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"Man, ya'll smell like Kush!", said the security guard, as he waved us through with his flashlight towards the entrance of the venue. While I normally wouldn't indulge myself with too much green before a punk rock show, paying $13 for a redbull/vodka at the Fonda has become quite tiresome. Nevertheless, no daunting cocktail prices would keep me from enjoying my virginal Turbonegro experience, which expectedly blew me away. When it comes down to it, Turbonegro is just one of those bands that have managed to continually release solid punk rock since their humble Nordic beginnnigs.
It was a busy weekend for Turbonegro, what with headling this year's Detour and all. With a brand new release entitled "Retox" dropping earlier this year, the Turbonegro faithful came out with a bang. I quickly learned that I wasn't a true Turbonegro fan, as I didn't sport my Turbojugend jacket (see below) with the corresponding city name like so many others. We arrived just in time to catch Mondo Generator, a totally solid punk act out of...get this...Encino, who riled up the crowd a lot more than you would expect from an opening band.
As Mondo Generator finished up their set and the curtains shut, the rest of the crowd poured into the pit and immediately started stomping their feet, chanting the familiar "whooaa ooh ohhh" to one of their first anthems, "I Got Erection". The band obliged and further graced the crowd with a staggering 1hr and 45 minute set, including 2 encores. Most of the songs played were from older albums, playing maybe 3 or 4 from Retox. Every one of them sounded great. And while there's no doubt that a handful of the concert-goers were minorly inexperienced with the genre in general, it finally clicked when they started recognizing the theme song from MTV's Wildboyz.
A final conclusion I've made based on this show is the fact that I love the Henry Fonda. It may very well be one of my favorite LA venues. While you may think it may be a bit too big for your typical punk show, it was perfect for the kind of following that Turbonegro has. Despite the cost of alcohol, what it lacks in booze value is compeltely made up for with acoustics, crowds, and smoking patios. Its the perfect way to spend a beautiful Sunday night (or any night for that matter) in LA.
Photos used with permission from indiemusic.blogosphere.it
