Fans of Bad Religion were delighted when it was announced the band would be playing a special show at the intimate Garden Amp in Garden Grove two days prior to their appearance at the colossal No Values Festival. Held in Pomona, No Values included The Original Misfits, Sublime, Iggy Pop, Social Distortion, The Adicts, Turnstile, Dillinger Escape Plan, Jesus Lizard, L7, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, T.S.O.L., and several other punk heavyweights, all of whom put on a phenomenal show. But before we knew what No Values would become, we headed to the Garden Amp for Bad Religion.
People began lining up early in the afternoon to ensure a prime spot for the show to come. By doors, the air was charged with excitement as music enthusiasts flooded into the cozy Garden Amp. The seats were already packed as South Bay band Slaughterhouse launched into their set with a whirlwind of frenetic guitar riffs, pounding drums, and visceral vocals.
From the moment they stepped on stage and got the show going, they had the right kind of volatile energy and the crowd was more than receptive.
Singer Meriel O’Connell was on fire as she ripped through their set which included everything from a cover of Blondie’s “Call Me,” to some of the group’s older songs (including “Micro Manage”), plus a couple of new songs (the fast and catchy “Poison,” and their latest single “State of Emergency”).
They commanded the audience’s attention, setting the perfect tone for the night ahead. Slaughterhouse’s blend of punk and hardcore elements created an electrifying atmosphere, leaving the crowd ready for more.
Bad Religion’s name lit up the screen behind the stage and the crowd roared in approval as the band walked on, and the energy in the air surged in excitement. The band launched into their first song from 2002’s album “The Process of Belief,” the politically charged “The Defense.” The lyrics remain just as relevant today as they were when it was released: “Nothing comes easier than madness in the world today.”
With relentless energy and precision, they had the crowd in the palm of their hand with their trademark blend of melodic punk and socially-conscious lyrics. The screen behind the stage lit up with the album artwork of “Against the Grain” as they began the song of the same name. Every song was delivered with an enthusiasm that only Bad Religion can muster.
The band seemed to be in good spirits. Fresh off a long tour with Social Distortion, they were well-rehearsed and on point all night. Greg Graffin’s distinctive vocals cut through the air like a razor, delivering poignant lyrics that resonated with the audience on a visceral level. The band’s tight musicianship and unwavering stage presence kept the crowd engaged from start to finish, eliciting cheers and sing-alongs with every chord. Jay Bentley on bass was standing tall, wearing a large cowboy hat, and looking totally epic.
Graffin announced that today was Bentley’s birthday and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to him as a cake adorned with lit candles was brought on stage. After blowing out the candles, Bentley made sure to take a big bite out of the cake. Graffin went on to note that there was just about no one that he had known longer than the Bentley, adding that they are now old enough to “tell you all that these really are the New Dark Ages” as a perfect segue into that very song.
The duel guitar attack of Brian Baker and Mike Dimkich flawlessly brings to life these songs that we all know and love. Highlights for me were the big hits “Generator,” “Infected,” and “My Sanity,” which all became huge sing-alongs in the grandest of senses.
A surprise inclusion was the rarely played “Along the Way” from 1982’s “How Could Hell Be Any Worse.” A smiling Graffin said that he was enjoying the general feeling of the show and wondered out loud, “Why have we never played in Garden Grove before?” He also noted the closeness of the fans reminded him of the good old days. “Some of the first shows we ever played were just down the street in Santa Ana.”
Orange County was the first place to embrace the band truly, and Bentley mentioned that OC Punk legend Steve Soto had once invited him over to his house and he never wanted to leave.
They played a very satisfying career-spanning set, but beyond the music what truly stood out was the sense of camaraderie and unity that permeated the venue. In a world that often feels divided, the punk community came together as one, united by their love for music. The Garden Amp provided the perfect setting for this sense of connection, with its intimate atmosphere and up-close-and-personal stage setup.
The show progressed as the powerful “Fuck Armageddon…This is Hell” finished their regular part of their set. They briefly left the stage only to return to close out the evening with a superb rendition of “Sorrow” followed by the classic “21st Century (Digital Boy),.
In the end, as the final chords of “American Jesus” reverberated through the air, it was clear that this was more than just a show; it was a celebration of everything that punk rock stands for – rebellion, resilience, and the unyielding belief in the power of music to change the world.
For those lucky enough to attend, it was a night that would not soon be forgotten. As Graffin waved goodnight and walked off stage, the rest of the band began playing the familiar riff of Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town.” Bentley stepped to the mic and reiterated what a special night it was for him and thanked the crowd for making it so, and by staying with the band for all these years.
Once in a great while, as you’re leaving a show, you think to yourself, “Wow, I just witnessed something pretty amazing” and this was just such a show.
