Images: The Falcon, The Copyrights, Sam Russo, Mikey Erg July 5, 2016 at the Beauty Bar

If you’re like me, someone whose early 2000 browser history read “Punknews” just as much as “Myspace,” then the formation of The Falcon probably blew your young, orgcore loving mind. Members of The Lawrence Arms, Alkaline Trio and Rise Against coming together as one? (Todd Mohney of Rise Against was later replaced by Dave Hause, somewhat fitting as The Loved Ones are definitely more popular to that demographic than modern RA). Move over, Chickenfoot…this is the supergroup of my dreams.

12 years later (oh god, I’m old!) The Falcon is back with a new album and a west coast tour, kicking things off at the Beauty Bar last week on Nickel Beer Night. The setlist mixed songs from that new album, Gather Up the Chaps, and choice cuts from debut Unicornography. “The Angry Cry of the Angry Pie,” “The Skeleton Dance,” “Building the Perfect Asshole Parade or Scratching Off the Fleas,” “Dead Rose” and “Unicorn Odyssey” were among the highlights, the latter of which featured opener Sam Russo, and the crowd of late night punk rock fans, on the “who ohs.”

For a band that has never really toured before, The Falcon sounded extremely tight, and the show gave Brendan Kelly a chance to show off his sense of humor, something he’s probably become better known for than even the Lawrence Arms, thanks to his popular Nihilist Arby’s Twitter account. Kelly began his rapidly sung stream of consciousness song “Hasselhoff Cheeseburger” by crowning himself as the best white rapper, and deeming their Vegas debut their “best Vegas show ever,” somewhat fitting considering it was their only Vegas show ever.

The guys obviously have great chemistry together, which made the songs sound strong and the banter even stronger. Andriano prefaced his turn as lead vocalist on “You Dumb Dildos” by explaining how the Beauty Bar’s large monitors would make good tables for a game of Monopoly (awesomely, Andriano had a group of underaged Trio fans decked in their best heart and skull gear watching from atop precariously stacked boxes in the alley). Hause prefaced his frontman role on the appropriately titled “If Dave Did It” by calling this show “the Best PRB ever” as well as teasing opener Mikey Erg for walking around the crowd, looking to join more bands.

The humorous vibe was infectious, and if you somehow managed to keep from breaking a grin when the band ended their set by conga lining from the stage to the bar to the tune of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” then I must assume you’re a robot and will be reporting you to the nearest Blade Runner ASAP.

The Copyrights, possibly the most underrated name in pop punk, made their return to Nickel Beer Night in the direct support slot to play a mix of favorites including “Kids Of The Black Hole,” “Crutches,” “Shit’s Fucked” and “No Knocks.” Supposedly the band had little time to practice with touring drummer Mikey Erg behind the kit, joking that this show constituted their only practice session. But other than a minor flub during “She Turns It Up,” you wouldn’t know it. One of the things that makes The Copyrights’ album so good is their anthemic choruses and if you listen to The Copyrights’ influenced bands like Iron Chic and Direct Hit, you’ll have an idea of what I mean. This makes them a blast to see with other fans singing along, even if there should have been more voices in the chorus on that night.

Sam Russo’s inaugural Vegas show brought out a small number of fans specifically there to see the British folk troubadour.  Russo did right by those fans, playing “Get On Home” for one and making it about a quarter of the way through “Tinned Peaches & Diamond Rings” for another. Russo certainly made a few new fans as well, with barflies tapping their toes during “Nobody’s Fool” and watching in stunned silence during “Small Town Shoes.” Hopefully those new fans picked up a t-shirt or two because as Russo pointed out, his British money is worth quite a bit less post-Brexit.

Mikey Erg kicked off the night, playing songs from his just-released solo debut Tentative Decisions to far too few people (the one pitfall of shows abstaining from “punk time”).  While Erg is best known for his drumming skills in bands like Star Fucking Hipsters, The LLC and The Ergs, this show saw him playing “An Abundance Of Julies,” “Comme Si About Me,” and “1001 Smashed Motel Rooms” on an electric guitar. I’d normally label solo electric as “the Billy Bragg method” of going solo but, combined with his wild thrashing around the stage, I think Sam Russo’s quote later that night fits a bit better: “Mikey Erg puts the ‘Erg’ in Paul Westerberg.” (Mikey was certainly channeling that “Unsatisfied” vibe on a fantastic cover of Propagandhi’s “Resisting Tyrannical Government.”)

I don’t break my “no bar shows on work nights” rule very often anymore – but there was no way I was missing this one, and it was more than worth it.

-Emily Matview

Anthony Constantine | https://www.facebook.com/anthonycphotography