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The End is Near at Pac Amp

July 31, 2024 Review by John Gilhooley

As the sun set on a hot summer day at the OC Fair, Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham and Salvation Town took the stage to kick off Sunday night’s show featuring the legends, X and The Reverend Horton Heat.

Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham may be the guitarist for punkers Social Distortion, but he keeps busy with his solo material as well.

Running through his classics, Wickersham stopped in between songs to thank the crowd for coming out early saying, “I’m seeing friends out here I’ve had for 40 years!”

Joining Wickersham and Salvation Town on lead guitar was Chris Masterson from The Wallflowers. Masterson made for a great addition to Wickersham’s already classic sound.

Dallas’ Reverend Horton Heat brought his psychobilly sound to the stage next and earned a rousing cheer from the crowd. The audience was eager and excited, and made it known they were ready to partake in a religious ceremony, Reverend Horton Heat style!

The fans were very into each song The Rev, aka Jim Heath, delivered. Some of the faves were “Baddest of the Bad,” “Psychobilly Freakout,” “Big Red Rocket,” and a Willie Nelson cover, “Three Days.”

Around the end of his set, Heath said, “We got stop now. Sorry; Jimbo’s tired!” Obviously this was just a game as most people were on to it. The fans shouted back, “No! No! We want more!” It worked and Heath gave us one last song, Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades.” The crowd sang their heart out: “You know I’m born to lose, And gambling’s for fools, But that’s the way I like it, baby.” The combination of the Rev’s signature rockabilly mixes surprisingly well with Motörhead! What a fantastic set!

Headliners – and Los Angeles punk icons – X walked out on stage and showed just why they are living legends. I’ve seen X many time since 1980 and the Whisky a Go Go days, and front-woman Exene Cervenka is still an icon and influence – then and now.

Billed as The End is Near tour promoting their final album, “Smoke & Fiction,” X has stated this is their last official tour. That being said, they haven’t ruled out playing shows in the future.

Starting the set with “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not,” X tore through the classics “In This House That I Call Home,” “Because I Do,” and “Flipside,” before singer/bassist John Doe said, “Do you want to hear a new one?”

A resounding “Yes!” came from the fans to which he said, “Ok, I’m relieved!” They broke into “Sweet Til the Bitter End,” the second song on the new record.

Doe, Cervenka, along with drummer D. J. Bonebrake, and guitarist Billy Zoom took us through so many incredible songs: “The Hungry Wolf,” “Water & Wine,” “Smoke & Fiction,” “Ruby Church,” “Motel Room in My Bed,” and a Doors’ cover, “Soul Kitchen.” Of course there was a huge response for “Los Angeles” and “Johny Hit and Run Paulene.”

Before they said a final farewell, X did an encore with “White Girl,” “Wild Thing” (a Chip Taylor cover),” and “Devil Doll.”

What a phenomenal night of music with X, The Reverend Horton Heat, Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham and Salvation Town! It was the perfect night of music to close out a fantastic weekend at the OC Fair.

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