This is a real diamond in the rough. UK labels rarely get any of these kind of releases – this being the ‘last ever’ show from those slightly-older-than-my-dad, self confessed kiddie fiddlers* TSOL. Yes, they did end up getting back together, but it makes no difference.
25 tracks seem to fly by – and for the most part, they are badly produced yet loveable renditions of most of TSOL‘s best tunes. I don’t think I know anyone who would say with any kind of conviction that TSOL are their favourite band, but this live set proves they fill a hole in most people’s punkrock collection that no one else quite touches. The beautiful, disturbed sense of humour. The straight talking abuse. The guitar sound that reminds you they invented grunge guitar. The politics so raw Anti-Flag would disown them.
But the really great thing about this CD is that every word spoken between songs during the set has been kept on, and I could listen to Jack Grisham all day long. His abuse of the crowd is priceless – his ability to ask for requests after every tune and yet play none of them is inspired. He seems to have more charisma than the bastard love child of Frank Sinatra and the Fonz.
This is straight up a piece of punk rock history.
* Direct all your ‘no they aren’t’ smart-arsed responses to someone else please.
Mike