty cool interview that I found over at punkmusic.com. Enjoy!