Dr Know – Noise Attack – Knocked Out Cold – Joe’s Garage – So Far Unarmed – PSA – at Hogue Barmichaels – Costa Mesa, CA

Whether the charity show last night began at 5pm due to the early setting of the sun, or in order to begin collecting funds early, Hogue Barmichaels’ decision to do this was more than a good idea. 30 minutes into the first hour, many kids and older heads were already present at the venue, and demonstrated a good indication that the night would go well. The charity event was put together to raise money for disadvantaged children. Although I missed the performance by the band Not A Chance, a few members of the audience stated that they had a neat distinct sound and were a mix of Ska and Punk.

Around 6pm, PSA took the stage and began to play for the early crowd. PSA covered Fear’s "Gimmie Some Action", and the song recruited several people into starting up the night. PSA’s performance was short, but they gave the crowd something to take in while the show began to progress.

So Far Unarmed played third, and was fronted by a lead singer who resembled Milo Aukerman from The Descendents, mainly because of the black framed glasses. So Far Unarmed covered TSOL and Smut Peddlers during their set, and each cover they played prompted huge participation from the audience. The night was still very young, and the small venue had still not seen the best from the audience.

When Joe’s Garage followed after, the crowd seemed to have increased in mass out of nowhere. During the first song, a wave of people crashed straight into the pit and illustrated their support for the band. Throughout the entire set, the crowd continued to augment the action in the pit, and Joe’s Garage once again brought out the enthusiasm in the audience through their musical stylings.

After Joes Garage played, WMD went up next and brought a crowd different from the punks at the show. The crowd that came to support WMD seemed to be composed of bros and jocks, but during WMD’s performance, that same crowd basked in the music and actually started the majority of the pits. Despite complications during WMD’s set, the band maintained their composure and continued to play to the very end.

IOrange natives Knocked Out Cold put on a good performance, and induced an immediate frenzy upon playing. The band members gave away and threw free shirts into the audience during their set, and continued to do so until their merchandise was out. As if free merch wasn’t enough, lead singer Jesse Ransom took off his pants as requested by the audience, and sang with only his boxers on. Knocked Out Cold was fun, hilarious, and full of energy.

Noise Attack initiated the release of their new CD "Gun In My Hand" last night, and before playing, they encouraged the crowd to buy copies of their new music. Before Noise Attack even began to play, a pit was already commencing and going. Once Noise Attack actually began to play, all hell broke loose. Throughout the duration of their set, Noise Attack played fast and well, and gave the crowd music to enjoy.

It was rumored during the night that there was a possibility that Dr Know might not play. Despite the rumors, Dr Know took the stage, and played a powerful set. The set was going great, but several fights broke out that kept interrupting the flow of Dr Know’s music. The band members had to keep pausing between songs, and finally, they reminded the audience that the night was organized for a charity event, and to keep negative tensions outside the venue. Dr Know’s reminder brought everyone’s spirits back up, and people began to rush into the pit and enjoy the music. The night ended well, and Dr Know’s performance was exciting and insane. There was an 18+ after-party after Dr Know, but the majority of the people present at the show left for the night.

-Stephanie M.-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

For more photos of the show go  HERE