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Two Sold-Out Nights at
OBSERVATORY NORTH PARK
February 11, 2025 Review by Kevin Gomez
Unwritten Law returned to their hometown of San Diego to play two sold-out shows at the Observatory North Park this past weekend.
It was a stacked lineup for each night that saw the Poway band playing their breakout self-titled “Black Album” on Friday night, and the commercially huge “Elva” on Saturday.
By watching their set you probably wouldn’t guess that Quel Bordel! were locals, sounding more like Gogol Bordello or Flogging Molly. But the group formed not far from Friday night’s venue. A unique sound defined by guitarist and lead vocalist Jakovich Skolnick, Aaron de la Rosa’s banjo, and Ashley M on violin. They played their latest single, “For the Love,” their rendition of a fun hoedown with attitude. It was a great way to kick off the night.
Up next was Cailin Russo. In addition to her own band, RUSSO, she recently began pursuing a solo career after having won a Grammy in 2021 for her songwriting collaboration on Kanye West’s “Hurricane.” She turned in a great performance of sultry pop in the vein of Lana Del Rey. Accompanied by just a DJ playing her beats for most songs, she picked up an acoustic guitar for an intimate performance of her song, “LEMONADE.”
Fellow hometown heroes Buck-O-Nine came to party and that’s just what they did. Listening to them will always bring back memories of visiting San Diego and hearing their songs on local station, 91X. They opened with “Callin’ in Sick” and also played “Cook Me Into the Bowl” and “Don’t Be Afraid.” The crowd formed a giant skanking pit that lasted their whole set.
For “Screamin’ From the Suburbs,” singer Jon Pebsworth and trombonist Dan Albert engaged with the crowd for a sing-along. Bassist Andy Platfoot took over lead vocals for the always-popular “Irish Drinking Song.” As their set came to an end, Pebsworth commented, “We are proud San Diego boys and this is an ode to our city” as they played “My Town.”
Unwritten Law took the stage and began with the opening track of the “Black Album,” “Harmonic,” which immediately ignited the crowd. Not giving them a chance to rest, they cut directly into “Teenage Suicide.”
For their first big radio hit, “Cailin,” Cailin joined dad and lead vocalist, Scott Russo onstage as she took over vocals for the second verse and chorus while bassist Johnny Grill’s daughter came over to him as he knelt to play for her.
This show was definitely a family affair and welcome home. One of the rowdiest pits all night opened as the boys played the oft-forgotten “Coffin Text.” Russo dedicated “Before I Go” to his oldest son, Nico who was backstage.
Drummer Wade Youman really showed off why he is such an integral part of the band. Absolutely pounding and punishing his drums on “Lonesome,” while adding drums to slower songs like “Cailin” that bring them to life live. He and Grill provided the heavy backbeat to “Underground.”
After playing the self-titled album front to back, they played “Seein’ Red,” their biggest breakout hit. They followed up with “Ghosted” from their 2022 album, “The Hum,” and closed their set with “Up All Night,” and after a quick huddle between members, “C.P.K.” (Crazy Poway Kids).
A relatively new band to the scene, Sound Division kicked off Saturday night. Fronted by bassist and co-lead singer, Tre Russo (another of Scott’s sons). They kicked off their short set with “Burning” followed by their first single, “Reign,” which had just been released the day before. Combining sounds of punk with a hard rock tinge and blaring vocals, they got the crowd warmed up playing “Crashing Out” and finally closing their set with “No Way Out.”
The longtime OC punks, Death On Wednesday were next up. Fronted by Nate Lawler (formerly of Redgun Radar) the four-piece had a great set of solid punk music. They opened with “If You Want” which saw Lawler walk over to bassist, Kevin Smith as the two dueled off and Lawler nailed his guitar solo.
They followed up with “Stranded” and “Stare.” For his part, Lawler has always had a powerful, almost crooner voice and still sounds incredible live. Bringing the same high energy, moving about stage, throwing kicks at the end of the stage, ever the performer. They closed with “Bad Case of You” and “No Regrets.”
One of the biggest headlines to hit Orange County last year was the return of the almighty Home Grown. A band that Southern California grew up with seeing at backyard shows and playing for then-unknown blink-182 and Unwritten Law at local shows.
They had their first show back in nearly two decades last year opening for The Starting Line, and their first headlining show later that year.
They started Saturday’s set with “Tomorrow” sung by bassist Adam Lohrbach and followed up with the John Tran-led, “I Love You, Not.” Tran said he didn’t believe they had played in San Diego since 2004.
Speaking of rarities, they dipped way back to their first album for Tran’s “Get a Job.” Later, Lohrbach and Tran swapped instruments which hardcore fans knew meant they were about to play “Surfer Girl,” the first song that would garner them radio play. They busted out one of their only cover songs, a punk rock rendition of “Barbie Girl” before closing out with the anthem, “You’re Not Alone.” For those interested, Home Grown will be back headlining their own show at the Observatory in Santa Ana on May 16th.
Unwritten Law kicked off with “Mean Girl,” the first song off of “Elva,” and instantly got the crowd hyped into a pit. They followed up with their usual closer, “Up All Night,” which continued to get people jumping and dancing. They slowed things down with “How You Feel” before going into the aggressive “Blame It on Me.”
The band played as a five-piece as they were joined by occasional second guitarist, Scotty Mac. It really provided a well-rounded sound as the album was originally recorded with dual guitars. Mac and lead guitarist Chris Lewis really got to show off on songs like “Hellborn” and “Babalon” as Youman continued to put on a clinic pounding his kit.
The boys did a gorgeous rendition of “Geronimo” highlighted by Youman’s booming drums. Russo did a solo acoustic performance of “Rest of My Life” as the band joined in again on the album’s title track, “Elva.”
They played the last song on the album, “Evolution,” a song I’ve been waiting to hear live for 23 years. Tre Russo joined his dad to sing the second verse on “Seein’ Red” and I’ve never seen Scott look so happy.
They played “Magnetic” off their latest album, “The Hum,” before going into “Save Me (Wake Up Call).”
They created the gnarliest pit all weekend with “World War III” from their first album, and once again closed with “C.P.K.”
I’m grateful that I was there and have had these albums with me for the past 20 years.
“Elva” and the “Black Album” have been a soundtrack to my entire life and getting to witness them played live is not something I’ll soon forget.
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