I had not seen the Trash Brats play since ohhh I don't know, maybe the 90's sometime or so. This little reunion they planned for Saturday night was expected to be big. I mean they were one of the most popular acts around for over a decade in and around the city of Detroit. Despite the critics, despite the naysayers and hell despite themselves sometimes..... I was looking forward to it, trainwreck or glorious homecoming.
Dayton Ohio's Luxury Pushers led off the evening. If you're not familar with them , you should be. Especially if you like your rock n roll nasty, like an old Tracy Lords movie. Take 1/3 Stiv Bators, 1/3 Hollywood Vampires ere LA Guns, and 1/3 Wildhearts, with a twist of bad ass, and you have Luxury Pushers. Sure, there is some flash, you're gonna have that when the Trash Brats Ricky Rat is in the fold on guitar, but there is substance in these songs, at least the ones played live anyhow.I have yet to get ahold of any CD, but when I do I'm looking forward it. I can't claim to know any of their songs, but I can tell you Jamie, Nate, Kyle and Ricky bring some serious damage to the stage in an almost one hour set that has to be the best I've seen an "opening" act do in forever. Luxury Pushers are not an opening act, but if you see them as one defiantly get there early enough to catch them, you wont be sorry. One of those rare hard rock bands that fit in well with the punks, metal heads, glam kids, and others. Think who does not like Motorhead, got it ? Good.
Troubleman... I don't know much about these cats, but when you have Gary Adams ripping up the six string with you, you're cool as hell in my book. The sound from where I was standing took a dive during the set, so without clear vocals it was hard to hear that part of the songs. The bass was up way too loud and it wasn't till halfway through the set that Gary's guitar work really came through, when he turned his amp up. Decent set with brilliant guitar work. I'm making note to try and catch them again with better sound next time.
The Trash Brats hit the stage sans all the make-up glitter, pigtails, and leg warmers that made them so "controversial" during their heyday. But no one in the house seemed to care. They hit with all guns blazing from the start, and you really couldn't tell it had been years since they played together. Playing some of my favorite songs right from the get-go. T.T. on drums was spot on, holding everyone together, Toni was a car wreck knocking shit over, breakin stuff, falling off the stage but cranking out the bass lines through it all. (got hit twice by the headstock of the bass, next time I'm taking pictures when Toni's around I'm wearin a helmet) Ricky playing double duty that night was ever the ring master on his Gibson, and Brian seemed genuinely happy to be there and crackin wise with the packed house crowd. If you could write script for a reunion show you would want to read the one by the Trash Brats. They came, they played,they laughed and went home with your money.LOL But it was worth every penny. I didn't see any arms folded shoe gazers, I didn't see fights, I saw a whole lot people having a great time, and that to me is what the Trash Brats were always about. Nicely done fellas...Favorite songs of the night Don't Wanna Dance, 3873 Marlboro St and Gas Boy
I know the question on every ones mind maybe... well, are they going to get back together??? Well, I asked some of those questions in a post show interview with Ricky. Stay tuned for those answers and more...
