I didn’t think I was going to be able to see Sloppy Seconds in 2017. Earlier this year, the band announced their first West Coast tour in nearly two decades. While I was happy for the Sloppy Seconds starved left coast masses, it wasn’t going to do my Midwestern ass any good. When I mumbled under my breath that the tour was starting in Las Vegas, Mrs.Trauma said that we should just go. Within a couple of days, the idea had some serious momentum behind it. That’s how we found ourselves flying 1700 miles to see a single show. It was a decadent decision, even as we headed to one of the world’s most decadent cities. Mrs.Trauma tried to pretend that the trip was so that I could see one of my favorite bands (who I’d already seen many times). The truth was, she needed a vacation. I was more than happy to oblige her.

I know a lot of folks enjoy catching a show in Vegas. A couple of people told me Penn and Teller and The Blue Man group were must sees. A couple of others raved about Cher and J-Lo. What can I say? There’s no one I’d rather see than the Indianapolis Kings of Junk Rock. Even in Sin City, a punk show is still a just a punk show and a dive bar is still just a dive bar. In this case, the show was at THE Dive Bar on Saturday September 16th. The Dive Bar is a non descript watering hole in a strip mall just a couple miles from the glitz and glamour of the Strip. Sloppy Seconds hitting the stage at midnight was the culmination of a full day of trying to take advantage of much of what Las Vegas had to offer.

We spent the early part of the evening drinking at a different non descript dive bar not far from the Strip. This particular watering hole also happened to be run by a Punknews regular, who shall remain nameless. If you’re a (non asshole) PN regular and you find yourself in Vegas, you should probably look this person up. It was our first time meeting face to face, and we were having such a good time that we drank right through the first two opening bands. It was probably for the best, as five bands would have been a lot for our wives.

When we rolled up to the venue, the first thing I noticed was that the merch tables were outside. That was a good idea, as there wasn’t much room inside. The bar was not all that big to begin with, and when the bands played it was packed with enthusiastic fans. We also ran into the guys from Sloppy Seconds out front, and they seemed genuinely glad to see some familiar faces. The other thing that takes some getting used to in LV is that you can still smoke inside. Smoking has been banned inside at most places in the Midwest for a few years now, and I had almost forgotten about the burning eyes and stinking clothes. I’ve been a reformed smoker for more than half a decade, but even I indulged.

The first band we caught was SideKicK from LA, who was doing direct support for the tour. I had never heard these guys, and this was being billed as their farewell tour. I definitely liked what I heard. They played fast, melodic and catchy punk and pop-punk. They made fun of the fact that their newest song was from 2005. Their original songs were cool, and the audience really responded to their ‘sing along’ covers of Descendents’ “Bikeage” and Cock Sparrer’s “Take ‘Em All”. I sort of regret that I never listened to SideKicK in their heyday.

Next up was Black Fag, a band that I had seen about five years ago but hadn’t heard much from since. For those of you who don’t know, they bill themselves as an ‘Absolutely Fabulous Tribute to Black Flag’. They’re part sketch comedy and part musical parody, and they’re funny as hell. There was a fake cop who tried to shut them down and then inexplicably became a go-go dancer. They hung an A over the E on the Dive Bar sign behind them to make it a Diva Bar. My favorite quote was when the martini sipping lead singer said that there was so much PBR in the room that he was actually getting straighter. What is it about PBR? I was drinking respectable bottled beer all night until I got to the show, then I started drinking tall cans of PBR too. Peer pressure I guess.

At the end of the day, Black Fag plays musically accurate versions of classic BF songs. The main difference is the limp wristed delivery and vocal stylings of Liberace Morris. I found myself singing along in the more traditional style, but it was a damn good time. The highlight was probably Liberace and guitarist Greg Streisand doing a spot on version of the intro to Sloppy Seconds’ “I Don’t Wanna be a Homosexual” (which is a clip from the John Waters film Female Trouble.) After their set, I got a chance to talk to Liberace and bassist Cher Dykeowski. I mentioned that I had seen them at Tesco Fest back in 2012. (Tesco Fest was a punk festival held only twice, in Detroit, hosted by The Meatmen.) They said that it was one of their favorite shows ever, and that they even stayed at Tesco Vee’s house.

Black Fag setlist:

Slip It In

Gimme Gimme Gimme

Jealous Again

Thirsty and Miserable

Wasted

I Don’t Wanna be a Homosexual Intro

Fix Me

Nervous Breakdown

Drinking and Driving/Greased Lightning

Revenge

Rise Above

Louie Louie

As I previously mentioned, it was midnight by the time Sloppy Seconds hit the stage. They started with “Black Roses”, and the audience went off. They pretty much stayed in that frenzied state for the rest of the show. I did the old guy thing and stayed back a bit to avoid the pit and crowd surfers. Ageless singer BA mentioned that they had a new seven inch out, and said they were going to play a new song before launching into “I Don’t Wanna be a Homosexual”. Surprisingly, they never did play their new tune, the Johnny Thunders inspired “Johnny Be Dead”. When the crowd screamed for a sing along, BA led us in a spirited a cappella version of “The Pop My Dick Song”. The rest of the guys in the band were their typical charming and funny (drunk?) selves.

They played mostly material from their four wonderful studio albums, Destroyed (1989), Knock Yer Block Off (1993), More Trouble Than They’re Worth (1998) and Endless Bummer (2008). Along with Black Fag, they were just so refreshingly un-PC. Sloppy played at least one song that I had never seen them do before. “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” was on their Garbage Days Regurgitated EP (2000). The encore started with an a capella version of fan favorite “Human Waste” and ended with the Sex Pistols’ classic “No Feelings”. All total, it was nearly 70 minutes of high energy punk rock.

If the first show is any indication, Sloppy’s West Coast swing is going to be a huge success. Some younger fans have been waiting most of their lives for a chance to see the band live. We met people from all over, including Salt Lake City and Alberta, Canada. (We came from just a little farther.) Many were experiencing the band for the first time. (It was Mrs.Trauma’s first time.) I’ve seen them double digit times, but still catch them every chance I get. The shows are just that much fun. After the show we said our goodbyes to BA, Bo, Steve and Ace. Actually, it was less of a goodbye than a see you next year.

Sloppy Seconds setlist:

Black Roses

You’ve Got a Great Body, But Your Record Collection Sucks

Why Don’t Lesbians Love Me?

I Don’t Wanna be a Homosexual

Mighty Heroes

Come Back Traci

The Pop My Dick Song

I Can’t Slow Down

You Can’t Kill Joey Ramone

Fifteen Minutes...Or It’s Free

The Horror of Party Beach

Let’s Kill the Trendy

Veronica

Black Mail

I Don’t Wanna Grow Up

Shut Up and Pour Me a Drink

Runnin’ From the CIA

I Want ‘Em Dead

Take You Home

Ice Cream Man

So Fucked Up

Encore:

Human Waste

Jani is a Nazi

Steal Your Beer

No Feelings