A longstanding favorite of OC Music News, Everclear is on the road this fall with The Ataris and Pink Spiders. The jaunt will keep them busy through mid-October, which includes a stop at The Wiltern in LA on October 9th.
But OC Music News got a preview in North Carolina last week, just for you!
Unfortunately, Kris Roe, front-man of The Ataris, ended up with COVID and the band couldn’t open for Everclear.
That left The Pink Spiders as the solo opener of the night. Sometimes, one of the best things about going to a concert is getting introduced to new bands that you didn’t know existed but find out you should have. Tonight, was one of those nights for me.
I’m not sure if it had anything to do with The Ataris not performing or if they’re always giving it their all, but The Pink Spiders from Nashville put on an amazing show.
They came out shouting “North Carolina” before playing “Gold Confetti.” During the song, singer and guitarist Matt Friction got down on his knees while he played a few riffs. Bassists JoCo was showing off his tattoos and sporting a pink beanie, and guitarist Young James was bouncing around the stage the entire time. The whole band’s energy was on point and got the crowd fired up.
They dedicated “The Boys of Summer” to The Ataris (the song that gained The Ataris mainstream fame), along with “Busy Signals,” “Freakin’ Freakin’ Out,” “Nobody Baby,” and “Little Razorblade.” Friction asked the audience if anyone needed a shirt; everyone got excited and shouted, hoping he’d throw them one, then he laughed and said they were for sale in the back.
The Pink Spiders have been around since 2003 and has some loyal fans; one of which was in the audience. This “superfan,” as we dubbed him, drove almost two hours just to see The Pink Spiders. He sang along with every song, shouted to the band, and was jumping all about. He made such an impact on those standing around him, when the guitar picks were tossed into the crowd at the end of the show, the person who caught it made sure that it went to the beloved superfan.
While waiting for Everclear to take the stage, music blared overhead and the entire crowd sang along to “Self Esteem” by The Offspring and “Fight For Your Right” by Beastie Boys which kept us all entertained and the mood just right. Then Everclear took the stage. Bassist Freddy Herrera shouted. “What’s up, Raleigh!” while Art Alexakis said, “Raleigh, make some fucking noise!” before starting the night with “So Much For the Afterglow.”
The motto of the night from Everclear’s front-man and founder Alexakis was the phrase “Fuck yeah!” He had us shouting it all night, and when we didn’t say it loud enough or didn’t convince him we meant it, we screamed it again.
Alexakis dedicated “Heroin Girl” to Nate, a 26-year-old kid who’s been going to their concerts for years. When he named the next song, “You Make Me Feel Like a Whore,” the entire crowd started screaming.
The band left the stage for a moment to allow Alexakis do his solo song, “Sing Away” without all the bells and whistles. A lady kept holding up a sign that read “AM Radio” and Alexakis acknowledged her a few times and said it’s coming. Herrera and guitarist Dave French pointed out into the crowd, recognizing the lucky individuals who were able to lock eyes with the band members and have a little moment.
Before “Father of Mine,” Alexakis said “If you don’t know this song, you were living under a fucking rock” before asking us to help him sing it. When we screamed “Yeah,” he said, “That shit’s weak; you sound like Virginia!” Alexakis dedicated “Like a California King” to his band member, Herrera. He played the song “The Swing” from “Scream 2” and joked about how many unanswered questions there were from the first which is why they keep making those movies.
Alexakis played a slower song and said after that “skunk bummer of a song” let’s hear an old school ‘90s alternative song and they did “I Will Buy You a New Life.” They also played “Strawberry,” “Wonderful,” and “Local God.”
During the night, Herrera said the band has been playing for 31 years. Even after 31 years, they still sound amazing and have the energy of someone much younger.
Herrera spun around while he played; Alexakis and French played in unison on their guitars and moved about the stage. They never stood still and talked to the audience and joked around with one another. It’s the little things like this that differentiates a good concert from a great one. Everclear and The Pink Spiders put on a great concert.
Both bands hung out at the merch booth after their set, giving autographs and connecting with the fans. SoCal residents make sure to catch Everclear on October 9th. While I can’t personally say how good The Ataris will be, The Pink Spiders and Everclear will have you saying, “Fuck yeah!”
