Fat Mike and Eric Melvin of NOFX performing at Concord Pavilion for the Punk In Drublic Craft Beer & Music Festival. Photo Credit: Jared Stossel

NOFX
Punk In Drublic Craft Beer & Music Festival
w/ Bad Religion, Strung Out, The Mr. T Experience, Bad Cop / Bad Cop, Get Dead
Concord Pavilion
Concord, CA
October 29, 2017

Photos and review by Jared Stossel.

In theory, you might think that a festival of this nature could be a disastrous idea: thousands of punks out in the hot sun being given free beer all day, doubled with a mosh pit and some of the rowdiest punk rock bands in the world. But in practice, it's actually bloody brilliant. Why they didn't do this sooner, I'll never know. Bay Area punk legends NOFX teamed up with over 100 craft beer breweries to present the "Punk In Drublic Craft Beer and Music Festival" (taking its name from the band's beloved studio album). The tour wasn't a typical one, playing only select dates on weekends throughout the country rather than going weeks at a time, and it's clear from the turnout that this is a method that works.

The festival grounds opened around 1 PM (12 PM if you had a VIP ticket) where you could roam the venue and stop to sample a vast array of beer (for free!). The music itself didn't begin until around 2:30 PM, which allowed for plenty of time to sample some of the best craft breweries that the Bay Area had to offer (we were big fans of the Gilman Brewing Company selections that were offered).

The first two bands up kicked things off on the perfect level: the Bay Area's own Get Dead, followed immediately by Los Angeles' Bad Cop / Bad Cop. Both brought something unique to the table in regards to the genre, while ensuring that the pit was fully open and accessible to all in attendance. The Mr. T Experience provided a set that bordered on traditional punk while eliciting overtones of upbeat alternative rock. Strung Out mixed things up and stuck out to me in a really interesting way. While they were a punk band, their guitarist Jake Kiley played with the tenacity and styling of a thrash metal guitarist (right down to the Jackson guitar that's most prevalent on music of that style). It provided an incredibly unique mixing of styles and made for a highly memorable set.

The ever-amazing Bad Religion took the stage for a main support slot, and managed to make their way through a twenty-something song setlist without breaking a sweat. Bad Religion are a band that only get better with time, and that's a fact that became completely evident to me when they dove headfirst into "New Dark Ages", one of their most popular tracks. They're a band that has truly pushed the boundaries of what punk rock can offer, both with their heavier-than-usual sound and evocative lyricism. Both elements make for a mind-blowing performance.

The moment is upon us, and NOFX takes the stage, making comments about why they could possibly be playing in a place like Concord. In between making jokes and playful banter with the crowd and even photographers in the pit below, they bring forth a lengthy setlist packed with favorites like "The Idiots Are Taking Over" "72 Hookers", "Linoleum", and "Six Years On Dope". There's even a point in the show where an impromptu song about Concord, riffed on the spot, makes an appearance, eliciting laughs and cheers from the rowdy crowd. After powering through "I Am A Huge Fan of Bad Religion", the band conclude the night with a trifecta of hits: "Seeing Double at The Triple Rock", "Soul Doubt", and "Reeko", before releasing us back into the night. One can only hope that an event of this nature will resurface next year.

NOFX Set List
60%
Dinosaurs Will Die
Six Years On Dope
72 Hookers
Idiots Are Taking Over
Murder The Government
Bob
Eat the Meek
The Man I Killed
Lori Meyers
Suits and Ladders
Linoleum
Concord (Made up song for the show)
I Don't Like Me Anymore
Leave It Alone
I Am a Huge Fan of Bad Religion
Seeing Double at the Triple Rock
Soul Doubt
Reeko