Images: Skalloween feat. The CGs, Be Like Max, The Anchorage and more October 30, 2016

With no plans for Halloween, I turned all my attention to Skalloween. I was super excited with the bands, a ska/punk heavy lineup with many old favorites taking place in the backyard of a house. The place was sardine can squished due to heavy attendance and the bands were playing under a tree decked out in its best Halloween decorations.

First up was Rowdy Ruff Boys, the one band on the bill I was not very familiar with. Listening from a distance I could already tell that I liked these locals. They have a super upbeat ska tone and the guitar was so on point with each little stroke that it was just too hard not to dance!

Super amazing local punk rockers Anti-Vision were up next, and while my tastes generally lean more towards ska than punk, I really enjoy watching them play. Their singer Brendan Sellers always uses the space as much as possible, moshing with the crowd and really getting everyone super pumped.

Next up was Goth Fuck, or as they’re more commonly known, Be Like Max. Feeling the holiday spirit, the band was dressed in black and I have to admit, I was even a little scared of them. But they killed it! Who knew goths play in a ska band? Or who knew rudies could be so goth?

The crowd was so packed for The CGs that even the space around the drums was taken up by fans singing along. This band gets better every time I see them, so it’s not a surprise that they induce such a reaction. A house is really this band’s element and it’s great to see the impact they have on their excited fans.

The night’s touring band was The Anchorage, a ska band from Utah. I was sitting down and talking with my friends when I started to hear the intro of “Deep Sleep” and my heart dropped because I had forgotten they were playing. So I rushed to the front to see them and it was like watching your favorite band play for the first time. I was just so excited they were here! This time I knew about 90% of the songs, and I sang along, admiring their amazing horn section, especially the little solo in “Tear Down The Walls.”

Last but not least was Drinking Water. This is a band you must see if you’re a ska fan in Vegas (or anywhere they tour). They really make you feel the music and the bass rattles you with every breath you take, which is the perfect stress reliever in my mind.

-Margaret Schmitt | http://margaretschmitt.wix.com/margaretschmitt