With a capacity crowd on hand, Throw Rag’s 30th Anniversary show at The Observatory in Santa Ana made for an amazing night. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the ultimate punk-rockabilly band.
Being Salton Sea’s number one sons, this band is beyond entertaining. The band is comprised of front-man Sean Wheeler, guitarist Patrick Bostrom, bassist Frank Cronin, and Daniel Lapham manning the sampler.
Before the main event went off, we had openers, and they were good ones. Leading off was Julian James and The Lovebombs. They kicked off the night with a great set with the addition of Jonny Two Bags filling in for Trevor Lucca on guitar.
Despite being a fill in, the band was tight, you would think Jonny had been playing with them for years. From the first note, the crowd was loud and appreciative, ramping the excitement level up.
Next up was Texas punkers, Riverboat Gamblers. They tore through their set, playing most songs at 100 miles an hour with their hair on fire.
Front-man Mike Wiebe never slowed down and he wouldn’t let the crowd falter either; if you’re up front for one of their shows, look out, because he’s coming for you.
Supersuckers were up next, no that is an interesting band. As in traditional form, front-man Eddie Spaghetti lit up the stage. He bounced out saying they were more than happy to welcome their friends Throw Rag into the “senior years” of music, helping them celebrate their 30th anniversary.
After running through their set and saying “We only have time for a couple more songs,” the crowd was calling out for fan favorite, “Pretty Fk’d Up.” Of course they ended with that hit and cleared the stage for Throw Rag’s entrance.
Throw Rag was greeted by a loud ovation from their loyal fans. Kicking off the set with an intro into “Swingset Superman,” they blazed through 15+ songs from “Hang Up” to “Days in Y” to “Beast in Me” and – a nice surprise – with Eddie Spaghetti and Metal Marty from Supersuckers joining them for “Please Don’t Touch.”
Throw Rag front-man Sean Wheeler told the crowd, “Isn’t it nice that we’re all still here? I’m 26 years clean and sober; and if you like to party, that’s cool, but I like this life. I can be here with you all.” He then brought his son Desmond onstage, showing what life’s all about.
The room was filled with love and appreciation from all – band and fans alike – showing what 30 years together can do to create an incredible night of music.
