Today marks the 30th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s death. But I’m feeling like he kicked my ass last night. A friend called to remind me that The Strike was playing at the Triple Rock. I hadn’t been to the new venue yet, nor had The Strike played in town for years so I decided to go. I walked in to a full house. When I could get a good view of the stage I found an old friend of mine was on it, singing for a band called The Butchers. Highly entertaining stuff, that. In between bands I spotted a couple of dozen people I hadn’t seen in ages…a few I wanted to talk to and a few I didn’t. After some socializing I reclaimed my position so I could see The Arrivals. Overall they were a lot of fun, but what really won me over was their cover of Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher”. I had a huge smile on my face for the entire song. Round midnight The Strike took the stage, all three original members plus a new guitarist. Not sure what the scoop is on them…if they’re still living in Chicago, if this was a one-off show or if they’ll be playing out again. Sounds like they’re writing new material together, so I think we’ll be seeing them again. Anyhow, they opened with a cover of The Beatles “Back in the USSR” (complete with a slideshow of communist posters in the background) before playing their own classics. When they got to “Danger”, however, it turned out to be a little too appropriate. Some attention drifted from the stage as we watched a drunken and dazed punk being dragged away, bleeding profusely. Other than that, it seemed a good time was had by all. They closed with their rousing anthem, “Kicking Ass”, which even I sang along to. I was left thinking about having my turntable fixed, as I’ve only got their goods on vinyl. Went to bed soon after getting home, but I didn’t get to sleep until 3ish. Naturally the little man woke up around 6ish. I’m hurting today, but the ass-kicking was well worth it.
