Images: Toys That Kill, Civic Minded Five, Illicitor, Fredward July 19, 2016 at The Dive

At this point in time, my infatuation with Recess Records is of common knowledge to those around me. My unabashed love for staying in bed instead of interacting with the outside world would also top that list. That being said, getting me to stay up past 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night is next to impossible, unless you put on a show with a stacked lineup.

Last time Toys That Kill were in town, (that wasn’t for Punk Rock Bowling reasons) it was quite some years ago at some bar on Lake Mead that’s no longer around. This time they were back in Vegas to play with Fredward, Illicitor, and the newly reunited (at least for that night only,) Civic Minded Five, who would be playing their first show together in 14 years.

For a Tuesday night, the turnout to this show at the Dive Bar was surprisingly great, and in true Dive Bar fashion, the first band still had yet to play by the time 10 p.m. rolled around. Fredward had some problems setting up due to a faulty pedal board, but once they got the ball rolling, and treated the audience to a cover of Fugazi’s “Waiting Room” as their opener, the vibe of the room picked up, and everyone was digging their experimental punk sound. This was my initiation into Fredward’s live show and I was left with my mouth open. These guys have locked into a sound like no other band in town. They blend aspects of punk, alternative, and experimental like its no ones business.

Up next was Illicitor, a band who constantly keeps surprising me with the way they can up the ante of shredding show after show. Bob Oh, Micah Malcolm, and Zabi Naqshband make up Illicitor and by now have made a name for themselves as bona fide masters of tempo changes and thumping bass lines. Bob even threw in some guitar shredding that could give Slayer a run for their money. They played new songs that have me looking forward to what they release next. They definitely were in the running for heaviest band of the night, and the Dive Bar was loving it. I can’t wait to see them play at the Punks in Vegas 5 Year Bash.

I get nervous just thinking of having to play a show without a practice under my belt, I couldn’t fathom having to play one after disbanding 14 years ago. That’s exactly what Civic Minded Five were about to do. The guys made jokes beforehand about exactly how little practice they accomplished (three to be extract), and how they were gonna be able to find a way to match the fast paced intensity that they once had in their prime touring the country. They also happen to have the biggest draw of the night, and man did they not disappoint. CM5 picked up right where they left off. Even with drummer Clay Heximer on the verge of bleeding from his stomach if anything went wrong (he recently had hernia surgery), it seemed as if they had never stopped playing. “It’ll Never Bother Me” brought back memories of listening to E=CM5 on my way to school. Joking in between songs with the crowd, and getting fed shots on stage, everyone had a smile on their face throughout the entirety of their set. Here’s to hoping we get to experience that again soon.

Las Vegas was the first stop on Toys That Kill’s U.S. tour, even though they’re from San Pedro, CA. it still felt like a sort of “coming home” show due to their ties to Vegas via Civic Minded Five. Both bands caught up throughout the night and attentively watch each other’s sets. Personally, I was beyond stoked to see Toys That Kill again. They are a band that I listen to almost daily. Sentimental Ward, their latest release is 16 tracks of ripping straightforward 90s pop-punk jams. Playing new material is usually a sure way to get the audience against you, yet coming off the excitement, and out right badassness of Sentimental Ward, I didn’t mind it one bit. Knocking off song after song, and including some favorites like “Little Bit Stranger,” Toys That Kill put on an epic show that made it worth staying up past 1 a.m. on a Tuesday night.

-Alan Madrigal

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