Date: Friday, May 2nd, 2014
Line Up: The Expendables & Robin DeLight
Venue: The Republik. Honolulu, HI
After successful performances in San Diego and at the first 4/20 celebration in Denver, CO since the legalization of marijuana, The Republik welcomed the return of The Expendables to Honolulu. The reggae, surf, punk-rock group a long with their Santa Cruz mentality and musical prowess is a perfect fit for the laid back Hawaiian lifestyle. For nearly seventeen years The Expendables have been rocking the stage from coast to coast. They have been wreaking havoc on dance floors across the country for years and are only getting better.
From 1997 to 2004, The Expendables released and sold three albums in support of their tours without the assistance of a record label or distribution company. The Do-it-yourself attitude paved the way to their successful career and the band is not done yet. The chemistry between guitarists Geoff Weers and Raul Bianchi, drummer Adam Patterson, and bassist Ryan DeMars is reflected in their energetic sets and insane solos.
The album Gettin’ Filthy, that included such hits as “Bowl for Two” and “Sacrifice”, brought them incredible notoriety with an appearance on Guitar Hero World Tour and a chance to share the stage with Slightly Stoopid. After getting the attention of Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty, The Expendables became the first band to release an album on Stoopid Records other than Slightly Stoopid. The self-titled release gained critical acclaim while the band supported the album by sharing the stage with Stoopid, NOFX, Less Than Jake, Pennywise, and Pepper.
In 2010, they released their fifth studio release Prove It, which debuted and remained on the Billboard charts. Produced by Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers and NOFX guitar shredder El Hefe, the album brought them into an elite musical realm. The guest appearances of C-Money, G. Love, and Dela of Slightly Stoopid further solidified Prove It as an instant classic and must have for any record collection.
After a gloomy and warm tropical storm cruised over Oahu, the sun set and eager fans waited to be entertained by the reggae rock veterans. The line to enter the venue stretched the span of the outside wall as people herded up the stairs and ramp. The opening band, Robin DeLight, rocked the stage and set the bar for the overall energy.
The Expendables appeared and immediately showed off their signature guitar battling. Excited fans pushed their way closer to the music and the circle pit was underway. One girl even pushed me aside for being too tall and in her way. It’s my fault, I am so tall and have a giraffe’s perspective.
The band has a special chemistry with their audience & Weers being one of the better front men when it comes to communicating with his audience. It is as if their dynamism and musical prowess for the night is based on the energy the crowd returns to them. The band continued with “Right Time”, “Corporate Café” and “Starry Night” with little breaks.
I moved to the back of the crowd to get the whole perspective of the dance floor and stage. No eyes moved from the direction of the stage and the air was filled with fists, shakas, and peace signs. The shadows of happy hands danced across the walls while another mosh pit commenced to the right. For an hour and a half, The Expendables proved why they are a household name in the reggae/punk/rock game.
With the vocal talents of Adam Patterson behind the drum kit, their love for music is reflected in their diverse songs. Not many people can play for song long with as much fervor as the boys from Santa Cruz do. People on Oahu will remember this show for a while.
The band will travel back to California for two shows in the Bay Area at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma and the Catalyst in their hometown Santa Cruz on May 9th and 10th. The Expendables will also be playing a few of the many quality summer festivals including Reggae Rise Up with Slightly Stoopid and Matisyahu in Salt Lake City on July 12th and 13th and Philadelphia’s Reggae in the Park with Steel Pulse, Matisyahu and many more.
I would like to give a special shout out to the crew at the Bamp Project and the Republik for their hospitality and service at their shows. Their bar and security staff are some of the best and most professional I have experienced. This team has started a dynasty for producing the best shows on the islands and we look forward to many shows to come. Check back to The Pier’s Show Locater and the band’s website and Facebook for additional shows.
The Expendables Set List:
1.) Sacrifice
2.) Right Time
3.) Corporate Cafeteria
4.) Starry Night
5.) Down Down Down
6.) War Cry
7.) Up All Night
8.) Drift Away
9.) Let Loose
10.) Nothing I Wouldn’t
11.) Burning Up (Reborn)
12.) Come Get High
13.) Red Red Wine
14.) Anti-Social
15.) Sensimilla/Legalize It
16.) One Drop
17.) Take A Ticket
18.) Ganja Smugglin’
Hana Hou:
19.) Positive Mind
20.) Bowl For Two
Related Links:
The Expendables Website
The Expendables Facebook
Bamp Project Website
Bamp Project Facebook
Article by: Blake Taylor
Photos by: Josh Bowlin
More Photos From The Night…
