Los Kung Fu Monkeys and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Skank Sacramento
On June 26th, 90’s ska veterans, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (MMB), who are touring behind their first album in 7 years titled, While We’re It, played to a capacity crowd at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento. Touring with the band were the Mexican/American/Canadian Los Kung Fu Monkeys who definitely got the crowd warmed up for the MMB and English Ska band Buster Shuffle.
With an unusually early start to the show; many of us, unfortunately, missed the opening act, from London England, Buster Shuffle who have been touring with the MMB throughout the tour.
Luckily for us, Los Kung Fu Monkeys more than made up for some of us missing Buster Shuffle as they quickly got the momentum back up with a powerful show that had every one dancing and skanking.
Los Kung Fu Monkeys had played Sacramento a few months ago as part of the Sabroso festival at Papa Murphy Park along with The Offspring and Pennywise and they were impressive then, and this time they just picked up where they left off as lead singer Bang Bang definitely got the crowd into it from the moment the band took the stage. Bang Bang, danced, jumped and swirled around all over the as they played a ferocious set that consisted of songs like: “Taking it Easy”, “Stretch Your Hand”, “Blue”, “I’ll See You in the End”. “Rudeboy Rockers”, a cover of the Cure’s “Boy’s Don’t Cry” and a few more.
During the break between bands for stage set up, the crowd was getting more and more excited for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones as they began chanting their name and they were not to be denied and as the band appeared, the chanting and cheering continued as the members of the band took the stage and when singer Dicky Barret walked on stage, the cheering got deafening and the MMB gave it right back with the first number, “Noise Brigade” from the album Let’s Face It.
With “Green Bay, Wisconsin” off of their new album, While We’re At It, the MMB showed that they are still as relevant to the ska scene as they were back in the 90’s and continue to carry the torch for a genre that is often ignored by the main media and radio, but has always managed to stay strong and continues to appeal to millions all over the world and in all different languages as proven by their guests Buster Shuffle and Los Kung Fu Monkeys.
As is the case with most veteran bands, many of the fans want to hear the songs they grew up with or the most popular ones, but the Ace of Spades crowd was very receptive to the new material and danced and skanked just as hard to “The Constant”, “Wonderful Day For The Race”, “Unified” or the live premiere of “In Honor Of” from the new album, as they did to the classics like “Where’d You Go”, “The Rascal King”, “Someday I Suppose” and “The Impression That I Get” and of course, their cover of The Wailer’s “Simmer Down” which has become a staple of the MMB’s live shows over the years.
For a night with many highs, it is hard to pick a best moment, but one that was definitely enjoyable for all was when Dicky Barret noticed young children at the front of the stage and called them up on stage and there was a 5 year old little girl and couple of young teenagers, a girl who was sporting her MMB concert t-shirt, but the boy and little girl definitely stole the show with his great mohawk and skanking during “Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah” and the little girl who was able to sing in tune along with the band.
After a short break on the tour, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones tour continues through the east coast in August and here is the listing of the rest of the tour:
Aug 18 – The Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON, Canada Aug 19 – Saint Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI Aug 21 – The Vogue Theatre – Indianapolis, IN Aug 22 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL Aug 23 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH