ALKALINE TRIO / SPANISH LOVE SONGS / SLOMOSA – THE OAKDALE

By Ralph Beauchamp

On Thursday, Sept 19th, The Dome in the Oakdale Theatre hosted an audacious concert. Alkaline Trio played to a packed house of energized fans with Spanish Love Songs and Slomosa for direct support.

The evening started with Norway’s stoner quartet, Slomosa. Not knowing much about the band, I had no expectations. As soon as they hit their first note, everyone including myself, took notice. Opening with “Rice” from their 2024 full length, Tundra Rock, the crowd was a washed in a volley of thunderous intensity. Lead vocalist and guitarist, Benjamin Berdous smacked everyone with his brazen aggressiveness. Lead guitarist, Tor Erik Bye’s riffs were hard yet still carried a solid groove. Marie Moe on bass was a treasure. Her basslines were explosive and her stage demeanor captivating. Your eyes were always drawn to her swagger. Drummer Jard Hole flared with immense power. The band was impressive to say the least.

Photos Jody Wilk Photography

Throughout their six song set, Slomosa carved storms of unrelenting voracity. “In My Mind’s Desert”, from their self titled debut album, was totally hard hitting with a spicy undertow. “Battling Guns”, another tune from Tunda Rock, solidified their bold stance. Their last three songs, “There Is Nothing Under The Sun”, “Kevin” and “Horses” all came from 2020’s Slomosa. Each song built upon the forceful vigor that they unleased on the audience. Berdous was quite amical. He mentioned that his throat was bothering him and he purchased Nyquil which can’t be gotten in Norway. It helped but he told the crowd to wake him if he fell asleep.

Slomosa was a good find. Their music transcended many genres including stoner, punk and hard rock. Their musicianship was impeccable and Slomosa’s visual presence had a bold flavor. A band worth watching.

Up next was LA’s Spanish Love Songs fronted by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dylan Slocum. Their sound tailors around punk with flakes of emo and anthemic rock. Kind of Springsteen on prozac. Starting off with “Losers” from their 2023 release No Joy, the house was digging the spacey and heartfelt emotions the band was kicking out. Slocum’s voice was emotive and full of cinematic edges. HIs voice trembles with a dramatic tension that grabs the listener by the throat. SLS’s lyrics also deliver a punch.

So do you think that we’ll outrun it?
Get past the pain of simply being?
Every time you want out of your body
Or can’t get your head around this dream
You swore you loved it more
When you couldn’t guess the end
It’s never adding up
But don’t write yourself out of the equation

Photos Jody Wilk Photography

Spanish Love Songs’ set flipped between tracks from No Joy and their 2020 album, Brave Faces Everyone. “Losers” was next and the band ramped up the energy. Again the entire ensemble flawed with sonic propulsion. Lead guitarist, Kyle McAulay riffs were filled with rich textures while Ruben Duarte on drums was fearless. Meredith Van Woert’s keys flashed with supersized impetuousness. “Self-Destruction” led into “Pendulum”, “Kick” and “Loser 2”. Their big hit off of No Joy, “Haunted”, drew a loud roar of approval. Spanish Love Songs closed out with “Routine Pain” and “Clean-Up Crew”. The house really enjoyed their monstrous performance.

By the time Alkaline Trio hit the stage, the Oakdale was packed. This was surely the headliner everyone was looking forward to. Fronted by dual vocalists, Matt Skiba (Guitar/Bass) and Dan Andriano (Bass/Guitar), the crowd was animated from the very start. The band is rounded out by drummer Atom Willard after the recent departure of long time member Derek Grant. Formed in Chicago, Alkaline Trio have dropped 10 studio albums including their 2024 Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs.

Alkaline Trio entered well dressed in suits and ties and they had a poise of supreme coolness. It was a cordial attitude of self assurance. They knew who they were and knew they were going to deliver a fantastic night. Their first song was “Hot for Preacher”, their solid track from Blood,Hair, and Eyeballs. Immediately, the house erupted with excitement. Everyone was feeling the thrill. “We’ve Had Enough”, “Take Lots with Alcohol” and “Bad Time” followed and the house was eating it up. “Versions of You” from Blood had the audience in a flow of aural appreciation.

Alkaline Trio‘s 20 song set featured many hits and live debuts. “Hinterlude” and “Broken Down In a Time Machine” from Blood were played live for the first time. Other fan favorites included “Mercy” off Crimson, “Private Eye” and “Armageddon” off From Here To Infirmary and “Calling All Skeletons” from Agony & Irony. “Warbrain”, “Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs” and final song “Time to Waste” were also huge hits. The band encored with “This Could Be Love” and a killer version of “Radio”.

Photos Jody Wilk Photography

Through out their performance, Skiba and Andriano’s stage banter was truly entertaining. They dedicated certain songs to the audience and kept the entire show fun and light. As their set progressed the mosh pits grew larger and larger. Everyone was enjoying the gnarly textures Alkaline Trio were dropping. Most of the house sang along to practically every song. Alkaline Trio controlled the night and everybody left satisfied. A glorious evening of straight ahead punk and rock. I can’t wait for the triumphant return of Alkaline Trio. Don’t miss them. They completely rule.

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