Images: Cock Sparrer May 25, 2014 at Backstage Bar & Billiards (Punk Rock Bowling)

Last time legendary British street punk band Cock Sparrer headlined Punk Rock Bowling in 2011, they also treated us to a special, intimate performance at the Las Vegas Country Saloon. Because of this and their general predilection for playing to fans in small places they were high on the list of suspects for the “surprise guests” spot at the even smaller Backstage Bar & Billiards this year. Official PRB merchandise spoiled the surprise a day early but it did nothing to quell excitement, as fans filed in shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip until the venue was clearly over the 300 some capacity it’s capable of. The combined body heat caused sweat dripping from our brows to become instant steam, giving the room the feel of a humidor by the time the energetic band finally took the stage.

Fists were pumped and promptly stuck in the upright position as the band tore through a set just as lengthy as the one played the night before during their headlining spot. No one would hold it against them if the band, who have been active since 1974, decided to take it easy, but that’s just not their style. Cock Sparrer’s brand of working class oi is tailor made for a bar (though in my head I envision more of a dive than the swank, very blue, Triple B, but I don’t drink anyway so what do I know) and few live music experiences compare to a bunch of former strangers turned new friends putting arms across shoulders and belting out “So remember, out there somewhere You’ve got a friend, and you’ll never walk alone again” just a few feet from the guys playing.

Cock Sparrer had some of the biggest grins I’ve ever seen on a band and they continually thanked everyone for coming out and for continuing to support them over the past five decades. That kind of humbleness combined with their gleeful playing is so infectious that I can’t imagine anyone had anything less than the same stellar time that I had watching the legends at work.

-Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/